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ponett · 1 year ago

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Do you have any advice for people making OCs/sonas? Yours are really well rounded and unique and I'd greatly appreciate the insight of someone who got a passion project off the ground!

So this is a very broad topic, and it varies a lot based on your own creative goals, what kind of characters you're creating, and where you want to use them. Creating an OC to be used in furry pinups is a little different than creating one for a dramatic story. But I'll try to give some general advice on how I do things for the types of characters and stories I tend to work with

Heads up: this will be kinda long lol

The germ of an idea

For me, I'll generally be inspired to create a character starting with a small number of core traits. These could be anything. A color scheme, a body type, a job, a hobby, a personality archetype, an outfit, a visual motif, a functional role in a story I'm working on, a noteworthy facial feature, a weapon, a relationship of some sort to an existing character, a single scene or joke I want to use them for. For furries and fantasy characters, species is usually one of the first things I'll have an idea for, which tends to get the ball rolling fairly easily since we have all sorts of cultural associations with different animals and fantasy creatures.

Any standout character trait like this that you find compelling can serve as that initial spark. The inspiration can come from anywhere, but it's often just a matter of knowing yourself and your own tastes. What do you like? What are the people in your life like? What really speaks to you in a character? What's an existing fictional character that you'd like to rewrite and take in a different direction? What's an aspect of yourself that you would like to see represented more often in fiction? It doesn't have to be something super deep or fleshed out right from the start, though. You can start with something as simple as "I want a black cat character" or "I want a character who dresses like an arcade carpet" or "I want a character who looks scary but is actually nice." Whatever it is, it's something that differentiates the new character from the ones I already have, because otherwise I'd just be using them.

Contrast

From there, you can start brainstorming other traits that might go with those core traits. Some of those may be traits that naturally complement each other. Continuing with the black cat example, maybe you wanna play into the common cultural perception of black cats and say that this character brings bad luck, or is associated with witchcraft. However, I often like to give characters contrasting or even seemingly contradictory traits, which can help elevate a character beyond a stock archetype. Real people tend to be a walking ball of contradictions, after all.

I've talked a lot about how I did this with the main cast of SLARPG. Melody is a fox, traditionally a crafty and untrustworthy predator, but she's extremely introverted and gentle. Allison is a bunny, but instead of being a meek and cuddly little prey animal she's an outgoing fighter who loves a challenge, and she has a muscular build. I think this kind of thing gives characters some fun flavor, and can be really effective for both comedy and drama. For an example from something I didn't write, take Senshi from Dungeon Meshi. He's a dwarf, and he embodies certain stereotypical aspects of dwarves - he's a short, buff man with a big bushy beard, he lives underground, he's stubborn and doesn't like elven magic - but he also goes against some of them. Instead of being an expert on mining and blacksmithing, Senshi is a culinary expert who has a deep appreciation for the natural ecosystem of the dungeon. He's a weirdo among dwarves for not caring about the wellbeing of his axe and for using his super awesome shield primarily as a giant wok. And that's what makes Senshi fun and interesting.

So going back to our example, instead of going with the stereotype, we could make a black cat character who has comically good luck, or who's superstitious and afraid of witchcraft, or who's an extremely rational person who always believes in science over superstition. Or maybe you roll with the bad luck angle, but instead make the black cat be the victim of their own bad luck in some interesting way. Maybe this black cat has terrible luck with love and can't hold down a relationship. Maybe this black cat is an aspiring speedrunner who consistently gets the absolute worst RNG possible in every video game due to their own bad luck. Maybe this black cat has accrued a horrendous gambling debt after a long losing streak and has loan sharks coming after them.

These are all just hypothetical examples, of course. I don't exclusively make characters with ironic contradictions like this. The idea is just to build on those core traits you started with in interesting ways, and that's one of my favorite ways to do so. But honestly, a lot of the time execution is more important than the sheer originality of an idea, and sometimes really putting your all into playing a trope you love straight is the right move.

Specificity

Regardless of what direction I take a character in past that initial seed of an idea, the key ingredient tends to be specificity. To give them specific details beyond the most stock possible version of that core idea you started with.

This is something I internalized from Tim Schafer, via a blog post in the behind-the-scenes backer material for Broken Age. Sadly I'm not sure if that stuff is still available, but I did save this particular post about creating characters since it really helped me, so I'll directly quote a chunk of that post here:

No two characters would approach a problem or react to events in the same way. At least, not if you’ve designed the characters well. If you’ve left them too vague or superficial, if they are merely functional elements in your story instead of individuals, then they might react in the same way. And that’s a problem. So to avoid that, I’m going to talk about one the most important parts of character development: specificity. Making sure your character is a specific individual, not a stereotype. A unique character, different from anyone else in the world. It doesn’t mean that they have to have wacky gimmicks, eyepatches and crazy accents. It just means they have to be specific. For example, let's create a new character. Let's say your story has a scene where your main character gets in trouble in school. So you’re probably going to need a school teacher. Imagine a school teacher for a bit. Do you see her in a little red schoolhouse? Maybe a bun in her hair? An apple on her desk? Thick black glasses? Let’s put a ruler in her hand for good measure. Done! We have our teacher character. She’s ready to be in the scene where our hero goes to school and the teacher sends her to the principal’s office for passing notes. Right? I mean, this character doesn’t have too many lines, so why develop her character any more? The problem is that this teacher is a very shallow stereotype of a teacher. She has no specific attributes that make her memorable. She’s the teacher you would get in a set of free clip art. She might not have many lines, but if all your supporting characters are this way, your story will be more bland than it should be. Even if this teacher is only onscreen for a minute, she should be unique and different from any other teacher in the world. Luckily, it's not actually that hard to make her so. You just have to ask some very basic, specific questions.

Tim goes on to explain how simple exercises like filling out character sheets with basic questions about your character (there are a million of these online) can help push a character beyond a stock archetype, even if it's a minor supporting character. Questions about where they're from, their likes and dislikes, their beliefs, their goals in life, that sort of thing. For minor characters especially, a lot of these details may never actually come up in a story, but just asking even a few of these questions and giving them specific answers helps you see them less like an archetype and more like a real person in your head. Maybe you never bring up your character's backstory or their favorite sport or what kind of music they listen to, but just having a specific answer for questions like that might help color the way you depict that character in subtle ways. It makes it feel like they aren't defined by just that one core trait you started with, and helps make the characters and world feel more alive, like there's stuff going on with them beyond the bounds of the story or the drawing.

It's a careful balancing act, though. It's easy for a character to feel like they're a collection of too many unrelated gimmicks and quirks. Again, like Tim said, these specifics don't have to make for the craziest, most original character ever, there just has to be something there.

Let's go back to SLARPG as an example, where I combined broad character archetypes I liked with more specific personal elements that I felt like I wasn't seeing enough in the fiction I liked. Melody is riffing on the common idea of the reserved healer character in the RPG or MMO party and the shy girl archetype, but she's the main hero instead of a supporting player in another person's story, and she's also a fat bisexual trans woman who draws a lot of little details from my own life. Her interests, her relationships, her opinions on things, her personal hangups and dreams, these all set Melody apart from other fantasy healer characters and define her as Melody Amaranth. Specificity!

But it doesn't always have to be super deep, especially if you just want some characters to draw for fun and aren't planning on writing a story with them. Take my fursona. I've always loved dogs, so I made my fursona a dog. I chose a Samoyed in particular because I think Samoyeds are the cutest, and I hadn't seen hardly any anthro Samoyed OCs at the time. I leaned into the breed's signature fluffiness to help my fursona stand out from other canine OCs. She has simple identifying traits like being fat like me, wearing glasses like mine, and having a hairstyle kinda like mine (when I tied my hair up in a bun, at least). And there you go. Fursona achieved. She's not a wildly high concept character, but she doesn't need to be

Anyway I realize that this is mostly about the writing aspect, so here's a few quick bullet points about designing a character's appearance:

Face and body type variety are good, but personally I would say lack of body type variety is worse than same face syndrome

Knowing some stuff about shape language is good, but you don't have to be completely beholden to the "circles are friendly, squares are sturdy, triangles are scary" shit. I'm generally more interested in using repeated shaping in different parts of a character's design as sort of a shape motif. Melody's body, hair, and tail are all made of round, swooping shapes, for example. (This is more applicable if you're designing cartoonier characters as opposed to realistic humans, obviously.)

Knowing some basics of color theory is also good. I like using complementary and contiguous color schemes on characters and generally try not to use too many distinct colors on one design. Black and white and grey and various browns are good as neutral colors to balance out the colors of the rainbow, and gold can be a nice accent color

A small handful of identifying accessories can be fun, but don't rely on those to make a design stand out. Ideally your character should still be identifiable even when not wearing their default outfit, or even in silhouette

Aaaaaand I'm gonna call it a wrap there! This is a huge topic, so hopefully this helps with at least some of the basics! At the end of the day, though, don't beat yourself up if you can't sit down and force yourself to come up with the most crazy awesome OC ever. Just have fun and be yourself!

#rakruined #ask #slarpg asks

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muffinsin · 3 months ago

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Daniela Dimitrescu NSFW 1:10

A new challenge? Hell yeah XP! This one is somewhat similar to the NSFW ABC (found HERE), though will introduce a lot of new HCs for our girl

Let's get into it ;P

Masterlists

1; Describe 1 taboo desire of theirs

Daniela likes being used. She loves when she's taken in public, when she sits at the dinner table, attempting to act subtle and keep her breathing under control while her lover sits below, head buried between her soft thighs, toying with her. She loves having to act normal while she's played with. Another scenario of this is when she has to talk to a maid coming in to wake her, completely naked beneath the blankets, her soft pussy toyed with. She secretly loves it if her lover is bold enough to tug her blankets down, beckoning the poor, flustered maid closer and making her play with her, even as this very rarely leaves the women alive by the end of it

2; Name 2 of their favorite naughty outfits

Daniela loves to play around, and she loves looking good. She is a huge fan of lingerie, but is always eager to try full outfits, too. She likes cute skirts, long enough to barely cover her ass, slutty enough to degrade her, best. She likes how easily accessible she is, how her partner can and will bend her over and toy with her easily, how it brings attention to her feminine figure, wide hips, and bubbly ass

This being said, however, after being put in and played with in a maiden's uniform, she often finds herself craving this again, too. She loves the humiliating and degrading aspect of it, loves the tight blouse popping open at her large chest, loves the tight belt and short skirt, even shorter and tighter due to her height. She feels so small and submissive in it, and often puts one on when she plays with herself, her head lost in little, naughty scenarios she likes to make up in her mind

3; List and describe 3 wild cards about them

Daniela fights to lose, usually. She can be a massive brat, acting like a greedy, spoiled princess on most days and only ever behaving well and turning into a good girl when put in her place. But it's just that which she loves. She loves the fight, loves to test limits and push boundaries. She knows when she's being a nightmare, when she causes problems, and she loves it, all to be put back in her place after, fucked silly until she has no choice but to be a good girl, mindlessly begging to cum or for a break, pliant and needy, eager and grateful for everything her partner gives her

Daniela is obsessed with- well, being obsessed. She herself becomes utterly possessive and obsessed about her lovers, but secretly she craves someone being the same way about her- at least in her fantasies, that is. She often dreams of someone deranged, obsessed and possessive when she's in a submissive mindset, wants the thought of someone marking and hurting her, even as she isn't always a fan of it in reality. Her delusions often make for especially kinky and desperate scenarios, often leading her to be with any and all who show interest in her, at least for a while, deluding herself into seeing the best version of what they could possibly be. Often, it's up to her partner to figure out what she really craves and needs

She loves a rough dom to take care of her, likes it hard and fast, long, rough enough to ruin her. But what can satisfy her on a whole other level, what can break her beautiful mind and make her completely obsessed- and far more behaved- is a different kind of lover. The doting, gentle, tender dominant kind to hold her down and caress her face, coo and kiss her while they ruin her slowly, to tell her how much they love her and to call her their princess while she's slowly fucked into a state in which she can hardly even still remember her own name

4; List 4 naughty petnames that drive them mad

There's a variety of things Daniela likes to be called, especially during sex. Usually, when she feels submissive, she enjoys a mixture of praise and degradation, which is easily reflected in the petnames she prefers

Brat, slut, toy, and most versions of those- little brat, silly slut, good toy, pretty, bratty girl and more- are a good go-to when she's in this type of mood. When in a gentler type of mood, Daniela loves sweet petnames and ones including praise such as princess, little one, good girl, sweetheart, my love, often enjoying pretty girl, my little princess, and my love best

As a top, she most commonly refers to her partners or toys as pet, though will often end up calling them my love, little one, my darling, sweet love, soulmate...

5; Dive into 5 dirty fantasies of theirs

Being in bed on her back with her long, slim legs spread and fingers rubbing at her clit while a toy stuffs her, Daniela's mind usually tends to wander to one filthy scenario after the other, often matching what toys she's using or what position she's in.

Often, she likes to think of sneaking where she shouldn't be or teasing the wrong person, believing it's all fun and games and she's untouchable until they drag and push her against a wall, scolding her while they already tug up her skirt. She usually whimpers softly to herself, sighing as she pumps a dildo in and out of her, imagining being pounded into the bed for her disobedience.

At other times, she moans softly to herself, her chest rising and falling heavily as she thinks of being overpowered and easily controlled, physically. She thinks of someone strong and tall, capable of throwing her over their shoulder and gripping her hip tightly when she's bad, carrying her like she's nothing. Often, her dirty mind will then default to being carried while cockwarming them, her hips rolling, her pussy squelching and drooling as she's held up by her thighs in her fantasy

Being seduced is one of her favorite fantasies. Often, this comes from the plenty filthy books she reads, but she far too often finds herself on her back in bed, panting, her hand by her throat as she imagines a mysterious vampire lover just like in her many books, grabbing her hair and tilting her head back, their fingers thrusting deep into her, their fangs by her throat. She likes to imagine being seduced and fingered slowly, until she's all theirs, until she's ready to take them properly. Often, she thinks of this during the day or when reading too, leading to the poor, needy thing to swarm back to her room for some much needed "relaxation"

Sometimes, she likes to thrust the dildo in from behind, face in the sheets, imagining having to take more, and more, and more. She fantasizes about squirming and crying thick crocodile tears, shaking her head, breathless, her body tingling, her pussy so wet everything slides against and into her easily. She thinks of herself, pleading, begging, insisting she can't take more, and of a partner who just keeps going, doesn't stop because they don't believe her little lies. She loves the dirty fantasy of being made to take it all, of someone seeing through her half-hearted pleas and little, fake tears, while deeply craving someone who is capable of telling them apart from real ones

Lastly, she often finds herself getting hot and bothered at the fantasy of being humiliated, taunted to cum, held or tied down and unable to escape while her whole body is used and submits to her partner. She'll squirm and blush at her own filthy thoughts, fantasizing of being degraded while tightening around something in her pussy and ass, her lips wrapped around strong fingers, her hips raising and betraying her need

6; List 6 of their favorite naughty scenarios

One of her all time favorite naughty scenarios? My, that spot is easily taken by her favorite roleplay fantasy. Daniela is kinky, eager, and loves to role play in bed, but her favorite fantasy of all is when she's dressed only in a light, beautiful dress, her hair held, fingers cupping her pussy through the dress, her partner dressed in black and whispering filthy things in her ear. Her favorite role play scenario, the one of a princess claimed by the villain. Her books are to blame, certainly. She loves when she's treated rough like this, when she's tugged and used, when she's made to serve the "evil villain" until she's fucked sore and her partner is satisfied

Another of her favorite scenarios is when she's handled by two lovers at the same time, one holding her slim hips as they take her ass or pussy from behind, the other holding the leash connecting to her collar tightly in their hand as they fuck her throat. She's far dirtier than she lets on, loves threesomes between dominant partners, and likes whenever she's spitroasted, made to take it from both sides. She especially loves when one of her partners is strong enough to lift her, leaving her completely helpless and capable of only taking the cocks or toys driving in and out of her ends

Daniela loves when she gets to be on top, really. Even as a brat, she likes this, when her hands are tied behind her back and her lover's hands are on her bare thighs on either side of their hips, her pussy squelching as she rides a large strap. She loves to ride, loves to roll her hips seductively, and loves when her partner allows her to do so. Seeing them moan and shiver below her is one of her favorite things as it comes to sex

in the very rare times she changes the formation of her flies to create a cock rather than a pussy, she loves when she's toyed with. Held or tied down or with her hands forced behind her back while in her lover's lap, their hand warm and wet around her. She'll whine, taunt, complain and cry as she moans, demanding more when her lover takes their time jerking her off, but she loves it. She also thinks it's cute when her cock is held while she's pegged, blushing as she's jerked off or when she's praised for cumming handsfree while her ass is stretched around a strap

Daniela likes to feel beautiful. As such, she loves being worshipped too, even as a submissive. She loves when she is tied up in nothing but rope, wearing nothing but tight lingerie that suits her perfectly, her partner's lips on hers, their hands greedily groping at her chest, thighs, hips, pussy, whatever is within reach. She wants to feel loved as she's toyed with, and loves being told she's beautiful over, and over, and over again

Lastly, another one of her favorite scenarios- being woken up with the tip of a strap pushed in her mouth and fingers buried inside of her. There's just something about being fucked out of sleep that makes her melt. She loves waking up to an orgasm, loves to know that she's so beautiful, her lovers just can't keep their hands off her even when she's asleep and well behaved. She likes to immediately part her lips wider, her throat bulging when the strap immediately is pushed forth more, her legs trembling and pussy milking the fingers inside of her lazily. She equally likes to wake her lovers up by lapping at their privates

7; Name 7 turn-ons for them

Daniela has plenty turn ons, being so easily convinced and so easy to seduce. Still, there are more and less effective methods of doing so.

Often it starts with nothingness, subtleties, when she's in the library reading and a particularly filthy scene pans out. She'll shift slightly, bite her lip as she reads. More and more her cheeks will heat up and her pussy will ache, her mind wandering, imagining herself in the character's shoes instead. She rarely finishes the scene, off to find someone to play with, instead

At other times, teasing her is more than enough. When in a relationship she's insatiable, bratty and spoiled, following her lover around like a lost puppy and demanding they quit their work to spend more time with her. When they eventually become tired of her complains and grab at her hair, however, tipping her head back and whispering something about taking her bratty ass over their knee, she'll already moan and whine softly, her knees weak and clit throbbing with absolute need

Dirty talk is an incredibly effective way of turning her on. She loves being dirty and will often make filthy jokes or send flirty smiles, but hearing her partner whisper what they will do to her in her ear does things to her. She'll try to turn to them, hide in their neck and breathily beg for them to make good on their words, whining and grinding against them the longer they keep their sweet torment up

When in a dominant mood, nothing turns Daniela on like devotion and fear. She can't help it, she loves to scare a cute maid and torment them, cooing about how cute they are while their little hearts race, all until she ends up turning herself on, her teeth sunken into their necks, her fingers already beneath their skirts

Often, the brat will try to tease her lover. Almost equally often does this tease her, in return. Such as when she thinks she's being a naughty little tease by not wearing panties or a bra, only to find herself getting constantly turned on by the air against her bare pussy when she swarms only lightly and the sensation of her hard dress rubbing against perky breasts and nipples. She'll come running to her lover in no time, breathing hotly against their neck, whining about needing their touch while she already tugs up her dress

Being gifted something to be used in the bedroom after is a huge turn on for her. She loves when her lover buys her beautiful lingerie, especially when she notices it being made of flimsy, easily tearing fabric she knows will be torn from her body in a short while. She'll wear it eagerly, squirming the entire time imagining her partner's reaction to it

Lastly, there's her body; doing anything to her breasts and throat in particular is an easy way to start things off. A single kiss to her throat easily turns into little nibbles capable of pulling cute, breathy moans and whines from her. A single brush against her front can turn to a full, hungry grope when out of sight, and she lives for it. She's so sensitive and easily moans softly under her breath at every little grope at her body

8; Give 8 random, naughty facts about them

Daniela loves to sleep naked, even when single, hoping there might be a cute maid to wake her in the morning and toy with her immediately, or even start playing with her in her sleep. She'll act shocked, but so long as the woman is cute enough, she'll melt easily and allow her to keep groping at her

She secretly loves more humiliating aspects of already dirty things. She loves being leashed, but loves it even more when her leash connects to the thick ring wrapped snuggly around the base of her lover's strap or cock, constantly forcing her against it. She likes being teased in her partner's lap, but loves it even more when she's bouncing on their strap while on it, or simply forced to cockwarm it while they toy with her

She gets off to the thought of being wanted and fought over

Daniela is a lot dirtier than one would think given her somewhat gentle, naive appearance. She loves being tugged into a secluded corner of the castle and feeling hands slide over her as she's kissed, loves to strip without a care of who might see

She'd love to have nipple piercings, or a clit piercing, purely for the aesthetic of it. She thinks they look beautiful and would suit her well, and given her biology making piercings near-impossible, she likes using fake ones at times to adorn her body. She especially likes tight, beautiful rings around her nipples, enough to keep her on edge all day long and have her come whining for release after no time

Daniela bites and licks and kisses especially much when she's needy. That bloodlust hardly turns off. Instead, she becomes so desperate and eager to show her love, biting at her partners unless gagged, kissing, whining and panting against their skin, licking blood, sweat and tears from them as she moans hotly

She loves to tease her partners, though can hardly handle when it's done to her, in return. She'll whine and moan fast, squirm even faster, desperate for touch

She secretly has a thing for authority, despite being such a brat. She gets so hopelessly turned on by those enjoying high ranks in the castle and is often scolded by Bela and Alcina for trying to make a move at the head maidens, or tugged away by the back of her hood by Cassandra when she's trying to flash little smiles towards those maidens in particular, for even her bloodthirsty sister knows they're off limits. In the end, Daniela usually gets to them still. She just loves how small they can make her feel, even knowing their authority is nothing compared to her own

She has the most amount of dirty dreams between her sisters, often getting riled up in her sleep. When sharing the bed with a partner, it isn't unusual for her flies and her body to react accordingly, often allowing her to wake up with an aching clit as she slowly and tiredly humps her lover's thigh. Upon awakening, she immediately decides this is not nearly enough

9; Describe 9 of their dirtiest thoughts

She often finds herself daydreaming when watching one of the maids in leading positions, her painted black, bloodied lip caught by her teeth as she thinks of them turning to her, next. Their hands on her, bending her over and stripping her dress from her soft body, clothing and underwear taken like its nothing. She yearns for it, to be devoured and commanded like it's nothing. She pouts then, her fantasy ruined when they flinch away from her in fear, not even daring to meet the poor thing's golden eyes

Daniela loves the idea of someone drinking her blood- mainly from the countless vampire erotica she's read, really. She loves the thought of being pinned down, teeth grazing her neck while a strap thrusts in and out of her, her cheek held while the teeth dig in and her blood is devoured. She often ends up fantasizing of being pounded into the mattress with bite marks all over her and to her throat when she reads

More often than not she thinks about being ruined so badly she can't walk for days, her pussy sore, her legs weak and trembling, her ass so bruised from a spanking it aches whenever she moves

Overstimulation is delicious to her, and she loves the thought of an insatiable, greedy partner using her again before she's even managed to recover. Her body unable to move or even crawl away, her legs held apart, her holes used for their pleasure while she screams and cries for mercy, her hips rolling to match their pace

Sometimes, eying her favorite collars and leashes, she thinks of being made to crawl on her hands and knees, plugged with a toy tail, gagged, collared and leashed for her owner. She gets adorably wet and sensitive from the mere thought of it, of being patted and kissed, made to serve and act like a good pet for them. Contrasting this, she loves the idea of doing this to others, too, especially if it means she gets to turn her human pet into a cute little kitty cat for herself!

She knows, she ought to perhaps be ashamed of this particular thought, but especially in a polyamorous setting she just loves the thought of being passed around her lovers. Hands on her constantly, straps pushing in and out of her and filling her up even when she's so sore and sensitive she cries and claws, only to have her wrists restrained and lips roughly pushing against her own, smearing her lipstick while something pushes back inside of her. Used like a toy, worshipped like a queen

While she doesn't appreciate feeling sad or bad during sex, Daniela loves the thought of fake crying, or being brough to the verge of real tears through overstimulation. She can't help but think of being kissed and fucked slowly, thick tears rolling down her adorably pink cheeks

While on the naughtier side, she can't help but think of being punished and having to watch. Bent over, a few mirrors in sight to really let her see her ass be turned a beautiful shade of pink, her cheeks jiggling with every slap to them, her soft, bubbly ass abused by her lover as she's taught to behave better. She loves it! She loves seeing herself be reduced to this, to be treated like a slut and kissed like a princess

Monsters are- perhaps unsurprisingly- more often on her mind than appropriate. She blames it all on her books, on the fantasies that come with them. Often, she can't help the ache between her thighs when fighting lycans or hunting them down for fun, reminded of the countless large, insatiable werewolves she's read about. And when her neck is bitten even slightly she moans, thinking of vampires holding her and feeding from her, from her throat and wrists and thighs, bloodied lips smashing against her own, blood shared between them- her blood

10; Name 10 kinks they have

Her obvious kinks aside, there's plenty new ones to explore! Such as her blood kink. Of course, she finds blood itself incredibly hot already. The thick substance, running down her partner's body and across hers, smudged between them, dripping from her soft lips, shared between their tongues as she kisses them...but...feeling it on their tongue after they fed from her or licked against her wounds? Her own blood in her mouth? Her own blood smeared against her pussy when she's eaten out? The thought is enough to make her blush and whine

With the right person, Daniela's voice kink can easily be triggered. She loves it, tied up, blindfolded, a ring gag stretching her mouth open as fingers or a toy are pushed inside over and over again, a strong thigh beneath and between hers, a low whisper in her ear, commanding her, telling one filthy thing after another, revealing what her partner is about to do to her

While mentioned above already, Daniela has, over the years, adapted something of a monsterfucking kink. She just loves the filthiness of it, the rawness, all the feral aspects that come with it, the humiliation and love alike

Consensual forced exhibitionism is one of her favorites, something she deeply enjoys, though only when she knows all included partners. She loves being tied up by one, naked, ready to be used or dripping after having been used already, marked up and dolled up, in front of another partner. She loves their eyes on her as she blushes and squirms, loves while her partner brags about her to the other, their hands on her, toying with her, showing her off, showing just how needy she gets for them

Pet play, another big one for her. Calling her a "little kitten", "sweet little puppy", "bunny girl", "pet", it all does things to her. Putting her on a leash, crawling for her partner, speaking only when given permission by them. She wants her mind wiped clean of even a trace of misbehavior, just instinct, obedience, and pleasure. She gets soaking wet being called a "good girl" while she begs on all fours, a collar snug around her throat

While it doesn't necessarily happen often, Daniela has a bit of a thing for having sex while drunk, or at least tipsy. She loves being all giggly while being toyed with, loves the fluttering feeling in her stomach and head at every thrust into her. She loves being fed more wine as she's fingered, loves to lick it from her partners. And while not turned on, she buzzes with love and excitement hours after, her hair held as her body trembles and struggles from the alcohol she swore she was used to after the centuries of consuming it lazily

Daniela is naughty, naughtier than most. She loves tasting herself during sex. Her favorite? Dipping her finger down after a creampie, then raising it to her lips

She's an experimentalist, and a daydreamer. With both fueling it, she has a huge costume kink, and a thing for roleplay. Whether as a maid being punished for being bad, a cute virgin taken the first time, a helpless little thing devoured, a corrupted princess, she loves it all, and she loves how good she makes each role look

While far more subtle, Daniela has a thing for...odd things. She doesn't believe in ghosts anymore, not since Bela pointed out how stupid that was back when they were younger, but she likes to believe magic exists. After all, they're all magical in their own way!, to her at least (and she loves to roll her eyes whenever her sister tries to explain that really, they are not). This being said, Daniela is immediately drawn to odd, witch-looking women she finds in the forest, often allowing them to lead her with them, curious as can be. Often, the younger, bolder ones pick up on her naive curiosity, leading her to be bent over their beds or kitchen tables. She doesn't mind that she hasn't found something truly interesting yet. She loves paying them a visit ever so often, still, convinced one of them will "slip up" and "reveal their secret" yet

Lastly, she has a thing for jealousy and possessiveness. Of course, she gets turned on from a display of it from her partner, but it goes beyond that. When particularly bratty, Daniela loves the thought of being punished for playfully flirting with others. She wants to be dragged away, pushed down, ruined, reminded who she belongs to, made to put her pretty little mouth to good use

#cassandra dimitrescu #bela dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #1:10 challenge

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popcornforone · 4 months ago

Text

Set In Motion

A Dieter Bravo Fan Fic

We’ve all seen the keep fit Sled picture & gone DAMN OUR MAN GOT IT GOING ON (I know some tummy lovers are gutted I’m sorry) but it helped to form an idea. Suddenly I had a small little idea for a fic in my mind…

It’s not longer small. I also hate self praise as a Brit, but I think this is the best writing I have ever done. I’ve sent snippets to people to read in advance without spoiling it for them & everyone single one of them has gone yep that Dieter.

Synopsis:- You have a new Celebrity client to take on at the Gym, it’s the over the top Drama queen, Dieter Bravo.

Word count:-(sorry I couldn’t stop writing) 9100

Warnings:- DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 18! unprotected PIV sex, client & customer, no strong enemy’s to lovers but it will make sense why I’ve put that, swearing, innuendos, fantasy’s, controlling, being sick, angst, teasing, riding, tasting, Dieter is a bit of a sex pest that covers most aspects doesn’t it? Pain from gym.

Seriously thank you for reading. It means the world & I love doing it. Cheers peoples.

When they said that you had been requested to train a Hollywood “A Lister” you were excited. Your reputation proceeded you, & you had turned the rich & the poor for lazy lumps to fitness gods. Even if they didn’t want to be sculptured to perfection you helped everyone feel comfortable in the gym. You are the go to woman & you can’t wait to see who is going to walk through the door. You’ve been told they can be difficult & demanding, but that’s also a bit like you on your worst day. How bad can they be?

The day has come. They have requested their own room for the training, already wanting exclusivity, very demanding. You sigh as you get a few smaller pieces of equipment in there, as well as a weighted sled, incase they are someone from abroad who actually knows what they are doing. But you treat every person you train on their first day as a novice to it all the equipment, best to work out together what they wish to achieve.

10am they were meant to be here. They aren’t. You slowly do some small 2kg weights while on an exercise bike in the corner of the room. At 10:47 the doors fly open. There in a big coat with shades on & messy hair is Dieter Bravo. The pre-Madonna, the sulky demanding diva, he might be an Oscar winner but his reputation isn’t the best.

“I have no idea why I’m here” he states firmly throwing his scarf off his neck. “My agent says “Dieter hit the gym it will do you good” ha” you slowly look at him trying not to stare. He is a legend despite his attitude & he smell incredible even from a short distance away. “I have the metabolism of a jungle cat, I don’t need to be here” he scoffs & drops his bag & sit on a bench in the corner. “Just call my agent later, tell them that we did okay while I have a nap” you shake your head. He’s gonna be one of those ones.

“Mr Bravo” you say & get off the exercise bike. “This is a place of work & fun, you can either be your inner jungle cat & get on with this or I can ask security to help you leave” you stand a few meters in front of him arms crossed. If he’s gonna whine, you’re going to be stubborn as well.

“Are you challenging me?” He asks boldly. He behind his mirrored sun glasses looks your body up & down “& aren’t you a little to curved to be a personal trainer?” He thinks he’s being funny. If only he knew your story. You’re the reason people come to this gym. You were extremely large, & to now be the size you are with a few muscles is extraordinary. If he’s gonna make comments like that, you can play that game too. He might be a sexy actor but manners cost nothing.

“Well…” you glaze over his comment about your size “… if you’d have arrived on time we’d have gone through some of the smaller items in this room, but as your here extremely late, I want to see if those broad shoulders have got the power in them” you then step aside to reveal the sled. “Push it” you’re not asking.

“That?” He scoffs & finally takes his glasses & coat off. He’s got a grey tshirt on & some overly big hanging shorts. For him to look so casual probably cost more than you make a month. “That thing, surely is from the Middle Ages, it’s for cows to push, wha..”

“Then it should be fine for a springy jungle cat” you wink & then give him a brief demonstration as to what to do. You haven’t stacked it properly with weights it’s about half of what you can push. “So mr Bravo…”

“Dieter or diets…”he interrupted.

“Dieter, I need this down to that wall & back & I need you do to that 5 times.” He has a little grumble & gets up off the bench. Clearly he thought his work out was gonna be with an influence to softly train with, who would also be who he got to fuck for the next few weeks until they both got bored. You’re clearly not his usual type.

“This is barbaric” & that was a before he had even started. Grumbles left his mouth as he started his first of 5 rounds. His face already a beetroot, the sweat poring down his back.

“Keep going Dieter” you say deadpan as he heads off on his second push back down the room.

“Fuck” he moans. He gets back up to your part of the room & dramatically collapses on the floor fanning himself. The drama queen has arrived. “I need water. I need electrolytes. I need a moment to reflect on the fragility of existence.” He groans holding his ribs. That makes you laugh, but you do go get him a bottle of water. “Think that’s funny do you?” You nod, his charm starting to rub off on you a little. He then takes the lid off the bottle of water & pours it over his head. That tshirt now sticking to his front as well. “Well let’s just say I ain’t coming back to do anymore work outs in this trauma chamber you call a gym.”

You thought that would be it. You’d never see Dieter again, his sessions would be cancelled & that would be that. One nice pay day which would pay off the rest of your sofa. So you were shocked to see it still in the calendar & for him to turn back up 3 days later. You sat on the exercise bike once again patiently waiting for him. In he walked, only 39mins late this time. No big coat but a bag with some bits in it, the sun glasses were also removed straight away. Those handsome eyes radiating charisma.

“I owe you an apology, & you owe me one for putting me through that oxen cow sled thing, but my agent says I have to persevere, so can we start again” he says extending his hand. A peace offering. You look him up & down, still in celebrity gym gear not what he actually needs. You shake his hand.

“If we’re doing this Dieter we’re gonna do that “oxen cow thing “” you use quote marks he chuckles “… every session until you can push it up & down this room 5 times”

“& when I do that, I can leave?”

“You can leave or stop this whenever you want Dieter, your the one paying me”

“True” he says as he gets out a water bottle. Branded obviously with his face on it. “then let’s say how many days…” you laugh “…weeks…” you still smirk “… months? you think it’s gonna take me months to push that up & down this room 5 times?” He looks at you in disbelief.

“Yes Dieter I do & today we’re gonna work out how much weight actually needs to go on it”

“Are you like this to all your Hollywood clients?” He asks sipping some of his water & setting his phone up so he can get some good shots of him working out. You tut. You for a brief millisecond, forgot he was a celebrity, & thought it was just good banta.

“I’m like this to everyone Dieter, don’t think you’re special” he fakes looking offended, it’s far too over the top.

“Oooh but I am special, just you wait & see” you let out an exasperated sigh & begin to do your tests on Dieter. The session much like last time ends with the sled, & Dieter dramatically lying on the floor after just half a turn. The work out had done its job.

Dieter tested your patience for the first few sessions. Hollywood does go to peoples heads. He chucked a weight on the floor in a strop that was made of fibre glass & it smashed. He clicked his fingers for you to clean it up & you berated him, as this meant this room couldnt be used by anyone for the next 3 hours. His next session he came in with a cheque for $1000 to compensate the gym. His face genuinely apologetic, or was he just good at acting sorry. It’s hard to tell with those eyes.

When he was working out, he was still dramatic too, as well as late to every session, usually between 15 to 35mins late. You’d actually told him that for every 5mins he’s late youd add another weight to the sled.

You often had to stand there & watch as he made content for Instagram. Often his outfits would not be gym ready so the top could be torn off or so he could look sweaty in a v neck. It did get hard for you at times. The man was handsome & had charisma boiling over. You grew found of Dieter & his showing off for the camera & the man that you were slowly getting to know underneath the layer of fame.

“So you guys know I’m loving this fitness routine” you sit on the exercise bike peddling as he does this little video, you let him do one at the start & then if the vibes right at another point. “But today I’ve got this amazing protein shake before we start” you roll your eyes as Dieter explains to his viewers what’s in the green gunky drink & how it’s good for him & helping him. You know where this is going.

“Let’s chug!” He says excitedly & then takes some large gulps out of the drink. You can see him shudder. He puts his thumbs up to the camera & say quickly “yummy” before then turning it off quickly & then running to a Bucket & spewing it all out. You sit in the bike laughing as he gags. You do then remember he’s human, get off the bike & go to his bag & get his water bottle. He’s your client after all, he might get a poser but you’re learning he is genuine.

“You okay Dieter?”

“Of course I’m not” he splutters before swilling some water around & cleaning his mouth. “How the fuck do you guys a drink that”

“I don’t” he lifts his head from the bucket “some people do but it’s not my thing, also all those ingredients you said well…” you pull a face.

“Well what!”

“They don’t go together, I’m guessing you literally walk into a shop & asked for everything healthy in one drink?” He turns red & then starts to cough “yea next time go for some carrot or spinach juice or maybe a light fruit smoothie, I like strawberry & mango”

“Ewww” he pulls a face like a toddler who doesn’t like the broccoli you are giving it.

“Trust me start small not big”

There’s a nod of neutral respect between you as he sits in the floor, moving the bucket away. He flashes that wide grin at you, his eyes bigger & more brown today. It’s easy to fall for him, even without his charisma. You shake your head denying your own crush for him.

“Just tell me when your ready Dieter & we can get to todays work out.”Dieter sighed & got up ready for instructions.

A while later hes struggling through a bench press, muttering something about “the crushing weight of expectations,” & when he finally pushed the bar up, he looked at you, flushed, sweaty, panting just a little & smirked. His guard down as you set up the sled for the end of the session.

“I think I only keep coming back here because of you.”

You freeze, your brain just short-circuited. Dieter, of course, had no idea what he’d just done. He just sat up, shaking out his arms, oblivious to the fact that you were now actively fighting for your life, trying not to turn bright red. You forced a fake laugh.

“Right. Because you love working out so much.”

“Oh, I hate it,” he said cheerfully, swiping a towel over his face. “But you make it… tolerable. Pleasant, even.”

Pleasant. Pleasant! Bloody pleasant! You want to crawl into the changing room & hide but you also wished for more.

You had hoped Dieter hadn’t noticed your embarrassment, but he had. He was now going to have fun. your problem was that now you noticed everything about him. Like how he’d bite his lip when concentrating. How his t-shirts clung a little too well when they got damp. How he’d stare at you whenever you demonstrated an exercise, not in a “taking notes” way, but in a “please repeat that so I can keep watching” way.

Worst of all? The post-workout stretches.

One day, he sighed mid-stretch & said,

“You should stretch me out sometime.” You choked on your water. He blinked at you, all with innocent curiosity. “What?” Mischief spawns across his face.

“Nothing,” you said quickly, pretending to be very focused on adjusting a kettlebell. He tilted his head. In the adorable way he always does.

“You okay? You seem flustered.”

“I am not flustered.” You were extremely flustered & tried to get back on topic, but tension hung in the air, unspoken & ready to pop.

After that session with the sled he did 4 lengths, he wasn’t as dramatic in his collapse. Dieter was leaning against the wall, sweaty & smug. “You know, I think I’m finally starting to enjoy this,” he said, looking you up and down. “Or maybe I just enjoy you bossing me around.” You were dangerously close to losing it.

Then he smiled, lazy, teasing, too damn pretty & you snapped.

“Okay, that’s it for today, Shower. Now.”

He blinked. You hadn’t talked to him like that in weeks being snappy.

“Are you…”

“NOT WITH ME,” you shouted. “Just…go. Before I do something wildly unprofessional.” Dieter stared at you for a moment. Then, very slowly, his smirk returned.

“Oh,” he murmured, eyes flickering with dangerous amusement. “Interesting.”

You turned on your heel & left before you did something stupid. Like kiss him. Or murder him. Or both. Behind you, you heard him laugh. Low, delighted, victorious. You were so, so screwed.

This now made this hard for you but fun & games for Dieter who was loving every second.

You barely survived the rest of the weeks sessions. Because now, Dieter knew. He didn’t know exactly what he knew, but he knew something & that was very, very bad.

Every gym session after that was a nightmare of subtle provocations.

From asking if his hips were in the right position, to is this enough thrust to put into it, how low can he squat. But the worst day was the long v neck tshirt day, his nipples escaping constantly .You nearly threw a kettlebell at his head.

“Hey” he moaned when you said it was inappropriate to wear.

“You want to get burns on you nipples from the fabric be my guest” this just made Dieter do the session topless instead, you weren’t sure If this was better for the sake of his nipples or worse for your imagination.

The next session was an evening one, he’d been at a big celebrity event the day before, but still wanted to show he was committed to this. For a man who protested & hated this, he never missed a session, this time turning up 8mins late, his best time yet.

Dieter was finishing his cooldown stretches (which were still offensively sensual, by the way), & you were trying, to focus on literally anything other than the way he was sprawled on the mat, looking up at you with that goddamn smirk.

“You’ve been acting weird,” he said suddenly. You froze. Trying not to look panicked

“I have not been acting weird.” Dieter tilted his head the way you like.

“No? Because I swear you used to be a lot meaner to me.” You scoffed.

“You’re still infuriating.” He grinned.

“See, there’s the fire. I missed that.”

“Just finish stretching.”

You ignored the way your stomach did a stupid little flip. But Dieter didn’t move. He just watched you.

Then, too casually, he said, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were into me.”

Heat shot up your spine, panic flashing across your face for exactly half a second before you caught yourself.

“I…” Dieter’s smirk widened.

“Oh my god.”

“No.”

“Oh. My. God.”

“Dieter…” He sat up way too fast, eyes alight with mischief.

“You have a crush on me.” You wanted to die. You wanted to evaporate. You wanted to rewind time & punch Past You in the face for ever taking this job. But it was too late. Dieter Bravo was already basking in this newfound discovery, absolutely delighted.

“Wait, wait, this is incredible,” he continued, pressing a hand to his chest like this was the most exciting plot twist of his life. After all acting is his job, he’s got an Oscar for being a drama queen. “I mean, it makes sense. I’m devastatingly attractive. But you, you’ve been holding out on me! Teasing me!”

“You’re insufferable.” You are trying so hard not to smile. He gasped.

“& your moody & mean! God, no wonder I like you so much.”

Wait….

Wait, wait, wait.

“You…”You narrowed your eyes. Unsure if this is a game of his or not”….You like me?”

Dieter blinked. Then shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Yeah. Duh.”

Dieter liked you?! Since when!? Since always? Since yesterday? Since he figured out you were suffering through a months of long crush while he pranced around half-naked, dripping in sweat & sin?

Because what the hell were you supposed to do with that information?

Meanwhile, Dieter was just grinning at you, clearly enjoying whatever internal crisis was flashing across your face.

“Oh, wow,” he mused. “You’re, like, really freaking out right now.”

“I am not freaking out.” He hummed. & then giggled.

“No, you totally are.”You groaned, pressing your palms to your temples.

“Can you just shut up for, like, ten seconds?”

Dieter considered it. Then, in true Dieter fashion, said:

“Nope.” He shrugs”I’m never speechless”.

You exhaled through your nose. This man was going to kill you.”So what now?” he asked, leaning forward, eyes way too bright with excitement. You huffed.

“What do you mean, ‘what now’?”

“I mean, what happens next? Do we pretend this didn’t happen? Do we have an extremely unprofessional makeout session in the locker room? Do I make you fall even harder for me through my sheer charm and magnetism?”

You gaped at him.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I know, right?”

“I need to go.”

Dieter grinned. “Aw, you’re running away?”

“Yes.”

“Fair.” You turned on your heel & left him on the stretches Mat in the gym. Behind you, Dieter’s laughter followed you out the door.

You didn’t get much sleep that night, thinking about what happened & when you did fall asleep, he was in your dreams cradling your neck, his lips feeling soft, the moans he makes in exhaustion now in pleasure. You woke up sticky, sweaty & feral.

The next day, you found a smoothie waiting for you at the gym. On the lid, in messy handwriting:

“For my favorite coach. (Yes, I’m your favourite client. Don’t even try to lie.) - D”

You stared at it. It was not a Dieter day today, but he had sent you a strawberry & mango smoothie, your favourite. He’d remembered that comment a few weeks ago. There was even a little heart drawn on the note. You were so, so done for.

What started with the smoothie, Then became a coffee, then became proper gym clothes, less Instagram videos & Then shock horror, he started showing up early. The 10am start, he was arriving at 9:58. Which, for Dieter Bravo, was wildly out of character. This shook you to your core, he was a changed man from the dramatic drama queen jungle cat who came in a couple of months ago as a poser.

“You’re in a good mood,” you observed one morning as he strutted into the gym, suspiciously chipper.

“I have news.” He said in a cocky voice, but when isn’t he a little big arrogant.

“That can’t be good.” He ignored your little joke & continued, used to your wit by now.

“Guess who just got their own fitness show?”

You blinked shocked

“What?”

“It’s called Dieter Does It,” he said proudly, throwing his arms out like it was already an Emmy winning masterpiece. “A journey of strength, perseverance, & my absolutely flawless physique.” You stared at him. Dumbfounded but also proud.

“A fitness show. You?”

He placed a hand on his chest.

“I know, it’s inspiring.”You were at a loss for words.

“Dieter,” you finally managed, “you hate working out.”

“Wrong,” he said, pointing at you. “I hate suffering. But I love attention. & people love watching hot, sweaty celebrities struggle. It’s a goldmine.”

“Oh my god.” you say sarcastically & roll your eyes, he laughs but continues to tell you his plan.”well congratulations”.

“Thanks” his hands are moving excitedly as he explains how live tv works, “I’ll be doing some light stuff each episode but then have different fitness masters from all over the world come in, trying different extreme workouts. Testing the limits of my body & soul.” He’s ever the charmer & professional rattling this off like he’s in an advert or a talk show promoting it. You dont need to be sold this, you’ve already brought into it.

“Do you even have limits?”

“Only one way to find out.” he raises an eyebrow.

“Please tell me you at least hired a real trainer for this. So that they can do the actual fitness & not some Hollywood wannabe”

He beamed.

“About that…” You immediately knew where this was going.

“No.”

“Yes.?”

“Nope.”

“Yes.!?”

“Dieter, absolutely not.”

“Come on, Coach. I need you.” He did the biggest pout & puppy dog eyes you’ve ever seen from him. You opened your mouth, to tell him exactly where he could shove that idea, but then you registered his words.

I need you.

Not I need a trainer or coach. Not I need someone to keep me from breaking every bone in my body while trying to get ratings & an Emmy.

No.

He needed you. & just like that, your entire brain malfunctioned. Dieter noticed. Of course he noticed. He noticed everything about you, from how moody you get when you should have your period, to the way you often stand by the window when it rains, enjoying its calmness. He notices everything about you. He’s been falling for you from the moment you called him a jungle cat back on that first day.

Now his smirk shifted. It wasn’t just teasing anymore, it was knowing.

He took a slow step forward, eyes darkening. “What’s wrong, Coach? Jungle Cat got your tongue?”

You hated him.You hated the way he invaded your space, the way he smelled too good, the way he was so damn smug about making you squirm. You should’ve walked away. Should’ve told him to get over himself. Should’ve done literally anything other than stand there, frozen, watching his mouth get closer.

Time then froze as you sighed your eye contact intense.

He kissed you. Hard. Messy. Desperate. It wasn’t smooth, wasn’t practiced, just pure, unfiltered want. Like he’d been waiting forever for this, like he couldn’t stand another second of teasing & near-misses & tension so thick it was suffocating. Almost as thick as that protein shake he despises.

You should’ve pushed him away. Instead, you fisted your hands onto his shirt & kissed him back. Your own wants & needs taking over. The pleasure of his mouth intoxicating.

Dieter groaned, pressing you against the nearest wall, one hand slipping to your waist, the other tangling in your hair like he was trying to memorize you. It was unfair how good he was at this. Hot & cocky & utterly unhinged. This wasn’t a kiss an actor gives, this was a Dieter Bravo kiss.

He pulled back just enough to murmur, “Told you, you liked me.” You yanked him back in. Not caring about your own rules for just a few seconds more. Another taste was needed. You both know you’ll never be satisfied again.

When you finally pulled away, both of you breathless, wrecked, still gripping each other like gravity didn’t exist. Dieter laughed Softly. Neither of you on guard, both vulnerable wondering if there should be another kiss. Soft. Disbelieving. So, so satisfied.

Then, still grinning, he pressed one last, lazy kiss to your lips and said,

“So… I’ll see you on set?”

He then left having not done work out today, maybe the kiss was enough. You also hadn’t given him an answer. Your mind spiralling out of control. Dieter was offering you more than just a tv role or was he?

You spent the next three days losing your mind. Three days replaying the kiss in your head. Three days avoiding thinking about Dieter Bravo like your life depended on it & It wasn’t easy. Not when he kept texting you.

“Morning, Coach. Dream of me?”

“Can we make out again or do I have to earn it?”

“Actually, don’t answer that. I love a challenge.”

These were just some of the messages you received.

You almost caved. Almost let yourself be swept up in the chaos that was Dieter Bravo with a crush. But you knew better. You were a professional. You knew you had to have this out with him face to face.

Wednesday arrived. You got to the gym room & set it up, putting the weights on the sled, your heart & would feeling heavier then them. Dieter arrived at 9:59, in the correct gym gear, no flashy dramatics, simply the man ready for a work out. A far cry from the jungle cat who came bouncing into your life. He was completely unaware that his world was about to collapse.

He was sprawled on a bench, pretending to do some stretches but mostly just watching you approach with that lazy, lovesick grin.

“You look stressed,” he mused. “Need me to kiss it better?” You ignored the full-body shiver that caused & inhaled sharply. The words you had practiced fall from your mouth bluntly.

“I’m quitting.”

Silence.

For the first time ever Dieter didn’t have a quip to respond back to you with.

“Wait, what?” He looked up & did a double take in disbelief. You squared your shoulders.

“I’m leaving the gym. I can’t train you anymore. I…”You swallowed. “I crossed a line with a client.” Dieter’s face dropped.

“Are you…” He actually sat up, alarmed. “Are you serious?” You nodded, hating every second of this.

“I can’t do this,” you said softly. “It’s unprofessional. Because if…if I stay…”

You didn’t finish. Because if you stayed, you knew exactly what would happen. Dieter would keep pulling you in, keep teasing, keep making you melt with those damn soft, needy looks, before long, you’d be just another person who lost themselves in the madness of Dieter Bravo. You also knew Dieter now. You couldn’t let that happen. He’s not a relationship man, he’d get what he wanted & then no longer be interested in you. You’ve met these kind of guys before.

Dieter stared at you for a long moment. His expression was unreadable, no cocky smirk, no mischief, just… something raw. Then, in a completely normal & rational response, he said:

“Marry me.”

You nearly choked on air. Tension filled the gym.

“…What?” Dieter shrugged, like this wasn’t the single most deranged thing he’d ever said.

“Marry me. Then I won’t be your client anymore.”

You stared at him, fully convinced you were hallucinating.

“Dieter…” your speechless.

“I’m serious.” He stood, way too close, voice way too honest vulnerable & soft. “You think you need to leave because we crossed a line. So let’s make a new one. One where it’s not a problem.”

“Dieter, that’s not how this works…”

Your brain scrambling for a logical answer, while your heart was pumping going this is so romantic & your labido was going, everyone’s seen the sex tape he’s got a massive penis. You shake your head as your body tells you lots of yes’ & nos to this predicament. None of your 12 practiced conversation last night with the mirror that you constructed, had seen anything as wild as this coming. But that’s Dieter for you.

“Why not?” He was so goddamn serious. “You like me.”

You exhaled sharply. “That’s not the point…”

“You like me,” he repeated, almost smug.

You groaned. “Jesus Christ.”

“& I like you,” he went on, tilting his head, you wish he wouldn’t because it arouses you that cute little look. “A lot, actually. More than I’ve liked someone in a long time. Which is so annoying, by the way.” You refused to react to that. You’re still processing.

“Dieter…” you sigh but he interrupts again.

“I don’t want you to go.” His voice dipped, genuine now. “So don’t.”You shook your head, trying so hard not to let him get to you.

“This is insane,” you whispered.

Dieter just grinned. “That’s why it’s perfect.”

You groaned. You needed to leave, To stop you both from Doing something you would regret. Dieter could sense this might be his last chance,he grabbed your wrist.

“Coach.”the charming voice was softer now.

When you glanced back, his expression wasn’t teasing anymore. Wasn’t cocky or smug or anything remotely expected. It was real.” Stay,” he murmured. “Please.” He really was pleading. When he does this it’s so hard to say no to him, even if you didn’t have feelings for him.

You stared at him. At his stupid, earnest, handsome, carved by the gods face. At the impossible words hanging in the air between you.

“Marry me?”he asked once more. This wasn’t a game he wanted to play, this was real. But being a realist you know life isn’t that simple. your entire world has just tilted on its axis.

You took a deep breath.

“Dieter…I”

“No,” he cut in, eyes locked onto yours. “Don’t ‘Dieter’ me. Just say yes.”

Your heart ached, because god, you wanted to.But this was Dieter Bravo. The human embodiment of chaos. He wasn’t serious. He couldn’t be. However this moment you are pretty sure is the most serious he’s ever been in his life & yet it’s still been spontaneous. So you forced yourself to shake your head, step back, build the wall back up.

“I can’t.”

His face fell. for a split second, you saw it, the flash of real hurt before he masked it with a forced smirk.

“Right. Okay.” His face dropped. He’s taking some deep breaths, he’s trying to contemplate everything that’s happened in the last 5minutes.

You hesitated. You Hated every second of this.

“Dieter, I…”

“Go,” he said bluntly clearly done with you.

You hesitated a second longer, waiting but for what, you didn’t know. But Dieter didn’t stop you. So you turned, heart shattering, & walked away. Leaving Dieter alone in his gym room. You went to your boss & told them the situation. They didn’t fire you or accept your resignation. But you asked to go on extended leave which they granted. As you got to your car you got a message from another trainer.

“I don’t know where your at or what happened, but Dieter Bravo is pushing your sled up & down the room like it’s not heavy, he’s done it 5 times” you sit in the drivers seat & cry. Your Dieter, even when you’re not there & you know you won’t be seeing him again, & who you will no longer be instructing, did it. The jungle cat completed his mission. He proved he could do it. You wait to stop crying before you put the car into drive & head back home, despite every part of your screaming at you saying “text him because your proud of him” but you ignore all the signs.

Dieter Bravo did not get rejected. He was hot, rich, & famous. That’s what he kept telling himself as he pushed that sled up & down. When he did his fifth rotation he was over the moon, but there was no you to be there to hug him. To say it all paid off, to be proud of him. He took the selfie but the smile was fake. He hoped you would see it on Instagram at some point but you never liked or commented on the photo even though he tagged you & the gym in it.

Dieter was down in the dumps & couldn’t get his head straight. Which is why, two weeks later, when his pilot taping started, he was in the worst mood of his entire life. He shouldn’t care that you left. Shouldn’t care that the gym felt empty without you, that his workouts sucked now, that he kept checking his phone for texts that weren’t coming.

He was fine. Completely fine.(He was not fine.) & now he had to do this stupid show, in front of a live audience, try to pretend he wasn’t a little bit heartbroken. Put that Dieter Bravo charm on that the word adored. The charm that you found tedious, that then got another rise out of him. No matter who his agent had brought in to be the profession, it wasn’t going to be you.

You couldn’t avoid it. Billboards were all over town with Dieter in an over the top gym outfit advertising his show. They wanted people in the audience for the pilot. Professional from the world of fitness to see how it was going, were asked to come. You weren’t supposed to be here. You’d walked away. Made a clean break.But you also wanted to make sure he was okay, you wanted to be proud of him.

So you went to the pilot. But then you saw him. Saw him failing spectacularly on stage. It was a disaster. The cameras were rolling, the audience was watching, Dieter, Hollywood’s most shameless, over-the-top narcissist, your jungle cat was crashing & burning. He was rambling. Stalling. Making jokes that weren’t landing. & then he just… stopped. For one awful second, he stood there, completely lost. Thats when you knew. You knew that, for all his bravado, he needed you. He needed the spark, & the fire be it from genuine banta or punishment for being a drama queen. He was a man broken.

You Slipped past security, ducked backstage, & found him pacing like a man on the verge of losing it. This jungle cat was no longer pouncing & was wounded.

“Dieter.”

He whirled around in a heavy daze. when he saw you, when he realized you were actually there, his whole body froze.

“You came,” he breathed. “you actually came” his lip trembles. He’s trying to be calm but he just wants to embrace you.

You swallowed. “You looked like you needed help.” Time to admit that you were wrong. He let out a weak laugh, rubbing his face.

“That bad, huh?”You hesitated. Then, because you were already screwed, you stepped closer & murmured,

“Do you want me to stay?” Dieter lifted his head, eyes locking onto yours. The smirk & the dazel oozed back into him slowly, he grinned, stepped right into your space, & whispered,

“Only if you marry me.”

You groaned. You rolled your eyes & then pulled him in for a kiss. His breath was warm against your skin as he went to kiss your neck. He dragged you to his changing room. you should have stopped this But you instigated this. This was your choice to give into the sexiest man in Hollywood. You’d opened the door for pleasure to him & he then made sure his changing room door was locked.

Dieter groaned, like he’d been waiting forever for this, like he hadn’t spent the last couple of weeks spiralling over you. His hands were everywhere, gripping your waist, sliding up your back, holding you so close it hurt. The kiss was desperate, all tongue, all teeth, all frustration & relief & pent-up insanity. You were hungry as well for this. Your feelings & emotions all now on show & when you bit his lip, Dieter purred & swore.

“Fuck, I missed you,” he rasped, dragging his mouth down your jaw, nipping, sucking, ruining you.You gasped, tilting your head back, letting him. Letting him take. Letting him have you.

“Say it,” he murmured, hands slipping under your shirt, skimming hot over bare skin. “Say you missed me.”You refused. So Dieter pinned you against the wall. Pressed a thigh between your legs. Made you feel him. How’s that even gonna fit you think as you moan, feeling his erection push against you.You whined & He grinned. he kissed you harder, deeper, filthier, like he wanted to ruin you for anyone else. Like he already knew he had. You were going to let him.

Dieter felt everything. Your body pressed against his. The way your nails dug into his shoulders. The way you gasped into his mouth when he rolled his hips just right. He was already addicted.

“You wanna keep pretending?” he rasped, dragging his lips down your throat. “Wanna act like you don’t want this?” You whimpered. Dieter, smug bastard that he was, grinned against your skin. “i could ruin you,” he murmured, hands wandering lower. “Right here. Right now.”Your breath hitched, & just to destroy what little resolve you had left, Dieter sucked a bruise onto the sensitive spot beneath your ear. You melted. No longer even pretending to be off with him.

“Fuck,” you whispered. His fingers dug into your hips.

“Yeah?” he taunted. “You like that, coach ?” You didn’t answer. Didn’t have the oxygen to. Because he did it again. Harder. Hungrier. Dieter was losing it.

Before you knew it Your breathless, pressing into him like you were about to make the biggest mistake of your life & frankly, he was willing to let you.

“But first, clothes.” He chuckles

Or rather, the removal of them. You mind thinks.

His hands slipped under your dress, skimming hot over your stomach before gripping the hem & peeling it off. His hands almost claws thrashing at it.

The sound you made? The little moan you do… it Ruined him.

“Fuck,” he muttered, staring. “You’re gonna kill me.” & then he was back on you. Mouth trailing lower. Hands gripping your waist. Thumbs teasing just beneath the waistband of your leggings. He could feel you trembling.

“You’re shaking,” he teased, voice dark, teasing. “You nervous, sweetheart?”

You exhaled sharply.

“Shut up Dieter” it’s breathy.He grinned & then he took his time.Hooked his fingers into the waistband of your leggings & dragged them down, slowly & delicately with his large hands.Savouring . Exploring.

By the time they hit the floor, you were wrecked. Dieter was looking at you like he was about to skip the warm-up & go straight to the main event.

“Fuck,” he whispered. “Look at you.”

Your hands shot out, desperate now, reaching for the hem of his fitted gym shirt.

“Off,” you muttered. “Now.”Dieter laughed, letting you pull it over his head. fuck he was looking fine, he was well built now youd had your sessions with him .So solid beneath your palms.You ran your hands down his chest, across his stomach, feeling every inch of him.

You gulped & then. finally, your fingers dipped to the waistband of his joggers.Dieter’s breath hitched.He smirked. He knew what was coming. He knew you’d be begging for it his eyes as frenzy as he tussled his hair

“You watching?” He asked seductively.

you nodded, silent, transfixed, dying for it…He slid the joggers down…

Nice & slow…

Letting you see everything.

He’s commando & semi hard, you lick your lips & your delicate hand goes straight for his long shaft. Ecstasy leaves his mouth. Just your touch on his chest had sent his mind into a whirlwind. But now your stroking his penis so leisurely, like it was meant to happen, had him experience a release that had been building for months.

“Fuck coach” he groans “you give all your clients hand jobs?” You tut.

“Shut it Dieter or I won’t let you fuck me” his eyes snap open wide.

“Naughty girl with a dirty mouth” the way he licks his lips as he says this, his hips already wanting to buckle.

“Bet you’d like that” you reply before kissing the crook of his neck. He judders. So alive, so for-filled. But then he snaps out of it & takes your hand.

“We’re a team coach” he whines. His large hands Then attend to removing your bra. Undoing the clip in one go, you let it fall from you. Your nipples erect in the cold changing room instantly.”oooh baby come to papi” he says before his lips locks around your left nipple. His hand inside your panties. You whine feeling his pleasure. You knew those fingers would be trained well as they assault your clit. Of course he knew how to pleasure. He’s the man everyone dreams of enjoying, especially after that sex tape.

“Fuck Dieter” you can’t control your moans. It’s a passion filled assault & you want more. You push Dieter back & his legs hit against a bench. One similar to the one in your work out room where you have been training him. He smirks.

“The number of times I’ve gone home after each session of our banta & teasing & imagined you sitting in my lap bouncing on my penis & not one of those aerobic balls, let’s just say I’ve cracked a few out”

“Dieter!” You pretend to sound shocked but this is Dieter his reputation proceeds him. Now your looking at him naked & aroused you can imagine him, crying your name as he jerks off in the shower, soapy water & cum dripping down the drain.He probably would also think that about his Mail man. You put your hands on his shoulders pushing him so he sits on the bench.

“Tell me Dieter in your fantasy, am I wearing panties, or are we both natural?”

“NAKED!” He screeches. You then stand in front of him & slowly roll your black lace panties all the way down, “slower baby I want to see every single inch.” He’s being demanding but you don’t think you can go slower. Eventually you stand in front of him exposed. “This is my fantasy right?”

“I think you’ve earnt it” you say & part your legs. The feel of his index finger collecting your arousal, makes you grab onto his shoulder. A simple brush across your sex have your quaking & almost begging. “Oooh fuck”

“Fucking delicious”he then slowly sucks off your slick from his index finger & then he lies on the bench. Those large hands you’ve been dreaming of touching you for a while no matter how much you denied your crush on him, now look small as they attend to his erection.

“Standard or reverse?”

“Standard coach, I want to see the look in your eyes as you cum cos you’ve never been as satisfied as this” you straddle over him, your hand joining his stroking it. It’s sticky from Precum. You slowly guide the tip in & gasp.

“Ooh fuck”

“Okay darling?” It’s genuine concern, you’ve not had sex in a while & never anyone this girthy. Your trying not to moan to much already you like being vocal when you have sex. The pinch is going to be worth it.

“Give me a minute Diets” you’ve never called him Diets his eyes light up.

“I gotcha baby, let me coach you through it” you raise an eye brow at him before sinking lower. Each centimetre feeling exquisite, you slowly take him all in. You bottom out.

“Oooh fuck, oooh my fucking god” he looks at you proudly, he can feel you squeezing him already.

“Oooh fuck, what a tight little cunt” HE snarls & then his hips buckle his first strong thrust. Your toes curl.

“Fuck”

“Ooh fuck baby, why didn’t you tell me you had the tightest cunt, you need better sex” another thrust. Your eyes close. “I’m gonna give it to you for as long as you can take it”Your hips start to gyrate & soon your grinding around him slow but then hard once your rhythms match. Fuck seems to be the only word in your vocabulary other than moans. Sweat is the only thing you tastes as you bounce, each time taking him all the way. Each time your on edge. Your hand strumming as he holds you in place. Dieter is a sex pest as perceived by the rest of the world, & he is getting pleasure from this no doubt about it, but this is all about you. Watching your face as it makes the most adorable scrunches, seeing your eyes ignite each time he edges you close. Arching your whole body dripping with sweat covering him, your hair sticking to you. But he is most impressed with your sex. He’s always liked to look intently but there’s something so hypnotic about the way you’re rolling your self & grinding around him, how he can feel like he can thrust any further inside you.

“Look at you coach” he moans his fingers white digging into your flesh trying to delay his orgasm do you cum first. “All our hard work & tension has built up to this”

“Yesss oooh fuck Yesss” your on edge it’s about to happen.

“Come on baby” he thrusts & rolls harder, almost at a lightning speed he know this should set you off. “I know you want to baby, give in let go, live your dream”

“Fuck Dieter….!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSS!!!!” You didn’t need a motivational pep talk to make you cum, it was gonna happen but as you screamed his name you experienced the most intense orgasm of your life. It felt like your body was contracting all into one little box & then exploding across the room like confetti at a gender reveal for one of those tiktok couples. You didn’t care as you moaned all the way through it. “Fuck yes yes yes yes yes oooh fuck” Dieter joined you moments later, after he put his last few frantic thrusts in. You’d not used a condom. He filled you up, good & proper, as you slumped over him as he panted. Those large hands rubbing your back soothingly. The room fell silent, probably the longest you’ve kept Dieter quiet since you met him. Just hot sticky sex & breath filled the air. Both spent, both throughly worked out. Your naked body melting into one

“Next time” he eventually breaks the silence “we do that & not the sled”

“Dieter” you sit up & playfully hit him.

“What” he says looking smug, the smug grin you’ve grown to worship. “We burnt more calories there then pushing that bastard thing up & down” he then sits up & removes a stray hair from your face. You blush, this will never just be you as a coach & Dieter as a trainee again.

“So now what?” You ask. He gently put his thumb on your chin & looks you deeply in the eye. Those brown eyes still as handsome as ever.

“Well you never answered my question”

“Ask me tomorrow?”…

2 & a half years later

The gym looked exactly the same. Same equipment. Same smell of sweat & same bench. You’re still the personal trainer desperately trying to keep your biggest headache from breaking himself. Still being a drama queen from time to time, still occasionally turning up late, still being a menace & far too flirty for his own good.

The only difference? You were sitting on the floor with your daughter. Your tiny, curly-haired, dimpled, annoyingly perfect daughter, who was currently watching her father push a sled across the gym like it owed him money.

Dieter was grunting, cursing under his breath, sweating through his stupid expensive workout gear. You laugh each time he swore so she couldn’t hear it. But traditions stated that if he came to work out with you even after all this time that he still pushed the sled.

& yet despite the pain in his now older body, when he looked over & saw you both watching, he smiled. His little world all together cheering him on.

“You impressed, sweetheart?” he panted, shoving the sled forward again. You rolled your eyes. It’s corney but it’s typically Dieter.

“Not even a little.”

But your daughter? She clapped her tiny hands.

“Yay, Daddy!” Dieter’s entire face lit up. It did this every time she was happy.

“Oh, hell yeah,” he gasped, pushing harder now, fueled entirely by his toddlers encouragement. Up & down he went,Five times. when he “finally finished the torturous monstrosity” as he still called it, sweaty, winded, hands on his knees, pretending he wasn’t seconds from collapsing, like he used to back in the day, He did a little dance. Those hips still have what it takes as he rolled them suggestively. You covered Your daughter eyes but didn’t stop her as she giggled & clapped again. He can use that move on you tonight, you like it when his hips grind against you. You like it even more when he hits the spot every time. since you’ve been a couple the only days you’ve not had sex were at the end of your pregnancy & beginning of motherhood. Turns out you are both addicted to each others bodies, intoxicated by desire & a lust that couldn’t be quenched.

“Daddy so strong!” She said. Dieter grinned, coming over to you both & scooping her up despite being an exhausted mess. Winking at you in the process. You blushed, almost as red in the face as he was from his work out.

“Damn right I am,” he panted, pressing loud, smacking kisses all over her chubby cheeks. She squealed, giggling uncontrollably.You watched them. Dieter is the best dad in the world, he will do anything for her & for you. You sit there proudly as he spins around with here & she laughs. that’s when Dieter’s eyes flickered to your hand.

To the ring on your finger. The one you still hadn’t let him upgrade to a wedding band. His smirk returned.

“You gonna marry me yet?” he asked, cheek pressed against your daughter’s curls.

You exhaled.

“Ask me tomorrow.” Dieter groaned but he was used to that response now . Your daughter, meanwhile, clapped again, no clue what was going on, just enjoying the chaos. Clearly a Bravo. He kissed her cheek again, grinning.

“She’s gonna say yes eventually, kid,” he muttered. “She’s just making me suffer first.”

You snorted. Dieter winked. Somethings between you will never change. & when your daughter clapped for him one more time, Dieter melted completely.Yeah. He could suffer a little longer.

This happened each time Dieter came to the gym, it was your new normal & you wouldn’t have it any other way.

One afternoon a few weeks later after an Intense session (& leaving your girl with someone else so you could both get intimate in the showers, as you were both really in the mood plus your were ovulating after telling Dieter you wanted another baby) your family leaves the gym, clean showered & refreshed. Your daughter was half-asleep in his arms, cheek smushed against his shoulder, her tiny fists still curled around the collar of his shirt.

You were about to do something insane. Something you had wanted to do & say for a long time.

Dieter hadn’t asked again. Hadn’t pushed for an answer again.Not since the last time you said ask me tomorrow. He liked the game & deep down he knew he didn’t need you to be his wife to be the love of his life. But as you watched him, this ridiculous, chaotic, impossible man, the father of your child, the absolute love of your life,You knew. You just knew. He had always been the one no matter how mellow dramatic, non serious, bat shit insane he was. He was your person.

So, before you could overthink it, you stopped walking. Took a breath & then, you dropped to one knee.

Dieter froze.

“…Babe?” He said shocked. You looked up at him, heart pounding, racing, threatening to explode. & then, voice stronger than you expected, you said,

“Are you free right now?”

Dieter’s mouth parted. His eyes widened. For the first time in his entire life, Dieter Bravo was speechless.

“You… you’re serious?” he choked out. You nodded.

“I know I’ve made you wait,” you murmured, swallowing hard. “& I know you would’ve waited forever if I asked you to.” Dieter’s throat bobbed.”But I don’t want to wait anymore,” you whispered. “I know you’re the one. & I want to marry you… right now.”

Dieter let out a breathless laugh.Then without a second of hesitation, He crouched down. Still holding your Daughter. His large magnificent Hand cradling your face. he then kissed you. Deep. Messy. Full of every ounce of love he had for you. When he pulled back, his forehead pressed against yours, he whispered,

“Sweetheart, I’ve been free since the day I met you.”

Your heart fucking cracked. You both felt this bolt of love blossom between you like it had always been there, you were laughing, crying, kissing him again.

Somewhere between all of it, your daughter stirred, blinking sleepily.

“Mummy Daddy?” she mumbled. “What happenin’?” Dieter grinned, scooping her up between you both.

“Mommy just decided to finally marry Daddy,” he whispered dramatically. Your daughter gasped. Then she clapped. Dieter & you couldn’t hold it in & laughed. “See? Even she knows I deserve this.”

You rolled your eyes. Typical Dieter always getting the last word. But when Dieter kissed you again, soft, sweet, so ridiculously in love, You knew you’d never regret this. Because, finally, finally, you were right where you were meant to be.

With him.

& her.

Your family

Forever.

85 notes · View notes

sitp-recs · 6 months ago

Text

2024 Wrapped: Drarry & Rarepair

I think we all agree that 2024 was far from great in many aspects. For me, last year was full of ups and downs with some happy fulfilling moments, and some very sad, difficult, anxiety-inducing moments. I took a few breaks from fandom and barely read anything in the 2nd half of the year, but a tradition is a tradition so here’s my annual wrapped, even if a bit late :) this list comes full of gratitude for the fics that brought me joy during these not so joyful times. It is also a love letter to short form as I did not have the time and mental space to indulge long fic as I used to. Looking at it, I’m happy to see a nice mix of old faves and new authors whose work I’ve been binging as if there was no tomorrow. As usual, keep in mind that this selection is 100% subjective as it reflects my very own perverted needs personal tastes. I hope you enjoy these gems as much as I did, and I wish you a generous new year, full of kindness and hope ✨

Drarry:

the sun between us by @eleadore (E, 7k)

Draco Malfoy, an omega. It was laughable until he was right in front of you, smelling like he was one shaky step from tripping into a heat.

you can find my detailed rambling about this fic here, which btw is the first single rec I wrote in over an year because I was so overexcited I had to scream about it somewhere. deliriously sensual and self-indulgent but also full of biting, unrelenting snark, this is a must read to those who are into the good old push and pull of enemies to lovers. and mindblowing hot a/b/o sex as a treat :D

Heart to Hearth by @jtimu (E, 7k)

It should perhaps not have been a surprise that the repairman on his front step came not with coveralls and a toolbox but instead with a sardonic stare and a raised eyebrow.

my favourite odd job fic of 2024! what a fantastic concept to have a capable, smooth Draco rocking the hell out of those coveralls and making Harry (and all of us) salivate. this fic is a masterclass in short form: compelling characters (I love this disaster Harry so much), delicious build up and perfect pacing making their attraction feel genuine and organic.

Long Haul by @wolfpants (E, 9k)

The last person Harry expects to run into on a long haul flight to New York City is Draco Malfoy.

there’s something magically wistful about second chances and maybe that’s why I instantly fell in love with this beautiful love letter to Drarry and to NYC. I adore the gentle tone, the easy flirting and evocative atmosphere. the airplane smut is superb and there’s enough backstory to get you invested in their past without overshadowing the infinite possibilities the present is opening up for them right there. a beauty!

Spoiled Little Brat by @fastbrother (T, 9k)

Harry won’t stoop to Malfoy’s level. Really, he won’t. (He will.)

the best professors fic you’ll read today, this one pulled me right back into Drarry after summer break. what a delight of a fic - silly, fun, charming, with a perfect Hogwarts atmosphere that got me sad for not being there. their chemistry is unreal, with incredible banter - then deliberate teasing - and so much sexual tension it made me weak at the knees. oh, make sure to check the phenomenal art by @appleslightning!

When the Flood Comes by @academicdisasterfic (E, 10k)

Nine years on from the war, Auror Potter is upholding the Ministry of Magic's rule of law. Senior legal counsel Draco Malfoy is challenging it. And absolutely nothing is as it seems.

lawyer Draco in a suit is always a favourite, combined with a politics plot? sign me up 👏🏻 this is a beautiful, clever, thought-provoking story with a great premise perfectly executed within 10k (but it feels much longer), captivating characters, relevant discussions, detailed world building and be still my heart, the amount of yearning! a gorgeous break up/make up that slowly unravels their past and delivers just the right amount of heartbreak with impressive economy of words.

Knot Your Average Coworkers by @thecouchsofa (E, 22k)

Or: Harry makes a bunch of unintentional knotting jokes while an increasingly baffled Draco is driven insane.

I’ve read this almost a year ago and still remember laughing in delight from beginning to end. what a fun ride! my heart is soft for this cheeky, oblivious Harry with his cringey flirty banter and obsession with Draco’s secret 😂 their dynamic is perfect, light and silly and so very sweet. this fic is hilarious but also incredibly sexy and full of hot intimacy. I’m impressed by how easily Tee blends humour, fluff and heat so organically!

Home series by @hoko-onchi-writes (E, 22k)

In which Harry grows up in darkness, falls in love, fucks up, learns some things, and falls in love again.

my first hoko fic is still my favourite, I got so emo over this one. can’t get enough of this sad, lost Harry navigating the growing pains of post-war life. he’s so young and vulnerable, my heart aches for him. I loved to watch him go from a desperate, co-dependent situationship with Charlie to a more mature and grounded relationship with Draco. touching and melancholy, this story stays with you for a while.

The Superfluous Man by peu_a_peu (E, 24k)

A child for Harry Potter is a miracle of magic. And it's the second act of Draco Malfoy's sorry little life.

another banger by the phenomenal peu, this is the perfect mix of amusing and touching with one of my all-time fave Dracos. the prose is incredible and engaging as per: vibrant, clever, full of personality and with a refreshing take on mpreg that got me kicking my feet in joy. the smooth, effortlessly funny dialogue is a masterpiece in itself, but ah! the sweetness :')

Fine-Fractured Halo by @rainjulyx (E, 29k)

For Harry, it all starts on July 31, 1999 and ends on July 31, 2019. Twenty years of longing, love, and pain in no particular order.

I don’t usually go for unhappy endings but something about this fic lured me in and I felt completely changed after reading it. brace yourself for a quiet, heart-wrenching look into Harry and Draco’s situationship over the span of 20 years of longing and waiting. love the melancholy vibe and the complexity of an unreliable narrative. this story opened a hole inside my chest and stayed with me for a long, long time.

Truth to Materials by @toomuchplor (E, 54k)

In which Harry learns to appreciate art and other pleasures of the flesh.

god knows how this fic is still so underrated because it’s easily on my top 3 of 2024: sexy, moving, thought-provoking, funny and so very romantic and entertaining. I wanna live inside this universe and learn everything about quirky artist Draco and cute smitten Harry getting all curious and hungry for him. their dynamics are captivating, light and fun until the tenderness hits you right in the face. vibrant world building, brilliant cast, perfect dialogue and decadent hot smut - this fic delivers absolutely everything and you need to go read it right now.

this heaven of mud by @garagepaperback (E, 92k)

winter, 2002: Draco Malfoy is absolutely fine, thank you very much. summer, 2008: Harry Potter is, er- well, not good exactly, but definitely better. Yeah. Better than before.

I've inhaled everything garage has written last year and it was hard to pick one for this list, but I knew it had to be this banger. fuck buddies my beloved! this is an immersive and satisfying ride and I love how their relationship slowly unfolds to the reader. seeing them so young and stupid was nostalgic, aching and bittersweet at once, but I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by the romance! a brilliant character study, full of tension and heart.

Rare Pairs:

o fiery sun by @onbeinganangel (E, 3k) - Theo/Harry

Is it actual solstice magic or is Theo Nott just suddenly, really, stupidly, impossibly hot?

I’ve been low-key into this ship thanks to NottPott Chronicles and Mari delivers everything I expected of a “reluctant case partners to fuck buddies” 🔥 what a premise! I’m so hot for Seer Theo who’s a teasing little shit driving Harry up the wall lol their chemistry is explosive, dripping with sexual tension and the promise of more. Drarry fans need to check this asap!

One Night in Hogsmeade by @lqtraintracks (E, 4k) - Prongsfoot

While there are hearts in this world James hasn’t minded breaking, Sirius’s has never been one of them.

trust LQT to ruin me with this ship, which I so carefully avoid hoping to dodge the devastation. but it only takes James and Sirius sharing one brain cell and being all hot and wanton for each other and here I am, dead and buried. this has LQT's trademark of insanely hot smut dripping with angsty feels. the characters are so dear and full of heart, and I can’t handle the amount of desire, trust and fond familiarity they share.

Nightswimming by @sweet-s0rr0w (M, 5k) - Dronarry

Weasley flicks the light on. “I got off with a guy once, you know,” he says, casually, holding the torch up between his gloved fingers.

my favorite Dronarry of the year, this fic was such a unique experience! a masterclass in short form, as per sweet’s usual. such a delicious and expertly crafted foreplay, the mounting tension swallowed me whole and left me at the edge of my seat yearning for more. I need this flirty Ron in my bed life, jfc. the car sequence is one of the best executed scenes I’ve ever read, with such a distinct, sexy dream-like atmosphere. instant classic!

Three's a Crowd (But Four is a Party) by @kbrick (E, 7k) - Harry/Draco/Pansy/Blaise, endgame Drarry

Pansy and Draco have been together for ages. Kind of. They don't sleep together any more, but they do sleep with men together. It's complicated.

also known as the pwp that made me tear up with feels for Pansy & Draco, this is a beautiful and moving love letter to their friendship. I love the layers behind their co-dependency, it’s a really nuanced dynamic while also being a deliciously and self-indulgent poly smutty treat. the sex sequence is smoking hot and a feast for the eyes, with such sweet Drarry chemistry! beautiful and immensely satisfying from beginning to end.

Wield Me by @tackytigerfic (E, 10k) - Drarry + Teddy

A little story about learning to strike while the iron is hot.

I’ve already poured my heart out about this fic on a dedicated rec post but suffice to say this is the tenderest, most creative short I’ve read last year. the rich and detailed world building is absolutely jaw dropping, and all characters are so lovable and fascinating. I’m obsessed with pining blacksmith Draco, and very impressed by how Tacky successfully includes my beloved Teddy in the equation while keeping this a legit (and very much romantic!) Drarry love story. so smooth, so moving. witchcraft

Permanent by @citrusses (M, 13k) - Dron, Drarry

"Harry's always been fixated on older men. Have you ever noticed that, Ron?” Granger asks.

the gasp of utter delight I let out with every citrus fic this year! brilliant time travel concept perfectly executed, I’m still in awe of how much story and character development citrus was able to convey under 15k. sexy, intriguing, slightly melancholy with a clever twist and a hopeful open ending that took the story to another level and made me shake in satisfaction. easily on my top 3 works from last year’s Dronarry Fest!

Dick Chicken by @oknowkiss (E, 15k) - Dronarry

This is a story about nothing.

yep, this is the Seinfeld AU I didn’t know I needed! this fic is so incredibly funny, original and engaging - a brilliant homage to the show’s silly, chaotic ecosystem and cleverly adapted to incorporate elements from the HP universe. I just couldn’t decide between laughing my ass off at the unique brand of humor, falling in love with this sweet Harry or getting all hot and bothered for the Dronarry sexual tension omg

Worth a Thousand Words by @fluxweeed (E, 18k) - Dron

TIL wizards in Britain can avoid ward duty on the grounds of homosexuality. To avoid any false applications, wizards applying for this exemption must provide multiple pictures of themselves receiving anal intercourse with a clearly visible face.

a recent Dron fave, this sexy af and delightful fic translates the ship's essence perfectly: hilarious, scorching hot and a bit unhinged. the absurd premise serves the hottest and most entertaining "fuck first, talk later" trope with the right amount of sass, horny and sweet pining. I love Ron's voice here, curious and indulging and absolutely oblivious but still up for the ride. and Draco’s so hot for him, gosh the smut is so delicious. big bonus points for these AMAZING Harry and Hermione!

periculum by @the-invisibility-bloke (E, 25k) - Sirry

Harry needs someone to take control. Or maybe he just needs Sirius.

the fic that introduced me to El’s writing - my new age gap champion - had me on the floor just a few paragraphs in. this masterpiece covers everything that make this ship deliciously dirtybadwrong: Harry’s sweet longing, Sirius’s spiraling want and guilt clashing with the desire to give Harry everything he wants, the constant grasp for some control while toeing the line that gets blurred, then completely obliterated. exquisite build up and scorching sex scenes, so heated and satisfying!

INCENDIO by swoons (E, 42k) - Albus/James

Albus is just looking for something to get his mind off his brother. When Lily suggests he try INCENDIO, a popular dating app, he has no idea what fate — or the algorithm — has in store for him.

this was actually written in 2023 but I’m making an exception because wow, what a delightful Pottercest fic! this reawakened all my feelings for this ship. great pacing and the right amount of tension, pining, plus the BEST innuendos and poor sex jokes you’ll read today. Al and James have such distinct, charming voices and a deliciously sassy chemistry, plus matchmaker Lily stole the scene, I so enjoyed their dynamics. instant favorite!

#2024 wrapped #Sitp recs #drarry #hp rare pairs

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starastrologyy · 2 years ago

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Astrology Observations💜

Please do not repost anything I write on other social media platforms :)

When transit Venus conjuncts your North Node it is possible that somethings significant will occur regarding your finances or your love life. I had a friend who had met a significant romantic partner when transit Venus made an exact conjunction to her natal North node.

You may decide to buy a new car (or get a car) when you have your Solar Return Venus or Jupiter in the 3rd house.

People with Venus-Mars aspects especially the conjunction tend to be very attractive to the opposite sex. Even if they are not considered to be “conventionally attractive” people seem to find them charming at the very least. Individuals with hard Venus-Mars aspects often have high sex drives too.

Venus conjunct the composite ascendant can show a couple that is openly affectionate with each other, even if their rising sign is in a more subdued sign like Capricorn or Virgo. However, this may not always be true if Saturn also makes a conjunction or square to the ascendant.

I know I’ve mentioned it before but I just recently did a solar return reading where the client confirmed this was true for them. A solar return year where you have Chiron or Neptune in the 11th house can indicate a loss of a friendship. This loss may not be permanent but it can result in a certain level of heartache for you during the year.

People with mercury conjunct lilith in the 3rd house often have to deal with slander or people spreading information about them that isn’t always true.

Although Uranus square Chiron is technically an aspect that many people have (those with their Uranus in Capricorn and Chiron in Libra) depending on the orb, most people with this aspect feel as if they don’t fit in or they feel out of place in the world in some capacity. Chiron represents our deepest wounds in this lifetime. Thus, people with this aspect tend to feel alienated , ‘different’, or ‘weird’.

Individual’s with Neptune aspecting their Ascendant can often be accused of having plastic surgery. Often times they do (especially if they also have Venus-Pluto aspects). However, these people can be accused of changing their entire faces even if they have had minimal work done. Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian (she has the sextile) and Kim Kardashian are celebrity examples. Please note that these examples likely have had a lot of work done, I’m just using well-known people. It’s also common for people to want to look like people who have Neptune aspecting their Ascendant.

People with many oppositions, squares, and retrograde planets in their birth charts tend to be very resilient. This is because they often have to overcome adversities and challenges that are represented by the planets that are being challenged or constantly being brought up by retrogrades and hard aspects.

I honestly have found that looking at the condition of the ruler of the 7th house can also tell you a lot about a persons relationship patterns. For example, I know someone who is an Aquarius rising, and a Libra Sun. Thus, the ruler of their descendent in Leo, is their Libra Sun. The Sun is in its fall when it is in Libra. Furthermore, this particular persons Sun receives squares from Neptune and Mercury. It also receives a 1 degree opposition from Saturn. Long story short, she tends to attract relationships with people who are dishonest or deceptive in some way. If not dishonest they tend to be overly critical or restrictive. This is not to say she is doomed when it comes to these relationship patterns. Her awareness has helped her make better decisions in love, I just thought it was interesting. I must add that her natal Venus is well aspected (as in it receives trines and sextiles from the other planets).

#synastry #astrology #astrology tumblr #astrology blog #astrology observations #astro thoughts #astro posts #astro tips #astrologyposts #astro notes

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mirai-e-jump · 5 months ago

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TV Life, 1/31/2025 Issue ft. Shoji Kohei & Saito Ryu (translations below)

Publication: January 15, 2025

GavvPare! Vol.10 (Shoji Kohei)

-I had to control my racing heart during the transformation scene…-

Playing the role of Kamen Rider Vram and Granute Lage 9 is me, Shoji Kohei! As the third Kamen Rider to appear, I hope to bring excitement to this production. Everyone, it's a pleasure to meet you!

After appearing in the 2020 Super Sentai production "Mashin Sentai Kiramager" four years ago, I get to transform for a second time. It wasn't just for this production, but I had some hopeful thoughts of "how nice it'd be if I could make a guest appearance in another tokusatsu production in some way someday," still, I would've never thought that I'd be appearing as a regular cast member, so I was both incredibly surprised and grateful. It's been quite some time since I've done a transformation scene, and while I had to act out my performance in a "flat" way, I myself was still extremely happy. I had to control my racing heart and keep my composure as I performed (laughs).

My first appearance was as "the man with the hat," and I think I was able to convey a sense of mystery through his outfit. Still, I didn't want to be too dependent on my appearance, so I thought about how I could add a hint of suspicion with something like a gesture or action. I had never played a role where I wore a hat before, but I realized that I could add variety to my performance by putting my hand on the hat's brim, or by using the brim to hide or reveal my eyes, so it became another learning experience for me. On the flip side, after transforming, Vram's visuals are more poppin than I would've imagined, with lots of pudding and caramel sauce dripping, which makes him look very adorable. While retaining his natural strength, Vram's fighting style and weapons are different from Gavv and Valen's, so I think you'll be able to feel his unique appeal through these aspects as well. Vram's role will be to speed up the story going forward. Please look forward to seeing how he'll interact with Shouma and Hanto, as well as Sachika and everyone else. If you look forward to it, I'll be happy and celebrate with three cheers!

Q: What do you want to accomplish this year?

A: I love movies, so I'd like to build my career as an actor by appearing in films outside of tokusatsu productions. And, I'm actually writing short stories. Recently, I've been brushing up on what I've written in the past as well as writing new pieces, and I hope to be able to release them as my own work at some point. Please call me "Shoji Sensei" from now on (laughs).

Off Shot: A photo from my first day of filming at the movie theater. When I wear his difficult to pull off outfit along with the big mouth, it makes it look like I've got a beer belly. Going forward, I'll be more involved in the story, so please support Vram! _

BakuDAYS Vol.22 (Saito Ryu)

-I gave a passionate and rugged performance typical of Jou-

A little boy named Itsuki-kun became Jou's apprentice in episode 40, where I feel that I was able to depict Jou's growth as he continued to take on a variety of challenges as a Boonboomger. Towards the end of the episode, Ishiro says, "He's lacking in coolness. Still, Jou's the most authentic hero among the Boonboomgers," so I was determined to play the role in a passionate and rugged way to match that line. Then, in episode 43, Ishiro's betrayal is revealed. Since Jou's a character who honestly expresses his inner feelings, I put alot of anger into my performance, wanting to speak for the viewers whose thoughts were probably, "No way, Ishiro is…?"

2024 was a year where I ran alongside Boonboomger itself. By taking my role seriously throughout the lengthy period of a year, I learned the basics of acting, and I feel that I have more ways of expressing myself. Boonboomger will continue into this year, so I'd like to make sure that everyone enjoys watching it until the final episode. Even after Boonboomger ends, I'd like to continue to challenge myself with various types of work so that people will think, "Ah, BoonBlack's on TV again!" And, just like how ToQ1gou and GokaiBlue appeared in Boonboomger, I hope that the Boonboomgers will appear in future productions. When that time comes, I want this to be a show that'll make people think, "Boonboomger was alot of fun!" and, "I guess I'll watch it since the Boonboomgers make an appearance." For that reason, I'll do my best to run towards the end at full speed! Along with the future that awaits them, I'd be happy if you'd watch the six Boonboomgers taking control of their wheels until the very end!

Q: What's something the "Police Officer" wants to patrol?

A: Attraction spots in Tokyo. When my hometown friends come to Tokyo to visit me, I really can't think of any places to take them (laughs). I'd like to patrol and search for niche and wonderful places that only someone who lives in Tokyo would know about!

BakuageSHOT: Episode 44 was the first episode Director Miyazaki directed, so everyone was more motivated than usual. Although it was a serious episode, filming it was alot of fun! There'll be more raging developments from here on out. Everyone, don't miss it!

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palenutbasement · 8 months ago

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(all scenes are depicted as platonic)

So every Inktober I try to do something more challenging, and this year I thought I would make a short comic/fanfic. I think I got the idea for this one a year ago but I was already wrapped up with another Inktober. Eventually I solidified the idea by making my own prompt list some time ago.

This comic is split into three parts with 10 days focusing on each of them, 30 in total, everything is compiled here. I wanted to post them after October in case I wanted to change anything.

This first part takes place in the summit.

The comic is basically all improvised, that means no planning for the composition, plot, or sketching any drawings. The most planning I did was write a few scripts ahead of time within the month to save me some time but most of them would be changed last minute anyways.

As for the plot, I won't go too deep into it because I don't want to talk too much, so you'll just find commentary on the making of the comic and stuff.

This first part is a little gimmick-y compared to the next two, with new elements appearing almost every day. It’s because I relied a lot on the prompts (dog, milk, etc.) to keep things happening, eventually I move further away from them.

What is surprising to me is how much the art changes as the days go by especially within the span of one month. I did refine a few things to keep it more consistent but this is nearly indistinguishable from the original drawings.

I should also mention that my favourite aspect of this project was adding references to the game and subtle details (if you can find it all, awesome!!) This may have been done quickly but I like to have those things and put at least a bit of effort into the dialogue.

Part 2

Eventually I figured that drawing the same setting for 30 days straight would drive me insane, hence why this comic is split like it is. I’m glad I did because it makes the story a little more interesting, seeing the characters have different attitudes in different places and whatnot.

This one takes place in the cave directly after pt 1. Admittedly I do better drawing outdoor settings, it's what I'm used to, but the cave wasn't so bad to figure out.

I remember these two days I was streaming drawing the comic to my friends, so I kinda zoned out while we were talking lol

One of the prompts was about napping, so I made Dwarf sleep. I believe I was tired that day too and it was therapeutic to draw and include that. Also they look cute, I think.

18 & 19 have some of my favourite drawings in the comic. The campfire lighting is what we'd get if I had a bit more energy each day, and I like the perspective in the first panel of 19.

I find this last section interesting, because of all the 30 days, it’s the only one in Dwarf’s POV. I felt like it was fitting to do something like that at the time.

Part 3

Since we were approaching Halloween, I wanted to have a special part for it. It’s related to the other two parts but it takes place some time after. I’m really sorry it’s out of season, if it were up to me I would have had this post out earlier (thank my midterms for the delay)

Out of all the other parts this one is my favourite. Maybe because it’s more recent I’m inclined to think that way but it has some of my fave moments that I've written here.

Other than that I don't have much commentary for this part. More thoughts at the end!

I was caught up everyday atp, but I didn’t have much spare time to prepare for the ending (I wrote it the morning of that day). I think this is a decent conclusion though.

I intend on coming back to this story, maybe next year to make a continuation but we'll see what happens. There are definitely things that I want to come back to someday.

Thank you for making it this far btw. It's been an eventful month for me beyond this (Untitled) comic, but there wasn't a single aspect of this that I didn't enjoy doing. It's a silly project and I care about it.

Also, I'm not going to neglect the 31st of October! That day will get an illustration, where I will pick my favourite panel and redraw it. I want to take my time with this one so it's not out yet, but hopefully I can finish by Christmas.

#long post #stardew valley #sdv dwarf #krobus #sdv fanart #sdv #stardew valley dwarf #sdv krobus #stardew valley krobus #if you have thoughts on this comic feel free to share #i havent gone too into detail especially with the plot rn so i would love to discuss about it more if prompted #palart

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slaaverin · 1 month ago

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Before BMPs elemental alignment reading for Jimin tomorrow, as I’ve been reading the rest and where the members are at.

Do we think Jimin actually set himself free?

It’s sometimes I’ve thought about since Face, this big anthem, one that was powerful, but did he actually follow through?

I don’t know what he meant by setting himself free, it could have been anything. But from an outsiders perspective his career and his person remains unchanged from before? So was it a mindset thing he was singing of? Or has he left Hybe or made certain demands so to speak before re signing?

When you think about how proud JK looked watching the mv, what’s he proud of?

I don’t mean to sound demeaning I’m genuinely curious?

I can’t think of anything that outwardly looks like he’s done what he sang about.

In his solos eyes his sophomore album still didn’t get the right promo, so it can’t be that. He still hasn’t addressed haters, mainly taking a kill them with kindness or don’t acknowledge them at all approach.

He’s still Jimin that we know. Sometimes more reserved, and BMPs last reading of him last year wasn’t overly optimistic he seemed troubled and burdened and it was showing in his sleep. I know he was enlisted but still.

So what did he do?

‘Shut up fck Off I’m on my way’

Did he mean literally just the charts?

I’m just so curious

I’m so proud of him regardless and I cannot wait for him to return to what he loves.

I believe Jimin went through a phase of transition and transformation these last few years

We know Jimin was burdened by many shadowy aspects

Yet the "set me free" statement looks like a first step towards personal liberation

It could be very well an internal shift first, without much impact on the physical

And yet

After this we got AYS - more open and free

Jikook enlisted together - a huge statement

He was also more free to create artistically with MUSE, an album with a lighter tone than the previous one, once again highlighting this internal shift

Yes things were cut short by military

Yet my personal theory is that the momentum of this shift continued in there. I believe Jimin worked through some more shadows to reach even more equilibrium, thanks to this new challenging environnement and also the presence of Jungkook helping him reframe himself and his priorities in life.

This train of thought was shown in his letter, revealing deep questions about his existence, that would inevitably lead to transformation. Letting go of certain fears could be huge.

It's like in military he was in a cocoon reframing and expanding his inner life but soon the butterfly will emerge and shine even brighter than before

That's why I suspect that when he comes out, perhaps even more liberated, we will start to see new sides from him, a new burst that will reflect his new internal state

We might be surprised by him moving forward

Maybe I'm completely off, that's just what I suspect, I guess BPM's reading will give us a better understanding

But I'm actually very positive about Jimin, his growth, and the things coming. I believe the future for him will be less burdened and way more joyful/playful.

I have full confidence in him 💜 it makes sense to me. Do you agree? 🧚‍♀️

#jimin #I'm very positive #ask

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cyberclouddream · 9 months ago

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Venus Scorpio Transit 1st House

increased attraction, people find you more magnetic, whether you like it or not

feel called to completely change your looks or how you present yourself, like dying your hair or getting a piercing

you become hyper aware of how others see you, which leads to you either acting insecure or fiercely protective over your image

expect more romantic opportunities, or at least flirtation

you may feel like your determination borderlines obsession at this time

Venus Scorpio Transit 2nd House

you become more obsessed with either budgeting, spending, or making more money

you may feel drawn to splurging on things you don't need, so resist going broke on luxury items

reflecting on your values, which may make you come to uncomfortable realizations about your priorities

clinging to your possessions a little too tightly, maybe even hoarding

you may have increased negotiation skills, just don't get too greedy

may have financial tension in your relationships

Venus Scorpio Transit 3rd House

less small talk and superficiality; more deep, heavy, and intense discussions

misunderstanding are gonna flare up more, so don't get surprised if arguments occur over trivial matters

your relationships with your siblings or close relatives can either strengthen or get messy, so watch your words

feeling more eager to learn and explore, but don't just skim the surface

may feel called to write, speak, or create art to channel your thoughts

local events may bring surprising connections

Venus Scorpio Transit 4th House

more obsessed with the state of your living space, like home improvement projects or redecoration

family drama bubbles up, forcing you to deal with issues you've been avoiding

nostalgia is gonna hit hard in this period; old memories, especially painful ones, will resurface

you may crave more alone time at home

Venus Scorpio Transit 5th House

romance is gonna hit hard for you, so if you're in love expect passionate nights; beware of jealousy

a more playful and creative attitude, probably feel really inspired unless you have harsh aspects here

if single or poly, you may meet someone who really piques your interest

you may be drawn to more risky or taboo forms of pleasure

Venus Scorpio Transit 6th House

you'll either really love or really hate your job right now

more focus on your health, or you may be facing the consequences if you've been neglecting it

tension may flare up at work, and you may get caught up in the middle of conflict

more focus on sticking to structure and boosting your productivity

you may uncover deeper feelings about your job, ones that can lead to major changes

Venus Scorpio Transit 7th House

you're either gonna deepen your commitments or question them entirely

more ready to address conflict; power dynamics may shift and jealous or control issues may surface

new people may enter your life, but consider whether they're worth the effort

if fairness feels off, you're gonna feel more called to speak up

relationships are gonna force you to confront uncomfortable feelings and heavy realizations

Venus Scorpio Transit 8th House

resources you share with others may be brought up in discussions more often

old traumas may surface, forcing you to confront uncomfortable feelings

you may crave more experiences that push boundaries, whether in love, finances, or emotional exploration

hidden aspects of your life may come to life, like secrets or revelations

your intimate relationships may go through significant changes

Venus Scorpio Transit 9th House

feel called to escape, like a short trip or a life-changing adventure

expect more conversations that challenge your beliefs

you may discover new learning opportunities, like courses or books, that inspire your passion

may be drawn to new cultures or diverse perspectives

any travel plans or educational pursuits may leave a lasting impact on you at this time

Venus Scorpio Transit 10th House

you may be spotlighted in your professional life more, either because of your hard work or your slacking

you may care more about how you're viewed professionally, but don't let it consume you

you may feel more restless than usual if you don't feel fulfilled at work, so it's a good time to make changes

this is a good time to make connections that can advance your career, so don't sit back

heightened drive to succeed

Venus Scorpio Transit 11th House

expect friendship dynamics to shift; some may end, some may deepen, but don't hang onto what no longer serves you

more drawn to social causes or group activities

collaborating on projects will be really rewarding at this time

you need to genuinely assess who you have in your corner, cutting out toxic ties

if you feel disconnected from people, reach out instead of waiting for someone to come to you

Venus Scorpio Transit 12th House

you may uncover deceit or betrayal from others close to you

feel more called towards helping others, which can manifest as volunteering or supporting humanitarian causes

your subconscious is gonna be really loud these days; expect to have vivid dreams that reveal hidden truths about yourself, so right them down

old wounds and traumas will surface, but you shouldn't run from them anymore

craving solitude, wanting to retreat from the chaos; good time for self-reflection

#venus in scorpio #transit venus #astrology #astrology observations #sidereal astrology #astrology signs #astrology community #astronotes #astro observations #astro notes #astro community #houses in astrology #venus signs #venus in the houses

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agentnico · 2 months ago

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Sinners (2025) review

Bet Marvel wishes they could make a post credits scene like this!

Plot: Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their Mississippi hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

When it comes to the horror genre, primarily we are looking for one thing - solid scares (and a splash of gore for good measure). An aspect that you won’t usually find is multi-layered character work, as at the end of the day most of the cast are there simply to serve the purpose of being killed off in some gruesome messed up fashion. Which is totally fine; I am not here to complain or bad-mouth fun B-movie horror flicks - I’ve always got time for those. However Sinners, the new horror/adventure/thriller from director Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther), is here to very much change up that stigma. There is genuine character development, where I found myself fully invested in the story and personal dynamics, that I completely forgot this was a vampire movie until they do show up half way through, and that’s when the movie goes really mad crazy. As much as I loved the suspenseful and gory second half, I really did appreciate the slow burn first half, as it made the character demises later on much more meaningful. It is too a reflection of how personal and meaningful this film must be to Ryan Coogler, with the 1930s Mississippi setting and the underlining themes of inequality and racism haunting throughout, but in turn also the visual aspect.

In a recently released video from Kodak on YouTube, Ryan discusses the visual language behind Sinners. The movie not only continues Hollywood’s recent return to celluloid, seen recently in The Brutalist, but also pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with analog formats and aspect ratios. By combining two different large film formats (Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX 15-perf), Coogler can draw viewers deeper into the story – literally. The choice to switch aspect ratios during the film facilitates dynamic changes in how scenes are experienced, especially in IMAX theaters, where the screen size and shape fully showcase the transitions. The result is a heightened sense of immersion, a quality that Coogler intentionally pursued for a genre as visceral as horror. Not to throw around this overused online term, but “this is CINEMA” comes to mind when considering the passion and heart that Coogler is dedicating to this medium, and it’s evident on what you see when you go and watch Sinners.

Music needs to be mentioned too, as it plays an integral part in driving the core of what Sinners strives to be. The soundtrack is filled with southern blues songs, and it was a pure joy to really lose myself in the feels and motions of the score and singing, and there is a particular sequence about half way into the film that can be referred to as Coogler’s ‘magnum opus’ moment, as essentially it reflects upon the history of black music, and the one way to describe it is rad. The movie also holds its own self aware level of humour, as the evil vampires are Irish and as such they play, sing and dance to some very famous Irish folk songs, which resulted in a few amusing and entertaining renditions of the likes of “Rocky Road to Dublin” and “Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?”. Safe to say, I’m planning on picking up the Sinners soundtrack album vinyl record as soon as either Mondo, Waxwork or Made by Mutant inevitably announce it.

Michael B. Jordan plays two distinct characters in the film - and not in a gimmicky or disconnected way. These characters interact constantly - they're twins - which makes for a serious acting challenge. Jordan rises to the occasion, and the visual effects team behind the scenes pulls it off beautifully, with impressive execution on every technical level. Visually, the film is nothing short of stunning. Alongside Jordan, musician Miles Caton gives a remarkably strong performance in the second lead role. I was genuinely surprised to learn this was his first-ever acting role. What surprised me even more was the chap’s vocals, as you wouldn’t expect such a deep voice to come out of such a young lad. Hailee Steinfeld is radiating and dazzling, and Wunmi Mosaku provides emotional depth and gravitas. Jack O’Connell, as it turns out, has some serious Irish dancing skills which should not be left unmentioned, and Delroy Lindo pretty much stole the show anytime he was on-screen.

Sinners does not reinvent the vampire genre, as the story itself is pretty straightforward (reminiscent of From Dusk Till Dawn), yet it is the execution that makes it stand out. It's one of the best films I’ve seen in recent memory: energetic, gripping, occasionally funny, with a sharp script, top-tier directing, brilliant performances, and musical ingenuity that stuns scene after scene. It has all the makings of a strong contender for film of the year. Make sure to stay throughout the credits as there is a phenomenal 5-10 min sequence during them that is one of the best scenes of the whole film, as well as a fun musical moment at the end of the credits too. You’re welcome.

Overall score: 8/10

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weekendpassrevoked · 2 months ago

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Easy's Songbird - Chapter 27

authors note:

teehee.

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In her own defense, being angry and kind of depressed was warranted in her situation.

Isabella, for all her good parts, was still human. And this became blatantly apparent after her return from home.

After her cry on the train back to camp, Isabella had become tightly-strung and exceedingly sarcastic. Gone was the girl with dry humor and respect for her men, and hello to the true Isabella, who was still, in spirit, a child.

It was hard to remember that Isabella had been sent to train for a war at barely seventeen, separated from all she knew and all she loved. Much to everyone's surprise, she had managed to overcome these challenges and supersede everyone's expectations of her. But her strong defenses finally came crashing down after returning home and getting a small taste of everything she had left behind, and she wasn't even remotely pleased about it.

Easy Company had noticed their youngest had started to recede from their usual activities; she would skip meals she often shared with them, she no longer laughed with Luz or write in her journal.

All in all, Isabella 'Birdie' Vega, was not happy.

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Isabella had found the train ride to New York boring. Unlike the other men, who had been left wondering as to where they were heading, Isabella's S-2 responsibilities had granted her the great privilege of early knowledge. Or as she called it, Nixon's inherent need to gossip.

She'd sat between Gene and Lieb, who were truly the only people willing to put up with her strange temper tantrum, kimono box in her lap and her head resting on the train window, boredly watching the scenery go by.

She could feel Gene glance at her every now and then—half-worried, half-annoyed—but he didn’t say anything. That was one of the reasons she enjoyed being with him. He didn’t try to fix her, just made sure she was fed and hadn’t died in her sleep.

Liebgott, on the other hand, had no such restraint.

“You know,” he said, propping his boots on the seat across from him, “you’ve been acting like a pissed-off cat ever since we left Florida.”

Isabella didn’t even look away from the window. “Maybe that’s because someone shoved me in a box and ripped me away from the only people who don’t make me want to scream.”

Gene snorted. “You mean your brothers, your cats, and the lake.”

She tilted her head thoughtfully. “And the sandwiches.”

“Jesus Christ,” Liebgott muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. “You didn’t even smile when Luz tripped over his own boots this morning. That was prime material.”

She didn’t reply. Just shifted her kimono box on her lap like it weighed more than it should.

Gene finally spoke, quiet and even. “It’s okay to be mad, Birdie. You had to leave home. Again.”

“I know,” she muttered. “Doesn’t make it suck less.”

They let her be after that.

It wasn't like Isabella wanted to be acting this way. In fact, Isabella found herself to be one of the best behaved people in her family; her mother had a dangerously short temper, her father often pitied himself more than he should, Lucas shared in his adoptive mothers short fuse, and Cameron (and she says this with the most love possible) was a hot mess. Truly, Isabella can understand why Michel Alejandro had gotten the hell out of town as soon as he'd hit eighteen and never looked back.

Growing up, Isabella took all these negative familial aspects in stride and used them to better herself, making an effort to be the kind of daughter her family could be proud of and overly unashamed of despite all her strange qualities. Not once had Isabella gotten in trouble at school, she worked a difficult job, she had hobbies that made her money to support her family, she had friends and people she cared deeply about. Isabella was not a bad person or a bad daughter.

But it seemed that in the face of great loss and increasing adversity, Isabella had left this all behind in the home she greatly missed and let herself act the way she should've as she grew up; spoiled, angry, and concerningly bratty.

Thankfully, Isabella wasn't stupid enough to act that way in front of Sobel on purpose, who had taken an increasing interest in her growing discontent and attitude problems despite her efforts to hide this from him.

She’d already been written up twice for “insubordination,” which in Sobel-speak meant she'd snapped back a little too quickly when he barked the wrong order. Gene had told her—very gently, very diplomatically—that she might want to rein it in before Sobel made an example out of her.

She’d smiled sweetly and said, “If Sobel tries to make an example out of me, I’ll make an example out of him.”

Liebgott had wheezed at that. Gene had just sighed.

Still, there was truth in it. She couldn’t afford to fall apart here. She couldn’t afford to be anything less than composed. She was already carrying too much—her medic’s bag, her S-2 documents, the eyes of Easy Company, the whispered expectations of the War Department, and now the weight of what her parents had written in that last letter: Be brave.

She didn’t know how to do that last part anymore.

There was a time she could—back home, in the backyard under the willow, in the lake with her brothers, when the world felt too big and she could still feel small without guilt. But now, all that felt like a liability. She did not feel brave.

So she stuffed her fears down and replaced it with steel. Or tried to.

And yet, even steel rusts under saltwater and time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever since Isabella had gotten on the USS Samaria with Easy Company, she hadn't been left alone once.

To be fair, she could understand why. Isabella wasn't granted the same privilege as the other women on the ship; WAC and Red Cross nurses had been given rooms to share like the officers had been. Isabella had to sleep with the enlisted men in the rows and rows of cots that had been set up inside the ship. Meaning just one thing.

She was the only girl surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of men.

Not very ideal.

As such, 2nd platoon had rounded up the rest of Easy in order to keep an eye on her the whole time despite her need of a major attitude adjustment. They would take turns following her or just making sure she was safe while in her cot. Unsurprisingly, it was as irritating as she thought it'd be. It was sweet all the effort the men were putting in making sure she was safe and she had gotten the opportunity to interact with some of the men from the other platoons, but the constant supervision could be a little much. No one ever let her carry her own food to her cot. Every trip to the latrine had become a group effort. At first, it made her quietly laugh, having all the men at her beck and call. But now—days into the voyage—it was wearing thin on an already worn down issue.

Late one night, after lights out, Isabella slipped quietly from her cot. She wasn’t trying to sneak off—just breathe. The ocean had a way of calming her. It reminded her of home. The heat of Florida. The breeze off the lake behind the house. Something still and constant.

She padded softly through the narrow corridors and climbed the stairs to the upper deck. The air was cold this high up, but crisp and clean in a way the rest of the ship wasn’t. She leaned against the railing and tilted her head up to the sky. No stars—too much cloud cover—but the sound of the waves was enough.

“Hey, Bunny.”

She jumped, startled, then scowled when she turned to find Lieutenant Speirs, standing casually by the bulkhead with a cigarette in hand. His tone was light, almost amused.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that, you lunatic.”

“You’re the one creeping around at night,” he said, stepping closer. “What, the barracks princess needed some fresh air?”

“Better than being cooped up with a hundred men who snore like dying bears,” Isabella shot back, but there was no real bite to it.

Speirs took a drag of his cigarette, blowing smoke off to the side. “You’re lucky. Half the guys below would kill to be topside.”

“Half the guys below keep trying to walk me to the mess like I’m about to get mugged in my own bed. It’s sweet, but if someone offers to brush my teeth for me I’m jumping overboard.”

He smirked at that, then passed her the cigarette without asking. She shook her head, kindly denying. "I don't smoke."

Speirs raised a brow but didn’t comment, simply took another drag and exhaled slowly through his nose. “Good. Filthy habit.”

Isabella leaned her arms on the railing, gaze fixed out over the endless black water. “Coming from you, that’s rich.”

“I didn’t say I was a role model, Birdie,” he replied dryly, flicking ash over the side.

A gust of sea wind blew through her curls, and she tucked a few strands behind her ear. “I think the army’s lowered all our standards. I’m just happy if someone washes their socks.”

He gave a soft, amused grunt. “Fair enough.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the tension between them nonexistent—comfortable, like two people who’d quietly acknowledged each other’s presence without needing to define it.

“No one’s been bothering you, right?”

“Not unless you count Luz trying to convince me he’s royalty,” Isabella replied dryly, a smile tugging at her mouth.

Speirs chuckled, a short, quiet sound. “Typical.”

“But no,” she added more seriously. “The guys have done a great job making sure none of the other men can do anything to me.”

“Good.”

She sat down, hanging her legs on the edge of the ship under the railing, resting her arms on the lowest rung of metal. She took a deep breath of the ocean breeze, smiling gently.

Speirs spoke up, curious. “You know any sea shanties?”

Isabella laughed, turning her head to look at him, eyebrows raised. “You think I’m the kind of girl who doesn’t know sea shanties?”

He shrugged, the corner of his mouth twitching. “You’re full of surprises.”

“Well,” she said, mock offended, “that’s the nicest way anyone’s ever called me weird.”

Speirs gave her a look. “Didn’t say weird.”

“But you meant it,” she teased, nudging his boot with her arm.

He didn’t deny it, just leaned against the railing a little more and gestured with his cigarette. “You going to sing or not?”

She grinned, mischievous. “Hell no.”

Speirs let out a quiet huff of laughter, flicking ash over the side of the ship. “Figures.”

“You want singing, go find Luz,” Isabella said, leaning back on her hands and gazing up at the stars. “He’ll give you a whole Broadway number, jazz hands and everything.”

“Not quite the same,” he muttered, glancing down at her. “You’ve got the stage presence.”

She raised a brow, amused. “Since when do you notice stage presence?”

He exhaled smoke through his nose, slow and deliberate. “Since I heard you sing at the pub.”

That got a laugh out of her, low and warm. “Okay, fair.”

They fell into a quiet rhythm again, the kind of silence that felt lived-in, like a favorite old coat. Not awkward, not tense — just easy.

The waves lapped below, and the stars stretched out above them in a velvet sky. The war, for just a minute, felt a thousand miles away.

“You’re from Florida, right?”

Isabella nodded, still watching the water. “Yeah. A city called Orlando. You’d hate it — it’s hot, humid, and smells like dirt and oranges most of the year.”

Speirs gave a quiet grunt that might’ve been a laugh. “Sounds miserable.”

“Only if you don’t know where to swim,” she said with a small smile. “Or where to hide when your brothers are trying to pelt you with mud.”

“You’ve got a lot of brothers?”

“An older one by blood. Two from bad decisions.”

Speirs glanced at her. “What’s that mean?”

She giggled. “They’re my foster brothers. We were best friends before my family took them in.”

There was something thoughtful in his expression as he looked back out at the sea. “Tell me about your home.”

Isabella smiled at that—soft, a little surprised—but she didn’t hesitate.

“It’s loud,” she said, voice warm with memory. “I have a niece and nephew that live with us too. There’s always someone yelling, singing, playing music, or chasing a kid down the hallway. My mom is always working in the garden and my dad falls asleep anywhere.”

She paused, the smile deepening. “My little brother is always making something. He loves sewing. He makes our performance outfits actually. My other brother never shuts up and my sister-in-law is just trying to make sure nobody dies.”

Speirs looked down at her with quiet amusement. “Sounds like a circus.”

“It is,” she said proudly. “We’ve got a lake in the back, and loads of trees to climb on. That house has music in the walls and so many stories I’ve lost count.”

She nudged him gently with her shoulder. “Your turn. What’s your home like?”

He shrugged, glancing out at the horizon. “Brick buildings. Cold winters. Tight streets. Half the city smells like fish, and the other half smells like fresh bread if you’re lucky.”

“That’s oddly poetic for you, Lieutenant.” She teased.

He gave her a dry look, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “Careful, Bunny.”

She grinned, swinging her legs lazily. “What? I’m just saying. You paint quite the picture.”

He hums, dark eyes glimmering with mischief. “Yeah. Whatever you say, kid.”

Isabella lays her head on the rail, tilting her eyes down to the inky-black sea. “Does it snow a lot?”

Speirs nodded, arms folded over the rail beside her. “Yeah. Boston winters are no joke. Snowbanks up to your knees, sometimes higher. Everything goes quiet when it falls, though. City slows down, sounds different.”

“That sounds kind of nice,” Isabella said softly, eyes still tracing the waves. “I’ve never seen real snow before. Not in Florida.”

“You’re not missing much,” he said dryly, though there was no heat behind it. “First day’s beautiful. After that it’s slush and busted shoes.”

Isabella smiled. “Still. Sounds peaceful. Bet the world looks softer in white.”

Speirs glanced at her, that quiet look he got when he was thinking harder than he wanted to admit. “Yeah. It does.”

They stood in silence for a moment, listening to the sea and the distant hum of the ship. A breeze picked up, lifting the ends of Isabella’s curls and tugging at the hem of her uniform.

“You’ll see it someday,” Speirs said, almost like a promise.

She blinked, turning to look at him. “Yeah?”

“Sure,” he shrugged. “One day you’ll be somewhere cold and quiet, wrapped in six layers and swearing at frozen shoelaces. And you’ll think of this—black sea, warm wind, no snow in sight.”

She laughed, astounded at his words and he looks back at her like she’s lost it.

“Have you ever thought about becoming a writer, Lieutenant?”

“Where’s that coming from?”

“You know exactly where it’s coming from! Maybe I’ll have you write me a song at some point.”

Speirs snorted, the sound sharp and amused as he moved to sit next to her. “Absolutely not.”

She grinned, nudging his boot with hers. “But it might be fun. I’ll write the lyrics, you write the existential snow metaphors.”

He rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched. “It’d be the most depressing song ever written.”

“Good,” Isabella said cheerfully. “We’ll sell it to the Red Cross and play it during ration lineups.”

“That’s cruel and unusual.”

“That’s war, Lieutenant.”

Speirs huffed out a breath—half-laugh, half-defeat—and shook his head. “You’re insane.”

“Takes one to know one.”

Another gust of wind curled around them, and they stood in companionable silence again, the low thrum of the ship’s engine beneath their feet, the sea stretching out into forever. She swung her feet back and forth as they hung from the ledge and she found that she didn’t particularly care if one of her shoes fell into the dark sea.

“Winters is worried about you.”

Speirs’ words weren’t accusatory—just quiet. Matter-of-fact.

Isabella didn’t look at him. Her eyes stayed on the horizon, the endless black swell of the ocean licking at the edge of the ship’s reach. She didn’t answer at first, just inhaled through her nose, slow and steady.

“Winters is always worried,” she murmured.

They sat there for a while longer, not talking. Just breathing. Just being.

Finally, Speirs said, almost too casually, “For what it’s worth, I like pissed-off Birdie better than polite Birdie. She’s got bite.”

She huffs, taken off-guard. “I’m not sure the rest of the men would agree with that.”

"I'm not concerned with what the rest of the men think," Speirs replied, flicking his cigarette butt over the railing. It disappeared into the darkness below, a tiny ember swallowed by the vast ocean. "And neither should you be."

Isabella glanced at him, surprised by the directness of his statement. There was something refreshing about his bluntness—no platitudes, no careful navigating around her feelings. Just straight truth, unvarnished and unapologetic.

She sighed, deciding to be truthful for once, both to herself and to Speirs who was making an effort to cheer her up in his own roundabout way.

“I’m homesick. I think that’s what all this is.”

Speirs didn’t say anything right away. He just nodded, once—sharp and short, like he understood exactly what she meant without needing it spelled out.

“Missing something is worth missing.”

The simple phrase struck Isabella with unexpected force. She felt her chest tighten, a warmth behind her eyes that threatened to turn into something more vulnerable than she was comfortable showing.

"Yeah," she managed, voice slightly rougher than before. "That's... that's exactly it."

Speirs didn't look at her directly, giving her the privacy to compose herself. Instead, he kept his gaze on the horizon, the endless dark meeting endless sky.

"First time I shipped out," he said after a moment, "I couldn't sleep for a week. Kept thinking about stupid things. The bakery down the street from my apartment. The sound of rain on my window. My mother's voice on Sunday mornings."

Isabella listened, almost holding her breath. Speirs rarely spoke about himself, and never about anything personal. The fact that he was sharing this with her felt significant, though she couldn't quite say why.

"Did it get easier?" she asked softly.

He considered this, head tilted slightly. "Not easier," he said finally. "Just... different. You learn to carry it differently.”

Isabella nodded, understanding washing over her. "It's like... right now it feels like I'm dragging it behind me. This big, heavy thing that's slowing me down."

"Exactly," Speirs agreed, a hint of approval in his tone. "Eventually, you figure out how to pack it up smaller. Tuck it away where it doesn't hurt so much, but you can still reach it when you need to."

The wind picked up, sending a spray of sea mist over the railing. Isabella wiped the dampness from her face, using the moment to collect herself.

Speirs, sensing her sadness, continued.

“You have a whole company of men willing to kill for you if they need to, and they’re all worried about you,” he explained. “They can see something's off. Maybe not what, exactly, but they know."

Isabella winced slightly, guilt washing over her. "Have I been that obvious?"

Speirs gave her a look that clearly said 'yes' without him having to voice it.

"Great," she muttered, running a hand through her windblown curls. "So I've been acting like a brat, and everyone's noticed."

"Not everyone," Speirs offered diplomatically. "Most officers are too wrapped up in their own concerns to pay attention."

"But not you," she observed.

He shrugged, the motion barely perceptible in the dim light. "I make it my business to know my men. And you," he added, "even if you're not technically under my command."

Isabella nodded, feeling strangely exposed under his steady gaze. It was unsettling to realize how transparent she'd been, how clearly her turmoil had shown through the armor she thought she'd been maintaining.

"Doc's especially concerned," Speirs continued. "Winters too."

"Gene's always concerned," she deflected weakly. "It's his default state."

"With good reason, this time.”

Isabella sighed, leaning her forearms on the railing and staring down at the black water below. "I know. I just... I don't know how to fix it. I keep thinking I'll snap out of it, but then something reminds me of home, and it's like starting all over again."

Speirs was quiet for a moment, seemingly weighing his words. "Maybe you don't need to fix it."

She glanced at him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"This isn't something broken," he said simply. "It's just something that hurts. There's a difference.”

The distinction struck her forcefully, a clarity she hadn't considered. She'd been treating her homesickness like a malfunction, something to overcome or push past, rather than what it was—a natural response to having left behind people and places she loved.

"You're allowed to miss home, Vega," Speirs continued, his voice low but firm. "That doesn't make you weak. It just makes you human."

Isabella swallowed hard, those words hitting closer to her core than she'd expected. "I can't afford to be just human out here," she said quietly. "I'm already... different. Already being watched. If I'm anything less than perfect—”

"Perfect isn't sustainable," Speirs cut her off, not unkindly. "And it's not what they need from you."

"What do they need, then?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Speirs considered this, his expression thoughtful in the dim light. "Consistency," he said finally. "Competence. Someone they can count on when it matters. That doesn't mean never struggling. It means pushing through despite it."

Isabella absorbed this, finding an unexpected comfort in his pragmatic assessment. There was no judgment in his words, no disappointment that she was feeling these things—just a matter-of-fact acknowledgment that the feelings existed, and that they didn't have to define her ability to function.

"I've been a bit of a nightmare to be around lately, haven't I?" she admitted with a rueful smile.

The corner of Speirs' mouth quirked up. "I've seen worse."

"That's not saying much, coming from the man with the most terrifying reputation in the battalion."

He huffed what might have been a laugh. "Fair point."

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the rhythm of the waves and the distant hum of the ship's engines creating a peaceful backdrop. Isabella felt some of the tension she'd been carrying for weeks begin to ease, like a muscle finally unclenching after being held too tight for too long.

"You know," Speirs said eventually, "in a way, the men understand more than you might think."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "How do you figure?"

"They're all away from home too," he pointed out. "All missing something. Parents, wives, kids, the corner store where they bought cigarettes." He shrugged. "Different details, same ache."

She nodded slowly, considering this perspective. "I hadn't really thought of it that way."

"You might be surprised what they'd understand, if you let them.”

Isabella studied him for a moment, struck by the unexpected insight. "When did you get so wise, Lieutenant Speirs?"

"Must be all that cold Boston air," he deadpanned. "Freezes out the stupidity."

That startled a genuine laugh from her, bright and unexpected in the quiet night. "I find that hard to believe, considering some of the Boston men I've met."

Speirs just smiled, a small but real expression that transformed his usually stern face into something almost warm. "Exceptions to every rule, Bunny.”

The nickname, which had once annoyed her, now felt oddly comforting—like a private joke between them, something that existed outside of ranks and protocols.

“You told me when we first spoke that you wrote all the things you didn’t want to forget about in that journal of yours,” he recalled softly. “Maybe you should start that again.”

Isabella’s heart filled with warmth, surprised that he had remembered such a miniscule detail.

“Who said I wasn’t?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

Speirs said it with a smirk, but his eyes searched hers with a kind of sharp understanding that made it clear he wasn’t joking. Not really.

Isabella tilted her head, her own smile ghosting at the edge of her mouth. “No, Lieutenant. You’re not stupid.”

"I notice a lot of things, Vega."

She shifted slightly under his gaze, feeling oddly transparent. "Clearly."

"You haven't written in it since you left Mackall," he continued. "The journal. Used to see you with it all the time, scribbling away when you thought no one was looking."

Isabella stared at him, genuinely surprised. "How did you—"

"Like I said," he interrupted smoothly, "I notice things.”

She didn't know how to respond to that. The idea that Lieutenant Speirs had been observing her, cataloging these small details about her habits, was both unsettling and oddly comforting. It meant someone had been paying attention, even when she thought she was invisible.

"I stopped writing because it hurt too much," she admitted after a moment. “I don’t want to remember this part.”

He didn't say anything and looked at her with that steady, unwavering gaze. "Start writing again," he said. It wasn't quite an order, but it carried the weight of one. "Even if it's just a few words. Even if they're angry words. Put them down. So you remember you made it through.”

Isabella considered this, turning the idea over in her mind. Her journal had been a constant companion during training—a place to pour out her frustrations, her fears, her small victories. A place that was just hers, where she didn't have to be strong or perfect or anything other than exactly who she was in that moment. All her frustrations and fears and victories and laughter, she turned into songs. Maybe that really was what she was missing.

"Maybe," she said finally.

He leaned against the railing, leg brushing her shoulder for just a second. “Good.”

The ocean below them churned on, endless and dark. But above, the clouds were thinning, and the faint glimmer of stars was starting to peek through the veil.

“Can I try your cigarette?” she asked mischievously.

“No.”

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------

After her strange heartfelt conversation with Speirs, Isabella found herself riddled with guilt, shame, and most especially loneliness.

She had isolated herself to the point neither Gene nor Joe wanted to spend their time with her, and it hurt.

Gene and Joe talk about her nearby while she lays in her cot staring at the cot above her, Lipton watching her as her two closest friends worry about her, not knowing she could hear them clearly.

‘Morons.’

The hours tick by and bit by bit the men begin to fall asleep. Her eyelids slowly grow heavy and she dreams of the lake back home and the warm muggy air, of calloused fingers carding through her hair as she listens to the cicadas, of laughter and sunshine. She stirs and finds herself faced with Gene, who sat quietly on her cot, watching her with quiet concern and gentle fingers softly grazing her scalp.

“You’re still up?

“Couldn’t sleep,” he said simply.

She blinked a few more times, the sleep still thick in her voice. “What time is it?”

“Late. Or early. Hard to tell in this tub.”

She exhaled through her nose, a weak attempt at a laugh, and shifted to sit up. “You didn’t have to babysit me, y’know.”

“Didn’t,” he said, then paused. “Just… figured you might like the company.”

Isabella felt another pang of shame fill her chest. “You were doing that thing. With my hair.”

“Saw Lucas do it at the lake. Seemed to help.”

Eugene, her sweet and gentle and kind Eugene, who stayed by her through thick and thin.

“Yeah. It did.”

“You okay?” he asked gently.

She gathered her courage, readying herself to admit what was, admittedly very obvious and everyone knew.

“I’m fine. Just tired. Just… I miss home.”

“Yeah,” Gene said . “Me too.”

“Thanks,” she said, not looking at him this time. “For staying. For… you know.”

“Anytime,” he said.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a child, Isabella would often sleep in everyone's bed but her own; either too scared from a nightmare or too lonely to sleep by herself. She’d cuddle up to one of her brothers and doze off, happy and safe.

She hadn’t meant to continue this habit in the military, but that had obviously gone south long ago back in Toccoa, and somehow had reached the present.

Isabella adored sleeping next to Eugene Roe.

Not in a romantic context of course, but as two individuals in need of the comfort of another human being. There was something grounding about his presence—steady, reliable, like the heartbeat of something ancient and sure. Gene never tossed or turned. He didn't snore or talk in his sleep like some of the other men. He was just... there. A constant in a world of variables.

Now, on the ship, with its cramped quarters and the constant presence of the other men, they'd been more careful. But tonight, with the gentle rocking of the vessel and the quiet hum of sleeping bodies around them, Isabella found herself craving that familiar comfort.

"Gene?" she whispered, voice barely audible above the ambient sounds of the ship.

"Mm?" He was still sitting on the edge of her cot, eyes half-closed with fatigue.

"Would you..." she hesitated, suddenly self-conscious. "I mean, if you want to…”

Gene looked at her, understanding dawning in his tired eyes. Without a word, he shifted, moving to lie beside her on the narrow cot. It was a tight fit, but they'd done this enough times to know how to arrange themselves—Gene on his back, one arm tucked beneath her, Isabella curled against his side, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Is this okay?" she murmured, already feeling the tension seeping from her muscles.

"Fine," he replied softly. "Get some sleep, cherie.”

Around them, the ship creaked and groaned, the sounds of the ocean a constant presence. A few bunks away, someone—Luz, maybe—snored softly. Somewhere else, a whispered conversation drifted through the darkness before fading into silence.

Isabella closed her eyes, letting the steady rhythm of Gene's breathing lull her toward sleep. There was comfort in this, in the simple human connection of two bodies sharing warmth in a cold and unfamiliar place. It wasn't home—not quite—but it was as close as she could get right now.

She felt the familiar burn of tears welling in her eyes, and her breath began to hiccup. She feels Gene tense against her, her obvious change of mood surprising him.

“Gene,” she whispered hoarsely against his shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

Her tears fall and pool against his shoulder, the dam finally breaking after weeks of keeping everything locked tight inside. Gene didn't startle or pull away. Instead, his arm tightened around her, drawing her closer as her body shook with silent sobs.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice so soft it barely disturbed the air between them. "Hey, none of that now."

Isabella pressed her face harder against his shoulder, trying to muffle the sounds of her crying. She hadn't meant for this to happen—hadn't planned on breaking down, especially not here, surrounded by sleeping men who might wake at any moment. But now that it had started, she couldn't seem to stop, the tears coming faster, her breath catching in her throat.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, the words barely intelligible as her hands clutched at the blanket, her knuckles turning white. "I've been so awful, and you still... you're still here, and I don't—"

"Shh," Gene interrupted gently, his hand moving to the back of her head, fingers threading through her curls. "You don't need to apologize anymore, Isabella. I understand."

The use of her full name, so rare from him, made her pause, hiccupping slightly as she tried to catch her breath.

"You've been hurting," he continued, his voice a low rumble she could feel through his chest. "Been missing home something fierce. I get that. We all do.”

Isabella shook her head slightly against his shoulder. "Not like me," she whispered. "I've been... I've been childish and mean and—"

"And young," Gene cut in, his tone gentle but firm. "You've been young, Birdie. You acted your age. That's all."

Something about the simple acceptance in his voice broke through the last of her defenses. Fresh tears welled up, but these felt different somehow—cleansing rather than corrosive, washing away some of the guilt and shame she'd been carrying.

"I didn't know how to handle it," she admitted, her voice small. "Being back home and then having to leave again. It was like... like losing them all over again.”

"And I took it out on everyone here. On you," she continued, needing to get the words out. "Because it was easier than admitting how much it hurt."

"It's okay," Gene murmured.

His expression turned soft, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I know you, Birdie. The real you. Not the angry one who's been stomping around for weeks. The one who sings in the shower when she thinks no one can hear. The one who saved half her chocolate ration for Muck when he was sick. The one who learned every man's name and hometown by heart."

Isabella felt fresh tears well up, but she managed a watery smile. "I have been pretty awful, haven't I?"

"You've had better moments," Gene agreed, his tone dry enough to draw a soft, hiccupping laugh from her.

"I'm surprised Joe hasn't thrown me overboard yet," she whispered.

"He considered it," Gene replied seriously. “I stopped him.”

Another laugh escaped her, slightly stronger this time. "My hero."

Gene's smile widened just a fraction, a rare sight that made her heart squeeze. "Someone's gotta keep you two from killing each other."

Isabella settled back against him, her tears subsiding as a strange sense of peace began to fill the hollow space in her chest. She wasn't fixed—the homesickness was still there, a dull ache beneath her ribs—but somehow, letting it out had made it less overwhelming. Less like drowning and more like learning to swim with a weight tied to her ankle.

"Things were so good at home," she whispered after a moment. "It was like... like the war didn't exist there. Like we could just be ourselves again, without all of this hanging over us."

Gene nodded, understanding in his silence.

"And then we had to come back, and it all felt so... heavy. So real. And I just... I didn't know how to be both people at once. The one from home and the one here."

"Maybe you don't have to be," Gene suggested quietly. "Maybe they're both just you, Birdie. Different parts, but still you.”

They fell into comfortable silence, the gentle rocking of the ship and the ambient sounds of sleeping men creating a strangely peaceful backdrop. Isabella's tears had dried, leaving her exhausted but somehow lighter, as if she'd set down a burden she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying.

"Gene?" she whispered after a while, unsure if he was still awake.

"Mm?”

"Thank you. For... for not giving up on me. For being here."

His arm tightened around her slightly, a wordless reassurance. "Always, cherie. Always.”

The endearment, used only for her and always spoken with such quiet certainty, settled something in Isabella's chest. She wasn't alone in this—not in her homesickness, not in her fear, not in her journey ahead. She had Gene. She had Joe. She had all of Easy Company, looking out for her even when she was at her worst.

And somehow, that knowledge made everything else a little easier to bear.

As sleep finally began to claim her, Isabella found herself thinking about her journal, tucked away in her pack where she'd hidden it weeks ago. Maybe tomorrow, she would pull it out again. Maybe she would start writing about this—about the ship, about the ocean, about the strangely comforting conversation with Lieutenant Speirs under the stars.

About how sometimes, healing starts with letting yourself break a little.

With that thought offering a strange kind of peace, Isabella finally surrendered to sleep, the gentle rocking of the ship and Gene's steady presence guiding her into dreams that, for once, didn't ache with the memory of home, but simply held it, like a treasured photograph kept close to the heart.

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