#until the other timezone people arrive

[kadextra]

fantastic to see the french will have company in the form of these two insomniacs

[ahlaway]

egg and server consistency: a retrospective

so, the other day I got hit with the thought, "who's even still in the qsmp anymore?" in a like, logging in consistently sense. not a leaving permanently sense. and it made me realize how this drop happens every time the eggs go away.

like don't get me wrong. I know the french are gone in solidarity with pomme, and some others likely don't want to join until they know what's going on with the legal stuff.

but eggs in general. why do they do this.

I've seen people say the eggs are the heart of the server. they're the core of it. and I think that's really unfair. like. don't get me wrong. I am an egg loving fool. but to say they are the beating heart and core of the server ignores the cultural and language boarders qsmp has managed to cross.

The meetups. The culture exchange. The language learning. Bad wanting YD to log on because they can actually communicate on the server. Aka friendships that would never have happened otherwise.

THAT is the heart of this server.

However, thinking back on Chunsik (춘식)'s introduction, I think the eggs' core purpose was hit on the head. They are a built in friend. A built in lore mate. You take care of them, and they keep you from being alone in the world.

Do you have a weird timezone? One of the eggs are bound to be up. Most of the streamers at cons during a new members arrival? Whelp here come the egg squad. Your character has lore they need to keep secret but they need a trusted sounding board to show the audience? Whelp that's your whole child. Who could you trust more? Your characters egg shaped child sure does! YOU REFUSE TO GO TO SLEEP MR HALO? Well between like 5 eggs surely someone can keep you company. You don't think anyone cares about your characters spiral?

The system was designed, on purpose or not, to make the players CARE. This was their friend that they could only see on here, because of the behind the scenes rules, that they had to help to keep around on a mechanic level. So of course they were logging in day after day.

[emperordinozenmon]

The Farmer’s Daughter

I came to the countryside to escape all the distractions and finally write my third novel, but instead, I found love—the biggest distraction of all. I arrived in the small town with nothing but my Foil SP Omnimon card Switch, earphones, phone, laptop, relevant chargers, and enough clothes to last me until I finished. The hostel I booked was a recently converted farm run by a family still figuring things out. That was fine; as long as I didn’t have to deal with a bunch of other people, I’d be good.

Or so I thought.

The moment I stepped out of the cab, I was greeted by a young woman in pigtails and overalls, with an adorable smile that practically lit up the countryside. My heart immediately whispered, “Marry this girl now!” My brain, being slightly more practical, suggested, “Maybe at least say hello first.”

I adjusted my bag, approached her, and said, “Hi, I have a reservation. It should be under Austin.”

She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening in a way that made my pulse race. “Austin… let’s see.” She opened a slightly battered logbook, her fingers skimming down the page. “Ah, there you are!” Her English was smooth, but her charming accent made it sound just a bit melodic. She tore a key off a hook and handed it to me.

“Thank you, Mrs…?” I trailed off, leaning in slightly, hoping to catch her name.

“Oh, I’m not married!” she said quickly, a faint pink coloring her cheeks.

“My name is Son Seung Wan but call me Wendy. I’m the main hostess here—and the daughter of the owner.”

“Well, color me impressed. I get the VIP treatment?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

She laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. “Well, you’re one of our very first customers, so it only seems fair to make you feel special.” “You’re doing a pretty good job so far,” I said, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face.

Her eyes met mine for a beat longer than necessary, and for a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of us. Then she blinked and straightened, brushing a loose strand of hair back. “Oh, wait before you go—” She grabbed a scrap of paper, jotted something down, and handed it to me.

Curious, I glanced at the note. It was her number, along with a quick doodle of a smiley face.

“In case you need anything,” she said, her tone casual, but her lips curved in a way that hinted at mischief.

I met her gaze again, this time letting a wolfish smile creep onto my face. “Anything at all, huh?”

She rolled her eyes playfully, but there was no mistaking the slight blush on her cheeks. “Just don’t lose it, okay?”

“Not a chance,” I said, slipping the note carefully into my pocket. As I walked to my room, I realized I might not get much writing done here after all.

On my first morning at the farm, I woke up before dawn. The timezone difference still had me in its grip, but I didn’t mind. By breakfast, I had already managed to crank out four chapters—a personal best. What finally stopped me wasn’t writer’s block but the loud, insistent grumbling of my stomach.

Unable to ignore it any longer, I ventured outside in search of food. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of hay and earth. As I rounded the barn, I spotted Wendy. She was busy moving bales of hay, her pigtails bouncing slightly with each effort. Dressed in her overalls and boots, she waved when she saw me, flashing that same adorable smile that had disarmed me yesterday.

My heart gave an uncharacteristic flutter.

I walked over without thinking, the words tumbling out of my mouth before my brain could catch up. “Hey, you need some help, pretty lady?”

Wendy’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she quickly covered it with a smirk. “Pretty lady, huh? That’s one way to get on my good side.”

I grinned. “It’s a start, isn’t it?”

She laughed lightly, then cocked her head. “I don’t know if a big city boy like you can handle it, though. This is real work, not whatever you call exercise up there wherever you're from.”

I shrugged, leaning casually against the barn door. “Can’t hurt to try.” She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Alright, big guy. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

What I’d signed up for turned out to be far more than I expected. First, I helped her lug bales of hay across the barnyard, each one heavier than it looked. Wendy kept glancing at me, clearly waiting for me to give up, but I stubbornly matched her pace.

Next, we fed the animals—cows, chickens, and goats. At one point, a particularly ambitious goat tried to climb into the feed bucket I was holding, nearly knocking me over. Wendy doubled over laughing. “Looks like he’s winning, city boy!”

I managed to shoo the goat away, brushing off my jeans. “That goat’s got nothing on me.”

She smirked, handing me another bucket. “We’ll see.” We moved on to the horses, running a few of them on the track. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing, but Wendy coached me through it, her voice teasing but encouraging. She seemed genuinely impressed that I was keeping up.

Two and a half hours later, we finally finished. I wiped the sweat from my brow, trying to catch my breath. Wendy leaned against the fence, her face flushed from exertion but glowing with satisfaction.

“I’m shocked you made it this far, big boy,” she said, crossing her arms.

“Guess that size is good for something.”

“Hey, I used to be a college rugby star for New Mexico,” I countered, puffing out my chest a little.

She chuckled, the sound light and melodic. “A rugby star, huh? Explains the broad shoulders. Still, I’m not sure how you went from that to typing away in front of a laptop all day.”

I smirked, leaning against the fence beside her. “Guess I like to keep people guessing. But what about you? All this hard work—you could probably give a rugby team a run for their money.” Wendy tilted her head, pretending to think. “Maybe. But then who would be here to babysit city boys like you?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Fair enough. So, what’s next? More hay? Another goat to wrestle?” Her stomach growled audibly, and she shot me a sheepish grin. “Actually,

I was thinking food. But since you seem so eager, maybe I should keep you working.”

“Oh, no, food sounds perfect,” I said quickly. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from eating, after all.”

She rolled her eyes, tugging lightly at my sleeve. “Alright, come on, then. Let’s get something to eat before your stomach scares the animals.” “Hey, that was only once!” I protested, falling into step beside her.

As we walked back toward the house, I realized I wasn’t just enjoying the work or the fresh air—I was enjoying her company. Every glance, every smile, every teasing comment felt electric, like the start of something I couldn’t quite define.

Judging by the way her eyes lingered on mine, she might just have felt it too.

We made our way back to the farmhouse, Wendy walking a step ahead of me. She moved with an effortless confidence, her pigtails swaying as she chatted about farm chores and the antics of the animals. I tried to focus on her words—really, I did—but my eyes kept betraying me.

Her overalls fit snugly, hinting at the full, hourglass figure beneath them. It wasn’t just her curves, though; there was something about her—the way she balanced strength with an undeniable softness as if the hard work hadn’t taken away her natural femininity.

“You’re awfully quiet back there,” she said suddenly, turning to glance over her shoulder. Her smile was playful, but her eyes were sharp. “Something on your mind?”

I froze, feeling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Oh, uh, just thinking about breakfast.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, raising an eyebrow but not pressing further. Inside, the kitchen was cozy and smelled like freshly baked bread and eggs. Wendy moved to the counter, grabbing a loaf from a breadbox and setting out a jar of jam. She gestured for me to sit while she began to plate some scrambled eggs.

As she worked, my eyes flickered again to the curve of her waist and the way her overalls clung to her hips. I quickly looked away, but it was too late.

“Caught you,” she said, her voice sing-song as she turned, a plate in hand and a smirk on her lips.

“Caught me doing what?” I asked, feigning innocence as I reached for the plate.

“Oh, come on,” she said, setting it down in front of me. She leaned on the counter, her smirk fading slightly as she added, “You’ve been sneaking glances since we left the barn. I’m flattered, really… but also kinda surprised.”

“Surprised?” I asked, genuinely confused. She sat down across from me, resting her chin in her hand. “Yeah. Guys usually go for someone… smaller, you know? All my friends back in school were skinny, and it always felt like they got all the attention. Me? Not so much.”

Her tone was light, but there was a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. She picked at the edge of her napkin, avoiding my gaze. “I guess it’s just weird hearing compliments like that. I mean, I like food too much to diet, and I’m obviously not built to be dainty.” She gestured at herself with a half-smile. “Most of the time, I’m fine with it. But sometimes…”

She trailed off, shrugging as if to brush the thought away, but I could tell it lingered.

I opened my mouth to respond and immediately panicked, trying to think of something that wasn’t cheesy or dumb. Don’t tell her she’s pretty. Don’t tell her she’s perfect. That’s what every guy says, and it’ll sound hollow. Instead, I took a deep breath and said, “I think… it’s less about what most guys like and more about what’s real. And you, Wendy, are… real. Not trying to be something you’re not. That’s what’s striking about you. You’re just… you.”

Her eyes softened, and she blinked at me as if trying to decide if I was serious. “Real, huh?”

“Yeah,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “And for the record, you pull off ‘real’ better than anyone I’ve ever met.”

She laughed, some of the tension slipping from her shoulders. “You’re dangerously close to cheesy territory there, city boy.”

I grinned, holding up my hands. “What can I say? You make it hard to avoid.”

She rolled her eyes, but the smile she gave me was warm and genuine.

“Alright, alright. Eat your breakfast before you try to sweep me off my feet with more compliments.”

I picked up my fork, but before I took a bite, I looked at her and said, “For the record, I wasn’t trying to sweep you off your feet. Just… being honest.”

Her cheeks turned pink again, and she quickly looked away, but I noticed the small smile lingering on her lips.

As we ate, I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her—and this time, she didn’t seem to mind.

After breakfast, Wendy followed me to my room. I didn’t mind her company—something about her presence felt energizing, even as I worked. I settled at the small desk by the window, my laptop glowing softly in the morning light.

She perched on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, leaning slightly forward as if trying to peek at my screen. I was laser-focused on pounding out another few chapters, but the occasional snicker from her side of the room was hard to ignore.

“What’s so funny?” I asked after the third one, still typing.

“Oh, nothing. You just look so serious, like you’re solving the mysteries of the universe,” she teased, her tone light and playful.

"I am solving the mysteries of the universe…at least for these characters,” I said, glancing at her with a mock frown before turning back to my laptop.

“Sure you are,” she said, barely containing her giggles. For a while, I worked in relative silence, her occasional fidgeting and soft hums the only sounds besides my typing. Then, after what must have been half an hour, she broke the quiet.

“So… what’s this book about? I can see bits and pieces from here, but I can’t get the full picture.”

I paused, leaning back in my chair and stretching. “It’s about a Paladin of Justice who falls in love with a beautiful succubus. It’s meant to be a romantic comedy, mostly.”

Wendy tilted her head, her expression caught between curiosity and disbelief. “A succubus and a paladin? Is the paladin evil?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Nope. They’re both good. Or at least, trying to be. They’re in legitimate love with each other, despite all the odds stacked against them.” Her eyes widened slightly, genuine surprise flickering across her face. “Legitimate love? Like… no trickery, no spells?”

“None,” I said firmly.

She sat back, letting the idea sink in before asking, “So how do they meet? How do they fall for each other?”

I smiled lightly. “Mostly by happenstance. Boy meets girl, falls head over heels, and girl… well, she just happens to be a succubus. They figure out life and love together, and comedy ensues.”

Her lips curled into a smile. “That’s definitely unconventional. Why write something like that?”

I shrugged, spinning my chair slightly to face her. “It’s a creative way for me to address unconventional love. You know, exploring themes like acceptance and understanding, but in a fun, silly way that doesn’t carry the baggage of something like an interracial couple or other real-world dynamics.”

Wendy’s gaze narrowed slightly, her expression shifting to one of intrigue. “So… you use fantasy to confront reality?”

I nodded, a little surprised by her insight. “Exactly. It gives me room to be playful and honest at the same time.” She grinned triumphantly, leaning forward. “See? I can be smart too.”

I frowned, not understanding her tone. “I never said you weren’t smart. Never even thought it.”

Her confident grin faltered, and her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. It’s just… most city boys think I’m a country bumpkin. You know, farm girl, overalls, chickens clucking in the background… even though I graduated top of my class.”

I shook my head, the idea of anyone underestimating her irritating me more than I cared to admit. “Well, I’m not most city boys.”

Her blush deepened, but a smile tugged at her lips. “I’m learning that,” she said softly, her voice almost shy.

For a moment, the air between us felt heavier and warmer. Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her shirt, and I found myself watching the movement, wondering if I’d said the right thing.

Before I could overthink it, I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees. “For the record, I think you’re brilliant. And if anyone’s ever made you feel like you’re less than that, they were idiots.”

Her eyes flicked to mine, wide and startled, and for a heartbeat, she didn’t say anything. Then her lips curled into a slow, genuine smile. “You’re dangerous, you know that?”

“Dangerous how?” I asked, grinning.

“Dangerous because you say things like that and make me think you actually mean them,” she teased, but there was no hiding the warmth in her voice.

I turn to Wendy look her in her eyes and "I mean them,” I say simply, leaning back in my chair.

She laughed, the sound light and musical, and the tension melted away. “Alright, city boy. Keep working on your book. I’ll be here, judging your plot decisions silently.”

“Only silently?” I shot back.

“For now,” she said with a wink.

I finished another 3 chapters then we started the afternoon chores at the farm. I was a bit slower this time around but still managed to keep up with Wendy as she blitzed through them. She would often look back and smile at me

She'd occasionally ask, “Still alive city boy?” to which I respond “Yeah,” I felt bad though because my gaze would continually leer over her body and I had only just met her but I was already deeply infatuated with her Lunch at the farmhouse was as hearty and unpretentious as the setting itself: a steaming bowl of beef stew, fresh bread, and a crisp salad made from vegetables Wendy had likely picked herself. We sat across from each other at a small wooden table in the corner of the kitchen, sunlight filtering through the window and catching in her dark hair. The conversation flowed easily—Wendy had a knack for keeping things light and entertaining. She told me about the antics of the chickens that morning, gesturing animatedly, and I couldn’t help but smile at the way her eyes lit up when she spoke.

“Wait, you’ve never been chased by a rooster before?” she asked her tone equal parts mock disbelief and teasing.

“Not unless you count the time my high school mascot went rogue during homecoming,” I replied.

Wendy laughed, the sound like music before she stood abruptly. “Hold on. I forgot the chili paste. You’ve gotta try it—it’ll change your life.”

Before I could reply, she turned and walked toward the pantry. And just like that, I fell into a trance.

Her overalls clung to her in all the right places, accentuating the curve of her hips and the effortless sway of her walk. The straps framed her shoulders and the way her pigtails bobbed with every step felt almost hypnotic.

But it wasn’t just her figure—it was everything about her. The way she carried herself, confident and relaxed, without a shred of pretense. The way her voice softened when she talked about the farm, was full of pride and affection. The way she smiled like she knew exactly how to make the world a little brighter.

I was completely, hopelessly mesmerized.

“Enjoying the view?”

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I blinked, realizing she was standing right in front of me, the jar of chili paste in her hand and a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

“I, uh…” I stammered, my ears burning.

Wendy tilted her head, her grin widening. “Don’t stop on my account. You looked like you were thinking something very important.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to recover. “Just… admiring the architectural integrity of your pantry. Very sturdy shelves.” She laughed, setting the jar down on the table. “Sure you were.” Sliding back into her seat, she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “So? What’s your verdict?”

“On… what?” I asked cautiously.

“On the shelves,” she teased, her smile turning sly.

Caught, I let out a sheepish laugh and met her gaze. “Fine. You got me. I was thinking about you.”

Her brow arched, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Oh? And what exactly were you thinking?”

I hesitated the words balancing on the edge of my tongue. I wanted to tell her everything: how I thought she was stunning, how her laugh felt like sunlight breaking through clouds, how her presence made me forget everything else. But that felt way too heavy for lunch.

Instead, I smirked and said, “I was thinking chili paste might not be the only thing here that could change my life.” Wendy blinked, surprised, before laughing softly. “Wow. A city boy’s got some lines after all.”

“Not just any lines,” I said, leaning slightly closer. “Good ones.” She chuckled again, shaking her head but not looking away. For a moment, the playful banter fell away, replaced by something quieter and deeper. Her smile softened, and she reached for the jar, opening it with a casual grace that made my heart beat faster.

“Alright, Romeo,” she said, breaking the spell as she handed me the jar.

“Let’s see if you can handle this chili paste without crying.”

“Oh, you underestimate me,” I replied, grinning as I took it. As we ate, the tension lingered in the air, warm and electric, and I knew one thing for certain: I was falling for her.

After spending a few quiet hours resting with Wendy, she left to talk with her dad, Mr. Son. I turned my focus back to my writing, managing to chip away at another chapter, but I couldn’t shake the lingering feeling of her warmth beside me or the playful lilt of her voice.

A sharp knock at the door jolted me out of my thoughts. When I opened it, Mr. Son stood there, his broad shoulders framed in the doorway. His expression was as weathered as the land he worked on, and his eyes carried a weight that made me stand a little straighter.

“Mind if I come in?” he asked, though it wasn’t really a question.

“Of course, sir,” I replied, stepping aside as he entered.

He scanned the room, his gaze lingering on the open laptop and scattered notes on the desk before settling on me. Crossing his arms, he fixed me with a steely look. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

The question hit me like a hammer. I expected it, sure, but hearing it aloud—especially in that gravelly tone—made my throat tighten. I let out a slow sigh and met his gaze. “I have a crush on your daughter, sir,” I admitted plainly.

Mr. Son’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. “That’s not good enough. I don’t trust city folk, especially not with my daughter. You’ll need to do better than ‘I have a crush.’”

I inhaled deeply, choosing my words carefully. “Your daughter is… incredible, sir. She’s smart, funny, and kind. She’s confident even when she feels insecure, and she has this strength that’s just—” I paused, searching for the right words. “She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. I’d marry her in a heartbeat if I could, have a family with her, and spend my life making her as happy as she makes me. She’s my dream girl, sir.”

Mr. Son tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze studying me like a hawk sizing up its prey. “And what’s so special about her that makes her your ‘dream girl?’” he pressed.

I squared my shoulders, determined to answer honestly. “She’s beautiful, of course—anyone can see that. But it’s more than that. Wendy’s wit keeps me on my toes. Her caring nature makes me want to be better. And even with all the hard work she puts in here, she’s still soft—emotionally and physically—in a way that makes me feel grounded. She’s the kind of person who makes you want to fight for something worth keeping.” For a long moment, Mr. Son didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then he took a step closer, his presence towering despite my height advantage.

“You’re not like most city boys,” he said finally, his tone more curious than accusatory.

I nodded. “I try not to be.”

A flicker of something like amusement crossed his face, though it was gone as quickly as it came. “I’m not fully sold on you yet,” he admitted.

“But I’ll give you this—you don’t seem like you’d hurt her.”

“I wouldn’t,” I said firmly. “I couldn’t.”

He chuckled then, a low, gravelly sound that felt like the breaking of ice.

“Well, you’d better not. Because if you do, I’ll make sure everyone in town hears about it.”

“I believe you,” I replied with a small smile.

Satisfied, Mr. Son turned to leave but paused in the doorway. His tone softened slightly. “Wendy’s not like most girls. She’s been hurt before, and she’s always felt different from her friends because of how she looks. She needs someone who’ll see her for who she is and stick by her. Can you do that?”

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. “I will, sir. I’ll take care of her. I swear it.”

He studied me for another beat, then nodded. “Good. But don’t forget—you screw this up, and it’s not just Wendy you’ll have to answer to.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “Understood.”

As he stepped out, I couldn’t help but add, “You’ve got nothing to worry about, though. I have way more to lose if I ever hurt Wendy. People like me… the world loves to see us fail. But I won’t give it that satisfaction—not with her.”

Mr. Son turned back, his expression shifting to one of faint surprise. “That’s an interesting way of looking at things,” he murmured. After a pause, his lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Alright then. Have fun with Wendy.”

With that, he closed the door behind him, leaving me standing in the quiet room, my heart pounding in my chest. I’d passed the test—for now. But more than that, I felt a renewed sense of determination. Wendy was worth every effort, and I wasn’t about to let her—or her father—down. As my heart stopped racing I was surprised to get a text from Wendy asking me if I wanted to go on a double date. The idea of a double date had clearly put Wendy in a good mood. When she mentioned it to me earlier, her smile was equal parts nervous and excited. “Joy wants me to go with her, but I’m not going unless you’re coming too,” she’d said, almost shyly.

How could I say no to that? She asked me in a pretty sun dress she had decided to wear with nice leather boots.

So now we were seated at a polished, cozy restaurant with Joy and her date, a clean-cut guy named Jae who seemed charming enough—at first. Wendy and I sat across from them, sharing appetizers and easy banter.

Joy was effortlessly sociable, and she clearly enjoyed teasing Wendy, poking fun at her for being “so domestic” with her farm duties. But the teasing was lighthearted, and Wendy took it in stride, rolling her eyes and laughing along.

I leaned over to her. “She seems like trouble.” Wendy grinned, whispering back, “You have no idea.” The date was going well—right up until Jae tilted his head, squinting at Wendy like he was trying to place her.

“Wait a second,” he said, his tone sharpening with recognition. “You’re Han Wendy, aren’t you? We went to high school together.” Wendy tensed slightly but managed a polite smile. “Oh, yeah. Jae, right?” “Yeah, that’s me.” He leaned back in his chair, his grin turning smug. “Wow, I didn’t recognize you at first. You’re, uh… still living out on the farm, huh?” Wendy’s smile faltered. “Yeah, I am.” Jae laughed, a little too loudly. “Guess some things never change. I mean, who else could it be? I remember everyone used to call you Cow—what was the other one? Heifer, right?” The table went silent.

Wendy’s cheeks flushed, and I could see her trying to keep her composure, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of hurt. Before she could say anything, something snapped inside me. My chest tightened, my jaw clenched, and the words came out before I even realized what I was saying—my usual measured tone replaced by a thick, unmistakable Texas drawl. “Now hold on there, partner,” I said, my voice low and deliberate. “You best watch what you’re sayin’.” Jae blinked, startled. “What?”

“You heard me,” I said, leaning forward slightly, my eyes locking onto his. “Ain’t no one gonna sit here and call my woman names like that. You got somethin’ to say to her, you say it with respect, or you don’t say it at all.” The accent was as thick as molasses, and for a moment, even I was surprised by the force of it. But it worked. Jae’s smug expression faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Jeez, man, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just a joke.”

“Well, it ain’t funny,” I shot back. “Wendy’s a better woman than you deserve to be sittin’ across from, and you’d do well to remember that.”

Jae muttered something under his breath, clearly not eager to push the issue further. Joy, wide-eyed, gave him a sharp elbow in the ribs. The rest of the meal passed with forced small talk, and when it was over, Wendy and I walked back to the car together in silence.

As soon as we were alone, she stopped, turning to face me. Her expression was unreadable at first, her dark eyes studying me intently. Finally, she broke into a smile, one that was equal parts amused and amazed. “My woman, huh?”

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling my cheeks heat. “It just… came out. I didn’t mean to make a scene or anything.”

“No,” she said quickly, her voice soft. “I mean… thank you. For standing up for me.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say, but then she took a step closer.

“You’re full of surprises, you know that?” she said, her tone playful but sincere. “Here I thought you were just some smart, sophisticated city boy. But turns out, there’s a little bit of a farm boy in you too.”

I chuckled nervously. “Grew up around a lot of cornfields. Guess some habits stick.”

Her smile deepened, and for a moment, she just looked at me, her gaze warm and filled with something I couldn’t quite name.

“I like it,” she said finally. “I like you.”

My breath caught, and before I could respond, she slipped her hand into mine, squeezing it gently.

“Come on,” she said, her voice light again. “Let’s get out of here before Joy tries to rope us into another one of her ‘fun ideas.’”

As we walked to the car, hand in hand, I couldn’t help but feel a new kind of certainty settle in my chest. Wendy wasn’t just someone I was falling for—she was someone I wanted to protect, cherish, and share every part of myself with, even the parts I thought I’d left behind.

And judging by the way her fingers laced with mine, I had a feeling she felt the same.

Here’s the revised and expanded version of the scene, where the narrator’s “Cornfed” side emerges and, with it, his comfort, affection for Wendy, and the eloquence of his pre-college self: The next morning, Wendy was knocking on my door bright and early.

“Up and at ’em, city boy!” she called. “We’ve got work to do!” Groaning, I dragged myself out of bed and opened the door. Wendy stood there, a hand on her hip and a teasing grin on her face, dressed in overalls and a straw hat.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” she said. “The chickens aren’t gonna feed themselves.”

I rubbed my eyes, giving her an exaggerated groan. “You’re way too cheerful for this early in the morning.”

She smirked. “Can’t help it. Gotta see if I can bring out more of that Cornfed Boy I saw last night. I know he’s in there somewhere.”

I rolled my eyes but grabbed my boots. “Alright, boss. Let’s see what you’ve got for me.”

At the chicken coop, Wendy handed me a basket and gestured toward the hens. “Alright, let’s see if you remember how to do this.”

I stepped inside, and the chickens clucked and fluttered nervously. A younger me might have hesitated, but something about being back on the farm—with Wendy watching expectantly—felt natural.

“Hush now, darlin’,” I murmured to a particularly noisy hen. “Ain’t no need for all that fussin’.”

Wendy straightened up, her grin widening. “Was that a little twang I just heard?”

I chuckled, crouching to collect the eggs. “You’re hearing things, Wendy. These chickens’ve got you spooked.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, leaning on the fence and crossing her arms. “City boy’s trying real hard to hide it, but it’s coming out.”

As I worked, I found myself relaxing more and more. The motions were familiar, and the weight of the basket in my hand felt like an old friend. By the time I handed the basket to Wendy, I wasn’t even thinking about hiding the accent that had crept into my voice.

“You’re pretty good at this,” she said. “Starting to think I’m not the only one who grew up around chickens.”

“Spent a few summers doin’ chores like this,” I admitted. “Dad wanted to keep me outta trouble, so he sent me to help out some neighbors. Learned a thing or two.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you’re really Cornfed, huh?”

“Guess you’ll have to stick around to find out,” I replied with a sly grin. When it came time to muck out the stalls, Wendy handed me a pitchfork and leaned against the barn door.

“Alright, Mr. Cornfed,” she said, smirking. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” I didn’t even hesitate, rolling up my sleeves and setting to work. The smell wasn’t pleasant, but the rhythm of shoveling and tossing was oddly satisfying. As I worked, I found myself explaining the best way to handle stubborn spots and how to keep the bedding clean without wasting hay.

“You’re awfully good at this for a city boy,” Wendy teased.

I shrugged, leaning on the pitchfork for a moment. “It’s just about workin’ smarter, not harder. You gotta respect the process. Animals ain’t so different from people—give ’em a clean space, a little kindness, and they’ll take care of the rest.”

Her eyes softened, and she tilted her head. “You sound like you’ve been doing this your whole life.”

I smiled, my voice taking on a more thoughtful tone. “Maybe I forgot for a while, but it’s comin’ back to me. Feels… good, y’know? Like I’m findin’ a piece of myself I didn’t know I’d lost.”

She stared at me for a moment, her smile turning from teasing to something gentler. “I like this side of you,” she said softly. At lunchtime, we sat together on the porch, the sun warming our faces as we ate. Wendy had made sandwiches and sweet tea, and the simplicity of it all felt just right.

“You know,” I said, leaning back against the railing, “this is the kinda meal that sticks with you. Not just in your stomach but in your heart.” Wendy blinked at me, then laughed. “Wow. That was downright poetic.”

“Farm-work does that to a man,” I said, winking at her. She nudged me with her foot. “Alright, Shakespeare. What else you got?” I turned toward her, resting my arm on the railing. “I’ve got this,” I said, my voice softening. “You, sittin’ here in the sun, lookin’ like you belong to this place in a way most people never will. It’s beautiful, Wendy. You’re beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, pretending to adjust her hat.

“You keep talking like that, and I might start believing you.”

“Good,” I said, my voice low but steady. “Because I mean every word.” By the time we got to the creek in the afternoon, I was more comfortable in my skin than I had been in years. Wendy led me to the water’s edge, kicking off her shoes and splashing into the shallows.

“You coming in, or are you too fancy for creek water now?” she teased.

I grinned, rolling up my pant legs and stepping in after her. “You forget,

I’m just a Cornfed boy at heart.”

She laughed, splashing me lightly. “Prove it!”

I splashed her back, and we spent the next few minutes chasing each other through the water, laughing and hollering like kids. At some point, I caught her by the hand and pulled her close, the cool water swirling around our legs as we caught our breath.

“Y’know,” I said, my voice dipping into a deeper drawl, “you’ve got a way of bringin’ out the best in me.”

Wendy tilted her head, her eyes shining. “Maybe because this is the best of you,” she said softly.

I smiled, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. “Reckon you’re right.”

Her grin widened, and she leaned against my side as we waded to the bank to dry off. Sitting there together, the sun dipping low in the sky, I felt like I was finally whole again—and it was all because of her.

The next morning found me in the barn, fixin’ a loose latch on one of the horse stalls Wendy had mentioned yesterday. Sunlight spilled through the slats in the wood, catchin’ on the dust motes hangin’ lazy in the air. I was whistlin’ low and easy as I worked, pausin’ now and again to make sure the latch lined up just right.

“Didn’t expect to find you out here this early,” came a familiar voice from the barn door.

I straightened up and turned to see Mr. Son leanin’ against the frame, arms crossed, his gaze as steady and sharp as ever.

“Mornin’, sir,” I said, brushin’ my hands off on my jeans. “Latch was givin’ your horse some trouble, so I figured I’d see to it. Ain’t no sense lettin’ a small thing turn into a big problem.”

His eyebrows lifted, though he didn’t comment right away. Instead, he stepped inside, his boots scuffin’ softly against the wood. “You’ve been keepin’ yourself busy,” he remarked.

I nodded, settin’ the screwdriver aside. “Just tryin’ to pull my weight. Wendy’s been workin’ circles ’round me, so I figured I’d better start earnin’ my keep.”

He chuckled low, though his tone stayed cautious. “That so?” “Yessir,” I said, leanin’ a little against the stall door. “Place like this needs constant care, and I reckon there’s no better way to show I’m serious than to put in the work.”

Mr. Son studied me for a long moment, his eyes squintin’ like he was seein’ me for the first time. “You’re talkin’ different than you did a couple days ago,” he said finally.

I shrugged, a faint grin tuggin’ at my lips. “Guess bein’ here brings it out of me. I spent my summers on farms like this when I was younger. Dad thought it was important I learn how to work with my hands, so he sent me to help out local folks who needed it. This life kinda gets under your skin—it stays with you.”

His expression shifted slightly, though his arms stayed crossed. “Didn’t expect a city boy to know his way around a barn.”

“Well,” I said, straightenin’ up and leanin’ on the stall door, “city boy’s just the surface. Dad was a professor, and he believed in groundin’ his kids with hard work. Every summer, I’d wake up before dawn, shovel stalls, fix fences, harvest crops—whatever needed doin’. Taught me a lot about patience and pride in a job well done.”

His gaze softened, though he didn’t uncross his arms just yet. “That’s rare these days. Most young folks wouldn’t know the first thing about how to fix a fence, let alone stick with it.”

“Yessir,” I said with a small nod. “There’s somethin’ about seein’ the results of your work—somethin’ real, y’know? Even when I was back in the city, stuck at a desk or in a lecture hall, part of me always missed this. The smell of the earth, the ache in your muscles after a long day, the quiet satisfaction of buildin’ somethin’ with your own two hands.”

Mr. Son looked me over again, his eyes narrowing like he was weighin’ my words. “You’ve changed,” he said slowly.

“Maybe,” I replied, smilin’ a little. “Or maybe I’m just settlin’ back into the part of me I tried to leave behind.”

His chuckle was quieter this time, almost thoughtful. “When you first showed up, I figured you were one of those smooth-talking city types. Someone who’d sweet-talk my daughter and leave her with nothin’ but heartbreak.”

“I get why you’d think that,” I said, my voice steady. “But sir, Wendy’s more than just a pretty face to me. She’s…” I paused, searchin’ for the right words. “She’s the kind of woman who makes you wanna be better, just by bein’ around her. And I don’t take that lightly.”

Mr. Son’s shoulders relaxed a little, though his eyes stayed sharp. “You ain’t just talkin’, are you?”

“No, sir,” I said firmly. “I’ve got every intention of stickin’ around, so long as she’ll have me. And if that means puttin’ in the work, then I’ll do it. Whether it’s muckin’ stalls or mendin’ fences, I’m here for the long haul.” For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just looked at me like he was seein’ something he hadn’t expected. Finally, he nodded. “Well, I’ll be damned. Didn’t think I’d see the day a city boy walked into my barn and left actin’ like a college-educated cowboy.”

I chuckled, rubbin’ the back of my neck. “Life’s funny that way, I guess.” He stepped closer, clappin’ a hand on my shoulder. “You keep showin’ me this side of you, and I might just start callin’ you somethin’ other than city boy.”

“I’d like that,” I said with a grin.

As he turned toward the door, he glanced back. “And your writin’? How’s that comin’ along?”

“It’s goin’ great,” I said, my grin widenin’. “Almost halfway done now. Somethin’ about bein’ here… it clears my head. The words’ve been comin’ easier than they ever did back in the city.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “That’s good. Just don’t forget where your priorities are.” “Yessir,” I said with a nod.

When he left, I leaned against the stall, feelin’ a quiet kind of satisfaction. The city had polished me up, sure, but bein’ here had reminded me of who I really was. And I wasn’t just writin’ a novel—I was rebuildin’ myself, piece by piece, with every nail I hammered and every word I wrote.

The morning sun was sittin’ high by the time Wendy finished her chores and wandered over to where I was perched on the porch, takin’ a breather with my notebook open in my lap. She was glowing, as she always seemed to be after a morning of wranglin’ chickens and tendin’ to the garden. Her hair was tucked up under her straw hat, a streak of dirt smudged on her cheek that only made her look more radiant.

“Whatcha workin’ on?” she asked, leanin’ against the porch railing and squintin’ down at the notebook like she could read it upside-down.

“Just hammerin’ out some details for the next chapter,” I said, smilin’ up at her. “Want a peek?”

Her face lit up like I’d offered her the keys to a candy shop. “You serious? I’d love to!”

I handed over the notebook, watchin’ as she plopped down on the porch swing beside me. She tucked one leg under herself, balanced the notebook on her knee, and began readin’ with an intensity that made me feel like a schoolboy waitin’ on a grade.

Her lips moved faintly as she read, and every so often, her eyes widened or her brow furrowed, her reactions tellin’ me more than words ever could. When she finally closed the notebook, she let out a breath and turned to me, her gaze so earnest it made my heart skip a beat. “This is really good,” she said, her voice soft but certain.

“You think so?” I asked, my voice comin’ out a little rougher than I intended.

“Yeah,” she said, noddin’ like she was tryin’ to convince me as much as herself. “I love your use of imagery. Like here”—she flipped back a page and pointed—“when you described the sunset as ‘a lazy cat stretchin’ across the horizon, all claws of pink and gold.’ That’s such a vivid, unexpected image, but it fits perfectly.”

I scratched the back of my neck, feelin’ heat creep up under my collar. “Well, uh, thanks.”

“And the foreshadowing!” she continued, her enthusiasm bubblin’ over. “It’s subtle, but it’s there, like breadcrumbs leadin’ the reader without them even realizin’ it. And your style—it seems simple at first, but the more I read, the more layers I see. It’s like a quilt, each piece tellin’ its own story but all stitched together into somethin’ whole.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “You sure do talk pretty, Wendy. Soundin’ downright college-educated there.”

She laughed, leanin’ back against the swing. “That’s because I am. I’ve got a doctorate in literary sciences and linguistics.” The notebook nearly slipped from my hands. “You’re pullin’ my leg.”

“Nope.” She beamed, sittin’ up straighter. “Defended my dissertation three years ago. I studied how storytelling shapes language development in children and how it’s tied to intelligence across cultures.” I let out a low whistle. “Well, I’ll be. Here I was thinkin’ I was impressin’ you, and you’ve probably forgotten more about literature than I’ll ever know.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” she said, tappin’ my notebook with a playful smirk. “You’ve got talent. And it’s not just your imagery or style—it’s the way you understand people, their struggles and joys. That’s the kind of thing no amount of study can teach you.”

“Guess I had a good teacher, then,” I said, thinkin’ back to my dad and the way he’d always read to us as kids, his voice deep and steady, drawin’ me into worlds far beyond our little farm.

That comment must’ve sparked somethin’, because soon we were knee-deep in a conversation about the role of stories in human history. Wendy talked about how oral traditions preserved culture and passed down knowledge long before writin’ was a thing, and I chimed in about how even now, stories are how we make sense of a world that don’t always make sense on its own.

Her words were sharp and insightful, but there was a warmth to ’em, too, like she wasn’t just speakin’ from her head but from her heart. And the more we talked, the more I found myself leanin’ into a rhythm I hadn’t felt in years. My words slowed, pickin’ up a drawl I hadn’t noticed before, and my thoughts came together like rows of crops, neat and orderly, every idea growin’ from the one before it.

By the time we circled back to my novel, I realized the city boy I’d been tryin’ to be all these years had vanished like smoke on the wind. What was left was me—plain and simple. A man who loved the land, loved the work, and, if I was bein’ honest, was startin’ to think he might love the woman sittin’ beside him, too.

“You know,” I said, my voice lower and softer than it’d been in years, “I reckon I’ve learned more sittin’ here talkin’ to you than I ever did in a lecture hall.”

Wendy smiled, her eyes crinklin’ at the corners. “That’s sweet, but I think you’ve had it in you all along. You just needed the right person to bring it out.”

“Well,” I said, settlin’ back against the swing, “ain’t no one better for the job than you, darlin’.”

The word slipped out natural as breath, and when she looked at me, her eyes wide and her cheeks pink, I knew there wasn’t a lick of the city left in me. I was home, in every sense of the word.

The evening had settled into that perfect sweet spot where the sun had just dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a soft lavender, with the warmth of the day still lingering in the air. Wendy and I were dressed a little nicer than usual for tonight’s double date, but still, nothing fancy. Wendy wore a simple sundress, her hair flowing freely in the warm breeze, and I had on a button-down shirt that was slightly wrinkled from the long day on the farm.

Joy and Arbor arrived shortly after we did, with Arbor flashing me a grin that told me he was fully aware of what he was about to witness. Arbor had always been an easy-going guy, someone I could always depend on during the roughest farm days, but I hadn’t seen him in a while since I’d been away at college. And now? Well, now I was feelin’ like a completely different man, for better or worse.

Wendy gave him a quick hug, and then we all sat down at a cozy corner booth at the little family-owned restaurant. The conversation started easy enough—Joy asking about the farm, Wendy laughing at some old memory I had of accidentally dropping a whole bucket of feed into the wrong stall, and Arbor sitting back with a knowing smile, looking from me to Wendy with a strange amusement.

At some point, Arbor’s eyes flicked over to me. He paused mid-sentence, setting his glass down. “You know, Austin,” he said, drawing out my name like he was testing it on his tongue, “it’s funny. I barely recognized you when I first walked in. I mean, you’re like… a whole new person.” I shot him a glance, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He chuckled, leaning back in the booth, crossing his arms over his chest. “I used to know you as that city kid, always talkin’ about how you couldn’t wait to leave the farm and go back to the hustle and bustle of college life. And now look at you.” He gestured to my shirt, the way I was sitting—relaxed, comfortable, with a quiet confidence I hadn’t exactly had back in the day.

“Well, I did spend a few years learning how to blend in with the city folks,” I said with a chuckle, though the words didn’t quite fit right in my mouth anymore. “Guess I was hopin’ I could shake off the farm life a bit.” Arbor raised his eyebrows, giving me a look that said he knew better. “You sure you’ve shaken it off? I mean, not that I’m complainin’, but you’ve got a whole different energy now. You talk slower, sit straighter… and I swear to God, you even sound different. I can hear that Southern drawl comin’ out now. You’re startin’ to sound like a damn cowboy, Austin. Hell, you even look like one.”

I could feel my face heat up, and I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly, glancing over at Wendy. She was smiling at me with a gleam in her eyes, clearly enjoying the show. I leaned forward, catching Arbor’s gaze. “Guess the farm has a way of rubbin’ off on a fella. Guess I’m just more comfortable here. More at home, y’know?”

Arbor didn’t look surprised, but there was a touch of nostalgia in his eyes as he leaned forward. “Yeah, I get that. Used to be you’d complain about every single chore, but now you’re workin’ alongside it all, like it’s second nature to you. You’ve really found your place, huh?”

I let out a slow breath, glancing down at my hands. “Funny how things change when you’re not tryin’ to force ‘em. I didn’t expect to end up here, but here I am. Feels like I’ve found somethin’ that I’ve been missin’.”

Arbor studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. “You’re happier here, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” I said simply, my voice a little more sure of itself. “Guess I am.” Wendy, who had been quietly watching the exchange, leaned over to me, her voice soft but warm. “I think it’s more than just the farm, though. It’s who you’ve become. Who you really are.”

I felt a rush of something in my chest. She was right. It wasn’t just the farm. It was the way I’d come back to myself, to the boy I used to be, before all the city pressures and the desire to be something I wasn’t. This… this felt like the real me.

As the conversation moved on, I noticed that Arbor was glancing over at me every now and then, like he was piecing something together in his mind. Finally, he put his glass down, looked me dead in the eye, and said,

“I’ve been thinkin’ about it. You know, when we were workin’ together back in the day, I always saw you as a city kid tryin’ to find his way in the world. But now? Now you’re more grounded. More… at peace with yourself. Hell, I don’t know if it’s the farm, or Wendy, or just you finally growin’ up, but I gotta say… it’s a damn good change.”

Wendy smiled at the comment, but I could see something flicker behind her eyes—pride, maybe? Maybe even something deeper. Something between the two of us that I wasn’t ready to name yet, but I could feel it growin’ every time we spoke, every time we shared a quiet moment. I smiled back at Arbor. “Thanks, man. I guess it’s been a good ride so far.” Arbor winked. “Well, I’ll be damned, Austin. I think you’ve finally come home.”

The night had wound down, the warmth of the evening still hanging in the air as we walked back to the farm. The others had already gone, laughing and chatting as they made their way home, leaving Wendy and me alone under the deep velvet sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds above.

We walked side by side, the soft crunch of gravel beneath our boots the only sound, and yet, everything felt so loud—like the world was holding its breath. I couldn’t help but glance over at her every so often, her profile illuminated by the faint glow of the porch light up ahead.

There was something about the way she carried herself now. It wasn’t just her beauty—though God, she was beautiful—but the way she held the world around her like it was hers to nurture. It was the way she talked, the way she laughed, the way she loved this farm and everything it stood for. And it was the way she made me feel like I belonged here too.

We stopped just outside the door, and for a moment, everything went quiet. The door was just a few feet away, but neither of us moved. I felt her presence like a pull, like gravity, and I couldn’t look away from her.

“You know, you really have changed, Austin,” she said softly, her voice full of affection, her eyes warm as they met mine.

I shifted my weight, unsure how to respond to that, but before I could think of anything to say, she continued, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

“I mean, I loved the city boy at first,” she started, eyes twinkling with mischief, “but now? Now I get to see my cowboy come alive. And it’s… honestly the best thing ever. I didn’t know it could feel this good, watching someone finally shed their old skin and become who they really are.”

I felt my heart skip a beat at her words. I could see it in her eyes, in the way she spoke about it, how proud she was of me—not just for the changes I’d made, but for being me. The me that was finally here, in the place I was meant to be.

Wendy took a step closer, and for a moment, I thought she might say something more, but instead, she grinned, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint.

“You know,” she started, voice dropping a little lower, “I think I’m gonna claim you, Austin.”

I blinked, caught off guard, and she raised an eyebrow at me. “Claim me?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow of my own, unsure of where she was going with this.

“Yeah,” she said with that same mischievous grin. “I mean, I might have to brand you, you know? Just to make sure everyone knows you belong to me.”

My mouth went dry. I laughed, trying to keep my cool, but there was something so serious in her expression that made me pause, my heart racing.

“You’re gonna brand me?” I asked, a grin spreading across my face despite the nervous flutter in my chest.

“Yep,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest with an air of finality. “I’ll get one of those hot irons and press it right on your arm—just a little mark, so you know, everyone knows you’re mine.”

I just stared at her, dumbfounded. My heart was pounding, and my throat felt a little dry.

She was so sure of it, her face beaming with joy, and I couldn’t help but be absolutely enthralled by her excitement. The way she spoke about it, the way she was so open, so confident in her love, it left me speechless.

“Wendy,” I murmured, unable to find the right words at first, but then, something shifted. Her energy was so infectious, so full of life, that I finally found my voice. “You… you make me feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

She laughed, her face lighting up at my response. “Well, that’s the point,” she said, her voice softening just slightly as she reached up to place a hand on my chest, feeling the steady beat of my heart. “I want you to feel like that. I want you to feel like you belong here, with me.” I couldn’t take it anymore. I reached for her, pulling her closer and pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. The way she fit into my arms, how easy it felt to hold her—it was like she was meant to be there. Like we were meant to be here, together.

“Wendy,” I said again, this time, my voice more steady, more sure. “I… I’ve never known anything like this before. You’ve made me realize so much, and I—” I stopped myself, then took a deep breath. “I love you. I love everything about you.”

She pulled back slightly, looking up at me with wide eyes, her lips parted in surprise. And then, a smile spread across her face, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears as she reached up, cupping my face in her hands. “I love you too, Austin,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion. “I never thought I’d find someone like you. Someone who would make me feel this way.”

For a long moment, we just stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside fading away. There were no words left to say, because everything we needed to communicate had already been said in that one simple moment.

And then, with that same mischievous glint in her eye, she looked up at me again and said, “Now… about that brand?” I couldn’t help but laugh, my heart swelling with affection for this woman who had not only claimed my heart but had made me see the world in ways I never imagined.

“Guess I’ll just have to take you up on that,” I teased, grinning down at her. “But I’m pretty sure there’s nothin’ more permanent than the way you’ve already got me.”

And with that, she laughed, the sound filling the night air, and for the first time in my life, I realized just how right it felt to be exactly where I was—with her, in this moment, in this life we were building together. The night moved on after that, filled with lighthearted chatter, but my mind kept wanderin’ back to Arbor’s words. You’ve finally come home. And for the first time in a long while, I realized… he was right. This was home. With Wendy. With the farm. With everything that had come together. The world around us faded away, the only thing left in focus was Wendy in my arms. Her breath was steady, but I could feel her heart thumpin’ against my chest, beatin’ in time with my own. She pulled back just enough to look up at me, those eyes of hers piercin’ right through me like she could see deep down into my soul. I’d always prided myself on bein’ a man of steady hands and steady nerves, but now, standin’ here with her, I realized she could shake my whole world with just a look.

Her smile, soft but sure, sent a shiver through me. When she leaned in just a bit closer, pressin’ herself up against me, the air got thick, heavy with something that felt like it was pullin’ me deeper. My heart pounded, my breath caught. It wasn’t just the way she looked—it was the way she made me feel. She had a way of makin’ everything around her seem so real, so vivid, that it felt like nothin’ else mattered but the two of us. Her hand slid from my chest to my jaw, gently tracing the line of it like she had every right to be there. I was dizzy from the way she made me feel, lightheaded with the power of it. “You’re incredible, you know that?” she whispered, her voice low, warm, full of affection.

I had to swallow hard, tryin’ to keep my composure, but truth be told, she’d already knocked that all to hell. “I’m just a fella who loves you, Wendy,” I managed to get out, my voice rough from the weight of it all. Her grin stretched even wider, and damn if it didn’t make the world brighter. “Well, lucky for you, I love you back, cowboy,” she teased, but I could hear the sincerity in her voice, feelin’ it in my bones. No question in my mind now. We were in this together.

She must’ve felt the shift in me ‘cause her smile softened, her fingers threading through my hair like she wasn’t ever gonna let me go. I could feel the weight of her touch, the way it anchored me, and I wasn’t goin’ anywhere.

“Wendy…” I whispered her name like a prayer, my chest tight as I fought for air. “You… You make me feel like I’m alive, like I’m real.”

She pulled back just a hair, steadyin’ herself before meetin’ my gaze. “I am real, Austin,” she said, voice firm and steady, like she was claimin’ her place in the world, like she was tellin’ me and the whole damn world that she was here to stay. And that confidence, hell, it was somethin’ I’d never seen before. “And I’m not afraid of bein’ who I am. Not anymore. Not with you.”

Her words hit me like a damn freight train, and I felt the grip she had on me, both physically and emotionally, as strong as a rope lassoed tight ’round my heart. She held me with a strength I hadn’t known anyone could possess, the quiet power of a woman who knew exactly who she was and wasn’t afraid to show it. And damn, it made me fall harder for her.

Her hand moved from my chest to my face, her thumb tracing across my skin, and I couldn’t stop lookin’ at her. My gaze drank her in, savorin’ every curve, every line, every inch of her. She had me in the palm of her hand, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I’ve never been this sure about anything in my life,” she said softly, almost like a confession. “Not just about us, but about me. About everything.”

Her words, full of certainty, confidence, and self-assurance, made my chest swell. I didn’t know what it was about her, but she made me feel seen, like I wasn’t just some guy from the city tryin’ to make a life. I was somebody. I was hers. And she was mine.

I pulled her in closer, my hands cuppin’ her face like she was somethin’ too precious to let go of. “You’re incredible, Wendy. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.”

She tilted her head, her eyes steady on me, that smile of hers not just a smile anymore but a damn promise. It was a promise that she was mine, and I was hers. And that made everything feel right in the world.

She leaned in, close enough now that I could feel her breath on my lips, whisperin’ soft as silk, “You’re mine, cowboy. All mine.” And in that moment, all the walls, all the doubts, the pieces of me that were still unsure—hell, they were gone. There wasn’t a single trace of that old life left. No more “city boy.” There was just me, the cowboy, standin’ here with her, and I was complete.

My heart raced, but this time, it was a good kind of fast. And as she held me tight, her confidence spillin’ into me like a steady stream, I couldn’t help but feel like the luckiest son of a gun in the world.

The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. Donny lay on his back on Wendy’s bed, his arm casually draped around her as she nestled into the crook of his shoulder. Her forehead grazed his jaw as she shifted to get more comfortable. The faint scent of her skin, a mix of something sweet and wild, lingered in the air between them.

Wendy sighed, her breath warm against his chest as she traced lazy circles on his stomach with her fingers. “You know, for all the chaos in our lives, moments like this make it feel… simple,” she murmured.

“Simple, huh?” Donny chuckled softly, his voice rumbling in his chest. “I don’t think anything about us is simple”

She smirked, glancing up at him with a playful glint in her eyes. “Okay, maybe not simple. But… I like that when I’m with you, everything else fades away,” she teased, giving them a gentle shake for emphasis.

My smile deepened as his hand slid down to her back, gently brushing my fingers against the small of her back just above her waist. She tensed for a moment, then relaxed, her body responding to my careful, affectionate touch. My fingertips traced the soft membrane of her back, moving slowly so as not to overwhelm her.

“You know, this is still new for me,” Wendy said softly, her voice betraying a mixture of vulnerability, contentedness, and curiosity. “I’m not used to… anyone touching me. Especially with them being so sensitive,”

“Does it hurt?” I asked, my voice gentle as my fingers continued their slow, calming strokes along her shoulder blades.

“No, it’s… actually kind of nice, too nice” she admitted, a small smile playing at her lips as she nestled closer to me.

My other hand found its way to her tummy, gently running along the length of it with the same care he’d shown her back. Wendy’s eyes fluttered closed as she melted further into my embrace, a soft sound of contentment escaping her lips.

“You always know how to make me feel safe,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s the plan,” I said with a smile, my touch never faltering as I pet her tummy and shoulders in slow, soothing patterns. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me now.”

Her eyes softened as she rested her cheek against my chest again, listening to the steady rhythm of my heartbeat. “Good. Because I can’t imagine going through all of this without you.” There was a vulnerability in her voice now, one she rarely let show. “You ground me, Austin. When I’m with you, I feel like I can handle whatever’s coming.”

I shifted, tightening my arm around her as I pulled her closer. “You’re stronger than you think, Wendy. You don’t need me to handle anything. But… I’ll be here anyway. Always.”

She smiled at that, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “That’s the thing. You always make me feel stronger. But I don’t want to be strong all the time. Sometimes I just want to be… here. With you. Like this.”

“I think I can live with that,” I said, my fingers continuing their gentle exploration of her body. “Besides, it’s not like I’m exactly looking for an excuse to be anywhere else.”

Wendy tilted her head up to look at me, her expression mischievous now. “Is that so? What if I told you I was going to turn into a giant succubus monster and you’d have to deal with all my dramatic mood swings forever?”

I raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a smirk. “Then I’d say bring it on.

I can handle your mood swings. I’ve already got a pretty good track record with you.”

She gave me a light smack on the chest, though there was no real force behind it. “Jerk.”

“Hey, you love it,” I teased, dipping my head to kiss her again, this time on the lips, lingering just a little longer.

Wendy grinned against my mouth, her hand sliding up to cup the side of my face. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

We lay there in silence for a while after that, the quiet between us comfortable and full of unspoken promises. The world outside felt far away, the weight of our lives reduced to nothing in the warmth of our shared space. Finally, Wendy broke the silence, her voice soft but steady. “No matter what happens… no matter who or what comes for us… I’ll always fight for you, Austin.”

I looked down at her, my heart swelling at the determination in her eyes. “And I’ll always be there, fighting right beside you. We’re in this together.” She smiled, that familiar spark of playful mischief returning to her gaze. “Good. Because I’m not letting you off the hook. Ever.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I murmured, my lips brushing hers once more as my hand found its way back to her cheeks, caressing them tenderly, sealing the quiet vow we both knew we'd keep for as long as it took—through every storm and shadow.

As we settled back into each other’s arms, the world could wait. For now, it was just us. As I continued to trace lines and trails around Wendy’s body

[agendabymooner]

RUSH || DR3 SMAU + FIC SERIES: a masterlist

f1 masterlist: a - n o - z

daniel ricciardo x ofc (lester alessandro)

summary: lester alessandro, before she was a bassist of a eurovision winning band, was a daniel ricciardo fan. it was too bad they didn't get to know each other well until monza 2021.

content warning: MY VERY FIRST SMAU SERIES (that's a trigger warning on its own), use of explicit language, 16+ rating

rush series (x måneskin member!ofc)

honey (are u coming), smau: how lester alessandro got blocked by daniel ricciardo before meeting him in monza 2021. (h)

own my mind, fic: it took lester almost six italian grand prix races to come across daniel ricciardo once more. sure, she was hesitant to speak to him regardless of the fact that she was his fan but the mclaren driver was certain he’d rather cause a stir in the f1 community with her after his win in monza than celebrate his victory with a lot of people. OR the second close encounter between the two of the most unhinged people of f1. (g, h)

read your diary, smau: it's 2021 and everyone thinks that lester and daniel are dating. lesson learned: never underestimate a fan's investigation skills. (g)

mamma mia, smau: an interview with jimmy fallon gives a brief idea of how lester and daniel came to be. (g)

mamma mia (again), smau: a youtube playlist was created to compile clips of danny talking way too much about his beloved girlfriend (f)

gossip, smau: everyone thinks lester's only here to be a formula one girlfriend with a bad reputation. it's not her fault she's confident. (mc, hc, h)

kool kids, smau: lester and daniel are going to new york to see a musical... while babysitting their "kid" (feat. lando norris) (g, h)

timezone, fic: lester wasn't normally like this, but she's more than willing to pay twice the price just to get to the next flight to where he wanted her: his arms, her home. (hc)

if not for you, smau: messages exchanged between lester and others as she takes care of the wolff children and an ex with the poorest decisions to have existed. (feat. lando norris, max verstappen, charles leclerc and characters from a story) (f, g, h)

baby said, smau: many tweets are posted that they don't often mean. their fans thought that his marriage proposal was one of them. (f, g, h)

supermodel, smau: how not to cry when you're talking about the man who'd give you the wedding that you dreamed of? (f, g, h)

rush series: wedding special

london bridge, smau: the alessandro-ricciardo wedding week is nothing of a peaceful week, and the monday only proved that thought right. (feat. f1 drivers) (f, h) - wedding special 1

fergalicious, smau: the grid singles need to touch some grass… or in lando’s case, go swimming. (feat. f1 drivers) (h) - wedding special 2

l'azienda di famiglia (e le donnole dell'isola), smau + fic: the alessandro family arrived and lando and george found themselves alone with two of the sisters. (feat. lando norris and george russell) (f, g) - wedding special 3 ♡

rush series: mrs. ricciardo special

part of you, smau: mrs. lester ricciardo asks her followers what to get her husband for his 35th birthday. little did danny know, she’s already got one ready to surprise him (f, g)

when emma falls in love, smau: as her pregnancy progressed, lester ricciardo made sure that her sanity wouldn't go the other way as she posted a thread of journal entries talking about her pregnancy. (f, h)

slipping through my fingers, smau: beau ricciardo was his dad's carbon copy and his mom's little heartbreaker.

here comes the sun, smau: despite having a red bull driver dad, beau ricciardo - or "little par" - is converted to tifosi, thank god for his full-italian mother. OR lester ricciardo's one year old son and his chaotic dad attended a måneskin concert when the bassist returned to the stage after almost two years of absence. (f, h)

pocketful of sunshine, scenario: beau ricciardo turned one and what's a good way to show his personality besides from showing it in front of an irwin? ★

[laswells-ashtray]

Hey buddy, I've got a weird question for you today. How do airports in the UK work? More specifically Scotland. I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot because I've not done any research whatsoever and I could not even point out Scotland on a map if asked. Figured I'd ask you because I'm assuming you live somewhere around north east because of the difference in times (if im assuming horribly wrong i have no idea how timezones work). I'm very American and only know how airports here in the states operate but was wondering if theyre different in other places. This could be an easily google-able question, and I'm sorry if this is a real strange question, you don't have to answer it. And for context so I don't look as much like a weirdo I'm trying to map out ideas for the skeleton on a fanfiction I had an idea for. Anywho me and my cats are sending you and Orca good vibes for 2025 <3

Orca and I appreciate the good vibes, thank you and happy New Year. And damn, if this didn't make me think.

Haven't been to an airport since I was 13 and that wasn't yesterday.

I'm recalling this from a distant memory so it isn't gonna make sense until I straighten it out.

Arrive, already hate it.

Go to the desk where they're like "woah, you're going here - I hate my job" and you're like "yeah, I'm so sorry - I hope no one fucks up your day" and then they send your suitcase to Hell.

Then you wander off to the thing and you gotta take out your phone and shit, send your bag through the "no, I don't have a gun or a knife or a bomb why did you take my shoes everyone stop looking at my Batman socks I hate it here" machine. Then they make you step through the thing that looks like it's from Doctor Who where it checks your person for substances or weapons and it's just uncomfortable.

Then you get singled out and they wipe this strip thing on you and your bags to test for substances because you're a child on holiday with your mother and to them that looks suspicious so they do a "random check" except they randomly check you at every airport any time you go somewhere with her. They find nothing, you aren't criminals, you're just a tired kid holding a blanket and your mother is older than people expect so it throws them off.

You get led into the rest of the airport where there are shops with overpriced everything and no chargers available. You buy nothing, you crave the cold hand of death. You wait, you wait, you pretend the person mouth breathing next to you isn't annoying and you wait. Then boom, plane time.

Is this too nonsensical or do you get me?

[factorialsotherfandoms]

staring at you with big wet eyes , for the christmas gift thing 🥺🥺 opd/opc divergent au kaiser 🥺🥺 my chewtoy

Merry Christmas Olo! And everyone else

OPD and OPC spoilers, divergent as of the end of OPD but set during early OPC. So your chewtoy has had a year to get used to things, good for him!!!

ao3 link: [link]

Kaiser wakes up to the alarm on his phone blaring in one ear. He pulls his pillow over his head for three minutes - it does not help - before giving up.

He fumbles with it a bit, rubbing at one eye until the screen makes sense.

8am?

Why is his alarm set so early? Doesn't he usually do the afternoon shift?

He scrabbles at his desk - one every morning affair is easier to remember than a schedule - as his eyes start to agree to work.

"Arthur and Ivete in Rome" the alarm reads.

Which... okay, okay, Kaiser can work with that.

Timezones. He needs to be working when Arthur is. Right.

His scrabbling hand finds the bowl of rubber bands. He takes one in red, looping it a few times around his left pinky to denote important information.

Five black bands on his ring finger - three meals and two sets of tooth brushing - four on the middle for his medication. He swaps which hand is holding his phone; Arthur has sent him a photo of him and Agatha and a bowl of pasta and meatballs, so he snaps a photo of his own exhausted self, and returns the favour.

Okay. Rome is further than usual, but with Arthur on a mission Kaiser should wait at the base as support - he starts adding elastic bands to his right hand now. At the base...

Kaiser flips into his notes app, certain he had something else to do at the base.

There.

It seems he updated CRIS, and needs to test it. That should keep him occupied, waiting for a call that will not come. Joui might ring him, but Joui has been avoiding him for some time now. Kaiser does not really remember when it started, only that he has been weird ever since Liz vanished.

And Liz...

He does not like thinking about Liz, and his memories of her are blurry at best; his therapist says not to force the memories, and the warning in his gut agrees that, in this one instance, it is probably for the best.

3 meals, 4 doses of medication, be on standby for Arthur and run system tests on CRIS.

That is enough for one day, and the only chore on his list is laundry; he loops another band around another finger, and figures he'll get to it sometime today.

What first?

Teeth.

And then, once he is in the bathroom, following through into a shower does not need a reminder.

From there breakfast and book an Uber - remembering the Uber definitely needs a band - then throw some nachos in his bag to call lunch later. He could always steal Samuel's again, but he would rather not annoy one friend when another is in mortal peril.

Well, maybe not just yet, but over breakfast Kaiser reviews his notes, and... And the reason Ivete left as well is horrific.

Something ugly stirs with the knowledge that he is unable to go.

Something uglier still is gladder to never touch field work again.

The Uber arrives, and Kaiser has the driver drop him in a shopping district just a few streets from the base. He wanders it a little before heading over, keeping moving until the eyes scratch off his back.

From the bar to the stairs to the base, waving a hand as he passes the threadbare team left behind.

In the research room... Only Letícia is here, swapping between her computer and phone as she tries to look something up.

"Is Samuel overnight? Kaiser asks.

"No, that's you," at this point, she barely even blinks at the question. "He's in Rome. With the others."

Samuel also went to Rome.

Right. Right.

He grabs his phone, and pulls open a voice note. Letícia leans over, making sure she can be heard by the microphone.

"Who went to Rome?"

"Arthur, Dante, and their team." She lists, pausing for a moment so that Kaiser can also scrawl out a paper list. "Clarissa went out with them early yesterday. The people they were supposed to meet were dead on arrival, so Veríssimo, Ivete, Samuel, Agatha, and Renan flew out as support. Most of the visitors we had went over, too, one of the other teams. Samuel is responsible for them."

Kaiser knows why he was left behind, but with Arthur, Ivete, and Dante gone...

"When will they be back?"

"We're not sure yet; Samuel will internet call with more information when they have it, but the teams will contact with him to save on international calling fees."

"Alright," he stops the recording, and saves it. He prefers voice reminders for things like this, the reassurance of someone else being alive to have said it. Still, he runs it through speech-to-text, fixes the transcript, and also saves that to his written notes.

More notes is always better.

"I want to finish updating CRIS," he turns to the relevant computer, and starts checking over the processes he left running overnight. Everything seems in order, but he knows better than to ever trust the first running of new code. "What else?"

"I've split Samuel's agents between us," she is back at her desk, nails clicking sharply on her keyboard. "None I gave you are complicated. I already pulled up their files for you. Veríssimo also asked for us to check the base for security flaws."

"Sure."

CRIS is behind itself, so Kaiser pulls out another laptop, wires it into the intranet, and starts a scan of the computer systems. He loops bands around his fingers as reminders to check those scans later, then grabs a toolkit and sets about searching the room for bugs.

He will need to do the entire base, and Ivete's bar above, but he needs to start somewhere.

As he works the bands on his fingers rub against each other and his skin, a constant reminder of all the jobs he needs to do. He swaps between sweeping and answering the phone, keeping his thumb pressed to the relevant bands even as he provides information for the Order's people. Puts a band away when he grabs some lunch - for the best he did not rely on stealing Samuel's food, given the man is gone today - continues his work...

It is early afternoon when he feels... There's something in his stomach, something uncomfortable. It...

"Letícia?" he asks.

"What now?" her tone is sharper, having just got off the phone herself.

"Watch the computer a second?"

He does not wait for a reply before pressing a hand to a scar on his shoulder, and focusing.

He does not know if he has done it before, he does not remember what it does, but something in his soul...

One moment there is nothing and the next... Everything is shadow, and panic is overwhelming, and fear builds up - there are pillars, and broken stones, yellow and he is surrounded by corpses. Kaiser cannot move, but there is one hand crossed over his chest, touching at the marked shoulder all the same.

"I'm at the Colosseum," a familiar voice whispers with a tongue that probably isn't his own. "Come pick me up."

Joui?

For a few moments he watches further, body moving anxiously around, looking for danger, glancing over the bodies-

A scream of agony, of some deep seated pain, and-

Kaiser pulls himself from the ritual, and scrambles for his phone. Whatever mission Joui is on, whatever he has been doing instead of speaking to Kaiser...

It's been over a year since Joui spoke to him, and Kaiser cannot quite grasp why, but Joui is in pain and scared and-

And Kaiser cannot get to the Colosseum, but he knows who can.

Dialing Arthur's number is as easy as breathing, even on the other side of the world.

It takes three tries before Arthur picks up, but Kaiser cannot leave this to voicemail. Eventually, eventually Arthur does answer and "Kaiser? Is something wrong?"

"You need to get to the Colosseum," Kaiser does not bother with pleasantries. "Immediately."

"What- Why? We're in a debrief right now, let me put you on speaker."

"No time," Kaiser tells him, but he isn't sure he'll have attention paid to him. Whatever, they will all know soon. "You need to go. Now. Joui- Joui's there. And he's hurt."

"Joui?" It's Dante who speaks. "Kaiser, what are you talking about?"

"The seeing ritual," Kaiser says. "He used it to call me. He's in the Colosseum, he's scared, and I can't get to him but you can. He's been fighting people, but I didn't get a good look at the bodies."

There's a sigh, and then Veríssimo is the one to speak, "perhaps, then, this evening would be the better choice?"

"We're going," Arthur promises. "I'll text you once we get there, and ring you when there's news."

"Okay," and Kaiser doesn't know what's going on, or even what went on; his work phone starts to vibrate. "I need to answer another team. Just, please-"

"We'll do it, I promise," Arthur tells him. "We'll bring Joui home."

There are other voices and other discussions, but Kaiser does not care. He hangs up, grips his phone in his fist, and answers the work call.

"What do you need?"

He can only pray it is a simple request, the sort Letícia loathes; this is too much for elastics, the vision consuming his mind and the phone hot against his skin. The edge of Joui's fear clings to him as he works, shaking from his own anxiety amplified by another's. The phone is the only comfort, the only thing holding him to earth even as the elastics fade from perception.

The phone will ring again soon.

It has to.

Arthur promised.

[be-compromised]

One Prompt Challenge

As a warm up for promptathon, this is a an 'everyone writes a fill for the same prompt' challenge suggested by @iriel3000 on the discord chat. A number of prompts were suggested and voted on, but the winner is a tie so you actually get TWO prompts: 'rooftop' and 'time travel'.

TIMELINE: from now until midnight (whatever your timezone) Friday 26 July. (You can absolutely still play after this date, but you won't be included in a masterlist after this date and then the big summer promptathon will arrive!)

HOW TO PLAY:

Write a fic / create an artwork of any kind that uses 'rooftop' AND 'time travel' as prompts. You can include the actual words or interpret them however you like. The fun of this challenge is going to be seeing what we all come up with.

As we’re a Clintasha (Clint Barton/Natasha Romanoff) community, so we’d also like Clint and/or Natasha to show up in your fill somewhere, but what that means is up to you - individually or as friends, lovers, spouses, partners, gen fic, ANYTHING. We welcome other characters and pairings (and threesomes or moresomes), and all things Marvel, and crossovers.

Reply to this dreamwidth post with your fill OR a link to your fill including: a title, rating (ie AO3 or film rating), and any warnings OR 'choose not to warn' (ie AO3 warnings).

You can post your entire fanwork in a comment if it’s short enough or you can post your fanwork anywhere else on the internet, just please share a link in a comment to this post! This makes it easier for people to find all fills during the event and makes it a LOT easier for your mods to create a masterlist at the end, without missing any of your fills.

There’s no length requirement on fanworks submitted. You can create drabbles or epics, vids, art, fanmixes, anything at all; it’s just all about getting creative! Fills do not have to be complete or completed during promptathon. You can fill this prompt / take part in this challenge as many times as you like.

We absolute welcome chat, squee, comments, cheerleading, and conversation as well as fills and about fills :)

GENERAL RULES

Our Community Rules apply to this event: > No character or ship bashing. This is a positive fandom space. > No plagiarism or use of AI. (We value YOUR creativity and effort.) > Please no RPF (Real Person Fanfiction) or any gossip/speculation about actors’ off-screen non-work lives, as the primary focus of this community is fictional characters. > Please including a rating for fanworks and a warning OR choose not to warn. > Be kind and have fun!

If you have any questions please feel free to ask! The easiest way is to use the ‘Questions / Comments / Squee’ thread, which is in the first comment to this post, or ask on the Discord server. Your mods are inkvoices, CloudAltas aka franztastisch, and gsparkle.

[explicitred]

30 Days Fanfic Event

Event Duration: June 5 - July 4, 2023

Hello, it's been a while since I've posted. I plan on scheduling a post for each day of this event. I have talked about how I wanted to write more before in a previous post and found the idea to do a 30-day fanfic event today.

During this event, a post will arrive at 6:00PM (PST) each day. If a fanfic is not yet posted at 6PM, it is either due to the post's incompletion, or the scheduling. I've found in the past that the scheduling method when posting does not always arrive at the exact time that you schedule it. (I think I've fixed it majorly now, I changed my timezone)

Furthermore, I plan to write mainly headcanons for this event, but I can still write other formats too.

If you have any suggestions or requests on anyone you want me to write about, please dm me (or place a submission). I’ll consider the request, thanks! (Please note that even after the event starts, I will still allow requests until the event ends or until I’ve already planned out all posts for each day.)

Diluc Headcanons - (Male Reader) (for some reason it posted at 3pm pst oops)

Zhongli Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Cyno Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Dottore Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Albedo Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Pantalone Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Wanderer/Scaramouche Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Xiao (Trying to Get Your Attention ♡)

It's been a long day... Alhaitham x (Male Reader)

Kazuha Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Thoma Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Xiao Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Dottore's Experiments - (Most Highest Voted)

Pantalone's wallet is MY wallet (2nd Highest Voted)

Noises - Alhaitham (3rd Highest Voted) (Decided on the three most voted in Dottore's Headcanons poll)

Love at First Sight, Childe x Male Reader

Sumeru Random Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Ayato, Let's Get Wed, Darling.

Albedo Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Kaveh as Your Boyfriend - (Male Reader)

Dainsleif (Most Highest Voted)

Jealousy - Albedo (2nd Highest Voted/Tied)

Nightmare - Zhongli (2nd Highest Voted/Tied) (Decided on the three most voted in Thoma's Headcanons poll)

Zhongli Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Aether Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Xiao Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Kaeya Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Alhaitham Headcanons - (Male Reader)

Warmth Pt. 2, Childe x Male Reader

Ayato x Male Reader

(Will be posted after Post 23, and will end after the event.)

Future Event Poll - This poll will let me know what events people are interested in seeing, and can affect what events I may do in the future. If you're interested in voting or giving suggestions for future events, feel free!

End Thoughts: i feel like i saw this as more of a work thing, not as a fun thing lol. thus i think i lacked the quality in writing, only quantity lmao

...A SPECIAL FOR REACHING THE END OF THIS 30-DAY EVENT??

maybe. ;D

[maireadralph]

Entrapdak Zine 6 - Festive. Submissions OPEN!

Apologies for the delay in getting this open Please feel free to check out the Entrapdak Secret Santa event I’m also running at the moment (links are in my pinned post)

Anyway this is the post for Entrapdak Zine 6 - Festive!

The deadline for this will be Friday DEC 1st 2021 at 9AM GMT. What’s that in your timezone? Click here for a Handy Dandy Countdown:

I am flexible on this Deadline so anything that arrives on this date or by my 9am the next day is allowed (I’m in the GMT timezone BTW)

I am LESS flexible on the Extension Deadline

The Zine will be out before Christmas.  The actual date is flexible and dependant on when all the Submissions come in and my own personal work schedule.

So most of this is the same as the last few - really if it ain’t broke don’t fit it!  Also a polite reminder I am only one person running this and I am a part time Barista.  It may take me a little time to reply to emails/comments especially after the deadline time (when I have the most amount of work to do on this project) so please be patient with me.

Our basic guidelines are the same as before, with just a few minor updates:

This will be:

A Digital Zine containing content created by the fans for the fans

A 100% Free Zine

Preferred Language is English

SFW content suitable for a Y7-PG13 age range (same as the show’s age rating)

You may notice I run this different to other zines as there is no sign up period, just submit work before the deadline - I’d rather people have more time to work on their pieces 

Anyone can submit regardless of age or skill level - this is not a job application - just follow the guidelines and email in your work

Submission can be Fan Writing (poems, fan fiction, character analysis, eassys etc), Fan Art, or even photos of your Entrapdak IRL content (cosplays, fancrafts etc)!  You can submit an older work that you have published online previously if you wish - or even update a work you submitted to the last Zine! Just have fun!

Guidelines applicable to all work:

Content Age Rating:

Like the show this Zine will contain content rated Y7 and PG13 rated - so please no swearing 

There WILL BE NO NSFW or 18+ content - where possible let’s keep this suitable for all ages please 

Sub note on character minimum clothing requirements: 

for male presenting characters to be speedos/underpants

for female presenting characters to be a bikini/bra and underpants 

if not sure please use the female presenting criteria

Theme:

This issue’s theme if you wish to use it is:

“Festive”

This theme is a suggestion and if you’d rather make an Entrapdak piece without this theme please feel free to do so. I want you to have fun!

Allowed Characters:

As long as both Entrapta and Hordak are the main focus and the piece follows Age Rating it will be allowed.

Other allowed characters in the Entrapdak family include Emily, Imp and the Clones (also known as Spacebats)…yes weirdly this also  includes Horde Prime.

Other She-Ra characters will be allowed but Entrapdak is to be the core element.

Phew that’s a lotta text sorry about that - now on to the fun stuff! What sort of stuff is allowed?

Sex Swap AU, Species Swap AU, Furry AU, Toony AU, Anime AU, Fankid AU, Coffee Shop AU, married AU, Spacebat AU, just besties AU just to name the few that pop into my head! Oh yeah Canon Lab Partners Entrapdak too…hehe nearly forgot about that one XD. Make something Entrapdak related that’s PG13 rated and have fun!!

Fan Writing guidelines:

This includes fan fiction, analysis eassys, poetry or whatever else you’d like to write about.  I would ask this content to be between 1k-10k words in length, it’s not a big deal if the writing is over 10k or even if it’s 20k - write whatever your story needs. If you’d like to write Chapters then please do!

Written work can be emailed in the body of text, sent as pdf attachment or as a link to a Google Doc - I can work with any of those.

Please include you name/username somewhere as it helps. If there’s no name on the piece I’ll add one at the start with the title.

Fan Art guidelines:

Fan art can include rough sketches, screencap redraws, comics (appox 1-10 pages length), coloured sketches or full colour pieces. 

Fan art can be in the digital or traditional medium.  

Traditional fan art can either be submitted as a photo or scanned, which ever you prefer.

Preferred sizing for Digital art is as follows, my aim to to have everything on International (UK) A4 paper sizing where possible*

2480px x 3508pm DPI 132 

Portrait layout is preferred**

PNG is preferred but I will understand if you only wish to send a workable JPEG

The aspect ratio (width:height) of A4 paper is 1:1.4142 (1:√2)

If you need a template here’s one -> Here’s a prepared A4 Canvas PSD File (2480pm x 3508px 300DPI) if you’d like to download it and use it <- Template

Notes: 

*Images outside these sizings are still okay but may end up with a white border on the edges due to the PDF publishing settings.  

**Images in the landscape layout will get boarders when posted on a portrait page due to the PDF publishing settings, however if I receive landscape art I will make some extra pages at the end of the Zine and attempt to turn landscape art into a two page spread (which does look awesome!).

How to Apply:

Make your content and email it to entrapdakzineisluvd[at]gmail.com by JULY 1st 2023

Please make sure to include your Social Media contacts and which name or username you wish to be identified by.  If you forget to include social media details and have been a part of a previous Zine I’ll use the details I have on file 

I will reply to confirm I have received the content and that’s it I take care of the rest!

Please note I DO NOT KEEP any records of anyone’s email addresses.  When the Zine is out I batch delete all emails sent to the email address (this is usually done a week after the Zine is out) and I keep no further records of these address. I respect your email privacy at all times.  

The only records I keep on Zine applications is a private Google Sheet that has the following details: Submitter’s name, rough description of the item submitted and their social media contacts. I’m the only person with access to this Google Sheet as I use this as a Master List reference when compiling the Zine 

FAQs:

Why no Application form?

I don’t want anyone to feel like they are applying for a job here, this is supposed to be fun.

Will there be Guest Artists or Guest Writers?

If they apply sure, I’m not advertising who applies to be a part of this Zine until it’s ready to be published.  I don’t want anyone to feel intimidated just because a certain person has chosen to participate.

Can I submit more than one piece?

If you’d like to certainly!  If you’d like to submit up to three pieces of art and 3 fan writings, sure go for it! I’m certainly not going to stop anyone having a good time

May I post a preview of my work to my Followers?

Sure! Bonus points if you link them to this post so that they can take part if they wish

May I post my work online?

I would ask if you could please wait until the issue featuring your work is published. Of course this does not apply if you are chosen to submit and older work - in this case may I ask that you edit or add to said post to mention the work was also used in the Zine?

Is this only for people with a [insert certain social media account here]?

Nope, this is for anyone who wants to take part.  I only ask for a social media contact so that others who like you work for the Zine may follow you on your preferred social media platform.

Can I send an update to a piece?

Of course! Just let me know which piece you want to use and I’ll update on my end

Can I send another piece on later?

Of course that’s not a problem!

Ah I can’t get this done before the deadline - it’s almost ready!!!  I need another day!!!!

Contact me, either through the submitting email over via my Tumblr or Twitter DMs or just emailing the email address. There is extra time allowed for an extension for anyone who needs it with no questions asked to why it is needed. Just get in contact, I'll put you name on the Extension List and that extra time is yours.  Once all names come in (or the deadline is reached) I will finish up my work and get the zine out. I will not be sending out a further reminder (because I’ll forget sorry 😅).

Why don’t you make the Extension time public?

Because I can’t finish up the Zine if extra stuff comes in at the last second - I get jittery enough with final deadlines so this is how I manage my stress

More Entrapdak Zines??

Sure why not? If the community still wants them I’ll keep compiling them ever three or so months.  I’ve seen what us nerds can do!

Where can I find the finished Zine?

All finished Zines are all hosted on a shared Google Drive folder https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1My_hDY8NmOWV7v6z0sYi0TSvxv07WowX  Please share it with your other Entrapdak friends when it is ready.

Thank you for making it all the way to the end of this WALL of TEXT.  It’s pretty much exactly the same as the Zine 4 and 5’s but with a few minor changes.

[monkeythefander]

Analogince Headcannons💜💙❤️

Am I participating in my own event/ship week? Yes, I am 😁. Am I also posting this a little bit early? Yes, because I’m too excited to wait until it’s officially the 29th in my timezone. I wanted to eventually make headcannons for this ship, so I thought I’d make some based on some of the prompts for Analogince Week 2024. I didn’t write for every single prompt because I didn’t have ideas for some of them. These headcannons all take place in a human au.

@analoginceweek

The prompts I chose to write for were the following:

Day 1 (April 29th): Library / Theater

Day 2 (April 30th): Nightmare

Day 3 (May 1st): Disney / Adventure

Day 4 (May 2nd): “Are you okay?”

Day 5 (May 3rd): “Here is where we shall stay.”

Extra ideas: Tea, and Companionable Silence.

Content warnings: mention of lunch (nothing specific, just getting lunch together), mention of nightmares (also nothing specific), mention of tea, let me know if I missed anything else.

Click below the cut to read the headcannons

——————————————————————

- Virgil wanted to contribute to the local theater’s upcoming musical. Acting wasn’t one of his best skills, so he decided to contribute using the skill he’s mostly confident in, which is his illustration abilities. The theater was looking for people to help sketch out designs for and paint parts of the set, so Virgil decided to help. While working at the theater, he met Roman, who was acting in the play. Virgil was busy painting when Roman approached him and started a conversation about the play. The two men quickly fell into a nice conversation about whatever came to mind, and from that day on, they continued to talk to each other whenever they had free time at the theater.

- Besides helping out at the theater, Virgil also worked at the local, public library. He mostly was in charge of organizing the books. He wasn’t put at the front desk often. One day, when Virgil was organizing some of the book shelves, a man approached him. This man was Logan, and he was asking Virgil if the library had a specific book about the solar system. Virgil led Logan to the book he was looking for and the two ended up having a nice conversation about outer space. Logan also mentioned that he needed the book to reference for a lesson he had planned for his students; he’s a teacher. After that conversation, Virgil didn’t think he’d see Logan again. But Logan ended up returning to the library a lot to look for more space themed books and to talk to Virgil about the books. The emo man enjoyed the conversations; it made his job more interesting.

- One day, Virgil decides to introduce Roman and Logan to each other. The emo man hopes the two will get along, since he thinks they’d be good friends too. The three men decide to get lunch together and Logan and Roman are able to bond over their interest in poetry and Greek mythology. Seeing his two friends getting along makes Virgil smile, but he tries to hide his smile behind his hand. At this moment, he also realizes that he might just love these two, wonderful men. Virgil doesn’t plan on saying anything about his feelings yet though.

- Virgil didn’t end up being the first one to confess his feelings. That title went to Roman. It was several months after Roman and Logan were introduced to each other that Roman realized he had feelings for the emo and the nerd. So like the romantic he is, Roman decided to create a fun way to confess. He was a bit nervous that they wouldn’t feel the same way, but he couldn’t hide his feelings forever. So Roman set up an adventure for his crushes to go on; it was a scavenger hunt. He set up clues for them all over town in spots the three of them liked to hang out, and then made the final destination the diner where they all hung out for the first time. Once Virgil and Logan arrived at the diner, Roman confessed his feelings and the emo and nerd said they liked him back. So they became boyfriends that day.

- After dating for a year, the three men decided to move in with each other. They did a lot of searching online until eventually Roman said “Here is where we shall stay” as he pointed at the photo of a nice house on the laptop screen. Logan and Virgil agreed with Roman’s statement. This house would be perfect for them. Roman had wanted a house with a front porch he could put a nice, rocking chair on. Logan wanted a house with three bedrooms so if any of them needed some personal space at night, they could have their own beds instead of sharing one all the time. Virgil wanted a house with a nice backyard where he could just sit and draw. The house they found online met all these needs, so the three boyfriends were definitely buying it.

- Before moving in together, the three men never really saw each other when they were feeling super upset or stressed. So now that they lived together, the boyfriends saw every aspect of each other’s lives, and got into a routine of making sure everyone was feeling okay. If anyone seemed like something was bothering them, they’d be asked “Are you okay?” If Virgil woke up from a nightmare and couldn’t fall back asleep for the rest of the night, Logan would make some tea to help calm Virgil down and Roman would gently hug the emo man and whisper comforting words to him.

- If Roman was feeling worried about an upcoming play, Virgil will remind him of how great he is at acting and offer to practice reading whatever script Roman had to memorize at the moment. Logan would also offer to read through lines with Roman, and provide advice whenever Roman requested feedback.

- If Logan stayed up too late grading papers for his students, Roman and Virgil would remind him it’s time for bed. Virgil would offer to help Logan finish up grading after they all got some sleep. After they get Logan to lay down in bed, Roman will quietly sing to help Logan relax more and fall asleep.

- The three boyfriends like to sit in companionable silence with each other when they all just want a quiet and relaxing day. Logan will sit on the couch with a book. Roman will plop down on the couch, rest his head on Logan’s shoulder, and just watch random videos on his phone with headphones on. Virgil will sit on the floor in front of the couch and sketch whatever comes to mind. Most of the time the emo finds himself drawing his boyfriends sitting on the couch, like they are in that moment.

——————————————————————

End Notes: Thanks for reading! As always, if you like any of these headcannons and want to make a fanfic or fanart based on them you can. You just need to ask me first, and then tag and credit me in the post so I can see it.

-Monkey💜

AO3 Link to these headcannons: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55441837

[car-lozsigns]

A few minutes more (Pt16)

Synopsis: You and Carlos had crossed paths more than you thought was possible over a short weekend but time was not on your side. A love story that’s about the slow burn and companionship built connection, and how sometimes right place wrong time is the best of the available options

Author Note: Same as the previous part, there is the mention of covid in the early stages, story part in March 2020.

Length:~4.6k

Warnings: covid mention

Previous parts: Link to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15

Part 16

Carlos’ racing schedule and commitments picked up as Melbourne approached, him being distracted in calls but still putting the effort to be present. The remarks of ‘so many days to go’ and ‘can’t wait to see you’ picked up in frequency the closer you got to March. But with it also increased the anxiety. You were lucky you never really had to worry about it but the world affairs were bleeding into your mental resolve for the first time you could remember. You tried the push the news from your mind not allowing yourself to read the breaking story and choosing instead to remain ignorant to protect your own mental health. Was this a long term solution, no, but you just wanted to make it to March and you’ll worry about the virus that keeps coming up in conversation afterwards.

Carlos and you had planned on a call the week prior that you would fly into his hometown on the Thursday after work, then spend two days with you before a family Saturday night dinner introducing you to his parents where you and him were to stay the night and Sunday night, you and Carlos flying out Monday morning, you back to the UK and him to Melbourne.

The Wednesday before your weekend in Spain the mood was exceptionally uneasy across the office, many people opting to stay away from work with the news of this new respiratory illness making its way across Europe. Your work was encouraging people to only work in the office if required, with many already working a hybrid model to account for the cross timezone projects your team often were engaged with.

Your boss was hesitant to approve your leave to Spain with the news of everything picking up, it seeming worse than a regular flu that emerged every winter. You appeased them however, letting them know that you were bringing your laptop with you in case the worse was to happen and you had to stay a few extra days, you could always work from your hotel. You checked in with your team Wednesday morning but in seeing everyone was working from home you decided to pull a sick day to get your flight changed a day early to surprise Carlos. 

You had expected changing your flight would have been difficult last minute but there were plenty of spare seats, people in the UK weary of the news coming out of Spain and Italy, with many apparently cancelling their trips. Arriving at the airport for your flight on Wednesday night you noticed how much everything had changed in a few short months; everyone was wearing face masks, some even with gloves. The nerves were heightened from the regular type you see at the terminal, people trying to keep their distance from each other. Maybe ignoring the news hadn’t been the best idea you told yourself as you stepped in to purchase a face mask and bottle of hand sanitiser before waiting at your gate. 

Carlos had finalised your plans and schedule, you had messaged him saying you had the ok to travel, him sending through the itinerary he had meticulously prepared. you. You checked it one more time before boarding to see if he had made any last minute changes to the google doc and seeing it all the same, switched your phone to flight mode and tried to calm yourself for the flight. 

You had timed your flight with him so that you wouldn’t miss your regular call with him. So when Carlos answered he wouldn’t expect or notice anything different until you showed him the surprise. 

When Carlos’ phone rang on Wednesday night he was playing his dad in a game of chess. Normally the family rules of no phones during play was strictly enforced but as your name lit up the screen showing you were calling exactly at 7pm like normal , Carlos senior resigned that his son would be lost to him for the next hour, allowing him to look up potential moves to win the session.

“Hi Carlos, how was your day?” You tried to sound calm but you noticed the excitement seeping out in your voice.

“Hello, my day was good” Carlos started him launching into his activities as he walked out of the living room to the veranda. Carlos continued talking for a while him not allowing you to get a word in. You had intended on telling him straight out but Carlos was on a role, you decided to move the phone away from your face standing in front of the baggage carousel holding the phone out just wide enough so that your screen showed the “arrivals” sign in the background. You checked the time and waited to see how long it would take Carlos to notice you weren’t at home like you were meant to be.

He talked for another 6 minutes before he noticed, he was pacing around the backyard not focusing on the phone but where he was walking.

You saw his face scrunch slightly as you saw him take in where you were standing.

He had organised you to fly in Thursday after work, a reminder set on his phone to pick you up as soon as you had landed but he saw you standing at an arrivals today.

“YN is today Thursday? Did I miss your flight I thought I had set alarms?”

You laughed at this

“Nope, it’s Wednesday and guess who changed their flight to Wednesday?” You smiled the cheesiest grin when you saw the pieces click into place on Carlos’ face.

“Are you telling me you’re in Madrid, you’ve been here this entire call?”

Carlos was shocked but surprised in a good way

“I was going to but then I didn’t wasn’t to interrupt”

“YN come on you could be in my arms already, what terminal are you at I’m getting you now”

You replied with where you were sending him a pin of your location to help.

Carlos didn’t bother getting changed he swiped keys from the front door and called out to his parents he will be back soon, before driving much too fast to the airport.

The airport was quieter than Carlos expected it to be. Normally he’d have to queue to get into the pick up bays but there were only a few taxis and shuttle buses. Carlos like you had an uneasy feeling about what was happening and traffic is usually the sign something was amiss. Both he and his family had been checking the news everyday, with all of their career’s dependent upon travel they all wanted to know as much as they could, then finding information helped quell stress instead of induce it like the news did for you.

News coming in was influx with contradicting messages. It was safe to travel one day, the next it wasn’t, the next it was ok to travel as long as you hadn’t been in Asia. What was constant though was that in checking the restrictions and government guidance both of your plans were still allowed for now. So Carlos, entering the airport arrivals and seeing you with your suitcase confirmed it was safe enough for you to be here and that was all he cared about.

He pulled into the 15 minute bay, car still running, handbrake on, threw the door open and scooped you up in his arms. His hug was tight and lifted your feet a good foot off of the floor spinning you around quickly. You went to bend you head down to kiss him but he whispered to you.

“Not here” Letting you go and picking up your suitcase and hoisting it into the boot of his car.

When you were back on the road it was then Carlos unstoppered his excitement.

“You’re here early! Why didn’t you tell me!”

“Surprise” was all you said laughing at Carlos. He had surprised you and now you had returned the favour, seeing him that happy was worth it and you were glad you had changed his meticulous plans

“I haven’t called the hotel to change the booking but I was hoping that I could just stay with you tonight?” you said trying to sound casual.

“Of course YN plus with all the news going about I know I’d feel more comfortable with you in our home instead of in town”

“About that, I haven’t really read too much into things, how bad are they? I didn’t want to psyche myself out of the trip so I haven’t really caught up on everything” Caught up on anything you should have said.

Carlos knew travelling made you nervous, so he started at the beginning, the trip wasn’t too long back to his house and he tried to catch you up on the important details before he arrived home. The news Carlos conveyed across was not good, you maybe should have listened to your boss and seen the warning signs in his hesitancy when you brought up your trip, too late now, you were here.

Carlos lived outside the city centre, tucked away in what you would have called the suburbs, roads lined with leafy trees that looked like they had been there for decades , houses tucked behind greenery and the road front. The neighbourhood was starkly different to the built up area where your apartment was, it was closer in resemblance to suburbs back home but you couldn’t think of any of your childhood friends houses that had this much space between them and their neighbours.

“Welcome home” Carlos said quietly as he turned into a narrow driveway that was hidden behind an unkempt hedge with a large automatic wrought iron gate. As the gate pulled to the side, Carlos drove slowly up a dimly lit driveway, leading downhill. His family home was midway along a hillside, a sprawling and surprisingly modern home, a little out of place with the ancient overgrown trees and gardens. You weren’t expecting something so new and something so large, you understood that Carlos was well off but for some reason that hasn’t registered that his family was well off too. Carlos had stopped the car outside a closed garage and made to remove your bags, you standing up hesitantly taken aback by his home.

Carlos sensing your apprehension, tried to loosen one shoulder with a squeeze of his hand “It looks bigger than it is” with a wink led towards the wide wooden front door.

Carlos was a liar. What greeted you was large open space with walls made out of smooth polished concrete, walls laid out in subtle parque. You could hear noise coming from further inside the depths and Carlos let go of your bags by the front door and made to lift your handbag from your shoulder to leave it out if the way.

He took your hand and led the way. You knew that in surprising him it would mean a sooner than planned meeting his parents but the risk and anxiety attached with that did not outweigh how much you missed Carlos. So you swallowed, and took a deep breathe ready to put on a brave face in front of two people Carlos cared about deeply.

Carlos senior had seen pictures of you before. Carlos junior, when he had the chance had shown his dad the pictures of your trip away and any updates you sent through, so he was not surprised but the person standing by his son’s side. Carlos’ mother however did not know what to expect of his son’s source of happiness. She had been trying for months to get a morsel of information out of her husband and son but neither had slipped up.

**********

Carlos senior looked up from the chessboard at the sound of the pair of footsteps stopping. But instead of looking at his son and partner, directed his attention to his wife. Reyes took in a shallow breathe at the woman standing by her son’s side. She was stunning, in a way that was wholly complimentary to Carlos. Where he was calm and reserved this woman was confident and self-assured , strong in her posture conveying her attempt at standing up to this power play instead of hiding behind Carlos like his other girlfriends had. This woman unlike her son, had her emotions open to everyone, Reyes could see the love pouring out of her in the very way she was holding her son’s hand to the way that she had slightly angled in her body to him not straight on. These mannerisms reminded Reyes of a younger her when she had fallen in love with Carlos senior. In those days there weren’t many pictures of them together but she would have bet that if she someone had taken a picture when she first met her parent in-laws and compared it to the image in front of her they would have almost been identical.

Although this young lady in front of her reminded her of a younger self, she physically looked nothing like Carlos’ mother. Where Reyes and her daughters were angular with long lines and delicate features, the woman in Carlos’ arms was soft and supple hiding the strength Reyes had captured in your stance. Finally Reyes thought, someone who cares about who Carlos for who he is not who Carlos shows himself as. In the few short seconds that had passed, Reyes had decided regardless of what happened tonight, this woman was perfect for her son and she would do everything in her power to help Carlos hold onto her.

Carlos senior was not surprised by the intake of his wife’s breathe but the flicker of emotion that she had let slip was tucked away as quickly as it flashed across her stoic features, if he hadn’t been looking he would have missed it but the slip in her mask was all he needed to see. His role for the night would be supportive father, he didn’t need to be concerned or the convincing husband, his wife had already decided on her own.

As close as Carlos was with his father, he was his mother’s son. The two men may be spitting images of each other but Carlos junior and Reyes were one in the same. Both stubborn as they come but their stubbornness and conviction was very early misplaced.

Carlos senior stood up from his chess game, “You must be YN, welcome to Spain, we are very lucky to have you here with us” ending his greeting with a warm smile as he made his way to his wife placing an arm around her back. “I’m Carlos and this is my wife Reyes” Reyes moved her head to the side and broke into a smile that crinkled her eyes in the same way as her sons.

“Welcome to our home, Carlos show her around I’m sure she wants to freshen up before we talk some more”.

At his mother’s direction he started to lead you both back to the long corridor behind you before you had a chance to introduce yourself. Twisting back to Carlos’ parents you called back “Lovely to meet you!”

In a family full of travellers there was nothing worse than keeping the plane on you so there was an easy understanding when the young couple walked away from the older one.

Carlos guided you with his hand loosely against the small of your back pointing out along the way various rooms and their purposes before he stopped at the end of a passage hand hovering above the handle. You didn’t need Carlos to say that this was his room, the belongings inside told you what you needed to know. Everything was neatly laid out, bed made with a nondescript off white bed spread, helmets and trophies covering the shelves that were floor to ceiling along all the walls, bar the bay window that showed an amber lit patio.

All the things were Carlos’ but you got the distinct feeling that he didn’t use this room very much. Carlos had hovered by the door, waiting to follow you in to add commentary to your inspection of his childhood bedroom. He only stayed here when he had dinner at his parents’ house. Most of his time he stayed at his apartment in the town centre, with his work schedule so busy, when he was signed to McLaren he purchased a small home for himself to save on the commute time. That and all of his siblings had moved out with their partners, he didn’t want to be the sole focus of his parent’s attention, staying amongst his teen trophies that he was still their little boy and not an adult.

Your suspicions were confirmed with all awards and trophies dated prior to 2015. The pictures of Carlos smiling back to you was maybe 10 years younger than the one who stood at your back. Youthfulness evident with his toothy smiles and crinkled eyes on podiums and in the arms of his cousins and friends. The harshness of the world hadn’t touched him yet. The Carlos in the photos you had seen in your search had a clipped smile never touching his soul. You saw just how much your companion had changed over the years, and it sadden you how quickly he had to grow a tough exterior.

You had circled through the room before Carlos spoke up.

“I don’t stay here very often but when I do it’s as I left it” He wasn’t embarrassed by saying it, Carlos was proud of his upbringing, why would he be ashamed of his childhood even if it was a shell to what you would have experienced.

“Will you be staying here tonight?” You tenderly raised. As much as this room was nostalgia, staying in Carlos’ childhood bed at his parent’s house was not what you felt comfortable with.

Carlos saw the question you had hidden in the one you asked. “I will be yes, I’ve set up the guest room for you already”. Carlos in his anticipation had set up your room well ahead of time, his anxiety not letting his mind rest until he had done so the prior weekend.

He took your hand and directed you back the way you both had come, sliding open a glass door leading you out onto the patio towards a smooth path that mirrored the one at the houses entrance.

What you had thought was a backyard shed was actually a granny flat, and one much larger than you had initially sized up. It was more akin to a small townhouse, two stories with large worn stone bricks only broken by a few narrow windows. An old creeper plant of sorts had crawled up one of the walls with sparse leaves smattering the searching vines.

Carlos twisted a narrow door knob, lightly pushing the door open. Inside it was like stepping back in time, a worn paved floor stretched in front with a small wooden table covered in a transparent plastic cover with two chair pushed in the centre of the room, the left had an L shaped kitchen with a seventies narrow metal sink and sun worn scalloped lace curtains. The right of the room was a sitting area with dark brown fabric couches with laced doilies placed at the head rest area of each. The chairs were facing a stone fireplace with a narrow charred looking iron grate placed on the hearth.  

“My parents bought the house when they were married this was where they lived until they built the main house. They lived here until I was born as there is only one bedroom they finally decided they needed more space.”

Carlos had fond memories of this small home, many a summer his grandparents had stayed here, memories tied to helping his grandmother cook with him standing on a chair by the sink, playing cards with his grandfather at the table , or trying to play toy cars with the grout patterns between the tiles on the floor.

“My grandparents used to stay here until recently but now we take them to their home after they visit as they aren’t as young as they used to be. They prefer the comfort.”

You could picture a little Carlos running around the place stirring up trouble , a cheeky boyish smile greeting anyone who could him red handed.

You hadn’t noticed that tucked behind the main door was a smaller sliding wooden door which housed a narrow winding iron staircase, a concrete trough and narrow worn wooden bench with rain boots tucked in pairs neatly beneath. Carlos had switched on a hanging lamp and started to make his way upstairs. Two rooms were up here , a bedroom and a bathroom with of which matched the theme of downstairs save a new looking bed and renovated bathroom. Not quite as the seventies as the main area but more 90s but still a pleasant reminder that although Carlos and his family were well off, much more than you at this point could comprehend, were still appreciative of where they had come from, knowing that it was through hard work and sacrifice the reason for their current comforts.

Carlos was nervous that you wouldn’t like staying here, if you had protested or he had picked up on discomfort he would have offered for you to stay at his apartment, but he hoped that you would stay here, forming new memories alongside to the backdrop of his cherished ones from when he was little.

Carlos sat next to where you had placed yourself on the bed, “Just wait until you see the sun rose over those hills, you’ll love it”. You agreed with him, already In love with how candid Carlos was, knowing that what he said would solidify the fairy tale.

Dinner was an easy affair, Carlos parents were very similar to your own, fiercely protective of their son proving to be a united front in assessing you. Their facade although welcoming and kind staying in place for the evening, never slipping regardless of how much charm Carlos and yourself plied on.

You made a note to try again on the morning to see if they liked you tomorrow knowing that gaining their approval meant more to Carlos than you. His parents not liking you would crush Carlos so for his sake you would try again. But also told yourself that with the charm you wouldn’t bend over backwards and change yourself for them. You would for Carlos to make him happy as he would for you but it was the two of you together, not you dating his parents.

Carlos could see you becoming disheartened as dinner progressed to coffee. You had graciously helped clean up and prepare the hot drinks trying to see if Carlos’ mother would soften. But the warm parents who greeted you were still tucked away. So you had quieted as the night went, teaming it with yawns and hazy eyes trying to get them to see that it was time to call it for the night at which Carlos finally caught on close to one in the morning . Carlos excused the two of you collecting your bags front the front door and carrying them out to where you were staying. He ran through only how to run the hot water system before a final kiss goodnight. You didn’t hesitate turning for a warm shower and the night, wishing sleep bring you better luck tomorrow with getting his parents approval.

Unlike what you had assumed that Carlos’ parents disliked you, what had actually happened was a poorly executed plan in protective parents farce. While the two of you were touring the Sainz home, Reyes and Carlos senior had discussed tactics of how to approach the new lady in their sons life.

Reyes saw herself so clearly in you and whispered to her husband to follow her lead for the night. Carlos senior though apprehensive, did as his wife said, switching from his warm personality to one of protective father. It hurt him seeing his son slowly get confused as the night progressed. Questioning where were the parents on all of the arranged dinner dates and who had they replaced them with. Carlos senior however saw that as his son grew disappointed , you did too but still kept trying. It was the determination Reyes had been trying to seek out, and with you preparing coffee had been a crucial piece of the puzzle. For Reyes it was about familial respect as well as love. Her son could live whoever he wanted but if they were rude and improper she would try to get Carlos to see and to sway her son from his decision.

As Reyes had hoped, you had offered to help, never stepping on her toes a check in Reyes box. Tomorrow would be the second part of the puzzle, if her son could respect their wishes for the night. It didn’t matter to Carlos senior where the two of you stayed, you were both adults and educated not to be rash, but Reyes had only a few rules, one of which no sex while staying with the parents. She hoped Carlos could remember when they had could his older sister with her now fiancée and the verbal telling off Blanca had received. If Carlos could remember that for tonight then she was happy for the two of you with her blessing, time would tell in the morning.

Reyes excused herself for the night as her son re-entered the living room, clicking the back door shut from the encroaching chill.

Carlos, still confused nodded to his mother good night before taking a seat next to his father. They sat in silence waiting until the sound of water through the pipes started from the front end of the house signalling that their conversation wouldn’t be interrupted.

“I’m going to say this only once” Carlos senior was not acknowledging his son but maintained his stare into the dark gardens, his voice soft as if aware that if his wife caught him he’d be in serious trouble.

“You have both mine and your mother’s approval , she is all we want for you. You look at her like I looked at your mother when we first met.”

Carlos felt himself exhale a breath he hadn’t been conscious of holding.

“Your mother loves you very much but you know how she can be, she’ll let in YN, be patient son , the hard part is done.”

Carlos went to interject but his father continued “Your mother knows that if she missteps she will lose you, she will not do so , history will not repeat”

His father was alluding to his parents relationship with his maternal grandmother and the pain of that lost relationship that happened when Reyes introduced Carlos senior all those years ago, the catalyst for them living in the countryside away from her family to show that her decision which Carlos senior was lifelong and serious

Carlos senior glanced at his son and saw the confusion still there, they hadn’t spoken about his grandmother before so he didn’t know the story but he picked up the pieces enough to know that even though his mother looked like she wasn’t making an effort, she was actually doing as much as she could.

Carlos junior didn’t know it but as his parents were tucked in for the night, his mother whispered to his father “He’s finally found his person.” Before turning over and dozing. Carlos senior couldn’t help but agree happy at last that his family was now whole.

Link to Part 17

[kismetharborapps]

Application

ooc information

name: Desdemona

preferred pronouns: She/Her

age: 35+

timezone: CST

activity level: 6/10

triggers: N/Q

anything else?: I’m back!!!

character information

name: Phinneas “Finn” Andrew Erickson

faceclaim: Luke McFarlane

gender & pronouns: Male/He/Him 

age: 44

birthday: 1/19/1980

place of birth: Kismet Harbor

occupation: Owner of Whisker Haven Cafe and the Live Long and Pawsper animal rescue

neighborhood: Cresthill Meadows

time since arriving in kismet harbor: Born and Raised - brief time away to go to college for business but has never strayed too far from home.

filling a wanted connection?: Yes - Waverly Erickson’s brother-in-law

biography: 

TW: HOMOPHOBIA ; BULLYING ; NON-PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE ; CLOSETED ; PET DEATH ; DEATH ; CANCER

Phinneas was born under a Capricorn moon in the early hours or January 19th, 1980, the last night of the Capricorn zodiac. Not that Finn knew what that meant of course. His mom would tell everyone that she knew immediately that he was going to be a boy and that he was going to do great things with his life because that was the Erickson way! Growing up his childhood was normal, he played sports, loved the outdoors, and was very good with his hands. He also loved animals. There was never a moment where he ran away from anything, not even after running into a hornet’s nest while escaping from the school bullies. They ran like cowards but not Finn. No he stood his ground and let them sting him because that meant he had won, even if his dad would disagree, telling him he needed to be more assertive and stand up for himself. “Be a man!” He’d said, despite the fact that he was only 7 years old. After this, Finn stopped complaining about the bullying, telling himself that they would grow out of it.

When his brother Jasper was born, Finn knew that it was up to him to be the best older brother he could be, taking care of him while mom and dad slept or ran errands. He was barely in his teens but his younger brother was his entire world and here was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect him. They played rec ball together until Jasper got too good for their silly team and joined the school team playing baseball. He was good. Better than Finn could have ever imagined and in some small way, he was jealous. He was supposed to be the athletic one. But no matter, it gave Finn time to pursue other interests - like animals and the occasional relationship. Finn was a good looking guy and everyone in the school took notice, especially all the young ladies. Finn would flirt and entertain the idea of taking them out, and some of them he did, but deep down, he knew it didn’t feel right. His eyes should be focusing on them, on their curves and their lips, he should want to kiss them but… he didn’t. Instead, he was distracted by the players in their uniforms, the handsome exchange student from France that kept looking at him with that amazing smile, their next door neighbor who was always swimming in the pool. He had to be careful however because if the wrong person took notice of his gaze, well, it would not be good.

He knew he was different but he didn’t want to be. He knew his parents would never accept having a son who didn’t live up to their expectations so he kept it hidden, dating females or not at all, carrying on secret affairs with the other gay kids at their school just to make himself feel normal. Graduation came and went and he left home to head to Columbia for college, graduating in 4 years with a degree in business. Still wrestling with his sexuality, Finn decided that a change of scenery would be good, he left New York to attend Auburn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Animal care, bringing him one step closer to his dream of owning his own company, one that would bring his love of animals and people together. He was in his 3rd year when he got the news that his brother was sick so he took a leave of absence and headed back home where he learned that Jasper had developed cancer. It was a shock to his system - his little brother, the one he swore to always protect - was dying from something he couldn’t control. He felt numb, not sure what he was supposed to do or say. It was during this time that he grew close to his sister in law, Waverly, helping her through the grieving process as best he could. They were shoulders to lean and cry on and it was tough to see the other fight so hard to stay calm when all they wanted to do was scream. When he died, that’s just what he did. There was so much left unspoken and it angered him. How could the world be so cruel? They were Erickson’s, they didn’t let things like cancer beat them!

After a few more weeks to grieve, he returned to school to finish his degree. He graduated with honors but that still didn’t quell the hole in his heart. He didn’t want to go home to Kismet Harbor, he had a good life in Alabama, a handsome boyfriend, a nice group of friends, but something was missing. Something unfinished. He had finally accepted himself during his time in college and it was time that he came out to his friends and family. After coming out to Waverly first, it was easier of course given how close they had grown during their mourning, he headed over to his parents house. He would be lying if he said he expected them to just hug him and say that they accepted him for who he was - no the reception was cold and even though they didn’t immediately disapprove, he could tell that they didn’t accept him. ‘Great. Now who’s going to give us grandkids? You can’t reproduce and your brother is dead. Looks like the Erickson name dies with you.’

It was a shock to say the least and he immediately left Kismet Harbor, ready to stay in Alabama with Ian to start his nonprofit animal rescue but that dream was dashed the minute he returned and saw his boyfriend in the arms of another - a woman. Their mutual friend. He broke up with him and went back home, deciding then and there to make a life for himself in Kismet Harbor, even if the memories were hard to replay. He opened up a cat cafe and after a few years of excellent profit, he had saved enough to open his own rescue - in honor of his brother and his love of Star Trek - called Live Long and Pawsper. Now the only thing missing from his life is someone to eventually share it all with.

other: N/A

pets: a cat named Merv

and a special needs dog named Stitch

town activities: 

l Art of Photography

l Elevated Escapades

l LGBTQIA+

l Mindful Madness

l The Renegades

draw of luck: yes

character blog https://counselorapollo.tumblr.com/

[greenviewhq]

WELCOME TO GREENVIEW, anthony ward. Please follow this checklist and submit your account within 24 hours. Protect your secrets and trust no one.

OOC -

Name: Ring Age: 28 Pronouns: They/Them Timezone: EST

IC -

Name: Anthony “Tilt” Ward Age: 35 Pronouns: He/Him Faceclaim: Spencer Charnas Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation: Cis Man, Bisexual Job/Degree Program: Greenview’s Fun Palace Owner Resident, New Resident, Tourist, or Student (see FAQ for definitions): Resident If New Resident, Tourist, or Student, hometown?: Boston, Massachusetts Residence: Town Any Connections (wanted or current)?: Currently only his Twin Sister Amelia- also played by me, but potentially wanted is the person who orchestrated his bike accident years ago that caused his brain injury.

Three Positive Traits: Friendly, Welcoming, Fun-Loving Three Negative Traits: Scatterbrained, Short-Tempered, Childish

Aesthetics (optional): The colors and bright lights of an innocence lost then recaptured, the Arcade is home, but the machines are old and worn- he can never go back, not really, the blood on his hands stains buttons and while his teeth are blunted and he is muzzled there are people who remember what he used to be, razor-sharp and deadly, motor oil and rich, well-worn leather flying a flag of loyalty. There’s no cross on the bend outside of town where the bike crashed, but something died out there that day. The physical injuries are minimal, now, but his mind has never quite been the same- maybe the peppy chiptunes are as much a prison as gunfire and rumbling engines. Maybe he’ll never know.

  3-5 bullet points telling us something about your character’s background:

Bostonian transplant when he and his sister were ten, they were present in town and old enough to remember what happened to Duncan Farley, only a year after their arrival. He had his own theories about what happened, but he was a child- he never spoke or acted on them.

Fell in with a rougher crowd in his late teens and early 20s, familial loyalty to a local biker gang led to Tilt becoming a runner and mechanic at only 15, initially just to get himself out of the trailer park they’d moved into.

He flourished in the art of violence and misleading others, and from 19 to 27, he was a prominent member of the gang, regularly running drugs and guns and building an impressive rap sheet until a bike accident late one night on a twisted, rain-slicked backroad nearly took his life.

After a couple years of recovery, largely only supported by his twin sister, after their single father’s death, Tilt found himself capable enough to reintegrate into society- but no longer the ferocious young man he had once been. He took a job at the Fun Palace as the mechanic, somewhere he adored from his youth, and put his general technical skills to good use keeping everything running- so well that when the owner retired when Tilt was 29, he was offered the opportunity to take over and buy the place out.

He spends most of his time now at the Fun Palace, and has a near-encyclopedic knowledge about arcade machines from the 80s to present day, and despite still requiring the presence of a carer in his day-to-day because of periodic seizures, Tilt Ward has quickly become a well-loved member of the boardwalk’s ‘regulars’.

[withleeknow]

I was multitasking livestreaming the final (I told my dad before leaving “it's gonna be 3:1 to spain” anywhomst) and trying to contain all my excitement because: we.tl/t-hd0DmMYY3P

1. I brought my mimo pc out of the first time ˙ᵕ˙

2. we vibed tgt to maisie who - can I just say - I've fallen in love with, her set was incredible 🥹🎀

3. I'm laughing at my video of us freaking out over glimpses of skz's foreheads compared to actual fancams from their set- 😭😭 oh but hearing them live for the first time was still so surreal + it's lowkey given me motivation to fight for tour tickets 🫡

the iconic (greek) mythology phase- have you read the song of achilles? it's been a year and I still haven't quite recovered 🤧

and here, have our usual chaotic gyu on a rampage: tinyurl.com/2ym3hvft - I cried laughing at this edit what's wrong with his neck

lastly my ♡ ranking: moonstruck - brought the heat back - highway 1009 - royalty - your eyes only - xo - hundred broken hearts - paranormal. v similar with a little reshuffling w/ bthb bc I cannot get the song (or specifically, jay from their preview) out of my head 🤗 also did I ever mention that I preordered the weverse and engene (jay) ver. of this album (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

omg i am loving this for you, maisie is amazing !! maisie is so special to me bc we're the same age (she's like 10 days older than me lol) and i started listening to her not long after she released official music and it really feels like we've just kinda grown up together. now she gets to open for major artists and put out albums of her own and i'm just so proud :') i'm kinda bummed that i likely won't ever get to hear her sing one of my fav songs of hers (it's called the band and i) if i'm only seeing her open for other artists bc the lyrics are "we are the best damn band that's ever played right here" and she probably can't do that at other people's concerts lmao

mimo in the wild !! i love that heheheh. for rock-star i didn't pull any mimo pc but i got his mini poster 🥹 anywhomst it's wonderful that you got to experience skz in any capacity at all! i feel like that would be more my vibe bc i absolutely cannot do festivals (or floors at concerts) at all bc i am 156cm and i Will be trampled lol. but it really is surreal that you were that close to them. every time anyone is even in my timezone i flip tf out (skz in milan at the same time as seokjin is paris, double kill) !!

gosh the tour. i lowkey freak out on a daily basis thinking about the tour bc i've never bought kpop concert tickets before i know it'll just be a bloodbath. last week my friend convinced me that when the european dates drop and tickets go on sale, i should get vip bc who knows when they'll come back to europe and i might as well splurge @.@ and i am actually considering it akshfksjaf

song of achilles is a priority on my to-read list! i've heard so many good things about it, but tbh i have been absolutely shit at reading books ever since i got back into reading/writing fanfic lollll

he is crazy like he is actually insane. i would love to live in his head for a day lol. i can't wait until you get to To Do ep.72 bc gyu really was the mvp 🤣

i didn't really pay attention to brought the heat back at first but after a few listens, it really shot up my list purely bc of jay's voice in it lol. exciting that you got the albums!! do share what they look like when they arrive 🥹 there's a kpop store (that also sells boba!) here that i sometimes go to and i think they're having an enhypen event all month this month, so i might stop by if i have time hehehhehe i think you can also get a pc if you get a boba :o

[dykepuffs]

The extra financial burden of being a night owl too: Even beyond that you're likely going to either be self-employed or to always work in the night economy (which, on the one hand, you will get antisocial hours pay in many jurisdictions, but on the other hand nobody in the night economy is getting the pay of a doctor or lawyer, they're all basically minimum-allowable-wage jobs with no progression) you're likely to have to pay extra for things.

Want to guarantee that your parcel arrives after 2pm so you're awake? You'll have to get priority pick-a-slot shipping rather than economy, which will likely arrive when you're asleep.

You're self-employed or in the night economy: So your car insurance costs twice as much as for a daytime person. You desperately need the car, because public transport stops at 11.30 and you work until 4am.

Because your work is at antisocial hours, it will often be a long way from home: in an industrial estate on the edge of town or in a city-centre bar at best. Thus, you put more miles on your car than many people in similarly-paid work, who often work in their own neighbourhoods or who get the buses put on for people on normal shift patterns to get to the industrial estate. Or, you're a minicab driver and put thousands of miles on your car because of that. Because of this, either you need a more expensive, good quality car, or you are constantly repairing and replacing a shitbox.

Because you need to break your healthy sleep cycle regularly to meet other demands of the daytime world or even just because the loud daytime people wake you up (which also shreds your immune system) you periodically have to miss work - So you're even more skint.

Depending on how far out of synch with "normal" your sleep cycle is, you might even just never be awake when local shops, discounters, charity shops etc are open, so will always have to buy clothes and food at full price from the supermarket. (I earth out at about 6 hours behind the local timezone - So by time I'm waking up and have had breakfast, anything that runs on banking hours is starting to close.

And through it all, the drumbeat of "Well if you REALLY TRY, if you SET AN ALARM and just PUSH YOURSELF!!!!" from people who would never dream of forcing themselves awake at 3am every day for their whole lives, for no reward.

Ok wait let her speak

[gooperts-gunk]

the PST timezone is so fucked for me as a bbh watcher who watches his streams and then vodwatches moments from others (sleeping at THREE AM lately x_x) however i am willing to take the fall even though it's my most anticipated arrival of the south koreans. but omg 12:30am in south korea, i thought they'd do like the complete opposite for them, but i know they want as much people as possible there EST-ERS YOU WIN THIS TIME. normally with kst pst-ers are winning, they can stay longer to watch their fave group perform on a show even if it's until 1am pst, because it's 4am for the other, but this time YOU WIN. i will accept this loss and vodwatch it later