#Ohio University Libraries

[brutalistinteriors]

Mudd Library, Oberlin College. Ohio, US. Warner, Burns, Toan and Lunde.

[riesenfeldcenter]

Something about this beautiful jacket seems just right to pair with the dusting of snow over Minneapolis today. ❄️

Farmington, written by Clarence Darrow, the great American trial attorney, is a fictionalized account of Darrow’s childhood in Ohio. Darrow believed this was his best written work, but it never attained critical or commercial success. The first cover pictured is the 1932 edition (and it you’re wondering, the cover depicts the Kinsman Presbyterian Church of Kinsman, OH at its center). Below, you can compare it to a first edition copy from 1904.

[chaosfantasmic]

I had a dream that Zelda and Link lost the triforce to Ganon, but instead of going on an adventure to retrieve it they had to get it back space jam style.

[headknight-oh]

Alright. So Denise is from ohio right? She mentioned it when she asked Daryl to get pop for Tara. I’m trying to narrow down where she got her degrees (both undergrad and medical school). I have an idea of what I might want to make it, but let’s see what everyone has to say

[petsincollections]

Figurine, chicken, stone 0180

Stone chicken figurine is painted a light color with the paint wearing off in places. The sculpture has minimal detail. A number on the bottom of the sculpture reads 'N5740.'

Frederick and Kazuko Harris Library Collection

[mariacallous]

A man checked out dozens of books on Jewish history and other marginalized topics from a public library in a heavily Jewish Cleveland suburb before filming himself apparently setting fire to them, local authorities said.

Local Jewish leaders decried the incident at the Beachwood Public Library, appearing alongside other interfaith leaders at a press conference Monday outside a local church to denounce the burnings.

“Whoever perpetuated the idea that you can burn us out of Cleveland, deport us out of Cleveland, deny our ideas or press us and frighten us, picked the wrong community,” Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk of Congregation Mishkan Or, a Reform synagogue in Beachwood, said at the press conference.

The books the man burned included a copy of “The Diary of Anne Frank” and a title dealing with “Jewish Solidarity,” a researcher with Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The Princeton lab, which tracks political violence, first flagged the man’s video with the library after seeing it on the social network X.

The researcher, who requested anonymity owing to the nature of the group’s work, described the book selection as “something that you would expect of someone that is going into the library and trying to get books about Jewish authors and the Holocaust and everything.” In addition, the man had also burned books related to Black and LGBTQ topics.

“I think the act of targeting these materials, burning them, carries specific threatening connotations with it,” the researcher noted.

The Princeton lab had first seen the video on an account affiliated with the white-supremacist group White Lives Matter Ohio, which appeared to have since removed it. Local media also reported that material related to the burnings had made its way to the social network Gab, which is popular with extremists. JTA could not independently locate the video; local clergy told media they were deliberately not circulating it, in an effort to tamp down on its influence.

The book-burning incident appeared to be an unusual local manifestation of a simmering culture war over books reflecting diversity, one that has occasionally ensnared Jewish books and has lately been folded into the Trump administration’s push against diversity initiatives.

[that-butch-archivist]

Hi, I am looking for a lesbian magazine called Siren. It ran from 1995 to 2004. Do you happen to know about it and know where we can find it online? I'd be very grateful for your help please!

Hello, and thank you for your ask. First, my apologies for excessive delay.

Second, while I have yet to lay hands on a copy of any of the Siren periodicals myself, I have heard of it ... a cursory search of Worldcat shows that there are a few libraries in the USA (University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, the Ohio State Library in Columbus, OH, and the Cornell University Library in Ithaca, NY) that may have copies of that magazine in their archives. Otherwise, it appears there are a number of Canadian libraries that have copies. See the details here. A Yale University guide from 2005 also claims to have a few of the magazines (See here.)

Worldcat is a pretty good resource, but of course it often doesn't capture the potential catalogue of every archive out there. If you are looking for in-person copies, I'd recommend studying a map of your area to see what colleges and libraries that might conveniently be in your area, and then perusing the internet for any associated websites these libraries and colleges might have. With any luck, they may have an online record listing their current archival contents. Any library or archive with a dedicated LGBT+ section might show promise ... and you can always ask that same archive if they know of any other archive with copies, if they themselves lack copies of the Siren magazine. (I would go for college archives first, personally.)

Going off wild guess, I would assume that within the USA, the best chances of finding a physical copy might lie with archives relatively close to Toronto, Canada, as that was where the magazine was originally published. State-wise, Toronto's closest neighbors are Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. I wouldn't be surprised if Chicago, Illinois has something ... I love the libraries over there, quite extensive.

As for online copies of Siren, I haven't run across an issue yet. If this changes, I'll report my findings with a reply to this same ask.

[joeys-babe]

Joey B Imagines: Simply Shady I*

Summary: The following events of Joe changing up his hair, along with both you and your fiance gearing up for the start of the season.

(Part 1 to - Part 2)

Warnings: Fluff, Smut (male receiving oral)

Pairing: Joe Burrow x reader

Imagine Universe: Misc.

August 1st, 2024 - First day of pads at camp

I was woken up in a way that I would usually love, but the fact that it was insanely early made me more annoyed than anything.

“Mph. Not now Joe.” - you mumbled

He didn't say anything in return, and the slow movements of his hips grinding into my behind kept going.

Joe’s body was pressed flesh against me. His chest to my back and his crotch to my ass. Because he was rubbing himself into me, I thought he was awake. But as I froze up in shock, I heard a snore leave Joe’s lips.

He's asleep. He’s asleep and grinding into me.

As Joe continued his movements in his sleep, my mind went wild. Throughout the dirty thoughts, I remembered a conversation that Joe and I had a couple of weeks ago.

Joe had asked me if I'd ever give him head while he was asleep, a different way to wake him up if I was comfortable doing it. I had said yes, that I would, but there was never a day where I woke up first since that conversation.

Today, though, was a perfect chance to try it out.

After deciding that I was going to suck him off while he was still sleeping, I slowly and quietly scooted away from him. Joe had always been a deep sleeper, so it was easy for me to pull the covers off of him and lightly shove him onto his back.

I couldn't help but sit there and admire him. Joe looked like a wet dream, and he was all mine. My personal 220 pounds of pure sexiness.

Joe was wearing nothing but his black boxers, and my mouth watered as I stared at his toned torso, sculpted chest, and perfect arms.

This off-season, one of Joe’s workout priorities was to gain weight to be bigger and stronger by the time football season came around.

He achieved that completely, and the outcome was one of the hottest states of his body that I had ever seen. Don’t get me wrong, as his partner, I've never not thought he was the most attractive man on the planet, but I love it when he beefs up.

I believe it’s because it reminds me of how he looked when I first fell in love with him, back when we were both freshmen at LSU.

——

Flashback - 2018 - LSU

“This date is awful! Please, please, please come pick me up?” - Lyla

After accepting a phone call from my best friend, she enlightened me that she was currently in the bathroom of the restaurant where she was on a date. She went on to say that her date was a weirdo and nothing like how he was over texts.

It was later in the evening, and I was studying in the library for my first big test of the semester, but I had to save my girl.

Still on the phone with her, I grabbed my laptop and textbooks super fast before darting out of the library.

Lyla was still ranting on the phone, telling me to please hurry, and I was focusing hard on not dropping my belongings. As I rounded the corner of the sidewalk, I looked over at the parking lot, trying to remember where I parked my car.

Since my eyes weren't on where I was walking, I gasped when I smacked into a hard body, dropping everything I was holding and my phone.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

“No. No. I should be.” - you

I immediately lept down and started to grab my things, not paying attention to the person that I just ran into. It sounded like a man, and I didn't exactly have time to put up with a college male right now.

To my surprise, though, he crouched down as well, stacking up some of my books as I focused on making sure my laptop screen wasn't broken.

After seeing that it was fine, I finally looked up at the man crouched down next to me who was holding my stuff.

My mouth dropped open, and my eyes widened.

Joe Burrow.

He was the starting quarterback for the football team, and because he had just transferred from Ohio State, his name was known.

I had only seen a couple of blurry pictures of him before as I listened to a couple of my guy friends rant about the incoming QB. In pictures, I wasn't exactly attracted to him, but seeing him in front of me right now, I completely understood why girls all around campus were obsessed with him.

“Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.” - Joe chuckled

My cheeks turned red when I realized I had zoned out staring at him. This cannot be happening right now.

“I- I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting you.” - you

Joe cocked his head to the side, not exactly understanding. To him, he was a normal guy who just loved to play football. He didn't exactly love all of the publicity.

In the end, he shrugged and looked down at my books that were in his hands. Most of them were for classes, but a couple were for my personal reading.

“In Plain Sight? Do you believe in aliens?” - Joe

I nodded my head with a soft smile on my face, completely in shock that I was talking about aliens with Joe Burrow.

“That’s cool. I do, too. My friends all say that I'm crazy to believe in them. Oh, I’m Joe, by the way.” - Joe

Joe shifted my belongings into one arm before reaching out with his now free hand. I reached out, too, putting my hand in his and shaking it.

“I know who you are. I'm y/n.” - you

“That’s a pretty name. Only fitting for a pretty girl, though.” - Joe winked

My stomach dropped, and reality hit. He’s a jock college football player. Only one thing on his mind.

I stood up and recollected everything into my arms, and Joe immediately noticed my change in body language. When he handed me my books, I noticed that the pretty smile had dropped from his face, a disconcerted look left in its place.

“Did I say something wrong?” - Joe

“No. I just need to get out of here. Thanks for the help, it was lovely to meet you, Joe.” - you

I started speeding down the sidewalk once again, but Joe called out for me to wait. Oh, fuck this.

“You forgot your phone!” - Joe

Mentally cursing myself, I turned around and walked back up to Joe. He was fully standing up now, and he towered over me.

“Thanks..” - you

“You’re welcome. Maybe I'll see you around campus?” - Joe grinned

I looked up at the stupid smile on his face and wanted to claw my eyes out. Why is he so cute? He’s just wearing athletic shorts and a Looney Tunes sweatshirt, but he looks perfect.

“Mmm. Probably not. I'm more into school than all of the partying.” - you

“I’m not into partying either. I’m taking all online classes, so unless I'm at football practice or working out, I'm usually at my apartment.” - Joe

Why are his stupidly perfect lips still moving?

“Okay? Thanks again. Bye.” - you

I started walking off again, and this time he didn't stop me. Once I got into my car, I laid my head back against the headrest with a deep sigh. That did not just fucking happen.

Why was he being so oddly persistent?

Probably looking for a quick fuck.

“That’s what they all want.” - you whispered aloud

I was lost in my thoughts. The thoughts being the image of the pretty quarterback crouched down while examining my alien book, the skin at the corner of his eyes crinkling up when he smiled.

God he was so-

My train of thought abruptly stopped when I heard a quiet voice. I looked around, confused, before my eyes landed on my phone. The call with Lyla was very much still going.

I remembered why I was rushing in the first place, and my eyes went wide. After quickly grabbing my phone to my ear, I realized just how crazy I was about to sound.

“Lyla, you will never guess what just happened. It sounds crazy.” - you

“You can tell me after you fucking pick me up!! Come on!” - Lyla

——

Flashback - still 2018 - LSU

“Are you excited to watch your man play?” - Lyla squealed

I rolled my eyes at her words. We were currently sitting down in our seats for the first home game of the season.

My run-in with Joe was months ago, and I hadn’t seen him since then, not like I expected that I would, but Lyla swore up and down he was into me.

She hadn't let the interaction go, and when I perked up at the mention that she had an extra ticket for the game since her boyfriend bailed, it only made it worse.

“You know he's still single. Maybe he's waiting to see you again.” - Lyla bumped your shoulder

I stared at her for a few seconds, narrowing my eyes at her dumb assessment. There was no possible way that was true.

Joe and I were strangers. We only knew each other’s names and the fact that we both believed in aliens. To be frank, he's probably long forgotten about our encounter. There were girls constantly throwing themselves at him, so why would he pay attention to me?

Up til the team ran out, Lyla was talking about nothing but Joe.

“Lyla. He doesn't even know who I am. He's probably long forgotten about bumping into me. Even if I wanted to say something to him, which I don't.” - you

“Sure. We’ll see if that changes after you watch him play. Those football pants might do something to you.” - Lyla

“Stop saying things that make me roll my eyes. I'm gonna get a headache.” - you

“Or… stop fighting the fact that he was into you and one thousand percent recognize you if he saw you again. He called you pretty! And when you freaked out, he immediately got worried that he said something wrong.” - Lyla

Before I could say anything, the team ran out. Lyla immediately jumped up and yanked me up with her. I have to admit, the electricity running through Death Valley as everyone was on their feet cheering was an adrenaline rush. I couldn't help but jump and cheer as well.

My eyes landed on Joe fairly easily as he was leading the pack as QB1. And for a split second, he looked at me too. His eyes were scanning the crowd before looking away, but he did a double-take.

Unfortunately, Lyla noticed and shook my shoulder. We were in the bottom row of our section, so there was a chance he was looking at someone behind me. Right?

-

Joe’s POV - Same flashback

While running out with the team, I looked over at the crowd just to see how big it was. It was my first home game as a Tiger, and Death Valley already felt like home.

As I looked around, my eyes scanned over a familiar face. I looked away and realized, so I did a double take to make sure I wasn't seeing things or my mind was playing tricks on me.

It was her.

My eyes weren't deceiving me. It was y/n. The beautiful girl I had the lovely opportunity of gracing paths with. Quite literally.

When I first bumped into y/n, it felt like everything around me disappeared and that it was just us on that sidewalk, much like how it felt as our eyes met through the crowd.

I only knew this girl's name, but I’ll never forget how I felt crouched down on that sidewalk with her. Everything felt right. Like everything was still and at peace.

I never thought I’d see her again with how quickly she took off running after I called her pretty. Looking back, I could see why it freaked her out. Our personalities were meshing super well before I said that, and I know the reputation of college athletes. She probably thought I was trying to get in her pants, only to be gone by the morning.

I'd never been that kind of guy anyway. I had hooked up with a couple of girls while at Ohio State, but I got attached too easily and could never leave it as just a one-night stand.

Maybe I could talk to y/n more and show her that I wasn't the average college athlete fuckboy. That is if she'd even talk to me or even remember that we'd bumped into each other.

After Game - Same flashback

LSU won the game, and Joe was impressive, to say the least. Lyla nudged me after every good play he made, making sure to call him ‘my man’ when she was talking about him.

Everyone was filing out of the stadium, but Lyla and I stayed back to take a couple of pictures and wait for the crowd to die down.

We had our backs to the field, our noses buried in our phones as we looked at a few selfies we had taken.

“Okay, let me get a good pic of the field.” - Lyla

I wasn't exactly paying attention to her, but I noticed that she had turned around to take a picture of the stadium. When she did, though, she paused and gasped.

“Y/N… turn around.” - you

Sighing as I slipped my phone into my pocket, I turned around. My eyes went wide when I looked down and saw what - or who - was standing on the grass looking up at us.

“Hi.” - Joe smiled

Joe was in regular clothes now since the game had been over for about thirty minutes. He was all that was left on the field other than the training staff cleaning up and a few janitors.

“Hi?” - you smiled back

“Did you enjoy that game? I know you said you don't go out, so this must be a different environment for you.” - Joe

“It was so fun. You're crazy good, by the way. I'm impressed.” - you

Joe felt his cheeks heat up a little at the compliment, and it didn't go unnoticed by me. I saw the way his face turned a little pink.

“Thank you. It was awesome to see your pretty face again. That might be your queue to runaway, but that's how I feel.” - Joe smiled

My stomach filled with butterflies at him calling me pretty again, along with a feeling of slight embarrassment from his joke. Something about him making light of the situation gave me closure, though. He wasn't looking for a hookup.

“You’re pretty good-looking yourself.” - you grinned

“I’m glad you think so, y/n. But I didn't just walk over here to call you pretty again. I wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight. I’d love to get to know you.” - Joe

I looked at Joe’s gorgeous face in shock before looking over at Lyla. She nodded and bumped my elbow with hers.

“I can get home just fine by myself. You get him, tiger.” - Lyle whispered

Looking back down at Joe, he looked up at me with hopeful eyes. His gaze shifted to Lyla, trying to read her expression before looking back at me.

“Sure. I'd love to have dinner tonight.” - you

Joe’s anxious expression broke into a huge smile, the nervous feeling in his stomach immediately going away. You said yes.

“Okay, great. Can I get your number? You know, so I can text you when I'm pulling around to pick you up.” - Joe

I nodded my head, the smile never leaving my face, and handed Joe my phone for him to put his number in. Once he was done, he handed me his phone to do the same.

After handing his phone back to him, Joe nervously rocked back and forth on his feet. Saying he was giddy was an understatement.

“So I’ll see you in a little bit?” - you

“Yup. It’s a date.” - Joe smiled

As soon as the words left his lips, he spun on the balls of his heels and walked back toward the tunnel. I slowly turned my head to Lyla, my eyes wide, and my jaw dropped.

“That did not just happen.” - you

“Oh, it so did! And he walked over to you. He initiated all of that. Not to mention, he just said that dinner with him tonight was a date. Y/N, that's your man!!” - Lyla

We both grabbed each other’s forearms, jumping up and down and giggling at the fact that Joe, a desirable starting college quarterback, just asked me on a date. Out of all of the girls who wanted him, Joe chose me, the girl he bumped into once.

——

Back to present day

Obviously, the first date went amazingly, and Joe and I have been together ever since. Joe always says that he knew I was the one when he first laid eyes on me, and the fact that his body immediately relaxed on that sidewalk was a sign of things to come. I was home to Joe, sometimes described as his everything.

Since the moment Joe and I started to get to know each other, he became my best friend. Well, I’d say that to everyone but Lyla. She would get a little salty if I told her that.

I remember thinking that Joe was cute the first time we crossed paths, but when he ran out of the tunnel that day, and we made eye contact, my insides melted. No other guy I had been with before was able to make me feel the way he did in that second.

Call it love at second sight.

For the rest of Joe’s time at LSU, before he graduated, we were stuck to each other at the hip, completely and utterly inseparable.

We had to do long distance for a year because I was still at LSU, and Joe got drafted by the Bengals. It was arguably the hardest year of my life.

As soon as Joe entered my life, he became the anchor that kept me grounded. I’d never been happier with someone, and we were together practically every moment that we could. So, to be living in completely different states was tough.

Once I graduated, though, I moved in with Joe. It was the house he bought with his rookie contract, and it was perfect for just the two of us. I ended up getting a marketing job in Cincinnati, just like I had planned when it was announced that Cincinnati had the first pick of the draft. Joe always told me that I didn't need a job since he was getting paid millions to play football, but I wanted to work. I didn't want to mooch off of my boyfriend.

But, a few months ago, I ended up calling it quits at that job. The workplace grew increasingly toxic under a recently hired new boss, and I found myself crumbling under the workload. Joe had been present for a few of my work-related breakdowns, and he finally put his foot down one day.

——

A few months ago

“I don't know if I can do it anymore, Joe. I feel like she's setting me up to fail.” - you

I was having yet another breakdown over work. Second time this week, and it was only Wednesday.

Joe was holding me as tight as he could, listening to every word that left my lips. We were lying on the couch, and I was cuddling on top of him, my face buried in his neck as I tried to calm down my crying. Joe had his arms wrapped around my waist, rubbing my back and kissing my head now and then. He hadn't said a word yet.

After my crying started to slow down, Joe abruptly rolled onto his side and unwrapped his arms from me. He stood up from the couch seconds later and grabbed my phone off of the end table.

“Joey? What’re you doing?” - you

“I can't do this anymore, y/n. This job is breaking you down, baby. I can't just sit here and hold you and then send you back just to have to do it again tomorrow. It hurts me to know you're hurting. I hate it.” - Joe

I stared at him dumbfounded. I knew he detested my job, but he respected my decision to go back every time.

“I’d be a terrible boyfriend to let you stay in that environment y/n.” - Joe

After sniffling a few more times and wiping my eyes and nose on the back of my sleeve, I finally spoke up.

“So what are you gonna do?” - you sniffled

“I’m calling your boss. I’ll try to remain calm, but when it comes to you, I can't control if I lose my shit. You’re the most important thing to me in the whole world, and to see you get treated like this is pissing me off.” - Joe

You could practically see steam coming out of Joe’s ears. I knew he was mad, but I didn't expect him to get this worked up. In another way, though, it made sense. I was the woman that Joe loved, and he took his responsibility of protecting me very seriously.

“What are you gonna say?” - you

“I’m telling her to put your two weeks in. Do you have two weeks of vacation days? I’m not letting you step foot in that office building.” - Joe

“You’re making me quit?? I need that job, Joe. How am I gonna pay for stuff?” - you

Joe did a massive eye roll before plopping down on the couch next to me. Here we go.

“That might just be the dumbest question you have ever asked. Baby, do you know how much money I make? It’d be stupid for you to keep that job that makes you feel like shit when your boyfriend is making millions to play football. No, you aren't mooching off of me, and I don't want to hear that. I want nothing more than to take care of you, y/n. You just have to let me.” - Joe

I stayed silent for a few moments, my anxiety and a feeling of guilt creeping in. My eyes welled up with tears again from Joe’s generosity and the fact that a bunch of fear came with it.

“I need a job, Joe.” - you mumbled

“Why? Why do you need one?” - Joe

It was gonna sound bad to say out loud, and the last thing I wanted was for Joe to think I had doubts about our relationship, but I was just being reasonable.

“What if things go south? I don't want to, and I don't think we will, but what if we break up? Then, I don't have anything to fall back on.” - you

“Are you being serious? We’re not gonna break up, baby. You’re it for me. Do I not make it obvious enough that I'm all in?” - Joe

“I know, it’s stupid. But I still worry.” - you

“You have no reason to. I'm not going anywhere, and that's a promise.” - Joe

——

Back to present day

So, that's when I finally agreed and decided to quit my job. Joe and I were able to spend a lot more time together, and we grew closer than ever before. I was putting full trust in him, and after a while, the thought wasn't scary.

I lay in bed for a while longer, just watching Joe as he slept peacefully. He just looked adorable.

My more innocent thoughts changed, though, as my eyes wandered over his perfect body once again. God, gaining weight was the best decision he's ever made.

Time to get down to business, I thought to myself.

I shoved the covers farther down the bed and gently spread Joe’s legs before kneeling in between them. After getting comfortable, I reached out for the waistband of his boxers and slowly pulled them down and over his perfect butt.

Joe stirred once he was fully exposed, probably feeling a draft but not fully waking up. Once he stopped moving around, I reached and wrapped my hand around his semi-erect cock. He always woke up a little hard, and right now, I was silently grateful for that.

Slowly pumping his length, I felt Joe harden and grow in my hand, and yet his face still showed zero tension. Once his erection leveled up to fully erect, I removed my hand from his length and slowly leaned down.

I wrapped my lips around his tip, watching his face the entire time I slowly inched my mouth down his dick. Joe let out a little whimper when his tip hit the back of my throat, but as I watched him, I noticed that he was still asleep.

After that, I doubled my efforts in hopes of drawing another sound from his lips while he was still out cold, and it was easier than expected. I sucked on his length as I bobbed my head, trying to give him the sloppiest head that I could conjure up. Joe would let out a little whimper or a quiet moan now and then, and I could tell he was close to waking up.

A minute later, with my eyes glued to Joe’s face, his mouth dropped open, and he moaned out. Louder than before. He’s awake.

Joe’s eyes fluttered open, and when he looked down to see my mouth around his cock, his eyes went wide, and he sat up straight. Joe’s cock got impossibly harder at the sight, and he buried a hand in my hair when I pulled off of him with a pop. I immediately wrapped my hand around him, stroking him fast with a grin on my face.

“Morning, Joey.” - you grinned

“Holy fuck, baby. I- I… fuck, I can't.” - Joe moaned

His raspy morning voice only made the experience hotter, so I took his length back into my mouth. Joe’s head was thrown back, and his grip on my hair got tighter. He's so close.

Joe continued to moan as I sucked him, his thoughts going crazy at the fact that he just woke up to me giving him head.

“So hot, baby. Oh god.” - Joe whimpered

A few moments later, Joe only started getting louder, his built chest heaving as he panted.

“Fuck, I'm cumming.” - Joe moaned

Joe held my head down and bucked his hips up, stilling as he exploded in my mouth.

“Fuck- fuck- fuck.” - Joe

It took a few minutes for Joe to gain his composure back, along with his breath, and I pulled off of his length. I rolled over back into my spot and cuddled up to Joe, pulling him into my chest.

I went to play with his hair before awkwardly stopping, remembering the fact that his curls were no longer there. Joe had recently changed up his hairstyle, and though it was hard to get used to at first, I loved it.

——

Flashback to a couple of months ago

“Hey.” - you

“Hi, baby.” - Joe

I was currently driving home from doing a few errands, including picking up dinner for Joe and me since he said we should just eat at home, though he didn't feel like cooking.

“Whatcha doing?” - you

“Nothing much. I'm looking at clothes for game day fits.” - Joe

“Sounds like fun!” - you enthused

Joe went silent for a couple of seconds before letting out a sigh, my eyes narrowing at his change of attitude.

“Sure. When are you gonna be home? I miss you, and I have a surprise for you.” - Joe

“You miss me? It’s only been a couple of hours, Joey. And I'm pulling onto our road right now. What'd you say about a surprise?” - you

“I have one for you.” - Joe

“Oooo. Am I gonna like it?” - you

Joe was freaking out just a little bit. Sure, what he did was what he wanted, but he was realizing now that it was a little impulsive, and he was worried about what you would think of it.

“Uh. Hopefully.” - Joe chuckled

We ended the call a few minutes later since I was literally in our garage. After grabbing all of the bags that I could, I walked into the kitchen through the mudroom. Joe was sitting at the counter, a grin forming on his lips when he saw me.

“Hey, gorgeous.” - Joe smiled

After placing the bags down and setting the food in front of Joe, I walked back around to the other end and up to him. Joe swiveled the barstool around, opening his arms for me once I stepped between his spread legs. He pulled me into a hug, and my head fell onto his shoulder, Joe’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

“Hi, handsome.” - you mumbled into his neck

Joe stayed silent for a few moments, rubbing his big hands over my back before pulling away and doing the same to my hips.

“Is there anything left in the car?” - Joe

“Just a couple more bags. I can get them, though.” - you

I went to turn around and head back for the mudroom, but Joe grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him.

“How about you get dinner out of the bags, and I’ll go get ‘em? - Joe

“Alright.” - you smiled

Joe pecked my lips before getting off the barstool. I watched him walk away till he disappeared from my sight, my eyes lingering on his ass for a few seconds before I looked away with a giggle.

-

Thirty minutes later, Joe and I had just finished dinner when I realized something. Ever since I got home, Joe’s been wearing a hat with his hood up over the top of it.

Joe cleared his throat to say something, looking over at me to see that I already had my eyes narrowed and staring at him.

“What?” - Joe chuckled

“Why do you have a hat on and your hood up? New questionable fashion choice?” - you

I giggled when he rolled his eyes, but his tone quickly switched back to serious.

“That’s what I was about to tell you. Close your eyes.” - Joe

“Is your hair my surprise?” - you

“Uhm. Basically.” - Joe

Please tell me he got the modern-ish-looking mullet that I've been begging him to do.

I closed my eyes, a grin on my face as I prepared myself. He's gonna look so hot.

Meanwhile, Joe’s heart was beating out of his chest. It was silly to be nervous about, but buzzing his hair, which he knew you loved, was almost a recipe for disaster.

Joe took his hood down before popping his Bengals hat off, running his hand over his spikey hair. He took one last deep breathe, mentally preparing himself for what you're reaction would be.

“Open.” - Joe

I opened my eyes, immediately jumping back with a scream. That’s not a mullet. He's fucking bald. Joe immediately started biting his cheeks and playing with his fingers.

“Is it that bad?” - Joe mumbled

“Joseph Lee. Your hair is gone. It’s gone.” - you

“Can you answer my question? I’m super scared right now.” - Joe

I stared at his head for a few more seconds, my eyes going between his practically bare head and his worried face. He looks so nervous.

Because I hadn't said anything yet, Joe dropped his head, unable to maintain eye contact with you because he was worried you weren't attracted to him.

“You hate it.” - he mumbled

My bottom lip stuck out in a pout as I pushed off of the barstool, wrapping my arms around Joe’s shoulder as his head ended up on my shoulder.

“Aww. Baby, I don't hate it. You know I love your hair, but there's so much more to look at than it. Look at me.” - you

I gently patted the back of Joe’s neck, and he leaned up. I cupped his cheeks, placing a kiss on his forehead before pulling back with a grin on my face.

“Your pretty face is the star of the show now. I can focus on your perfect nose, your baby blue eyes, and these perfect lips.” - you

When I mentioned Joe’s nose, I pecked the tip of it, rubbing my thumbs under his eyes when I mentioned them, and I pressed a kiss to his lips when I talked about them as well.

Joe’s cheeks turned pink at the overwhelming compliments, a cheeky grin forming on his lips before I returned his head to my shoulder.

“You’re so cute.” - you giggled

I rubbed his back as Joe giggled into my neck, his hot cheeks easily feelable on my neck.

“Hair or no hair, you're the hottest man I've ever seen.” - you grinned

—

Later that week - Same flashback

I was sitting on the couch when Joe got home from his workout. I was neck-deep in a conversation about Love Island USA with Lyla, so I didn't even look up when Joe loudly shut the mudroom door.

Truthfully, he shut the door loudly on purpose to try to get your attention. When you weren't already looking up at him when he entered the house, he attempted to slam the door so you'd look up, but you didn't.

“I’m homeeee.” - Joe

It was adorable how he drawled out the word, but I was too busy ranting about my least favorite person on the show to acknowledge Joe.

“Baby?” - Joe

“Hi, Joe.” - you

Joe walked into the house, dramatically dropping his bag on the floor before basically throwing himself down on the couch next to you. And yet you still hadn't looked up at him.

“Are you gonna ask me how my workout went..?” - Joe

“How’d your workout go?” - you sighed

He had to grin. He loved messing with you.

“Good. Can I have a kiss?” - Joe

All I did was pucker my lips, my eyes still not leaving my phone as I sent a frantic paragraph in response to something Lyla said.

Joe leaned over and craned his neck to give me a kiss, my eyes going wide when his head came into view. I immediately jumped back, our lips barely ever touching.

“Oh my god. You bleached it?” - you chuckled

I watched Joe move back to his seat so that he was comfortable and not straining his neck. He nodded with a grin, and my eyes were stuck on his bleached + buzzed head.

“What do ya think?” - Joe

I couldn't lie. As bizarre and silly as bleaching and buzzing his hair was… he looked hot as fuck.

“You look good. I kind of like this more. You look less intimidating.” - you giggled

With how bright his hair was, it brought out his blue eyes. One of my favorite features of his and something I could find myself getting lost in.

I moved over after setting my phone down, eventually straddling his lap as Joe’s hands found their place on my hips.

That hair made his perfect face the star of the show, and his built chest and sculpted arms were a sight. I was getting worked up, and he was just sitting here.

“I'm not gonna lie, you look hot.” - you

“Yeah?” - Joe

I nodded, my arms going around his neck as I slowly ground down onto his crotch. Joe groaned, leaning forward and smashing his lips into mine.

“Fuck.” - Joe groaned

After a few minutes of making out, I pulled away from his slick, reddened lips. God, he looks so hot right now.

“We should probably stop. We have to tour our possible wedding venue in less than two hours, and I need to go get ready.” - you

Oh yeah, Joe and I got engaged right after his trip to France! We were planning our wedding for the next off-season, and today we were going to tour a venue with both sets of our parents.

I grinned at Joe’s pout, sad that I was leaving him hanging because he was very hard. But he couldn't get too upset. Not when we were about to tour the place where we were possibly going to get married.

“Are you not excited?” - you chuckled

“No, I am. I just don't want to have to go take a cold shower. And alone.” - Joe

Chuckling as I crawled off of Joe’s lap, I couldn't help but bite my lip at the sight of the tent in his pants.

“Stop that!” - Joe

I only laughed louder before Joe got up from the couch, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“I'm excited to see the venue, though. It’ll make everything feel a lot more real.” - Joe

“Me too. The thought alone makes me giddy. I can't wait to marry you.” - you

“I can't wait to marry you more. I've been waiting for that moment since I bumped into you on that sidewalk.” - Joe grinned

I laughed at his over-the-top statement, finding it both endearing and silly.

“Okay, I think you need that cold shower now. You need some blood flow to go back to your head instead of your dick.” - you chuckled

“Why do you say that?” - Joe laughed

“You’re starting to say some questionable things.” - you

Joe cocked his head to the side, narrowing his eyes at me because he was confused.

“What have I said that's questionable?” - Joe

“Saying that you've been waiting for us to get married since we met.” - you

He rolled his eyes when I left his arms and gently started pushing him towards the stairs. Joe argued that he meant what he said our entire trip into our bathroom.

“Okay, okay! Get in the shower, goofball.” - you

I threw a towel at Joe before turning to the sink, going to grab my face wash before doing my makeup when a cloth fabric hit my face. I put the bottle down to pull the garment off of my head. Lo and behold, it was Joe’s boxers.

Turning around to glare at him, all I'm met with is the sight of Joe butt naked. The only thing he's wearing is a cheeky grin that makes the corner of his eyes crinkle up. If he wasn't so perfect, I’d slap him.

“Ya know… I’m still pretty horny from that make-out earlier…” - Joe

“Get in the shower.” - you

“Yes, ma'am.” - Joe sighed

I watched him climb into the shower with a smile on my face, shaking my head at his antics.

At least I know I'm marrying a man that always keeps me on my toes, I thought to myself.

“Baby, are you sure you don't want t-” - Joe

“Yes, Joe! Shower.” - you

Authors note: The next part will go back to present-day! Or August 1st. This part was just kind of setting the stage for the real stuff!!

Requests;

HOPE YOU ENJOYED!!! 💕

[adjpngs]

⁽¹⁾ Ohio University's Chubb Library, ⁽²⁾ Book Date Pocket Card, ⁽³⁾ Vintage Minneapolis Public Library Card Pocket, ⁽⁴⁾ Davenport Public Library, ⁽⁵⁾ Chicago Public Library Card, ⁽⁶⁾ Seattle Public Library, ⁽⁷⁾ The Birds of America, ⁽⁸⁾ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, ⁽⁹⁾ Twenty-Five Finest Short Stories

[esmedelacroix]

01 - Details

synopsis ! he’s an American football player by day and a passionate mathematician by night. She’s a well-rounded historian and writer who couldn’t evaluate a derivative to save her life. They lived in two different worlds but shared the same study room.

previous chapter | series masterlist

cw ! no use of y/n, y/n is _____, fluff, slow burn, college au, ooc sukuna, f!reader, child abuse/neglect, alcohol abuse, suggestive

fic radio ! Crybaby by SZA

Ohio State University, Autumn of Senior Year

To say that you didn't change would be an understatement. You felt too much guilt when you got to school. So at college, you were the same straight-A, (seemingly)perfect girl. You were the complete opposite of the people in your friend group. Then again, Shoko and Satoru were business majors; what were they doing in class anyway?

Suguru was the only one who shared your struggles to an extent as a philosophy major. Even so, he didn't care about his grades as much as you did yours. During your entire college experience, you didn't go to a single party. It was always extra studying for you. But you weren't a complete troglodyte. You went out to eat with your friends—occasionally.

They also had a habit of breaking into your dorm and closing your books and laptop, forcing the hangouts. You couldn't risk that happening because you were preparing to wow your professors with your knowledge as an Ancient History and Classics major. Being your extra self, you also double majored in English and already wanted to get a head start on your writing assignments.

You went where you knew they couldn't find you. The library at the least popular end of campus was where all the try-hards, like yourself, studied. The library was busy, of course, and there was one more study room left, so you signed your name in the time slot and snagged the last room. You had documents strewn on the table with your laptop open, playing the classical piece you needed to analyze on repeat.

After about 30 minutes of complete peace and productivity. You turned your head towards the clear glass of the study room to see a scary man standing at the door. Just staring. At you.

That man was Ryomen Sukuna. The charismatic campus heartthrob and stereotypical quarterback of the football. He was also the school's resident airhead along with his partner in crime, Toji Fushiguro. You had heard rumors about the numerous women seen leaving his room and the alleged Eiffel Towers he partook in with Toji. It didn't help that he was in the same frat as Satoru. The sole reason why you never visited him and Suguru. But what the hell was he doing here?

You look around warily before getting up and opening the door. “Um . . . Can I help you?” you questioned.

“Let’s share this room.”

“I have it signed out for this time though. I wrote my name on the sign-up sheet,” you reasoned.

“Doesn’t matter. The librarians like me so they won’t mind and I see you’re not using your whiteboard. ‘S all I need,” he sighed rubbing the back of his neck tiredly.

“Okay,” you hesitatantly agreed, stepping aside for him to walk in.

You stayed silent as you felt him tower over you. He barely squeezed past the small space you left him to enter. The smell he left was a combination of musk, oud, cedar, and amber. He smelled like a warm home with a cozy fire crackling. As much as you hated to admit it, just like every other girl on earth, you were weak for Ryomen Sukuna. The way his pecs and muscular back poked out of his shirt like mountains emerging from the fog had you aching for him in a way that made you feel ashamed.

His light pink tufts of hair looked so soft and his jaw oh so sharp. You could see a plethora of tattoos adorning his arms. Your eyes followed them as they led into his shirt. Part of you wondered just how much of his body was tatted.

If you squinted you could see his abs peek through the semi-tight fabric of his white t-shirt. He was so much taller and bigger than you. You felt dominated and you hadn’t even exchanged many words.

You watched the muscles in his forearms flex as he uncapped your pink marker, which sat on the table along with your other colorful markers he helped himself to without asking. He jotted down numerous math problems you didn't know existed.

You then realized that you hadn't moved from where you stood before because you were staring. Pulling yourself from his trance, you closed that door and took your seat. You'd occasionally look up from the fifteen-page essay you were writing and see that Sukuna had written the most complicated math problem you had ever seen in small-print, neat handwriting. The way he handled and solved the problem was so organized you almost felt like you almost understood the numeric hieroglyphics on the board.

You looked down at your hand written notes and annotation-riddled documents. Your fatal flaw was your illegible handwriting. It was practically jibberish to everyone but you.

After twenty minutes, Sukuna finished his problem that practically covered the whole board and took a brain break sitting across from you. "What's with the music?" he asked.

"I'm analyzing it for a class. Not a fan?" you replied, eyes still glued to your laptop as you typed.

"No, I like Hymn to Vena. It's one of Gustav Holst's best pieces," he admitted.

"You know classical music?" you questioned in shock finally looking up at him. You met his piercing wine-colored eyes.

"Well I'm not completely braindead yet," he shrugged.

"I didn't know you were so historically seasoned and . . . mathematically inclined," you admitted, gesturing towards the solved complex equation on the board.

"Ah, that's nothing. I'm actually in your Intro to Classical Music class so I’m doing the same paper.”

"Wait. Really?"

"Yeah, I just sit in the back and you sit in the front," he smirked.

"First of all, there is nothing wrong with sitting in the front. Secondly, I had no idea you were in my class. I'm the worst," you smiled apologetically.

"You're good. I can't write for shit so I haven't even started the paper," Sukuna admitted leaning back in his chair and resting his large hands behind his head.

"It's due next week, Sukuna!" you exclaimed in disbelief. He noted the way your nose wrinkled when you cringed. And the way you looked away when you tried not to laugh at his jokes.

"It's no biggie. I'll just pay a writing tutor to do it for me," he said, getting up and grabbing a teal EXPO marker from your pencil pouch. This guy is too comfortable.

"I'm a writing tutor. In fact, I am the head of the writing center tutoring program," you revealed with an unimpressed look.

"Well, then you just made my life a whole lot easier. Can you write my essay about Pas de Deux for me?" he questioned.

"No, Sukuna, I'm not writing your essay for you. You didn't even say please. I could tutor you, but that's about it," you offered.

"C'mon let's work something out here," he bargained.

"What could you possibly have to offer me?" you quite condescendingly challenged.

"Well, I know that the only class you're not the top in is our Advanced Multi-variable Calculus class," he smugly stated.

"And how would you know that smarty-pants?” you retorted. Our? He's in that class too?

"'Cause I am, you ding-dong," he chuckled. Ryomen Sukuna is at the top of our math class? I thought people were lying when they said he was a math major!

"Okay so you want us to tutor each other?" you questioned.

"I was thinking more of a 'do each other's work' arrangement," Sukuna reasoned, he had a stupid smirk plastered on his stupid perfect lips. He quirked one of his beautiful perfect brows. It had a scar across it that you found very attractive for whatever reason. He's totally putting the moves on me, you thought.

"No."

"Okay, how about I teach you the math, you write my essay?"

"No."

"Okay . . . You just write my essay and I do your math work and get you into the Pi Kappa Alpha[fraternity name] parties? Final offer," he proposed.

"I think you're mistaken, Sukuna. I do not go to parties. I do not break the academic integrity rules put in place by the university, and I would much rather continue getting 70s on my math tests than ever get my work done by someone else," you snapped. He didn't want to admit it, but he was impressed by your ability to talk back to him. He had never been told off like that.

"Oh, fine. We can tutor each other," he sighed rolling his eyes.

"Good," you smiled. He shook his head in disbelief and wrote down an even more complex problem on the board and began solving it occasionally grumbling under his breath when the two of you met eyes. He wasn't actually annoyed. In fact, he was intrigued. He had waited this long to interact with you and now he didn't want to stop.

"You're a real piece of work _____," he teased, as the time slot for the room finally ran out.

"Am I Sukuna? Or am I just the first woman to say no to you?" you quipped.

He smiled and shrugged, "Somethin' like that." You hated to admit it but, he had a really cute smile. His resting face made him look like he could kill everything in sight. His smile softened his facial features. It wasn't that fake cocky smile he put on to seem hot or be a tease. It was a real genuine smile. You felt the heat rise to your cheeks. Ugh, why do I need to be like all the other girls that pine for him?

The two of you left the room after packing all your stuff. You gave Sukuna your number and email on a sticky note. "Text me when you want to study again. Sorry about my handwriting by the way," you apologized sheepishly.

"What do you mean? I can read it just fine," he questioned.

Wow, he might be the only one on the planet, you thought as the two of you left the library side by side.

"You don't need to lie, Sukuna," you joked.

"Just Ryo is fine," he corrected.

"Okay Ryomen," you smiled.

He rolled his eyes playfully at you saying his full name instead. Internally he knew: he liked the way you disobeyed him. He found the way you smiled to yourself trying not to laugh after making a joke cute.

It was all in the details. The way you sat in the front of the class every day with a notebook out. The way you impressively scribbled notes while still looking at the board.

He memorized the way you chewed on your pen and bounced your leg whenever you did an exam. The way you always participated. Staying after to help the professor clean up. Going to office hours. You were friendly and bantering with all your teachers. But somehow in an effortless charismatic way and not a ‘pick me’ way.

You didn't know, but he stared holes into your back in every single class. He was amused just staring at your back. Though he knew you wouldn't be there he looked for you in the large sea of people in the stadium. He watched you succeed and rise to the challenge. Listening in on your musical analysis in class he was mesmerized. He just wanted to wander through your mind. Maybe then he could be just as great as you.

In his short interaction with you, he made a realization. You weren't the preppy, bubbly, sweet girl he made you up to be in his mind. You were kind of a bitch. In the hottest way possible. That made you all the better. He needed more and more of you.

. . .

-> next part

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[brutalistinteriors]

Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati. Glaser, Myers & Associates.

[clockwayswrites]

Cozytober Days... the rest? Game night, Wrapped in a soft, fuzzy blanket.

masterpost

It was unnerving how everyone’s attention turned to him as soon as he exited the bedroom. Jason scooted his chair back in clear invitation and Danny took up the offer. Once he’d settled into Jason’s lap, one of Jason’s large hands pressed comfortingly against Danny’s stomach, he gave a little wave to the table.

“People, this is my boyfriend Danny, he/him,” Jason said. “Danny, the protective jackass—”

“Hey!”

“—is my friend Roy, he/him. Next to him is Kori, she/her. Then we’ve got Cass, my sister, she/they; Babs, she/her; Dick, one of my brothers, he/they; Tim, another brother and a menace, any; Donna, she/her; and Wally, he/him.”

Danny looked around the group, trying to take in all the names and faces. Faces at least were easier. He leaned back against Jason’s broad chest and smirked a little. “Lots of red.”

Jason snorted. “Yeah, no, that would be Dick’s fault. He has a thing for dating redheads.”

“Jason,” Dick said with a pout while Roy gave another offended ‘hey’.

“We,” Roy continued and motioned between himself and Dick, “did not date.”

Wally coughed obviously into his hand. “Fuck buddies.”

Tim slowly leaned forward to look at Dick. “Really? Even Roy? You have a problem, Dick.”

“It’s not my fault that redheads are the best people,” Dick said primly.

Kori and Roy high-fived with a ‘hell yeah’. Danny hid his smile behind a stolen sip of Jason’s drink. He could see why these people were Jason’s friends.

“Do you want us to redeal, Danny, or are you going to be on Jason’s team?” Babs asked.

Danny quickly motioned to Jason. Being out there with them was enough for right then.

“Okay,” she said with an easy smile.

Play resumed; Jason explained the basic rules quietly into Danny’s ear. Everyone was (almost suspiciously) patient and accepting of Danny being there and didn’t even prod him for any information until the absurd amount of pizza had been delivered. Danny squeezed in next to Jason on the large arm chair, still needing to be close if he was going to be out there.

It was Dick who started. “So Danny, how did you and Jason meet?”

“Library,” Danny said after he had swallowed his bite of margarita pizza. They variety the group had ordered was impressive. “At GU.”

“A library is usually a good place to find Jason,” Roy teased.

Jason just took another bite of his supreme and flicked Roy off.

“Are you still at Gotham University?” Babs asked. After Danny’s nod she added, “What degree are you getting?”

Those words were a little harder to force out, after what had happened that day. Jason’s thumb brushed under the too large sweater and against Danny’s skin. Danny took a breath. He could do this. He didn’t care what that professor thought. “Social work.”

“Oh, that’s great! I’m a librarian myself. It’s nice to have more people going into social based works,” she said with a really kind smile.

Danny smiled back and tucked himself a little shyly closer to Jason. He didn’t mean to be shy about things, but it was a lot of attention all on him. He wasn’t used to that when he wasn’t out as Phantom, and Phantom was years in the past at this point and something that Danny was still working through in therapy.

Tim was apparently ‘next’ and asked, “Where are you from?”

Danny motioned over his shoulder. “Ohio. Glad to be gone.”

Roy barked out a surprised laugh like that, but Tim just squinted for a moment before pulling out his phone.

“Holy shit,” Tim said, “that is actually the direction that Ohio is.”

Danny just shrugged.

“He’s like a passenger pigeon,” Jason said with a chuckle. “Danny always seems to know what direction north is, so as long as he knows where something is relative to where he is, he can find his way there.”

“Passenger pigeons are extinct,” Tim said.

“That too,” Danny quipped back, hiding his large smile with another bite of his pizza.

Jason’s laughter definitely confused everyone, but he just shook his head and didn’t explain. Thankfully, the attention left Danny for a bit, though there was obvious effort to include Danny in the conversation, verbally or not. It was… sweet of them. It was a surprise.

It was even more of a surprise when Wally suggested that Danny play a main roll in the next game.

“See, one player actually isn’t supposed to talk out loud at all!” Wally explained excitedly as he unpacked the box. “Their job is to play the ‘ghost’ who is giving clues to everyone else about who killed them and where with these cards!”

Danny took a sip of his beer to avoid laughing at the idea of him playing a ghost in a game.

“Because you’re a ghost,” Wally continued, “you can’t say anything to the ‘living’. So you wouldn’t have to talk! Which… like, I’m hoping doesn’t come across as rude at all? I just thought maybe it would be something fun. If you don’t want to do it or don’t like the idea or if I’m being a total jackass right now—”

Wally really could talk fast, couldn’t he? Danny made his thoughts known by taking the folded up game screen and setting it up in front of himself.

Instantly, Wally grinned. “Yeah? Okay! So let me explain how this game all goes. Come on, guys, get your butts over here.”

There was some good natured grumbling, but the few people still clustered around the island came back over to the table. A folding chair had been added to the now cramped space so that Danny had his own seat (not that he would have minded continuing to sit in Jason’s lap).

It proved fun playing the ‘ghost’ in the game. There was a surprising amount of thinking he had to do on his end and then he got to watch the rest of the pull the clues apart in all of the right and hilariously wrong ways. This group’s ability to over analyze was amazing and Danny enjoyed watching every moment of it. Thankfully they got there in the end.

“I am avenged,” Danny said when their final guess was right.

The table cheered and some of them high-fived. Danny smiled as he watched. It was much easier to smile then than it had been at the start of his visit. The smile turned into covering a yawn though as the exhaustion of everything hit.

Jason obviously noticed. He leaned forward to gather up the cards. “Okay you invading heathens. I think that’s the last game for the day. I know some of you have other shit to get to also this evening.”

“I guess it has gotten late,” Dick said, jumping obviously in to support Jason’s order despite some of the other good natured grumbling at the table about having to wrap up already. “But Danny, if you want, we’re having brunch at the Manor on Sunday, you’re welcome to join us.”

Danny froze at the offer. He couldn’t help the gut response even though he relaxed again quickly. Jason had been right, at least about those who were at the table tonight, his family were fine with Danny’s lack of words. After the initial awkwardness, Danny had been okay with not being able to say everything he wanted—or as much as he ever was okay with it.

“That sounds nice,” Danny said after a moment of thought later. “If I can make it.”

“We get it if not,” Dick said with an understanding smile. “It was still great to meet you. Now I can bother Jason about his cute boyfriend.”

“He so will,” Tim said from where he was trying to untangle the mess of coats and hand out the right thing to the right person.

“Of course he will,” Jason grumbled, but there was a softness to the complaining. He reached over and draped an arm behind Danny’s chair, apparently content to let the others do the picking up from their surprise invasion.

“It’s my legal right as a big brother,” Dick said.

Cass raised her hand.

“Yes, you have that right too as a big sister,” Dick said to her. Cass grinned in Jason’s direction.

“Okay, yeah yeah,” Jason said. “Wally, take the leftovers if you want them. I’ll deal with the dishes and bottles. Get, vermin.”

“Apparently we are mice now,” Kori said to Roy.

“Or rats.”

“Or bats.”

“Oh, totally not bats, only the Gotham vermin gets to be bats.”

“Duh.”

The group continued to debate what type of vermin eat of them was as they pushed through the door and out of Jason’s apartment. Jason got up after the door closed and they had a few moments of silence to lock the door and start shoving plates and glasses into the dishwasher.

“Thanks for putting up with the surprise invasion,” Jason said.

“They were nice. It was… nice,” Danny said. He folded up the chairs that could and set them against the wall.

“Still. And also I’m proud of you for coming out and being part of it. I know that’s hard for you on the good days.”

“It is, but this… this helped it be a better day,” Danny said. He was still speaking slower than normal, but at least the words were coming to him now.

Jason glanced up with one of his soft smiles. “I’m glad. I knew they’d love you.”

“They don’t love me,” Danny said. He could feel himself blushing, but stubbornly ignored that and picked up the beer and soda bottles to empty and recycle.

‘’You’re bound to be the new family favorite,” Jason teased.

“Lies. Can’t. I’m not even a Wayne.”

“Not yet,” Jason said it so easily and yet Danny couldn’t only look at him in surprise.

Jason came over and kissed Danny, gob smacked expression and all. He took the rest of the bottles out of Danny’s hand, dumped them in the recycling, and then pulled Danny close.

“I’m thinking soft blankets, catching up on some bad reality shows, and cuddling on the couch,” Jason said.

“I, yeah,” Danny said, trying to get his mind moving again. “That sounds like a really nice nice.”

“Good.” Jason kissed Danny again. “Go make one of your little nests of blankets. I’m going to start the dishwasher and I’ll be right over.”

“Got it,” Danny said and basically bounded to the couch and wrapped a blanket around his shoulders right away.

He didn’t know about the future. He didn’t know if he would be a Wayne or what would happen with school or where he’d be in five years. He didn’t know any of that, but he did know that coming over to Jason’s worked as it always did and the day was ending much better off than it had been. He did know that he loved Jason. He did know that Jason loved him. And right then, all of that was just perfectly enough.

[redroomreflections]

Real Love

Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

The Loud House Universe

Masterlist

Summary: Reader comes home after a night out with friends

W/c: 2.3k

When Natasha gets a knock at her bedroom door, she’s a bit surprised. She wasn’t expecting any company at this time of night. Not that people came knocking at her door anyway. Natasha’s a lone wolf. She’s content with being by herself. Since joining the Avengers she’s made the effort to embrace the team and everything that comes with it. Group meals, training, maybe even a movie night if she’s feeling up to it. Tonight is not one of those nights. She’s been reading in her bedroom for the past hour. Her legs perched high enough to rest her book. She’s read it a dozen times before. 

Pride and Prejudice. A cliche she knows. It brings back good memories for her. Back in Ohio, when she was young, Melina had gone to the library and picked out a few things. She was supposed to play the part of a quiet and observant older child. So, she came back to Natasha’s bedroom with a summer reading list and a pile of books. Most of them were on Natasha’s level. They were things she could read and enjoy. Others were more difficult. The material was hard to grasp. Not only that but she was also not a native English speaker so she struggled for a bit. Nonetheless, she enjoyed the books given to her and picked this one as her favorite. Books distracted her from the world and sometimes she needed that. 

The only thing that could distract her from her favorite pastime is you. Considering you’ve been out all night and not texted her it shouldn’t be a problem. Except she’s annoyed by it. Not your lack of response. Not really. She’s angry at herself for caring a little too much. Even a year into your relationship Natasha has to remind herself to calm down. It’s the first time she’s ever been in love. The first time she’d ever cared for someone. She didn’t want to ruin it with jealous or overprotective tendencies. So, she sent one text a few hours ago. Just to check up on you. Then another about something random. To which you didn’t reply. It’s fine. She’s a busy person too. She’s survived without you. Which is why she’s been sitting here for the past hour reading the same page. 

When the person at Natasha’s door knocks again, she blows out a puff of air. Surely they knew to leave her alone. Most of the guys wouldn’t dare disturb her. Except maybe Tony. His lack of boundaries pissed her off. It was all love though and she’s learning to understand that too. Natasha closes her book gently and walks over to her door. She grips the knob to swing it open only to find you on the other end. 

You’re energetic and bouncy. You’re wearing a short and tight dress that almost leaves nothing to the imagination. Your hair is done up. Makeup is immaculate. Almost the opposite of Natasha right now who's wearing a tank top and shorts. You surge forward, throwing your arms around her, before pulling back.

“Hi, Tasha, your friend let me in,” You provide to her before she can ask. 

“Hi,” Natasha is a bit confused but returns your enthusiasm. “Where have you been?” Natasha begins to ask but she’s interrupted by your lips on hers. You give her a few pecks, using a thumb to wipe your lipstick from her lips before you look into her eyes. “Have you been drinking?”

“Have I?” You grin. “I have.” You nod. “I missed you so much. We can talk more. I really have to pee.” You inform her before you rush past her and into her ensuite bathroom. Natasha stands, stupefied, before she closes the bedroom door and locks it. She walks over to your kicked-off stilettos and sets them neatly against a wall. 

“Where’s Karen?” Natasha asks. 

“Probably somewhere giving a blow job who knows,” You answer back. “Preferably to Steve Rogers.”

“Okay, ew,” Natasha shakes her head. She walks over to her dresser drawer to find your spare clothes. There’s no way she would be letting you go home like this. She finds you a proper outfit and places it on a chair for you. She moves to sit on the bed again, propping herself up against the headboard. She listens to the flush of the toilet and then the running water. There’s silence for a few more minutes before you come out. 

You look over at her with a pout. 

“You’re angry with me?” You point out. Natasha’s expression doesn’t give away her feelings. Her arms are folded against her chest. “Come on, baby, don’t be mad.” You drawl as you walk over to her. Only it’s not as coordinated with all of the liquor in your system. You lean over Natasha, your arms on each side of her leg, as you lean closer to her face.

“I’m not mad,” The lie slips so easily from Natasha’s mouth that you almost believe it. You’d like to think you know her well by now. You tap her legs, drumming your little beat, and she rolls her eyes. 

 “I’m sorry I didn’t text back. My phone died. I forced Karen to come here with me just to show you I was okay.” You stand proudly with your hands on your hips. You make a turn for her, showing off your nonexistent injuries, not missing the way her eyes fall on your ass. Which looks amazing in this dress by the way. You lean over again, not giving her any space, as you speak. “I love you?” You try. 

“I love you too,” Natasha says back automatically. No hesitation and your heart soars. You kiss her. Once, twice, and another before you’re pulling back. “I was worried about you. I know you’re an adult.”

“I like that you’re worried,” You assure her. “I worry about you too all the time.” You confess as you begin to strip yourself free of the dress. Natasha watches as you reveal yourself and all your glory. No underwear of any kind. You don’t shy away from her gaze. Instead, you walk over to the pajamas and put them on. 

“What did you guys do?” Natasha questions. 

“Oh, just bar hopping,” You say. “The usual. I drank a few too many drinks. One more semester of law school. Then I’m free.” You smile. You walk back into the bathroom to grab a few towels and wet them. Natasha holds her hands out to take them when you return. You sit in front of her patiently as she begins to clean your face free of makeup. 

“Will you stop moving?” Natasha says gruffly. 

“You can’t be mad anymore,”

“I’m not mad,” Natasha sighs. “You turn into a three-year-old when you’re drunk.”

“I resent that,” You argue. “I think I give a modest seven. I didn’t need your help going to the bathroom.”

“You’re right,” Natasha sets the towels aside. “There, all better.”

“Thank you, baby,” You slur. You wrap your arms around her neck and pull her down to the bed with you. You plant wet kisses all over her face. Most of which she doesn’t wipe off. “I love you so much.” You say and Natasha chuckles. 

“I love drunk you,” Natasha says. 

“I know,” You nod. “I would suggest we have sex. Which, I mean, let’s face it I would honestly love to see you cum right now.” You hold nothing back. “I would much rather cuddle. Mainly because I can feel the earth spinning and it won’t be pretty if I puke.”

“Hmm,” Natasha hums. “Good choice.”

“I’m totally open to morning sex though,” You suggest instead. 

“Noted,” Natasha allows you to lie your head on her shoulder. For a few moments you’re too silent, she thinks you’ve fallen asleep. 

“Do you love me?” You lift your head. 

“I do,” Natasha looks into your eyes. 

“Oh, because I was just making sure,” You inform her. “I need to know because when I ask you to marry me I don’t want to be blindsided or anything.”

Natasha’s heart soars and sinks at the same time. The thought of marriage terrifies her. The fact that you’ve been thinking about it? She likes the idea. If she would allow herself to admit it she would want to. Widows are not made for love. Replays in her head for far longer than she’d like. 

“Hello, are you going to accept my proposal?” You poke at her belly. 

“Is this a proposal?” Natasha raises a brow. “I hoped it would be much better than this.”

“No, no,” You shake your head. You agree with her. “It would be much better. So much better.”

“Good,” Natasha smiles. “You should allow yourself to sleep.”

“I can’t,” You sigh. Your hands travel along her body, resting on her hips, and then her ass. You kiss her again. “I can’t stop thinking about how much fun I’m having with you. How when you’re my wife I’m going to spoil you so much. I promise orgasms every day.”

“Every day huh?” Natasha just may hold you to it. 

“I can’t wait to see you with our babies,” You continue. That makes Natasha stiffen. She hasn’t thought about this aspect. Or telling you that she can’t carry. She didn’t think you would get this far. “Don’t worry. We’ll have help. My mom loves you. She would do anything you asked for.”

“We’ve only ever talked on the phone,” Natasha swallows thickly. 

“Even still she sees how happy you make me.” You tell her. “And I’m sorry if I’m scaring you with all this. It’s just the liquor is giving me a lot of courage right now and I mean a lot.” You giggle.

“I can see,” Nathasha muses. “I like you like this.”

“Good,” You nod. “Do you know that song by Mary J. Blige?”

“Who?” Natasha dares to say and you surge forward. 

“You don’t know Auntie Mary?” You gasp. You look horrified and for a second Natasha is wondering if you’re talking about a real aunt. 

“I’m Russian,” Natasha shrugs. 

“No, babe, this is, I can’t,” You shake your head. “You have taken this too far.” You sigh. You sit up to look around the room. “Oh, F.R.I.D.A.Y. can you play Real Love by Mary J. Blige?” You call out to the AI system. 

“Sure, now playing Real Love by Mary J Blige,” F.R.I.D.A.Y. responds before the first few notes of the song begin to play surround sound. Natasha watches as you begin to bop to the music with a smile on her face. 

“Baby, you don’t know real music until you’ve listened to Mary,” You laugh. You stand, dancing around the bedroom, singing along to the lyrics, and all around having a bit too much fun. 

We are lovers through and through

And though we made it through the storm

I really want you to realize, that I really want to put you on

I've been searching for someone to satisfy my every need

Won't you be my inspiration?

Be the real love that I need

Real love, I'm searching for a real love

Someone to set my heart free

Real love, I'm searching for a real love

“That’s you,” You point to her. Natasha laughs this time. A full-on belly laugh. “You and Karen and Denise are like my best friends in the entire world. I know I’m always doing work or busy with something but, I enjoy my time with you.” You dance circles around the room before you move over to plop onto the bed. 

“Are you not going to sleep tonight?” Natasha asks as you mash your face into the pillows. Your energy seems to have gone as you take a deep breath before turning your head towards her. 

“Of course I am,” You say without opening your eyes. “I’m gunning for that morning sex. That requires me to sleep.”

Natasha hums again. She fishes her book out from under you and places it on a nightstand. 

“Can I tell you something?” You ask, looking to Natasha for confirmation. She nods. She helps you under the covers and orders F.R.I.D.A.Y. to turn off the music. “You really satisfy me. And I know I’ve had sex before. Great sex even.” Natasha raises a brow. Was there a point to this? “You’re the first person I’ve been with where I’m truly satisfied. Physically, emotionally, all that stuff. I just really enjoy being with you and the fact that you care if I’m having a good time and the orgasms are great. I mean ten out of ten all around.”

Natasha chuckles. She’s sure you won’t remember ninety percent of this night. Though it’s great to know that her skills in bed are a winning factor for you. 

“Come here,” You turn to your side and raise your arms for her to come and lie in your embrace. Your hands again return to her ass and she doesn’t mention it. She likes them there. “I know you’re scared sometimes. I know that a relationship isn’t what you’re used to and I know I dropped a lot of shit on you tonight. I may come off a little strong sometimes. I just can’t go without saying it you know? I love you, Natasha. If I get to marry you I’d be the happiest woman in the world.” You begin your butt massage right there for her. 

“I know,” Natasha begins. “I love you too. I need you to know that. I want to marry you too.” Natasha says. She’s going to continue but your hands have fallen limp against her backside. She raises her eyes to look up at you but you’re already asleep. She has no idea if you heard anything she’s said. Oh well. She’d save it for later. She rests her head on your chest again, allowing you to hold her, as she falls asleep to the sound of your heartbeat. 

[misfitwashere]

Trump's attack on the American mind

Behind his closure of the Education Department, his assault on higher education, on science, and on libraries and museums, lie the oligarchs of the techno-state.

ROBERT REICH

MAR 20

Friends,

Today, Trump is dismantling the Department of Education. He’s ordering wrestling executive-turned-Education Secretary Linda McMahon to shut her department. 

His executive order will effectively destroy a $100 billion-a-year executive department created by Congress under President Jimmy Carter 45 years ago. 

But there’s a much larger plan here.

Combine this with Trump’s attacks on higher education — his gutting the funding of the National Institutes of Health (which provides a large portion of biomedical research) and the National Science Foundation (engineering and computer research), and his effective closure of USAID (which underwrites research in global diseases).

Put this together with Trump’s (and RFK Jr.’s) attacks on vaccine science, 

Combine this with Trump’s attacks on the freedom of speech of university students and professors. 

And Trump’s and rightwing governors’ attacks on teaching the truth in our schools about America’s history of slavery and Native American genocide. 

Put this together with Trump’s attack on America’s libraries — last week’s executive order mandating cuts in the funding of libraries around the country — which will jeopardize literacy development and reading programs, reliable internet access for those without it at home, and homework help and other resources for students and educators.

Combine this with his attacks on America’s museums (the same executive order cut their funding, too). And his attack on the arts, as illustrated by Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center (last month, he announced himself its new chair, replaced 13 board members, and inserted a new interim president). 

What’s the larger picture? What’s the overall purpose? 

Not to mount an “attack on the liberal state,” as I keep reading. Not “a culmination of Trump’s culture wars.” Or that Trump seeking “small government” over “big government,” or is advancing traditional conservatism over traditional liberalism. 

What’s really occurring is an attack on the American mind. 

Throughout history, tyrants have understood that their major enemy is an educated citizenry. Slaveholders prohibited slaves from learning to read. Nazi’s burned books. 

Ignorance is the handmaiden of tyranny. 

Those who believe in democracy, on the other hand, have been at the forefront of the movement for free, universal public education; and for public libraries, museums, and the arts. They understand that democracy depends on people knowing what’s occurring around them and having the capacity to deliberate critically about it. 

Trump is only the frontman in this attack on the American mind. 

The attack is really coming from the anti-democracy movement: From JD Vance; and from Vance’s major financial backer, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who staked $15 million on Vance’s Ohio senatorial election in 2022 and helped convince Trump to make Vance vice president; and from Thiel’s early business partner, Elon Musk. 

Thiel is a self-styled libertarian who once wrote: “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.”

Hello? Freedom is incompatible with democracy only if you view democracy as a potential constraint on your wealth and power.

Behind Vance and Musk is a libertarian community of rich crypto bros, tech executives, back-to-the-landers, and disaffected far-right intellectuals.

Curtis Yarvin comes as close as anyone as being their intellectual godfather. He has written that political power in the United States is held by a liberal amalgam of universities and the mainstream media whose commitment to equality and justice is eroding America’s social order.

In Yarvin’s view, democratic governments are inefficient and wasteful. They should be replaced with sovereign joint-stock corporations whose major “shareholders” select an executive with total power, who serves at their pleasure. Yarvin refers to the city-state of Singapore as an example of a successful authoritarian regime.

Make no mistake: Trump’s attack on the American mind — on education, science, libraries, and museums — is an attack on the capacity of Americans for self-government.

It is coming from the oligarchs of the techno-state who believe democracy is inefficient, and want to replace it with an authoritarian regime replete with technologies they control. 

Be warned.

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week - 13 November

🦔 - Who knew Attenborough's echidna was just camera-shy?

1. New state law prevents animal abuse offenders from owning pets

The law bans those convicted of animal cruelty, including those involved with dogfighting, from owning any kind of animal for five years after their first criminal offense.

2. A door at a Swedish library was accidentally left open — 446 people came in, borrowed 245 books. Every single one was returned

The library was supposed to be closed for All Saints Day — a celebration sometimes also called All Hallows Day, the precursor of Halloween. But the library staff had forgotten to close a door. So people came in, thinking the library was open. Some visitors realized the library was technically closed and went home, but others did not.

3. Ohio votes to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, becoming 24th state to do so

Ohio voters approved a measure legalizing recreational marijuana on Tuesday, defying Republican legislative leaders who had failed to pass the proposed law.

Passage of Issue 2 makes Ohio the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes.

4. First ever images prove 'lost echidna' not extinct

Scientists have filmed an ancient egg-laying mammal named after Sir David Attenborough for the first time, proving it isn't extinct as was feared.

An expedition to Indonesia led by Oxford University researchers recorded four three-second clips of Attenborough's long-beaked echidna. Spiky, furry and with a beak, echidnas have been called "living fossils".

They are thought to have emerged about 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

5. Dog leads family to missing cat that fell into 30-metre mineshaft

An incredibly lucky cat has his canine companion to thank for saving his life after the dog led rescuers to a 30 metre-deep mineshaft the cat fell into.

The cat, Mowgli, disappeared on Oct. 20 and had been missing for six days. Owner Michele Rose told the BBC that she had “almost given up hope” of finding her cat.

6. World’s first whole eye and partial face transplant gives Arkansas man new hope

A surgical team at NYU Langone Health in New York has performed the world’s first successful whole-eye transplant in a living person: Aaron James.

After an accident at work led to the loss of his left eye and part of his face, Aaron was given a new window to his soul, as well as a partial face transplant.

7. Obesity drug Wegovy cut risk of serious heart problems by 20%, study finds

The popular weight-loss drug Wegovy reduced the risk of serious heart problems by 20% in a large, international study that experts say could change the way doctors treat certain heart patients.

The research is the first to document that an obesity medication can not only pare pounds, but also safely prevent a heart attack, stroke or a heart-related death in people who already have heart disease — but not diabetes.

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[fisarmonical]

Jerome Zerbe, Hollywood. Jerome Zerbe (July 24, 1904, Euclid, Ohio – August 19, 1988) was an American photographer. He was one of the originators of a genre of photography that is now common: celebrity paparazzi. Zerbe was a pioneer in the 1930s of shooting photographs of the famous at play and on-the-town. According to the cocktail recipe book Bottoms Up (1951), he is also credited with inventing the vodka martini. (Source: Wikipedia)

Source: The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. URL: https://x.com/BeineckeLibrary/status/1071916165621014529?s=20