#we go Christmas vibes when November starts.

[gomzdrawfr]

Back to green profile, though we’re gonna need some red around here for the festiv—

[mrs-elsie-barnes]

Solstice Eve | Loki x Reader

You and Loki enjoy the run up to the Winter Solstice, getting to know the Asgardian court and integrating into your new home. But there's always trouble brewing and this time old allies come back as new enemies.

Warnings: some language, silly fluff, Christmas vibes in August, threat of kidnapping.

AN: what do you mean this is 8 months too late!?

Dividers by @firefly-graphics & @reveriesources

Series Masterlist | Loki Masterlist | Masterlist

Winter in Tonsberg was beautiful. You watched day after day as drifts of snow filled in the crags and tarns of the mountains surrounding the village. Every morning you made coffee for two, slowly learning all of the different dials and knobs of the expensive coffee machine Loki had in his impressively equipped kitchen. His cottage wasn’t as sprawling as the compound, but it was beautifully appointed. From the open stone fireplace to the waterfall shower and roll top bath, Loki had a wonderful eye for both luxury and comfort in even the most everyday items and habits. He allowed you to make any changes you wanted though, adding blankets you bought at the Sunday market, cushions and tapestries the elders gifted you and what felt to him like hundreds of candles. 

The house was always happier with a candle burning, cycling through vanilla and cinnamon, the scent clung to him when he attended council meetings and followed him to the small pub on the wharf, The Dog and Bildgesnipe, when he met with Thor. 

Loki had started adding sticks of cinnamon to the fire in the evening too, unable to go without it regardless of if you were in the cottage or not. He loved the way you’d changed his home, fitting perfectly into the nooks and spaces of his heart and moulding new and interesting ways to live out of every vacant moment. 

He watched you now, as you wrapped the ends of your sweater over your hands to protect them, standing at the window, watching the weather changing in the distance, the people passing and waving in the street. 

The morning had started like any other, tangled in a mess of bare limbs and soft sheets, Loki had kissed you awake and you’d showered together, giggling in the steam without a care. After your shower you’d dressed first, leaving Loki to enjoy the hot water while you sought out your first coffee of the day.

 As he watched, you sighed, leaning against the wooden window frame and raised your hand as Madam Gina walked past, the stooped old woman who had revealed so much of your life on that day at the end of November. Since then you’d seen her many times, mostly in the Long Hall where she took up residence on the sidelines, watching and smiling at the children playing or the business of the court. You liked it there too and had spent many happy afternoons since beside her, topping up her teacup whenever it got low.

Thankfully, there had been no more revelations and no more surprise visitors. Just the ebb and flow of life in Tonsberg as it should be, and Loki’s heart swelled to see you so settled. Everything was as it should be, he thought, ready for another day.

Tony ushered Steve into his office, checking the corridor before locking the door. Steve rolled his eyes, the entire office was empty at this hour, but he was glad Tony was at least taking their project seriously. 

“Have you done it?” Steve went straight for the desk, bending across to pull all the paper together and leafing through.It was unlike Tony to do anything the ‘old fashioned way’, as he called it, but he was determined to keep this project a complete secret.,

“Of course I’ve done it, you’re a sceptic, Rogers, anyone ever tell you that?” He circled around the wide glass desk and dropped himself into his office chair.

“I just want to make sure it’s right, we don’t know what we’re messing with here.” He scanned the paper again, the strange symbols and pictures a blur. 

“I’m sure, if we -” Tony snatched the papers back, searching for something, “if we - god fucking damnit this is why I hate paper - a ha!” With a flourish he pulled something from the bottom of the pile and slapped it onto the glass in front of Steve. “If we use this,” he tapped his fingers on a circling of runes, “we can keep him contained. I saw him in that castle, he could’ve used his magic and had her out in seconds, but instead he -” Tony made a motion over his throat with his thumb, “why would he make such a mess unless he had too?” 

“Tony, the mans a lunatic, maybe he just likes killing?” Steve sighed, pulling another chair closer so he could sit and flick through the pages instead. 

“I don’t disagree, that’s why I want to bring him in.” Tony took the page back, keeping it neatly to one side.

Steve rubbed a hand over his face and then looked out of the window. It had started to snow across the compound in the last few days, slushy grey drifts that made him think of Brooklyn in the 40s, churned up snowmen and bitter cold nights. 

“What are you going to do with him, once he’s here?” He asked, his mind wandering to Bucky, currently safe on the sofa in his own apartment. Probably still mooning after Natasha, but at least he was safe. They’d locked him up too, and he was innocent, doubt crept into his consciousness but Tony was already answering. 

“Lock him up, throw away the key?” Tony said, glibly . 

“Tony,” Steve’s tone was firm, if they were arresting a man then they needed more of a plan than just locking him up. 

“We put him on trial. Thor says he’s served time in Asgard and been ‘rehabilitated’, something about the Mind Stone and I don’t fucking buy it. He’s a liability and Thor won’t help us, went all Prince Charming with a sore head when I suggested it.” 

Steve remembered Thor leaving, no one had heard from him since but he was fairly sure he was back in Norway. He wouldn’t leave the Asgardians for long. 

“I remember. So, we put him on trial and then?” Steve trailed off, “put him in prison? What prison would even hold him?”

Tony’s eyes lit up, “And then we charge the Federal Bureau of Prisons a small fortune to keep him here! I love it Rogers, you’re starting to get it!” 

“Tony.” 

“Then we know we’re doing the right thing, okay, girl scout. He’s got that girl all wrapped around his fingers, who knows what awful, evil things he’s twisting into her mind. We get him, we get him on trial and then we get her back.” 

“Fine.” Steve gave a heavy sigh, “When?” 

“Tomorrow.” 

“Do you know where he is?” 

“Tonsberg, where else would he be,Thor said he was under Asgard’s protection.” 

“Tomorrow, Tonsberg.” 

“Just us though, don’t worry anyone else about it now.” Tony said, cryptically. 

Steve scowled, he hated these backdoor deals, if he was doing them then so were a hundred other people and who knew what they were up to. But he had promised to keep Estrid safe and then she’d slipped away, been seduced by Loki and under his watch, kidnapped, attacked, vanished. Despite his doubts and fears about how Loki’s imprisonment might play out, he couldn’t leave a woman in such clear danger. 

“Agreed, let’s get him locked up where he can’t hurt anyone anymore.” 

“That’s the spirit, Rogers.” Tony grinned again and Steve’s stomach turned again. 

—

Loki pulled his sweater on, abandoned on the back of the sofa the night before, and kept half an eye on you while he collected his own coffee from the kitchen island. On light steps he crept up to you and wrapped an arm around your waist. 

“How’s the weather today, my Darling?” He sipped his coffee, looking down at you with that wistful smile he seemed to have permanently etched on his face. 

“Cold, snowy,” anyone else may have looked miserable at prospect of a below freezing day on the unforgiving coast, but not you. No, Loki had noticed you were always happy to enjoy the changing season and everything they had to offer. Whether it was the bright sunshine he'd met you in, the crisp autumn leaves that coated the ground are his cabin, or now the blanket of snow that has been placed like a cosy blanket across the entire horizon. “We should go for a walk later, on the cliff tops, if it’s not too windy.” You suggested, finishing your coffee. You span in his arms, reaching up to tangle your fingers in his hair. 

“That sounds wonderful, Asynja, I’ll try and get out of this council meeting early. In fact, would you like to attend? I believe we’re discussing the last preparations for the Solstice feast and Yule celebrations. I’m sure your new friends would enjoy your company while they weave the wreath.” He teased, kissing your forehead. 

The elders of the village had taken quite a shine to you and you’d easily fallen into step with the other women, helping to prepare for the feast and giving advice on the decorations. In reality, you had no idea what was happening when they asked. It has come as a surprise that they not only allowed you to join them, but sought your input with genuine interest. Especially as you had barely celebrated anything while you lived as a mortal in London. There’d been no Yule, no Christmas. Nothing. But you were excited to share this first celebration with Loki. 

“Leave my friends alone,” you chided playfully, “I’d love to come, let me just -” 

You barely had to move to use your magic now, a simple flick of your fingers and you had summoned your boots and tights, a corduroy skirt and knitted jumper. Your coat and scarf were by the door. Although it was below freezing outside it didn’t seem to bother either of you, Loki never felt the cold and you were always able to conjure enough warmth in your hands to keep the Norwegian wind at bay. 

“Are you ready?” You asked, skipping out of his grasp and opening the door, letting a swirl of snow in over the doorstep. 

“Of course I am,” he answered, a wisp of his own magic dancing in the air as a duplicate called to you from down the street. 

With a laugh you shut the door, chasing him down, your magic and laughter entwined with the softly falling snow. 

Loki was right, the council meeting was no more than a decorators committee at this point in the month, but you both revelled in the feeling of being part of something more, something soft and warm that filled you with happiness just like the hot spiced wine and thick stew that was passed around at lunch time. 

By the time Brunnhilde had called an ending to the proceedings it was already dark, the street light reflecting from the crisp snow and the moon illuminating the edges of the water. 

“I guess we’re not going for that walk on the cliffs after all,” you grouched playfully, wrapping yourself around Loki’s arm as you walked side by side. 

“As much as I’d enjoy having you all to myself in the dark of night,” Loki purred in return, freeing his arm just to wrap it around your waist, “I fear we have friends waiting.” He kissed the top of your head and you snuggled closer.

Loki led you from the Long Hall where the King held her council, and decoration, meetings to the lone pub in the village. Val had commiserated on the necessary building of some restaurants and a hotel on the edge of the village to accommodate the increasing number of tourists, but the pub remained solely for the Asgardians, their visitors, and no one else. You had a feeling there was some sort of spell or enchantment that made it invisible to the tourists that passed by the windows, but you’d never felt the need to ask when the welcome was always so warm for you. 

At the entrance, Loki held the door for you, whisking away your coat in a flurry of magic and ice cold wind. Beyond the bar was already bustling with laughter and bodies, each hand raised in greeting as you both passed, some muttering “your highness” still, unable to lose their deference. 

“Evening,” Loki shook hands politely with some and patted others on the shoulder, leading you to a booth by the window already occupied by Thor, beside him was a slender woman with dark brown hair and delicate features, tapping on a table and trying to show Thor something while he shuffled closer. Every time he moved, the woman moved away, just slightly, but you didn’t need to read their body language to know this was not a couple that’d last, you felt it deep inside, like an instinct. 

Loki stopped and coughed loudly, “good evening, brother.” He smirked at Thor’s blush. 

“Good evening, Loki.” Thor replied, stiffly, “good evening, Trouble.” He stood and crushed you into a hug, startling you out of your thoughts. “Let me introduce you to my-” 

“Friend,” the woman interrupted, “Jane Foster, it’s lovely to meet you.” She smiled, shaking your hand, and scooched over enough to make space for you both on the bench seat. But as you looked at her, you could sense there was more. Images of her and Thor rose unbidden in your mind, and that golden thread of connection still hung between them, slack and dim, but still there in your mind’s eye. Interesting. 

“I’m Estrid,” the name still didn’t feel right, and you’d suggested to some of the others they could use your old name as a sort of nickname, but it hadn’t stuck, not with Loki around. 

“Princess Estrid,” he said, proudly, draping a protective arm around the back of the seat and rubbing his thumb against your shoulder. 

“Well I sure Jane doesn’t care about all of that,” you smiled at her, and she smiled back, but before you could say anything else Thor had reached over the table and tapped a large finger on the wood. 

“Doctor Jane, she’s a Doctor.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure Estrid doesn’t care about all that either,” she pushed his hand away, “I’m really pleased to meet you, Thor’s told me all about you and, well, I’ve got some experience with Asgardian nonsense too. It’s good to meet you, is what I was trying to say, and maybe I could read your electromagnetic impulses some time, if that’s okay?” Jane rushed her words out, the tablet clutched in one hand, her eyes twinkling with excitement. 

“I don’t know about that,” Loki squeezed your shoulder.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine, Loki, don’t worry about it. I’d be happy for you to read my electromagnetic impulses, I think -”

The bar tender set down a tray of glasses, a tankard of ale for Thor, a glass of aged fifteen year old whiskey for Loki and a bottle of chilled white wine with two glasses. 

“Loki, Thor,” the bartender nodded at them both, polite, but without the obsessive reverential treatment of the older Asgardians. “Princess,” you smiled back and thanked him.

“Doctor!” Thor tapped his finger again. 

“My apologies, Doctor Foster,” he stammered, retreating to the bar. 

“God he’s so embarrassing, I’m so sorry.” Jane turned to you, ignoring Thor’s aghast expression and opening the wine, “I’ll pour.”

Safe in the knowledge that you and Jane were perfectly able to handle yourselves, Thor and Loki took a polite turn around the bar, speaking with the villagers and their friends in turn. 

After the first bottle, Brunnhilde appeared, signalling for the bartender for three more drinks and joining you and Jane in your booth. 

“I don’t know how you both put up with those two.” She said, sliding into the seat, a bottle of wine in one hand and mead in the other. 

You hadn’t realised how lovesick your sigh was until Brunnhilde laughed, shaking your shoulder, “sorry,” you blinked a few times, tearing yourself away from the sight of Loki half bent over a cards table a few feet away. His black jeans were pulled tight around the curve of his thighs and you just knew if he turned you’d be able to see the outline of every wonderful inch of him hidden beneath. He’d discarded his aran sweater when the fire had roared to life at the edge of the room, leaving him in a forest green shirt, rolled up to his elbows. As he moved you watched as the veins in his hands became more pronounced, gliding your gaze up to his broad shoulders and the black curls that fell over his face when he laughed. 

It wasn’t just that he looked good enough to eat, he also looked happy, rested and content, his friends around him and purpose every day. He gave you purpose too, joining in the council activities and practising your magic.

“Hate to break it to you, B’, but I don’t put up with him anymore.” Jane said, sadly. 

“What? I thought you two were-” you hesitated to elaborate and Jane took pity on you. 

“We broke up, it just wasn’t working. But I’d already agreed to spend the Solstice and Yule here, so - maybe it was a stupid idea.” 

“No, no-” Brunnhilde pulled her into a hug and it occurred to you that they probably already knew each other, if Thor had brought her here before. “You’re always welcome in Asgard.” The King winked and Jane blushed. 

“I’m sorry - that things didn’t work - I didn’t mean,” you stammered acutely aware that this was now a reunion of friends and you knew nothing about them. “I can go, if you want to talk and catch up-” 

“No, stay, please.” Jane smiled a lot, there was always something in the corner of her lips, wanting to be happy, but this smile was softer so you sat back down. “Now, tell me what it’s like having fire magic.” 

The wine, beer and mead flowed freely in the tavern that night, every villager in their cups excited for the celebrations to come. At midnight you decided to head home, passing Loki on your way to the door, he slung an arm around your hips, pulling you to his side. 

“I’m going to stay awhile, my darling, if you don’t mind,” he looked up at you from his cards table, his blue eyes like sparkling frost in the firelight, and you bent to kiss his quickly. 

“I don’t mind, handsome, you stay.” You ran a hand through the errant curls that had formed in the warm atmosphere. 

“Are you walking with someone?” Despite the many empty glasses spread across the table, he was still alert and concerned, scanning the pub for any danger. You both bore the memory of your kidnapping, a sense of fear when you were alone without anyone, despite being stronger now. 

“B’ is going home too, Jane is staying in the rooms at the back, but Thor said he’d see me home if you wanted to stay.” 

At the sound of his name Thor thundered towards you both, clapping a hand on your shoulder and giving you a little shake. You could almost feel the wine sloshing inside of you and you patted his fingers, hoping he’d stop. 

“Fear not, brother, I can escort the maidens home.” Thor bowed theatrically, behind him Jane and Brunnhilde snorted with unrestrained laughter and you couldn’t help joining in. 

“Very well, take care of my Asynja,” he tugged you down and kissed you again, the taste of whisky and honey dancing on his tongue as he deepened the kiss. 

“That’s enough, either let her leave or walk her yourself.” Brunnhilde gave you a shove, waving behind her as Loki turned back to his game. 

You were happy to let him stay, pleased to see he’d taken up new friendships since you’d both become so settled. You’d miss falling asleep next to him, but you knew he’d be home soon and you needed your bed immediately, your head was already swimming. 

Jane left your party first, taking the steep steps at the back of the tavern to the rooms above. You’d offered her your spare room tomorrow, but tonight just thinking about removing your makeup and brushing your teeth seemed too much, making the spare bed was unimaginable. 

The King took the side street behind the Long Hall, waving goodnight as you and Thor made your way to Loki’s cottage. You’d left a light on above the door and it illuminated the wreath you’d made and hung there earlier in the week. 

Opening the door the soft scent of cinnamon and pine drifted into the crisp night and Thor once more embraced your arm. 

“Estrid,” he looked down at you, suddenly very serious, even the way he said that name held a gravitas that gave you goosebumps. 

“Yes?” 

“Thank you,” he smiled, pulling you into a bear hug and squeezing you tight. 

“What for?” You laughed, trying to squirm free. 

“For making your home here, for trusting Loki and I. I have seldom seen him as happy as when he’s with you. I’m glad to have you here, Trouble.” He ruffled your hair playfully, his own drinking catching up to him. “May you be here for many more celebrations.” 

“Well, thank you for welcoming me, Thor.” This time you lifted your arms and wrapped them around his neck, hugging him back, and he lifted you off the ground, shaking you from side to side until you were both crying with laughter. “I think -” you hiccuped, “I think we should both go to bed and sleep. Lots to do tomorrow.” 

“Yes, yes,” he wiped a tear from his eye, “I must fight Loki tomorrow.” 

“What?” In your bewilderment you couldn’t stop laughing.

“Oh not truly fight him. But we must pretend to fight, so I can beat winter and spring will come again. Have no fear, I shall return your beloved to you unharmed.” And with that he patted your back and wandered into the village, humming to himself. He tripped slightly on the decorations that had appeared along the harbour as you’d drunk. With a happy giggle he danced around the wreath and meandered back to his own home. 

Across the harbour there was a flicker in the window of the now abandoned harbour master’s house and Steve sat back on his haunches. 

“He hasn’t left that bar,” he groused, rubbing the arms of his stealth suit against the cold of the night. “But she seems safe, Thor is here as well.”

Next to him, Tony turned the heater of his suit up, “of course he is, I’ve never met a worse double agent in my life.” 

“He’s hardly a double agent, he’s loyal to his brother, I can’t exactly blame him for not following orders.” He thought of his best friend, safely tucked up in the compound with his budding relationship with Natasha to distract him. He knew what it was to choose loyalty over command. 

“Well, he’s not on our side. We just have to get him alone and then we can lock him up and forget about it.” Tony leant back on the creaking wicker chair. 

“You said we'd do this properly.” 

“Yes, yes, whatever you need to help you sleep at night Spangles.” Tony waved his hand, the gauntlet of his suit catching the faint light. 

The little house had stood empty since the it’s two inhabitants had been arrested by the King of Asgard and her guards. It had been damp and cold enough before then, but now the frost lay thick on the inside, as well as the outside, of the small windows and Steve was jealous of Tony’s heating system, the soldier rubbed his hands together. 

“Let's just be quick.”

“Wouldn't want you becoming a Capsicle again.” 

Across the bay the tavern door opened again and a square of warm light cut across the black cobbles. In the doorway a familiar figure filled the space leaving a silhouette of his lean body dancing on the ground as he waved drunkenly behind him. 

“Let’s go.” Steve ordered, pulling the dark cowl of his suit over his head. 

<< Chapter 17

Chapter 19>>

[misshoneyimhome]

Happy 1st of December ❤️

This One Shot was created based on this request, and I genuinely hope you find it enjoyable 🎄 I had a lot of fun writing it, and I think it turned out rather well 🙂

Anyway, let's start December with some love and joy, and spread those positive vibes as the festive season is here 🥰

_

In Scandinavia, we have this concept that has no clear definition, no direct translation - yet the feeling, everyone can understand;

'Mys' (or 'Hygge' Swedish/Danish/Norwegian) Oxford Languages  noun a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Scandinavien culture).

➼｡ﾟ

Julmys I William Nylander ❄︎

"Shit," you quietly muttered to yourself, quickly closing your laptop together as your boyfriend William Nylander walked through the door of your condo. You were perched on a tall stool in the kitchen, browsing through various websites in search of inspiration when William arrived, greeting you with a kiss. He held shopping bags and wore a satisfied grin, eager to share his day's finds.

"Hey babe, check this out," he said proudly, displaying his new sweater sporting the Balenciaga brand name across the chest.

"It's beautiful, babe," you replied, attempting to muster your best smile, but William sensed something was amiss.

"You don’t like it?" he asked.

"No, no, I like it," you reassured him with a light chuckle. "It's so your style! I'm just surprised you're treating yourself to this so close to Christmas."

William chuckled along with you.

"It's November, hjärtat..."

"Well, exactly! I've got to start planning out all the Christmas presents I need to buy," you said with a smile, feeling excited about the upcoming holiday.

"And I'm on that list?" William asked, as he began rummaging through the cupboards for a snack.

"Of course, you're my boyfriend, and I want to get you a gift, you know," you forced yourself to sound more enthusiastic than you truly felt.

It wasn't that you weren't thrilled about buying Willy a present for Christmas – quite the contrary, you were incredibly excited. However, there was a tiny issue: the boy had everything. Everything he needed or wanted, that is.

And it was driving you mad that you couldn't figure out what to give him. This marked your first year together as a couple, and you wanted it to be perfect. You loved William with all your heart and simply wished to show him that you could also buy him things instead of it always being him paying for your stuff.

He had money, and he enjoyed spending it. And luckily, he also spent it on you, but that's not the point. This time, you wanted to be the one splashing out on him. However, the problem was you couldn't figure out what to get him.

"You know you don't have to get me anything, right?" William chuckled, leaning against the kitchen counter in front of you, snacking away.

"I know I don't have to... but I want to," you smiled. "Are you not planning to get me something?" you asked, trying not to sound too eager, just genuinely curious about his plans.

"Of course."

"Then why shouldn't I get you something too?" Your voice unintentionally rose a little, frustration building inside you.

But once again, William just chuckled softly, as he walked over, gently turning you around on the bar stool and stood between your legs, resting his hand on your hips while brushing a few strands of hair from your face.

"Because I can always buy whatever I need for myself... you don't have to spend your money on me," he offered you an affectionate smile.

Although he understood how much this meant to you, he also found it senseless for you to spend your hard-earned money on him. He could easily buy things himself without worrying about his bank account.

"But I really want to, Willy... I know I don't earn that much, and I'm incredibly thankful that you always cover our expenses when we go out or insist on paying for things I want," you took a small breath before continuing. "But this is Christmas, and as your girlfriend, I just want to give you something..."

William couldn't help but feel immensely touched by your determination. And he knew you well enough by now to understand that this wasn't an argument he'd win.

With a sigh and a slight shake of his head, he let it go and simply planted a soft kiss on your lips, gently stroking his thumb along your cheek.

"I love you, babe... you're a bit crazy, but I love you," he sighed and chuckled softly, and you couldn't help but join in.

"I know... but you've chosen to be with me, so maybe you're the crazy one here."

Both of you burst into laughter.

"I guess so," he said before returning to his post-training snacking.

_

However, as determined you were to get William a Christmas present, you found it equally challenging.

During the following days, luckily the boys were away on a long road trip, so you had the time and space to spend every spare moment making lists and brainstorming.

Clothes – nope, he's got a plenty of that. Besides, he kept adding to his collection, and you could never predict his current style preferences.

Suits – they needed tailoring, so that's a no-go.

Home décor – that's probably more of a gift for yourself.

Shoes – absolutely not. Trying to guess his size or preferred style in that department? No chance.

Hats, accessories, underwear… no, no, and no. He already had everything, and everything you found seemed like something already in his drawer.

Fucking hell!

Your next idea seemed like a perfect solution at first – reaching out to the other wives and girlfriends. Surely, they knew what to get for their partners. Right?

They were facing a similar situation, at least those without children, so it should be easy - it was anything but.

The girls proved to be of no help at all. They had all planned extravagant trips or bought big, expensive gifts that surpassed your yearly budget.

Who even gets their husband a car just like that, by the way?

Sure, William might have mentioned that a red Lamborghini was his dream car, but there's absolutely no way that's a feasible option.

Despite getting along well with the ladies, attending dinners, nights out, and engaging in late-night chats together, there remained a subtle difference between you and them.

Many of them had grown up in the world of hockey and NHL players, whether as a sister, daughter, cousin, family friend, or in similar roles. However, that wasn't your background.

Among the group of Toronto Maple Leafs wives and girlfriends, you were simply an outsider. A regular person from outside the hockey world.

Not that anyone ever intentionally made you feel that way or explicitly mentioned it. No, they were not like that at all. But there were moments like this when it became apparent that you hadn't been immersed in that world your whole life.

Firstly, you weren't from a big hockey city. You were more of a "small" town girl (well, smaller than Toronto, at least) who had moved to the city to pursue your dreams.

Secondly, your job was quite ordinary compared to many of theirs. You weren't an influencer of any sort, nor a yoga/fitness/Pilates instructor, or any other trendy profession. You weren't a stay-at-home mum involved in daily activities like volunteering at children's schools, homeless centres, or local church and clubs.

No, you were just you.

And for the record, there was nothing wrong with that. In fact, you were quite content with yourself and your life situation. But every now and then, it was hard to deny feeling a little out of place.

Furthermore, that was also one of the things William had loved about you right from the start.

He had met you in a downtown bar, where you were out with some new friends, and when he had introduced himself, you had had no clue who he was. For some reason, while you had been completing your education and focusing on your career, you'd been a bit out of touch with the world. And William had found that endearing.

He then quickly struck up a conversation with you, and as the evening unfolded with shared laughter and personal stories, he swiftly asked for your number, a request you happily granted.

There was just something about this handsome Swede that had made your knees weak from the first encounter. His laughter resonated straight to your heart, and you knew you were done for.

You did your best to play it cool though. Keeping things as casual as possible during your coffee meet-ups and walks with his dogs, which, by the way, were crucial for you to get along with. Those fluffy creatures meant the world to him, and that was crystal clear.

You even tried to maintain composure and resist giving in to the undeniable sexual attraction you felt towards him. Goodness, he was incredibly good-looking. But you had no intention of being just another fleeting encounter for him, so you held back. Well, at least for about a month.

And William was nothing but laid-back about it. He never pushed any boundaries or hinted that he was struggling to hold back. He simply respected your decision.

Or at least that's how he wanted to appear. Sure, he respected your wish to wait, but it was tearing him up inside. You were stunning, and the more time you spent together, the more he longed to hold you close and share the most intimate parts of himself with you.

Especially after that first kiss. It had happened after only a few dates, almost two weeks in, when he gently pressed his soft lips against yours, sharing breaths between you. And from that moment, he yearned for more.

But he didn't want to risk pushing you away. If waiting was what you needed, then he was willing to wait. He didn't want to jeopardise this wonderful thing that was blossoming between you.

And to put it lightly, the wait had been incredibly rewarding. Sure, a part of you wished you had acted sooner, but your rational side had prevailed. And when he finally touched you the way you had imagined to yourself, and you both experienced that tender and heartfelt closeness, where your bodies seemed to fit perfectly together, you became certain that there was no one else you wanted to be with but him.

_

So, here you were, feeling deeply frustrated about finding the perfect present for the man you loved so dearly.

And as a last resort, you turned to the one person in the world who had the deepest understanding of what makes a meaningful gift for a man. Someone who had cherished and loved her significant other for nearly 58 years: your grandmother.

She had always been the family's go-to person for advice and had an uncanny understanding of who you were. Plus, with her Norwegian heritage, you hoped she might suggest something that resonated with William's Swedish cultural background.

And fortunately, luck was on your side.

She came up with the idea of an old-fashioned, hand-knitted jumper featuring classic Nordic patterns. She thought of including some personal photos in the package, along with something sentimental that you knew would strike a chord with him.

And so, you set yourself to work.

Fortunately, your granny had been the one to teach you knitting, and though your skills were a bit rusty, you quickly brushed them up.

As for the photos, that was a breeze. Despite not being the greatest Instagrammer, you had captured many moments in pictures and shots during your time together with William.

They were all just perfect.

Lastly, the emotional touch. Or more emotional touch.

William had a penchant for jewellery. He often adorned himself with thick chains around his neck or wrists, including the light chain he had received from his mother and sisters, as well as chunky rings. But instead of trying to find something expensive that resembled what he already had, you opted for something different. It was a delicate chain with a small, flat metal pendant – just right for engraving.

However, as time passed and Christmas drew nearer, a sense of uncertainty crept in regarding your gift idea.

Listening to everyone else's suggestions and hearing William talk about what he had received in previous years from friends and family, you began to doubt your idea. It started to feel somewhat inadequate and silly. How could he possibly appreciate your homemade gift?

William was all about style, cool fashion, and projecting a tough and flashy image in front of his friends and the public.

But it was too late to turn back now. You had invested too much time and effort into your gift to abandon it. So, regardless of your doubts, this had to be the final result.

_

As Christmas finally arrived, and you nestled up with your beloved boyfriend, you felt your breathing becoming harder to control. You were extremely nervous about how he would react to your gift, fearing that he might find it laughable and not want to use it at all.

But despite your apprehension, you couldn't deny that you were also proud of your hard work. You had poured your heart and soul into it, and if William didn't appreciate that, then it was his loss.

It was Christmas Eve, and you had planned the evening together. Since most of the team had organised a gathering for the 25th, you decided to follow Swedish holiday traditions on the 24th, with customary foods, singing, walking around the Christmas tree, and exchanging presents tonight.

And after a day filled with video calls to both your and William's families, followed by enjoying signature dishes (with some recipes help from Willy's mum, of course) while soft tunes played in the background, you made your way to the sofa, where William was already settled in, ready for some festive "julmys."

"Hey, älskling," he spoke gently, adjusting himself on the soft couch. "Are you ready for your present?" A mischievous, confident grin stretched across his face, giving away his excitement about what he had bought for you.

But his enthusiasm only heightened your nervousness about your own gift.

As you settled next to him, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear, you took a deep breath and offered him a sweet smile.

"Actually, can I go first?" you asked timidly, feeling your heart race and your pulse quicken.

"Sure," William replied casually, as always. "But I did tell you not to buy me anything," he added with a light chuckle, as you handed him three wrapped boxes, adorned with colourful paper and golden satin bands.

"Well," your voice wavered nervously, "I haven't exactly bought you, anything..."

William gave you a curious glance as he accepted the presents. A smile still graced his handsome face as he kept his eyes fixed on you a little while longer.

"Babe, are you nervous?" he chuckled.

"Very much indeed," you replied with a smile. "So, please no more stalling, Willy. Start with the big one."

With a mischievous grin, William set aside the smaller packages and began unwrapping the largest one.

Your eyes were fixed on the process, watching as the paper came off and William's hands touched the wool of the colourful jumper. You had chosen the colours of his favourite country, blue and yellow, with a touch of white to balance the contrast. The carefully selected soft yarn was knitted into intricate patterns, zigzagging and forming delicate shapes of snowflakes. And at the back of the neck, you had attached a small tag that read, "homemade."

At first, William's expression was hard to decipher, but as his smile widened and his eyes met yours, you felt a wave of joy wash over you.

"Shit, babe, you made this?" he asked, clearly astonished, to which you nodded. "It's amazing! How did you... I mean, I didn't even know you could... that's incredibly talented."

His words left you stunned.

"So, you like it?" you asked with a hint of uncertainty.

"Baby, I love it," he exclaimed before leaning in to place a kiss on your lips. "I can't believe you actually did this."

"Well, you said I shouldn't buy you anything... so I went a different way," you chuckled lightly.

"So, you did, and you've definitely already outplayed my gift to you," he added.

"I don't believe that – but please, open up the others," you smiled, feeling more excited now that you had seen his reaction to your first present.

Taking the slightly smaller item and carefully unwrapping it, a photo album appeared. It was a medium-sized, dark brown, leather-like book where you had compiled cherished moments of your time together.

And as William flipped the book open, he saw candid photos of himself, both of you together, and his family. These were photos he didn't even know you had taken—capturing everything and everyone he loved and cared about. They depicted the memories you had built together over the past several months and the moments showcasing how his family had embraced and cherished you from the very beginning.

It was all so perfect.

His fingers traced gently over the various images of his parents, sisters, Alex, and the rest of his friends during the off-season. There were also photos of him napping on the sofa, with Pablo and Banksy by his side, and moments captured from your strolls together. Each photo held a special memory.

And William struggled to find the right words. "You've really outdone yourself, hjärtat," he said softly now, a smile still on his lips as he glanced at you again. "This is… this is incredibly sweet."

As your lips curved into a gentle smile, you couldn't contain your excitement at how thrilled he seemed with your gift. He appeared genuinely happy and appreciative of your thoughtful gesture.

"Well, then I suppose you should also open the last one, hopefully you'll like that too," you suggested timidly. And without further ado, William set the album and the jumper aside and picked up the smallest box among them.

This was probably the one you were most nervous about, as it held the most significance to it.

Unwrapping the paper, William delicately took the small box in his hand and opened the lid, revealing the item inside. It was a necklace that not only matched the style he typically wore but also held a tiny amulet, which he gently held between his fingers to examine closely.

On the tiny metal was inscribed a date. A date that held immense significance for both of you, representing the day you officially defined your relationship.

It was the date following months of wonderful moments, a day when you had felt anxious about your status, uncertain about Willy's true feelings and level of commitment. So, you had been forthright and asked him directly what he wanted from you. And in response, he had candidly asked you to be his girlfriend.

William was left speechless.

Never in a million years had he imagined you would put this much effort into his gifts. You had considered every little detail and poured all your love into something you believed would bring him joy. And you were absolutely right.

Nothing stirred a greater sense of warmth and being cherished within him than something that reminded him of home, his family, and you.

And as you eagerly awaited his reaction, you noticed a slight glistening in his eyes. Not quite tears, but something akin to it.

William turned to you again, slightly parting his lips as he searched for words that could convey his deep appreciation.

"Y/n/n… I—" he began, pausing to take a deep breath, his deep blue eyes locked with yours, the necklace still in his hand.

"I love you," was all he could say.

Because in that moment, that was exactly what he felt.

It wasn't solely about the items or the occasion. It was about what they symbolised; your love and dedication to him. It was something he had never experienced with anyone else before. No one had ever invested this much time and energy just to give him something for Christmas. No one had ever made him feel the way you did.

"So... you like what I did? It's not too cheesy... is it?" you asked softly, your eyes locked with his, feeling your heart flutter in your chest.

"I fucking love what you did, babe," he breathed out, leaning in once more to draw you into a kiss. However, this time, it was deeper and filled with heartfelt emotion as your lips met, and his hand gently caressed the back of your head.

And when you broke apart, both of you were gasping for air, yet still keeping your heads close together, sharing gentle chuckles.

"I love you too, you know that, right?" you inquired timidly.

"I know."

For a brief moment, tenderness filled the air amidst the Christmas tunes and delightful aromas wafting from the kitchen—a pure exchange of love between you and William.

But then, he broke the silence.

"But uhm… now I sort of don’t want to give you my gift," he chuckled lightly.

“Why not?”

"Come on, after this?" he laughed, leaning back on the sofa and gesturing towards all the items you had presented to him. "I can’t live up to this!"

You joined in with laughter.

“Oh, come on, I know your present is just as good as mine,” you smiled, feeling a bit proud of his reaction to everything.

“No way! I have not been anything near this creative and romantic. This is insane.”

“Still! I want to know what you’ve got me,” you said, intrigued. Initially, he had seemed so confident, but now he appeared somewhat insecure.

“Alright, but just to be fair, it does not come anywhere near yours,” William said, grabbing two small boxes wrapped in shimmery paper.

“It’s not a contest, babe,” you chuckled, accepting the gift.

“Which I'm really happy about right now.”

With a smile gracing your lips, you began with the slightly larger box, and a small gasp escaped as you saw what was inside. It was a delicate brooch—a piece you had admired in a shop window months ago. At the time, you had mentioned to William that it reminded you of one your grandmother had given you as a child, but that you had lost long ago. He had offered to buy it for you, but you had declined, not feeling ready for him to gift you such an emotionally significant item.

“Willy, it’s gorgeous,” you softly spoke, looking at him with the same intimacy you had shared when he opened his presents.

“Not as much as your gifts.”

“No, even more,” you gently whispered, leaning in to give him a tender kiss before turning to unwrap the other, smaller box.

Here, you had to catch your breath.

Inside was a small yet to you, seemingly significant, diamond-like stone set on a silver ring. The sparkle from the piece stole the air from your lungs, and your expression shifted to a puzzled 'o' as you turned to William, looking baffled by your own reaction.

“Babe are you alright?” he asked.

“Willy... just to be sure, this is a ring with a diamond, and not a diamond ring… right?”

William couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, slightly as he slowly comprehended your reference, letting out a small sigh.

“No, no, it’s... it’s just something I thought was really pretty,” he admitted, almost blushing as he hadn't considered how it might be misunderstood. “I just thought it would be nice for you to have something to look down at... and think of me, you know... when I’m on the road, or not around.”

You could see the sincerity in his eyes, as he looked at you, hoping you wouldn't be disappointed.

And you were far from disappointed.

Although your love for William was deep, neither of you were prepared for that level of commitment, especially since it was only your first year together. Nevertheless, you pulled him into another heartfelt kiss.

“So, you like it?” he chuckled.

“I fucking love it,” you echoed his words from earlier, gently taking the ring and slipping it onto your finger. “So incredibly gorgeous,” you whispered, earning another chuckle from William.

“Don’t worry, maybe one day it’ll be... you know... that,” he said in his best attempt at being boyishly charming.

“And I’ll look forward to that, but for now, how about…” you smirked, setting the lovely gifts aside on the coffee table and leaning in closer to your boyfriend. “Let’s just cherish this moment, just you and me,” you whispered before reconnecting your lips with his.

“Yeah, I think I’d like that,” he replied, his hands gently resting on your hips, drawing you closer to him.

The ambiance, the company, the presents—it was all so perfect.

It was truly a cosy and special Christmas moment.

[bfiaflbox]

- Endanovember -

Pairing: Matty Healy x female reader

warnings: swearing, smoking, shitty writing

Disclaimer: this is a one shot at the moment. It's kinda Christmas themed, completely unrelated to anything else. I just sat down and typed this out so no proofreading here.

The title is from that graham Norton interview where Matty forgets where the album comes out and Ross reminds him that it was "Endanovember". Bon Appetit.

I wrote a second part to this, but I don't like it yet, so let me know if you're even interested in a second part :)

Endanovember 2022

„Are you ok?“ he asks, kind of timid. We‘re sat in a tiny coffee shop just around the corner from where he lives.

„Yeah…“ I struggle to put my feelings into words „I guess I just feel a bit melancholic“

„About what?“

„Christmas? I don’t know. I love the lights and the vibes and the idea but the reality always disappoints.“, I let out a sigh. After Matty doesn’t say anything I continue. „We were discussing Christmas plans in the family group chat and… my brother is spending it at his in-laws, my mom is going on some yoga retreat or whatever and I haven’t spoken to my dad in three years, so I‘m just kind of… here I guess? I don’t know, I feel a bit left behind“ fuck, putting it into words makes it feel real and hurt even more. It’s triggering some deeply rooted insecurity, the feeling of not being loved. Tears prick at my eyes but I’m determined to not let them fall. Proper date that would be, him taking time out of his busy day just to sit here with his … what, situationship? Friend with benefits? to cry about her disfunctional family.

He reaches out and takes my hand, his thumb drawing circles on the back of my hand. He doesn’t say anything at first. He seems to be lost in thought for a bit then says: „You could come home with me.“

„Are you inviting me for afternoon sex? Because I’m not averse to that idea“ I joke

„Nooo, I mean yes, but I was talking about Christmas. Come home with me to spend Christmas with me and my family.“

„What? Don’t you think that’s a bit much to bring your current fling to the family Christmas celebrations?“

„Fling??“ he looks at me kind of confused and hurt. He lets go of my hand.

„… I mean, yeah??“ now I’m not sure anymore. To be fair we haven’t talked about what this thing between us is. To say I liked him would be the understatement of the century but I definitely wasn’t his girlfriend. I met his mates and we spend as much time together as our schedules will allow but he’s a busy man, probably not just with music-related things. I never allowed myself to hope that this was an exclusive thing.

„No! What? Do you think that‘s what this is?? That‘s bullshit!“

I get the feeling I just fucked this up royally.

„I just…“

„Have you been seeing other guys?“ he interrupts me.

„No! I just thought that we haven’t talked about what this is and…“ I’m lost for words.

„Nine months! We see each other every chance we get, we speak every day, you know all my mates, I take you to every event as my plus one, I tell everybody you’re my girlfriend and you think this is just a fling??“

„I don’t know? there hasn’t been a single conversation about this!!“ I’m annoyed that he’s getting mad at me.

„I need a smoke“ he gets up, grabs his coat and leaves.

What the fuck just happened?? I stay seated for a few moments, then decide to go home, too. Fucking asshole, leaving me here like this.

I put on my coat and step outside into the cold late November air. Matty is pacing on the sidewalk in front of the cafe, cigarette in hand, looking upset. Apparently, he did not leave, he did indeed just need a smoke. I kind of feel guilty for doing him wrong like that, even if it was just in my head.

When he sees me, he stops for a second, looks at me and goes „Ok you know what? You’re right, we haven’t talked about this. Let’s talk about this.“

„Can we maybe not do that on the sidewalk?“

„Fine. Let’s go to my place."

He grabs my hand and starts walking. I want to yell three or four different things at him at the same time. I want to ask him where he finds the audacity to be mad at me, why the fuck are his hands this wonderfully warm when it’s freezing cold outside and also I want to beg him to let us fix this because it’s a good thing, whatever it is. But I stay quiet, walking beside him, down the street to his place.

Once we’re inside, I blurt out „I really don’t get why you‘re mad at me because…“ I don’t get to finish my sentence because Matty has pushed me against the wall of his hallway and is kissing me like a starved man. My anger is wiped away instantly and I want nothing else but to feel his lips on my lips, forever. Still, my hands find their way into his lovely soft curls. I make a fist and tug at the strands they grab, admittedly in an attempt to hurt him a tiny little bit.

He groans, breaks away and rasps „Kindly, shut the fuck up, I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at myself for not making it clear enough to you that I fucking love you“ Excuse me, what?

„Excuse me what?“

He huffs out a laugh „Yeah you heard me“

I‘m glad I have the wall for support because right now I’m not sure I would be able to hold my balance. I kind of want to ask him if he‘s taking the piss but think better of it. All I do is look at him while trying to process what just happened.

„Darling, you‘re the kindest, funniest, most compassionate person. You feel so true and reliable and safe. I know I'm not the easiest person to be with but I can leave some of the heavy things behind when I'm with you. And you’re so. Fucking. Sexy“ he kisses me again and I get it. I get it because I feel the same way. Being with Matty feels like coming home to a good place where someone actually gives a fuck. Yes, we are having a great time whenever we hang out, I just thought he didn’t feel remotely the same. But he‘s here, I‘m not making this up, this is actually happening.

„Could’ve said something earlier, Idiot“ I whisper as we break the kiss for air.

„I should have, shouldn’t I?“

I nod. „That would’ve been clever“

„Yeah“ he agrees.

„Yeah because... turns out I love you too and we could’ve had this all along“

„You could’ve said something, too, you know?“ he lets out a soft laugh

„And what, completely humiliate myself?“

„Hey, no kink shaming“

We both burst out laughing and I playfully swat at his chest. Matty hugs me in return and I feel like I'm finally home.

[aritamargarita]

GOLDEN || 006

you thought it was attitude but ITS GOLDEN

trying to make up for being so behind. really been enjoying these chapters. we are pulling all the grandpas and dilfs yes we are. MALEWIFING THEM ONE AT A TIME. AND WE CANT FORGET ABOUT THE LADIESSSSS!!!! HEY LADIES!!!!HEY LADIES!!!!!!! consider this chapter a bit of a timeskip, we’re goin to the intergender match yes yes. it’s not gonna be what you think y’all have to listen to the plan. i have to put the pieces in place….

scrambling events here the way i would like them to go, so this is like at the end of the year, it’s november / december 1997,,,,idk. it’s a vibe im hungry as fuck. splitting the chapters because well? yeah. i have things that happen post match

sorry triple h for cropping you out but it’s chyna foreva and always..im just one of her sassy shootas!!!

YOU ARE VERY happy you have something to do tonight. You’re thrilled, even. All you want to do is showcase your wrestling skill. But things don’t always go the way you want it to..

BACKSTAGE // 7:01 PM

After Shawn told you about the upcoming intergender match last show, you decided to go head to the hotel for the night and rest up. You also make a mental note to issue an apology for Bret for not showing up…

But this was pretty important. It’s the week of Christmas, so you’re sure that the company has a lot of plans for the holiday..

You’re in DX’s dressing room, sitting on the floor and doing stretches. You had a reputation among your peers in previous companies for turning up to the events early. They didn’t know whether to envy it or love it. You’re always ready to go.

The door opening startled you from the floor, Chyna being the first to walk in with two duffel bags. She doesn’t greet you at first, but you watch as she sets her things down.

“Hi!” You chime.

And at the sound of your voice, she jumps too. You don’t think she noticed you at first. “Hey. You scared me.”

“You scared me too.” You smile, standing up. “What’s up?”

“Nothing in particular.” She responds. “You’re here early.”

“Oh, I always get here early. I like to be ready, you know?” You start to feel nervous in her presence, which you’re already hitting yourself mentally for. Somehow, you feel like you be trying to impress her. “You’re here early.”

Immediately, the tone in her voice changes into irritation. “Hunter was taking too long. I left without him. Shawn’s probably going to get him now.”

“You snooze, you lose.” You say, completely understanding. Truth be told, it kinda reminded you of Raven. Sometimes, you’d travel with him by car. Stevie would tag along at times too, but you’d much rather just ride with him alone if Raven’s gonna take forever.

Raven would come out 10 minutes late and it would mess with your schedule. He started doing a little better after you chewed him out about it, but the principal…

Just was you considered leaving him in the dust, he’d come outside, suitcase and all. There’s a tiny part of you that misses traveling with them, but, yeesh.

There was a moment you got fed up once and for all. Seeing some girl hastily leave his hotel room really upset you for some reason. You’re not exactly ready to explore why, but it really pissed you off.

You didn’t even care, you just left. Unfortunately, you fell right back into the trap of talking to him when he cornered you during an ECW show to ask what’s the deal….

Now’s not the time to mull over these things, you’re still talking to Chyna.

“Hey, why don’t we travel together next show? I’ll drive!” You offer. “That way we can get here on time and do what we need to do.”

“Fine with me.” It’d probably be better for the both of you, especially since you offered to drive. Chyna just hopes you’re a better driver than Shawn. She’ll never ride with him in a vehicle again.

The last time the three of them rode together, Hunter had been egging Shawn on the entire time, telling him to zig zag through the cars “if he’s not scared”. With the Heartbreak Kid being the show off he is, he did.

Never. Again. They’re lucky they didn’t crash.

“I heard we had an intergender match.” You continue on. You won’t let this conversation end so easily. “Is it me and you…?”

Chyna shakes her head. “No. It’s you and Hunter versus Shawn and I. They wanted to experiment and switch us up.”

Boo…

At least Hunter seemed nice, despite the fact he threw wads of paper at your head the other day. Nothing’s wrong with him at all. In fact, you’ve been meaning to ask him how he keeps up with his hair. It’s so nice.

However, you really wanted to work with Chyna, not against her. Even though you had ring gear, you would’ve changed it if it meant you could match with her.

“Aw man. I wanted to partner with you!” You complain. “We would’ve had so much fun.”

There’s a ghost of a smile on her face, but as soon as you look at her, it goes away. “It would’ve been nice to be partners. But it’s just not happening. Don’t expect me to go easy on you, [Name].”

You give her a thumbs up. “I wouldn’t want you to!” It goes silent for a minute, so you return to the ground to stretch a bit more.

“I have something for you.” Chyna suddenly speaks up, making you look towards her. “Here, take this.” She tosses a rolled up shirt in your direction.

You unroll it, revealing a black shirt that says ‘Chyna Syndrome’. Woah.

“I hope you don’t think it’s selfish or anything. It’s just that Hunter and Shawn are wearing it tonight…” She trails off. You don’t even care if it was selfish or not. She just gave you a gift!

“Not at all, thanks! I’m definitely wearing it tonight.” This has gotta be your new favorite shirt. You’d cut it into a crop top, but you don’t want to ruin it. You may settle for tying it. “I really like this.”

“Good to hear.”

“You, uh, wanna go shopping before the next Raw?” You ask. “I’ve got a really good eye, I think we can find something you’d like!”

Chyna’s never been shopping. Well, she has, but not with another girl in the company. “Sure.”

Yet again, the door opens. Neither of you look up. You’re too distracted with your shirt and Chyna’s sorting through her belongings.

“Ohhh! Look at our lovely ladies congregating!” Shawn loudly says, tossing his bag to the side to come over to you. You’ve started to associate obnoxiously loud noises with him. “Raw’s never looked so good!”

You roll your eyes, but you can’t help the smile that appears on your face.

“C’mon, do a little twirl for me!” He’s a little too spontaneous. Is this how he always acts? You don’t mind though..

You give him your hand and he immediately spins you around.

“What a sight for sore eyes! You know, that Sergeant Slaughter guy’s been a real pain in the ass. Ever since they let him be Commissioner…”

You really start to tune him out after a while. Hunter’s over there getting his stuff together, and your eyes trail over to him as he walks over to Chyna. He looks frazzled, but you hear him chuckling soon after.

Good, he doesn’t seem too angry. Even if he did, you’d definitely defend Chyna quickly.

“…..And he knows I’m the champion! He’s putting my title on the line, can you believe that?! So you know what we’re gonna do? We’re gonna mess up the match. We’re gonna do it our own way. [Name], I need you to lay down for me.”

Him saying that immediately caught you off guard, looking at him in confusion. “You want me to what?”

You had no clue he was champion. The first time you met him, he wasn’t carrying his belt around.

“I want Chyna and I to win. It’s the least you could do, you know, since she’s letting you win the Miss Slammy awards…”

That was two bombs at once. Goddamn.

“Miss Slammy?” You repeat.

For some reason, you notice Chyna turn away in the corner of your eye. Is she embarrassed? Shawn comments on it. “Hey! Don’t get all shy now. You offered. You see, [Name],” He slings an arm around your waist.

“—there’s this thing called the Slammy’s coming up. Big formal event, it’s like the Emmy’s.” He explains.

“It’s like the Emmy’s??” You question. A wrestling event like the Emmy’s, huh? You feel like you’ve heard of something like that before. The only banquet event you’ve been to lately was Terry Funk’s Lifetime Achievement Banquet. You gave a speech and everything.

“Yup. You know, I’ve heard you’ve got nominated. Don’t tell anyone else, I just heard that down the grapevine.”

The grapevine?

You’re surprised. It’s one thing to be nominated, but another thing because you literally just got hired. “Are you serious? Don’t mess with me.”

“Yup. We were thinking about rigging the votes. Chyna, being the sweetheart she is, said she’d rather you get the win.” He grins.

That really is sweet of her. You’re already turning around to tell her ‘thank you’ one more time.

It’s not fair to the other nominees, whoever they are. You shake your head. “I’d rather win it myself fair and square. You know me and Hunter won’t go easy on you.”

Shawn can only scoff at your words. “That’s boring. You’re really gonna let Marlena win over you? Now personally, if that was me…?”

Marlena’s nominated too?

Well, now you absolutely had to win! You quickly interrupt him. “Um, no way. For sure, I think I’ll be Miss Slammy, but I told you I want to do it the fair way.”

“If you say so. Oh shit, I almost forgot. Listen, [Name], What I really wanted to ask you was…..”

Chyna and Hunter both look over at him curiously, but Shawn shakes his head and waves his hand at you dismissively. “Nevermind.”

“Shouldn’t you be talking with Chyna?” Hunter makes his way over to you two. “That’s my tag team partner now.”

“I’m not worried, Trips.” He says. “Me and Chyna are gonna win, even if [Name] won’t lay down for me.”

“I’m not going to lie.” You speak up, causing everyone to look at you. “I kinda wanted to be in Chyna’s corner. Really bad.”

“Unfortunately, you’re not!” Hunter cuts in, a shit eating grin on his face. “You’re with me. Aren’t you happy??”

You hesitate for a minute to respond. You’re a-ok with teaming with Hunter, but you like how he’s starting to get all sour about it. “Ehh…..”

He’s not too happy with your answer. “That’s not fair. You know, we’re gonna have to bond sometime, new girl..”

Chyna holds her hand up to her mouth, hiding her snicker. With the idiocy bouncing between Shawn and Hunter, you may be her only saving grace.

After that fiasco, you headed out to check out the card for the night. It should’ve been on the wall somewhere. Just before you could study it, one of the staff members called you over.

Before he started speaking to you, he holds down his earpiece. Someone must’ve been talking to him at the same time. He eventually looks up at you. “Evening. I’ve got some papers from Creative for you. You can look through them...”

“Okay. Thanks.” You nod, taking the papers from his hands.

Great, more papers. You thought what Rick Rude put you through was hell, you just hope you don’t have to sign anything else right now.

“Vince McMahon wants to speak with you as well. He’s in the meeting room next to the catering area.”

Oh fuck. The boss wants to speak with you too?? You hope you didn’t do anything wrong yet..

You’re already panicking as you turn away quickly and make your way to the meeting room. It’s strange he wants to see you there instead of the office.

You don’t know why you’re so nervous. You’ve dealt with Bischoff and Heyman. There’s no reason why you couldn’t deal with Vince McMahon.

In your defense, it was a new playground. You haven’t gotten a feel for the work environment or for your coworkers.

The people you’ve met so far have been pretty okay though. Things were off to a nice start, so you’re not entirely worried on that front.

As soon as you got there, you remember to take a breath with your hand on the handle.

Once you swing it open, you already start to feel pretty awkward as all eyes fall on you. There’s only one familiar face in the room and it’s Sable, who looked incredibly bored until you walked in.

“Good evening.” Vince says. “Please take a seat.”

The only open seat there is was one across from Sable. How convenient! This definitely was a set up. You don’t say anything as you quietly take a seat. You don’t forget to wave at Sable.

She just blankly stares at you. You wonder if she’s not in a good mood…

Vince begins this meeting with formally greeting the both of you. “Good evening, ladies. I’m sure you’re both wondering why I’ve called you here.”

You and Sable definitely are. This’ll be interesting.

“In the next couple of weeks, at least by the beginning of the new year, we’d like to put you and Sable into a program. [Name], you will be the heel, Sable, you will be the face.”

First of all, this is the wrong blonde you wanted to be in a storyline with. Marlena’s the one who you had to get revenge on, not Sable. She didn’t even do anything.

Did he get the two mixed up?

No, there’s no way. When you’re the boss, you should be able to tell your own superstars apart. There’s a vast difference when it comes to Marlena and Sable.

You point it out. “What about Marlena? I thought we had a thing going on there.”

“It’ll happen eventually.” Vince reassured. “Just not right now. We want Sable to enter the picture, we’ve got plans to split her up from Marc Mero—“

“Wait, you’re splitting us up?” She’s surprised herself, turning her head over to Vince. “…I’m going solo?” You were sure she wasn’t expecting that either. “I don’t know anything about wrestling.”

“Now’s the time to learn.” Vince says, shuffling papers. “Two of my up and coming female stars, going head to head. This is where the dough is made. This, is what’ll get us some views.”

The way he said it made you a little uneasy. He was almost on the verge of laughter. Something’s definitely not right in his head.

You’re not exactly sure what to do. You’re conflicted, especially since he was mumbling on and on about the amount of money he’d be making. Damn old men these days.

It makes you idly look at the table for a moment. You’re not bored per-say, just concerned. Okay, perhaps just a little scared too.

Sable seems to mirror you, although the frown on her face is more noticeable. It’s silent in the room, save for the occasional chatter you’d hear outside the door.

It’s starting to make you uneasy, so you speak up. “I’m gonna be a heel, huh?”

Vince snaps out of his rant and looks towards you. “Yes. Just be prepared to be booed. The people aren’t going to like you. They’re gonna like Sable. She’ll be over.”

Great! You’re putting her over. You just hope she doesn’t get injured by the end of this, though if she says she doesn’t know how to wrestle, you hope that YOU don’t get injured by the end of this.

“I don’t want to take any bumps.” She says outright, crossing her arms. “Especially hard ones.”

You don’t know how this’ll work then. She doesn’t have a choice. “There’s just no way around it, you know? I’ll go easy on you, okay?”

It didn’t make her feel any better. Sable shakes her head. “No. I don’t want to.”

You turn your attention to her. “…If we have to work together, you’re taking a bump. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

She snaps at you. “Who are you to tell me what I have to do?”

“Someone who’s putting you over, and I don’t HAVE to do that.” You can keep up with her. Something you’ve learned being in the business was to never take shit from anybody. Though, it may have been the result of Terry instilling a lot of courage into you.

Sable stands up from her chair. “I can get over just fine by myself! I don’t need you. Remember where you came from, some company no one even knows about.”

She jabs a finger in your face, but you swipe it away. “Oh yeah, I remember where I came from. And I’m about to use this table and fucking—“

Vince stands up too, clenching his fists. “THIS IS WHAT WE NEED!” He yells, damn near startling the both of you.

…….

He clears his throat, regaining composure. “If you have this much energy in the ring, both of you would be winners. You two need to calm it down immediately. This meeting is adjourned.”

Most of the people in the room leave, frazzled by you and Sable’s bickering.

Sable doesn’t forget to give you a glare before she leaves. You’re stiffing the hell out of her when the time comes.

You’re just about to leave too, probably to storm off and complain to the first person you see. Vince stops you just in time.

“[Name], I’d like you to meet someone,” He says. One of the members stayed behind it seems. Your mood is starting to sour, which doesn’t bode well for anyone in the future. However, you do your best to keep up a front for the boss.

Vince grunts something and motions with his head toward you. The younger man examines you, but at Vince’s movements, seems to take the hint and reaches out his hand for you to shake. “I’m Shane.” He introduced. “His son and the co-owner of the company.”

Interesting! You could see the resemblance as soon as you saw them side by side. Incredibly uncanny. Being face to face with both of your superiors felt strange.

“Hey.” You take his hand and shake it. “[Name], but you probably already know that. Really sorry for my outburst earlier.”

He chuckles. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind too much. “It’s fine. Just shows how serious you take the business.”

Vince looks between you two.

For some reason, he can feel the connection already. This will be documented for future reasons, of course. Alas, you’ve got something to do. “[Name], I’m glad you’ve came to this meeting today. Don’t disappoint on your match tonight. I will be watching.”

You’ll try your best.

BACKSTAGE // 7:24 PM

Before you had gone to gorilla, Hunter quickly ran you through how things would go. It’s a simple match. Nothing too fancy. He just requested you to do stupid shit every once in a while.

He had forgotten his water bottle, so he ran back to the locker room really quick. You stand there, using a rubber band to tie part of it into a knot. You have your gear on under it, but you’ve gotta represent.

So true, you indeed have Chyna Syndrome.

“Wow, I can’t believe you’re actually going to wear it..” Chyna’s voice comes as a surprise to you, making you turn around with another smile.

“With pride!” You pose, just as if she was holding a camera. “By the way, are we all coming out separate with our partners or all together?”

“Me first, then Shawn, then you two.” She says. “Don’t forget to put your game face on. Me and you are first to go at it in the ring. The other two take over after.”

Okay, this wasn’t too bad. Shawn wanted all of you to mess with this Sergeant Slaughter guy and you knew Chyna wasn’t going to go easy on you, but there’s gotta be a way to goof around with her in the meanwhile…

Hunter comes back with his water bottle in hand. “Shawn’s not here yet?” He looks around, completely confused.

Chyna just shrugs. “No. I’m not exactly sure what he’s doing.”

“Oooh, we win by default. Hunter, let’s hold the championship together.” You say.

“I’ve got an even better idea.” He says. “You’re gonna lift your shirt up and…” He trails off, glancing over at Chyna. He does not want her to beat him up for saying that to you. “…put the title belt on.”

“Just for me? Sweet.” It flew over your head this time. “I’m not opposed for sure.”

Chyna just shakes her head. Just in time, Shawn comes around with his belt in tow, a smile on his face. His gear was pretty gaudy, with a vest and some….what the hell is he even wearing…? It looks like you could unzip part of the pants, but even so, this shit looks like a fashion disaster.

“You guys ready to wrestle?”

Of course you were.

Chyna and Shawn are first out, just as she said. Then it was you and Hunter. You hadn’t ‘officially’ been given theme music quite yet, so they just allowed you to come out with Hunter to DX’s theme until decided.

All of you settle into the ring. You and Chyna were first up.

You’re ready, unable to fight the smile on your face. Chyna on the other hand, was as doing her best to be stoic as ever. You understood it though, she had to be.

Chyna comes towards you and you immediately fall down to the ground.

The crowd gets a good laugh out of it. You’re “knocked out” cold and she didn’t even hit you. Hell, she didn’t even touch you!

She stares down at you, then grabs your leg to drag you around the canvas a bit. You’re still not moving. She then tries to pin you, but you kick out.

You stand up and shoot her a smile. She can only roll her eyes at you, another smile playing at the corner of her lips. You’ll try and be serious now. The two of you lock up, but Chyna breaks it up and irish whips you into one of the corners.

You try to sell it as hard as you can, but it backfired on you completely. That shit really hurt! For a second, you keel over, your back absolutely killing you.

Using the ropes for some leverage, you jump up and hook your legs around her neck for a rope-aided hurricanrana. That’s one move!

Once you hit the ground, you try and exaggerate. (It still hurt though.) “Ow, ow!” You whine, putting a hand on your back. “OOOOOWWWW!” You try whining a little louder, rolling around.

Shawn’s eager to get himself tagged in, holding his hand out for a slowly recovering Chyna.

She sees it and reluctantly tags him in. She wanted to go a little longer with you, but she couldn’t deny him. He’s chipper as hell.

You use the ropes to stand up, then stagger over to him. The two of you were face to face in the ring.

He can only give you a grin. “Remember when I said you have to lay down for me?”

“Uh, yeah?”

Nothing could prepare you for what he was going to do next. He immediately tackling you down like a football player. “I meant it!” When he gets you down to the ground, the referee had started to count it as a pin.

“OW! What the fuck!” You exclaim.

If he wants to play dirty, then so be it! You don’t even let the referee hit two, you kick out immediately.

“Woahhh! You kicked out!” He was taunting you. As you try to get up, he starts to push you down, grabbing your arms to try and stop you from swiping at him. “Watch the hair!”

You’re getting a little frustrated at how he’s holding you down, so you’re doing your best to get the hell out of it. He’s having a bit of a hard time controlling you.

The crowd is enjoying this very much. Whatever you guys are doing, it’s working in your favor!

Shawn’s decently impressed, you’re much stronger than he thought! Well, of course he thought you were strong, you had twisted his arm in the hallway pretty hard.

Normally, girls would just turn into putty under him, especially if they were play fighting like this.

“Hey, HEY, HEY—“ His voice slightly rises in volume as you start to push him off of you with your legs. He doesn’t let go of your arms, trying to overpower your own attempts of moving away.

It’s not doing him any justice. You’re able to flip over him and roll off. That was incredibly embarrassing. In the middle of the ring, no less.

You jump up to your feet and he does too. What’s next?

You take a few steps back and so does he. Then you take a few steps forward. He does too. Is he copying you?!

You hold you arm up and he follows. Yeah, he definitely was copying you. You slowly lower it and flip him off. He returns the favor. Goddamn it.

You’re not for the bullshit, you’re just not. You back away and tag Hunter in. He hits your hand and you switch places.

Shawn doesn’t tag Chyna in, instead deciding to jump in place. You have a feeling that it’s going to go downhill from here.

Both of them pull on the ropes a bit, warming the ring up. They’re acting like the match is just beginning.

Once they’re all finally all geared up, the two of them lock up…and Hunter quickly throws Shawn right onto the mat. He just lays there.

It was a little too easy, definitely done on purpose. Maybe he was even mocking you a little bit.

Hunter bounces off the ring ropes and just as you think he’s about to do something, he just runs and bounces off, jumping over Shawn every so often.

You can’t help but to laugh. Hunter flops right on top of Shawn and pins him with no issue. Congratulations, you two won! He’s the new champion! …Of whatever the hell the theme was, you guess.

“Your new European Champion, Hunter Hearst Helmsley!”

European champion? Ah, very nice.

Shawn’s in the middle of the ring having a temper tantrum. He slams his hands and balled up fists onto the mat. Once he comes up, you see him crying crocodile tears.

Poor thing. He runs over to Chyna for some comfort, the woman fighting a laugh as hard as she could.

Hunter’s brought to tears of joy, crawling around and throwing his arms up. He crawls over to you and hugs your waist. You pat his back.

The referee hands over the title to you and you slightly drape it over his back, trying to catch his attention. He lets go of you and rises to his feet, taking it away from you and holding it up to the crowd.

“You know…” Shawn, now equipped with a mic, can barely get his words out without dry-heaving. “It’s—it’s—“ He pauses for a minute, choking over his tears. Boohoo!

There’s a man at the front of the stage watching all this chaos go down. Now that you take a look around, this arena is a little different than the usual.

Hunter throws his arm around you for support like he just wrestled a very hard match. Shawn’s still sobbing. He takes a minute to pull it together.

“It’s not easy being defeated for the European tiiittleeee…I’ve been in so many matches…I’ve been in ladder matches, I’ve been in cell matches, I’ve been in marathon matches, but, oh god—never has any match been so….emotionally, physically, and mentally draining as this one..”

Shawn continues wordvomiting something else something akin to “youtwowonfarandsquareaauughhh” but then hands over the mic to Hunter.

“I’d just like to say one thing. Other than my kid being born….I don’t have one, that I know of—,” He pauses, definitely letting that sink in. “This is the greatest moment of my life!! YOU ALL SAW IT! I DID ITTTT!!” He yells.

Hunter doesn’t forget to shout you out. “AND [NAME], MY BEAUTIFUL PARTNER, THAT NONE OF YOU PEOPLE IN THE CROWD WILL NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO BE AROUND! THANK YOU!! Oh god, thank you!”

You feel like this match kinda sucks….

Seems like things were back to normal. Hunter tosses the mic somewhere after coming in for a hug and Shawn starts doing crotch chops. The latter grabs the mic again. “I know ya’ didn’t need any help from us Sarge, but we made an ass outta you anyway! MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

Even with Christmas being just days away, you don’t exactly feel in the spirit….

the night is not over. I REPEAT THE NIGHT IS NOT OVER. yes the match was short and stupid. yes we’re complaining about it next chapter (so are some fans…) DO NOT WORRY,,

mickie actually does the rope-aided hurricanrana, it’s pretty cool, though i just think mickie herself is pretty cool :). im actually gonna make a gif move set list to reference or something like that i dunno.

you know, golden seems much more “mature” than attitude idk maybe it’s just me. that was a fun match to write,,sometimes my worst enemy can be writing too much in one paragraph grrr. anyway i hope you guys enjoyed i liked this kinda sorta. until next time

do you guys remember when dx “invaded” wcw? lol thought it would be funny if reader was there like damn.

[renjibozo]

episode 8 trailer dropped, you know what that means !

guess who's back for another prediction.

ok first off before i put the cut, i just think rei's english is so pleasant to the ears that's all

okay spoiler territory time

(edited a little to add in a little something)

it seems we're finally at that point of PV 2 and 3 where they started planning and preparing a birthday !

but first let me just cry about how cute the conversation between kazuki and rei are before i get into the topic of the scenes playing in the trailer

(don't trust my translation 100% i am only going off of how i understand it with limited knowledge)

Rei: Because Miri came, I started to feel the seasons. Kazuki: That's true∼ Rei: And I thought summer was just hot. Kazuki: You do become more of a hikikomori when the summer comes... Rei: Summer was just limited to coolers, but... Kazuki: But? Rei: There were... also days where I thought the sunlight was nice

also this

Rei: It's the first time that I've ever thought that I liked this weather Kazuki: Barbecuing on tiles sounds good too Rei: I'll have to refuse. Kazuki: Eeh?

i love how rei's a little more talkative and especially about his likes and dislikes when it comes to summer

anyways onto the scenes!

kazuki and miri are preparing but i'm still not sure if they're preparing for rei's birthday because putting kazurei's conversation aside, it should be related to the episode still like the previous trailer for episode 7

since miri's zoo trip is over and the rainy season was shown in episode 7, and kazurei talked about the summer weather, i can only guess that it really is gonna be a rei birthday thing because no way is it miri's birthday bc hers is in november, and her acquisition was in christmas eve

rei bday might be somewhere between june to september

i will cry if i get this correct

the suwa manor i assume??

we don't really see rei outside of the house on his own especially in work attire so this is new new

this implies that despite kyutaro once looking at rei saying he knows the consequences of betraying the organization the most, he is in contact with his boss (father)

did he have an escape attempt once? is this episode going to elaborate on that? this seems more of a rei backstory episode after kazuki's backstory episode

local malewife malewifing as usual, nothing out of the ordinary except he looks just a bit more natural in his position rather than vaguely distressed

im willing to bet kazuki's the one who did her hairstyle because i feel like rei would just accidentally tug on her hair every few seconds but i might be proven wrong or they never show us

favorite child and unfavorite child face off? they have similar facial structures and hair strand placement

the color contrasts is screeching into my face as well

(also i just think rei looks like slender man in that screenshot jesus christ he is terrifying)

now why is this man here

he cannot be related at all so whats he doing here !! was he hired by rei's boss to take care of him or something !!!! curious. so curious

i really do wonder what sort of conversation they're having in the midst of a gunfight inside a ship

maybe the organization found out about miri and them taking in miri?

the infamous "Rei-papa looks lonely sometimes" scene which really just wants me to think its a rei bday episode

NOW WHAT IS THIS !!!! HELLO !!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT HAPPENED LITTLE CRINGEMAN

he's showing too much emotion so i'm convinced that there was a threat made to miri and kazuki by favorite poster suwa child

we never see this man with any kind of scratch or wound from episodes 1 to 7 during gunfights, but we see him a little roughed up in this scene for once which really screams this man might be nearly superhuman but he is not Immune to physical damage (nor is he immune to psychological warfare)

this episode has me hyped because it seems like a tenser vibe compared to kazuki's more melancholy confrontation with his past which he ends up coming to terms with

hopefully rei does get back home safe and sound even if he gets a wound or two, manifesting!!

thats all folks, thanks for coming to my newest installment of yuzu loves overanalyzing 40 seconds of footage

[quarter-life-crisis2]

2023 nail journey

I'm just gonna document my progress because there's been some standouts this year. Excuse the extremely professional photos.

No one asked, no one cares, but this was fun for me to document given I have put in days of work on these over the year (insane honestly).

5th of May

We started the journey a bit rough when I went back to trying to do anything other than a plain colour, but the vision was there.

27th of May

Now this is where I felt my passion come alive again. This took an ungodly amount of time but I was so proud, I knew we were back baby!

21st of June

A day of failed attempts, so they were scrapped.

27th of June

Fucking loved these. First time using metal appliques and still figuring out the cuticle game but these gave a vague superhero vibe and I loved them. I did eventually peel those metal squares and left them in a little pile on my nightstand a few weeks later.

21st of July

Here I wanted to switch it up. I was finally over the white, wanted something simple and wanted to try out the eyeshadow ombre trick, which did indeed work but wasn't very memorable.

8th of August

Following is another simple one, nude with chrome powder. These were birthday + beach holiday nails. Additional photos because these nails lasted so long, even during a move and only broke when I was hoovering.

On the 3rd of September they were still going strong and let me tell you I did a lot of manual labour for that move

9th of September

Another great one, honestly loved these ones. Still experimenting with chrome powders.

3rd of October

The months before Christmas were a bit more basic. I was enjoying the nude and was learning how to better shape the builder gel and the cuticles and still struggling.

24th of November

Last nude set of the year, still trying to get a better shape on the builder gel and playing with glitter.

16th of December

Finally, the Christmas nails. These took the length of two full shifts only no one paid me, and really should not take that long given the intricate gold is just sticker (play the 127 flute). I did apply on some of them individual glitter specks which you can barely see...

And yeah, that's the end of 2023, but just gonna squeeze in last night's nails cause why not.

8th of January 2024

I'd say a fair bit of improvement on the builder and cuticles and the pattern wasn't too hard and it actually looks like the reference I used. Also, finally down below 50% on the electric file casualties, only stabbed 4/10 fingers.

bonus on the builder fix for this tragic nail

[noangeleither]

"About the Blogger" Meme

Thanks for tag @bioloyg <3

Star Sign(s): Scorpio Sun (I literally never remember my other ones, I should probably memorize them)

Favorite Holidays: Christmas and Halloween. even tho i find it harder to feel the holiday spirit up until the very last minute i love christmas so much. and not even to be corny but its true that when you grow up you start to care less about the presents and more about the memories with family and friends.

i grew up in a religous family so my parents didnt let me celebrate halloween but i still love it with my whole heart. im a november baby so i love fall and all things eerie and spooky.

Last Meal: McDonalad's snack wrap and one of those new fruit splash drinks. its exam season so ofc im eating like shit. will probably eat some ice cream when i get home after my physiology exam in 30 minutes. so yay to junk food

Current Favorite Musician: currently ive been really enjoying pinkpantheress. her new album is literally 10/10. she has such a knack for melodies, and her lyrics are very eerie and poetic while maintaining a cutesy 2000s vibe. shes also a sampling queen.

honoarble mentions: ive been listening to a lot of janet, rosalia and red velvet these days too.

Last Music Listened To: feedback by janet Jackson. bro istg you have to clear the area when this comes on, i cant help but dance

Last Movie Watched: last movie i watched was bride wars. honestly a classic movie, so funny and i love wedding movies so i reccomend it. that was a month ago tho, which is crazy.

Last TV Show Watched: like the wonderful person who tagged me i watched the bear last. i just rewatched s02e01. ive been doing this thing where i'll either rewatch episodes for research, boredom or just because i get sucked in rewatching a specific clip that makes me want to rewatch the whole episode.

Last Book/Fic Finished: last fic i finished was keeping up with the berzattos by chefskiss40 on ao3. ive reread it like 3 or 4 times now and im patiently waiting for an update. its just so good, i love the domestic vibes. im not a fan of seeing my ships start families in canon but in fic? oh i could read that forever

Last Book/Fic Abandoned: not really abandoned but sorta modified? the sydcarmy high school au i started in the summer was a good concept but i didnt really have a concrete idea where the overall story would go. BUT im planning on maybe doing a series which is just a collection of one shots of them in HS? OR i plan on doing a multi-chapter shorter story that is an AU that also takes place in a high school setting but with a twist that i dont want to reveal bc that would mean i would have to commit to it. lol

Currently Reading: nothing. unless you count all these articles/research papers I've been reading for my health research studies course (think i aced the exam yesterday so maybe all the pain was worth it)

Last Thing Researched for Art/Writing/Hyperfixation: doesnt really count as research but basically i was on pinterest creating boards for 3 different fics. was researching wedding dresses for a nat & syd fic where they go wedding dress shopping (will be finishing after my last exam). also just creating two other boards to inspire myself to start the au i teased above and my bones and all AU/retelling i talked about last month. i want to watch some more cannibalism media and maybe research about 80s pop culture and politics before i dive into that one fully.

Favorite Online Fandom Memory: ummmm probably just being a menace on twitter with my friends that i made through being a reveluv. we talk every single day, and they are some of the best people i know. maybe the times we used to get up early or stay up late for comeback season, watch the kcharts being updated hourly and crack jokes about group we liked and didnt like

Favorite Old Fandom You Wish Would Drag You Back In/Have A Resurgence: technically THG is having a resurgence right now but im way too into the bear to really get back into it and also i havent seen the new movie. im excited to once exam season is done but i feel like the hype is already dying so i dont see myself getting too into it.

Favorite Thing You Enjoy That Never Had an Active or Big "Fandom" but You Wish It Did: uhhhh cant think of one tbh.

Tempting Project You're Trying to Rein In/Don't Have Time For: honestly every sydcarmy fic idea i have that would take multi chapters to flesh out. one shots are very safe for me. but im praying i'll commit to it. esp the bones and all AU lol

this was fun

tagging some ppl to do this too, only if you want!

@amieraisposting @chefkids @sennenrose @sydneys-adamu @sydneyscarm @happylikeasadsong @chansoooo1-blog

[artsartblog]

In honor of the new year I’ll be posting the last art pieces I did of last year plus an art summary for the year.

First the art summary of 2023 because I felt like just giving an overview of what all I’ve made plus what I will be adding to this post. The first two are of my persona, her main art and her as a Fairy Pokémon Gym Leader (which was made for a discord server I’m in). March is of my Welcome Home oc that I haven’t made much art of, but I do have a piece I’m still working on since I’m not as hyperfixated on WH but still enjoy seeing art of it. April is of an AU version of my Marvel oc Molly (I know what I said in the og post with that art, but I’m considering it an AU version of Molly to just add to the different version I have of her). May is art of my TWEWY oc Kotone after she becomes a reaper. June is art of my FNaF oc Kelly in her new daycare uniform. July is art I made for my SU art blog, which is art of an AU I’m occasionally working on because I have too many ideas to ever commit to one thing lol. August is a redesign of my RC9GN oc Clarissa. September is art I made for a friend. October is art of my TADC oc Odette, who I’ve never posted on tumblr because I keep forget to lol. November is actually the outlier of everything on here because I technically started it years ago, but only finished it November 2023, so we’re just going to accept it into the bunch. December is art of an old oc that used to belong to a friend of mine, but she’s given him up to me since she doesn’t do art anymore and I couldn’t just separate him from his girlfriend (my oc Lucy). Plus he’s apart of the first ever oc universe I ever created (with my friend).

Now onto my latest unposted art!

First we have is Annalei! She is a character I made based on my friend. Originally it was a trio thing, but now it’s just a duo (because of drama I won’t get into on here since it’s the new year and we don’t need that drama again). Anyways, she is an angel who acts as the guardian angel of my character (who I haven’t drawn yet) Nikki. The two actually live together as roommates with Annalei trying to help guide Nikki down a path of good. I made this piece for my friend for Christmas because I thought she’d like it (she loved it). I don’t have a lot developed for this universe because of reasons, but I’ll eventually get around to developing it more.

Next we have Odette. She is my The Amazing Digital Circus oc I made after falling in love with the pilot of tadc. She is based off a ballerina music box I have that belonged to my mom, plus my childhood love of ballet, and ball jointed dolls (since tadc gives off a whole toy-box vibe). She named herself Odette because it was the one thing she could remember from the real world. Ironically, she is living her worst fear because she feared being forgotten by loved ones and everyone she ever cared about. She hates that she can’t remember anything about herself and tries her best to find a way out, but doesn’t think too hard on escaping since she doesn’t want to abstract. She actually tends to stay hidden from the others, Caine doesn’t actually know she’s there, but is aware of her room. The others know of her room, but Jax was the only one to ever meet her until Pomni arrived. The other few things she does remember is how to dance, draw and sing (mostly through muscle memory). Odette has a weird friendship with Jax, but she doesn’t mind. Especially since she has social anxiety and making new friends is really difficult for her (even more so now that she has no idea who she is). This helps her with becoming friends with Pomni since they’re both filled with anxiety and the desire to leave. Though Odette does her best to help Pomni out whenever she can, hoping that one of them could leave at the least. When she does first meet Pomni it was by accident on Pomni’s part. Odette had been dancing around in a place far enough away from the others, but close enough to still be able to see whatever adventure Caine has them all doing. The music playing drowned out any sound of someone approaching that Odette didn’t notice Pomni until the song ended and Pomni clapped at the performance, which caused Odette to freeze up and panic. Especially when she saw that it wasn’t Jax that found her. Luckily for the two of them this led to a friendship (one where Odette would do her best to protect Pomni from Jax’s pranks).

Next is of my Miraculous oc Dani. Maskerade (a play on mask and masquerade) is of akumatized Dani. The only reason for her getting akumatized is stress from her mother and everyone expecting her to be someone she’s not. Despite being a miraculous holder she would struggle with being akumatized because she knows that she’s just stressed out and there are ways to fix what she’s dealing with, but as a teenager trying to get her mother to just listen and understand her is difficult. Sometimes turning into a villain helps with getting the point across. Vespbee is Dani if she was the holder of the bee miraculous. I honestly went a little overboard with her hair, but I love it so much. Not much to say on it because it’s just a literal what if situation. Dark Swan is if Swanette got akumatized. It’s less likely to happen compared to Maskerade, but still possible because even as Swanette Dani has her doubts as a hero. Especially when she hears all the comments on how she’ll never be better than Ladybug and Cat Noir, not that she really cares but it hurts to be compared to other heroes. She’d be pretty dangerous because she’d be able to break away from Hawkmoth’s control and be an independent villain of her own control, which wouldn’t seem that bad but with her unlimited use of her abilities is not good. Especially because her miraculous ability is using her feathers to normally just brings out the best of person (like a trait or ability/talent), but an akumatized version of that brings out the worst in people and can bring out an animalistic/monstrous version of the person (practically turning them into a monstrous creature). Since she doesn’t have any goal other than proving that “yeah I’ll never be like Ladybug and Cat Noir”, which makes it even more difficult for Ladybug and Cat Noir to stop her. (She’s basically an eviler version of Hawkmoth)

Next we have is an AU idea I had for my DC oc Grace Kyle/Wayne (aka Catgirl).

This AU idea started out as “What if Catgirl died trying to become a vigilante like Batman to get closer to him in hopes of being able to tell him that they’re related?”, then turned into Grace swapping places with Jason and being the one to die instead. I plan of drawing what she looks like after being brought back to life as Crimson Cat (a name she gave herself) that has been trained under Talia al Ghul since Grace didn’t have any proper training to be a vigilante in the first place. Now alive she works on tracking down who killed her and getting revenge. It’s still a wip of an idea, but I think it’d be fun because of messing around with the personalities of characters. Plus angst for both Bruce and Selina.

Next we have the designs for my TMNT universe turtles. It’s a mix of 2012!turtles and rise!turtles, but with different turtles. Idk what else to say about them since I’m still working on that whole universe.

I’m adding this purely because I really love this design. This is Ozul Nightingale, otherwise known as the Boogeyman or Shadow Man, in his shadow/monster form. He’s the villain of my universe called Different Paths. He has the abilities to cause people to experience nightmares, slowly corrupting people into beings called shadow monsters, and brining out the true darkness in people. He was sealed away by The Council to save others from his powers. When he was sealed away he was put into an eternal sleep that could be broken by the blood of a pure-blooded shadow witch (a witch who is descended from Ozul that can perform shadow magic). To keep watch over him and prevent anyone from waking him a powerful witch, his wife, was placed as his guard, but over time she slowly became corrupted and became known as the Shadow Witch (who is the baddie for the most part of Different Paths). I haven’t drawn his human form yet, but I plan on doing it eventually. (Along with redesigning the main characters)

Next we have Barry and Aria. They’re just fun characters I made that are children of tumblr sexymen/women (Dr. Drakken and Shego). No, they are not related, but they do act like cousins to each other and we’re raised together by Drakken and Shego.

Lastly is my love Digger. He is being reworked because I’m basing him off of memory, but making him more my own. He is a ghoul demon creature that works in a graveyard. He’s a pretty chill guy and dating my oc Lucy (who is the long lost vampire princess). His family is a royal demon family that has constantly been at war with the royal vampire family because of things that happened in the past. However, Digger honestly doesn’t care about all of that and enjoys spending time working in the graveyard. He especially doesn’t react negatively like other demons (that aren’t in his immediate family) would expect him to react when finding out that his girlfriend is the long lost vampire princess (especially since it’s a big change for Lucy, who group up believing she was a weird witch girl that just was better with certain dark magic compared than other witches). He loves his girlfriend so much that her being from the “rival” family (it’s more the vampires that hate the demons) just means that they’ll be together forever. (Also he lets her paint his nails because it’s the only reminder of her that he’s willing to get dirty while he’s working). I do eventually plan of the two getting married, but that’s a future me thing to deal with.

That concludes all the art from 2023!!!! I hopefully will get around to posting more art on here than I normally do. I hope you look forward to it! Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful year! Remember stay creative!

[jtl07]

jtl07 fics, fall 2023, pt 2

A little late with this one because of some quicksand but taking advantage of this bit of respite. Might do a year roundup, we shall see what I have the space for. But in the meantime, some thoughts on my fics since November. 

General stats

Total on this pseud: 5 

Fics posted (chronological order):

propose (now am found) - or: a different kind of proposal

mama (carry on, carry on) - or: the girls and their mothers

darling, call me yours - or: Five times Beatrice calls Ava 'darling' (and one time Ava says it to Beatrice)

another little peace (restful pieces): laid to rest - or: a drabble of Ava and Christmas, before and after

another little peace (restful pieces): simply look around and view it - or: Beatrice and celebration and Christmas

(Numbers and ramblings under the cut) 

More numbers

Total words: 13294

Shortest fic: 1032 - simply look around and view it 

Longest (one-shot): 4007 - mama (carry on, carry on)

Average/Median word count: 2659 / 3208

Most hits + kudos (of this batch)

darling, call me yours 

propose (now am found)

General thoughts

Surprisingly, clocked almost the same number of words as the last review (“surprisingly” because my memory is shot 🙃). I didn’t expect to write any further when things started to go south what with holidays and personal stuff, but I’ve found that those short pieces have been healing in their own way. 

I’m proud of all the fics I’ve written this year but/and there’s something special about those first three mentioned above (I’m also now realizing that the title structure of those three is very similar lol) - each of them challenged me deeply in different ways and I’ve been equally humbled by the response to each. 

Fic that surprised you: 

All of them, lol - there were multiple times while writing each of the first three where I nearly talked myself out of writing them: didn’t think I was doing the idea justice, that maybe I wasn’t making sense, that I was going too personal, that I wasn’t going personal enough, that none of it would connect, etc. So the surprise came from just finishing, really, and doubly so from folks’ responses. I was especially surprised that darling got such a strong response, actually.

Fic that you’re proud of: 

I mentioned above that I’m especially proud of the first three in this batch - each of them made me dig deep and also had different challenges. 

For propose, it definitely felt like I was driving in the dark with no headlights - and blindfolded lol. I really had to trust that something worthwhile was going to come out of it and just … sat down for a couple minutes each day to see where the words went (fun fact: I actually started this one before home is (where you are; now) - the latter came about because I was like, why’s Ava away? And that thread became its own story lol)  

mama and darling were both personal in different ways, exploring different aspects of familial and romantic relationships, respectively. It’s always a bit dicey to pull from one’s own experiences but idk, I grew up with fanfic and both reading and writing fic continues to be a way to process and hope and believe, yknow? 

Fic that was the hardest to write / fic that you wish got more love:

simply look around and view it was hard to write in that I could (can) still feel the grips of quicksand haunting the edges of my mind in a way. So part of the writing process was deliberately putting up a wall to it and trying to hold on to the awe and joy of experiencing the song that inspired it (now that I think of it, it’s probably why Beatrice has the vibe she does in that fic).

mama is currently the fourth lowest in terms of hits of all my fics which isn’t too surprising to me - fics that don’t feature avatrice at the forefront don’t seem to get as much traction in general. That said, I was quite proud of the different beats of each section and just hope that folks who need it, find it. 

Gonna call it here - if I have the space, I’ll do a retro for the year in the next day or so but if y’all have any thoughts, lmk. In any case, thanks for all the support and hope everyone keeps safe. Thank you for being here <3

[iuteamstarcandy]

Instyle (November 2013)

“If my image from previous albums had been simple or clean, you’ll feel slightly different about it this time. Should I say it’s like sweet, brown sugar that will make you slowly fall in love with it?”

IU made a comeback with her new album <Modern Times>.

Her youthful face remains the same, but she returns to the stage where she first stood with a much more mature voice and aura.

“On days when I don’t have a schedule, I meet up with my best friend Yoo In Na unnie. We chat and eat delicious food together. I usually order and eat a lot of cake, but unnie tends to stop me (from having too much). (laughs).”

“I have a rather small physique, so I like wearing shorts. My dream is to go out wearing flatties and skinny jeans that can show a bit of my ankles.”

“It’s a secret, but I think I’ll get a haircut soon. I actually had short hair when I first debuted. I bet those who miss (my) look back then will like it?”

This Christmas, she wants to shout “Merry Christmas!” while clinking glasses with strangers in Germany. Her inferiority complex is having a small physique, so she always wears big (oversized) clothes. Rather than idols, she likes Kim Chang Wan and Woody Allen. She also turns people who are passing by the car window outside into the main characters of her self-composed songs. Through this interview, we met the IU we didn’t know before this.

New Album <Modern Times>

IU: In a word, (my new album) is like sweet, brown sugar. For a long time, I’ve always thought my voice was like sweet and sour junk food. But with this album, (my voice) feels even sweeter. Should I say it’s like a witch? And I think that kind of vibe was emphasized with the album jacket being shot in black and white and with the change of my hair color (blonde). After hearing what I said, my best friend Yoo In Na went, “Hey! Who would even fancy a witch?” (laughs) If I were to pick a song that’s closest to my heart, it’d be ‘Bad Day’. It’s a self-composed song, and it feels like a ballad, so I think it’d be nice to listen to when your ears are tired. Please check out the song.

Collaborating with Musicians

IU: I often sang teacher Choi Baek Ho’s songs at concerts because my dad adores him so much. The news somehow reached teacher Choi, so we did pictorials and interviews together, and talked about music too. Despite me begging teacher Choi to drop the formalities, he still uses honorifics (polite language) to me, who is much younger than him. He was also really cool when we recorded the song together this time. He listened to everything I sang, and also didn’t forget to offer words of encouragement to his junior throughout (the recording session). He is the definition of a gentleman. On the other hand, working with Ga-in unnie felt different. Should I say that we are similar in our usual (physical) appearance and way of speaking? Perhaps that’s why it felt natural when we were filming and recording together. If there’s a chance, I would like to work with Kim Chang Wan sunbaenim. I really like sunbaenim’s ‘Ride a Bike by Guitar’. Despite him being a great senior (veteran) already, I like how he still radiates that bad boy (mischievous brat) energy (in the song). Now that I’ve expressed my feelings (intention) today, there will come a day when we finally get to work together, right?* (laughs)

(*Note: As part of her remake album “A Flower Bookmark,” IU sang a duet with singer Kim Chang Wan in the remake of his original song, “Meaning of you” in 2014.)

Winter

IU: Winter reminds me of the songs featured in Woody Allen’s movies. ‘Let’s Do It’ from <Midnight in Paris> and ‘It Seems Like Old Times’ from <Annie Hall> are songs that are better to listen to (sound better) during winter. Be sure to listen to the songs while watching the movies. And when it’s wintertime, I start looking forward to Christmas. I don’t recall spending Christmas freely ever since my debut, but if I ever get the chance, I want to travel to Germany this Christmas. Actually, this is all because of Noh Hong Chul oppa (t/l note: one of the hosts in ‘Heroes’). He sat me down with Yoo In Na unnie and bragged about how he spent Christmas in Germany, and I was dazzled (by the story). So, with sparkling eyes (full of excitement), unnie and I decided, “Let’s go to Germany for Christmas”. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to realise it yet, but I definitely want to go there someday. I also want to try lots of delicious food! I really like exploring nice restaurants. You had no idea, didn't you?

Translated by IUteamstarcandy

Source: [1]

[bisamwilson]

Friendly Sam Wilson Anon, 

I know it's been a while, but I am back !!!!

It's the holiday season and I am feeling festive !!! This is my favorite time of year and the music, and the togetherness are my favorite parts. So, we are here to create a holiday playlist for our beloved Sam Wilson and his wonderful ships. It does not matter what Sam ship you ship, let's have fun and make sure you tag Sam Wilson and the ship that you ship 🙂. Be creative and let's vibe out to some holiday music !!!

I hope these playlists inspire new fics, artwork, videos, edits and so much more. Lets tag it "Sam Wilson Holiday Playlist" and let's use the same hashtag for his ships !!!!!

Happy Holidays ❤️

hello, friendly sam wilson anon! i've missed you, i hope you've been well <3

oh, and merry christmas eve!

sorry this took so long for me to answer--holidays have been much busier than expected!

this is less of a playlist per se than songs that i think sam would enjoy/listen to, or that remind me of him and/or sambucky (+ some explanations why)

this is in no particular order

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

gotta start with the classics. sam was a teenager in the 90s. he probably would've been all over it when it was released, and now that he's in his 40s he loves it just as much and is extra obnoxious about it bc goddamn it it's christmastime and he can be obnoxious about it. he sings it to bucky first thing on november 1st every year, purposefully missing every high note as atrociously as he can, and bucky, while outwardly grumpy, doesn't think he's ever heard anything so beautiful in his life as sam's off-key scream-singing, laughter laced through every lyric

The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody) - Luther Vandross

look, i think sam would be ALL over all of luther vandross's christmas album, but this one is my particular favorite, and i think it'd be sam's too. it's fun, it's sexy, luther's voice is spectacular as always, and i can ABSOLUTELY see sam and bucky getting a little down and dirty to luther crooning "you still got the flavor / and i'm hungry for your love / so i'm gon play this one jam / that'll make you want to kiss somebody" ESPECIALLY when they're a little bit older and just having fun/comfortable with each other

Let It Snow - Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight

once again, sam was a teenaged boy in the 90s. this is absolutely one of his favorites, for the same reasons he likes mistletoe jam. smooth, sexy, romantic, and who doesn't love a bit of boyz ii men tbh

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

i think this might’ve been one of the songs that sam’s mama and daddy had on vinyl when he was a kid, one they’d swing around the house to after they’d all trimmed the tree and put out the fancy christmas tableware. sam and sarah would both laugh and smile along as they danced through the living room, before they’d get pulled in themselves.

years later, when he and bucky move into their first place together and after they’ve decorated for the holidays, sam pulls out this record and sees if bucky remembers how to swing

Go Tell It On the Mountain - Mahalia Jackson

a VERY different type of christmas song than the ones thus far, but one i think sam loves anyway. if we're mixing in a bit of his comics background, his father was a pastor, and he would've grown up in church. he's probably got a lot of fond memories singing this one around christmas time, maybe even was in the church choir himself, and i know some of my own favorite christmas songs were the ones i grew up singing in church. it probably reminds him of his childhood, so he always has to make sure he hears it at least once every christmas season, whether it's on spotify or at the christmastime service he still goes to for his late mama's sake, even if it's not necessarily an "on repeat" kind of christmas song

I’ll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams) - Frank Sinatra

i don’t know if this is necessarily one sam listens to every year, but i do think he’d probably relate to it during certain times of his life. it was written in wwii from the perspective of a soldier overseas, and it probably would’ve hit home for sam both during his tours and during the two years he spent on the run, missing his family but unable to go home. probably would’ve been one steve was singing along to, as well, as he would’ve heard bing crosby’s original version back in 1943, when he was overseas himself. it made for a melancholy christmas, sure, but i think this song probably would’ve been a comfort in some way as well

this is less a playlist and more a christmas song led sam headcanon session lmao, but hopefully it works! thanks for the ask, friendly sam wilson anon, and happy holidays <3

[readychilledwine]

Hi! You seem so nice and super sweet. I have some questions to know you! You remind me of a big sister, oh my god something about you is so comforting. :) Anyways, I live in California but I've only lived here for around 7 months. You mentioned before you love coming here, but can I have some places that would be nice to go on vacation? I feel super cooped up in my apartment and want to have a fun time outdoors or something. Thank you! <3

That's seriously so sweet and made me tear up a little bit! Thank you ❤️

We've spent a lot of time in a few different spots in CA, so hopefully, I mention one location near you! The obvious to all of this is beach and book. We are two beach bums when we can be, but I'll hit a few of the cities we've stayed at!

Oceanside is our go to. We like the location, due to military relations so its kind of the perfect spot for us because ✨️family✨️ If you are near that area, the beach at night is so quiet and perfect if you love seashell hunting. Oceanside also has street food/fair events, several cute metaphysical shops, and a few really good restaurants. One of them is a rooftop/desktop outdoor situation, it overlooks the docking area there, and at sunset is stunning.

In the San Diego area, I love going to Balboa Park. There's several gardens that are cheap or free to go to. During November to December, one of them is filled with gorgeous variations of poinsettias. There's also a ton of museums there, cultural houses to peep at, and gorgeous architecture. There's also a shopping area that's cute for giggles to just walk around. It's called Seaport Village. They used to have a shop just FILLED with coffee mugs. I loved it 😅

Heading north a little bit to LA where my partner is from. He grew up near skid row and has pretty vivid nightmares still about his kidhood there, so we tend to avoid the downtown area. When we do go, he always takes me to The Last Bookstore (some of you may recognize the name, it is the one you're thinking), it is just an experience. They sell antique books, collector's editions, and rare first editions along with new books. They have MAGICAL displays made from books. Griffith Park is also very beautiful with lots of things to go to. I'm a fan of anywhere with a botanic and butterfly garden 😅 and that brings me to our favorite spot in LA (minus the beach and hiking in Griffith Park) The Huntington Library. It's a library, botanic garden, and art museum all in one. It is 100% for me and not for him. He loves me dearly, and I am spoiled. There's obviously a lot of other things to do in LA (Disney, Orlando studios, ect), but we've been waiting to explore and experience those things until we had Littles to enjoy them with.

Popping between LA and San Fran is Sequoia National Park. If you are going to go and have never been, plan for a few days. It's... almost like breathtaking how small you realize you really are there.

San Francisco is kind of just... I wish I could describe it as something other than home feeling, considering I'm a midwest farm girl, but it has this magical home calling. We have a main thing we really like to do, and it's a little pricy (but not as pricy as the next location ive been treated to). He loves to see Alcatraz. 😅 he's obsessed. Otherwise it is a LOT of hiking and just trying new food places there. I just really love the vibes there for some reason.

Napa Valley I consider its own place, and it holds the most special place in my heart. He took me there for my 25th birthday. It is pricy, but wine country is so just relaxing. We stayed at this hotel, and we literally just walked out of our rooms patio door and into the vineyard. Im not 100% sure how much our week there was, but he told me not to expect anything for Christmas or valentines that year 😅

If you want really hot and in land Cali, my brothers and baby daddy went to Death Valley for a few days. They started the trip there, then went to Vegas (youngest brother's 21st birthday). My older brother said it was unbelievably hot (literally duh my sweet summer child), but he said the 4 days the 3 of them were there was a lot of fun. They did a lot of trail hiking and drank a lot of water. They all do not regret the choice to check it out. I was not invited on the boys' trip, so I didn't get to go 😑 I'm not salty AT ALL I didn't plan the trip for them or anything 🤣

If you're looking to get out of California, Colorado. Find your soul in Colorado. I highly recommend Georgetown. Not too far from Denver, not so high up in the mountains you have to anxious about snowfall and getting trapped, and I'll just attach the view from the hike into the mountains we went on.

I will push Colorado to anyone needing to get away and get into nature if it is in their budget ❤️ I've never found a town in Colorado I didn't think was stunning.

If you want to stay on the West Coast, Oregon. We went to Crater Lake National Park. One word, Ethereal. A little busy, but so so worth it.

No matter where you go, if you're getting into nature and needing to re-center your soul, find a creek with running water and just put your hands or feet in it, or get into the ocean (to where you're comfortable) and just let yourself have a moment of silence. Water is purifying and healing. It's one of the most powerful elements in our world, and it is where I find the strongest connection to Mother Nature ❤️

Let me know if you want more travel spots!

[shinmiyovvi]

Hello hello! Poppin in to see how you're doing!

I've been a bit absent so I've come to wrack your brain, any new updates or projects you'd want to share about??

I hope you're doing well Shin!

Hello, Spengs, hope you're doing well too 💖 This is gonna be a long read so buckle up

I did some think thonkin for a while even if my brain was already wracked when school started last week (Senior year was now being an ass on me for a freshman as myself) but anyways, enough of that. Let's jump in to what I have in mind for my projects and updates

Update: Barely hanging while trying to run this abomination of a blog with changing the blog's color, header, and tumblr website's theme while dealing with school and trying to brace myself this Saturday for my birthday as I try to accept that I am now getting older 🫠 (Also forgive me for throwing a bunch of MW content if you ever come acrossed with it)

Art Projects: Now, I am atleast trying my hardest to bring myself to draw my Cod MW oc Noemi in which I haven't quite made a proper reference sheet for her. Now that MW3 2023 was announced and will be releasing on November(?), I need to work on her new design for the sequel. I have made her MW2 2022 design and not with her MW1 2019 which is I am planning to do. Her info was still on a wip and the shipping was somehow changed? To tell you what, Noemi is turning into an oc/self insert and I am not complaining about it. Going to CoD Zombies, you thought those reference sheets of my ocs are final? No, and I hate it 🙃. There is just so many ideas of changing their outfits and I rarely even draw the Ultimis versions of them and also my other oc crew Salvatorix. I even have a lot of changes for my self insert design as well and need to work on it as soon as Christmas break comes or in Summer. I also need to add some casual outfits for my ocs for easy drawing cause I know sometimes whenever we had an art trade together, I feel like the designs are getting the best of us so I am hoping to draw their casuals to give ourselves a slack. But if you're still fine with their usual outfits then that's fine by me 💖. I'm still working on with my ocs' infos and also the Ultimis voice claims so stay tuned if I ever find a gap to my time to work on it. I will also make some references for the fic I am working on which is an oc x canon one. Lastly, I need to draw my SoE oc cause I haven't even talked or posted something about her for months now.

Fanfiction Projects: I still have 3 fics that are discontinued or still ongoing but ran out of ideas.And now we have 2 new additional fics. I've answered this from an ask from a friend of mine but I'll tell you as well. Under the Red Moon and Echoes of a Certain Past are two fics that I've planned. Under the Red Moon is an old au concept for the Primis crew but I changed the idea and use it for the lore change of the Vampire Knight and Noble Prince Au from before. Basically the story will be an oc x canon one since it focuses on Primis Nikolai and Primis Val. Echoes of a Certain Past is a fic that will be containing the past of my ocs, from Primis to Ultimis as the story will be divided into two parts, separating the two from each other. In the story, the story will be divided into four parts for each oc, starting from Val to Dragomir. If you want to know where to read them, these two stories will be posted here, Ao3, and in Wattpad but I'm still undecided to post in Wattpad since I've already made their cover pages of the two stories but let's see how these two will unfold. I may be a bit rusty when it comes to writing but I will try my best to make you all entertain as I will also try to research more and more about my ocs so atleast I could add up the historical vibes of it even if there will be also inaccuracies so please bear with me on this.

[half-doomed]

rules: share your 12 favorite songs from this year (one from each month or just your favorites overall) and tag 12 people!

So @smileandasong tagged me in this quite literally 2 years ago and i never finished it but I always liked the idea (and I found the abandoned draft of it recently) so I'll do it for 2022!

january: silently screaming by bad suns

This album came out in january so it only makes sense for a song from it to be january's song! It also perfectly captures the vibe lol

february: bone bag by superet

We saw superet open for idkhow in february so I was really getting into them around this time!

march: come on home by franz ferdinand

I really don't know what I was listening to around march but I know I was listening to this band a lot more this year! And i think it started around march ? Idk this month was a blur tbh

april: american dream by weathers

I started getting into weathers around this time! (We saw them live in may!) This song is also a huge mood because I was extremely disillusioned with my job (and I'd end up finally leaving in June)

may: what a day to lose my mind by dbmk

I started getting super into dbmk again because we saw them live (and met them) in may! They also started releasing new music around this time! (Which everybody should go listen to)

june: parade by joywave

You can literally see exactly when i started going feral over joywave lol. I got obsessed with them immediately after the hellvetica tour was announced. And then, along with idkhow, they completely dominated my spotify wrapped for this year.

july: thelma + louise by bastille

I was starting to get into bastille by association with joywave lol. Plus a lot of joywave friends I had made were also into them! They're also a slightly spring/summer band to me

august: hang em high by mcr

I was getting really into mcr around this time because we saw them during this month and again in september! I almost went with a different mcr song but they played this one at my first show 🤠

september: mad iqs by idkhow

September was hellvetica month!!!!!! No thoughts only mad iqs

october: simple by de'wayne (feat. idkhow)

It's a feature so it doesn't count as a repeat artist. This song came out this month! And so did his album!

november: genius of love by tom tom club

I got really obsessed with this song for a short period of time

december: goodnight socialite by the brobecks

Because apparently almost all my other top songs were actually christmas songs?? But truly one of the Most songs of all time ever

Tagging @vanweezer @girlmikeyway @comfortingdecay @fangs-frthmmrs @goodbyetommyyy @intheblueglow @aftercoffees @cyncity2000 @softnsquishable @ofalltheginjoints @voluntaryvictim @purgatoryhips if you want! Sorry if I double tagged you!

[expfcultragreen]

So like any time of year is a good time to acknowledge the festive vibe of another season. With that caveat im working on a mental inventory of how my festive seasons operate:

Oct 31 is the first new year of the year, witches new year aka "halloween"/samhain, halloween refers to the neoliberal secular festival (which of course i celebrate all month) and samhain refers to the witchy paganistic celebration on the 31st, which has different festivities. I spend more time on halloween publicly because thats my public craftwork, keeping the holiday accessible. After this spookyposting mostly ends until after valentine's.

November is the month of the dead. (Starting with Día de Muertos on the first and second and continuing with remembrance day on the 11th. Poppies are worn all month, día festivities are latinx invite only.)

Nov 5 is remember-remember, when we honor the works of alan moore and watch a movie he hates

Nov 11 is an antiwar day for mourning those who died as soldiers

Dec 1 is the start of the yule season; "christmas" warmup festivisties begin (yuletime music and decor intensify tenfold or more), Chanukah thoughts and greetings begin

Dec 19 is the solstice cusp; solstice festivities begin, lasting until solstice, which is second new year. This is a very craft-focused period of the yule season aka the witchiest part of december (essentially saturnalia, may be expanded to encompass the 17th-23rd date range)

Dec 24 is yule eve, festivities intensify, this is a mini feast day, seasonal movie marathoning begins formally

Dec 25 is Santa's day, when most gifts are exchanged or opened and the feast occurs. Egg dish for breakfast (eg benedict, rancheros) preferably with a mimosa, large roast with all the trimmings after dark. Movie marathon continues.

Dec 26-31 is boxing week, for decompressing from peak winter festy. Feast leftovers are eaten. Yule festivities end (music stops, no additional decor, movie marathon strictly kiboshed)

Jan 1 is gregorian new year, the third and least important new year; this holiday is about drinking champagne and personal reflection, typically a somber affair. The rest of the month is about lunar new year buildup.

Jan 25 is robbie burns day, which is about eating haggis and reading scottish poetry

End jan/early feb is lunar new year, 恭喜发财 🥰 very festive time leading into valentine's; both have lots of red. Lunar new year is about appreciating the zodiac animal for the year and staying cozy, and eating heavy savory foods and small sweets.

Feb 1 is the start of valentine's season; hearts, love, red&pink, romance and friendship, coziness and adventure, confectionery. Some overlap with lunar new year.

Feb 2 is groundhogs day, a celebration of the bill murray metaphysical romcom "groundhogs day"

Feb 14 is valentine's day, the festivities peak

Feb 15-march 13 is the pre-white day valentine's echo; this is a period of seasonal change induced mania, focus is on completion or progression of creative projects

March 14 is white day, aka second valentine's; this marks the official end of winter and start of spring aka easter season

March 17 is st patricks day which is about drinking like its summer already because the celts rock; you get to decide if youre cheating death by staying in and drinking or going out and interacting with traffic

March 18-May 1 is eastertime; its all about spring, renewal, fertility (bunnies, eggs, flowers/buds). The spring equinox happens march 19-20, a time for craftwork. Easter feast day is always on some random collectively-determined day during late eastertime, the culmination of a 4 day weekend of revelry.

April 1 is april fools, a silly day for jokes and japes. Minor holiday.

April 4 is fourfour, a day for dance music and honouring the cultural contributions of rich juzwiak. Minor holiday.

April 20 is 420, the stoners holiday. For blunts and nature walks. Flower and flowers. Gifting people baked goods or edibles is ideal. Flowercrowns all the way

April 22 is earth day 🌎

May 1 is mayday, this is a huge deal festival; should be spent in a crowd, similar vibe to 420 the more into cottagecore territory you get, very workers movement oriented in urban centers. This marks the dawn of summer festival season, which is about living that burner life; try to go to as many live music events and demos as possible.

May 4, may the fourth be with you; good time to marathon star wars/rewatch the ewok movies. Ds9 reruns for the nonobservant. Even more of a day to be stoned than normal.

May 5 is cinco de mayo, which is about softshell tacos and modellos and/or margaritas because mexico kicks ass. Summer festival atmosphere amps up threefold.

June 1 marks the start of pride. Rainbow multimonth festival for diversity, love, prosocial sexual freedom values. (This is coincident with native pride/history month.) Party hard! Pride lasts all summer although it is mainly over by the close of vancouver pride around August 6.

June 21 official start of summer, a day for outdoor drinking

July 1 cornball canadiana day, a day for drinking and listening to gord downie songs, bbq, crowds, smoking, fireworks. Red and white aesthetic. This marks the start of a 4 day drinking holiday, ideally spent mostly at the beach. GREAT day for native solidarity demo, extra magicbux there.

July 4 american independence day, for fireworks and bbq, listening to that one kelis album, drinking, watching vietnam movies, fear & loathing/where the buffalo roam/rum diary. irony to postirony vibes, red/white/blue aesthetic. Could watch the sandlot and listen to jonathan richman. This marks the start of True Summer.

July 5-August 31 is True Summer; this is a time for day drinking and midnight walking. Other festivals like yule and samhain are frequently referenced nostalgically. Local fairs and amusement parks should be visited. Canoeing. Foraging seafood. Grilling. Gazpacho.

Sept 1 marks the start of labor day week, the ambiguously long or short week that closes summer. Labor day is a bigtime last gasp for summer drinking and grilling as well as visiting the fair.

{Between labor day and the equinox is a liminal phase of autumn known as Virgo Season; its all about back to school vibes, fallcore mode begins. Long walks and foliage scrutiny, lots of divinations}

Sept 21-24 is fall equinox, the official start of fall. Fall season worship intensifies. Start anticipating the pumpkin spice now.

Oct 1 pumpkin spice season in full effect, it is now officially Halloween. Halloween lasts all month, culminating in samhain night. There is a midmonth feast honouring the first nations, falling on indigenous people's day.