#* ( reply. )

[lichtgrau]

"It is just for the fun," the younger hummed. He really did not care what anyone sounded like. That would be mean otherwise, and he was not exactly a singer himself. It only took around a few minutes to set everything up and browse through the songs. Maybe because he had been here so many times in the past, so it was very quick to repare everything.

Arata moved to one side of the couch and picked up the microphone. He went with a song that had been somewhat popular in the early 2010s, a little silly, nothing too complex, but he thought it was a great mood maker.

His body was slightly moving along to the music, enjoying himself. Karaoke was only fun if you did not care too much for looking perfect, if anything making the older man laugh would fulfill a goal.

The look given to Arata, nostrils lightly flared, eyes withholding humored frustration, said more than the words hidden under his tongue. Was this the culture of today? Reminded him of Prohibition. He could count on one hand the eras that had kept him far from shore. If it wasn’t Finland, it was Norway, if not Norway, it was Iceland, and Canada, and the United States.

But a bulk of some three years had been spent in England. What a bittersweet memory. Now he certainly needed a drink.

Thoughts behind those same hickory eyes. Blink and you would miss it.

Arata was followed into the booth, looking from one side to the other of their small space.

“You must hold me in high esteem to think I’m singing dry.” His smile reached his eyes, gesturing with both hands to his host. “You’re going first. I wanna see this sober singing.”

[unhetalia]

any uke america fanfics you want to share with us? 🫶🏽 open to any ship

Sorry for the late reply! I really wanted to give this my best shot and I've had A Time Of It lately. I've tried to rec fics that I don't think have been rec'd as often or have under 500 kudos, just to increase the likelihood people haven't read a certain fic. All fics are complete.

A BOTTOM AMERICA FIC REC FOR THIRSTY, DESPERATE INDIVIDUALS (UKUS and RusAme ver.), a rec list.

If you're a patient soul and know how to read fic on the LJ kink meme, I highly recommend CROATOAN, a 53k story wherein Arthur has to rescue Alfred from the fae - at the end, the only way to protect Alfred is to take his virginity. This story is quite light on the sex in general, but it's a story I've remembered all the way from 2010, when I was first in fandom, and I don't see it recommended as much nowadays. Part 1 / Part 2; UKUS, minor Greece/Japan.

Infinity to One by jedishampoo | UKUS, E, 16k | England and America up the antes on their Halloween contest, and then another situation reaches a critical point as well. Present-day fic.

Precious Thing by alifeasvivid | UKUS, E, 11k, dub-con | The ship on which Alfred F Jones has served as lieutenant for the past two years has just been sunk by pirates. He is the only survivor and now prisoner of Captain Arthur Kirkland, a ruthless pirate who loves only one thing: gold. While Alfred is sure that there hadn't been any amount worth stealing on the ship, Arthur begs to differ.

Norikov's Self-Consistency Principle by Fandoms_Are_Life37 | UKUS, E, 17k | America has found himself in the year 1600 and face to face with England on his privateering vessel. Now what?

All You Can Eat by gummycola | UKUS, E, 2.6k | Arthur's jealous rage at Francis for taking a nibble out of Alfred is dissipating after their fight. Alfred has a problem with that. Third in the Vampire Arthur series.

Coupling, Parting by gummycola | UKUS, E, 3.4k | Prince Alfred is unhappy with his fiance, but not enough to resist a picnic and a chance to be alone with him.

Always. Somehow. by kujocujoh | UKUS, E, 9.1k | A storm forces America and England to share a hotel room. But America has planned this for years.

Weighing Pride Between Scales by DemonicPiano | UKUS, E, 26k | King Alfred's new Queen is a monster in both the streets and the sheets.

The Shape of Seconds by anon | UKUS, E | Kink meme fill, morning sex between England and America.

It's Called 'Special' by Myathewolfeh | UKUS, E, 4.3k | A jealous France decides to find out what makes England and America's relationship so special and gets a pleasant surprise.

Walking Distance by Orestiad | UKUS, E, 11k | Demon Arthur and soulmates and sex.

To Get Something Done, First You Need The Urge by anon | UKUS, E | “Okay… what’s this gonna do to me?” “Permanently? Nothing. In the short term? You may feel somewhat tired.” He smirked slightly. “But I would hope that is normally how you feel after I’ve had my way with you.”

Under the cut is Russia/America.

Ricochet by Spinyfruit | Russia/America/China, E, 9.8k | “You’re going to do this with a guy?” Matthew hisses. “Are you even attracted to men?”

if i die tonight, they'd make me a martyr by membersmark (johnllauren) | Russia/America, E, 7.6k | “You know what I’m here for,” Alfred forces himself to maintain eye contact with Ivan, to act like he has even a semblance of higher ground in this situation.

Hunger by vanceypants | Russia/America, E, 6.4k | After his sister is chosen as the annual sacrifice to the God of Winter and Death, Alfred decides he knows better than the High Priestess, their society at large, and the gods themselves.

Winter Wonderland by Vixenfur | Russia/America, E, 10k | Breaking my rule for this story, which has 760 kudos - Alfred crash lands near a remote cabin in Russia and meets the man of his dreams.

Quicksilver by TheGoliathBeetle | Russia/America, M, 22k | Alfred whimpered, desperate. Ivan had him pinned, holding his hands up and out of the way. But he was also not touching Alfred in any way that mattered. “Don’t be a goddamn tease,” he whined. “C’mon, man.” 

Keeping Warm by anon | Russia/America, E | Hetalia kink meme prompt. Alfred reached up when Ivan passed over him, throwing his arms around him and pulling him down so that he could inhale him. “Mmmm,” he hummed, “you smell so good.”

Totally God's Will and Shit by anon | Russia/America, E | Conference shenanigans - crack fic.

desperate measures by membersmark (johnllauren) | Russia/America, E, 10k | America misses a meeting he was supposed to be hosting. Russia investigates. Omegaverse.

[pcpulr]

&. closed reply / @evcrlasting

damon couldn't help but to roll his eyes. " lingering still isn't looking, vera." he said sternly. " i thought the policy here was look, don't touch. is it not?

[dnangelic]

@bxtonpxss : Neya hums thoughtfully. "Mmm, maybe? I mean, if you can dislike a person at first sight, why not love?" Shrugs. "Why? Do you believe in love at first sight Niwa-san?"

' dislike someone ... ? ' he could have practically started shaking . ' i've never even thought that someone could dislike someone just from taking one look at them ... ' geeze , was something like that supposed to be real , too --- ?! ' love is ... um , l-love is ... ' no good , his throat's balling up . ' i don't really know ... i wanted to believe in it , but maybe i was wrong . '

[fightfcrged]

@giraffeiisms / continued from [x]

Ellie was no stranger to taking hits, hell in the past she would have bragged that she could take them like a man, but a lead pipe to the head multiple times was a time that she could admit defeat. At least this time, despite the blood running down her face, she had only chipped her tooth. "You know what Joel? That sounds awesome." She mumbled, eyes remaining closed to fight the swimming room. "You got him right? Like I'm not gonna open my eyes to your ass stabbed... right?" The worry was obvious in her voice, but all she could do was keep her lunch down.

"Yeah -- I got him." That was .... something of an understatement. That same said lead pipe dropped with a dull thunk onto the floor next to what was left of the guy's head; calling the sight reminiscent of a poorly attempt at one of those junior high 'drop the egg off the roof' experiments was being ... generous. Joel twisted his fingers against the dark cloth of his jeans in an attempt to get the worst of the blood and bits off of his hands as he closed the distance to where Ellie was collapsed on the floor.

"Guess it's a good thing you're so thick headed, huh, kiddo?" It was an attempt at humor that he didn't feel, guilt and anxiety twisting in his chest as he tried to get a better look at the source of the blood winding down her face. "He get you anywhere else?" Sliding his pack off his shoulders, he pulled one of the clean rags from the side pouch, dabbing carefully at the blood on her face before easing it up to press against her temple.

[softietrait]

1 & 12 for simblr asks <3

1. how big is your mods folder?

.... 72.1GB....

12. what is the last screenshot you took?

i can't show the actual last one because it's spoiler for bc. but have this last accidental screenie with my lappy instead of reshade of raine and gina ( @imeepysims ) JKSDFJKSDF Raine's face as Gina rejected her flirtation T_TKJSDFKJS

thank you for asking SOBS <3 || ask me simblr questions?!

[yingren]

@lightning-etc-lord ( cont. )

Confessions are like razor-sharp claws scraping at what remains of his soul, attempting to see if there is something left there or if his core will crumble like dried paint and scatter with the wind. He does not know how to respond, how to properly take it in. 

Everything is undeniably different when he is with Jing Yuan. The man is a thief for aeons sake, a criminal, one that stole the warmth from every star in the universe and planted it in his own soft gaze. Ren hates that look as much as he adores it, cherishes it and yearns to be on the receiving end of it. He wants to protect it from all of the harm in the world, hide it from prying eyes and keep it all to himself; but he can’t & because of that he is inconsolable. Perhaps that is why Jing Yuan’s next words feel more like daggers than comfort, like venom that Ren has to digest without completely losing his mind.

“Substitute... Jing Yuan, do not say such foolish things unless your aim is to make me cross with you.” 

A fair warning stated with a finger pressed against the old general’s chest. He gives him a shove although light in his touch, careful not to push him away too far. 

“You cannot substitute something or someone that you are so vastly different from. Besides, there is not a part of me that yearns for him. The insinuation is foul, dear General.” He pauses, his stare softening into that of a saddened gaze. Even indifference can’t save him now it seems. 

“I feel as though it would only be a waste of your time.” Not quite, he shuts his eyes and refocuses. “No. I mean, as though I would only be a waste of your time.”

[immunityfcrged]

@flxshy / joel continued from [x]

It was bitterly cold, the end of winter had finally come, but spring nights were still brutal to anyone who thought camping was a good idea. Still there they were, braving the elements to bring this girl to the mindless fireflies. He lowers himself down on the stone beside her. His stomach still ached from his wound, but it was much more manageable now. "I know, I know, but how am I suppose to teach you 'bout the stars if I'm way over there?"

Converse clad feet tucked up close, knees pressed to her chest, arms wrapped tight around her legs -- she couldn't have been making herself much smaller if she'd been actively trying to, and the way her body tensed up at his approach probably gave away a lot more about her current mindset than she'd wanted. Not that she'd probably been all that hard to read since the escape from David's compound and everything that had happened before. Playing hide and seek with homicidal maniacs in a mall hadn't exactly been her idea of a fun time.

Still, as what Joel had said finally registered, she did perk up a bit, her shoulders slouching down a little as she glanced towards him, and then up to the sky above them. "Welllllll....." An overly dramatic sigh followed, and she turned her attention back to Joel again. "I guess if you think you got something I dunno already, go for it, old man."

[wyldefcrged]

@primitiveside / continued from [x]

Applying pressure, dirty fingers trickle with red (yeah, those bandages have long-since surpassed their absorbance capacity), the other hand snatched around medical supplies. The wounded man stands expressionless - nearly expressionless. Blood this plentiful comes with suffering. His is teeth-ground down to a tremor (soft, in the jaws) and flaring nostrils. Saying nothing, unable to, perhaps, his head angles; light tilts across his goggles.

He is a predator. It's written in to each of the long, lean lines of his body and in the way he moves, each step a prowl, each breath measured. Calculated. Wounded. A cornered, wounded animal, prey or predator, is the most dangerous kind. Most people would be afraid. Even if they didn't know what he was. Who he was.

"Looks like you could use an extra pair of hands," she suggested, her own held up to show that they were empty. The dagger at the small of her waist, the pistol on her thigh, neither were hidden, but neither were they drawn. She'd be stupid to draw the latter while they were in the vacuum of space, regardless.

Her tone was steady, not quite casual, but not overly concerned, either, despite the fact that he had just dropped out of the literal walls. "I doubt you'd find many other willing volunteers on board," she added, a quirk of her lips that was almost a smile.

[cosmicangst]

Hello! Do you have any favorite romance novels to recommend that are not YA? Thanks!

OH THE PANDORAS BOX YOUVE OPENED ANON ehem a not so exhaustive list

historical romance (this is my main genre so there's more books here)

bringing down the duke and a rogue of one's own by evie dunmore - part of a series but both can be read as stand-alones. victorian period ft suffragettes. the second one in particular is my absolute favorite. it's very Gender with an insouciant dandy and an ambitious activist leader, both lonely and stubborn.

the brothers sinister series (especially the countess conspiracy) and the turner trilogy by courtney milan - will admit i read these books a bit ago so i don't remember much of the details only to say that courtney is a brilliant romance writer so i automatically trust her any time i read her books. she makes the unromantic very romantic in a very grounded way. for example in one of the brothers sinister books, the couple has sex for the first time and it turns out to be understandably mediocre. but this becomes a starting off point that actually brings them closer together. i just love the touch of realism and imperfection she brings in a genre that's built off of heightened emotions and almost fantastical perfection in relationships.

the devil comes courting by courtney milan - separate rec because this is part of another series which i haven't fully read yet. but i just had to add this because i find it remarkably unique among the genre. the events span years (rather than the shortened time frame of most romance novels) and a large part of the courtship is epistolary. it's also interracial and does not feature a white person! (heroine is chinese and hero is black.) one of those hr books that is equally historical fiction as it is romance and explores a period that i think hasn't been touched upon as much yet.

a week to be wicked by tessa dare - the best romcom-y hr ive read! it's a zany road trip with a romance that happens so gradually it really does sneak up on you which is the best kind.

the belle of belgrave square by mimi matthews - marriage of convenience. read this recently and every plot beat was absolutely perfect. the reveals, the commitment between them, everything just made sense. nothing was extraneous.

convergence of desire by felicity niven - also marriage of convenience. I LOVE THIS HEROINE. she's on the spectrum and he has a toxic relationship to sex. he is absolutely not attracted to her in the beginning but the honesty she gives to him while she pursues her own ambitions has him absolutely at her feet by the end.

my deceitful duchess by aydra richards - nerdy virgin ass hero which is a breath of fresh air from all these alpha males. has one of the best grovels over a misunderstanding that absolutely makes sense and isn't contrived 👌👌👌

when beauty tamed the beast by eloisa james - read this a long time ago but this is the first romance book i read so i have a lot of fondness over it. a kind-of retelling of beauty and the beast. top notch banter.

suddenly you by lisa kleypas - older heroine and younger hero! virgin spinster and novelist starts a fwb relationship with her publisher. a bit dated but still a fun read.

devil in winter by lisa kleypas - oh very dated but a classic amongst the romance community. marriage of convenience. the hero sebastian is both loved and reviled (and rightfully so i think) by his readers but i just have so much fondness for evie and the way she absolutely does not give a shit about how intimidating he is.

a rogue by any other name by sarah maclean - childhood friends reunite years later. read this a loooong time ago and i don't remember much except he does the absolute most to push her away because of Revenge reasons and the fallout from that is delicious

a lady's guide to fortune hunting by sophie irwin - MY CURRENT LOVE. enemies to lovers with my favorite heroine. she is cunning and scheming and absolutely shameless without being a complete asshole. the hero is also equally savvy enough to match her wit and catch onto her grift. the interplay between them of trying to outscheme the other is hilarious and delightful.

contemporary:

georgie, all along by kate clayborn - sweet, slow romance where the drama happens around the couple rather than between them except for the very end and even that is handled pretty maturely. not a big fan of third act breakups in general unless it's for a very good reason so this one sidesteps that by not prolonging it.

against a wall by cate c. wells - small town enemies to lovers. one of those read with your pussy books. hero is kind of a dumb brick but he knows it and owns it and i admire him for it. heroine is the town pariah and spoilers he literally fights the whole town for her sake. get you a man!

the kiss quotient and the bride test by helen hoang - both feature leads on the spectrum. i've seen criticism regarding how she handles neurodivergent characters but reading her author's note, i can tell she definitely pulls a lot from her own experiences being on the spectrum herself so i don't really understand the crit tbh. kind of veers to melodrama a little at the very end but i eat that shit up

the hating game by sally thorne - overexposed now in the rec circles but still a mainstay for a reason. enemies to lovers workplace romance with two leads that are kind of deranged which i love. great prose, great banter.

the billionaire's wake-up call girl by annika martin - billionaires have no rights but just suspend your head for a sec. they could have made him a millionaire and functionally nothing would've changed. anyway also a yummy enemies to lovers with a case of mistaken identity.

well met by jen deluca - kind of like georgie, all along in that the heart of it is just two very normal people falling in love in a very normal way that feels true to life. setting is a renaissance fair which is delightful.

kiss an angel by susan elizabeth phillips - dated as all hell and has some troubling parts with a batshit premise. but the last several chapters honestly make the book and i reread it from time to time so im obligated to include it on this list.

bass-ackwards by eris adderly - okay TW on workplace harassment BUT JUST READ PAST CHAPTER TWO I PROMISE. if it's still not your cup of tea totally understand but anyway... er, workplace romance.

people we meet on vacation by emily henry - ive described this book before as when harry meets sally if harry and sally were making a travelogue. the best friends to lovers pining is actually painful.

other/kinda out there:

radiance by grace draven - arranged marriage interspecies romance! i love this one because both of them thinks the other is actually very ugly so they fall in love purely through their friendship.

transcendence by shay savage - OK LMAO hear me out: caveman and a modern human sent back in time due to shenanigans all from the caveman's pov. the premise is batshit and it's obvious which fandom this was originally a fanfic for if you think about it for more than a second but this author makes it work???? have no fucking clue how she did it but by god she absolutely did

last light by claire kent - apocalypse romance. kind of road trip with survival elements. again i just love unlikely romances where the couple isn't that attracted to each other from the start and having that gradually change through time in a way thats not signposting to the audience.

ghost walk by cassandra gannon - funniest shit ever. ghost who died in the revolutionary era meets a psychic who works as a walking tour guide and recovering from a nervous breakdown. absolutely ridiculous and over the top. insta love which i normally dont like but this was so campy and fun i didn't even care

all cishet but you can find my queer recs here

[lichtgrau]

"Honestly, considering I mastered how to pretend I do not see them, it probably gives me some karma points to help for once. It's just impossible for a guy like me to end up being the afterlife therapist for most of them. After all, I do not see them cause I was meant to help but I guess, I fall more into the category of being one of them just with a cheat body," he replied, looking around. Yuma had come to terms with that.

The commentary about the cat made him laugh: "That sounds like something a cat would do. One of my friends is a weasel, and despite him not really shapeshifting that much, he is always very offended if people mistake him for a ferret or worse, say otters are better." It was a very random story to tell, but somehow, he felt as if Eita was somebody who might like some sillyness.

Yuma enjoyed the little tour; it was obvious that the older man was more than familiar with the area. Locals always were the best for such matters. "Makes me think of my hometown. I was raised by my grandparents in a small suburb, it was more of a village, tho. Very old-style, but the smell was about the same."

"Ohh, lovely! I haven't eaten my second breakfast yet! I mean, lunch." Eita's tongue had slipped because he was, in fact, too excited to see Yuma-san this morning. It wasn't often he got to connect with a guest to this level, especially one that was a yokai! "Hardly. If anything, Yuma-san is the one who needs to be repaid for helping this lovely old lady!" He nodded sagely, and followed him towards the shrine.

"Neko-sama says that it would crimp her style if she was seen walking with two human-shaped beings in the morning," Eita explained. He preened back a strand of wavy hair that the wind stubbornly kept in his eyes and glanced at Yuma. "Wouldn't want to make neko-sama lose her status amongst the other girls, so we'll just meet her there. She knows the place like the back of her hand - rather, paw!"

It was a nice walk, familiar to Eita, but also unfamiliar in the sense that he was sharing it with someone new while chatting about unique spots in town that they had visited before, or had yet to experience. He loved the scent of wet grass in the mornings, those fresh verdant valleys sparkling with dew, or the clouds hanging low upon the mountains like fashionable silk scarfs.

[unhetalia]

Could you share some of your headcanons for the relationship between Alfred and Matthew? Like what kid of relationship they have?

These two are weirdos, first and foremost. I have a few different configurations for how they are depending on how angsty I want a universe to be. If we're talking headcanons for the relationship that looks similar to what they have in canon (they spend time together of their own volition), this is what I have.

My Matthew and Alfred's relationship can't be talked about wholly without mentioning the fact that there is an additional sibling - Maria, the eldest - and that she actively preferred Alfred to Matthew, meaning that there has NEVER been a time when Matthew felt in equal standing with Alfred when someone knows both Alfred and Matthew. I cannot emphasise how much this fucks Matthew up.

(Lack of self-awareness on Matthew's part, he also vastly prefers Alfred to Maria.)

This means that Matthew really doesn't like sharing friends with Alfred. This means he tends to be friends with Nations who actively dislike Alfred - Cuba, for one. Old English colonies who have always been bitter about having to compete with the ghost of Alfred Jones.

Alfred doesn't mention it, but this is something that hurts Alfred quite a bit, and leads to Alfred seeking out Maria and others' company more than Matthew's, which upsets him.

Matthew's blind spot is absolutely Alfred - he doesn't consider Alfred's feelings because he can't imagine that Alfred's feelings are capable of getting hurt. He truly sees Alfred as someone with a charmed life.

On the other hand, Alfred underestimates his twin. He never brings up anything Matthew does wrong because he believes Matthew "doesn't mean anything bad by it" and doesn't think Matthew can handle the criticism, thereby leading to a relationship where Matthew feels like he is a better sibling to Alfred than Matthew is to him.

It isn't just in their relationship - Alfred sees Matthew as dependent on his government, on England and France. He doesn't really see Matthew as someone who can stand on his own two feet, and therefore he doesn't see Matthew as being able to handle lots of things. (This is kind of a bigger thing wherein both Alfred AND Maria look down on Nations who work too closely with governments, as they see it is antithesis to their existence - more on this later.)

So these two have a lot of issues! Matthew blames Alfred for too many things that Alfred can't actually control instead of addressing his own issues with his self-worth, and Alfred lets Matthew get away with a lot of things because he sees Matthew as a delicate flower who is incapable of malice and can't handle criticism (or anything too hard, really).

BUT as with all familial relationships it's not all bad! These are two people who love each other DEEPLY.

Matthew doesn't love anyone more than he loves Alfred, no matter their issues. He will defend Alfred from any physical harm (see: Canadian response to Pearl Harbour - there ARE pluses to being attached to your government).

Alfred never forgets Mattie! He's on his speed dial! (Which number he is on speed dial I have not yet decided). He and Mattie have a lot of things they do, just the two of them - a lot are hiking-in-nature related. Or food related.

Matt and Al have six different secret languages - one of which is a form of sign language and three which they can use to communicate while one of them is bound and tied up and the kidnapper makes the ransom call in the same room.

Matthew has one of Al's baby teeth saved all the way from the 1600s. It's one of his most prized possessions, as its basically one of the only real proof of them ever being children that he has.

I've always headcanon'd that Al only has one home in the US, BUT he also has a cabin in Canada that he and Matthew stay in often. (Al just stays with Maria when he's in Mexico, but Al feels uncomfortable staying in Matt's house because both the Canadian AND US governments know where it is.)

Alfred remembers Kumajirou's name and vice versa.

Matthew favourite food is Alfred's apple pie - even more than pancakes. Alfred likes hockey over American football or baseball.

[pcpulr]

⋆˙⟡ 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐘 || @deviiates

the woman didn't know what to say. the whoel time she had thought caesar was dead after their last camp was overran by walkers. it was overwhelming and chaotic. she couldn't wait for him. all she had to do was run. since then, she was on her own for a bit before finding refuge with a community. " you know how it is, shoot first ask questions later." sydney's first instinct was to continue to joke with him but instead she had pulled him into a long, almost bone crushing hug. she didn't want to let him go. " i know being in this god forsaken world is the worst thing but losing you actually was."

[dnangelic]

@gruusha : "... if you want to sleep, the pokemon center is a better option. it's open 24-7... the gym is not."

silence .

his eyes are still shut .

then , muffled , the sound of his exhausted , not-all-too-pleased-to-be-suddenly-perturbed voice .

' --- what's a gym . '

[fightfcrged]

@opheliaavery / continued from [x]

The young woman pauses. What is the answer? Everything, nothing. More than he is capable of and more than she’d ever give. Like the tiny limpet on a sea rock she once saw in a picture book, she has found him and attached herself. Ophelia wants his time and energy, she has an endless hunger for it. She wants to live until earths last dying gasp.

“Let me stay. Just a while longer. That’s what I want from you.” She steps closer, her very existence proving she has a talent for survival, a promise to be useful.

Rough edges, sharp teeth, he is an old and tired wolf that has no patience for the rest of them -- this is the armor and the mask that he has worn so long that he does not know if there is anything else left beneath it any longer.

She is everything he isn't. Young, and eager, boundless energy and sharp eyed, beautiful and still tender despite the callous world and the harsh reality that they both call home. Acerbic tongues, and the desperate, keening need to feel something other than pain -- surely, those are the only things they have in common.

He wanted to push her away, force her out the door of his shitty Boston apartment, into the arms of someone less bitter, less broken. I'm not a violent dog.

I don't know why I bite.

No. That wasn't true, either, was it. He was a violent dog, and he bit, because it was better than being bitten.

"Last I checked, it's still a free country." Ragged, dry and bitter, the humor that coated those words. Free. Nothing about Fedra cities was 'free'. But it was the closest he could bring himself to saying 'stay'. Please stay.