#BA: snippet

[burning-academia-if]

May I offer my apology for this chapter taking So Long in the form of previews. Both lead-ins into some of my favorite scenes in chapter 3

[falllpoutboy]

going through jayo withdrawals its only been a few weeks but i need them again

[thee-morrigan]

for the word search game... hum? or space

Secret third option: both of 'em!

Hum, from--like so many of these snippets lol--an upcoming chapter of attachment theory:

She was still laughing, low and rich, when he caught her other hand and pulled her forward, fingers tugging at hers, coaxing her closer, closer, the easy warmth of her laughter stretching into a pleased hum as she slid into his lap and kissed him, her hands sliding into his hair, fingers curling over the nape of his neck.

And space(s), from the (apparently never-ending) fight-about-your-mommy-issues fic:

That odd twinge of guilt in her chest was back again, as if it were her fault somehow that her mother only ever seemed to see the absence of someone else when she looked at her; guilt, perhaps, that she had never learned to interpret the spaces between the words her mother didn't say.

Send me a word, if it’s in my wip document I’ll answer your ask with the sentence that it appears in

[wolfsonic]

Snippets of the Monkey couples ( @journey-to-the-au )

So I come baring this fluff as an apology for the angst I had written before. I would have done it sooner, but irl responsibilities got in the way, unfortunately. Just basically three short stories of our lovely monkey couples!

Chestnut looked up at the tree from where she stood under it. A basket in hand as she watched Ba pick fruits, she had asked if she could help him. But he turned her down, stating he could get them himself.

So now Chestnut watched, holding the already gathered fruits he obtained. She didn't say much, but every unbalanced wobble he tried to hide had her watching him like a hawk.

"Last one." Ba said as one hand held onto a branch above his head. As he walked along another, his prize was a peach just barely out of his reach.

Chestnut bit her lip nervously before finally speaking up, eyeing the branch he just stepped onto. "Ba, be careful, I think that branch is a little unstable."

"I'll be down in a second." Ba smiled as he grabbed the peach, leaning forward too much. "It's fine, see." He said while turning back around on the branch. Not even a second later, a loud snap of said branch rang through the forest. A screech of suprise came from Ba, the shock of suddenly not having something under his feet made his hand slip.

Thankfully, a bush under him caught his dissent, saving him from colliding with the solid ground. "Ba! Are you ok!" Chestnut called immediately, running to his side. The monkey looked over the other, sighing in relief when she noticed nothing broken or out of place.

After the initial shock, he turned to look at her before replying, holding the peach out to her as he spoke. "Peachy."

All Chestnut could do was just facepalm, hiding her own little smile as he snickered at his own pun. She took the peach before gently pulling him up to sit right. "Anything hurts?"

"Just my pride." Ba said, allowing Chestnut to help pull him up to a sitting position, as he winced, and a soft curse came from his lips. "And maybe my tail a little, dang it, it was a good day too."

Ba lowered his head as Chestnut began to pick out the twigs and the leaves. "Maybe we should talk to Beng?"

"No," Ba said with a shake of his head. "He and Liu are on the other side of the mountain patrolling."

Chestnut just frowned before speaking again. "Ok, how about we hang out in the hot springs and eat our fruit there, then?"

Ba thought for a moment before nodding a small smile and a blush at her words. She had remembered the off handed comment he made about the heat helping the pains. "Yea, that could work."

Chestnut nodded with a smile before turning to see the basket holding their fruit tipped over. It didn't take long for them to gather up the fruit and make their way to the hot springs. A few monkeys called out to the pair in greeting when they arrived.

Chestnut and Ba soon cuddled up halfway in the water, feeding the other fruit as contentedness washed over them.

~~~

Ma made her way to a small cave hidden and off to the side in Waterfall Curtain Cave. It was way past midnight, and Beng still hadn't returned to their nest. The monkey could only assume he was focused on his herbs. Her hand traced the line of the cave as she walked, following the familiar path.

"Hey Beng, are you -" her voice immediately cut off at the sight before her. Shock slowly turned into a soft giggle as she approached Beng. Who was currently sleeping, a few bottles and containers holding herbs were strung about him.

As Ma got closer, she reached forward and started to caress the side of his cheek that wasn't smushed into the rock he was using as a table. He hummed and shifted to hid his face more into his arms, causing Ma to continue to scratch his scalp gently with her fingers

"Beng, you have to get up. I can't move you if you're still sleeping," Ma said into his ear as she took her other hand to shake him. All she got in reply was a small mumble of five more minutes from him. She chuckled before adding a little louder this time. "Also, you'll probably not be too happy if I put away your herbs, I know you have a system, and I don't want to touch anything without you knowing"

Beng just snorted softly as he slowly woke up, opening his eyes, tired blue irises came into focus on Ma's face. "Hey there, sleepy head." Ma said with a soft smile on her face.

"Hi." He mumbled softly as he sat up, rubbing his eyes in the process. "What time...?" He asked as he fully turned to Ma, too tired to finish his sentence.

Said Marshal had to stop the laugh that came to her lips, the sight of a few leaves of herbs stuck to the side of his face. The other just looked at her in confusion before reaching up to feel them. His confusion turned deadpan, and Beng just rolled his eyes as he flicked them off his face.

Ma then calmed herself down enough to speak again. "Let me help put these away because you look like you're about to fall asleep again. Just tell me where to put them. You can always fix it later, "

Beng looked at what he had out before nodding slowly, Ma following his tired instructions as he also worked to put stuff away. After everything was put away, Ma gently took his hand and tugged him out of the herb cave. "Come on, big guy, sleep time."

Beng followed Ma, leaning on her gently as they walked. The pace was slow as they made their way back to their nest, and when they finally reached it, Beng all but collapsed into it. Ma just shook her head before fixing the nest up around him as it was a little displaced.

She was halted in her ministrations as Beng grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the nest with him. "Ok ok I'm coming." She said with a soft laugh. He said nothing as he pulled her under him and laid back down, effectively trapping her. Ma just laughed as she ran her fingers through his hair. Not really grooming but, just playing with his fur.

It wasn't long he fell asleep again, soft mumbled words past his lips almost sounding like a thank you, it wasn't long Ma soon followed him into sleep.

~~~

Rin Rin hand was held tight in Liu's as he led the way, her eyes were closed shut, keeping where they were going a secret. The trek wasn't long and finally came to a stop. "You can open your eyes now." Liu said, letting go of her hand.

She slowly opened her eyes before her eyes widened at the sight. A small flower field spead acrossed a clearing, one she lost to flooding a few months ago and one she maintained since she was little. She turned to him, small tears prick her eyes. "How?"

Liu smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, "I had to ask some help from Willow, since she remembered most of the flowers you used to have in your field and she taught me a little more on how to take care of them. And WuKong helped in making sure it doesn't flood again." Liu explained a soft blush on his cheeks.

He remembered the day the mountain experienced a heavy rainfall, and most of the monkeys had taken shelter inside Watefall Curtain Cave or under cover around the mountain. When it finally subsided, Liu heart broke at the sight of barely concealed tears Rin Rin had not even a few hours later.

The once beautiful field now was reduced to a mini lake, and Liu just knew he had to bring it back. He worked in small intervals after his patrols and outpost shifts, so he didn't tip off anyone, especially Rin Rin, but it proved fruitless after just a week. WuKong had grown curious to where his Marshal was going and followed him to see him elbow deep in dirt, trying to level out the clearing.

The king said nothing and joined the other. With his help, it was easier to get the dirt where it needed to be. It wasn't long after Liu asked Willow for help in getting the correct flowers needed to remake the field. The celestial was overjoyed to help, teaching him how to plant them as well as care for them.

Liu was jolted from the memeory as Rin Rin collided with him for a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, my brave love!" Her voice was loud and excited.

Liu just smiled as he returned the hug gently pressed and gentle kiss to her forehead. "Anything for you, my moonlight."

A soft blush appeared on her face at the nickname, but her eyes sparkled in pure joy. She backed away from the hug and tugged him forward with a squeal. Liu smiled as she dragged him to each flower, knowing he'd do anything to keep that smile on her face.

[grayscale-sparks]

gray how do you not yap about fanfiction you're working on.

I'm realizing how big The Fox and The Butcher will be if I write what I'm thinking/ how big it has the potential to be if I flesh it out a lot and it. It's a bit daunting. And I want to yap about it. Since realizing how big I could make this part of me feels like I should like do it chronologically and not publish anything au 39 or 40 related till I do some things in the 2 year gap and then 35 and all but I want to talk about it. so much. I wrote part of a conversation that takes place post 35 last night and I want to scream about it (it's not amazing. I wrote it at like 2 am when I couldn't sleep. But there are a few particular lines that I love and HHHHHHH I want to scream about them.) but I also feel like I should finish that First Meeting fic first but that's going no where at the moment or do something pre 35 at least that's purely hitman Noel related but. I want to think about how realizing Dennis's target was the man he was told to help affects his brain in the day between 35 and 39.

And it's making me think about The Man in the Mirror and yeah I wasn't caught up on malevolent during those 7 months so I wasn't there in person but like did you talk about things? How did you not talk about things? Did you keep any secrets in a vault. Gray how do you not talk about exciting ideas and fun lines. Like you spent 7 months writing this guy's back story.

And Also! Noel's (Charlie's) just neat. Call us the King in Yellow the way we're in this guy's head.

And it's an AU!!!! (tfatb that is.) This isn't even canon Noel! or canon divergent! But I sit down to think about a wip like the 3 years earlier au or like the "What if Arthur mentioned to Noel that the KiY had made him not hear John and then the moment where John forgets who Noel is has more implications for Noel" idea from a bit ago and suddenly I have The Fox and The Butcher doc open instead. I can write canon compliant fics! I have! I just also can't stop thinking about the differences between canon Charlie and tfatb Charlie and it makes me sad and suddenly I'm typing a whole lot (as seen in this ask)

So feel free to make anything on any post I ever make Charlie Dowd related because yeah I get it. I also want to yap about him. I want to put him in stressful circumstances and then have someone show him the tiniest bit of concern. I want to tear apart the masks and lies and layers that are him and those that he's been dealt.

So like. How do you not yap about things. Or do you? Do you just yap about things?

HI this is an absolutely delightful ask

so first of all your fic sounds so so good and long huge fics take A LOT out of you. So make sure to pace yourself and TAKE NOTES! I cannot stress this enough. Take. Notes. Anything and everything even if you don’t use it. Write it down somewhere.

and if you need to take a break please for the love of god do it. I never would have finished TMITM if I worked through my burn out there at the end.

that being saaaidd. Eight months. It was eight months working on it. I started in the beginning of August. But fun fact! I didn’t join tumblr until October I think.

and about the yapping truuust me once I got comfortable with my mutuals I did not shut up. I posted snippets on Wednesdays and chapters would go up on fridays. I vague posted so much.

but honestly? I never ever would have finished if it weren’t for @lordofthesoups. I could talk to him about anything and everything and the last few chapter titles of New York underwent SERIOUS renovations. Being completely honest New York wouldn’t have been anything if it weren’t for them.

what I’m trying to say is, talk about it! Get people excited! It’s just as good for you as it is for other people to get interested in your work. My dms are always open if you need help or if you’re just really excited about some dialogue. It’s hard work, but the pay off is phenomenal.

[virmillion]

local idiot reads book titled 'icarus,' is shocked when it contains references to falling and the sun, more at eleven

[vibbybee]

idk if you guys were normal but i remember when aethers cn va sang "my angel" and i cried when i listened to it, like...fat tears i couldn't breathe and then my brother walked in on my crying, asked me why i was crying, and then gave me the most disappointed look known to man when i told him said reason

[wileycap]

My (sad) headcanon for why Iroh didn't give Azula as much attention or grace as he did to Zuko, in the form of a little 300-word snippet:

“Do you know what made me such a great general?” Iroh asked, lazily rotating the Pai Sho tile as if they were sitting in a tea shop instead of a not-quite-cell. As if the nice plush couch made this just a noblewoman’s sitting room and not a hospital room. As if...

Azula didn’t deign to respond. If the old coot wanted to make a point, she was damned if she was going to do his legwork.

“I always knew where every piece fit,” Iroh said, staring across the years. “I knew where each man would go, so that he could do the most he could do. I knew which unit would break in which situation and which would hold. I always knew.

“Like the day we began our final attack on Ba Sing Se’s outer wall.”

Iroh’s voice broke, a harsh inhale, tears barely held back.

“I knew Lu Ten had to lead the left flank. I knew that Lu Ten would give anything to take that battlement. And I knew that another commander wouldn’t, and then the center would crumple and with it, our chance to take the wall. And I knew!"

A ragged exhale.

"I knew that I was sending him to die. I told myself that he would survive. But I knew.”

Iroh turned his eyes, the familiar gold, to Azula.

“Why am I telling you this, you wonder. Why should you care?” Iroh laughed, cold and mirthless. “Well, if you ever wondered why I gave so much of my time and love to Zuko, and so little to you… it’s because in Zuko, I saw Lu Ten again. A dutiful, stubborn, brave son being used by his horrible father.”

The worst part was, Azula thought in some distant, far-away part of herself, the worst part was that the tears spilling from the corner of Iroh’s eyes almost seemed real.

“And in you…

“I only saw myself.”

[burning-academia-if]

Cute things to call the voice inside your head

Superrrr WIP and not featured: a 'something else' option so you can call them whatever you want

[lilbluustar]

Hii

I read your Yushi fic and the writing: amazing. Could you write something similar to that with Mark and he has a cute petname for the reader like sunshine orsomething? No worries if u don't want to! Thanks! 🩷

helloooo<3 omg anon! thank you for your wordssssss<3 i rlly appreciate them sooooooooooo much, thank you so much🩷🩷

and of course! here it is :)

mark as a boyfriend

if Mark were your boyfriend, he would be the cutest, funniest, most genuine guy in the world, because he would always find ways to make you smile and support you in your every dream. he would sing you songs (sometimes with lyrics made up just for you), tease you with affection, and hug you tight when you needed it most. with him, every day would be special, because his love would be felt in the simplest and most sincere details.

✧ he's the most adorable and clueless boyfriend, but incredibly thoughtful in his own way.

even though he sometimes forgets small details, he always tries his best to make you feel special.

his favorites are "sunshine", "baby", "cutie", but sometimes he gets to make up random ones like "squishy" or "my lil' star", and even though they sometimes sound funny, he says them with so much affection that you can't help but love them.

✧ from the first day you became boyfriend and girlfriend, he gave you a lot of cute nicknames.

“sunshine, how is it possible that you look prettier every day, it's like i glow more when i'm with you, seriously...”

whether it's sending you audios with his guitar in the middle of the night or writing you snippets of lyrics inspired by you.

✧ he dedicates songs to you all the time.

"i don't know if i already told you, but i wrote something today and i feel like it's very ‘you’... can i sing it to you?"

and when he does, he gets all red while looking at you with that shy smile.

“ba-baby... e-eh, it's just, ah... i don't know how to tell you, but... i love you, so much.”

✧ when he's nervous or embarrassed, he stammers and stutters, but that only makes it more adorable.

if he can't respond quickly, at least he leaves you a:

✧ even though he has a super busy schedule, he always finds time to send you little messages.

"thinking of you, sunshine ☀" or a "miss you, baby."

"i don't want to detach from you... just five more minutes, please, sunshine..."

✧ when you are together, he keeps hugging you. he loves to wrap his arms around your waist and hide his little face in your neck.

sometimes he inadvertently looks at you with that expression of complete adoration, like you're his favorite person in the whole universe. and when you catch him looking at you, he gets nervous and smiles embarrassed.

“have you eaten yet little baby, are you sure, because if not, you let me know and i'll bring you something, anything you want.”

✧ Mark in protector™ mode is the cutest. even if he's not the most intimidating, he's always looking out for you, making sure you're okay, comfortable and safe.

“b-baby, stop saying nice things, I'm going to melt...”

✧ every time you praise him, he laughs all shy and covers his face with his hands.

✧ loves to make you laugh. he goes into clown mode, making funny faces, silly dances or imitating others.

"sunshine, i don't like seeing you like this... do you want me to hug you? or we can watch your favorite movie, whatever you want."

✧ if you're ever sad, he stops everything he's doing to make you feel better.

as soon as he sees you, his face lights up as if you brought the sunshine with you. he grins from ear to ear and runs to hug you, wrapping his arms around you as he rocks you back and forth.

✧ when he sees you after days of not seeing you.

“god, sunshine, i missed you too much...” he murmurs into your hair, leaving a soft kiss on your forehead.

he always puts you on the safer side of the sidewalk without even thinking about it. If you cross the street, he holds your hand firmly.

✧ when he protects you on the street.

“let me take care of you, baby.”

and if someone gets too close to you on the subway or in a crowded place, he unhesitatingly pulls you against him, putting his arm around you.

he watches you silently and, without a word, takes off his jacket to put it over your shoulders.

✧ when he notices you're cold.

“i don't want you to get sick, baby.”

and if you protest, he just smiles and squeezes your nose gently with his fingers.

"no argument, sunshine, i'm fine. i want you to be comfortable."

he's not an expert chef, but he puts all his effort into making something special for you.

✧ when he cooks for you.

"okay, maybe the pasta is a tiny bit overcooked, but.... made with love, baby!" he says with a coy smile. and if he sees you enjoying it, he sighs with relief and smiles proudly.

“it's not that i'm jealous…but i just want to remind you that I'm the only one who can call you like that.”

✧ when he's jealous without wanting to admit it.

he purses his lips and averts his eyes when someone else tries to flirt with you. he tries not to be obvious, but it shows in how he squeezes your hand tighter or how he leans a little closer to you. when you're alone, he mutters under his breath,

“no way…how can you be so precious, baby?”

✧ when he finds you adorable without meaning to.

every time you do something cute, like laugh with your eyes closed or puff out your cheeks in anger, Mark looks at you like you're the cutest thing on the planet.

and sometimes he doesn't even say anything, he just watches you with that goofy, lovesick grin.

"five more minutes? i promise i'll let you go later…" but in the end, he always stays a little while longer because he just can't stay away from you.

✧ when he doesn't want to part from you.

after a perfect date, when it's time to say goodbye, he's left holding your hand, with a wistful expression.

mark can be shy at times, but when he really kisses you... wow. gently at first, but with an intensity that takes your breath away. one of his hands rests on your waist while the other caresses your cheek. and when he breaks away, he just stares at you, with that expression full of pure love.

✧ when he kisses you with more intensity than usual.

“tell me you're real, because I feel like i'm dreaming of you.”

he's embarrassed at first, but when you encourage him, he starts playing the guitar and his voice sounds so soft and sincere that it almost feels like his heart is speaking directly to you.

✧ when he sings you something special:

"this song...reminds me of you. always."

mark is the type to say "i love you" with his soul. he says it with a special sparkle in his eyes, with an emotion that trembles in his voice. and when he says it to you in a whisper, while holding you close, you feel as if those two words are the most important thing in the world.

✧ when he tells you he loves you.

"that's cute…although i think i'd like to see you better without it…and that i'm the reason."

✧ when he jokes about ruining your makeup.

you look gorgeous, made up and ready to go, but Mark looks at you with a playful smile and says,

✧ when his voice deepens.

Mark already has a beautiful voice, but there are certain times when he naturally lowers his pitch, almost hoarse, especially when he's too close to you. and if you notice the change, he smiles mischievously. "do you like the sound of that? because i like the way you react too much."

there are times when Mark looks at you with those bright eyes full of tenderness... but there are also other times when his gaze is darker, deeper. he scans you up and down, and his tongue subtly flicks across his lips before he smiles mischievously.

✧ when his gaze changes.

“don't look at me like that, baby, or i won't be able to control myself.”

mark as a boyfriend is the sweetest, most protective and loving guy. he looks at you like you are his whole world and tries his best every day to make you smile.

OKAY.... after writing this I need a boyfriend like mark 😭 or mark being my boyfriend?....

[jungkoode]

tiny snippet of the fic in my drafts??? popularity check 👀

"What the fuck are you doing here?" You whisper-yell, heart immediately kicking into overdrive.

"Just want my jacket ba—" You slap your hand over his mouth before he can finish. His lips are warm against your palm and you try very hard not to think about that.

"Are you actually insane?" Your voice drops even lower. "You can't be here!"

"I know." He scowls when you remove your hand. "That's why I want to make this quick."

"Ever heard of morning? You know, when people normally exchange clothes?"

"Not like I'm sleeping anywa—"

A cough echoes from one of the other rooms and your body moves on pure instinct. You grab his wrist and yank him inside before anyone can catch redacted’s deadliest assassin lurking outside your door at ass o'clock.

(…)

"Jeon," you breathe against his cheek. "You need to—"

He moves again, more obviously this time. You lose your balance for a split second, shifting to catch yourself, and—oh.

Oh.

Fuck.

"Shit—" The word hisses out between his teeth like he's been burned.

Your brain short-circuits because that's definitely his cock pressing against your ass through the thin cotton of your pajamas.

edit: since this has gotten so much love—chapter 1 is out. check it out!

[rainydayfix]

Trouble (Part 1)

Pairing – Steve Rogers (The Winter Soldier Steve in particular) x female reader Summary: He came into the club to unwind. You focus on making ends meet. But his shyness and your compassion might be both of your undoing.

Warnings: 18+ content (MINORS DNI!!!), thigh riding, one or two cursewords, pretty much just making out and horniness but PART 2 will be on its way and it will be much more NSFW. Contrary to the title, both of these are consensual.

Word count: 1,914

Snippet: “You getting married soon?” Maybe that was the reason for his reclusiveness, he's got a woman at home and doesn't want to mess up his future. It almost settled a sense of relief in you, to know a good one was still out there.

“I'm just busy at work. I don't get much time off,” he said. You exhaled a sight of relief bigger than you anticipated. You almost swore, with the way his neck perked up, he heard it too.

Random Notes – I was literally driving home from work, and Trouble Man from The Winter Soldier soundtrack came on - the whole story kinda flashed in my mind and I was just so giddy. As soon as I got home, I just kinda let this one go and here we are. I hope ya'll enjoy, and let me know what you think!! :D

Having just come off your set on the main stage, you take your cue with the hoots and hollers around the room from bored husbands and bosses to get all you can. A little shimmy here, some quick flirty convos there, as men stuff the lining of your bra and underwear with singles and double digits. Feeling hot from the stuffiness of the air, and not the attraction of anyone in the room, you shuffle to a mirror in a dark corner behind the crowded bar to make yourself look more presentable. The crisp and crumpled dollar bills felt a bit thicker than your intake from the night before. At least you hope so as you take off your heel and force the bills to the bottom before slipping it back on. Safe keeping.

A separate round of large shouts and hollers come from the entranceway rather than close to the stage. A bachelor party? A happy hours get-together? You couldn't care less to be honest, but you had to care enough while you were on the clock with bills to pay.

A couple of the girls from the back scuttle back and forth from the dressing room, wanting to get a vantage point of the new troupe of customers. We were all desperate for more than the regulars, even if they paid between impish and fairly well. Two servers dipped over to them more than ready to take their orders, as a few of the men began busting out bills for the table, the kind of show and tell to bring over any dancer in a heartbeat.

From where you stood across the floor, the eight of them all looked like they belonged roiding out in the gym, or getting off fighting a war – wearing various combos of black jackets, pants, shirts, slick back hair. The one with the beard had gruffest voice and looked like the leader, and none of them had a problem following his lead. Being loud and gruff for the sake of it.

Except for one. He wasn't even wearing black. You couldn't be sure under shadows of neon lights but he looked like he was donning the most subtle navy blue casual look, not the cargo wear of his pals. Blonde hair. Sharp jawline. Looking exactly like he had no idea what he was doing there. If you were one of your friends, you would've gone to him next. None of the others seemed to think he was worth the hassle, going for the more extroverted ones of the bunch. You almost felt sorry for him.

But you didn't want any problems tonight. Sighing and mentally wishing the other girls luck you made your way around the room, hitting up some guys who cheered the most when you were on stage, some who left you great tips last night.

That sorriness you felt for the lone stranger didn't last long before you found yourself close enough to the table you planned on avoiding.

“What's your name, sweet cheeks,” the loud one, the leader, shouted over the music, letting a loose hand gently graze your back.

You offered your stage name with a tight smile. The tightest most polite smile you could while trying desperately not to eye the wad of cash splayed across the tables that seemed to grow bigger from the time they entered twenty minutes ago. It almost made your heart jump from what that could help you pay off.

“You gonna take care of our boy, [Y/N]?” His suggestion coming off like a barking order. You gonna help take care of our boy, or else, kind of order. You couldn't help but think that they just didn't want him ruining their mood and wanting to fuck anything that moved instead of actually wanting him to have a good time.

The blond guy's face flinched , as one of the waitresses put down a drink in front of him and turned away almost immediately. He seemed to relax a bit but not that much, and that wasn't going to make most of the dancers here spend much time with him if it seemed like he wasn't capable of ponying up.

You didn't pay attention to the loud one. Instead, you offered a heartwarming smile to the one practically sitting on his own in the crowded booth as you maneuvered over to him.

“It's a little loud in here,” you leaned over, remarking.

All he could do was nod his head. You sighed, deeply. Your closest friend who was already joined at the hip to a svelte guy with way too much oil in his slicked back hair gave you a look of pity, and then forced a laugh to whatever he said.

Your hand reached over to his face, redirecting his eyes to meet your gaze. “Why don't we go somewhere a little more private?” you asked, leaning over close enough for him to smell your perfume. Maybe close enough for him to feel, I don't know, safer, at ease.

His eyes were blue. Soft yet sharp, even warm. You didn't expect that being this close to him. With a quick nod of his head, he stood up with more confidence than what you expected. Taking your head in his, you saw the first glimpse of a smile, even if it was a shy one, as his friends howled behind him and threw down more money for the dancers making out on stage.

You led him through to a private suite, with one of the security guards eyeing the both of you as you walked through the threshold. You heard him give a big sigh, making you catch a glimpse of him running his palms over the highs of his jeans. Damn, he was good looking.

“That better,” you noted, as he looked around warily before sitting down in the main both across from you.

You were sure he had to be 6'3'. Probably 250 or 300 lbs covered in pure muscle. He could beat the shit out of every jerk in this place and not break a sweat. Yet, with the way he was sitting on the pleather couch, his shoulders hunched forward and unsure what to do with his hands, he looked like a lost golden retriever. It made you swallow hard, not wanting to buy into all of these small signs of genuine humility. A part of you wanted to swear it an act, and that's what made you focus more on the audio player to find your favorite playlist to collect your thoughts.

A soothing yet sultry saxophone blared out from the speakers. You glided over to him, his eyes finally darting all over your body. You swore it was the first time he was registering exactly where he was. You started moving your hips, swaying and feeling the lump of cash at the bottom of your one heel. At least if you couldn't get anything out of him, you had that pad of take-ins for the night.

“What's your name,” you asked. Your mind couldn't help but think if you had actually seen him before. Not here, but somewhere else.

“Steve,” he offered, his voice much deeper than you expected, so deep that you could feel it light a fire under your skin.

“Those your friends outside, Steve?” you prompted, rolling closer to him, encouraging the closeness to prompt him to lean back. “You guys celebrating a promotion?”

He let out a tentative no, but there was something in his tone that made you believe it was a full-on rejection of the idea. His eyes were zeroing in on your movements. Finally.

“You getting married soon?” Maybe that was the reason for his reclusive nature, he's got a woman at home and doesn't want to mess up his future. It almost settled a sense of relief in you, to know a good one was still out there.

“I'm just busy at work. I don't get much time off,” he said. You exhaled a sight of relief bigger than you anticipated. You almost swore, with the way his neck perked up, he heard it. “The guys wanted me to unwind.”

You rolled your back down to the ground, grabbing your heels, making sure to stick your ass in his face and sway your hips a bit. When you pretended to play with your calves, at this point just improving your front legged stretch from yoga class, you caught a glimpse of Steve's jaw clenching shut.

So, he is an ass man too. For some reason, the observation took to the back of your mind like a note that you could use for later...but surely you wouldn't.

You sighed, rolling upwards and turning around to move in on him.

“Relax,” you told him, your hands opening up the lapel of his jacket and letting your hands briskly grab his shoulders. “I'm not gonna bite.”

You couldn't lie the polite gentleman act was cute. A part of you felt like you wanted to take care of him, show him it was okay to want someone and be wanted. Another part wanted you to help him break free of it, see the fuckboy that was surely hiding underneath. It would be a shame to have all those muscles and tension, and never work them out, especially on you.

“You can if you want to,” whispering close to his ear, hoping the words would make a difference. You whipped your long hair to the side, exposing your neck close to his face, and trying to convince yourself there wasn't a selfish incentive behind it.

“Hmmm,” was all he could muster.

You nod your head in the direction of the sign. NO TOUCHING.

He peered slightly up at you, as your hips rest easy several inches over the tent in his pants. It surprised you how much he seems to be asking for permission without any words. You bite your lips was all he needed as his hands grabbed hold of your waist, firmer than you ever anticipated. He helps plant you over him, the most intimate you were with anyone that night, for as long as you could possibly remember.

“You don't let anyone get this close to you, “ you smooth your hips over and over his, letting his hard member get as close to the apex between your legs as possible without real penetration. “Huh, big boy.” You mean that as an end to the sentence, but can't help but moan instead.

His hands gripped your hips tighter, applying pressure to give you an idea of the kind of restraint he's grasping onto. There is more to him afterall...

Both of you get caught up in the motions, spending what seems like an eternity, letting your hands roam all over each other's bodies, your lips toying with kissing but always leaving him wanting more. Neither of you notice that a more than couple of songs have gone by since he first cupped you into his lap.

You try your best to direct your hips to brush over his more than anything, but more often than not, you're pretty much riding his thigh. You could tell he's holding onto his composure with everything he has by how tense his muscle feel even though his clothes. He lets you practically take off his jacket as you brace yourself against his shoulders and firm chest. And, surprisingly, he seems to have no problems with it. You also have no problems with his calloused yet gentle hands cupping your breasts or gripping your ass, depending on how he alternates between them both.

You roll your hips across his member that's padding and protected by the clothing the two of you still have on. The pleasure you feel sparks your body alive with goosebumps, a tingle all the way down to your toes, feeling so close to euphoria. All of this and he's not even penetrating you. All you could imagine is how much real attention he would give to you, and he really is big underneath you, maybe the biggest yet most devoted one you would ever get from someone at the club or outside of it.

Just when you felt on the precipice of coming undone, you hear a loud banging on the door. And remnants of what sounds like his friends shouting and then laughing on the other side. Of course, the security guard, Max, getting involved as well, you could only imagine either threatening to kick them or kick their asses.

Steve completely relaxed into the cushions, making you take note of his hair disheveled and his hands left supporting your back. You don't remember when but your hands are practically gripping the rim of the booth over him, as your faces are nose to nose. You were probably worse for wear, reminding yourself to check your make-up and hair before going back on the floor. You both are left to do more than start catching your breath.

It takes you a second to realize – the music's moved onto some obnoxious pop song at random. It further thrusts you out of the moment. Definitely not something that will get the most out of your remaining customers.

And, that thought brings you back to reality.

You were actually longer in here with him than your regulars. You probably gave your co-workers the wrong impression of what was going on. Your boss was gonna be pissed.

And, you want to fight this moment of having to go back to work. Because you actually had a nice time for once.

You try not to move as hastily as possible off of him, not enough to put him off from coming back at least. You take your time, managing to straighten out what little clothing you have on and finding a way to stand between his legs.

“Did I manage to help you,” you ask, in a soft tone, trying not to think of how wet you are between your legs and desperate you'll be by the time you get home to take a cold shower.

He stands to meet you as close as possible, his eyes never leaving your face. You breathe in what's left of his warm cologne in the room that feels quickly colder without his embrace. His hands reach into his pockets, and then his wallet. You almost don't want to accept, or look what he is going to offer. He unblinkingly pulls out a wad of cash.

“In more ways than one,” he mentions, softly.

All you could think of in that moment is how your hand is impossibly tiny in his, as he slips you almost double than what is in your heel. And, it almost scares you how little you care about the money you earned, and more about the possibility of never seeing him again.

Sneak peek of Part 2 (coming later this weekend): “No kissing,” you shake your head and try your hardest not to bite your lip. You don't want to make the wrong impression he has on you even worse. “is a rule of mine.”

Without missing a beat, but with a spark in those heavenly blue eyes you missed so much, his tongue darts between his teeth quickly, and he says, “How about eating, then?”

[spacedace]

Here have some snippets of the AU that’s taken over my brain (featuring Elle unintentionally dunking on both of Bruce’s identities, Clark realizing he passed his taste in partners on to his son, a bit of pre/unaware that they are dating Super Serious Chaos, and some blink-and-you-miss-it background Enemies to Lovers Dick/Dan)

---

“Sorry, who’s Bruce Wayne?”

The room when quiet. All heads turned to look at Elle at the end of the table. Bruce didn’t visibly react, but Clark could make out the subtle indication of disbelief that his old friend was feeling - that they all were feeling at the interpreter’s question. Elle, suddenly aware she had the full room’s attention, had the look of someone who realized they’d said something wrong, but didn’t know what.

“You’re kidding.” John said, “You know Bruce Wayne. Everyone knows Bruce Wayne.”

Elle blinked. “I don’t.” She glanced from face to face, “Is he like a big deal? Does he work here or something? I haven’t been around that long so I might have missed him.”

It took every bit of self control Clark had not to laugh. His voice still came out a bit strangled from the effort as he offered, “No he doesn’t work here.” If Bruce was the type to do so in uniform, he’d be kicking Clark under the table.

“You live in Gotham. You have to know Bruce Wayne.” Barry said, voice going a bit high with growing bewilderment. “Mega ba-jillionair. CEO of Wayne Tech? Richest man in Gotham - in the world? Has like a hundred kids?”

Their interpreter’s nose scrunched. “So he’s like…in one of those fundamentalist cults obsessed with having a bunch of kids or something?”

Bruce actually twitched at that. The sound of utter disgust in Elle’s voice at the concept, the complete and total lack of any kind of recognition she had for the single most famous non-crime or crime-fighting related person in the city that she lived in, she truly had no idea who they were talking about. Clark had to get a recording of the room’s security feed, Lois would love this. Oh, wait no, Bruce’s kids. Maybe if he was fast enough he could text Dick to get there ASAP so he could see it all in person before it was over.

“No! Nothing like that! He adopted them - well most of them.” Barry tried to explain, looking utterly lost as he turned from Elle to the rest of them and back again. “You’re messing with us right? This is like a joke?”

Elle shook her head, looking just as lost as Barry did. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

“Do you know Dick Grayson?”

“I know of an officer Grayson who is a dick. Total tool. He’s been making my brother’s Dan’s life miserable for like a year now. Pretty sure not who you’re talking about though.”

“Jason Todd.”

“The library goon?”

“Tim Drake.”

“Sounds like a Dark Wing Duck character.”

“Cassandra Cain.”

“Isn’t that the author that started out writing incest Harry Potter fanfic?”

“Duke Thomas?”

“What’s he a Duke of?”

Barry snapped his fingers, pointing emphatically at Elle with a look of victory on his masked face as he shouted, “Damian Wayne!”

Damian, who had at that moment just walked into the meeting room with Jon at his heels paused in his place just behind Elle. He did pretty well at hiding his surprise at Barry seemingly shouting his civilian name and pointing at him upon walking in. Though the tense line of his shoulders suggested that if Barry was actually revealing his secret identity without warning or permission, there would be blood.

Stella Nightingale, unaware of the almost-kinda identity reveal going on around her, tilted her head in confusion at the speedster. “I’m assuming he’s related to that Bruce Wayne guy?”

“They’re all related to Bruce Wayne.” John said with open amusement now. The Green Lantern had given up on the research entirely, watching the entire debacle with a growing smirk he kept casting towards Bruce. “That man’s face is plastered absolutely everywhere in the news. How do you not know who he is?”

“If Lois Lane hasn’t written about him he can’t be that important.” Elle said with a casual certainty of one speaking a core tenant of their beliefs. Clark’s opinion of the young woman - already quite high considering her ferocious loyalty and fondness to Jon - rose sharply.

“You’re read the Daily Planet?” Clark asked, warmth curling in his chest at the mention of his wife and her work.

“I read articles by Lois Lane.” Elle said promptly, “I tried reading some articles that Kent guy she partners with sometimes wrote on his own but I couldn’t get past his writing style. Dude sounds like he’s from outer space with his word choice sometimes.”

Bruce, looking far too pleased, gave a quiet and not terribly convincing cough as Clark tried to will his soul back into his body.

It was going to be a long day.

—

“You are at least aware of who Gotham’s vigilantes are, yes?” Damian asked with a raised brow behind his mask.

Elle shrugged, giving him a sly smile. “The relevant ones.”

Clark tried to hide his short laugh with a feigned cough. Elle at least was distracted enough with Jon and Damian’s attention to notice but Bruce was giving him a look over the tablet he was trying - and undoubtedly failing - to review files on.

Jon grinned eagerly from his spot beside Elle as he asked, “Aren’t they all relevant to you? You live in Gotham.”

“I live in Crime Alley.” Elle corrected, bumping his shoulder with hers. “We have different standards of relevancy there.”

“So what are the relevant ones then?” Clark asked, pointedly ignoring Bruce’s burning stare. They’d get back to the research. Eventually. Finding out if the Gothamite who had been spending all her free time with Phoenix and Flamebird for the past year and a half was as oblivious to her city’s heroes as she was its celebrities was too entertaining a notion to pass up.

“Phoenix, obviously.” She grinned cheekily at Damian across the table, ticking names off her fingers as she continued. “Red Hood. Spoiler. Uh…Orphan?” She trailed off, forehead scrunching in concentrated thought.

“That’s can’t be all the ones you know.” Jon gaped, eyes sparkling with amusement as he glanced over to were Bruce was seated, not five feet away before turning back to watch Elle try to rack her brain for any more Gotham vigilantes. Clark could see the moment that the words are taken as a challenge as Elle sat up and looked more determined.

“No, shut up, I know more. Uh…there’s the one, um Red Sparrow? It’s another bird one with red name, I’m pretty sure. And the one with the blue - fuck I should know his name. Nightjar? Wasn’t Nightingale I would have remembered that…shit, dude threw up on our couch once I should remember his name -“

“Nightwing threw up on your couch?”

“Nightwing! That’s the bitch! He got poisoned or something and Dan drug him to our place to patch him up since Doc Thompkins’ clinic was closed.”

Clark shared a look with Bruce and Damian. Dick had failed to mention that little event. Clark could see Bruce reaching for his wrist computer, undoubtedly typing out a message his eldest about what he’d just heard - possibly another to Alfred if he was feeling like pulling out the big guns.

At the other end of the table Elle ticked Nightwing off with a nod, even as Jon squawked that it shouldn’t count since he’d given her the name, “Then there’s…uh…oh! Harley Quinn!”

“Harley Quinn does not count.”

“She beat up a guy trying to mug me last week and got me a hot chocolate afterwards, she totally counts!”

“Someone tried to mug you?”

“Crime Alley, Nix, if someone doesn’t try to mug me while I’m out I get worried that I missed Hood calling in a Street Clear for something big.”

“We’re going to circle back on that later.” Jon said, sharing a pointed glance with Damian. It looked like young Miss Nightingale was going to be getting escorted to and from the Watchtower from now on.

Ah, Clark mused, falling head over heels for someone with no understanding of the concept of self-preservation and a stubborn determination to run straight into the heart of danger without a second thought. It brought back such fond memories. Of both Lois and Bruce. And Diana. And - Hmm. Kara might have been right. Clark might have a type.

Watching the three at the other end of the table and taking them in, Clark realized he might have passed his taste in partners on to his son. Well, at least he’ll be able to give Jon some advise on how to handle the heart attacks Damian and Elle will inevitably give him.

“Harley Quinn doesn’t count. You got any more?”

Elle rolled her eyes, muttering about Harley totally counts, before leaning back in her chair. “I think I’m out. I know there’s more but,” She gave a shrug, “I’m tapped out. Those are all the ones I can think of.”

It was, surprisingly, Bruce that spoke up at that declaration, a slant of amusement to his lips as he asked, “No one else comes to mind?”

Elle waved him off, attention turning to the mountain of alien script they needed her to translate for them. It was the reason she was even there rather than in her office trying to translate whatever incredibly dangerous magic tomb JL Dark had dropped off without accidentally summoning a demon or ending hte world in the process. J’onn was right, they really should give her a raise.“That’s all I got.” She said with a sigh, “Like I said, I know the relevant ones.”

“Hn.”

Twenty minutes of shared looks of amusement and suppressed laughter later Elle’s head shot up, a look of wide eyed embarrassment on her face. “Oh my god.”

“There it is.”

“About time Nightingale, I was starting to be concerned about your mental faculties.”

“Shut up, this so embarrassing!”

“Don’t sweat it kid, we all have our moments.”

“I can’t believe I forgot Signal.”

“What.”

---

Context of this snippet if anyone is interested:

This is actually the same AU as the Steph & Jason sibling bonding Anger Management snippet from a bit ago (I’m calling it my Ghosts in Gotham AU in scrivener so I guess that’s what I’ll call it here lol). This time focused on Elle and her misadventures as a Totally Normal Civilian (TM) working for the Justice League with her two besties Jon & Damian (none of them realize yet that they’ve been dating for months).

No idea when this is supposed to take place in terms of timeline with the other snippet, but kinda vibing the idea that while Steph & Jason are having a heart to heart on a rooftop over their shared background and Jason’s future as a dad, Elle is up in the Watchtower telling Bruce Wayne to his face that she has no idea who he is and forgetting Batman is a Gotham vigilante while he’s sitting at the same table as her.

Anyway, this AU has taken over my life. Expect more nonsense to come lol

[fabdante]

@zutaraweek day 1: home

as is tradition, a little snippit of zuko and katara's journey to find ursa (you can check out the fic series over here on ao3). this time they've stopped for an extended stay in ba sing se.

i was going to try and have the corresponding fic done but i did not have time so, here's a little rough little snippet to tide you over!

“But what is home,” Iroh asks. Zuko presses his lips together, and thinks. “Well, you, uncle,” he begins. Obvious answer but one anyway. Iroh chuckles. “You and the Jasmine Dragon and this tea.” “What else?” He sips his tea.

art only blog - insta - inprnt - redbubble (image description in alt)

[unhonest-iago]

Earworm

Denki was constantly annoyed at his soulmate. Their connection was through music; he could hear every song that stuck in their head and vice versa. Unfortunately for Denki, anytime they discovered a new band, they'd listen to it for weeks to months on end. And then when the new one replaced the old, they started to remember some of the instrumentals again.

An incorrect snippet of the lyrics. Which then fills his brain on repeat to the point he's randomly humming it himself but has nothing to go on. It was never a song he knew, unable to help. Not that he could, he didn't even know who his soulmate was or if they even went to U.A.

'Buh ba-buh ba-buh,' Reader drums their fingers along their desk to the melody flowing through their mind. Sitting next to Hitoshi in class 1-B who had learned long ago how to tune them out. He had discovered that using his quirk just prolonged the torture for their soulmate. Only amplifying the noise level, forcing Reader to non-verbally process their thoughts.

'I'm with you, always,' trying to figure out the lyrics as he jotted down notes, unaware of the blond in class 1-A who wanted to electrocute himself. 'My love is on your side. I’m with you always.’

'What's wrong with dunce face?' Katsuki asks Eijirou when Denki flat out ignores him. Overstimulated by his soulmate, who is a few doors away. 'His soulmate is having another earworm,' laughing at his friend's misery. 'Denki, you could just hum another song to drown them out.' The internal aspect implied. 'Ugh, last time I did that, their brain made a stupid mash up,' groaning, Denki drops his head onto his arms. Cushioning it from hitting the hard wood of the desk.

‘Just look up the fucking song,’ if he could retaliate, he would’ve chosen the part from Kesha’s your love is my drug; banging my head against the wall. It was annoying that the one means of communication they had was bloody song lyrics. Luckily for Denki, the bell for lunch rang.

Both class 1-A and class 1-B now walking down to the cafeteria. Reader had finally remembered a bit of the chorus, ‘there’s a darkness at the heart of my soul, runs cold, runs deep.’ Reader’s packing up their stuff while Hitoshi walked ahead. Denki walking past the classroom, heard them humming. Stopping dead in his tracks, confusing Eijirou and Bakugou. He bursts through the door, ‘You!!’ Pointing at them. ‘You’re the reason why that song has been playing through my head on loop!’

‘Oh, shit. That’s right, the soulmates thing,’ they had completely forgotten about that. Some of their friends had already found their soulmates. Reader had thought that it would be wise to not fret over it when entering U.A. Not wanting it to get in the way of their hero training. ‘What do you mean the soulmates thing?’

‘Wait, the gummy bear song! That was you?’ Remembering how the song had gotten stuck in their head, but couldn’t recall where they had heard it from. ‘Was trying to get back at you. It didn’t work.’

‘But seriously, you didn’t know?’ Denki’s so confused. He’s glad to finally know who has been controlling the stereo inside his head. Finding out that they did in fact go to U.A. and seemed to be a quirk users. He was still a little pissed. But the main feeling was confusion, thinking they had never heard about soulmates. Which couldn’t be the case. ‘Oh, no, I know about soulmates. Simply thought I’d run into mine eventually. Didn’t want it to distract from all the hero stuff.’

Denki decides ‘fuck it,’ and pushed his conflicting emotions to the wayside. Now wanting to know more about them. ‘Well, we’ve met. Hi, I’m Denki and we’re hanging out for lunch,’ quickly grabbing Reader by the hand and directing them towards the cafeteria. ‘Name’s y/n. In case you wanted to know, mr kidnapper.’

[skyrim-forever]

Thank you so much @lathez and @sulphuricgrin for the tags <3

This week Sujamma wants to hear all about your big ideas. What’s a new story idea or OC idea you have? Maybe you haven’t fleshed it out yet - this is a great opportunity!

Tagging: @theoneandonlysemla @dirty-bosmer @labskeever @scholarlyhermit @changelingsandothernonsense @pocket-vvardvark @bougainvillea-and-saltwater @pyre-of-pages

So I've had a pretty big idea for a few months now but as there were no Altmer men involved my brain considered it less of a priority :P But it's something I definitely want to work on and could be my very first proper longfic <3

It focuses on a new Dragonborn character who is actually the older sister of another oc I have who I wrote about in Summer 2023 and haven't touched since. Originally she was Dragonborn but I am going to rework it because Rochelle doesn't make sense as LDB, but her sister Colette does... it would take place following this silly fic where Colette goes to visit her sister in Solstheim. It would take place after when she hires Teldryn Sero to take her back to the Imperial City and she is pretty and pays very well so he does :P They get caught trying to cross the boarder and you know how it goes :P

Colette and Rochelle have a Reachman mother, a wise woman specifically and a Breton noble father. Their father lived among the Reach folk after his carriage was attacked by bandits, him and their mother fell in love (ish, he's in love, their mom is... complicated). they have the girls and eventually his family finds him and takes him back to evermore. The girls stay with their mother and live traditionally until she sends them to live with their father for reasons the girls do not understand at the time, Colette is 14 at the time. Their father is now married with a son. He works really hard to cover up the girls Reach hertiage and they spend a lot of time learning noble customs to which Rochelle struggles with and Colette works overtime to be the perfect daughter their father wants. She is a perfect noble lady, marries a rich man in Cyrodiil and lives a "civilized life" burying all traces of how she was raised to the point her husband doesn't even know where she's from.

The story would follow her growing into her power and finding her way back to her mother's people, undoing the conditioning to become her true self. She'll also fall in love with Teldryn who is brudgingly going along with her for the money, he starts to fall for her when she sheds the "princess" persona. They'd be a slow burn which is very new for me. I've also wanted to write Teldryn forever and have so many ideas!!! Thinking of doing slight Nerevarine Teldryn, probably won't dive too deep in but it'll be there. This is already long af but I'm really excited to talk about it so here's a snippet from the beginning:

Colette was a good liar. When they were little girls, running through the wilds of the Reach while their mother was communing with the forces unseen; her sister and her would play pretend. They would act out what they understood of the Hagraven rituals, Rochelle was the witch for she possessed the gifts their mother did. Gifted in the arcane arts. Colette would be the Briarheart, the seed of the tree placed in a pouch around her neck: imagine her heart carved out, the briar replacing it.Their ritual was not that different from the ones the elders did, her sister would speak with Lord Hircine and make her anew. A warrior. 

But she would not get to become a warrior, the spirits had other plans for her. That was the reason their mother gave throughout the journey west, to a land she would learn was called High Rock. The land of their father, a nobleman in Evermore. His efforts to cover up the girls origins were through. Many months studying dancing, literature, and learning to be proper noble daughters before anyone outside his closet circle could know of them. It was difficult, so different than the life they lived among the trees, dancing in ballrooms instead of around the fire. And when Rochelle struggled, failing at being a perfect Breton daughter, Colette knew she had to succeed. Molding herself into exactly what he wanted to not only spare her sister, let her focus on her magical study. She was good at it. Everything done perfectly down to marrying a very wealthy suitor. Father had been so pleased, her new husband brought direct ties to the East Empire Company and the chance of being an heir should Juillen be unable to take over. The next Lord of Evermore, her younger half-brother had been plagued by disease his entire life, the healers helped the pain but they could not help him walk. His legs began to fail before she got married and Colette would carry him to the top of the castle walls, he didn’t like being trapped inside. Nearly fifteen years between them, he was small enough that it was doable. A good thing as he did not feel comfortable when the guards offered the same, nor his mother; he only trusted Colette.