#you haven't had a chance to change your last name and that's why the boys don't know you're married to their captain

[reaping-the-benefits]

hi! (dinner party anon here)

your medic reader is always so, so delicious i feel like i’m getting spoiled with a Michelin star meal. you mentioned wanting to talk about how reader met met price? would you please, pretty please tell us what your ideas are?

it's the middle of the night, and I should be asleep. But the idea will rattle around in my head until I finally get it down. So forgive any grammatical errors.

content warning: MDNI suggestive content, a small age gap

So, what I'm thinking is that reader is a couple years younger than Price. Like five to six years younger at the max. which might not matter in the story, but it matters in my head.

I think you and Price had been vaguely aware of each other for longer than you can pin down. You joined later in Price's career, and had seen each other in passing. Once you had tended to a minor wound of his, but he had been in and out of the med bay without much conversation.

You two officially meet when he's a Lieutenant. He'd ended up having to drag two recruits to the med bay, hurt during training. Nothing you hadn't seen before, and you had to snap at them more than once to stop squirming while you attempted to stitch them back together.

Price was immediately enamored by your spitfire attitude, and made an effort to come back to you. He wasn't willingly putting himself into harms way, but maybe he was catching a few more stray hits during training than normal. Not that he'd admit that.

You, on the other hand, were far more willing to admit that having him in your office was beginning to piss you off. I mean, come on! How did he become a Lieutenant while being this reckless with himself? It's ridiculous, and you end up snapping at him on more than one occasion.

It's during one of these rants that Price grabs you by the shoulders and kisses you. Maybe not the most suave, but he had been young and seeing you all fired up had him hard in his pants.

You like to joke that it had been the most reckless thing he ever did. Price would argue that the most reckless thing he did was have you blow him in your office. Agree to disagree, because you both know that specific blowjob was the hardest he's ever come and he had practically dragged you back to barracks to have the most mind-blowing sex in your life.

You started dating shortly after that.

I think, after he got promoted to Captain, you both bought a little house together. Some place to call home, to fill with your shared life.

And shortly before the task force was formed, you got married. It hadn't been some elaborate affair, just a run down to the courthouse. You both knew something was brewing, events that would keep you both far too busy for a proper wedding. But you were fine with it either way.

Ghost was absolutely your witness. It's the only reason he was willing to make that stupid bet with Soap and Gaz.

[xan-izme]

Dubble Life (ACTSV x Reader x Batfam) 3

A/n: I forgot to mention that the universe reader is in is earth-42. So, the Prowler is Miles, but he switches with Aaron here and there. and reader has the same last name as Miles.

Part 2, Part 4

Summary: Life with the Waynes so far was pretty good. Damian is still being a brat, so reader decides to be a good big sister. Someone from the past shows their face. In the need of readers help, for Spider-woman.

"I win!" Tim couldn't help but smirk in triumph. You stare at the 'Game over' on your screen. "Nah, nah. You gotta be cheating! Bro what is this!" This was the third time you have lost street fight with Tim.

"You two are acting like children." Damian spoke, watching two play video games for almost 2 hours. You rolled your eyes and gave Damian a look. "Cuz we are. You're like what, 9?" Tim chuckled as he packed his things.

"I am 12!" Damian argued. "Boy, like that makes any difference." Damian began to argue with you, you just stared down at him an announced you were getting a drink from the kitchen. You poured yourself a drink. Suddenly, your Spidey senses were warning you. You quickly turn around, just to see Damian. You scoffed.

It was funny how your Spidey senses always acted up when it came to Damian. You wondered if he wanted to hurt you so you couldn't take the Wayne throne. You turned back and continued to take a gulp from your cup. you paused for a moment before glancing to Damian you was eating a snack that Alfred made.

You thought that maybe the reason that you two haven't fully gotten along was due to both of you not even trying. So why not be the bigger person and try to be nice.

You slide yourself to the table Damian was at and set yourself in front of him. The boy frowns as he sees the smirk you had.

"What do you want, you bug."

You couldn't help but chuckle at that. If only he really knew.

"Look, demon. I think we haven't really gotten the chance to bond as siblings." You leaned in with a smile. Damian looked at you with distaste. "Did father put you up to this? What are you planning Davies?"

"No, I ain't planning nothing. What's wrong with wanning to hang out with you?" You arched your brow and leaned back into your chair. Damian sighed "I don't have time for you. I have work to do. So, if you'll excuse me." Damian stood from his chair and walked away.

"Alright, if you change your mind my door is open!" Literally, you leave your door open sometimes. You just forget to close it. A habit to try and get rid of.

After a few days. Damian did come to your room.

"Oh, look who's here. Is there something my little demon needs? hugs, kisses? whatever sisterly love can provide?" You smirked as you watched him give you a look of disgust.

"I don't want your useless affection. Father wants us to go with him to a meeting. Please wear something that doesn't look like a Hippe made it." With that, Damian walked out. He paused and took a glance of a picture you had hung on the wall; it was of a woman. Your mother no doubt.

You sighed and got yourself ready. Wondering why the hell Bruce wanted you to come along.

"Hey Alfred. Do you know why Bruce needs me at the meeting today?" you asked. Alfred handed you a drink you requested for

"It is a meeting at the Wayne enterprise. You will mistily be there to observe the working environment and understand what the Wayne family is about." Alfred escorted you down and helped you fix your dress up, so it was perfect.

Bruce couldn't help but smile as he watched you come down those stairs in one of the dresses Dick picked for you.

Once you reached the bottom, Bruce took your hand into his "You look beautiful."

Your smiled. Your smile faltered.

Remembering the time, your mother had a date with some man you didn't approve of.

It was cold out. Your mother was going to be with a man named Jim Bolton. You were happy she was happy. But you didn't trust this Jim guy. You asked, practically begged your uncle Jeff to do a background run on the man.

Jim was married at the age of 22, awfully young. He got divorced and has two daughters 3-4 years younger than you. he also had 3 DUI's. Your mother has told you he doesn't drink anymore. But you still didn't like him.

You watched your mother walk down the stairs, with a red dress on, her hair fixed up. Shinny jewels on. She looked amazing. You already saw her as a goddess, this just added onto the beauty you already saw in her. You couldn't help but look at her fondly.

"Okay, remember to lock all the doors. Your uncle Aarons going to be here in an hour to watch you and- . . . what?" Your mother noticed that small smile on your face. You were being silent. Just staring at her.

You chuckled and held her hands to yours "Nothing. . . you just look beautiful."

You missed her. You've been trying to not think too much of her. Not think of the time you two spent. Not think of her hugs. Her smile, her voice.

You have night terrors of what happened that day. At times you stay awake, too scared to close your eyes. Afraid to see every wrong thing you've done as a daughter. You make it worse for yourself by calling her number, only to hear no answer.

The Wayne building was big. Many people in uniforms rushing too somewhere. Rushing to get work done, rushing to get home.

You walked beside Damian. He has been quite this whole time. You wonder what was making your dear little weirdo so silent.

You sat in one meeting with Bruce and Damian. It was rather boring. But you did think Bruce was cool with the way he took over. Bruce had two other meetings that suddenly came up. He was going to take the two of you downtown to look around, get something to eat. Go to the movies even.

"It's alright. Me and De- Damian can go and hang around with Alfred. Can get a little Sibling bonding out of it." You held yourself back from calling the boy, demon. Almost let it slip for a second there.

Bruce liked the sound of that. When he agreed, you gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Bruce isn't the best with affection, but you have been doing these little gestures, hugging, the kisses on the cheek. You would even do the occasional 'I love you's Bruce is starting to think that you might just be getting closer to him. So, he buys you more things.

Sometimes you decline so he just gives you money.

Damian rolled his eyes as you dragged him to the car. Alfred Started the car and you two were now going to be closer than ever. Well, you hope.

"So, little brother, you have anyone that has cached your interest?"

Damian frowns "That is none of your business."

"I see, you must really her then. Or him, I don't discriminate on who you love." You felt a smirk creep up when you catch a glimpse of the look on the young boy's face. It just felt so fun toying with him like this.

"I don't have time for something like dating. Stop talking, you're giving me a migraine." Damian did visibly look tired of you, which made it even more enjoyable for you.

The first few weeks that you came to the manor. This boy has been activating the need for violence. You can't just cuss him out and flip him off like you did with Miguel.

You can tell Damian ain't stupid. He's sharp and very aware of his surroundings. One slip up and your done for. So, you decide to do what you did best.

Be annoying.

Damian ignores you more when you act like that. On top of that, you loved the reactions you got out of him.

You and Damian went to a music shop where they had those old timey records that you liked.

"Why do you need these things. You know you can listen to music like this on your phone, right?" Damian watched as you picked up a record and held it like it was precious. The most fragile thing in the world.

". . .The neighborhood I used to live in. Was loud. I could hear screaming, gun shots. And other things I wasn't supposed to hear." You gently put the record down and continued to walk down the aisle. Damian and Alfred followed behind.

"One night, there was a gang fight right outside. I got so scared. I ran into her room crying. She played a song. . ." You found a song you haven't seen in a while and grabbed it.

"She held me. . . and said, 'son solo sondios, mi amor.' and told me to listen to the music. Let that be the only thing you hear." You let yourself laugh, remembering at how much you cried.

"So, that's what I do. Instead of listening to sounds that give me fear. I listen to these."

Damian watched you happily go through the records.

Damian scoffed to himself. It was the first time he saw a real smile from you. Of course, you smile a lot. But everything was fake. You were putting on a facade. He didn't like fake people.

Lying all the time. People who lie, can't be trusted. And you lie a lot. he knows. You just haven't been caught yet.

But that, what you just did. You were actually being real. You don't seem too bad. For a bug.

"What's this?" Damian spoke up when he picked up a record that had big words on it with a blue background.

"Oh, Boney M. I love these guys." You know Uncle Aaron had full blown collocations of the band.

You looked down to see the look of confusion on Damians face. "Oh, my Go- Come on man. You really don't know these guys?"

"No, should I? . . . My mother wasn't like yours." Damian mumbled. He sets down the record. You stared at him, then glanced to Alfred. You don't know much about Damian's mother. Just that she left him with Bruce.

Due to the boy's uptight attitude, you assume his mother was strict. And based on Alfreds expression, she probably wasn't the best.

You put your hand on his shoulder. "Let's go watch a movie. Yeah?"

The movie was a comedy, it was funny to you. Even more funny that Damian couldn't understand the jokes in the movie. Just watching you laugh so much just because he wasn't understanding the jokes, Damian couldn't help but laugh himself.

"I liked the ending." Damian spoke as you two exited out the theater. "What? for real? . . . why? The ending was kind of butt." You say, Wanting to know why Damian actually liked the ending.

"Well, the main character, Lisa. She found out she was being played by that Moses guy. Even if he caught feelings for her at one point, he didn't have those feelings when he went with that dare. When he kissed her at the prom as some stupid form of an apology, she just slapped him. She knew her worth."

You just stared in utter disbelief. You couldn't help but giggle, then burst out laughing.

"What? Why are you always laughing!'' Damian was scolding you as you continued to laugh and try to explain why you were laughing.

Suddenly you felt your Spidey senses go crazy. Thats when an explosion was heard.

"Oh shi-"

people started running in panic. "It's joker. . ." You heard Damian mumble. You quickly grab Damians hand and try to get to the car where Alfred was parked. Damian let you drag him. So many people were crowding up in a panic.

Damian looked up at you, then to the multiple explosions Joker was dropping. Hearing his damn laugh echo. He was putting his Job as Robin first. And let your hand go. You felt him let go. You quickly turn around. Panic sets in you. You called out his name as you tried to shove people away so you could get through.

"DAMIAN!" You tried to help a few people who got hurt by the falling rubble around them. But all you could think of was Damian. You kept calling the boy's phone. But it would go straight to voicemail. You cussed multiple times.

You went back into the theaters, calling out for Damian, asking anyone if they had seen a little boy come back in.

You didn't know he had left to fulfill his role as Robin.

You were currently in an alleyway. Trying to get to Damian on the phone, no answer. You try to contact Bruce, you lost service. You got frustrated and decided to just run around like an idiot to try and look for the boy.

But you accidentally ran into someone and knock them down.

"Oh no. I'm so sorry Ma'am. Are you alright?" You were quick to help the girl up.

"Thanks. . . you look good, Y/n."

You paused. Who was this? how did she know your name. Your look of confusion started to fade as you recognized the voice. You began to step back.

The girl fully showed her face. Starring you right in the eyes.

"Gwen?"

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tag list: @lockofspades @redsakura101 @ruby-izo

[elizais]

meeting dazai in the port mafia

summary: you and dazai as teens falling for eachother, the demon prodigy and the quietest member of the port mafia. pm!dazai x fem!reader warnings: port mafia activities

you had been in the mafia since you could remember. one member who has since been 'dismissed' had found you when you could still show your age on your fingers, taking you in for your strong ability. he was never seen again after a couple years, now it was the jobs of executives kouyou and hirotsu to keep an eye over you. so now, as a 14 year old who has known nothing but being the youngest, this was your lifestyle.

somehow, you always kept your quiet and kind demeanor. anyone seeing you shopping in the city would assume you had a family in a nice house, had no clue what torturing a man looks like and had school 5 days a week. when mori mentioned that there was someone your age named dazai, you didn't think anything of it. the last person "your age" was 6 years older than you and didn't last for long. little did you know you and him were only a couple months apart.

so, on a normal day of delivering paperwork between higher-ups, kouyou called for you and said "y/n. you will be going for a mission in a week's time. nothing you haven't done before but just be aware of it coming up. mori will talk to you soon, i believe."

that's when you met him. dazai. a boy who actually was, your age! now knowing of the mission, you put together why mori mentioned him. a tall boy dressed in run of the mill port mafia attire. you met each other after mori called you to his office regarding the mission. "l/n, this is dazai. dazai, this is l/n." you both shook hands and you visibly shuddered, feeling.. different? mori let out a small laugh seeing your reaction - you being unaware of dazai's ability caused the feeling that shot through you as he momentarily cut your ability off.

"oh. yes, dazai's ability is "No Longer Human", so he nullifies abilities by touching them." the boss explained. "oh, that's useful but it feels incredibly odd." you said quietly in dazai's direction with a polite smile. "yeah, your ability is..?" you opened your mouth to respond but mori noticed the awkwardness that accompanied your shy nature and explained your ability briefly. dazai simply nodded whilst listening.

afterwards, mori explained that your job next week was a simple one. to sneak into an office building in the city outskirts (using your innocent looks and attitudes) and dazai accompanying you for 1, if the guards catch on and 2, to get to know one another for future jobs. mori claimed "your ability is well trained enough now to be more than what you are told to do by kouyou and hirotsu as they are far too soft for you." and with that, he sent you and osamu away.

"l/n?" dazai asked as you made the walk from one side of HQ to the other. "yes?" "how long have you been here? i have been here for almost a year and never got the chance to see you around." dazai quickly asked, you saw him looking at you whilst asking through your peripheral vision, but you looked straight ahead. "the better part of a decade, i think. i can name most people here but they took me in for my ability and as bait in a lot of missions. i stay with higher ups when i don't have anything to do." dazai listened to your answer and simply hummed in response. you had many questions, about his past, the bandages, how he is already climbing the ranks, why he joined.. but you didn't voice one. any of those questions were almost guaranteed to have unpleasant answers.

soon enough, the day came, the driver took you up until a 10 minute walk away. you were dressed in the casual clothing that rarely got used from being in such an organisation. but you could tell you had more experience in this way of dressing than your new partner as you had to kindly explain that most city 15 year olds don't dress in a suit and tie for work in the mafia to dazai. confused, he decided to just buy something and get changed after getting out the car. now, the average civilian could never guess two mafiosos were amongst them!

the task itself was nothing out of the blue, but your quick banter throughout the couple hours sneaking around an office that mori refused to tell you what exactly for did entertain you. dazai would never admit it but he wished that this outing would never end. coaxing you out of your shy shell to get you to the point of doing snide impressions of the other members (especially mori).

but, you both laughed a little too loud and someone ran down the corridor to the room you were in. this had never happened to you before. without a word, his bandaged hand grabbed your lower arm and dragged the both of you into the long, empty cupboard beneath the countertops. thankfully, you both knew they were empty since you checked those previously for the box you two were looking for.

just as you both were cross-legged facing each other, holding your breath to not breathe too loud, surprised the beating of your hearts didn't give yourselves away, 2 men stormed in. "I know I heard two kids in here!" a gruff voice spoke, "I swear to god, we have work to do." the other responded. they exited just as quickly as they came. dazai peaked his head out, bumping his head doing so which resulted in a giggle from you. he smiled whilst rubbing his head where it hit and gave you a nod - silently saying that the both of you could leave.

as you carried on searching the room, mori called dazai's phone - informing him that they should both leave as new information came in. subsequently making this excursion pointless. neither of you felt that it was a waste of time though, whilst sneaking back out and making your way to the pick up spot, you both allowed your bodies to walk a little bit closer than before.

"hey, daz-" you asked, slightly more confident than you usually are before getting cut off with "please, it's osamu". osamu informed you with a small smile as you corrected yourself. "well,, osamu. please use y/n."

hiii, idk how to feel ab this one but i love seeing pm!dazai things so i felt that i should contribute 💕 

[seven-gill]

Hiya!!!! Just wanted to pop in and say I LOVE your art!! You're an incredibly skilled artist, and I desperately wish I had better connection on tumblr so I could look more closely at your designs

I actually had a couple questions! Feel free to not answer if you don't wanna, but they popped into my head as I was scrolling through your art ^^

What's your design process like?

I've noticed a very high interest in SeaWings and especially with your Moray and Shark designs, I was wondering if there were any fish you really want to incorporate into a design but haven't had a chance to yet?

Your pinned post mentions a long list of marine life - could you explain that list a bit more? What leads you to putting something on the list? Is it in a specific order? What are a couple of your favorite entries and why?

Thanks for sharing your exquisite art with the world - I look forward to seeing more!!!

Urgh I wish I could say I had a proper process but I'm a little all over the place. Generally I tend to follow these steps when conceptualizing WoF characters:

a. Read up on that specific character, usually by skimming through the books/reading the wiki. What is the most basal information I can work with. For Listener, I know she is tall, curvy, and looks like a successful hunter. She's got some spunk and spontaneity to her character, although she's occasionally ignorant and air-headed. In the end, she's a devoted friend with a strong sense of justice and empathy. At least, that's my reading of her.

b. Start sketching! Play around with shapes and motifs. What does this character feel like to me? What color are they if that's never been specified? What shape are they? What sort of theme do I want them to have? Can I incorporate their name into their design? How does their personality reflect their visual appearance? Translating personality traits into physical ones is a "whatever feels right" sort of deal for me. Listener felt loose and round to me and I wanted to give her a tom-boyish look with some little quirks that I felt made her endearing and lively. This is also where personal headcanons come in. Now Listener has the equivalent of a dragon bob-cut. Now she has buckteeth, a snub nose, and hey- her name is Listener, so why not give her big ears?

c. Clarify and refine. The original sketch is typically a huge mess of gestural drawing so I'll go over it/redraw it a few times and clarify any details I might have skipped. Sometimes I try a different pose or expression to see if it still looks alright under different conditions. Maybe I flip the canvas lol. I might end up changing minor aspects of the design at this point, or scrapping it entirely if it isn't working. For Listener's design I clarified the shape of her snout, ears, and shrunk her earrings.

*

2. Yeah I've drawn a lot of SeaWings by this point, lol. I'd like to say it was a coincidence, but maybe my subconscious would argue otherwise. I think it's because all the SeaWings have such large named families consisting of prominent characters, so if I draw one, then I feel compelled to draw their mother, or brother, etc... As for what fish I'd like to base a SeaWing on, I have no idea! I tend to, rather uncreatively, base a character's design off their name. Although, I've been working on a Indigo design with betta fish inspiration.

*

3. OH BOY, the List. The List is actually a Google slideshow I've been working on and off of for the last five years. It's a list compiling aquatic organisms (extant or extinct) that I find strange, whether it be due to their appearance or behavior. Think animals like cookie cutter sharks, giant isopods, stoplight loose jaws, and siphonophores. If it looks weird or does weird things, it's going on the List. I've always had a fondness for unusual sea creatures, and I love to make organized lists! The List serves no actual purpose beyond my own amusement. It's arranged alphabetically and each slide consists of a name (common and scientific), a photo or two, and a brief description of the species and any explanation for their unusual appearances or habits. It's very informal, but I'm working on tidying it up and adding actual scientific information rather than a funny quip from me. Most slides only feature a picture and have yet to receive a thorough description. There's currently 346 entries so it's hard to pick a favorite, but here's some highlights:

Fried Egg Jellyfish (Phacellophora camtschatica) It looks like an egg. It's great.

Predatory Tunicate (Megalodicopia hians) Most of it's relatives are vase-shaped filter feeders, whereas this one is anything but.

Red-lipped Batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini) Just look at this thing. Who put lipstick on it.

*

Annnnd that's about it. Sorry for the long posts, I have no idea how to be concise! Thank you so much for the kind words! It's honestly surreal to be here.

[green-socks]

Teenage Dream

Pairing: Willard Hewitt (2011 version) x f!reader

Summary: Moving back home turns out more exciting than you'd thought when you run into Willard, your crush from way back.

Words: 2.2k

Warnings: rated M: car sex but not explicit, only mentioned. Aged up Willard so he's mid to late 20s in this!! They're at a bar but no one's actually drunk.

Notes: I don't know if anyone but me is into this but I just wanted to hear it for the boy. Give the boy a hand!! I love him so. Much love, as always, to @a-reader-and-a-writer for betaing and for putting up with my booty-calling ass at all times <3

If you've seen the video of Miles dancing to footloose while driving, that's 100% grown up Willard, just so you know.

Moving back to Bomont didn't feel nearly as bad as you once had thought it would. Getting out for a few years felt good, sure, and seeing more of the world even better. But now it just felt nice to return home and be closer to your family. Besides, your work allowed a remote position, so it didn't much matter where in the world you were as long as the job got done. And Bomont allegedly had great internet these days, so you figured why not.

Your friend Iris from school had also moved back two years ago, so you knew there was at least one good friend there waiting for you already. It would be nice to catch up with her and be closer again.

And what better way to catch up than go out to the closest bar (which was in the next town) where the clientele wasn't exclusively well over 55. It was a good bar. They had great cocktails and gave discounts to anyone who sang karaoke, so the people were generally in great spirits.

Around midnight, after a couple of drinks that provided an unnecessarily vivid throwback to your teenage years and a powerful duet of I Will Survive, you were on the hunt for some water.

Stumbling right into the solid chest of an actual tall drink of water wasn't on your mission plan but you were willing to roll with the punches. Only before you even had the chance to raise your head and see who the chest belonged to, the man happily shouted out your name.

"Wait– Willard?"

(It really shouldn't have surprised you that in this corner of the world you always had a chance of running into someone you knew.)

That face you recognized. That face hadn't changed basically at all in the nearly ten years that it had been since you last saw him. The rest of his body was what didn't compute. The Willard from school had been tall too, obviously, but also kind of lanky with long flailing limbs. The Willard in front of you now was huge, with broad, strong shoulders and biceps that– okay yeah you were staring. But seriously, that t-shirt had to be a size or two too small.

The man himself fortunately seemed oblivious to your gawking, and instead wrapped you in a quick but enthusiastic hug.

"Great to see you! I heard you were back but didn't expect to run into you just yet. What's it been, nearly ten years? Man, time flies," he prattled on, releasing you and looking you over as if he was cataloging if anything had changed.

"Good to see you too," you finally managed, looking up at him. "Yeah, I moved back just three days ago. But you never left, did you?"

"Hey, I went to college!" He pouted in mock offense. "But yeah, then I came straight back. Big cities freak me out." This time he pretends to shiver. "If I need to experience the wild world for a weekend I go stay with Rusty, but otherwise I'm good here."

"Oh, how is she doing? I haven't seen her in years either."

"She's doing great! She lives with her girlfriend Annie now, and they have a really cute dog," Willard said excitedly.

You knew that Rusty had a girlfriend through Iris who was the one in the loop for all gossip and followed everyone on social media, still keeping up with everything. You hadn't bothered with that so much, but it was still nice to hear these updates. You hadn't been that close with Willard or his gang, but you had some classes together and became friendly enough that way.

"How about you?" you asked. "You and Ren still going strong? Still do everything together?" You smiled a little teasingly because this one you already knew the answer to. You had heard that they had mostly taken over Ren's Uncle Wes's car shop, and apparently business was going so great people came there from out of town in search of better service.

"I accidentally put on his shirt tonight because our laundry keeps getting mixed up. Does that answer your question?" he deadpanned, making you laugh.

"That explains it. I thought your arms looked about ready to burst out of that shirt."

You immediately snapped your mouth shut, feeling embarrassed. Why would you point that out?? He brought up the shirt and your mind immediately went there again, but you didn't need to say it for crying out loud.

Thankfully Willard only laughed. "I know right? I don't understand how it keeps happening, it's not like we even have the same size most of the time. You should have seen one time I put on his sweatpants to run to the store, I thought I was gonna get arrested for public indecency or something!"

You choked a little bit on your water at that mental image.

"I'm sure the old ladies at the market were quite delighted," you chuckled.

Willard snorted. "Yeah, I got some looks alright, though I wasn't sure if they were into it or if they thought I needed Jesus."

The two of you continued catching up, moving farther to the edge of the dancefloor where you could talk without having to shout. You had no idea how much time had passed until Iris came to knock on your shoulder. After greeting Willard, she turned back to you, pulling you aside to talk a little more privately.

"How would you feel about me staying here in town for the night? We can totally head home together, but I have a chance to get laid if I stay here. Maybe you could get a ride with Willard?"

"You wanna go and have a sleepover with Alex?" you teased her. You knew Alex was her regular companion here, that she was kind of hoping would turn into something more, so you couldn't begrudge her.

"Could I?" she tried a half apologetic, half pleading smile. "You and Willard seem to be hitting it off." Her eyes were pointedly looking in the man's direction, who was still hovering a few feet behind you.

"Speaking of which. You didn't warn me he looks like that now!" you hissed. She was the one who was supposed to relay all the interesting knowledge to you!

"Well, I mean, he doesn't do anything for me. I didn't think it was important," she shrugged.

"But you know I was super into him in school, obviously he does it for me!"

"That was ages ago! I'm barely into people I liked two years ago let alone in school!"

"But it's Willard," you gesticulated broadly with your hands, hoping to emphasize the point.

"Alright, fine, I understand. But we're getting off track here." And with that Iris side-stepped you to talk to the man himself. "Hey Willard, could you take her home tonight? I'm staying in town, but I trust you to keep her safe," she smiled sweetly, playing all innocent.

You noted three things. One, she used the words take her home, and you were definitely going to kick her for that later. Two, Willard didn't even need to be buttered up, because of course he would help an old friend. And three, he honest to god puffed out his chest at Iris telling him he was trustworthy. Even tipped his hat, giving her his word that he'd take care of you.

Goodness gracious, you might not survive this night.

"Are you sure it's not too much trouble? And that you're good to drive?" you wanted to check.

"I've only had one beer tonight, I'm cool. And it's no trouble at all, I promise," he smiled.

With that, Iris took her leave, but not before giving you a hug, demanding you check in later, and threateningly muttering something about crushed testicles to Willard. He looked appropriately nauseated.

Clearing his throat a couple of times, Willard turned to you again. "Uh.. uhm, do you want to go home right now or, uh, do you wanna dance for a bit?"

"I could dance for a bit, yeah!" You were so proud of yourself for sounding totally cool and normal.

The dance floor was unfortunately packed because the night was at that point where everyone had had just the right amount of liquid courage to let loose.

But no one let loose like Willard.

You had never before danced with a guy, or anyone really, who was so willing to absolutely tear up the dance floor with no regard to how it looked. Of course, Willard looked fantastic – Ren was a great teacher after all – but more important was the fact that he was genuinely having fun with it.

It was infectious. Not just to you, but to the people around you as well, though it seemed Willard was unaware of the effect he had.

You were breathless with laughter, and sweaty as hell, but you didn't mind. That is until the song switched to something slower and sensual, and Willard held you so close you knew he could feel your sweat-soaked back. What had started as an overexaggerated "sexy" grind making you laugh wasn't that funny anymore. It had morphed from a joke into something actually hot, and you were breathless for a whole different reason.

Before you could get too in your head about it, the song changed again, this time to an upbeat rock song. You continued dancing, but the energy from before was gone and the crowd on the dancefloor was thinning, so you noticed another need taking over.

"I'm kind of hungry, would it be okay to leave now?" you asked, shouting up to Willard.

"Sure, what did you have in mind?"

You wanted a burger. So that's what Willard got you.

The night air felt exceptionally lovely after the sweaty bar. You ate your burgers on the bed of Willard's truck, because he was surprisingly strict about not getting a mess inside the car.

On the drive home, you talked more about what both of you had been up to in the last almost decade, while still jamming along to the radio. There was no stopping Willard.

"In college Ren dragged me to cheerleading tryouts. He had that gymnastics background and thought it would be fun, but, honestly, back then I thought that cheer was just for girls. I obviously don't think that anymore." He rolled his eyes – you did too. "Anyway, I got sucked into it. Now I coach two teams, so that's a lot of my free time spent with that. It's gotten pretty popular in Bomont lately!" he gushed.

"I don't doubt that, with you coaching," you chuckled.

"What do you mean?" He glanced at you.

"You know, 'cause you're so likable. You're the kind of person who gets others excited too, and I'm sure you're a really great coach."

"Oh. Thanks."

Willard was trying to hide his smile, but there was no hiding that blush. You thought it looked adorable.

As the conversation went on, you moved from trading stories to light flirting and playful banter, the mood in the truck relaxed but cheerful. At one point you made Willard laugh so hard he had to pull over to an empty lot not too far from home to avoid crashing. After the last giggles subsided into quiet hiccups, you just continued talking. It took you nearly thirty minutes of conversation to realize that a) Willard never started the car again and you had just been standing still in that same spot where he pulled over, and b) you two had drifted closer to each other while talking, so much so that Willard's face was mere inches from yours.

Which made you realize your gaze kept dropping to his lips a whole lot. They just looked so.. kissable. You'd always thought so. His lips looked so soft and plump, his smiles so warm, that you desperately wanted to lean in and get a taste.

It was nearing two am but you were wide awake, nerves alight with excitement from Willard's proximity.

And unless you were much mistaken, his pupils were fairly dilated, looking at you just now.

"In my experience, if someone looks at your lips a lot it means they want to kiss you," Willard murmured quietly.

You couldn't even bother to pretend to be embarrassed about getting caught.

"Yeah, I think that's true," you breathed, looking into his eyes that were now boring into yours.

"Do you think it's true or is it true?"

"Yes."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"Yes, I want to kiss you."

"Oh thank god," Willard groaned and cupped your cheek, pulling you in the rest of the way.

-

2:24 am

"Should we stop? You said you don't want your truck to get messy," you panted.

"I've had a shift in priorities. I no longer give a shit about my truck," he murmured into your neck without even stopping the movement of his hips.

-

Your text to Iris at 2:59 am:

I may have just lived a teenage dream of mine and fucked Willard Hewitt in his truck. Now home ok. Talk tomorrow❤️

You fell asleep immediately, and let the responding reaction gifs and exclamation points be tomorrow's problem.

[alitgblog]

volume XI thoughts

I did in fact have access to this on Tuesday and started to play but then got distracted and didn't finish until like 2am when I couldn't sleep anyway (this was a mistake I was so tired at work)

movie night!!! And fun movie night titles!! ofc MC doesn't get her own custom one bc everyone's got different names but my MC is named Maya and with how things have been going I'm pretending her movie title is Messy Messy Maya 🤭

Emel and Oakley both being unfaithful in casa but finding (forcing?) their way back to each other and forgiving each other feels very much like something in the show so I appreciate that storyline tbh

Felicity is too beautiful of a sprite to waste as a Casa girl that only shows up for movie night.

Sienna going "I don't care if it's egotistical, pick my movies" because no one else is gonna care to pick hers 😬😬 id feel bad for her if she wasn't so mean

Hari and Hazel are so cute together but it seems like it's gonna die out soon 🥲 Like I see why if Hazel is panicking and Hari isn't the most reassuring guy and also not completely over MC but aghhh he's gonna fumble Hazel to LIAM. Hazel, not LIAM plsss

Absolutely awful that Liam is so funny bc he's such a piece of shit (awful in the best way, like he's so Messy Mitch from LI UK s10 coded and while I don't like him I appreciate the fun he brings). Saw someone suggest that he could be a late game LI and if he evolves and changes, sure, but a lot is gonna need to happen, otherwise give him a last minute jokey option like Hamish.

I think the thing stopping me from going full in on this Claudia route is she keeps going back to Theo, and not like she has to be pursuing MC 100% for me to pick her but I'm just getting mixed signals with her trying to save her relationship with Theo when they clearly aren't into each other anymore but there are plenty other people around.

Not on a Theo route and haven't talked to him but ngl his little video clip was cute like I almost jumped ship to be messy but nahh. I wonder how that's like if you're actually pursuing him though like does it feel like pay off or shock or reassurance or anything.

very nice they had Jin spell it out to Sienna in front of everyone. like kind of mean, but if it was gonna happen at any time, Movie night is definitely the time to do it.

Like even MC's movie clip playing, first of all was just if she slept with someone in casa I think (which, it's fair enough considering the game's limitations but I was missing all the other times she hoed around). So for my MC it was with Claudia, and Claudia barely has a response to it. And so I'm kinda just going towards the character actively pursuing and paying attention at this moment and it's Jin.

I guess MC was honest to Jin so he didn't mind the movie night thank God but also I want to replay to see the drama unfold. but in my head for some reason he'd be shocked it was Claudia bc she didn't say anything and like it'd be one thing if it was someone she just met like Max who she's been friendzoning ever since but another thing for it to be her best friend in the Villa. but alas, that is a large amount of branching and coding and dialogue to write so I'll let it slide.

a recoupling so soon after?? it's not like the season feels too rushed, but like I mentioned before, the pack in so many things in each volume you don't get much of a chance to chill out with the characters and pretend it's a vacation for your character lol

the problem with me playing early is I'm so curious how everyone else's game went. like is it only your OG LI or Casa Boy that can pick you?? And the chat you have with your partner after, does that lock your route because after this I feel there was a little bit less attention on MC from the other LI's (which I don't mind, so they can have their own stories now, but I wanna knowwww)

Shower scene, Sienna throwing another fit one last time for good measure

But now MC is back with Jin and they have all the cutesy interactions again yay

And then we have no rest in the morning, just straight into a DAYTIME heart rate challenge??? I just think this challenge should always happen at night idk

I forked over the gems for the cowgirl outfit (partly bc the mermaid dress was awful and bc my MC has red hair so I wasn't gonna make her dress like Ariel) but i wish there was a costume that was free instead of just your partywear dress? Like it can be a shitty costume but I understand people not wanting to pay gems for one outfit for one night of the game.

Hazel's outfit though 🥵

Such a minor detail, but I do love that despite her being so awful to MC, that Sienna canonically is a very conservative dresser. like we all see her churchy outfits. and I think maybe she's a little insecure about her body and stuff. that being said, the dialogue she has when she's in costume about feeling confident, and her costume isn't super revealing, and the girls being shocked at her dance, is all very good to have. like it's nice to have that type of character around and the fact that she's also the villain rn? she contains multitudes (or I'm reading into it too hard 😂)

mentioned briefly before but Hazel and Liam??? tf??

And now Claudia and Bea flirting with each other? Okayyy I mean my fingers are crossed so here's hoping they find each other if not MC. and they have a lot in common but feel like different characters so like pls let them be together (I say this as someone every few months posting about how it shouldve been Cora and Angie not friendzoned Oliver and Angie in the s4 finale)

ok but his entrance feels so overshadowed by other things going on though like I feel like he didn't get a chance to really bombshell to the point where I think he should've been introduced next volume instead. like have him have a normal bombshell entrance with dates or smth, then maybe when they're all chilling the next day and getting to know him someone brings up he missed heart rate challenge and they suggest he dances for the characters he's most interested in, if we really wanted to get his messy entrance in.

Two unfortunate things are true in my mind: Logan is very attractive (at least when he's got the hat on) and also he looks like Liam 🫣

depending on how this goes my MC may be hoeing around one last time

cliffhanger being the challenge results is lame

am i,,,, actually excited to replay this season 🫣

[release-the-mccracken]

Berquinn Playlist

Bert: Quinn ended up giving me a ride up to my parents' house. It was a beautiful night. I remember the moon was out and there was something different about this person that I'd met and I knew that we were going to write beautifully together.

I take your hand, lead you out to the street. To tell you that your golden hair and pale blue eyelids make me feel like I might go wild. Cheetah print makes me a liar. So I tell you I just like you for your smile.

Every time we lie awake, after every hit we take. Every feeling that I get, but I haven't missed you yet. Only when I stop to think about it, I hate everything about you. Why do I love you?

I promise it will be the last time, that I do all the things that I said that I wouldn't do last night. Then I lose my shit and I slam the door. And I ask myself, "what'd I do that for?" I wanna cause a scene just to feel alive. Maybe I'm only mean 'cause I know you're mine.

You got so down I couldn't get high. You make it harder and harder for me to know who I am, so this time I gotta hear it if you give a goddamn. Your violence feels like kisses to me. Your silence makes it harder to breathe.

You promise me Heaven, then put me through hell. Chains of love got a hold on me. When passion's a prison, you can't break free. Oh, you're a loaded gun.

Got a girl with California eyes and I thought that she could really be the one this time. But I never got the chance to make her mine because she fell in love with little thin white lines.

I'm afraid of all I am, my mind feels like a foreign land. I've spent all of the love I saved. We were always a losing game. Small town boy in a big arcade, I got addicted to a losing game.

Come to me in the night hours. I will wait for you and I can't sleep 'cause thoughts devour. Thoughts of you consume. I can't help but love you, even though I try not to.

The past few months were pretty rough, a couple times wished we both were dead. I never cried like that before. I thought my eyes would pop out of my head. Not just preparing for nightmares, but nothing feels alright now. The length of my hair or the fit of my clothes. And crying like a baby solved nothing.

This is the last time you say, after the last line you break. You say it helps you write your rhymes, whatever helps you sleep at night. You say that you love me. You won't remember in the morning. I'm not gonna stay and watch you circle the drain.

And I ain't seen a light of day since, well, that's not important. It's been long. And I was feeling Whitney, me and my homies sip Houston. Cars and clothes, thought I was winning. You knew I was losing. You told me to wake up, but my clock always stays on snooze.

And I can't see you here, wondering where am I. It sort of feels like I'm running out of time. I haven't found all I was hoping to find. You said you gotta be up in the morning, gonna have an early night. And you're starting to bore me, baby. Why'd you only call me when you're high?

You missed a lesson on looking out for yourself, may not be on the up and up, but I'm on the up and out. So take me to the far side of the beach before it falls into the ocean, before you notice I'm eroding.

Can't walk into my closet without seeing your face. 'Cause all my favorite t-shirts are all your favorite band names. You put me in a Heart-Shaped Box, now you only ever call me when you're high. You know you ruined Nevermind. Now, every song's about you in my mind. But the worst thing that you ever did? You ruined Nirvana. And I can't forgive you for that.

I ain't seen the sunshine in three damn days. Been fueling up on cocaine and whisky. I wish I had a good girl to miss me. Lord, I wonder if I'll ever change my ways. Since you've been gone, my world's been dark and grey. You reminded me of brighter days. I hoped you were coming home to stay.

Never made the wind blow, never made a heart grow. Never made a dove take flight. Never made the sun rise, still can't get my heart right. Only ever made mistakes. So I can see the sunshine, breaking through the skyline. I can feel the warmth it brings, I can't help but stop and think.

Quinn: We made a tape and I remember driving around day and night listening to that tape. And just driving up into the mountains.

[doublegoblin]

Get To Know My OC (Andrea time)

Thank ya to the ever cool @asterhaze for the tag (wasn't popping up for a notif but I did see my little name in your bunches of people)

I've done this for Alex and Dave (I think lol) so this time I'll be filling this one out for the lovely Andrea; second in command to Alex and honestly the one who helps keep them sane. Let's go!

Are you named after anyone? 

To be perfectly honest; maybe? I don't often talk about it, but, back when I first came here, back when I had those memories still; there was just something about that name that stuck to me. I'm not sure if it was that portion of me's name, someone we liked, or like...whatever else. I still really like it, and it feels like it suits me. Though if I was looking for a change I'd probably go with something like a Rebecca or Sally. Best friends before I started working for the large and looming. Like they still are my best friends...I think? We chat every once in a while but what with work and all...I'm sorry, that wasn't part of the question!

When was the last time you cried? 

Saw a really cute bunch of Dreamers hanging out on the park benches before coming here so uh...I'll let you put those pieces together.

Do you use sarcasm? 

Depends on who I'm around. Most of the other co-workers are fine but uh, boss and big boss? Yeah, nah, it'd turn into one of those moments where you try and make a joke but then that other person makes it out into a whole big lecture. Alex I think would be more likely to tolerate if not understand it, I mean they've tried their hand at it before anyway. Dave on the otherhand...good luck explaining the nuance of that kind of thing to a god. I swear, you'd have a better chance trying to convince him to change the uniform mandate.

Do you have kids? 

Mostly the new batch of newbies that stumble in. Unless you mean the other part of me? Then I have no freakin' idea!

What’s the first thing you notice about people? 

How well they can take a little ribbing. Most people are pretty chill and even tag along. But some, hooo boy, they throw a giant fit! "Oh give it back!" this "How did you even get ahold of it?" that. Bunch of killjoys.

 What’s your eye color? 

So! The shade I'm going with now is like a mix of a soft lavender with an undercut of hazel! When I get bored of it I'm sure I'll change. I love lavender though! Oh my gosh it has to be one of the best colors of the visible spectrum! I haven't tried ultraviolet though...ya know what, think I got a new style to try out.

Scary Movies or Happy Endings? 

Every waking moment here is a nightmare of horrors and corporate smothering...so happy endings are nice!

Any special talents? 

I can throw a knife reeeeeally good. Like, really good. Care to see?

Where were you born? 

Skip

What are your hobbies? 

Oh man don't put me on the spot like this! Uhm...wow mind is a complete blank. I promise I'm not boring! I just...uh...well...I like to go for walks? Do crosswords? Uhm...ugh! I hate these kinds of question so skip!

Do you have any pets? 

Oh my god! *she rummages around in her pocket and pulls out a heavily creased photo* This is Piere! *unfolding the photo you are greeted with the chittering maw of some kind of furry cephalopod * He is the sweetest little Mawlite! He's about three cycle old so still just a hatchling! Now despite his sweet looks he can be such a little rascal! Why recently-*for roughly the next 2-3 hours she enthusiastically goes over every small detail of her pet, the words all blurring together at some point*

What sports do you play/have played? 

Uuuuhm, look I'll be honest with you. If I'm not out working I would much rather set my happy ass down on the couch and snuggle my wittle baby~ But, I was pretty okay at archery.

Favorite subject in school? 

If there is anyone out there who liked anything about onboarding or those stupid preliminary classes I wou-you know what no, I know at least one person. Let me level with ya, I have forgotten most of the nitty-gritty so we'll just skip this question also.

Dream job? 

Despite my bitching, I couldn't think of a better department to work in. Well...maybe the Wildlife sector but then I'd have to deal with that manager and wouldn't have as much time to be home and all that jazz. Though, I would get a sick kit. Knowing Dave though this will be going onto an official record so I'll just say I'm happy where I am.

Tags!: @stanrendipity @lola-theshowgrl @tailoroffates @tisiphonewolfe (Idk how many you have done for these!) @gummybugg @moonluringfrost @mysticstarlightduck

[akwardlyuncool]

Class Favorites: Albums

It's makes sense. You already knew what was up. Let's talk about it.

________________________________________________________________________

Why Would I Watch - Hot Mulligan

I'd been doing the dabbling work on Hot Mulligan for a good part of the year and was there and in love. Then this album came out and everyone was going off about how good it was, so I needed no convincing, just a CD copy. They even announced a tour shortly after the album release, but because I hadn't listened to the album yet I decided to wait and see. If you in the mix, you know how big of a mistake that was. It sold out SO quickly. Anyway I listened, went on a couple neighborhood walks with the album and the rest is history.

They may feature song titles that are sometimes nonsensical and cause you not to remember what their names are when you want to recommend them to your friends, but don't let that deter you, "This Song Is Called it's called What's It Called" needs no automatic memorizing of it's title, it's okay if you look it up or shorten them. I had already heard "Gans..." as a single in my Spotify release radar, so beyond that "No Shoes In The Coffee Shop" was the first song that I got attached to lyrically because of "for every crater on the moon, there's an empty beer around the room." I don't know I was just drawn to it.

If you haven't already listened and you're into Midwest Emo, Pop-Punk, Post-Punk, any of that, go listen to the album, have a moment and thank me later. Also tell me what your favorite song is cause I'd love to know.

Top 4 Tracks:

Gans Media Retro Games (Track 10)

No Shoes In The Coffee Shop "Or Socks" (Track 5)

Betty (Track 7)

It's A Family Movie She Hates Her Dad (Track 2)

King Of The New Age - State Champs

This album was listed as one that needed more attention during ACF22 and since I did my homework, in 2023 it made it to an top favorites category. I saw them in concert with Boys Like Girls, so that majorly increased their chances. Honestly though I think I was just starting to ease off the break that I was taking from some of my favorites and here were are. I thought they deserved to be a little cocky, just wasn't entirely here for it previously cause I always want to keep my favorites accessible. After sitting with the album a ton and seeing bits of it live, I can't be less of a State Champs fan. They're too good, so it is impossible for me. Like always give me time.

This is the album you make once you're a Senior in school and are now the top dogs. People are coming to your house to party now. This is stating a moment for the band and I think regardless of where they go from here, they were able to make a record reflecting the feelings of this time, most of which were high. At the end of the day I'm not gonna knock them for celebrating themselves and making sure we're aware who's winning here, I'm actually just gonna go right ahead and join in on the gang vocals.

My advice for anyone else this happens to, is to go ahead and take breaks from the artists that you love. I know that sounds sucky but trust me, you're most likely gonna come back to them and you're gonna appreciate the work so much more and if you don't, that's okay too. It worked for me, so that must count for nothing, but still something.

Click here to see what I said about the album last time.

Top 4 Tracks:

The proof that I did my homework is in what tracks are my favorite currently, cause they have definitely changed.

Fake It (Track 5)

Act Like That ft. Mitchell Tempenny (Track 8)

Sundress ft. Four Years Strong (Track 10)

Just Sound (Track 7)

[psychotic4ghost]

Blood Under The Bridge A Story by Psychotic4Ghost

Chapter 5 - Bourbon & The Eight Ball

TW: Strong Language ♡ Alcohol ♡ Implied sexual actions ♡ ♡ Masterlist | Chapter 4 | Chapter 6 ♡ WC: 1.4k ♡ A/N: This chapter is really short. It's kind of filler but it also shows more of Ghost's feelings ;)

╰┈➤

Ghost and Mykie didn't act differently around each other, apart from his bullying stopping, nothing had changed. Soap and Gaz had taken notice of the lack of bullying but didn't question it as it was a relief to the whole squad.

"You really have never been to America?" Gaz asked Mykie one night while the squad was out for drinks.

"Nope, haven't really been around most of England either to be honest. Never got the chance to travel." Mykie admitted.

"Oh we gotta go someday." Soap added.

"Why?" Mykie asked.

"They 'ave this place called Disneyland 'nd they liked it s'much they made two of 'em. Oh 'nd their food is insane, one meal s'nough for three if yeh ask me." Soap continued talking about Disneyland for what felt like hours before Ghost finally kicked his boot and threw him a death glare. The group burst into laughter at their banter, something that was definitely refreshing to see.

"You guys down for some pool?" Mykie asked as she pushed herself from her bar stool.

"Oh you're going down." Gaz exclaimed as he too, left his stool, Soap following suit. Price stayed in his seat, opting to watch.

"Ghost? Wanna join? We can do teams." Mykie offered. Ghost almost instinctively said no but something about the way she looked at him made him pause.

"Sure, why not. I'm not being on Soap's team though." Ghost sighed as he joined the boys and Mykie around the pool table that wasn't too far from where they were sitting originally.

"Oy! Rude Lt!" The games began, Mykie and Ghost shared a queue while Soap and Gaz did the same. Mykie broke the triangle since it was her idea to play. They got solids, leaving team Spaz (Soap named them) with stripes.

"You lot are, uh, Mhost, yeah Mhost." Soap tapped his chin in thought then pointed to the sky as he named them. Mykie giggled and Ghost playfully rolled his eyes. It was a while before Gaz and Soap got to go, after Mykie broke the triangle she got a ball in, making it Ghost's turn who got one in too. After 5 balls, leaving two solids left before the 8, it was finally Spaz's turn.

"I think I wanna switch teams, this isn't fair." Soap pouted as he lined up the white ball with a striped one. Gaz and Soap took turns, making three balls before it was Mykie and Ghost's turn again. Mykie hit the blue two ball in, threw Ghost a cheeky smirk, and handed him the queue. With no hesitation, Ghost called his pocket and shot the ball, pocketing the last solid, leaving the 8 ball.

"Fuuuck." Soap groaned out.

"We'll give you a chance to catch up. It's your turn." Mykie forfeited her turn on the 8 ball, giving Spaz a fighting chance.

"You'll be sorry!" Soap proclaimed before lining up the ball, he called his pocket but landed the white ball.

"Soap! C'mon mate, you just handed them the game." Gaz laughed as he playfully punched Soap in the arm.

"Oh, wasn't expecting this." Mykie grinned as she grabbed the white ball, she eyed the board, getting down to the level of the white ball as she placed it behind the imaginary line. She chalked her queue before lining up, squaring her hips as she pressed her breast to the table. Soap's jaw dropped at her stance, Gaz gave a grin and Ghost shifted uncomfortably. He tried looking away but couldn't fight the urge to watch.

"Right corner." With a little wiggle of her hips and wink towards Soap, she hit the white ball pocketing the 8 ball perfectly into the right corner pocket.

"You tease! You guys cheated didn't you." Soap threw his hands up in defeat.

"How do you cheat at pool? You would have seen us move the ball." Ghost said as he took the queue from Mykie.

"Don't be a sore loser, rack it up, rematch." Mykie started grabbing the balls from their pockets and placed them into the wooden triangle.

"Switch teams." Soap demanded.

"No way. If you can beat us, I'll buy you a bottle of your favorite whiskey." Ghost threw Soap a glare.

"Fine. I'm winning that bottle." Soap crossed his arms and huffed.

"Good fuckin' luck. If we win, I want that bottle of Bourbon from that one market in London we visited." Ghost said with a grin they could all see in his eyes.

"Deal." Soap said as he broke the triangle. This time team Spaz got solids leaving team Mhost with stripes.

"I'll share that bottle." Ghost offered as he handed Mykie the queue.

"I look forward to it." She winked before lining up again. This time she squared her hips and rested on the table but aimed her butt towards Soap.

"Oi! Watch where you aim that thing."

"You're really going to complain about ass in your face? I don't think Ghost would even complain." Gaz snorted.

Ghost felt a weird feeling in his chest as he watched Mykie nearly rub her ass against Soap. He couldn't figure out what the feeling was, it felt like an angry bubble was inflating in his chest.

Mykie made her pocket before handing Ghost the queue. "Ghost? The queue?" Mykie asked as she held it out for him to take, he was totally spaced out thinking about the bubble that he didn't notice her handing it to him. He shook his head and took the queue without a word.

He lined up his shot and missed, only one ball was pocketed for team Mhost that round. "You good?" Mykie asked as she took the queue back.

"Yeah, sorry my stance was bad." Ghost made an excuse, he couldn't stop thinking about her stunt with Soap. Team Spaz made three shots, making that four total with three more to go.

"Okay, you're going down Soap." Mykie said as she lined up her shot.

"It's a team, okay, you take me down, you take down team Spaz." Soap said.

"Ha, okay okay. Right middle." Mykie took her shot, not pushing her ass out this time, she made her pocket. Team Mhost still had five balls to go. "You can do it, get us that bottle of Bourbon." Mykie smiled an intoxicating smile as she handed Ghost the queue.

He took the queue and lined up the white ball with his victim, "Left corner." He breathed in and hit the ball, making it in. He handed it back to Mykie.

"See! Knew you could do it, let's roast these marshmallows."

"I am not a marshmallow." Soap protested.

"Mhm, sure." Mykie giggled before making her shot. Mykie and Ghost were down to the 8 ball again. Team Spaz still had four left, dragging a groan from Soap.

"It's all you." Mykie said as he handed Ghost the queue, her hand brushed against his, sending a weird chill up his spine, making him feel cold almost. He lined up his shot, took a deep breath, called his pocket and made the ball.

"Yes!" Mykie nearly screamed as she hugged Ghost. He didn't hug back but stood there in shock. The one second moment felt like it lasted for 10 minutes as the awkwardness built between the two. Mykie pulled away, pink rushed to her cheeks as she apologized. Ghost tugged at his mask as it suddenly felt too tight as he said it was okay.

The next night Soap and Gaz split the cost of the Bourbon and presented it in the common room that night. "A deal s'a deal." Soap said as he set the bottle down on the coffee table.

"Hell yeah, I'll grab some glasses." Mykie said as she pushed herself off the couch, leaving the three boys.

"You alright, Ghost?" Gaz asked as he sat in the armchair next to the couch Ghost sat in.

"Fine, why?"

"You seemed a bit off last night and even all today." Soap jumped in.

"Just a lot on my mind. S'all." Ghost looked down at his book. It was a book he found in Price's office, something about birds. He was reading it to keep his mind off of Mykie and all the new emotions and memories that her being on the team was creating.

Mykie joined back with four glasses full of ice, she popped open the Bourbon and poured each person a small glass, handing it to them before sipping from her own, completely oblivious to the internal war Ghost was fighting.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

[thehumantrampoline]

Ok, I realized this is reaching WAY back, but I still love this fic a lot, so BTS for Until At Last We've Got It Right? ^_^

hahaha FAIR, Until At Last (Groundhog day AU Les Miserables for those who haven't been around here that long lol) IS still one of my favorites and for a long time it was the longest fic I'd ever written lol so even if just on that basis I'd be proud of it. A lot of what I could have said once has leaked out of my head because it's been TEN YEARS can you believe it, damn, and predates... all my other les mis fic actually?? Including all the valvert I eventually wrote, so how about the valveriest scene in that one hahaha.

“A God-blessed fight, we said,” he says in a hollow voice. “I am beginning to think we were wrong. Rather the opposite. I don’t mean to sound alarmist,” he says, turning his eyes upward, “but I’m beginning to think we’re in Hell.”

There is a pause. And then, from his shadowy corner, Javert starts laughing. Not a quiet laugh like Jehan’s, but grating and wild.

“Beginning?” he says, and when the boys turn to look at him his eyes are shining horribly. “Only just beginning? I had it figured out three goes in.” He laughs more. “Beginning! Obviously we’re in Hell. Where in God’s name did you think we were?” he demands. “Marseilles?”

I can't believe this is the first fic I wrote Javert, much less the rest of them, I HAD been thinking about the weird self-contradictory system of mundane and divine justice in his head for... another ten years at that point I think. Give this man a chance to go to Hell and he'll do it!! he wants to go to Hell so bad!!!! also I never get to write snarky Javert because I'm too busy writing him having crises but we all know he's got snark in him, I DID love that Marseilles line even though like. why did I pick Marseilles. We'll never know

Many of them look disturbed, and Enjolras looks about to silence Javert by force, so Valjean grabs him by the arm and drags him out into the alley they know so well. As they go, Javert is still laughing.

When Valjean lets him go, Javert staggers into the wall and thumps against it with his back, whereupon the laughter suddenly halts. He closes his eyes and lets his head fall back against the wall as one final chuckle escapes. Valjean stares at him.

“You don’t actually think that, do you?” he asks. Javert’s eyes open.

“Of course I do,” he says simply. “I just told you, I had it worked out by the third time round. I have maintained some of my wits, at least, in my advancing age.”

Valjean goes on staring, at a loss for words.

Like. They're such different people but they're the same person. But they're so different. But they're the same. I love Valjean just totally befuddled by Javert's worldview, like? They both love justice but Valjean's idea of justice is second chances and Javert's idea of justice is No Second Chances Ever. No wonder the idea of doing all this over and over Until At Last We've Got It Right (lol) fucks with Javert so much more even if he wasn't already a walking mental health crisis.

“It’s quite the ingenious punishment for me,” Javert says with a grim cheerfulness terrible to see. “All your mercy, all your righteousness. The worst night of my life. It is cast in a bit of an ironic light, of course, if you’re damned as well.” He shrugs. “If it’s any comfort,” he adds, “I was very surprised to find you were. I figured whoever was right or wrong, one of us to Paradise and the other to the Pit.”

Look I was and am and always will be obsessed with the way Valjean's mercy at the end of the story doesn't ACTUALLY change Javert's worldview all that much? He just swaps their places lol, it's still No Second Chances Ever but now that goes for him since Valjean was right all along. SOMEBODY still has to be right and somebody has to be wrong and him and Valjean have to be on opposite sides. He still can't imagine mercy being how the world operates any more than he can imagine it in how HE operates.

Valjean’s expression is pity and pain. “Why,” he says, “do you think we’re in Hell?”

“I’ve already submitted my evidence,” Javert replies briskly, mirth gone now. “I find myself in my perfect Hell, and conclude that Hell it must be. I die, I wake up here. I die again, again here I wake.”

“You died?” Valjean interjects with alarm. Javert ignores him.

“As you heard, those revolutionary idiots are reaching the same conclusion. Took them time enough. God-blessed fight indeed!” he snorts.

“Even if we have died, which I do not remember doing, why Hell?” Valjean insists. “Why not Purgatory, at least? We have both been good men, walking in the path of God. Why should you be so sure—“

“Because suicides don’t go to Purgatory, Valjean!” Javert snarls.

Valjean goes still.

LIKE I just want Valjean to get to react to Javert's suicide. At all. Ol Vicky disappointed me so I have to do it myself. Why wouldn't he be upset whether they have a weird tragic homoerotic fixation on each other or not?? And Javert not mentioning it until he's pressed both because he was ashamed of that surrender/mortal sin but ALSO because he knew how Valjean would react. Like he did. He did know.

Javert huffs an impatient sigh. “As I said, one to Heaven and one to Hell. Either you were the criminal I was bringing to justice, or the saint I was persecuting. If you were good, I was wrong about… everything. And then what? Take you in and send a good man to torment and death, or let you go and forsake… honestly, all I’ve been or done or known.” He shakes his head at Valjean’s stunned silence. “You unmade the world. Did you expect me to thank you?”

Valjean looks at Javert like he’s trying to look straight through his skull and into his thoughts, see the few ones Javert hasn’t spoken, untangle the bewildering ones he has, but Javert turns away.

The conversation seems to be over.

Like!!!! I am un-fucking-done at the idea of Javert killing himself because it was the only way he could conceive of letting Valjean go, but also at the bonkers bananas concept of him like. making the judgement FOR God almost, just to make sure it sticks and I'm the one damned I'm gonna commit one more unforgiveable sin, HAH, get out of that one, now I'm definitely going to Hell! like the man has a bizarre mobius strip of a theology and I want to study him like a bug. Which I guess is why I went on to write four more fics containing these two just dueling worldviews, including one where Javert literally refuses to go to Heaven. He's terrible and I just think that's neat.

[the-thieves-gambit]

"Five to ten minutes, tops." She chuckled thinking about what definitions he could possibly be going through. "I don't need much to rest and keep going. The car ride here has been the longest I've sat all night, so by the time we're done here I'm sure I'll be ready to go." Something inside of her said she shouldn't have said that but she didn't care right now, shaking her head she added. "No, it was Orion who didn't believe someone could run in heels. I was all dressed up and he didn't think that I could run in them. Charlie made a bet that I could and I just proved that it is something that can happen and I can do. No world record being broken, just a little boy being entertained."

At the sound of her running one of the two animal-filled lands, she couldn't help but laugh. "We? So now I have to watch over one of your properties?" Thinking about her watching over a farm or zoo seemed like a funny idea. Something so mundane, routine, still, and peaceful, so unlike her. "Yeah, well animals are easier than humans to get along with. They don't have ulterior motives or secrets. They are what they are. You either respect it or fear it but there's no in-between. It also helps that Dolly is a quite literally a doll. Adorable. If you don't keep an eye over her, I might steal her right under your nose."

Changing the topic back to him was nice. It was better for her to not think about things she had been trying not to for a while. "Maybe," she said shrugging. "I haven't thought about going back there in a long time. I usually go somewhere once and kind of just write it off." It wasn't meant to sound dismissive but there was a reason she never went somewhere more than once. There was always a chance that someone was waiting to see her face somewhere to reclaim whatever it was she had taken or worse. "Even if I can't be your guide, you should go. From what I remember it was really pretty." A small smile given his way to show that she wasn't trying to be mean or say that she didn't want to do it, just that she couldn't.

"Pulled back? You mean to crush your dreams." Was accompanied with a small scoff, she still felt bad for making him sad about his flamingo dreams. "That sounds nice, but I wouldn't want to bother them when they are healing. I just wanna see them when they do that cute stone gifting thing during mating season. It's adorable to see them hunt for just the right stone and then waddle over and gift it to see if it's accepted. Do flamingos have any dating rituals? " Her curiosity was at a peak now, needing to be satisfied.

Smiling politely and an occasion, yes ma'am, was said as took in what the woman said. An eyebrow quirked at what she was saying to Wally in a language she didn't know. She wanted to ask what was being said but decided to let it go by the way he waved her off. Writing it off as, perhaps, some teasing between people who knew each other for long time.

A fairy freeway? That caught her attention, perking up at that she chimed in. "Oh, that sounds nice. In Iceland they have, alfhol's, elf homes. Even an Elf school in Reykjavík, its all very touristy now but still very cute. This fairy freeway sounds just as cute I'll make sure to go." Gleefulness overtook her as she looked at the flower, she had known them by a different name. Taking the lei, she didn't hesitate to put it on before taking a drink as she listened to him tell her more about the lighthouse. Her mind racing with history that the lighthouse had seen, the people that had been there, the sailors off shore seeing its beacon. Waving off the last part, saying that there was nothing to make up for, she took another fry.

She didn't know why she had asked. It seemed like a stupid thing to do but it was something that her curiosity always asked, what was your family like? to anyone she met. A question she asked more and more in various ways since Anna and Orion came into her life. What was the proper way to be a family? Was there even a right way? Who was considered family? What was family?

At this moment, as she continued to eat fries and listen to Wally, she looked around the place and surmised that family was children with an aunt who cared. Family meals. A woman making people feel welcome. Scribbles made together.

At the mention of home, she looked back at him, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Confused. Did he think she was going to be here for long? Then again, it wasn't like she ever gave anyone a reason to think she wasn't. "Hmm, you shy, can't see it." Was all she could seem to say as she took another sip from her drink. How to say that she didn't have a home? Never had one. Yes, she had a dwelling that she returned to, but was it a home? She had never felt 'home' anywhere. So all she could say was, "Thanks." Unsure about telling him about her two-year goal, which she was trying to accomplish under a year. Smiling, she thought of something. "Mi casa es tu casa, huh? You're too friendly for your own good," chuckling, she looked back at the drawing he had pointed out. Having siblings, someone who had grown with you, knowing the things about you because they were there felt like such a great concept. A built-in friend for life. If you were allowed to have them in your life, her mind reminded her. With a sigh, she decided that there had been enough talk about family's and homes for a night. If she continued down this path she wouldn't want to see the lighthouse anymore.

"Tell me about this fairy freeway thing. You been there yet?"

He was comforted by the fact that she didn't seem to take it too seriously which had him only smile in return. "Define sit for a while because that has different definitions." As he knew from his sisters who always took a bit to a new level. His eyebrows raised in surprise at the small revelation. "What did you run, a marathon? You should have gone into the world record book." But he believed her. "Well, see. That just seems to me like you showed him. What, didn't he believe you could?"

He shrugged like acquiring both wasn't a feat in itself. "Yeah why not. We can tag team it." Wally thought it wasn't such a bad idea. "I mean, could be good retirement. Get the fresh air and you do happen to be encariñada with Dolly. Seems like you're animal lover." The twinge of her mouth alerted him to this being something that may not have been a good question to ask. He was going to retract and switch to a different topic when she answered. There was an expression on his face that said he didnt think that was all of it. Though didn't really question it. "Sounds like its prime spot for a sunset picture. That's nice. Well, maybe I'll ask you to be a travel buddy. I can actually be a tourist for the first time."

"Don't worry about it. What would I do without your point of view on things. Can't run off with ideas gotta be pulled back." He smiled showing there was nothing to be upset over. "Watch it be the flipped coin of a bad idea when they imprint and I get knicked." The laugh got accompanied by a head shake. "Consider that happening. Technically you can go to the Chicago sanctuary. They have some there but they're being rehabbed." His mother had her hands in a lot of things. Her primary love were animals and keeping them from going extinct. Like cheetahs.

Wally smirked and gave her a quick glance. The smile that threatened to appear at her teasing. A part of him felt like it was nice that she felt comfortable enough to freely tease. Somewhere in her she knew he wasn't a threat to her safety.

"Don't let work take up your time like it has on this guy. Work will always be there. You will not. Enjoy what you can and don't let things pass you by. Maybe you'll find what you've seeked in the most unexpected places. Also," she turned to Wally and had sarcastically reprimanded him in Hawaiian. Take her out. I know things. Wally chewed his lower lip and gently waved her off. "The lighthouse? I hope you enjoy the sights and don't forget to throw in a coin in the water fountain before you step inside. You should go to the water fountain too. Do you like water? There's also the blue lagoons. The kiddie trails are nice too. There's what we call the fairy freeway. It's just lanterns over an orchid. It's really nice."

She quickly produced a light up flower. This was the one that had bloomed and was in season. A red and pink anthurium covered her drink that was attached to a light up lei. "Make sure you don't lose this one." Then lei'd Wally's neck with one that matched her flower.

Being left alone he chuckled, "It's called Makapu‘u Lighthouse. It's one of our historical landmarks. According to Hawaiian legend, Makapuu was the home of a goddess with shining eyes. Although the lighthouse is only 46 feet tall, it has such a bright light that it can be seen 28 miles out to sea. Makapu’u lighthouse marks the easternmost point on Oahu, so it is an excellent location to watch the sunrise. Okay, technically, work got in the way so not entirely my fault. I'm making it up to you now."

He laugh scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You'd be the first actually." he stated plainly, "I don't get out much. Annie is too small to climb that steep hill up so haven't taken her yet. Once she knows I've taken you, she will expect you to tell her all about it."

He was mid bite on his fry when the question caught him off guard and chewed. "Only on Sundays. It was a way to have a sit down family meal. Our aunt Laurie wanted us to have some normalcy after being uprooted from our home and thought coming here would help. They had a children eat free on weekends thing so we came. She thought it'd give us a chance to get acquainted with our new home. She," he pointed to their waitress, "was a friend when we were three kids quiet as mice. See that frame over there? The sunset and four shadows?" his head nodded toward the corner of the room. "Far away looks like a masterpiece but up close is just scribbles. That was ours. She said we may have not been here for long but if we gave it a chance it'd be a warm home to us. If we were kind then the kindness would be returned. Has seen me grow up since I was seven. We don't come often now. I mean when we visit her yes but this is the first time I've been here in maybe two years to eat. Picked this place since I'm passing on the my home is your home thing."

[pagesofserene]

Dec. 15th: 10-Days Before Christmas (2022 Story Relay Marathon)

Hi, kindred souls! This is the third story relay of a 12-day story relay marathon I endorsed to my friend, ShiaraS (Discord: Shiara#5382) , that we will be doing from Dec. 13th to Dec. 24th—AKA 12 days before Christmas!

Since this is a marathon of sorts, we decided to lay some ground rules so we can "finish" each relay for each day. It would start with me drawing a prompt every morning from a plastic container that will serves as our bowl for this occasion. These prompts were collected by us from different sources (I will do my absolute best to give appropriate credit for the original creators/source material).

The story relay would then consist of 5 turns for both of us with a max. of 10-16 sentences each turn. After these, the story relay for that day would be considered "finished". THERE WILL BE NO EDITING DONE FOR ALL STORY RELAYS.

These rules were placed since ShiaraS' exams were also scheduled during the set week.

[We started this on the night of the 15th but we fell asleep. XD We then continued it today during our free time. We hope to post the prompt for the Dec.16th sometime tonight.]

HERE'S THE WRITING PROMPT FOR TODAY'S STORY RELAY:

An old and homely grandmother accidentally summons a demon. She mistakes him for her gothic-phase teenage grandson and takes care of him. The demon decides to stay at his new home. (via @writing-prompt-s)

START OF STORY RELAY:

Nana has been living by herself in the retirement village for a few years now. Her two kids live far away and neither they nor their children visited much. Until, one day when she was making her special apple pie and her grandson, Tyler, popped up for a visit. The last time she spoke to Tyler, the boy was going through his goth phase so Nana assumed that explained why he was now wearing a silver studded leather jacket and ripped jeans. "Granny," He smirked, "what a change from the usual - " "Quit dawdling, Tyler, and give your Nana a hug." Before Tyler could do anything, the older woman closed the distance and wrapped her thin arms around him. Tyler froze, not knowing what to do. Because, Nana was wrong. Her grandson did not come to visit, in fact he's currently in his friend's apartment 300 miles away as they slept off the hangover from the night before. No, the boy Nana had mistaken for her grandson was a demon she had accidentally summoned. The demon stood with his arms in the air, not hugging and not pushing away the old woman either. "Come now, Tyler," Nana said, "I haven't seen you in years, I missed you." Somehow, feeling the sadness in the old woman's voice touched the heart the demon would have sworn he never had, and he hesitantly returned Nana's hug. Maybe it's because he had only been a demon for 150 years and he still remembered bits of his human life. Like the old woman across the street who let him crash in her place whenever he needed a decent place to sleep in.

Humans are indeed a complex breed. Tyler wondered how long would it take for this old woman to realize that he wasn't her grandson. "Oh look how much you've grown dear," Nana cooed as she accosted the demon. Demons don't get a name of their own up until the 333rd year since they become one. On the 666th year, they get the chance to either torture souls sent to hell or possess a specific object on earth. Overtaking a human body and ensnaring human souls are highly diabolical power that only the most nefarious and malevolent of demons could do. These are the fiends that raked in the Devil himself's favor. It came as a surprise that he get to be named by a wrinkly human being. A bland name at that. Either way, he decided to accept this mistaken identity at least for the time being. He was summoned by this granny after all, by mistake at best. "How old are you again, Tyler?", Nana turned her back and went straight into the kitchen. "I'm 150—15!" "Oh wow. I thought you're way past your high school. I guess I was mistaken once again." she turned the kettle on after pouring water into it. " I do hope you still like to drink my nettle tea. Come on, sit here. It's been a long time since I have been with a member of the family for the holidays." It seems that nana's in the mood for a monologue. Tyler wondered if this was the only time the old woman received a visitor for days or even for months in her house. "Please pardon me for not getting you anything teenagers nowadays like for Christmas. But I intend to buy you those leather gloves I see the local bikers' been wearing by the pub whenever I pass by for my groceries. I was about to ask Jerry where they buy those but I haven't been able to go out due to this cold weather."

It was such a mundane, senseless dialogue that Tyler the demon couldn't help but laugh. "Are you laughing at your Nana?" Nana said, trying to sound stern. Tyler wasn't the least bit intimidated but he decided to humor her. "Sorry... Nana, I was just thinking of a funny joke." Satisfied with the apology, Nana continued her monologue. Switching from the leather gloves to this new herbal medicine she saw on TV. It was easy for Tyler to tuner her out. He was amused by the old lady but he wasn't going to submit himself to mindless chatter for no reason. So, his mind drifted to what brought him here. Summoning a demon isn't an easy feat. Well, technically, it is. It had to be to invite more fools to make demon deals. Still, it's not the king of thing you can do by accident. You'd need an open space for the pentagram, sacrificial blood, and not to mention the summoning spell that needed to be recited. It was completely impossible for this sweet old lady to have summoned a demon. And yet, she did and Tyler intended to find out how. "Hey, Nana," He began "Yes dear?" "I was just curious, were you doing anythin... new before I got here?" Nana thought about it for a moment. She smiled, "I was baking, dear. I was trying a new twist to my famous apple pie." Tyler groaned. "Anything else?" "Hmm well, I was using the recipe from this new cook book I got at the library." Nana went to the kitchen to retrieve the cool book. When she got back, she gave it to Tyler whose eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "Sinful Cooking" The title read. Although perhaps more worryingly was the giant pentagram on the cover.

"You got it at the library, you say?" Tyler racking his unholy brain. Nana nodded and proceeded to check her apple pie from the oven. It was still warm even though it was a while since she turned the machine off after Tyler' arrival. "You see, Cindy, the librarian told me they have new arrivals of books donated from Europe. I do think those folks were nice to send over their books to a tiny American town such as ours." She now placed the apple pie on a wooden tray on top of the table by which enabled Tyler to view the scorched infernal patterns on each strips on top of the pie. There was no question that Nana summoned him through this. "How did you do these symbols Nana?" "What do you mean by that dear? I saw them in the cook book and traced them using just the cooking stave I bought from the thrift store last year." And that 'cooking' stave happened to have a symbol of a ram's skull at the tip. "How did you cook this new recipe, Nana?" "It's quite simple but a bit bizarre, Tyler." Nana proceeded to recite all the common steps to bake an apple pie but the "twists" were she put a 5-pointed star pattern on the oven tray by sprinkling dried hibiscus leaves for the medicinal smell. She placed the pie on top of it which included a trickle of pig's blood. "Oh also dear, there was this European affirmation at the end that I must recite to persuade my pie to be come out as best as it could." There's no question that through this book and Nana's apple pie that she unknowingly summoned a demon. Tyler doubts that there were any purpose for him to be at the old granny's house except to act as her grandson who happens to be a naughty and irresponsible one which he approved. "Let's taste this special apple pie then begore it gets cold." Nana started slicing up a portion for Tyler and placed it on two tiny plates. Tyler gobbled up the pie, it was surprisingly good. Nana seems to also enjoy her baked good despite it's demonic origins. "So Nana, do you have anything you want to do?"

It may have been an accident that Nana summoned him, and he should really tell his superiors about this cook book, but Nana did summon him and the rules dictate that he give the old lady a deal. That and he quite liked Nana. She baked good pie. "I don't know, Tyler, dear." She said, "I'm quite content with things as they are. When you reach my age, you'll realize every day is a gift and regret is pointless." "Aww come on Nana, surely there must be something you want. Anything at all." Nana hesitated as she served Tyler another slice of pie. "Well... I guess it would be nice if my family came to visit more often." Tyler smirked. This was one deal he would happily make. He liked Nana and when he realized how alone the woman was, well... never piss off a demon. "I'm sure I can make that happen." "Thank you, sweet dear." Nana smiled. While Nana turned her back to wash the dishes, Tyler disappeared in a flash of black to grant the old lady's deal.

By the time Nana finished putting the cleaned dishes aside. Tyler came back trying to still himself after he planted whispered illusions to each of Nana's family. By nighttime, each one of them would dream about a moment when Nana did a good thing to them after or before a tragedy or traumatic event happened to them. He surmised that Nana's family will visit her a week after he left for Hell. "Say Nana, we go out and build a fire pit and lit up a handful of fireworks?" "I don't know, Tyler dear. It's so cold with all the snow." "Don't worry about it, Nana. I'll make sure it would be warm for you." "Alright. Let me make cocoa and cookies for our snacks." Nana trotted towards the kitchen island with pots and jars. Tyler liked warm places because he wanted to become a torturer in the coming centuries. He was thinking about torturing drug dealers, mafia members... He wanted to give them different punishments but most especially has anything to do with fiery tortures. They spent the afternoon firing up different types of fireworks. More than once did Nana inquired where Tyler got all the firecrackers and he would just showed her a bag he conjured full of them saying he collected them on the way to her house.

The night Tyler spent having dinner at the fire pit and watching the fore works with Nana, was probably the most serene the demon's ever been. The old lady was surprisingly good company and starved for companionship. She even set up the guest room and insisted he stay the night. Of course, being a demon, Tyler didn't need to sleep. So, he waited until Nana had gone to sleep before disappearing to go back to Hell. He requested a meeting with Azazel and after 13 years, he got his chance. "Sir, I think we have a problem." Tyler wasted no time in telling the older demon about the book. Azazel wasn't happy about it. His eyes burned in his amger and Tyler feared a smiting was on his way. But Azazel spared him. "Go back to the surface." He ordered, "Find out more about this book and who wrote it. I want to know who's responsible for this." "Yes, sir." Tyler said and disappeared again. By the time Tyler got back to Nana's house, it was only the morning after she accidentally summoned him.

Nana was up early and singing by the front porch all covered up holding a cup coca singing to herself. "...You always break the kindest heart with a hasty word you can't recall, so if I broke your heart last night. It's because I love you most of all..." The door squeaked a tiny bit as Tyler closed it behind him. "Mornin', Tyler. Hear have some cocoa." Tyler took a couple of sips while Nana continued singing her old heartbreak song. "Hey, Nana..." "Uh-huh..." "About your cookbook, do you think you could let me read through it?" Nana looked at him "I just wanna see if I could try a recipe or two from that book. Your apple pie came out splendid." "Sure, Tyler. You could read it anytime. It's on the tiny bookshelf near the refrigerator. Perhaps you could make me meal from that book." "Thanks, Nana. I'll try to make an edible meal after reading the recipes." Tyler proceeded to open the book once he took it off the shelf. It was a leatherbound book in emerald coloring. This was proof that this book was way older than a century or two. He sniffed it and there was still a hint left of the arsenic used to color the leather green. This was even more problematic than he thought it would be. How can a book such as this slip through their radar? Even worse, it might have been used and circulated in Europe for decades, even a century. Why weren't their any accounts of demon casting up until Nana called upon Tyler? He flipped through the book and there were tons of recipes and notes taken on herbs and their uses in curses, healings, protection against white magic, and at least 10 ways of summoning demons. This was a diabolical book published in pretence for a cookbook. There was no author indicated but instead a publishing company called "The Grapevine Publishing House" located in Poland. TYler decided he will visit the address so he told Nana he will buy a dozen of fish from the wet market. Nana was delighted by the prospect of a grilled fish for lunch. Tyler snapped his fingers and he was in front of the publishing house. It was now dilapidated but there were still remaining bricks of walls and columns. He went inside and surveyed the mess left by junkies and the homeless who sought shelter within. He then popped outside the town's archival office and asked for the records of the publishing house. He read through it and found out the one who owned the publishing house was also the sole author of the books produced. She was aptly named Lilian Circe. Of course, it has to be Lillian Circe, Lilith's human form.

After confirming that Lilian really was the author and publisher of the Sinful Cooking books, Tyler vanished immediately. The last thing he wanted was to come face to face with one of the most powerful demons ever to exist. He didn't immediately go back to Nana's house. He needed a place to regroup and gather his thoughts and stop shaking. So, he chose a druggie's den. He had no idea where to go from here. Does he follow Azazel's order and risk being killed by Lilith? Or does he pretend he still hadn't made any progress with Azazel's order and hope that he wasn't watching him too closely? Whatever he chose, Tyler was sure a fireball to the face was awaiting him. Frustration mounting, he couldn't help but lash out at the druggies around him. Giving them powerful nightmares even if they're awake. He was in the den for what felt like forever. In the end, he decided to keep quiet for now. Because even though Azazel was a powerful demon, he was nowhere near as powerful as Lilith. Tyler would rather risk his wrath than Lilith's. Decision made, Tyler snapped his fingers once more and returned to Nana's house. It was past noon when he got there and all he wanted to do was sink into the bed Nana made for him. He didn't need sleep but he was damn near exhausted. He walked through the living room intent on doing just that when he was suddenly greeted by Nana's anger. She was fuming as she stood in the kitchen, an uneaten lunch for two laid out on the table behind her. "Where have you been?" She asked, "I've been worried sick!" Tyler sighed and tried to walk closer to her but as he did, she caught a whiff of him and the anger turned to shock. "Tyler have you been doing drugs?!"

"I was hanging out with a few druggies but didn't take some." it seems to be better to tell her the truth as drugs were not pleasurable nor tempting for a demon like him. "Why?" "I stumbled upon something big, Nana." Nana squinted her eyes in confusion. "Hellish big, Nana. I am confused about what to do because no matter what I choose, I am sure to get a punishment or might die DIE." "I don't understand, Tyler but you'll be safe here. Stay for now and we will discuss this with your parents after some time has passed." Nana pulled him into a hug which TYler accepted wholeheartedly. "Do you want to cook a recipe together? From the cook book? I'll guide you." Tyler exhaled and smiled. "Let's visit the pub Nana and ask your friend Jerry about those gloves."

THE END. OR IS IT?

Please stay tuned for the rest of the story relays we will be doing!

[allwaswell16]

Hi! What ongoing fics are you currently following??

oof, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to really follow any but here are some I know about! And if anyone else has more, please reply with some others!

you are my destiny (you are the reason that i still believe) by @alwaysxlarrie

Being a new employee at a company means that you have to learn to brush off the shitty bosses, shitty coworkers, and not getting the credit you actually deserve for things. At least, that's been Harry Styles' experience. Coworkers who steal his ideas in pursuit of getting praise and a raise, and a boss who's indifferent at best and condescending at worst. Harry has learned to expect this reality for the foreseeable future. He's accepted it.

What he hadn't expected was for Louis Tomlinson to waltz into their company, and his life, and change around everything he thought he knew about fate.

A Cinderella AU.

Of Hangovers and Hell by @unreadablehandle

Harry is not exactly a loves-social-gatherings guy. So when Niall talks him into going to a party, one during which Harry somehow ends up in a room of no other than the pretentious athlete Louis Tomlinson... shit goes down.

(very loosely) inspired by that one selfie, you know which one

The Habit I Can't Break by @cyantific

While searching for a healthy alternative to fill the void that one habit left, Louis gets hooked on something and someone totally different. This new experience pushes him way out of his comfort zone, making Louis realize he’s capable of so much more than he could’ve ever imagined.

Or… The one where Louis quits smoking and tries to get healthy, and Harry is the fitness instructor who helps him achieve those goals while making him sweat in and out of the gym. In which Harry and Louis still meet at bootcamp, just not the one you’re thinking of.

Featuring Lottie as the supportive sister who drags her brother to bootcamp class, Louis as the grumpy (and very recent) ex-smoker, and Harry as the instructor with exhausting amounts of enthusiasm and one obnoxious pair of yellow trainers.

real love (ain't that something rare?) by roguesue / @theroguesue

Louis Tomlinson has been taught to appreciate life for the little things, to never take anything for granted and to always enjoy the things you have, no matter how little or insignificant they may appear to be. But when his mum marries a rich man, he’s suddenly thrust into a life he’s always hated.

He is determined to keep hating the life he's loathed since he was little, but everything changes when he meets a rich spoiled brat named Harry Styles, who as it turns out, has the power to more than change his mindset.

You, Me, (and everyone we know) by Imogenlee / @imogenleefic

Rockstar Harry Styles has been making headlines since he was barely legal. After a string of bad decisions, PR nightmares, and an obvious inability to take anything seriously, management and his other band members insist he needs a full-time, live-in personal assistant. After hiring and firing half of the executive PA's in the city, the boys stumble across one that might be able to put up with Harry's shit.

Applicant: Name: Louis Tomlinson. Qualifications: None. Experience: Two weeks. Why did you leave your last job: Boss was a wanker. Past Employer Referee: Absolutely not. What made you apply: I didn't. Why the fuck are you idiots making me fill this form out after you forced me to take the job?

Save Me (from myself) by Imogenlee / @imogenleefic

The problem with being friends with Liam Payne was that he had a lot of friends... and forced them to be around each other. When they finished high school, both Louis and Harry were equally relieved that they wouldn't have to tolerate each other constantly or whatever it was that they did.

For five years, it worked out perfectly. They'd only had to see each other a handful of times.

Unfortunately, Liam had to go and get engaged, ask them to both be groomsmen, and then go full groomzilla on their arses. With just twelve weeks to plan the 'perfect' destination wedding and throw every ridiculous pre-wedding celebration Liam and his fiancée stumble across, it was safe to say they were firmly back in each other's lives.

And no one could have predicted that was exactly what they needed.

Give Me Your Forever by twinflamelarry / @twinflamebreeze

Being born without any superpowers is about as normal as life gets, that is unless you are growing up in an academy full of kids with supernatural powers. That's Louis' life, being the ordinary one. These kids and this stringent academy are all he has known in the name of family and home. Eighteen bittersweet years, some friendships and a tragedy later, the academy falls apart, leaving everyone with the only option of moving on. And Louis does so, all in the hopes of leaving the past and that particular curly haired boy behind.

What happens when all of them return under the same old roof after seven years? The answer is, definitely not a happy family reunion. Louis could prepare for all of it; bitter family members, traumas of the past, old love and whatever life-altering secrets that will unravel during this visit, but how does one prepare for... possibly the end of the fucking world as we know it?

Or an Umbrella Academy AU with a good portion of gay romance.

it's you by harryanthus_annuus / @harryanthus-annuus

A threat clouds the success of Marcel Cox’s 2022 World Tour. In the final hour of desperation, his team sets out in search for a double. Only too happy to have someone else take the figurative bullet for him, Marcel makes sure this ‘Harry Styles’ bloke finds his list of assignments ample — including wining and dining his much-loathed PR boyfriend, Louis Tomlinson.

Calm after the Storm by Darling28 / @darling-28

Louis and Harry have been best friends since childhood and lovers since they were 15. They can't imagine their lives without each other and yet that's exactly what they both have to cope with when Harry is allowed to do a year's internship abroad. Both initially believe they can manage it but everything suddenly crumbles and neither of them knows how to hold on to the other.

While Harry suddenly has a rising career ahead of him, Louis slips into an abusive relationship after their break up without realising it.

But what happens when Harry comes back and stands in front of Louis again after years of separation? And how do you deal with it when you still love the other person as much as you did from the beginning?

I've Got Demons, You've Got Scars by @mission2feelike

Harry’s life has been ruined twice. Once, the first time his alpha raised his fist four years ago, and then again today when his job discovered that he is an omega in a world where omegas, especially bonded omegas, have no rights. Now, he’s stuck trying to figure out how he’s going to take care of his four-year-old daughter, Mia. Just when it’s looking completely hopeless, a possible job arises. Someone is looking for an omega to help an alpha in need. The only problem is that the alpha has been diagnosed with Alpha Rage, a crippling disease that causes an alpha to become feral, making them succumb to their most instinctual, primal versions of themselves.

A story of an omega that’s been broken, an alpha that can’t trust himself, and their unlikely relationship.

Lovingly known as 'The Feral Louis Fic'.

Unrequited by babyhoneyhslt / @babyhoneyheslt

Omega Prince Harry of England has been engaged to Prince Louis of France ever since he was a young boy. Having met him at four and forming a bond, Harry is upset to find that Louis no longer treats him like a friend, instead treating him coldly.

However, Louis has his own dark secrets and Harry doesn’t know just how many dangers linger in French Court.

[primoredial-jade]

jade jade!! i hope you’re having a nice day and taking care of yourself !! (*´∇｀*)💕

for your little prompt thing, can you write childe + “ wait, you knew? “ “ you haven't exactly been discreet... “? if not, that’s okay too!

love u!! sending u lots of platonic smooches and positive energy e(òvó )

to be in love

pairing: childe x gn!reader

cw: love confessions, usage of childe’s real name and backstory

"what do you think it means to be in love?"

ajax freezes at your question, almost looking like a deer caught in headlights. he chances a glance at you, and you are as nonchalant as can be.

raising an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk makes its way to your face at his reaction. "what's wrong?"

"nothing at all," he's quick to reply, breathing out a chuckle and shaking his head, pretending like all was fine and well.

when ajax was a young boy, of course he had dreams of falling in love one day. the butterflies, the racing of your heart, the joy of seeing the person of your affections day after day. young ajax loved love, and he knew it was a yearning for a love much different than the love he had for his brothers and sisters. growing up and seeing his parents with so much love for each other made him crave it for his future, too.

...a lot changed after he fell into the abyss.

falling in love was the last thing on his mind after his conscription. everyday he wanted to get better, and to support the nation that he loved with his body on the line every single day. 

fight, fall down, try again, be stronger, get smarter. that was his life, and love wasn’t at all in the picture.

but, you... you came into his life and again, everything changed.

he hadn’t expected to fall so deeply in love with you— someone who constantly kept him on his toes, who had his back when his thoughts were festering. he didn’t know he needed the light you brought into his red-colored life. he was happy... he was in love.

“well?” you prodded, lightly bumping against his side. “surely you’ve experienced it at some point, no?” 

he had a hard time meeting your eyes, completely missing the blatant smug expression you had adorned on your pretty features. 

resting his head on his hand, he let out a quiet sigh. “i have,” he admits, leaning more of his weight on the railing overlooking liyue harbor.

the stars up above winked at him. “you have? when?”

he turns his head to look at you, a half-grin making its way to his face. he could never lie to you. “i can’t really remember if you ask me on the spot like this, you know,” he laughs and you roll your eyes, “maybe a few months ago?” 

“that’s funny,” you remark, scooching just a little closer to him. of course, he notices, rooted to the spot. 

he gulps nervously, hands getting clammy. “why’s it funny?” 

“because i thought you fell in love with me last year.” 

the world... stops. 

ajax looks at you with his mouth agape, cheeks and ears immediately flaring up in a pretty light pink over his freckles. his blood feels like its run cold, but he also feels warm at the same time. you seem oddly delighted at his speechlessness.

“don’t want the flies to come,” you tease, bringing up a finger under his chin to close his mouth. 

he flusters even more under your featherlight touch, but leans more into it to chase after your warmth. clearing his throat to gather his bearings, he rolls his shoulders back to stand up straighter, getting a better look at you.

“wait, so... all this time, you knew?” his voice wavers, obviously nervous. still, he exudes assuredness in the way he’s looking into your eyes, holding his breath at your answer.

“of course i have. i’m no dummy, ajax,” you click your tongue, and his heart feels like it’ll beat right out of its chest at the lilt of your brow, “besides, you weren’t exactly discreet...”

now he is definitely turning red. bringing a hand behind his neck to comfort himself, he lets out a pained, awkward laugh. “i’m sorry,” is all he can muster without further embarrassing himself, wanting to melt on the spot.

you can’t help laughing at how you’ve practically brought one of the strongest men you have ever known down to his knees from something like this. love makes even the greatest warrior weak.

“nothing to be sorry about,” you reassure, reaching out to take one of his hands in yours. he looks shocked, but immediately takes initiative to lace your fingers together, giving a fleeting, confident squeeze. 

you lean to rest your forehead on his shoulder, closing your eyes in reprieve. he smells of agarwood and the ocean breeze, and you have never been so sure in your life.

“because... i’m really happy that our feelings are mutual.”

[the19thduckpotato]

Two spots of red dotted either side of Toshinori's face as he struggled to regain his composure. "It's not like that."

"Then tell me what it is like."

The muscles in his jaw worked as he fought to keep his voice even. "I thought that you of all people would understand..."

"Well shit, boy, I thought the same of you." You're terrible at manipulation, Blondie, stick to what you know.

"She--" His voice cracked on the word and he didn't hide thumbing away an errant tear from his eyes. "She made you promise, didn't she?"

"Sorahiko, please keep him safe. Help him achieve his dreams."

I'm trying, dearest. Help me. Please.

"Well I made a promise, too." The kid had the nerve to sit up straight and throw his shoulders back a bit. "I promised his mother I'd raise him and keep him safe, even if it cost me my life."

Time to crack this stubborn nut wide open.

"Can't raise him if you aren't around. "

Toshinori's eyes slipped from Sorahiko's and the old man knew he hit a sore point. Was Mr Hero thinking about his own kid... or himself?

"And as I recall," Sorahiko muttered. "Mrs. Midoriya insisted you not give your life. Because at least she knows the importance of keeping you around. She actually cares about Izuku and his wellbeing, unlike some people I could name."

Toshinori shot to his feet, fear of Gran Torino and anger at Sorahiko wrestling within him. His fists clenched and his chest heaved with quick furious breaths.

"Don't you bring my k--the kid--into this!" he hissed, the detached look in his eyes burning away.

"Why? What are you so afraid of?" Sorahiko matched the blond's searing gaze, unruffled. This conversation should have happened a long time ago... "You once admitted to me that she was like a mother to you. So why can't you say that he feels like your son?"

It suddenly clicked and Sorahiko sighed an old man's sigh.

The blond squeezed his eyes shut. "Did she ever..."

"Toshinori. Would you believe me even if I told you?" He wasn't trying to be cruel now, merely honest.

Toshinori stared at the envelope. "....will you please tell him for me?"

"Bullshit I will! Haven't you been listening to one damn word I've been saying?!"

"Fine, whatever, give it here. Tsukauchi wouldn't give me half this much trouble."

Sorahiko gripped the envelope. "Nah, boy, he'd give ya just as much if he knows ya as well as I do. Now, if you're so hellbent on doing this, you better finish the job and then I'll give this back. Not before."

The blond scowled and Sorahiko smirked. "Whats the problem? You're getting what you want even if it isn't the way you want it."

The blue sparks in Toshinori's eyes gave Sorahiko all the answer he needed. There you are. Go kick his ass for all of us.

"Now I'm not saying whether Nana made the right decision. Either way, it was made and you can't change history. But you--"

Sorahiko pointed an admonishing finger at Toshinori. "--you have the chance to give that kid everything you've ever wanted. Don't you think he deserves that? Don't you?"

Toshinori rubbed his face with one hand then nodded.

"Now get out of here before I blackmail ya to your cop friend."

The blond gave him one last look--a troubled and relieved smile--and turned to the door.

"Next time bring a proper get well gift, you big dummy. When I get out of here, I'm going to--"

Sorahiko permitted himself a grin as the kid shut the door on his words.

You can do this. I know you can. And now I think you know it too.

Shifting irritably in his hospital bed, Sorahiko resigned himself to another bland day of "rest and relaxation".

Until, that is, he heard the hesitant knock at the door. His good eye squinted at the shadow on the other side of the window then crinkled in glee. There was only one person he knew that tall and gangly.

He quickly laid back against his pillows and called out in a weak voice: "Who's there? Come in, come in...."

And sure enough, here came the kid, he of impossible stature and extraordinary fame. World's Most Famous hero and yet he still crouched behind the door as if Sorahiko was going to sit up and pitch things at his head.

Good.

He noted the large envelope in one hand and a faint forehead crease formed. Depending on what yer about, I just might throw things at you.

But instead, he merely croaked out: "Toshinori...? Is that you?"

"Hello." The blond bowed his head in greeting then tried a hesitant smile, his face a mess of worry and guilt and fear. His grip on the envelope tightened then relaxed as he placed it at the foot of the bed. Looking about, he drew a chair up to Sorahiko's side. "Forgive me for not visiting sooner."

Sorahiko coughed and waved a limp hand. "No worries my boy," he rasped out. "Generally, you tend to wait till someone's on their deathbed till you say hi, doncha?"

Toshinori's mouth dropped open as he paled, his ears turning red. "Wh--"

"Well you don't have to worry, I still got plenty of years in me!" Sorahiko cackled and kicked at the envelope before Toshinori could snatch it away.

Hurt radiated out from the kid's glance as he knelt for the envelope. Sorahiko liked that just fine. He could always tell when the kid was about to do something stupid and/or dangerous and this smacked of both plus a third thing.

If yer gonna try and do what I think you are, then you got another thing coming. We didn't desperately claw our way to this point just for you to throw it all away in a fit of existential crisis.

The former Number One frowned at the envelope then looked to the door.

"Toshinori!" Sorahiko barked. "I'm not getting any younger so if ya got something to say then say it. The fact that you had the guts to come here means you did at least one thing right so far."

The old man found himself pinned by a stony gaze, blue eyes now unreadable. Ah hell, he's gone into defensive mode. All right, let's rein it back a little else I'm never gonna talk him down.

With a grunt, he held out a gnarled hand. "Whatcha got there?"

Toshinori continued to stare at him, one thumb rubbing against the envelope. Then, as if deciding something, the kid put it back on the bed beside Sorahiko.

"What's this, yer last will and testament," Sorahiko quipped.

"Yes," the blond replied quietly.

Sorahiko's heart froze at that

"Sorahiko, I've had to make a difficult decision"

as the single word hung in the air

she sobbed in his arms, the last remnants of her life given away

and the old man wearily stared down at the envelope.

Given away so she would focus only on fighting.

Sorahiko forced a lazy grin. "I was just kidding, Doom and Gloom."

"Well, I'm not."

His chest ached as he saw that look again, the look that had been in her eyes now echoed in her student's. Cold. Detached. Devoid of any joy.

It's happening again.

"Oh yeah?" Sorahiko laid his fingers on the envelope. "Give me a preview," he added casually, as if they were discussing nothing more than the weather.

"Izu--ah, young Midoriya will inherit Might Tower and all its resources therein."

Sorahiko's good eye widened and Toshinori gave a wistful smile. "Kid deserves it after all he's done, after all he's been through..."

Torino grunted. "I'm surprised Tsukauchi agreed to this."

"He, ah... doesn't know."

Shit. There went my first plan.

"He'd put me under lock and key if he knew what I've been up to."

He's been planning this. Shit on a brick, kid's a clever lil piss. Time to outwit him.

"Why's that? Because he wouldn't want a national treasure to just walk into a massive bomb of a trap?"

Toshinori smiled softly at that; then the detached look returned.

Sorahiko hated that look. She wore that look when she shut him out, shut them all out.

"Listen," Toshinori said. "Things are going to happen that--"

"--that you think you aren't strong enough to overcome."

A glint of anger appeared in the detached look.

"And you think, well la dee dah, if I set my affairs in order, I can blanelessly walk straight into the arms of that demon and die some glorious bloody death and fuck the rest of us, huh?"

Sorahiko realized he was starting to get angry and took some satisfaction in seeing the same in the kid.

Oh Nana, if we had had this kind of talk, would you still be alive?

His path was clear now. He wasn't letting Nana's kid follow in her footsteps. Not this time.