#(also as a note the cover comes from a different source)

[sydney-carton-of-sour-milk]

The Many Illustrators of A Tale of Two Cities 14: Harvey Dunn

...& as the days get darker, so too will this series...

That's right - in celebration of the spooky season, I've saved three of the most dramatic and unnerving sets of illustrations for October!

We're starting easy, with a set that lands more on the "dramatic" side than the "unnerving" side - this set of illustrations for a 1921 edition of A Tale of Two Cities by Harvey Dunn, a painter, teacher, and official war artist during World War I.

They speak for themselves - enjoy!

I do, though, have one note for this one, and it concerns the penultimate drawing: Although the quote used as a caption describes Charles Darnay in the novel, it appears that the illustration - from the lack of shoes to the coat flung over the shoulders - might take place after Darnay and Carton switched clothes; the coat also matches the one Sydney Carton is wearing in the following illustration. The character's hair is also down, though, which continues to confuse the whole thing. So:

Whoever the man in the picture is, though - for this month haunting stories, may he and the look in his eyes haunt you as much as they've haunted me😌

& the standard endnote for all posts in this series:

This post is intended to act as the start of a forum on the given illustrator, so if anyone has anything to add - requests to see certain drawings in higher definition (since Tumblr compresses images), corrections to factual errors, sources for better-quality versions of the illustrations, further reading, fun facts, any questions, or just general commentary - simply do so on this post, be it in a comment/tags or the replies!💫

[sinofwriting]

Claiming - Max Verstappen (Dark Fic)

Words: 2,231 Summary: In a world where F1 drivers can claim someone as a wife while at a race, here is Max’s version. Note(s): DARK FIC, NSFW. Reader is essentially kidnapped. I’d like to thank lovey on Ko-fi for commissioning this. I had a lot of fun writing this and oh boy did it take a turn I wasn’t expecting. Takes place in 2023. Also, once again thank you to 🦢 anon for this idea and all your thoughts! Claiming wouldn’t be a thing without you.

Charles’ Version

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Since a month ago the emotion she’s felt most is confusion. From the moment a security guard and an FIA official escorted her from the grandstands to the Red Bull garage, to Max Verstappen’s drivers room. From him gently grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it, to the conference room where the FIA official explained things to her and god, she felt like she had only heard every three words, to now.

Max is the source of all her confusion, because he is confusing. He’s aggressive and dominant on track. So clearly hates press and events he’s forced to go to. If he likes you, he likes to make you laugh and make sure you’re happy. He’s attentive in a way she didn’t know was possible.

As soon as they were in Monaco after the race, after he claimed her, and she fiddles with the heavy diamond ring on her finger at the thought, he had taken her to the grocery store, claiming that his fridge and pantry were empty since he’d just come home from a triple header. She hadn’t realized then but as they walked through the grocery store he had watched her closely. Watched what shelves she paused at, what brands and items she put in the cart versus the ones she made small faces at. Making a note of them all.

It wasn’t until a few days later when someone came by to drop off groceries and she saw all that all the groceries were things and brands she likes that she started to realized that it’s quietness in the grocery store, him following behind her, hadn’t been him giving her a bit of space, some grace, but rather him making notes of what she likes.

She’s unable to hide anything from him, which is even more confusing, because he doesn’t know her. Had chosen her seemingly on a whim. When she was told why she got taken his driver’s room by the FIA official, she had thought it was some sort of prank, a joke, but as three different binders had been laid out in front of her and proof of everything had been shown to her, had proved that she had been claimed, that she was now married to Max Verstappen the odd, weird, confusing reality had sunk in.

She had honestly figured as she laid awake next to Max that night that she would be just kept at his place for quick relief. Asked to undress and roll or bend over whenever he needed a quick easy fuck along with someone to keep his place clean and cooked meals in the fridge. She hadn’t expected for him to not even touch her like that.

He did however like to look at her like that. Eyes darkening, just a little narrowed as his jaw would sometimes twitch, deep breaths through his nose. But he never touched her like that which made her more confused because he did touch her.

He kissed her hand in greeting, put his hand on her lower back, would sling an arm around her waist, put his arm over her shoulders. He’d make their legs intertwine in bed or practically blanket her with his body when he didn’t have her cuddling into him, head resting on his t-shirt covered chest. Max hadn’t even tried kissing her on the lips despite clearly wanting to with the way he would sometimes stare at them as she talked.

Max Verstappen is confusing.

—

Max knows that he was supposed to claim a wife much sooner than he did. He could have done so the day of his first win, when they pulled him aside and told him that he could. He knows that’s what they wanted. They wanted him to claim a wife, to calm down, to bring a little less negative press to the sport. Luckily it was up to him to decide and there was no way in fucking hell he was claiming a wife. He made that clear in his celebrations with the team and his private words to people about how the FIA could fuck off.

He was also lucky that Red Bull backed his decision. He was their first driver since Mark Webber to get to claim a wife, the youngest in the history of the sport. The FIA couldn’t pressure him into it or punish him for not claiming anyone yet, but they could try and flaunt options for him to choose from. And they did. They did every year at nearly every race until finally the start of the 2022 season happened and there was a number one on his car.

That didn’t mean they stopped during the 2022 season, it was just significantly less than before. And now in 2023, just a few races away from winning his third championship, they hadn’t bothered him at all. The end of Monza marked them never being able to bother him again, he thinks as he watches his wife look at the clothes he had delivered for her. His now three championship trophies somewhat framing her with how she stands in front of the large couch.

They were all in her sizes, some from brands that she already had clothes from and other’s from more luxury brands that he had to be familiar with. She liked the one a lot, her fingers kept going back to the two tops from there, rubbing the fabric. He’ll have to take her to their store after COTA, he muses. The heat in Qatar had been too much for his poor wife and it had even got the better of him.

“Do you like them?” He asks, wrapping his arms around her from behind, relishing in the sharp inhale she gives, the slight sped up breathing.

“I do. They are all really nice.”

He presses a kiss to the top of her head, making a note to not buy her anymore hoodies, or at least buy them for himself and wear them a few times. She had worn so many of his, he figured she’d want one or two of her own, but the hoodie was the only thing her eyes and fingers had not returned to. “Good. I have some jewelry coming for you tomorrow as well.”

“Oh, thank you, Max.”

“Of course, vrouw.” He smirks at the way her body shivers at the Dutch word for wife.

—

It’s been nearly three months since Monza, since Max claimed her, since she became his wife. Which means it’s been three months since the last time she got off, six months since she last had sex. The sex part she can deal with, but she doesn’t think she’s gone this long without masturbating since she learned what it was and started doing it. And it feels like it’s killing her.

Because Max… Max is handsome. She’s seen tweets and things about how Max is ugly and she can’t even begin to comprehend that. He has some of the bluest eyes she’s ever seen, a nice jaw just barely covered with facial hair, slightly pouty lips and god it kills her that she hasn’t kissed them yet, kissed the freckle that rests on his top left lip. He has broad shoulders, strong arms, large hands, fingers that make her thighs press together when they tap against her hips or press into her. And his thighs. Every time she sees them, whether it’s in shorts or boxers, she can feel herself clench around nothing.

Maybe he wouldn’t affect her so much if he didn’t so clearly want her back. But he does. His eyes more and more frequently watching her, want simmering in them. And he’s never been shy about his morning wood, but instead of tilting his hips away from her, scooting away, or just adjusting her so it’s not pressed against her, now he stays. Lets her choose to move away when she feels him against her.

She never moves away, not until they absolutely have to get up.

She’s reached her limit, however. She constantly feels turned on, a warmth always burning inside of her, sometimes getting stoked to burn a little hotter and she fears that if she doesn’t get off in the next few hours she will jump Max. It’s tempting to just get to it, just lay down and fuck herself quickly, but that won’t leave her satisfied. She needs more than one quick orgasm to satisfy herself and she’s in luck because Max is leaving the house, having been invited to a paddle match.

She accepts the kiss on the cheek he gives her, wishing him good luck and then waits by the front door for a few minutes before turning and nearly rushing to the bedroom. Her arms somehow get tangled in her tank top as she pulls it off and her fingers fumble with her pajama pants and underwear as she tries to push them down. It takes longer than she wants, but finally she’s undressed. There’s an urge to fall onto the bed, but she forces it away, forces herself to take a deep breath as she goes to their closet.

Going to one of her shoe boxes, she lifts the lid, breath shaky as her fingers touch the lace of a La Perla balconette. She had never spent more than seventy dollars on a bra before Max, had privately thought people who spent more than a hundred dollars on scraps of lace and fabric were crazy but as she feels this against her fingers, she understands why people spend so much.

Her fingers are surprisingly steady as she puts on the balconette and matching panties. As she looks at herself in the mirror, hands rubbing at the body, her breath catches. She looked good, hot even. The lace against her skin making her blood rush.

She’s nearly back into the bedroom when she spots the shirt that Max had been wearing to sleep in last night. It’s just barely hanging on the edge of the hamper, about to fall on the floor. Before she can stop herself, she snags it and throws it on, breathing in the familiar and nice smell of Max.

Laying on the bed, she runs her hands over her body, eyes fluttering shut as they go under her shirt. Her breath catches as they trail over her stomach, fingers pausing at the waistband of her panties before moving back. They trace over the lace details of her top, breath catching when the tips of her fingers catch on her pebbled nipples. Moaning as she twists and pulls at them lightly, thighs pressing together.

She continues to play with her breasts, enjoying the feel of them and the lace in her hands. Drawing moans and whines from herself as she squeezes them, pinching and twisting her nipples, grazing her nipples with the tip of her finger. She’s aching for more, her panties damp. Her dominant hand leaves her breast, fingers just about to slip into her panties and there’s a hand clamping around her wrist.

Her eyes fly open, a gasp leaving her. “Max.” Her other hand drops away from her breast.

His grip on her wrist tightens, eyes darker than she’s ever seen them. Her name comes out in a near growl.

Her tongue darts out, swiping across her bottom lip and Max’s eyes fall to them at the motion and she breaks. “Please. Max, please.”

“Please what?”

She takes a shaky breath, “Touch me, kiss me. Please, Max.”

It’s like she blinks and he’s on top of her, his hand no longer gripping her wrist but instead gripping at her hip as he kisses her. She moans at the roughness of it, not even noticing him adjusting her until he’s fully in between her legs, one of them hitched around his waist. She only notices when he grinds their hips together, the friction making her break the kiss, panting as her fingers rake over his back.

“Max. Please.”

“What vrouw? Am I not kissing you?” He presses a kiss to her neck, over the flutter of her pulse. “Touching you?” He rolls his hips into hers.

She throws her head back at the contact. “I want,” a whine leaves her as he dips his head, running his tongue over her still lace covered nipple. “Fuck, Max.”

His hand still gripping her at her hip tightens its hold and she hopes he leaves bruises. “What do you want?”

“I want,” She nearly loses her train of thought again when grinds into her again. “Want you to fuck me. Please, Max, want you so bad.”

He groans, head resting on her chest as he gives a slightly stuttered thrust.

The slight loss of control makes her moan, her other leg moving to wrap around him, encouraging him to grind against her. She wants him. She wants him to touch her everywhere, not leave a single place that hasn’t felt his touch. She wants to feel his breath against her lips, his teeth sinking into her skin. She wants the press of bruises as he holds her tighter than maybe he should. She wants him sinking into her over and over again even though she hasn’t felt it once yet. She wants and wants and she doesn’t think that doing this once, twice, a hundred, a thousand times, will satisfy that want.

[ahmed1344]

‏🚨Urgent update🚨

‏Vetted by @gazavetters, my number verified on the list is ( #178 )

Dear every person who hasn't lost their Dear every person who has not yet strayed from their humanity

‎‏Hi, My Name Ahmed I am married I used to work as a lawyer in Gaza City before the war on Gaza. I had a law office in the most beautiful neighborhoods of Gaza City, but unfortunately, my office was destroyed as a result of the war, and I lost my source of livelihood and work. All my hopes and ambitions were lost, and I am now unemployed without my only source of livelihood. My house was bombed, I lost my house and my family, and I, displaced out in the open

Despite how much I love the place that will always be my home, the genocidal war has left nothing for us. I struggle every day to provide for my basic needs because of the huge rise in prices. My wife and I often do not know where our next meal will come from. We have no access to proper medical care. It pains me to say that I am living the worst days of my life. It’s one nightmare after another. There is no life here and I fear I will die if I can’t leave. I lost my home, my law firm, and everything.

Since our safe haven, our "sweet home", was bombed and leveled to the ground, which held all our memories from our childhood and youth.. everything that was beautiful to us was destroyed.

This is my law office before the war:

This is my law office after the destruction.

How your support can make a difference:

The funds collected through this campaign will be used to cover the costs of evacuating us from Gaza. Your generous contributions will enable us to escape the war zone and provide us with an opportunity to start a new life free from constant fear and the danger we currently face.

Every dollar matters, and your support will not only provide me and my family with a lifeline but also restore our hope for a brighter future

Note:

As mentioned in The Guardian on January 8, 2024, Palestinians are subject to fees ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per person to be included on the list and safely cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing.

This is an urgent plea for help. No human being should endure what life is like in Gaza right now. Your donation can be a catalyst for change. It can be the beacon of hope they need to transform their lives, a testament that compassion can triumph over the horrors of war, and from its ashes, resilience can lead to a brighter future.

With utmost appreciation,

€245 raised of €30,000 !!!

‏🚨Urgent update🚨

‏Vetted by @gazavetters rs, my number verified on the list is ( #178 )

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[twipsai]

Professor Tori (aka "pink-haired lady") and everything we know about her

i havent seen any posts compiling everything about Tori yet, so consider this a masterpost of sorts for her.

march 24th, 2022, Tailstube #4 released with this graphic, showing a handful of npcs from Sonic Unleashed (and explaining how mobians/anthros/whatever usually live on islands and humans usually live on continents). one person stuck out, being the pink-haired lady behind Professor Pickle

as far as i know, this is all we knew about her for over two years. there was some speculation she was going to be in Frontiers, but obviously that wasnt true.

flash forward to december 10th, 2024 -- a clip of Shadow's introduction for Sonic Movie 3 is released, with a familiar face in the background...

yep, there she is! interestingly, she wasnt in this shot in the trailer that had this exact scene in it. they mustve added her in later for... some reason...? additionally, you can see text on the screen shes on.

the english text reads "12.30.24.START!" (tomorrows date, at the time of writing this), and the japanese text; プロフェッサートリィ, reads "Professor Tori" (or Torii, or Tory... ive heard there are a lot of different ways to translate it)

a name that starts with a T, with no additional context behind the character themself? well, that sounds an awful lot like --

the... note?? inside the front cover of Gerald Robotnik's journal???? sure enough checking the japanese translation of this note its explicitly signed by Tori (or Tory, depending on who you ask)

this is just about where the clues abruptly stop. anything else beyond here gets more into the speculation category. its also worth mentioning that Ian Flynn stated around the time she was first seen that "her inclusion is a tease" (source), so it wasnt a case of accidentally throwing old concept art in somewhere, it was a deliberate teaser for something coming in the future. apparently something coming tomorrow, if the movie clip is to be believed.

if im missing something, let me know! ill add it in with a reblog or edit the post depending on what it is!

[happysparklingshadows]

𝙱𝚐3 𝙻𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 ✿ 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚙 𝙶𝚊𝚖𝚎

Note: I love you all for your support for my Bg3 headcannons and I want to let everyone know my requests are open (also open for TLOU and Yellowjackets)!! Also, comment if you would like to be added to the bg3 taglist! I love you all!

Lae’zel

-She finds it ridiculous when the two of you stumble into a pleasure house.

-She hates outward displays of desperation for sex or yearning outside of the person you are trying to lay with. She was a steel face as your party looked around the rows of items. She is not interested in any of them.

-behind her back, you couldn’t get anything without a sharp look sent your way. There are more critical things to do instead of istiks desperate need for a flesh bond.

-You are scared to tell her you had bought a strap-on. It wasn’t anything crazy, but it was just something that had tickled the back of your head. So, you saved it for the right moment for you to introduce something new to your sex life with your overly serious githyanki lover.

-After a hard day of fighting, covered in sweat, blood, and dirt. She came to you. Her eyes are sharply intense as she looks over your form. She says, “I want to lick every inch of your skin of your scent. Tell me, do you tease me on purpose or just to make my hunger for you to grow?”

-You smile and play coy, knowing now that it does rile up Lae’zel, and say, “I am guessing I am not bathing tonight?”

-“No.” Lae’zel says as she holds her arms across her chest. She stares you down and doesn’t say anything else. She doesn’t have to.

-So, you slip away and grab your bag whenever everyone is asleep. When you reach her, she gives you a stern look of confusion and dislike at you doing something unexpected.

-You sit down beside the bag and pull it out. You explain to Lae’zel that it is just for sex and that it is only needed to have sex differently.

-“Am I not pleasurable enough for you, then?” She asks in a defensive tone of venom, and you just smile and look up to her from your spot.

-“No, the opposite. I wanted to know how it would feel if you had a penis.”

-“But I don’t.” ????

-You chuckle as you look up to her, “Have you never wondered what it would be like if you could be inside me? Like, claim me differently, my champion?”

-The comment of claiming clicked in her mind. She insisted she would be wearing it and using it on you.

-You help her put it on when she gets frustrated with the straps.

-Lae’zel doesn’t even let up for a moment after hearing the whimper out of your mouth when she entered you. It was like something primal clicked in her head. She was going to claim your body and soul.

-Lae’zel licks your neck and chest with a soft growl, her hips slapping into yours without mercy. She hums low, moans in her breath as she thrusts into you. Your hands tangled into her hair and small braids, your breasts push against her lips as your back aches.

-Lae’zel becomes obsessed with the sounds out of your mouth. She holds your head down as she looks over your face intensely when you cum. She nearly cums against the strap when your name comes out in a shuttered breath.

-Lae’zel fucks you with the strap that night until the night sky crawled its way out of the sky. She groans at the fact she has to stop fucking you. She smells herself and you all in the air.

-Lae’zel will steal the strap and keep it with her. She may or may not smell it when she wants to smell you when you aren’t near.

-Lae’zel will not be using the strap often, but she will use it when she wants to have a little more dominance over you. To show you that she was the source of every bruise and ache in your body.

-Her strap would be flesh-colored, or she would have never had it near her body. What do you mean that she can have a glittery purple strap???

-She is a Mean Dom who praises your good behavior. She is always razor-focused, always on top of everything in her life, and ready for battle at a moment's notice. She has no problem correcting you or making you understand the consequences of subordinates. Expect to have a few marks on your way out.

Karlach

-The second she enters the pleasure house with the party, she wanders off on her own. Searching, wondering, fantasizing. She doesn’t want to get too pent up, so she leaves a little earlier than you do, not noticing you seeing her eye the strap on with blush on her cheeks.

-A devilish thought came to mind, and you got the one she was eyeing. It was a larger one that made you blush at the thought of it being stuffed inside you.

-But, because Karlach and you can’t have sex until her next upgrade and a miracle, the strap is long forgotten in your crest.

-Once Karlach got her upgrade, IT. WAS. POUND. CITY!

-You and Karlach fucked in your tent, on the tent, by the campfire, by the campfire with your friends around you (very difficult to be quiet), in the river, in ruins, in the forest. There wasn’t a moment that went by that Karlach’s hands were not trying to touch you.

-One night, while eating dinner at the party, you remembered what you had bought a few weeks earlier. You stay quiet as a blush comes over your face at the memory.

-When everyone retired to their tents, you entered your shared tent to find her humming away to a love song and sharpening her axe.

-“Hey, soldier, I have been waiting for you all day.” She puts down her axe with a great smile to look at you. She notices the way you coyly stand. She leans back on the tent wall with a slight smirk growing, “What brings you around?”

-You melt to her face immediately and crawl closer to her with a devilish smile, “I missed you today. I wanted to give you something.” You say as you crawl in between Karlach’s legs. Inches away from their lips.

-“Oh yeah, baby, what’s that?” Karlach asks, clearly lusting after you again, and watches you intently.

-You run a finger up her stomach and to her heart. It burned like a cup of hot water, and you let your eyes worship the woman you love. “You remember when we went to that pleasure house?”

-Karlach’s breath hitches when she feels you touch her. She only says shakily, “Yeah?”

-“Well, I noticed what you were eyeing and bought it. I was wondering if you wanted to use it on me?” With your eyes meeting her, you asked her, and your hand planted itself on her strong shoulder.

-The same shoulder you hold on her for dear life as she fucks you standing up with the strap. She trusts you with the growls she uses in battle. She ferally fucks you as you cling onto her with yelping moans.

-Karlach looks down to see the black strap disappear into you like a magic trick. She had a big, goofy smile on her face.

-Karlach has you screaming, writhing, and desperate. You become lust drunk quickly, even have a moment where you just stare at her in reverence in the way she fucks you to bliss.

-Karlach didn’t know her strength most of the time with you and didn’t mean to manhandle you when she did. You never complained, though. You liked the feeling of her effortlessly lifting you up and down with her biceps under your thighs, or the way her hand completely covered your throat if she held you there, or when she grabbed your chin firmly to kiss you.

-“Gods, I fucking love you- I am never letting you go! Fuck baby, look at me like that.”

-Karlach cums the moment you start to shake when your climax approaches. She shivers and ruts the strap into you like she was trying to push cum out of it.

-You are a writhing mess for her as you are placed on the floor, your toes still curling even after they have left your body. It was a delicious feeling. You bite your lip as she stares down at you, still standing and panting. The strap still in the air.

-“Did I do alright?” She asked. She wiped the sweat from her brow.

-You look up at her towering form and massive fake cock staring you down and say, “Karlach, you are a fucking amazing. Please- Please, will you fuck me again?”

-And she did.

-That was the night Karlach discovered she was the STRAP GOD.

-Karlach would get a big black strap if she had any say in what she wanted. She wanted something that seemed to fit her body, which happened to be big.

Shadowheart

-Shadowheart blushes when she comes inside the pleasure house with you and sees all the items for sale.

-She looks on with wonder and excitement at items for pain that caused pleasure. Nipple clamps, bondage rope of satin and silk, or wands made for shocking a person with a command word. It was all interesting to her, although she kept calm as she walked beside you.

-You look at her, and she meets your eyes silently. Your eyes point to a strap-on and back at her. You secretly speak to her about your wants.

-Shadowheart blushes and looks back at you. You can tell she says yes back to you. She loved this new secret language you two have created to speak intimately in public.

-You sneakily buy the strap-on without Lae’zel or Astarian noticing, keeping this secret for her. Which she dramatically approves of.

-You two act as though nothing has happened, and it is an ordinary day, an average day of adventuring through your quest. Shadowheart watched your behind all day, wondering what taking you from the back would be like. It excited her and made her happy.

-The day ended with conversation and planning the next move, where you will go tomorrow, and who to kill. You finally come over to her tent.

-Shadowheart smiles and asks, “I have been waiting for you this evening. Do I have you to myself now?”

-You didn’t even say anything else before you kissed her lips. You softly push the two of you into your shared tent and want to use this now. The anticipation was killing you.

-The two of you make out on the sheets of the ground passionately, but you two fail to stop kissing each other when you move to open your bag.

-Shadowheart surprisingly wants to use it on you first as she takes it from your hands and puts it on herself. She looks down at you as she puts herself together, “I want to have you. First, I want to see your face twist for me,” she says as she slowly lowers to kiss you again.

-She flipped you around out of nowhere. As she grabbed onto your hips, she kissed the back of your neck. She rubs herself against you as she gently enters you from behind.

-She watched in fascination at the way your ass jiggled and bounced with her thrusts, she liked the way your thighs slapped against hers, and she could just watch it all. Watching your wetness spread on your cheeks and thighs as she fucks you passionately.

-When you have cummed on the fake cock, she kisses your neck and begs for you to do the same. She takes it off, helps you put it on yourself, and lays it down for you to be on top of her. You passionately kiss her and fuck her back as her soft moans filled the tent.

-You take turns with the strap; sometimes it’s her using it, or you are using it on her. It was a reoccurring character in your sheets, and it becomes beloved very quickly upon both of your first climaxes with it together.

-Shadowheart would get a purple glittery strap if she had any say in it because it was simply pretty and did its job while being pretty.

Minthara

-Minthara doesn’t react much to the pleasure house or the inside items. She glanced over the items with a carefree attitude that made your heart beat fast in your chest for some reason. She surprises you by asking the employee to let her see this item beyond the display case, and she, without shame, “(Y/n), come here.” She softly orders in front of your party. You blush softly as you do as she commands, and she asks to see the different sizes and colors.

-Minthara Baenre was raised to be a proud Matron of Menzoberranzan and has the qualities similar to nobility of Faerûn, She was bold with her sexuality and desires. She actuallly gets a kick out of embarrassing you in a manner like this, to her it was amusing how people without status acts towards sex.

-She asks you for the size you would like and smirks as she asks for one a size bigger. She picked a deep red strap with satin ropes and added it to her bag like it was nothing at all. You leave the interaction and shop with heat pooling in between your thighs.

-Minthara doesn’t waste time with her new item. She waits for that night. It doesn’t matter what happened or what needs to be discussed with the party members, and you need to gag on her cock.

-Minthara waits in your shared tent and has it proudly on herself, adjusting the straps as you walk in.

-she has you on your knees in obedience and has her hands running through your hair as she thrusts into your mouth to see how it looks.

-Minthara says, “Such a good lover, so obedient with those eyes looking at me, just like that.” As she bucks her hips into your open mouth.

-Minthara has you propped in her lap in a death grip on your hips, thrusting up into you with the strap. Minthara had her eyes fixated on your face, watching it twist in helpless pleasure to her manhandling.

-Minthara kisses and sucks on your breasts as she listens to you writhe. She wanted to be covered in you, wanted to be stained in you, forever scarred by your love and lust.

-Minthara is the queen of overstimulated and mocking pouts, “I know, Ust-nor, I know. You got a little more to give me. I want it.”

-Minthara has you cum on the strap a total of four times before she feels settled and ready to let you off her strap. But she would steal one more after seeing your spent face as you lazily lay on the pillows of your bedroll

-Minthara happily cuddles you after. She loves you intensely and lays her head on your chest. She pets your body tenderly as she whispers to you about how well you did, how powerful she feels after, and how the two of you will dominate the under dark hand in hand.

-There is no surprise that Minthara is a brutal mean dom without mercy. She likes to be in power and be actively

[ladycaramelswirl]

A Dream Like You

Female reader x Aaron Hotchner

A/N: I did something… hormonal 💀 may delete later

summary: you and Aaron share a bed on a case. oh, also you’re both in love with each other and totally oblivious. And sexually frustrated 🫠

cw: Idk how ratings work but I’m pretty sure this is explicit. (sm*t?) No mention of Y/N! Also quite a bit of swearing, which is unusual for me.

A/N (main): this is my first time writing anything remotely sexual. It’s short! I was writing something completely different but it ended up as… idk what this is. Also I’m sorry for any typos. Enjoy 💀

————————————

You wake up to the most perfect warmth enveloping you. And the delightful smell of soap and a citrus scented laundry detergent. You sleepily bury your nose into the smell. Except the source of the smell is Aaron, who immediately startles awake at your movement, only to go completely still when he realises you’re the reason for the wonderful warmth pressed against him. He tries to move away but you pull him closer, pushing your breasts against his chest and your leg between his thighs, dangerously close to his now extremely hard cock.

You move against him in your sleep, rocking against his sensitive underside, causing him to moan. This was bad. So bad. He really needed you to wake up. 

“Hey”, he whispers.

“Mmm”, you mumble into your bedmates neck. “It’s so nice here. Don’t want to get up”. 

God you were killing him. He tries to move away, not wanting to disturb your much needed sleep, but you just hold onto him tighter. Were arms supposed to feel this good?

“Please wake up”, he pleads. You needed sleep, but if you kept rubbing against him, he was going come, and then things would be very very uncomfortable. He tries to shake you awake but you rock your hips against him again. 

“Fuck”, he hisses, pleasure rushing through him. Your sleepy mind finds immense satisfaction at his voice and starts moving against him harder. 

“Oh God”, he chokes. 

“You feel so good baby”, you whisper in his ear. You throb with desire. “I need you”, you whine, the friction from your movement sending you into a state of bliss. God you’ve never had a sex dream this good.

Aaron feels his heart race with your movement but it’s your words that cause him to get harder. How was he supposed to forget how you called him baby? He tries to shake you off. 

“You need to wake up. I-“, his words are cut off by an uncontrollable gasp of pleasure that escapes him. 

You feel desperate for the feeling of him inside you. “Fuck me. Please fuck me”, you beg. It takes all of Aaron’s willpower to push you off of him and he jams a pillow between you. He immediately gets on his feet, needing to get away from you. You let out a disappointed whimper and that’s all he can take before he rushes into the bathroom. He turns the water on in the shower before stepping under it, trying to get the cold water to cool him off. But nothing is helping. He wraps his fingers around his hard shaft, slowly moving it up and down. He grits his teeth together, the memory of your words making it almost impossible to not vocalise his pleasure, but you were still asleep and if you woke up, he’d have to explain why he was so flushed. So he tries his best to be quiet. Your voice plays in his head - “you feel so good baby”. He strokes himself faster. “I need you”. His knees buckle in pleasure. “Fuck me. Please”. His mind goes blank as he experiences an euphoric climax and his legs shake as his gratification covers the bathroom tile. Fuck. He’s never got himself off that fast. Shit. He just fucked himself thinking about you. He immediately feels a surge of guilt. He is your boss. He is not supposed to feel this way about you. And you had thought you were sleeping. He has no excuse for his behaviour. He towels himself off and checks his watch for the time. 4am. It’s too early to get up but he cannot get back into bed with you there so he gets dressed. He leaves a note explaining that he’s gone to the precinct to work on the case and that you should join later with everyone else, then quietly slips out of the room.

The sound of the door closing stirs you from your sleep. You reach for your nightstand to check your watch, but find nothing. The panic of being in a strange room makes you sit up and you remember that you’re in a hotel room on a case. You reach to the right for your watch again only to realise you’re not on the side of the bed you slept on. And that you’re alone but you hadn’t been when going to bed. You notice the note on his nightstand. Of course he was already up at 4am. Unless you had kicked him out of bed by rolling onto his side? Oh God, you hope not. And why did you feel so… sensitive? You notice the pillow between your thighs. You recall your dream, and his sounds of pleasure, groaning in frustration and burying your face in the pillow. Only you’re overwhelmed by the smell of Hotch. It’s enough to have you throbbing again. You’d just had a sex dream of your boss. While in bed within him. Why couldn’t you be attracted to anyone else? It was so embarrassing. And completely inappropriate. You had to pull yourself together. But you felt a desperate ache between your thighs. And the smell of him was overwhelmingly good. Before you can really think about what’s happening you bring one hand to your breast, palming yourself through your shirt and slip your other hand into your sleep shorts, rubbing your sensitive nub. Were dreams supposed to be that vivid? The memory of his body against yours has you imagining your fingers are his. You slip one finger inside, then two. His would be so much thicker, so filling. You throb against your digits at the thought. You can almost hear his moans. You fuck yourself harder. God it feels so good. 

“Yes Aaron”, you pant, and you’re not sure if you’re thankful that he’s not here. You pinch your nipples as you swipe at your sensitive bundle of nerves and suddenly remember the sound of him whimpering. It’s enough to make you see white. Your orgasm rips through you and you’re soaked in sweat by the time you come down from your high. You stare at the ceiling, contemplating when you’ve ever had an orgasm that good. Never.

You were so fucked.

———

A/N P.S. : I hope you liked it! should I post the writing that inspired this? It’s pretty much the opposite of this - far away from smut land and very much the capital of pining city. It’s much more my usual style. Anyway let me know what you think :)

Masterlist

[literaryvein-reblogs]

When your Character Wears a Pocket Watch

Pocket Watch - was the standard for portable timepieces before the introduction of the wristwatch. Though pocket watches fell out of popularity after World War II, some modern watchmakers continue to make pocket watches.

Common Pocket Watch Styles

Pocket watches can be made using various metals and come in many different colors. There are 4 main pocket watch styles, each denoting to what extent the watch face is exposed.

Open face: Does not include a cover for concealing the watch face.

Hunter: Hunter-style pocket watches have a spring-loaded metal cover that can be opened to expose the watch face.

Half-hunter: As the name implies, the watch face of a half-hunter pocket watch is only partially concealed. A glass shield is encased in metal allowing for you to check the time without fully opening the cover. The cover can be opened to expose the entire watch face.

Double-hunter: Has two covers—one for the front and one for the back.

Main Components of Pocket Watches

Though there are many different types of pocket watches, each one is known to have these main components.

Watch: The watch is the main part of the timepiece. It includes the clockwork, dial, and covers.

Fob: The fob is the ornament at the end of the chain that makes it easier to remove the pocket watch from its place.

Attachment: The attachment is a clip or bar on the chain that allows the chain to be kept in place in a pocket or on a lapel. There are 3 main styles of attachments: the Albert T-bar, the bolt ring, and the belt bar (aka slide chain). The Albert T-bar is usually paired with a suit jacket or waistcoat. A buttonhole in the garment keeps the Albert T-bar chain in place, allowing for the pocket watch to be stashed in a breast pocket or side pocket. Bolt rings are usually better for a more casual look—they attach to the belt loop or your trousers, jeans, or chinos. Finally, belt bar chains attach to your belt or the top of your pants, allowing you to keep the watch in the front pocket of your pants.

Chain: There are 2 main kinds of pocket watch chain styles: single Albert and double Albert. Single-Albert chains are designed for you to attach the end of the chain to your vest or waistcoat, allowing the chain to be seen on the outside of the garment. Double-Albert chains have an attachment in the middle of the chain (typically a T-bar) that attaches to the vest or waistcoat. The other end of the chain is concealed in a pocket on the other side of the garment, giving the appearance of two chains.

How to Wear a Pocket Watch

With a waistcoat: An Albert T-bar chain is an ideal choice for pairing with a waistcoat or vest. Attach one end of the chain to the pocket watch. Feed the other end of the chain through the buttonhole in your waistcoat. Place the pocket watch in your waistcoat pocket. The chain will be displayed on the outside of your outfit.

With a suit jacket: If you won’t be wearing a three-piece suit, there are still plenty of ways to wear a pocket watch. You can use a single-Albert or double-Albert chain with a T-Bar attachment. Feed the T-bar through the buttonhole in your jacket, and store the pocket watch in your jacket pocket. You could also use a belt bar; simply attach the chain to your pants or belt loop and store the watch in your trouser pocket.

With jeans: Pocket watches need not be relegated to fancy events only. If you won’t be wearing a vest or jacket, simply use a belt bar to attach your pocket watch to a belt loop, and keep the watch in your jeans pocket.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[notpixl]

Realizing they’re in love with you! HSR Edition

(Ft. Robin, Acheron, Blackswan, Feixiao)

Y’all this came up to me while in class the voices told me to write this okay or else they’ll delete my accounts 🥲

Also, Beauty amidst Death will have an update. I’m just cringing at the fact that I decided leave it in strange place and am wondering how to continue it…

GN!Reader as usual. I want all sides to be happy

—————

———

—————

Robin

It’s… weird?

Well, she does get the usual fans declaring their love to her and all but somehow you’re different??? Like what-

Nowadays, whenever you two hug she’s always a blushing mess! And how come she just noticed that you’re… really, really close…

Too close…

There’s like this feeling on her stomach whenever you two are together. It doesn’t matter if it’s a call, a meetup, or just hanging out! It… It’s always there!

And whenever your name is mentioned her ears perk up! Like… what did do you to her?!

Eventually she’ll consult about these feelings with Sunday but he just chuckles it off, leaving her to guess what it is. (At least give her a hint!)

Though the answer would come knocking at her door

It was a simple gift

From you

There’s a little note etched into the cover

“For someone that means so much to me :)”

Opening it revealed a pretty little necklace

With a Dove as its Pendant

…come to think of it don’t they represent something?

She’s sure it was something about…

Peace…

Freedom…

And Love!

Wait…

Love…?

Oh

Oh

She slowly covers her face in embarrassment

Why… did it take her so long to figure this out?!

Aeons, she’s so dumb!

“All this time I was in love with them…”

Acheron

She’s met many people

Countless if you will

But why…?

Why is it that in this ever current flow of forgetting and remembering…

She just can’t seem to forget your lovely face?

She’ll rush to the libraries, read the news, heck, even threaten ask the greatest philosophers on what this feeling means!

Perhaps that Memokeeper knows something…?

Oh forget it!

She’ll tackle this head-on!

…by asking you herself.

“Ah… so that’s it is… Love.”

Black Swan

Hmm… what a quaint feeling she’s having when you’re around

Love, isn’t it?

She’s only seen and heard about it… but not once has she ever had the chance to have a feel…

…would you reciprocate these feeling as well?

Although that possibility comes in mind…

She’d rather hear it from you than face the harsh reality of rejection

Then again…

Would her as a whole be enough?

She’s never considered using her body to charm someone, let alone the person she has come to love…

Perhaps…

Perhaps you will

“The possibilities are endless… but I’ll never stop it from blooming.”

Feixiao

She’s rather perplexed

Wait- no… yeah no that actually works-

All it takes was one glance during her walk and now she’s stumbling on her way to work with this… strange feeling

There’s no point in running away, she already has Moze tracking you down

She’d talk to Jiaoqiu about this, only receiving a shrug and scraps of determination to ��find it out herself.”

Cheeky Foxian…

Hmm…

Maybe she should ask from the source itself?

———

You lay in bed, already done with today’s schedule when you notice a shift in weight on your waist

Your eyes hesitate to open

“That’s not a good way to greet guests, isn’t it?”

Moving won’t help

“Look at me.”

You’re met with such a pair of eyes you can’t even begin to describe them

Scary? Beautiful? I think that shouldn’t be your main concern right now-

“I’ve got a question…”

Her grip tightens on your shoulders

“What did you do to me?”

—————

———

—————

Um… no comment down here

I hope you enjoyed/hated it

Asks are always open I guess if you want to force me to write and die and sob and and and a sn

[cozycottagetarot]

Your Future In-Laws First Impression of You

Pile 1 🪸 Pile 2 🛩️ Pile 3 ☔️

Notes:

This reading covers Your future in-laws (married or long-term partner) first impression of you as well as how they receive you. It's purely for entertainment purposes only. Take what only what resonates be it some, all or none.

I've been feeling mildly scatterbrained when it comes to organising my thoughts and I didn't have the mental capacity to design any graphics. Hopefully, this reading is still clear though.

Elle 🍃

Reading Masterlist | Patreon | Paid Readings -- Open 🥂

Photos From Unsplash: Pile 1 image source | Pile 2 image source | Pile 3 image source

PILE 1

What do they think of you?

Cards: Cat’s Claw (Purification), Lion’s Mane (Leadership), Lavender (Weaver), Ace of Swords, King of Cups, Four of Swords

Your in-laws first impression of you is one of being impressed and intrigued. From the cards pulled (including the next section) it feels like your future in-laws will be a very tight-knit family, so your future long-term partner/spouse introducing you is very much a big deal. I feel like it could be at a family gathering or you’re invited to an important event where you meet them there. You could give off the impression of being very regal and revered. I think your future in-laws will be very satisfied with you and see you as exactly what they want for their child/relative. They could also be cautious of you in the sense that you may give off the energy of calm but not to be messed with. They could view you as someone who is very balanced energetically. You could give off an enticing blend of masculine and feminine qualities.

You could also give off the impression of someone whose intelligence comes from observing a situation first. The only card that didn’t quite 'blend' as seamlessly initially for me here is the Four of Swords. You could give off a very unfazed vibe at times… or seem as though you’re uninterested in what’s going on all while simultaneously being on high alert. It could come from past experiences though that leaves you this way and I think your in-laws will be able to pick up on that as well. For others, you could just have this attractive, leadership energy and your in-laws' first impression of you could be “This person is great, but they sound like they need to rest.”

How will they receive you? Cards: Tobacco (Offering) , Arnica (Teacher), Saint John’s Wort (Radiance), Death, Six of Pentacles, The Hermit reversed

Your future in-laws will receive you with open arms. Right off the bat they’re going to take you in and share with you their wisdom and their love. Even if you and your in-laws may have differences, they’ll show you from the start that they are willing to get to know who you are and build a relationship with you. For them, your presence welcomes the start of a new beginning in their family. I feel like your in-laws may be very traditional but also open. They will want to help nurture you. For some of you, they may give a physical gift for you or offer you an opportunity of some kind.

PILE 2

What do they think of you? Cards: Rosemary (ancient memory), Gingko (breakthrough), Psilocybin (commune), Knight of Cups, Two of Swords, The Emperor, Knight of Wands

If you were drawn to pile 1, you could consider checking out that pile as well after.

I don’t know if you’re sleepy or what pile 2, but something to do with sleep is coming through for you. I figured maybe some of you may meet your in-laws at night, for others you may have an intense intellectual energy and it’s like “Wow, does this person ever sleep?” Your in-laws may see you as someone charming, playful or good fun, but overall super focused and fixated on a specific thing. For some of you, you may not have the best social skills? You might say things that catch them off guard, but I don’t think they’ll think less of you for it. Your person could have a big family, so there may be many in-laws you meet. They definitely see you as committed to what you set your mind to and that when you make a decision about something, it’s not one you make lightly. You give your all to projects and people. They may see you as a visionary, someone with lots of wisdom and brilliant ideas. I think that you might even influence them, if not completely change their perspective on a matter. If there are children around you may interact with them well, almost like a mentor and I think your future in-laws will be pleased with that. You may not directly interact with them when they form their first impression of you, they may simply observe you from a distance. For others, it could be that you flit back and forth between intellectual intensity that makes you seem older than you are one minute and embodying a child-like sense of wonder and whimsiness that makes you see younger the next.

How will they receive you? Cards: Rose (love), Cannabis (detachment), Tulsi (wealth), 10 of Cups, Page of Swords, 6 of Wands

*If you’re struggling with anxiety or sleep, there’s a message here to take time and care around cultivating inner calm. Quick fixes might do more harm than good currently.

There’s not one uniform energy here, like I mentioned before, it feels like various people I’m picking up on (so forgive me if this feels slightly scattered). For some, they might seem a little bit detached or unexpressive but they like you. It could be that they quite honestly didn’t want to like you but they do, or the initial getting to know one another might be rocky before you finally get to a point where it's like "yeah, y/n is pretty great.". Regardless, you’ll feel welcomed and you’ll be received with grace. I’m also picking up on some may want to get on your good side because they see you as someone successful or capable of great success so they may try to wow you. They may want to learn from you as well. I definitely pick up on someone seeking you out in hopes that you’ll teach them about something. They may welcome you by striking up a conversation.

PILE 3

What do they think of you? Cards: Palo Santo (Guardian), Jergón Sacha (Transfiguration), Chamomile (Inner Peace) reversed Four of Wands reversed, Ace of Swords, Two of Wands

It's not quite clear who's energy is what but I did my best. I think both you and your future in-laws may kind of flip back and forth feeling the same way about each other because I did pull some cards to represent your impression of your in-laws and was getting the same vibes and their impression of you.

There are multiple scenarios here so I split it up into bullet points.

Your future in-laws might need a minute to process who you are (aesthetic/interest-wise). (I also got they may need a couple years to come to terms with you? 😭 However, editing this it could have been that it took them a while to come to terms with their child/relative's type?)

I think you take everything they expect and flip it on their head, for better or worse.

I don’t sense any malice, but I definitely think that they may feel slightly avoidant of you at first? I don’t know why but I keep envisioning when you watch those movies and there’s someone coming over and the couple is in a panic and trying to act natural… I’m not sure that makes sense, but that’s what I keep getting. It’s not like 'Oh, we don’t like this person’. It’s more of an "X is coming and I didn’t have enough time to mentally prepare’. Some people just have a big personality, and even if you do like them you just kind of need to prepare yourself for them still 😅

For some of you, it could be that they’re worried you’ll lead their child/relative down a path they don’t agree with??? There’s fear here and the words aren’t coming out right because your in-laws like I said may not be able to immediately process you. I just get this weary sense, and that they know well enough there is no need to be weary of you.

Another possibility that comes to me is your person/future spouse may have also been one of those kids that leave their parents stressed 24/7 (like my sister), so your future in-laws try to run every scenario through their head trying to prepare themselves for what their child's partner could be like. They could also be relieved that you’re nothing like what they expected.

It could also be that they could feel like you’re the one who's guarded and has a wall up, or you’re anxious about meeting them and they pick up on that?

How will they receive you? Cards: Ashwagandha (purpose), Ginseng (magician), Sage (blessing), Mandrake (sensuality) The Magician, The Hierophant, Queen of Swords

While I was pulling the cards, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan suddenly started ‘playing’ in my head. Your future in-laws may kind of see you as their pet project of sorts. Not like you need fixing in any way, you might just seem like a good candidate for something one or both of your in-laws have in mind. Good or bad thing that’s on a case-by-case basis. You’ve got the hierophant and magician and for whatever reason, the imagery especially kind of put that in my head. They may have certain rules or values that they will communicate are important to them. Those two cards, as well as the queen of swords, are all holding an item and I heard a 'talking stick'?? Maybe it means something to someone or maybe I just need to rest lol. I think your in-laws will do their best to form a relationship with you. One thing that definitely feels evident is that they will know you’re their child/relative's person. Their initial feelings from their impression of you may completely switch when it comes to interacting with you. They’ll put a genuine effort into getting to know you, and not just a courtesy get-to-know-you type of interaction. They genuinely want to connect with you and understand you. They’ll try to release any preconceived notions towards you and they may even verbalise this as well.

[leafostuff]

Insecurities [Ft. Fromis_9 Jiheon]

Tags: Fluff, Monologue-ish, Girlfriend!Jiheon, Established relationship

Author Notes: no notes we ballin, random idea

=================================

Insecurities are something everyone deals with in their daily life, from looks to social life to achievements, everyone has their own stuff that they dont feel good about themselves

And you are not any different, yours however come from a different source then others: Baek Jiheon, your best friend since highschool, your personal sunshine and...your girlfriend.

Who knew that you would actually have the balls to ask out your best friends on the last day of your senior year, and who knew that she will actually say yes instead of putting you in the dreaded "friend zone".

Comparing yourself and Jiheon is like comparing the burning sun to the cold moon, like an elegant ballet dancer to a bouncy hip-hop dancer, like- OK OK you get, you both are completely different from each other

Jiheon is the sun, always talkative, very sweet, always excited to be with people (especially being with you), as your classmate she was one of the popular girls in school while also being one of the top students, while you...

Well...you were nothing like her, nothing compared to her.

You are not the smartest

(another refresh, probably for Like the 1000th time, adrenaline is an all time high as you were waiting for your college professor to finally send the scores to your computer science exam.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity the scores are finally updated and well...while 60 wasn't too bad, you ended up passing but...it wasn't far from failing.

It honestly sucked, especially since you were working extra hard to get a high score in this exam only to get a 60 which will definitely lower your avarage

A sigh comes from your mouth as you let your head rest on your table, hands on your temple trying to relax yourself from that abysmal score...)

Not the prettiest

{"Are you sure that is necessary Jiheon? I look so stupid in this" you say, the embarrassment is clearly felt from the other side of the isle

"Have i ever told you to do something that isn't?" You can think of a couple moments, a lot actually but it's not like you could ever say no when she gives you her pleading smile. "Now come here and let me see it".

You swipe , revealing yourself to your best friend, on your head now a headband of wolf ears, your cheeks now fully red from embarrassment, Jiheon covers her mouth and her eyes widen in surprise.

"What?" you ask in an annoyed, monotonous voice.

"oh n-nothing" she answers, now looking away however second by second she breaks down, first a giggle, then a small chuckle and in the end she cant contain herself any longer, now fully laughing, almost falling to the floor from how you look.

"SEE?! I TOLD YOU IT WAS STUPID" you respond, even more embarrassed than before as you now turn away from your best friend}

["ahhh finally, the weekend is here" Jiheon says, stretching herself while both of you getting out of your last class of the day, moving toward the exit as your best friend walking backward, facing you with a bright as usual smile

And not the most social person

"wow, I never thought you would be happy about going home from school" you reply, occasionally checking to see that she doesnt stumble into someone that she doesnt see.

"just because i enjoy studying doesn't mean i don't want the week to be over" she exclaims, doing a 180° turn to now face the same direction as you, now walking forward.

"Like seriously, who in the staff let Professor Park teach in the last class of the day, of the WEEK?" She asks rethorically

"maybe they want to make you enjoy the weekend even more?" You jokingly say which makes both of you laugh, as both you head toward your lockers a familiar group waits there.

"Oh, Yuna, Yujin, Sungho" Jiheon says, giving both the girls a quick hug, and a high five to Sungho as you could feel yourself getting nervous

"Were heading to the Arcade, Yujin THINKS she can beat me at Air Hockey" Sungho says, looking at Yujin with an excited look.

"im not saying i think i could beat you, i WILL" she corrected him before turning toward Jiheon again, "Wanna Join?" She asks

"Sure, sounds like fun" she answers, now turning herself toward you "you're' coming?" She asks, however as you were about to answer Yuna starts to speak over you

"Oh sorry, don't get me wrong but...he isn't really our friend, he is kind of like...your +1" Yuna says, not even turning to look as if you were invisible, you were now looking at your locker, trying to hide your embarrassment.]

Those moments always come to your mind whenever you look at yourself in the mirror after you take a shower, or at night when you lay on your bed, thinking about if you made the right decisions in your life to get where you are now.

However, as you look back at those moments in a clearer mind, you realise that with a person that loves you

(You suddenly feel a hand on your hair, lightly patting it, looking up and see its Jiheon, now in her sleeping attire as her smile beams at you.

"I know how hard you worked for it..." she says, before leaning downward as you can feel her lips giving your right cheek a quick peck before continuing to talk

"im proud of you" she adds, as you stand up she opens her arms, signaling you to come and hug her, with a happy face you happily oblige)

Cares about you

{"No no no you don't look stupid" she says, trying to calm her laughter.

"It's just that you look so...cute with those wolf ears" your cheeks turn rosy pink as Jiheon's hand finds itself on your shoulder, "I really mean it" you could feel your face turned from embarrassed to now happy, "Omg wait i have an idea"

She walks toward another box of costumes, pulling out a pair of fox ears, "We HAVE to take selfies with those" she grabs her phone with one hand while her other hand goes behind you back, letting herself side hug you

"Smileeee" she cheerfully says while raising her phone camera}

And lets you be the best version of youself

["I see" Jiheon says, her voice sounds disappointed her eyes tries to find yours that hide behind the locker door.

"Well, if my '+1' isn't coming..." she says to her friends as suddenly her hands grab yours, pulling you toward her before continuing to speak

"Then i am also not coming" Jiheon exclaims, you could see her face getting annoyed as she looks at them, but not before turning her gaze at you, now giving you a warm smile, her eyes giving you a look that says 'I got you']

You realise how those thoughts about yourself are not real, that even with those insecurities. And as you turn your gaze to Jiheon, your sunshine with her asleep while her right cheek lays on your chest while her arms wrap themselves around your waist, you can't help yourself but smile while thinking...

Maybe those insecurities never existed at all

=================================

As of today i am 20 years old so birthday fic i guess

Dedicated to @erospandemos

[vanteguccir]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤCOOKING TOGETHER * CHRIS STURNIOLO

SUMMARY　::　where Y/N teaches Chris how to cook a typical sweet from her country.

FEATURING　Chris Sturniolo x brazilian!reader　REQUESTED?　yes.

WARNINGS　::　none.

AUTHOR'S NOTE　::　that is my work, I DON'T authorize any form of plagiarism; copy, "inspiration" or translation! | english isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

"Honey?" Y/N called in a low tone. Her steps were light and almost muted by the orange socks that reached up to her calf, which she had grabbed from Chris's drawer.

Her eyes darted around the kitchen briefly, before finally finding her boyfriend, who was standing between the dark brown table and the open refrigerator, his right hand holding the door while his left rested on his chin, a thoughtful look on his face.

"What are you doing?" The girl asked, approaching her boyfriend as she looked into the fridge, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I wanted to make something different for us to eat." His arms fell over his body and hit his hips in frustration.

Chris and Y/N were getting ready to start a movie marathon. The two were already lying on the double bed, their bodies covered by the fluffy duvet. The lights were turned off, the television on being the only source of lighting between the four walls; when the boy had the idea of ​​popping popcorn to accompany them.

About 15 minutes had passed and Chris still hadn't returned to the room with the snack, and Y/N had no choice but to see what he was up to. She knew that her boyfriend had a childish soul and that if he was left unsupervised for too long, he could destroy the whole house.

"Didn't you want popcorn, baby?" Y/N questioned, moving closer and closing the fridge door.

Chris turned to her with a sigh, shaking his head.

"I wanted to, but I'm hungry, and I want something sweet." The boy said, leaning on the table behind him and crossing his arms.

He didn't know exactly what he could have made for them to eat if Y/N hadn't shown up, he didn't know how to cook anything at all and he would have definitely burned any idea he had.

"You know bakeries can cook for us, right? I can order delivery, honey. That bakery you like is still open." Y/N informed, taking half of her phone out of her hoodie pocket and quickly looking at the time before putting it away again.

"No, I want something homemade." Chris continued, tapping his right foot lightly against the floor. He really could act like a child when he wanted to.

Y/N sighed as she looked around, her mind trying to come up with ideas of something they could cook that was sweet and got ready quickly.

She took a few steps towards the cabinet on the left side of the refrigerator, opening the doors with her hands and looking through the items, a smile appearing on her lips when she saw exactly what she was looking for.

"We're making brigadeiro." Y/N informed as she grabbed the ingredients she would need.

"Briga- what?" Chris tried to utter, moving closer to his girlfriend as he looked at the items in her hands curiously.

Y/N let out a laugh, placing the ingredients on the counter next to the stove, turning to her boyfriend.

"Brigadeiro." She spoke slowly and clearly. "It's a Brazilian sweet, I sent you a picture of it once when I was back in São Paulo, but you saw it in the birthday party format, which is a small ball with sprinkles."

"Oh, I remember!" The brunette spoke excitedly, nodding his head. "But are there other formats?"

"Yes, you can use brigadeiro in everything and in every way, literally. But the easiest and quickest is to make it in a pot, also known as spoon brigadeiro, which is what we're going to do right now." Y/N turned to face the ingredients, arranging them in order of use. "Get me a medium pot, baby. Please."

The girl took her phone out of her pocket, resting it on the counter behind where the ingredients were, so that the screen was staring back at her. Her fingers worked on opening the camera and going to the video tab, clicking the red button to start recording.

"What are you doing?" Chris asked after standing up again, having bent down to pick up a pot from the cupboards on the floor, placing the requested object on the stove while looking at her phone recording them in confusion.

"I need to record this moment. My boyfriend is going to learn how to make his first Brazilian cuisine, and it's my favorite sweet." Y/N smiled big, turning to her boyfriend and sealing his cheek with her lips, stroking the skin lightly with the tip of her nose.

Chris smiled back, pulling her by the waist and kissing her forehead softly, before releasing her so they could begin.

"Okay, for this recipe, we'll only need butter, chocolate powder, and condensed milk. Thank God I brought some condensed milk from Brazil when I went last time. The ones here don't turn out the same." The girl explained to Chris, who was watching her closely.

"Butter and chocolate?" He asked as he wrinkled his nose in discomfort.

"Honey, butter is part of the ingredients of at least 80% of the cakes we eat anywhere." Y/N's tone was obvious, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Alright, chef." Chris raised his arms in surrender, earning a laugh from his girlfriend.

She opened one of the drawers on the counter and took out two tablespoons and a silicone spoon, which they would use to stir the brigadeiro over the heat, placing the three items on the counter before turning to Chris.

"What?" He asked, looking at her suspiciously.

"You will do it, and I will watch." Y/N replied, shrugging her shoulders and receiving wide eyes in response.

"Do you want to kill us both?"

"Don't be dramatic!" She smiled in amusement before pointing to the ingredients. "First, you'll need a tablespoon of butter."

Chris took the jar of butter and opened the lid carefully. His hand reached for one of the spoons and dipped it into the contents before looking at his girlfriend, waiting for the next step.

"You can put it in the pot." She indicated, pointing to the pot as she leaned her hips against the counter, watching him carefully.

Chris tapped the spoon on the edge of the pot a few times until all the butter contents were in before throwing the spoon into the sink.

"Perfect, now you're going to need four tablespoons of chocolate powder." The girl instructed, pushing the chocolate towards Chris.

"Four of chocolate for one of butter? Won't it be too thick?" The boy asked, wrinkling his nose as he lifted the chocolate powder packaging, looking briefly at the label.

"No, baby, there's still the condensed milk. I normally only add three tablespoons when I make it in Brazil, but because the one there has more sugar than the one here." She explained, waving her right hand for him to continue.

The boy raised his hands in surrender before opening the lid of the package, dipping the spoon into the brown powder and taking it out before throwing the contents into the pot. He repeated the action three more times, counting low each time so as not to get lost in the count, earning a laugh from Y/N.

"That's it. Now it's condensed milk." Y/N took the chocolate powder and the spoon from Chris's hands, throwing the spoon in the sink next to the other and closing the package before taking scissors. "You can cut off the top and throw everything into the pot."

"Everything? Do you want to give me diabetes?" Chris's blue eyes were wide as he stared at the condensed milk packaging as if it were a monster.

"Enough with the drama." The girl spoke with a smile in her voice, pushing the condensed milk and scissors into Chris's hands, who took them.

"If I die, it's her fault." The boy whispered to the phone's front camera, looking sideways at his girlfriend, who was rolling her eyes.

"Hurry up." She ordered, pushing the boy's hips with her own.

He sighed, cutting off the top edge of the package before returning the scissors to Y/N, turning it over the pot and squeezing the wrapper, watching the pasty liquid drain completely.

"That doesn't feel right." The boy muttered, placing the empty package on the counter next to him and staring at the ingredients together inside the pot, before grabbing the handles and turning it on its side, showing it to the camera. "It looks like-"

"If you drop it on the stove, you'll be the one cleaning it all up. This is full of sugar. Ants will come, and Matt will kill you." Y/N interrupted, slapping Chris on the shoulder and pulling his arms so he could put the pot right on the stove again.

"But it doesn't make any sense." He scratched the back of his head with his right hand, looking at his girlfriend with uncertainty in his eyes.

"When it's done, you'll see that it will look better than it does now." The girl spoke, dipping the index finger of her left hand into the condensed milk before taking it into her mouth, sucking out all the contents.

"Hey! Don't touch my work." He shouted, looking at Y/N with an offended look.

"If you don't turn on the heat and start stirring, it will never become a "work"." Y/N snorted while making quotation mark gestures with her fingers before pointing at the stove.

Chris rolled his eyes, turning to the stove again and turning on the heat under the pot before taking a step back and looking at it.

"Are you just going to watch and wait for it to be ready by itself?" Y/N's voice came out loud, her hand working on quickly grabbing the silicone spoon and placing it inside the pot, lowering the heat before it burned. "You have to stir constantly, baby. Otherwise, it will burn, and sugar burns very quickly." She informed, taking Chris' right hand and leading it to the spoon, before taking his left and bringing it to the left handle of the pot, keeping it steady there so that it didn't move with his movements.

"Ah, obviously, I already knew that." He said with a shrug, his cheeks turning red as a smile appeared on his face due to Y/N's laughter.

"Okay, that's it. Wait, you have to move it like this." Y/N murmured, positioning herself behind Chris and taking his right hand with her own, standing on tiptoe and placing her left hand on his waist to maintain her balance, starting to move the spoon with her boyfriend.

Her head was the only part of her that the camera captured, being shorter than Chris, his body covered her completely. She had her head tilted to their right side, next to his covered shoulder, looking intently at the stove.

Chris briefly looked at the phone screen that showed them back, letting out a laugh at their position.

"It seems the roles have changed." He teased, pushing his ass back so that it pushed Y/N's body slightly. She firmed her grip on her boyfriend's covered waist to keep from falling, pinching the skin lightly.

"Hey, if it burns, I won't do it again, and you'll eat it burnt!" She exclaimed, joining Chris in his laughter seconds later, rolling her eyes and turning her attention back to the pot.

It didn't take long, and soon the brigadeiro was at the right point. Y/N let go of Chris's right hand and turned off the heat, before starting to move away from his body, but her action was interrupted by him, who turned and pulled her back towards him, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his head in the crook of her neck, exhaling the natural scent of her skin for a few seconds, before sealing the area momentarily.

"Thank you, baby."

The girl let out a laugh at the tickle that Chris's beard caused on her skin, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing the top of his head, squeezing him lightly, before taking a step back.

"Come on, silly. Let's eat." She spoke, taking his right hand and making him stand next to the stove before picking up a round ceramic plate and two smaller bowls.

Y/N lifted the pot by one of the handles with her left hand while holding the silicone spoon with her right, turning it onto the plate.

"Hold the plate for me, baby. Please." She asked, and Chris didn't take long to do so, watching the way her tongue escaped between her lips in concentration, a smile appearing on his face as his blue eyes traveled over the features he loved so much. "If you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to drop it on the counter." The girl whispered, her cheeks taking on a red hue.

Chris let out a laugh, suppressing his desire to shower her with kisses.

Y/N tipped almost all of the brown content onto the plate with the help of the spoon before straightening the pot and taking it over the two bowls, dividing what was left inside each one.

"What are these for?" The boy asked, dropping the plate he still held on the counter and looking at the bowls in confusion.

"Nick and Matt." She responded simply, finishing all the contents of the sweet before placing the pot in the sink, filling it with water and making a mental note to wash it before going to sleep, so as not to get ants from the sugar. "Would you like to taste it?" The girl asked, bringing the spoon closer to Chris's face, who had a soft smile on his face.

Chris felt himself falling in love with Y/N all over ​​again every time she remembered her brothers when they were doing something, including them even if they weren't there; he loved the way she took care of the three of them with so much love and affection, like a family.

The boy nodded, opening his mouth slightly and bringing his face closer to Y/N's hand, wrapping his lips around the silicone spoon and licking the contents. His blue eyes instantly widened at the taste. It wasn't extremely sugary like he thought it would be. It was just the right amount of sweet.

His hand quickly took the spoon from Y/N's hand and finished licking it all, as if it was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted - and maybe it really was.

The girl leaned over the counter and took her phone back, waving at the camera before stopping the recording, making a mental note to rewatch it the next day and, perhaps, post a snippet for the fans who loved seeing videos of the two of them together.

"I told you it was good." Y/N spoke as she laughed at his reaction, putting her cell in the pocket of her hoodie and opening the cutlery drawer, taking out four small spoons and placing one in each bowl and two on the plate. "Now, help me take this to your brothers."

"Yes, ma'am."

extra - comments:

"I'm so happy she posted this moment for us all to see together 😭"

"chris is such a drama queen 💀"

"omg that must have been so good 😫"

"Y/N separating a little for Nick and Matt, this is so sweet 🥺"

"Y/N standing behind Chris to help him make the brigadeiro LMAO that's so cute"

"Chris counting the spoonfuls of chocolate so he doesn't lose the count 😭😔"

"they are so beautiful together omg"

"I want what these bitches have 😔"

"petition for Y/N to make TikToks of her teaching Chris how to cook different things ✏️📄"

© vanteguccir

[cellophaine]

Chapter II: Dégagé

Masterlist

Pairing: Matt Murdock x F!Reader

Warnings: One morsel of angst.

Word Count: 3.1k

Author's Note: Forgive my clumsy attempt at writing a job interview. I haven't been to one in two years. Also, you totally saw this coming. Right?

GIF Source

You unbutton the coat, letting the air inside melt away the layer of chill that clings to your clothes. The building looks decently maintained, but you can spot the paint peelings on the wall, revealing another layer of colour underneath. The stairs creak when you take them, announcing your arrival. You’re not ready yet. The following steps are more carefully placed.

Standing in front of the office door with the practice’s name on the glass pane, you feel inapposite. You’re playing dressed up in a place clearly reserved for working professionals. It's an unfamiliar setting with a different uniform. Skin-tight leotard for a simple white blouse, knitted shrug for a sweater vest, dance tights for trousers, and low-heel pumps for pointe shoes. The trade-off is expected, yet you still don't feel right. Years given to a ballet company had really spoiled you.

But you hate standing anyone up more than anything, so you knock on the door. The conversation inside halts, followed by the scraping sound of a chair, then hastened footsteps. A man opens the door, his expression is one of curiosity.

“Hi. Are you …?”

When you offer your name, a look of relief and recognition passes on his face. He checks his watch.

“Ah, yes. You’re a little early.”

“Is that okay? I thought being a little early is probably best.”

“Yes, of course. It’s good. It’s fantastic, actually. Two people canceled on us last minutes.”

He steps aside, holding the door for you.

“Come on in.”

You enter, and the door clicks shut behind you. The big window on the other side of the room lets the natural light in, exposing the overfilled cabinets along either side of the wall, casing a simple desk and a chair in between. There's hardly any free surface that isn't occupied by stacks of manila folders or paperwork resting on top. The man quickly redirects your attention.

“We’re going to be in here.”

You follow him and find a woman already standing to greet you. Her face brightens, and the body language that accompanies exudes friendliness. You feel the knot in your stomach slowly unwinding itself as she offers her hand to you with a smile.

“Hi. Welcome! I’m Karen Page. We spoke before, on the phone.”

“Nice to finally meet you.”

The man extends a hand for you to shake.

“I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Franklin Nelson, but everyone calls me Foggy.”

You reciprocate the gesture as he continues.

“We didn’t talk on the phone, but I thought your cover letter was great.”

“Thank you. I was worried about my application because it’s been a while since I last worked a job like this.”

You regret mentioning the fact the moment you stop talking. But Foggy seems pleased.

“Honesty. I can appreciate that.”

You give the two of them an overt observation.

“So that explains the Nelson and Page on the sign. Where's the Murdock?”

Karen offers an explanation.

“He’s running late. But we can get started without him.”

You drape your coat over the back of the chair before taking your seat. Just like before a performance, you steel yourself and feel the nervousness slowly seep out of your bloodstream on a soft exhale.

/

The initial awkwardness quickly dissipates after the first couple of questions. You understand the role they offer and the skills they require, and you go into detail about your relevant experience in administration. When you first came to the city, being in corps de ballet barely afforded comfort or the expensive rent in a shoebox apartment with Jo. You took on odd jobs and eventually landed a library assistant position at the New York Society Library. You loved the job, and you learned a lot from it. Karen and Foggy seem pleased as you recall what you did for the library for years before committing to Lady Liberty full-time as a soloist.

Foggy makes a note on the notepad before addressing you.

“As you already know, this job is similar to your previous job. You'd be the first point of contact for clients, and also provide us with internal support. But there are also things that we will need to teach you.”

You nodded.

“I understand. I was required to learn many things on the fly at the library, so I could support other departments or guests coming in. My old manager said I was a quick study.”

Foggy's eyes widen at the mention.

"Ms. Hogarth? She had nothing but nice things to say about you on the phone."

You smile and nod. Ms. Hogarth was very sorry to see you leave, and you still keep in touch from time to time via emails and the occasional visits. She'd seen some of your performances over the years.

Karen levels you with a careful look.

“I understand that you were with Lady Liberty Ballet Theatre for a long time until about a year ago. Why did you want to switch to a job like this?”

You've expected this question. You know it's inevitable. You have drafted several responses to explain the reasoning, yet are impersonal enough not to reveal anything damning that you don't want strangers to know.

“I took a break from dancing because of an injury. After the recovery, I just wanted a change since I'd danced for most of my life. I want to be in an environment where the demand for my physicality is not extreme like in ballet, as you may know.”

They nod thoughtfully and exchange a look. It goes on for a long moment before you tentatively interrupt.

“Is everything okay?”

“Of course. Do you mind if we talk in the other room for a minute?”

Foggy asks.

“Oh. Not at all.”

“We’ll be right back.”

Both of them leave the room and close the door. You're unsure what to think of that, so you sweep your eyes over the room. Brightened with natural light just like the room over, but tidier. You take a closer look at the Braille display set up in the empty seat that would be presumably taken by the Murdock of the firm. You recognize the device because there were several models of the same and different at the library. You had to learn how to troubleshoot most of them for the blind guests that came in.

The door creaks open, and the pair come back with conspicuous smiles on their faces. They take their seats again, and Foggy wastes no time.

“We would like to offer you the job, if you’re interested.”

You can't come up with a response right then. Relief washes over you, and joy draws a bashful grin on your lips. A part of you is still skeptical.

“Are you sure?”

“I know that it’s quite a big surprise. And a huge commitment. You don't have to say yes right now. We will send you the offer letter today, you can read it, and if you're okay with everything, sign it and send it back to us and we'll send you the contract to make it official.”

“Wow, I … Thank you."

A thought comes into your mind.

"What about your other associate? Do you need to wait for him to decide?”

Karen assures you.

“He’s not here, so we’re calling in an executive order. Besides, you're our favourite candidate.”

You can’t help but laugh softly, offering your hand to shake theirs.

“Thank you so much for the offer.”

“Like Foggy said, no pressure. If you do decide to work for us, and if you have any concerns or disagreements about anything in the contract, just email us, and we can discuss.”

“Arguing with lawyers about a contract they draw up? I might as well quit while I'm ahead."

Foggy laughs wholeheartedly even though you don't think the joke was that funny, and clasps your hand tightly in his.

“You’ll fit it just fine here.”

/

It was only half an hour after you left the interview when the offer letter was sent to your inbox. You’re sitting by the fire escape, allowing the heat from the radiator to warm your feet as you read the file. Working overtime is expected and paid accordingly, with an hourly rate of $19, and a basic health care plan. You sign and send the document once you finish, and Karen emails you the contract in a cheery tone welcoming you to the team. All is done within the span of an afternoon. You have a few days between now and the start date, so you spend them rumbling through your closet to find office-appropriate clothes and reading the contract and practice’s policy. And inevitably, your mind drifts to the stranger from the bar at irregular intervals.

The way his hair felt through your fingers. The solid muscles under your palm. The way his weight pressed into your body. The vulnerable display of the need for you in his handsome features. The way his unseeing eyes seemed to darken when you pulled away. The shape of his lips on yours. The way he kissed you so deeply, so exhaustively exquisite that you could feel yourself unravelling to the bones. He did that to you without taking your clothes off, without putting his skilled lips on your bare skin. He was gentle, understanding, and attuned to how you were feeling, which makes you appreciate him even more the more you think about him.

He would stay firmly in the past, in a way that you think is symbolic. You spilled your heart out to a man you didn't know as if you were ridding yourself of the burden of the past so that you could step into the future. That future is so close you can taste it, a promise of something better. It's fitting. The secrets you haven't told anyone close to you, floating away and tethering to a stranger, and like you, they disappeared the next morning.

/

You arrive early for your first day. Foggy said the key to the office would be made and given to you today. So you wait in the hallway until Karen arrives. She lets you in and walks you through the basic setup. You finish signing in on the computer when Foggy comes in.

“Here’s your key, like promised.”

He places it in your hand.

“Did Karen show you the basics?”

“Yes, she did.”

"Most of it."

Karen adds.

“Any question so far?”

You give Foggy a reassuring smile.

“Not yet. But I will definitely need help figuring out all of this."

You gesture to the stacks of paper that have seemed to grow bigger since you were here last.

The door opens again, and your heart leaps at the sight. The hair, the glasses, the cane. And the face you can never forget. You can see the furrow of his brows behind the slouched glasses, painting confusion alongside his slightly parted lips. Foggy tsks, thumbing at the man who's still technically a stranger to you in most senses of the word.

“Always late to the party, this one. I’d like to introduce you to the Murdock of the firm, Matthew Michael Murdock."

It takes Matt all but a brief second to respond while you're still processing the reality of your situation.

"Easy on the introduction there, Foggy."

Foggy repeats your name, and for a moment you're worried that Matt would recognize you. You smile anyway and say.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Murdock.”

“Likewise. I've heard so many great things about you.”

He makes a few steps forward with his hand extended, and you get up off of the chair to meet him in the middle. The shake is clumsy upon the initial contact, but the nerves you felt that night come rushing back regardless. His hand lingers longer than a formal handshake.

"There's no need for formality. Call me Matt."

You realize then that Matt doesn't recognize you. Lying to a blind man makes you feel uneasy, but it’s hardly deception if the other party can’t perceive you in a way a person with functioning sight can. There's still the matter of your voice, but you quickly dismiss the notion. It's hardly distinctive amongst the city of millions.

“Alright. By the way, if you need any help with the Braille display, I can help.”

His head slightly tilts to one side in question while Karen and Foggy look at you for an explanation.

“The library had those machines, and every so often they went haywire. I learned how to fix them.”

“Thank you.”

Matt inclines his head. Foggy pats him on the back.

“See? I told you she’s great.”

Your cheeks grow warm. Matt doesn’t show any sign that he recognizes you, which is a good thing. But it also puts you in an impasse, considering everything that happened that night. You’re not sure how to approach the subject now that he's your boss.

For now, you quickly excuse yourself to get back to work, trying hard to tame the pounding in your chest.

/

The day is slow, which you're grateful for as it took you a while to figure out the general system Nelson, Murdock and Page keeps, but still busy enough to keep your mind off of the man who's sitting a few feet away from you, separated by a thin wall. In between the few phone calls and setting up appointments and meetings, you get to work sorting the files one cabinet at a time. You straighten them out in their folders and put them back in their according chronicle. When you alert them of a client's visit, Matt says thank you with a deep, gravelly voice, and you reciprocate formally. After lunch, Karen and Foggy go down to the police station to talk to a potential client, leaving you and Matt at the office.

You're drinking out of a paper cup, thinking about ways you could make the filing system more efficient when Matt joins you in the kitchen. You stiffen and clear your throat.

“Would you like me to get you something, Mr. Murdock?”

For a moment, he doesn’t say anything. The small kitchen only has so much space, and Matt's stature alone has taken up half of the doorway. Your heart rate spikes slightly at his appraisal silence.

“It’s you. From that night.”

It can only mean one thing. Your hands turn cold and clammy. Your mind fast forwards to the made-up scenario in which you lie to him, only to arrive at the same conclusion you did that night. Even though you're a good liar to those close to you, that doesn't seem to matter to Matt. He knows how you feel. And more importantly, he knows who you are.

A deep sigh escapes your lips.

“Yes, I am. How did you recognize me?”

“Your voice.”

He doesn't hesitate, which confuses you.

“It’s … hardly distinctive.”

“It is, to me. And I recognize the perfume you use.”

He makes a gesture in the air, which you guess is for the aroma of the perfume.

“Oh. Right."

You didn't know your perfume was that strong to begin with, and it sparks a new concern.

"Is it too strong? I can stop wearing it.”

“No, don’t. I lik– … It's not strong. It also doesn't bother me.”

You make a mental note of that.

“I didn’t know you were the Murdock of the firm.”

“I didn’t know you were the great candidate Foggy was talking so much about.”

You chuckle. Tension seems to wane through the lightened mood and your relaxed body language.

“Our pay is not very competitive.”

“I know. They told me as much during the interview, but I don't mind. I've had worse."

You let out a self-deprecating laugh to mask your nervousness.

"I just– I want to get away and work a normal job for a while.”

Matt nods. He exudes neither judgement nor pity, just like that night at the bar, but you can see the gears in his head turn through his knitted brows. You add nervously.

“Are you going to tell them? That we … almost hooked up?”

Your heart pounds harder. Please, not when you finally have this job. Matt seems to sense your uneasiness and shakes his head.

“No, of course not. It stays between us.”

“Thank you.”

An innate thought compels you to continue.

“We can just forget about that night. Technically, we didn’t cross any boundaries. It was just a kiss. It doesn’t have to be anything more. It’s not like we actually hooked up. We didn’t know each other then. We just kissed. Casually. And it doesn't mean anything.”

You internally curse yourself at Matt's lack of an immediate and obvious response. He takes longer than you expected to answer.

“No, of course not.”

A sliver of disappointment touches his tone, but his features stay professional. In the moment, you're unsure how to make sense of that.

“I know I’m asking a lot, but, can you keep what I told you a secret?”

When Matt was only a stranger to you, everything you told him was inconsequential. Impermanence, like your short-lived career. No matter who he was, you'd still leave the side of his bed just like how you'd vanish from his life. You never planned to stay the night. The small circle of people you're close with aren't privy to the most dirty details. Yet, he knows many intimate details about you in more ways than one. Maybe you told him about your situation because you finally wanted someone else other than you to know and maybe understand how hard it was to fall out of love with what you’d trained to do your whole life, yet simultaneously still seeking out its approval and acceptance. Jo doesn't understand. She said you could find another company, another theatre to dance for. But you're afraid that no matter where you go, your shadows will follow. You will always be that one forgettable soloist who couldn't secure a promotion because you weren't good enough.

You regret it – telling him everything. Matt must think differently of you now. You're not the self-assured stranger who approached him at the bar, bought him a drink and asked to go home with him. You're the flawed, unwanted person, who couldn’t bring herself to have a one-night stand. A hot flash curls under your skin at the thought. It feels a lot like shame.

Matt's voice sounds so far away, but the weight of its sincerity manages to pull you away from your own thoughts.

“What happened that night will stay between us for as long as you wish.”

His promise soothes your frazzled nerves.

“Are we … okay, then?”

He nods.

“We’re okay.”

“Thank you.”

The phone on the reception desk rings blessedly, and you excuse yourself to answer it. Matt steps aside for you to go through, and when you near him, the materials of your clothes brush against each other. The scent of cedarwood and leather grasps at you as you walk past him, smouldering and lurking in the back of your mind.

Likes, reblogs, and comments are greatly appreciated! I'd love to read your thoughts on the story!

For updates, please follow @cellophaine-archives

[anexperimentallife]

Quick info on relocating from the US to the Philippines (yes, even if you're poor)

Source of my info: I've lived here in the Philippines for about seven years now, my (also from the US) wife has been here almost as long, and we had our daughter here. This is for people who have a location-independent source of income like SSDI (NOT SSI), remote job, etc.

I keep starting to type up a guide to moving to the Philippines from the US, but there's so much to cover I keep getting stuck! It's coming, though. As for why the Philippines, I did a lot of research before leaving the US, and it's the absolute easiest, least expensive, friendliest, and lowest-hassle English-speaking country to move to. You can stay on a tourist visa for three years at a time by extending every two months. At the end of three years, you buy a budget round trip ticket (for under 100 bucks) to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or whatever, walk around the airport, and hop on the place back.

Note: For convenience, I'm using US Dollars when discussing the prices you can expect to pay for things here, but only Philippines Pesos are accepted in the Philippines. Your US ATM card will get you pesos from the ATM, and with your US credit cards, you will generally get a choice between dollars and pesos.

The short version of what I recommend, without always explaining why you need these things:

A throw-away ongoing ticket leaving the Philippines within 29 days of your arrival. You may not be able to board the plane here without one. This is a MUST. There is a very slim chance that they MAY not ask to see proof of an ongoing ticket, but if they do, and you don't have it, you won't be allowed to board.

A location-independent source of income for at least 600 USD a month--That's enough to live like a local, without Western conveniences. No one will ask for proof of income, but you have to eat! 1K or more will have you living pretty well, and on 2K you can live like royalty. You can receive SSDI here and social security retirement, but NOT SSI.

Two bank accounts with ATM cards, and two credit cards through different banks. Mastercard and Visa are your best bets, as not everyplace takes Discover or AmEx yet. (MOST places do, but just to be safe.)

Some banks sound better than they are. Schwab bank advertises that they reimburse overseas ATM charges, and they do, BUT they may drop you if you're out of the US for more than a couple of years (like they did us and several others we've spoken to). We have an Aspiration account (and yes, that's an affiliate link, but you can just look them up if you want, too), and like them.

TELL YOUR BANKS YOU'RE COMING HERE! Otherwise you risk having your ATM/credit cards deactivated for "suspicious activity."

A few weeks before departure, you'll want to buy some Philippines Pesos. Your local bank probably won't have them, but they can order them. I recommend having at least 10,000 PHP on hand (about 180 USD), in a mix of 1K bills, 500s, and 100s. You're allowed to bring up to 50,000 pesos with you, but any more than that and you have to declare it.

Bring your medications. Get your doctor to write a scrip that ups your dose so you can bring at least a 90-day supply that looks on paper like a 30-day supply. Put multiple desiccant packs in your prescription bottles, or the humidity here will turn your meds into a single big lump. You will want the original bottle with the printed prescription label, and maybe a photocopy of the actual prescription. (There's a reason they do original packaging, and not pill bottles here.) I've never had my luggage searched or even had them LOOK at my medications, but who knows what the future holds?

Some meds may not be available in the Philippines, or may be harder to get. (I had to switch from vicodin to tramadol because vicodin is simply not available here.)

Lodgings: Look, I hate AirBNB as a business, too, but you need a place to stay while you look for permanent digs, so book one well in advance. You can get a month's stay for 300-500 bucks even in the big cities if you shop around. In the Manila area, I liked the places I stayed at in Blue Residences and Grass Residences. I only include this info because my AuDHD ass stressed so much over where to stay, and I figure I can save you that same stress if you're worried.

Some advantage of staying in AirBnBs for a month or three are that a) you're not in an immediate rush to find an apartment and get household stuff, b) it gives you time to make some local connections before committing to a long-term lease, and b) if you're staying at a unit in a condo building, you can get to know the staff, which can be a HUGE help in getting settled.

Once you're here, you can find decent permanent lodgings for under 200 a month if you shop around. Blue Residences, last time I checked, had studio condos for about 180 USD a month last time I checked. (No, I don't get anything for recommending them--Just trying to give the best info I can.)

These are the bare basics of getting here.

A few general tidbits, in no specific order:

As for vaccinations, get them here, where they're cheaper.

We like living in Baguio. It's an artsy little university city of about 400,000 people, up in the mountains, about a four hour bus ride North of Manila, and it stays cool enough up here that we don't really need air conditioning--which is the biggest utility expense you'll have in lowlands cities like Manila. We know people who rent temporary housing to tourists and students, so let me know if you need a referral. We only stayed in the Manila area for about six months, with occasional trips down there to take care of things at the US Embassy, but we can give SOME guidance on that area.

Which reminds me: If being near the embassy is a concern, you may want to stay in the Manila area. The new regime in the US is changing social security rules so that to do something as simple as changing your direct deposit requires an in-person appointment, and who knows what else they're going to change?

In Baguio, we get fresh produce from the wet market delivered to our door for a third or less of what it would cost at local supermarkets.

The humidity is intense in the Philippines. 80 degrees in Quezon City feels hotter than 110 in Kansas.

Most places here, when they say unfurnished, they mean COMPLETELY unfurnished. No fridge, no stove, no anything; just bare rooms. Most locals cook on a mini gas range with a propane tank, and a counter-top oven. This is part of why I say you'll want a couple of credit cards. You can get set up with the above for a couple of hundred dollars, but still, if you're moving partly out of financial stress, you'll want to pay these things off gradually.

ASK if a place has a shower heater. Many do not. If not, you can get one at the local hardware store and hire an installer for as little as a couple hundred dollars total. (You can use a card at the hardware store, but the installer will want cash.)

You'll have filtered drinking water delivered in five gallon jugs, for around 50 cents per jug; even the locals don't drink the tap water. One jug will last you about a week unless you drink LOTS of water. (We go through three jugs a week in a household with three adults and one toddler, but as an autistic man, I drink more sparkling water than regular water, or we'd probably go through four a week.) You'll want a cheap little pump you can get at the hardware store, or you can order an electric one online (or lift the jug and pour). If you want to be fancy you can get a water-cooler-type thing.

Food is SO inexpensive if you go to the wet market or have them deliver to you. We spend about 400 dollars a month on groceries--including snacks, etc.--for all four of us. Going out to eat can cost less than two dollars if you shop around like a local. Public transport is ubiquitous and costs pennies to use, while taxis can start as low as 75 cents (here in Baguio, anyway).

Get the Grab app. It will be your friend.

A doctor's visit will cost maybe twelve bucks even for a specialist, but be prepared to wait. When they say, "Come in at 10 am," what they mean is, "my clinic hours start at 10am, so you can come put your name on the list at that time, and if you're lucky you won't have too many people ahead of you."

This is by no means comprehensive, but I'm tired, and my daughter needs attention, so bye for now!

[mollysunder]

Viktor's Sources of "Inspiration"

The hexcore is incomplete. Currently Viktor only has the runes of Precision, Domination, Sorcery, and Resolve. To complete the hexcore and unlock it's true potential he'll need Inspiration, but where will he find it?

Viktor could find Inspiration through Sky. The most noteworthy possible hint was in Sky's last scene. Sky's last words to herself were how Viktor inspired her, and in that moment we get a glimpse of her notebook. Some have speculated that the emblem on the cover of her notebook resembles the Inspiration rune itself.

Sky also left a series of notes from her undisclosed research project. From the quick shots we get of her notes we can assume Sky was researching methods to stimulate plant growth. Her research may be in a similar vein to Viktor's research where he experimented with how the hexcore reacted to organic plant matter and stimulated its growth in turn. Could Sky's research be the key that will help Viktor stabilize the effects of the hexcore on organic matter like plants (and people)?

Even in death Sky's character could serve to reflect the theme of inspiration that Viktor desperately needs...

Except the Inspiration rune does represent the literal definition of the word "inspiration". In Runeterra, the Inspiration rune is meant to symbolize the ability to "Outwit mere mortals". In-game the Inspiration path gives players a set of tools they can use to apply unconventional strategies to outwit their enemies. And the one character that demonstrates those traits the best in Arcane is Jinx.

The first time the Inspiration rune's meaning was applied correctly in a sentence was when Viktor was describing the design of Jinx's chomper grenade. And it's true, thematically Jinx's chomper grenades and they way she uses them align with how "inspired" tools work.

Jinx was able to pull off a 3-in-1 trick with her chomper. The grenade was the bait and the snare against the enforcers, the distraction Jinx used to steal classified technology and info from Piltover, and the means that Jinx would use to frame the Firelights in her crimes. Technically she's gotten away with it all so far. What Jinx with her tools does isn't just outwitting her enemies, she's running laps around them.

Another possible clue that could mean Jinx will help Viktor discover the Inspiration rune is that her champion tag was disguised as a rune within the hexcore in Viktor's Magician tarot card. The same tarot card that gives us a brief shot of the Machine Herald's silhouette.

Maybe this all leads to Viktor working with Jinx next season, even learning from her to the point where he'll even end up taking a page out of Jinx's playbook. Viktor's set to be banished from his research bubble in Zaun, in a time where allies will be hard to come by and enemies will be easy to make.

Sky and Jinx are two very different characters that manage to apply the term inspiration in two very different ways. I want to think that was on purpose by the writers. But who knows for sure though, we can only see how things turn out next season.

tldr: Sky represents the traditional definition of inspiration, while Jinx better embodies the Runeterra's definition of the actual Inspiration rune. Sky's death may also be a weird rune pun.

[elbiotipo]

thoughts on fantasy in polar climate? or in tundra?

Is it too much of a stereotype if I say Skyrim? Because I think Skyrim did a pretty good job on showing how diverse boreal climates can be besides just ice and forests. I really like The Reach, Hjaalmarch, Eastmarch... swampy deltas, volcanic active areas, misty mountains, those were all great. They could have added things from the Southern Hemisphere too (Andes? Or glyptodons and megatheriums, anyone?) but I get that Skyrim is The North.

One thing about polar climates is that agriculture is impossible, or mostly impossible, on them. Well, that's with many asterisks of course. Many cold places do have agriculture, only with very short growing seasons. One could imagine an equivalent of super-potatoes (AGAIN WITH THE POTATOES) that host lots of nutrients in tubers, or plants that use the short yet sunny months to flower and fruit profusely. You will be surprised to learn how warm can Siberia can get in summer:

Jumping from -30° to 25° (with possible highs of over 30°!!) is really something. However, what I described above would be a poor adaptation for plants, as tundra is also windy and dry. It is the realm of short-lived seasonal plants that really don't get too much time to photosynthesize nutrient rich... things (notice how virtually all major crops come from subtropical areas). Or large, cold resistant trees such as conifers, which aren't very nutritious at least to humans.

So of course, historically, most people in polar regions have been hunters, fishers and herders. They are in fact among the populations with the highest consumption of meat and animal-based diets on the world. I've written before about cultures and species that are mostly *carnivorous* before (though I would like to redo that post) and in general, people always want to have a reliable source of food. In polar climate, these are most often fishing and herd animals. Herd animals in particular offer not only food, but also textiles and fuel, both things that are very important for surviving cold climates. There are very different dynamics for herding-based civilizations, as well as fishing based ones, especially in places where the ocean can freeze, fishing was often a temporary matter, and what was lacking was traded with warmer climates. Historically, the fur trade was perhaps the richest motivation to trade with (or colonize...) polar climates. One really interesting example to keep in mind is the Novgorod Republic.

But being from the south (the real south) myself, and always interested on real-life examples to understand worldbuilding, it is interesting to see that representative polar cultures are virtually all from the north, from North America and Eurasia. That's of course because in the Southern Hemisphere the polar regions are covered by the Antarctic sea and then Antarctica itself, that did not have permanent habitation until recently. But I believe it is worth talking about the southernmost people of the world, the natives of Tierra del Fuego, the Selk'nam, the Yahghan and the Haush. Despite a shameful campaign of the Argentine and Chilean states to destroy them (aided by foreign powers) to the point the lie was propagated that they were extinct, they are still here and they have a unique culture that thrived in also such a unique place like the Magellanic Forests, the last relicts of the forests that covered Antarctica, and the seas of the Southern Hemisphere. It is also worth noting that there is good evidence that they, or their ancestors, domesticated the Malvinas Fox and brought it to the Malvinas, and it is also likely they might have reached Antarctica or the islands of the South Atlantic, if only in passing (as the Maori might have too, but the population of Aotearoa is a more recent event). I really encourage reading about them and about Tierra del Fuego, a really unique place, the last stop before Antarctica.

By the way, if you like the things I post about worldbuilding and would like to see more or me to expand on some things, I would really appreciate a tip to my ko-fi! I've recently moved to a new place and I'm really struggling to get some stuff, so it would be a real help!

[quartz-kilsviken]

Written in the Runes

Chapter 3

➸ Synopsis: Ekko, your mischievous yet endearing local troublemaker, trails a wealthy academy student from the topside. When you end up with the student's satchel, you find a notebook filled with intriguing magical research. Unable to resist, you embark on a quest to uncover the secrets of this mysterious scholar.

➸ Pairing: Jayvik/reader

➸ Chapter Word Count: 2,795

➸ Tags: romance, slow burn, yearning, eventual smut, non canon compliant

➸Notes: Thanks for all the love, y’all! I’m still very new to writing, and your words are so kind. After this chapter, there won’t be a time skip. Things will also differ a bit to what you see in the show, again, I’m just making shit up. Also, we love Mel in this house. Man, when are these dorks going to stop committing crimes?

➸ Previous Chapter Link- pt.2

You’ve never spent much time in Piltover. Your grandmother never allowed it, knowing that the city’s blinding light would expose you and your mother in ways the shadows of the Undercity never could. Piltover is too bright, too open—its light strips away every ounce of protection. The silence here presses in, unnervingly thick, as if the air itself is watching, waiting. You feel as though people could hear your thoughts if they tried.

The three of you move through the academy hall, its vastness stretching endlessly before you. The shadows here are shallow, offering no real cover. Even clinging to the walls, you feel too exposed. Viktor’s cane clicks softly against the floor, a sound that cuts through the stillness, guiding you and Jayce toward Heimdinger’s lab. You glance around the corner, your pulse quickening, but there’s no sign of security. A breath of relief washes over you—Piltover’s arrogance is working in your favor tonight. Their focus is on the Undercity, not their precious academy.

“This way,” Viktor’s voice echoes, low but steady, the sound lingering in the air. You crouch by the door, the small light in your hand trembling, its beam shaking slightly. Viktor fumbles with the keys, his fingers quick but steady.

Jayce crouches beside you, his breath quick and shallow, his body tight with nervous energy. “We need to hurry,” he whispers, his voice tight with barely contained panic.

Viktor mutters, “I’d hurry if I wasn’t being crowded,” a strained smile flickering across his face. His hands are quick as he slots the first key into the lock, and with a soft click, it turns. “So far, so good,” he murmurs, though the words don’t carry the relief you’d expect.

Your attention shifts back to the hallway, the stillness thickening. Then it comes, a faint hum, barely perceptible at first. It pulls at you, a crackling sensation that makes the air feel alive, sparking across your skin. Your hand lowers involuntarily, the light dipping. It’s like something invisible is pushing against you, crawling beneath your skin, urging you forward.

Suddenly, the quiet is shattered by a flash of blinding light.

“Hm. Willing to risk exile for your endeavor? That’s quite the conviction.”

You flinch, eyes struggling to adjust to the blinding brightness. As your vision struggles to clear, something else cuts through—an overwhelming wave of energy. It rushes in, igniting your senses, filling the space around you with a crackling force. It’s golden, electric, like a thousand sparks flying through the air, threading through every nerve. You can feel it, pulling you toward the confrontation, an intensity that makes your chest tighten.

And then Jayce moves. Without hesitation, he shifts in front of you, crouching low still, positioning himself between you and the source of the light. His body is rigid, protective, instinctively shielding you from view. Viktor, still in front of both of you, tenses, his breath hitching slightly in response to the light.

“Wait a minute—this isn’t my bedroom. How could I have—?” Viktor stammers, his voice thin, scrambling for an excuse as his words trip over each other. Jayce follows, almost in unison, “Counselor! What a surprise to see you—uh…” He trails off, realizing with resignation that you’ve all been caught.

Jayce straightens, quickly adopting a more reasoned tone. “Please, we can prove that it works.” As you stand behind him, you subtly adjust your position to get a better look at the woman. Her presence is as commanding as her appearance—graceful, authoritative, poised. She reminds you of a painting, vivid brushstrokes capturing a beauty so striking it almost seems unreal. Her gaze is fixed on Jayce as he speaks, analyzing him intently, as though she could unravel him with a mere glance.

Her eyes flicker toward you for a brief moment, the sudden contact causing you to retreat behind Jayce again. Her voice is laced with serious amusement. “You couldn’t do so earlier today. How is tonight any different?”

You feel the urge to speak up, but the knowledge that she’s a counselor keeps you silent. This is not how you imagined your night would unfold. Your mind briefly flashes to Benzo—how disappointed he’d be if you ended up locked up.

Viktor’s voice cuts through your anxious thoughts. You shift your gaze to watch as he stands. “We figured out how to stabilize it.” He sounds slightly annoyed, as if he expects she won’t understand.

She shifts the light from Jayce to you, then to Viktor, taking a moment to assess your odd little group.

Her eyebrow quirks. “The professor’s assistant and… a stray.” Apparently, that’s what she’s concluded after a quick assessment.

You can feel Jayce stiffen, his voice far firmer than before. “No. They’re my new partners.”

She redirects her gaze to focus on Jayce’s face. Her voice is smooth. “Even if you manage to prove your theory, the council would destroy it.”

Viktor speaks again, his annoyance now extremely evident, and she shifts the light to focus on him. “Heimerdinger will recognize the potential.”

“He already does.” She doesn’t waver, her eyes meeting yours again. You fight the instinct to hide, forcing yourself to stand your ground and hoping she can’t see the fear in your eyes. She softens slightly. “It scares him. It scares them all.”

You should stay quiet—you have no place speaking to a council member, especially since she’s already made it clear what she thinks of you. The “stray” comment is still burning in your chest. But before you can stop yourself, your curiosity wins out over your better judgment. “What about you?”

She pauses, the shock of you speaking quickly masked by her practiced indifference. Her eyes seem to hold either challenge or intrigue. You ignore the two men’s clear panic at your intervention, choosing instead to focus on staying calm.

“I recognize that any worthwhile venture involves risk.”

A whistling tune shifts all attention away from you. The energy in the room becomes immediately panicked—you realize it’s the sound of a security guard. She listens for a moment, clearly amused by the way the three of you react.

Jayce starts pleading. “Counselor, this technology is real, and no matter what happens here, it’s going to change our world. We should be the ones to lead it. Piltover, the land of progress, equality, innovation. I know it sounds impossible, but when have we ever let that stop us? Please, just give us a chance.”

You and Viktor share a glance, the hope between you both palpable. You both hold your breath.

She finally cuts through the suffocating silence, her focus shifting across the three of you. “You have one night.” You all exhale, relieved. “Impress me, or I suggest you pack your bags.”

And just like that, you’re once again left in the darkness, listening as she leads the guard away. None of you dare move for another minute, until Viktor takes your hand, reigniting the small light for you. You’re caught off guard by the sudden contact, a new anxiety filling your chest as he gives you a tight smile before crouching once more. You resume your positions, unlocking the door again—this time uninterrupted.

As you step into the room, you attempt to break the tension. Quirking an eyebrow at Viktor as Jayce rushes to his equipment, you tease, “This isn’t my bedroom?”

His eyes widen for a moment before he chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “I suppose I’m not great under pressure.”

The two of you surround Jayce, who’s fully focused on his task. Your eyes scan the table. You expected a lot, but this… this is far more than you could have imagined.

It’s beautiful. Every inch is covered not just in pieces of his research, but in countless magical artifacts. You have to fight the urge to inspect each one.

Jayce’s soft voice pulls you out of your thoughts. You look up to realize both men are watching you. You’d expected annoyance at your clear distraction, but instead, their gazes are soft. “We won’t have time to modify the stabilizer. We’ll need to input the right rune combination manually. Can you write them down?”

“Oh, yes, I can, but I’ll need a few minutes.” Nerves settle slightly—it’s a familiar task, but one you haven’t practiced in a while.

Viktor hands you paper and a pen. “Take your time. We’ll need to adjust the oscillation.”

You head to the other side of the room, away from the boys, who are now bent over the machine. The soft clicking of metal and their murmured collaboration fills the room. You take in your surroundings, tuning your senses to the unfamiliar space. Without thinking, you close your eyes. The sounds, the scent of dusty parchment, the temperature, and the hum of unique energy surround you. You carefully guide the symbols on the paper, confident in your work. By the time you head back, Jayce is adding the crystal to the machine with a soft click.

You hand the paper to Viktor, who takes it with his free hand, the other snapping closed the book he holds. You can feel his excited confidence, and see the playful glint in his eyes again. “Time to crank it.”

Jayce is much less confident, his voice wavering as he looks over at Viktor. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Viktor’s only response is a tight grimace and a shake of his head. You can’t help but snort at the exchange. The three of you gather closer, as if the stone is drawing you in. After a moment of hesitation, Viktor reaches his hand past you, softly clicking the button.

The hum of the crystal intensifies as the machine starts to spiral. Blue light crackles in front of your eyes. Wind picks up as the machine gains power, and you feel Jayce’s panic spike beside you.

“I don’t think it’s gonna hold! Look at the buildup!” Jayce practically yells.

You’re mesmerized by the energy, fighting the urge to reach out. Viktor’s voice is steady and confident. “The resonance will stabilize it. Trust me.” And, as if the stone was listening, it does stabilize. You can practically feel Viktor’s pride.

He finally looks over at Jayce. “I told you it would work.” Anticipation builds. “All yours.”

Jayce is lost in the sight before him, his eyes sparkling with the blue light. Breathless, he murmurs, “Wow, it’s never done that before.” He glances at you with a tight nod, then looks at the runes you wrote. “Alright… here we go.”

Jayce begins to input the rune combination, using the dial. You hold your breath, hoping you got it right. It’s working, and then… he hesitates. The moment disrupts the flow, and the crystal emits a harsh energy. Jayce panics and stops turning the dial altogether. The crystal destabilizes, and you mindlessly grip Viktor’s arm to stay upright. The energy is violent and chaotic.

You shout over the deafening ringing, “You have to continue or it’ll combust!”

Viktor steps closer to you, hand discarding his cane to grip the table. In all the tense moments tonight, this is the first time you see him panic. “Disengage!”

Jayce seems to realize it too, trying to reach for the dial but failing.

A booming sound erupts, and for a moment, time seems to slow. The energy releases away from you. Your eyes fling to the window, the glass shattering and slowly moving outward, until suddenly, the energy pulls back violently, dragging the shards of glass with it. Before any of you can react, the glass slices against your arm. Somehow, Jayce manages to hit the dial, stopping the machine.

The room plunges into darkness, the silence so thick that all you can hear are the frantic beats of your own heart. “Incredible.” You can’t help but smile in the dark, even as your mind races. Of course Viktor finds wonder in it, even though it’s obvious things have gone wrong.

Jayce fumbles to light a lamp and as your eyes adjust, you realize you’re still gripping Viktor’s arm. You release it, and with the movement, it feels like you finally exhale a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. Jayce looks between the two of you before stepping back to inspect the machine. Stopping to retrieve his fallen cane, Viktor moves to join him. He hisses, his finger brushing a cut on Jayce’s cheek. Even in the low light, you swear you see Jayce’s ears flush red.

The open window lets outside noise filter in, and shouts from below pull your attention.

“Oh, shit.” The curse slips out before you can stop it as you see enforcers flooding into the academy. There’s no way they missed the explosion—or the light. The realization hits you immediately, and a tight knot forms in your stomach.

The three of you spring into action, but it feels too slow. Jayce works frantically at the machine, and you rush to the door. You lock it just as someone starts pounding on it.

“Open this door immediately!” a voice demands from the other side. Panic spikes in your chest as you hear the unmistakable sound of the door’s lock starting to be undone. You glance back at the boys, both working with urgency.

Just as you look up, Viktor tosses his cane at you. You catch it, surprised, and he raises his eyebrows, his gaze flicking to the door, wordlessly telling you to reinforce it. You slot the cane into place without hesitation, securing the door.

Turning back, you see Jayce place a stone into place with a soft click, quickly resuming his work.

“They’re almost in!” you say, your voice sharp with urgency. The door is being hammered by several people on the other side, the cane barely holding them back.

You try to steady yourself and give Jayce’s arm a quick squeeze, a silent reminder to stay calm. He glances back, giving a tight nod. This time, he closes his eyes as he inputs the runes, his movements as fluid as when you’d deciphered them earlier. You and Viktor lean in, the sound of the shouts from outside fading as the hum of the machine grows louder. And then, suddenly—

A surge of energy pulls back, holding the world suspended in quiet anticipation before it bursts outward again. This time, the energy floods the room, wrapping everything in its glow before it stills, weightless. You’ve never known the world in this way—seeing everything from so high, as if you’re no longer bound to Runeterra. The light doesn’t intimidate you. Instead, it fills you with a profound sense of awe, a wonder so deep it almost hurts. It should feel wrong, an unnatural defiance of gravity’s pull, but instead, it feels as if you’re exactly where you were always meant to be.

Your senses soften as you drift, spinning slowly in the stillness, mesmerized by the way your hair floats and dances around your face. A soft laugh breaks through your reverie. You turn to find Jayce, his hands deftly flicking a cog through the energy, vanishing and reappearing before Viktor in a blur of motion. And oh, it’s beautiful—they’re beautiful. Their smiles are like twin stars, bright enough to rival the very light that surrounds you. You laugh with them as Viktor passes the cog to you, your fingers brushing against its cool surface, flipping it in the air to watch it glide, weightless, past you.

But then, like a shadow crossing the sun, your gaze lands on the doorway. The joy you feel remains untouched by the figures standing there—several enforcers, all with stunned expressions. The Yordle pushes past them, his posture tight with frustration. He’s speaking, but all you catch is a faint, exasperated, “Will you please stop hovering?”

Viktor’s voice rings out through the muffled energy, its sharp edge almost playful: “I’m not sure how to do that, sir!” Even if he could, you imagine he wouldn’t want to.

The Yordle’s voice cracks with desperation, and there’s a weariness to it that strikes you. “This is not what Piltover's future looks like, my dears.” It’s as if he knows—deep down—that there’s no undoing what has been set in motion.

The warm, golden glow pulses once more, wrapping around the soft blue energy, swirling together like the very fabric of the universe. It’s the sensation of space itself—endless, infinite—and the stars shimmer so close you could reach out and touch them. “That is for the Council to decide,” a soft, melodic voice rises, and it carries with it the weight of something momentous. “Perhaps it’s time for the era of magic.”

“Uh—Hextech,” Jayce interrupts, his tone laced with a quiet but resolute certainty. He looks down at the woman, his gaze steady. “For the era of Hextech.”