#(love and light to those of you who have always been encouraging every time I've ever mused about getting spicier btw ily)

[blujayonthewing]

patreon: [adds ability to see how many times a post was actually viewed]

me looking back through them: [steepling my fingers in front of my lips] .... should I be doing more pinups.

[justporo]

I don't have any real writing in me but... I've been thinking about Astarion and Tav sharing a domestic life so much - maybe it's time for some headcanons again?

Domestic headcanons about Astarion and Tav settling down in Baldur's Gate

Tav likes to cook, and now they can experiment with a real kitchen. Astarion just loves sitting at the table in the kitchen reading or talking to Tav to take in the delicious smells and watch his soulmate bustle around the kitchen

He also likes to try what Tav comes up with; he doesn't need to eat and "Why should I waste my time eating something... dull. But your cooking, my love, is quite exquisite!"

Let's not talk about Tav's first tries at baking though, but Astarion tries to be nice... at first. "If you were going for briquette, my love, than it's indeed quite perfect." ("It was meant to be chocolate shortbread but thank you so much for the encouragement, Astarion...")

In their small little backyard garden Tav plants lots of night blooming flowers so Astarion can enjoy it as well

Sometimes they just lay there on a blanket and star gaze; "Do you have a favourite star constellation, Astarion?" Astarion gazes over at you while you keep looking at the night sky "Your eyes, my love." "Ugh, you're so corny sometimes!"

In winter Astarion loves to join Tav to go to the market and run errands, he also very gentlemanly carries their bags (although not all the way because "Love, what are you putting in all those bags? Cobblestones?")

Sitting in the window alcove and watching the twinkling lights of Baldur's Gate at night and the stars above: that's one of their favourite places in their house

Astarion got Tav into the legends of Drizzt so they sometimes read together; Astarion does a very dramatic Drizzt voice (Tav finds it hilarious and almost chokes laughing every time)

Also maybe Tav gets him like a collector's edition of Drizzt's legends as a gift sometime - nicely bound in fine leather and with illustrations (Astarion is awestruck and also learns that day that it's fine and nice to share your interests with someone who appreciates you)

Also maybe sometimes when they're adventure funds run out, Astarion thinks about getting back into law, "making it right this time" - because he IS smart and could pull it off

Should I keep going? I could keep going...

Also I am not using the word fluffy again here anymore, I'm terrified of it now since I always used to smuggle another "l" in there...

The part about Astarion getting Tav into Drizzt's story was inspired by another post I will hopefully find and link later on!

[jazeswhbhaven]

Could I request where the kings+ Lucifer (and maybe the seraphims too?) have an s/o who is just like deeply in love with them? Their s/o just can't describe it in words, they can't fully show it in actions no matter how tight their hug is to the kings, but it's always seen in their eyes that they do in fact love the kings.

Everytime their s/o is talking to someone or some devil, they're just there. They do listen, but they don't smile. If they do, it's just a polite, little smile, but that's it. BUT, when it comes to them, suddenly their s/o's smile widens and their cheeks turn into this slight rosy pink color and their eyes especially shows how happy they are. Their s/o's eyes when they smile, they have this smile where their eyes smiles along with their lips (I think it's called eye smile, I'm not so sure).

Sometimes they even get caught where there's someone talking and their s/o is just paying attention to them and to their features. Their s/o just looks at them with heart eyes at this point 😭

So sorry if this request doesn't make much sense!!

Awh sounds like their s/o is their number one fan <3 (thank you for your patience!!) Let's start with the seraphim, because hopefully in a perfect AU, they'd actually care about their s/o's. Michael: Normally, he doesn't care about anyone or anything in Heaven other than God, but since he's left...he's been anxious and stand-offish. But when he goes to Earth to visit his s/o he's calm, he doesn't even cry as much. He loves to see the look on their face when he enters the room, how happy they look, how their eyes light up and their arms reach out toward him. "I've been waiting for you" is their normal greeting. He loves it more than he's willing to admit. He's a bit possessive of those faces that they make, so he doesn't want to share them, they all belong to him. They're happy to see him, to love him. All that's what he'll take.

Gabriel: No one is above God, not even himself. But there is one person who he cares to see often. Their devotion to living as close to Godly as they can, and how they wish for God's return for his sake. Gabe is unfamiliar with how much his s/o pines for him. He tries his best to acknowledge their admiration, the way that they smile, laugh, and always mention him even to others with such a dazed expression it's clear that they're obsessed. Even though it's a learning curve for this one-track-minded angel, he wants his s/o to keep showing this amount of energy toward him, that way maybe together his and their love can bring back God.

Raphael: Surprisingly, you'd think that this angel would be disgusted by having an s/o but somewhere along the way, his mind changed. He visits them often, he's pining just as much as they are. He doesn't show it when he's in Heaven, still off-putting, a pain in the ass to be around. But with his s/o? They're melting into each other, he wants them to make those faces when he arrives, the same way, each time. In intimacy, he wants to see their blushing face, the way they say his name, everything fuels him more and more. "So this is what it's like to be loved..."

Now for our demon bois!!! <3 <3

Satan: There's nothing he loves more than his s/o only having certain reactions and emotions toward him. He encourages this each time and makes it worse by teasing them lightly, saying how much he loves it when they make that 'face' or how they blush when they see him. "Do I work you up that much?" And he know he does. When he sees his s/o being uninterested when talking with other devils he feels a sense of pride and an ego boost.

Mammon: He drinks up this behavior from his s/o so much he's always overfilled with joy himself when he sees them. His favorite thing is when his s/o is casually speaking to one of his nobles and he just happens to pass by and they immediately stop talking and rush to him to hug him and say they miss him and hurry and finish his work. Every time that happens, he finds a way to finish up everything or just scoops up his s/o and takes them with him and they're amazed by everything he does.

Beelzebub: If you thought Amon was the biggest Beel simp, make way for his s/o. They may not have little trinkets or posters of him, but they have him. The real deal! Sometimes, they'll even put themselves into situations so he appears, always saying "I just wanted to see you, I miss you." Beel loves this about them, and to the point where he starts staying behind in Avisos more often. And when he's not there, no one is free from his s/o blabbing about him all the time. In fact, Amon hangs around them pretty much all the time to hear more stories about Beel and what his s/o likes about him.

Leviathan: Oh, he loves the fuck out of his s/o because all they do is talk about him. No one is Hades is free from his s/o's rambles. They run errands for him, and could be held up in the store in hours explaining why they chose a pair of socks for Levi. They stitch his name in them too when they get home, they stare at him quite often and blush when he catches them staring. He used to stare at them blankly, but now he smirks and walks away, knowing they're still staring at him in awe as he does.

Lucifer: This kind of love is foreign to him, and he doesn't think much of it when his s/o dotes on him like they do. They're always wrapping up his bloodied wings, or making sure his fangs and horn are tip-top in shape. They often bring Morax and Marbas around to check up on his other areas of health out of worry when he's just fine. He doesn't feel lonely anymore with his s/o's presence, even when they're not in the same room, he can hear them speaking about how much they love him and are lucky to be his. Almost makes him want to cry...almost.

[stedefxckingbonnet]

Moonlight Meetings | Izzy Hands x Reader

Summary: You knew Stede Bonnet from his days of being married to your dearest friend, Mary. Although Mary was your best friend, you were still there for Stede during his conflicting feelings about his marriage and wanting to sail the seas and explore the world and, well, become a pirate, and without judgment, too. You wished you had gone with him when he had left, but you stayed loyal to Mary. But upon Stede's return and him and Mary giving and getting the closure they mutually needed, as well as her assisting him in faking his death so he could truly go and live the life he's wanted to pursue without guilt, you do end up going with him this time. You actually reveal yourself to be a skilled navigator and trader, but even before this knowledge, the crew accepted you with open arms. Even a certain first mate who was weary at first (you are Stede's friend, after all) comes around, although you tried to take over his late night thinking spot as your own. You end up sharing said spot and looking forward to your encounters and conversations every night, even throughout the days.

Warnings: slight inconsistency with plot of OFMD (just the stuff with when Stede returns after leaving again, it's really not too evident or bothersome i don't think), some strong language, briefest mention of blood ever, some light angst, brief mentions of troubling past, brief explorations of anxiety, kissing

This honestly took me a few days to write, and Tumblr didn't save some of it, so that was frustrating, anyhow—I truly hope you all enjoy this! I enjoyed writing it. I have a few requests that I will be fulfilling hopefully tomorrow as well, or at least in the next couple of days especially after recent events if you know what I mean...I love you all so dearly and I cannot thank you enough for all the love you've shown me so far. I've enjoyed talking with you all whether it's through the comments or my inbox or even messages :) Keep the requests coming, and have a wonderful day (or night!)

Word Count: 5461

You had never fathomed that the sun could even shine this brightly. For once in your life, its beams didn't berate you but rather seemed to engulf you in a warm embrace as a sort of sendoff on your new endeavors, encouraging you, almost—reassuring you that this was in fact the right choice.

Ever since Stede had taken off to start his new life as a pirate amongst the ocean, you couldn't help but feel envious. You would have given anything to be able to do the same, to leave everything behind and start fresh, especially upon the saltwater seas. Barbados was all you had ever known and it never truly felt like your home. But even just the thought, the daydream of sailing the seas and discovering places you never imagined existed, felt like absolute bliss and paradise. You were sad to see Stede go, too, but you knew it would be good for him. You knew he would be happier than he was living here with Mary and his children, living the life his parents designed for him. You were undeniably happy for him. But you couldn't help but also be extremely jealous, too. Though of course, you would never express these feelings harshly—you really were over the moon for Stede. You just wished for something beyond the life that was handed to you, too. You knew he understood that, too.

Whenever you and Stede would whisper about his plans in corners at all of those socialite gatherings in the rare moments when no one was watching, he would always suggest for you to go with him, but you felt like you had no choice but to stay, especially with Mary. She was your dearest friend, and you felt strongly about your loyalty towards her. You'd never admit you were also terrified of your name being slandered and that your new reputation would follow you out there forever if you had left with him, at least at that time, in those circumstances.

But, Stede returned briefly, and all had been rekindled with Mary. They sincerely wished each other well, and she even helped him pull off a grandiose stunt—faking his death, and you knew that now, he was finally able to live the life he yearned for in peace and free of guilt. He killed off the Stede Bonnet of Barbados, and truly began to grow into the person he wanted to be—Stede Bonnet of the sea, The Gentleman Pirate.

Once he pulled it off, you walked over with him to the sand to send him off once again. There was a lingering moment between the two of you, both knowing that this would not be farewell.

"I'm going to ask you again," Stede started. "Do you want to come with me? Please, come with me, it's amazing out there. And the crew, oh!—you'd just love the crew! Please?"

How could you resist this time? Even before he had formally asked again, you were already on board, ready for whatever awaited you on this journey.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

The first few weeks aboard The Revenge had been nothing short of wonderful. You already felt well acquainted with your crew, and there were even a particular few you felt yourself getting closer to already, and hoped you all would continue to. But there were parts of it that were terrifying, too—it would hit you in the most out of nowhere moments that you just up and left your last life. It's not like anything, let alone anyone was waiting for you back there, but nonetheless it shocked you from time to time that you had even left. You felt like an entirely new person—you knew that in your core you were still you, but your identity felt a bit lost in this new environment somewhere. You hardly mourned this, as you were excited to explore a new you, but that didn't erase the fact that it was frightening. There were nights where you found yourself confiding in Stede about this for hours, but you eventually stopped as you noticed Ed would already be in his quarters when you arrived and you wanted to give them privacy. Still, you couldn't stand to be alone in your own quarters, but you weren't sure which of your crew mates' doors you could knock on just yet. The only place left was to check out the main deck, see if there were any nooks and crannies you may have missed.

After a few minutes of searching, you found the perfect spot—you couldn't really be seen by anyone else on the deck, if anyone decided to walk onto it, but you could still stare out at the water and the moonlight. The moon's reflection rippling across the ocean was one of your favorite sights—it brought you such peace, so you were honestly glad that you strayed from being holed up in Stede's room and wound up here instead. You were about to sit when you felt someone else's presence beside you. You jumped, immediately turning around to see who it was, your hand instinctively reaching for your sword.

"It's just me," Izzy sighed. "You can put your fucking sword away. Just me.

You let out a sigh of relief upon the sight of the first mate. You knew that his presence unsettled, or really just annoyed the others, but not you. His presence made you feel safe and looked after, even if he was a bit harsh a lot of the time.

"This is my spot, you know," he sighed once again.

"Your spot?"

"It's where I come to think every single night, even when I'm not on watch," he explained to you surprisingly patiently.

"Do you want me to leave?" you pondered, almost frantically. You didn't want to feel like you had invaded yet another space. You knew you would start spiraling, start thinking that maybe there wasn't a place for you aboard The Revenge. And honestly, Izzy wanted to be alone, but the look on your face almost pierced through his heart. He didn't have the heart to tell you off.

"You don't have to," he shrugged, sitting down beside you. "It's fine."

You both stared out at the sea. You were beyond grateful to have some company, honestly—company beyond the moon itself. Not long after, a sigh escaped your own lips. Izzy tried to fight off the urge to talk to you, but he couldn't deny that he felt so drawn to you, even when you first arrived on the ship.

"Something wrong?" he finally asked, glancing at you out of the corner of his eye. He intended to keep you in his periphery.

"I guess I've just been feeling kind of like an outsider," you shrugged, continuing. "Being here is all I've ever wanted and more, but I just feel like such a burden to everyone all the time. I don't really have anyone to talk to, and even when Stede left our village, I only had one friend. Now I just feel even more alone...It's silly, I know."

"It's not," Izzy protested. "I get it. I do."

"You do?"

Izzy nodded. "You don't ever see me talking to anyone, do you?"

You paused to ponder. "Not unless they need something."

"Exactly."

"Do you ever get lonely, Izzy?"

Such an innocent inquiry was enough to almost make Izzy's heart stop. Looking at you from the corner of his eye wasn't enough anymore. He turned his head to face you, witnessing the genuine expression on your face. You truly cared, and you truly wanted to know. No one had ever looked at Izzy this way before, and he wasn't sure of how it was supposed to make him feel—frustrated? Sad? Sorry? Joyous, even? He subtly put his gloved hand upon his chest, thinking somehow it would slow his quickly-paced heartbeat. He wasn't used to this, he couldn't even believe this was happening. He even felt he was reading too much into this—but, you cared, and he knew it right away. He didn't know what to do with that. But it was a pleasant feeling, teetering on bittersweet. Upon realizing your question was still hanging in the air, he quickly spoke again, his mind not exactly in sync with his mouth.

"I suppose."

Izzy's response hung in the air just as your query had. It felt relieving to put such a thing out into the universe, but it also felt dreadful facing this reality. Was this the reason behind the occasionally random sharp pains in his chest, almost reminiscent of someone stabbing him right through his heart with a sword? These physical sensations never came without a looming feeling of gloominess, after all. He almost exhaled at the thought. He wasn't sure whether or not he was ready to explore any of this, let alone if he even wanted to do so. His gaze was still fixated on you, as if he were awaiting to hear something from you as well. For once in his life, hope could be seen in his eyes, though he didn't know it.

Finally, you spoke. "I'll be the moon."

A laugh almost boomed from Izzy's chest. "What?"

"I'll be here every night, if you'll have me. If there's ever a particularly hard day, just remember that the moon will rise at the end of the day and be there for you to lament all your sorrows to," you stood up by this point, speaking sort of dramatically, but it was apparent that you meant it sincerely. "And even during the day, did you know you can still see the moon? So, I'll be there during the day, too."

Izzy was in complete and utter disbelief in the best way possible. He was truly at a loss for words, and he swore his head was going to hurt from how much he was nodding. You smiled at this sight, and held your hand out to help Izzy up. He looked at you, confusing written all over his expression, but you kept your hand there. Finally, he allowed himself to put his hand in yours and before he knew it, he was back on his feet again, in more ways than one.

"Goodnight, Izzy."

"Right. Yes. Goodnight."

The thought of Izzy didn't leave your mind even as you retreated to your quarters, nor when you succumbed to sleep for the remainder of the night's reign. Little did you know that Izzy thought of you, too. That you weren't just going to be his moonlight, but also, his sunshine. But he didn't know that just yet.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

You rose right as the sun did the next day, never having been more ready to take on a day until now. Something was even more enchanting about watching the transition of grey hues into orange into light blue, but this process in reverse would always have your heart. The rest of the crew woke up shortly after you, some still yawning, some stumbling upon the main deck from exhaustion. You couldn't help but giggle at such sights. None other than Izzy Hands followed behind them and your heart almost skipped a beat. Usually when this happened it was because you were overcome with worry, but, not this time and you knew that deep down. When you swore no one else was looking, you glanced over and sent a grin his way, to which he slightly returned—blinked, and you would have missed it. Your smile grew even larger, and you had to turn away to conceal it. Before you knew it, you felt a pair of hands on your shoulders, causing you to gasp.

"Someone's chipper this morning."

"Stede!" you exclaimed, laughing so hard that your stomach would probably hurt later. You swiveled around to face him. "Scared the ever living shit out of me."

"Sorry about that," Stede couldn't help but chuckle. "I just wanted to check in with you...are you feeling happy here? You settling in okay? I know it's a lot to just up and leave your life."

"Honestly, I've never been better," you admitted, your smile still existing upon you. And your smile was radiant—it had almost everyone's head turns toward you, their hearts feeling warm. Even Izzy. Especially Izzy. "I am so glad I did this. I regret not joining you sooner, but I—"

"I know," Stede jumped in to assure you, which you were endlessly grateful for. He knew of your tendency to spiral, and he wanted to cultivate a space where you didn't feel like you had to do so. "And I admire your loyalty. It's been an asset on this ship so far."

You sent a glance of gratitude his way before he walked off upon the sight of Ed emerging from his quarters, finally. You laughed as they made their ways over to one another. You were beyond happy to see your dear friend so happy, so in love. So in his element, where he truly belonged.

"Everyone, get to work!" Izzy suddenly shouted, to which the crew immediately scurried off to their designated areas. This didn't startle you, though. You made your way over to the kitchen to assist Roach in organizing the rations, accidentally brushing hands with Izzy as you did. You stopped in your tracks and looked at him from over your shoulder. He was looking at you, too, the smallest smile on his face. He couldn't look away, even though he wanted to just in case his face flushed or he smiled any further or, gods forbid, anyone else saw. You weren't afraid to keep smiling, and after what felt like forever of engaging in this staring match with the first mate, you finally ducked into the kitchen, so as not to keep Roach waiting. If you had, he would know something happened and he would pester you about it for the rest of your life.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Night fell sooner than you could realize it and for that, you were entirely grateful. You had been distracted the entirety of the day; the thought of whatever you and Izzy may have to share later dancing around in your mind, causing your heart to do pirouettes whenever you daydreamed about it. You almost couldn't even wait until everyone was asleep—but you knew this would run the risk of revealing your and Izzy's secret spot, and that would be less than ideal for the both of you. The last thing you wanted was to ruin a good thing that was only just beginning to blossom.

But tonight, Izzy was early. He found himself inhabited in the very same spot as the previous night, just as he had promised. Without a word, you plopped down right beside him, sending one of your signature smiles his way.

"I've never wished a day away like I had today," you laughed breathlessly.

"Nor have I. Yet, here we are." You could tell that there wasn't resentment behind Izzy's statement, but rather, a sort of joy. You discreetly moved a bit closer to him, your knees almost brushing against one another. Izzy also moved toward you at the same time, causing said collision. You were grateful for the dark concealing the rose tint creeping upon your cheeks. Izzy was grateful for the dark concealing the smile creeping upon his lips.

Izzy exhaled almost sharply, preparing to speak again, really speak. "I don't mean to scare off the crew, you know."

"I don't think you scare them one bit," you were quick to reassure him. "It's just how times were in the time where you sailed with Blackbeard, right?"

Izzy nodded almost rapidly, in utter shock that you already had such a good read on him. "Times were different, that's for sure."

"I can tell you care," you told him sincerely. "You just have a way of showing it that the crew isn't used to. I mean, they have Stede fucking Bonnet as one of their captains."

Izzy didn't hesitate to laugh at that. "Yeah. Stupid fucking Stede Bonnet...but what was it like?"

"What was what like?"

"Being a part of...that world. His world."

You rolled your eyes somewhat playfully. "It was...a lot, all at once. Lots of uncomfortable clothes, powder on my face that made me look sickly but everyone would swear I was beautiful. But I never felt like a real fucking person. Ever. It was honestly exhausting."

Izzy listened intently, leaning in a bit to further demonstrate this. He nodded as you spoke, nods that spoke: I understand. That does sound like a lot. That does sound exhausting. It's amazing that you left that life behind. You're destined for so much more than what you were given. But all Izzy could manage to say, was, "No wonder you left. That sounded awful." He was mentally punching himself for not thinking of anything better to say. You deserved words in which were beautifully and artfully strung together. He knew that.

But, you laughed, knowing he empathized just by the way he looked at you. You were no stranger to these sorts of glances—sure, no one had ever looked at you that way before, but it was all you read about in your favorite romance novels, described so vividly that once you did encounter a moment like this, you would immediately recognize it, and, you did. "I'm better now. Much better. Where I need to be."

Once again, Izzy nodded. "You've been a great addition to this crew."

"Really?" you asked, almost in disbelief, but you were flattered to say the very least.

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it." To anyone else, this would have sounded harsh. To you, these were the most reassuring words you had ever heard. He looked over at you, insecurity rushing through his bloodstream and you could see this. Even in the light of the moon, you could see the paleness of Izzy's face.

"Thank you, Izzy." You spoke sincerely, and suddenly all pigment re-entered Izzy's once ghostly features. Such words felt so foreign and out of reach for him, until you had confidently brought them into existence. From you, this declaration wasn't a whisper—he could tell that you meant it with your entire heart. He couldn't even recall the last time someone had shown him a shred of gratitude, or if anyone ever had at all before this. Just those three words were enough to send warmth all throughout his body even as the breeze threatened to send shivers down both of your spines and force you underneath the warmth of your blankets in your respective quarters. This would be a warmth that would carry on every time he saw you from this point on—you would be the start to the fireplace in his heart, and part of him knew this was going to begin to happen from this moment forward. As long as you were going to be around, he knew he would at least never be entirely freezing again.

All Israel Hands could manage to do now was look at you. There were stars in his eyes paired tears hat threatened to cascade down his cheeks like waterfalls and he hoped so much that you weren't able to see, that the moon would spare him at least a bit. But you so badly wanted to reach out and wipe away the water from the corners of his eyes, though you wanted his complete trust even more, and that seemed like the last way to get it, at least this early on.

"My eyes just get dry," Izzy quickly defended in case you had seen anything.

You stifled a quiet laugh. "It is pretty windy out here."

"So, see you tomorrow, then?"

"Tomorrow," you confirmed, not even trying to conceal the corners of your lips rising to form a smile.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Tomorrow's would unfold every single night, not one ever missed. There were even a few nights that you happened to be in the midst of a cold but you insisted to be in your spot with Izzy, to which he would protest and you would compromise by allowing your meetings to happen in your quarters as he got Roach to make you soup, and you were better within the next few days. And even on the days where Izzy felt like absolutely screaming and cursing at the world, perhaps directing this to Blackbeard and Stede, he would still eagerly await your time together—it would be beyond enough to get him through those days.

It had now been quite some time since these meetings began. You were really beginning to solve the riddle that was Izzy Hands, and you quite liked what you were finding, and it only made you yearn to uncover even more. But, there were many nights and even days spent where you worried—worried that perhaps Izzy was ashamed of the connection that you two had formed, and that was why your encounters took place at night. Or, perhaps he was just lonely, or he had nothing better to do. You did your best to push these thoughts to the back of your mind but you usually had no luck. And, it was even harder to deny the blossoming feelings you had for the man.

Even before the first time you two had really conversed, you knew there was something about the first mate that you were drawn to, and these nights with Izzy had only confirmed that.

Little did you know that the same fears, and probably even more, existed within Izzy. Of all the people in the crew, why had you taken interest in him? He knew that even Stede Bonnet was probably of more interest, with his fancy wears and his everlasting bookshelves. Or Frenchie perhaps, with his instrument and his voice that the crew never got sick of hearing. Or Lucius with his sketches and his wit. Or hell, even Blackbeard himself, with all of the anecdotes he had up his sleeve—but why him? Why Israel Hands? This thought often plagued him to the point where his head would begin to hurt just a bit, and whenever it did (and, you knew when it did—he wasn't the best at hiding the wincing at all), he would just cake it to the changes in weather, or something that had happened that day, or even not drinking enough water. You always knew these excuses were, well, excuses, but you also knew it wasn't best to press.

Sometimes, part of Izzy wished that you would press. It was you, so he wouldn't mind as much. It wasn't likely that he would pour out his concerns, but he would appreciate yours.

As soon as you arose, you already spotted Black Pete and Lucius, who absolutely qualified for the cutest couple award, if there were such a thing—you wouldn't be surprised if Stede had established that just for them. But, your heart sank just a bit, knowing you couldn't express your growing love for Izzy like that. You weren't even sure you would know if he returned your feelings, and the last thing you wanted to do was ruin such a beautiful thing between the both of you with such knowledge, especially if he truly didn't feel the same. But every morning, your heart would ache, and it became harder and harder to keep all of this love to yourself. You wanted more than anything for it to pour out of you like a fountain that never stopped flowing. You reserved such ardor for Izzy and Izzy alone. Never had you carried such affection, such fondness for another, and not only did that excite you, but it also scared the hell out of you.

The crew noticed this after the first few weeks—oh, you were far from subtle. You practically glowed whenever Izzy entered a room, even if you appeared completely composed.

Finally, Izzy rose from his quarters and your heart leapt in your chest. You couldn't hold it in anymore, and there was no way you were waiting for the moon to rise tonight. You waltzed right over to Izzy, gently pulling him aside. He didn't resist your touch at all—it felt almost familiar, and peaceful.

"Do you have a moment?" you suddenly asked.

"For you? Always. For anything else? Probably not," he chuckled.

Before you were about to speak once again, Stede had announced that the ship had docked. You sighed, slumping against the railing that you and Izzy were propped up against.

"Can it wait?" Izzy asked you sheepishly, his eyes apologizing.

"Oh. Yes. Yes, it can," you sighed.

"Not for long," Izzy assured you as he rushed off in order to ensure the ship's safe docking. It only took a few moments before he gestured for you to follow him off of the ship. You perked up at this, grabbing your satchel and running over to him.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" he asked as you walked along the pathway of the Republic of Pirates.

"I...It's nothing. Not here, at least."

"Then where?" Izzy sent a playful smile your way.

"Could we actually head back to the ship? Just for a moment?"

Izzy pondered this—for just a moment. "I suppose no one would really notice, and if they did, they wouldn't care all that much."

This time, Izzy followed you. You were already beginning to regret this quite a bit, and beads of sweat were forming upon your temple. You wiped them away carefully, fanning yourself with your hand. You led Izzy to your shared spot, barely being able to breathe. Nor was Izzy with the way you were practically running back, and he had to do his best to keep up the pace. But the thought that something could be wrong was beginning to plague him.

"I couldn't wait until tonight," you finally admit, nervous laughter bubbling out of you.

"Most days, I can't either," Izzy sent a reassuring, but equally as nervous smile your way. "All of the time, actually."

All you could manage to do was sit there and just glow. You glowed underneath the sun's beams and the sight of it made Izzy absolutely melt, and not from the heat.

"Is everything alright? Just wanted to talk?"

Your eyes stayed fixated upon the man before you, the person whom you carried so much love for that it almost overflowed out of you. And, it was no secret that you had never felt this way about anyone before, and Stede Bonnet himself could and would be overjoyed to confirm it. You were often urged to find some sort of attachment toward a plethora of potential "worthy" suitors, but none of them ever caught your eye, nor had much to offer you despite all of their pleas. You always had this feeling deep down that none of them were truly suitable, and so you bore no hesitation saving yourself and your heart for someone that was. And Israel Hands was beyond anything you had ever dreamed of. He suited you so perfectly. He was worthy of all of the love in the world and so much more—you just hoped yours was enough for him. You hoped he would want any of it—it was his if he did.

And oh, did he want it. He yearned for you. Izzy's heart ached when the two of you were forced to retreat to your quarters after hours of conversation. He could spend forever just sitting there with you, his arm wrapped around you as you witnessed the sky's change every day, together. To him, that would be absolute paradise. Every second he spent with you, and even when you were apart, he knew in his heart that he held this special sort of feeling for you. Dare he call it love, as he didn't want his heart to shatter into a million pieces that he wouldn't be able to pick up. But, you were it for him, and he knew that deep down. He could see it in your eyes, or at least, he hoped that was what he was seeing. You did look at him with stars in your eyes, and you knew that.

"Please, don't hate me," you started, biting your lip so harshly that it almost drew blood.

"Hate you?" Izzy repeated, absolutely puzzled. "I couldn't hate you even if I tried."

You inhaled so sharply that you almost choked on air. You laughed it off, though Izzy instinctively placed his arm on the small of your back, tracing small patterns into it. With this, you collapsed into his arms and he was already set up to catch you. Sobs escaped your lips as he moved one of his hands to the back of your head, running his fingers through your hair in an attempt to hopefully soothe you. These weren't instincts he was familiar with, yet, he felt as if he was meant to do these things. "You can tell me. Take your time, of course," he assured you as you continued to cry. After a moment, you managed to compose yourself a bit and you felt okay enough to pull away, but Izzy kept his hands on your upper arms gently, just in case. He was really starting to grow concerned, his stomach churning.

"You won't hate me?"

Izzy laughed, to which you managed the smallest of smiles. "I could never."

"I...I feel very connected to you, Izzy," you began. "And our conversations have really confirmed that for me. I don't just think about you at night before we talk—do you know that? You are the first thing that enters my mind each morning and then I can't wait to see you, really see you and talk to you and be close to you. And some days on this ship are hard, Izzy, but you make things so much easier. You take so much weight off of my shoulders."

"The thought of getting to talk to you gets me out of bed every day," Izzy admitted. "I've been doing this a long time and sometimes I don't know what it's all for anymore, why I even bother. But if I get to see your smile, it's all worth it."

You swore you were about to become a blubbering mess if you opened your mouth to speak at all. As you took a step forward towards him, your fingers intertwining as you approached. His other hand gently landed upon your waist, and your eyes met at the same second. The gap between you both was too much, too much, and neither of you could take its existence anymore—he gently reeled you in and you pressed your lips against his. He quietly gasped in surprise, though it was quickly followed by a sort of sigh of relief as he returned your kiss, returned your sentiments. You smiled against his lips and he couldn't help but do the same, there was no denying that your smile was contagious. He felt as if he were meant to do this, meant to show you such tenderness and care and love. And you would do anything in your power to show him that he was worthy of all of yours.

"I..." Izzy whispered against your lips. "I love you." The words almost got stuck in his throat—they felt unfamiliar, and unfamiliar was rarely not terrifying or dreadful. Right now, unfamiliar was exhilarating. Those three words were the truest he had ever spoken. You lit up more than the sun, the stars, and the moon combined.

"I love you, Israel." You had saved those three words for someone special, someone whom you truly adored without any question, and Izzy happened to be that someone. Anyone else would never, ever compare. He engulfed you in another embrace, your shirt becoming slightly stained by his tears. "I was meant to."

"Meant to what?"

"I was meant to love you. Made for it, probably," you laughed.

Izzy took hold of your hand once again, disentangling himself from your embrace to face you. With his free hand, he cupped your cheek and his thumb caressed it softly. "I think perhaps the moon knew to bring us together. But I loved...I loved you even before then. Or at least, I had a strong feeling I was going to. That, I'm certain about."

"Think we still have some time before everyone notices we're gone?" you asked, hope wavering in your voice.

"Oh, we've got ample long as they're at Spanish Jackie's," he couldn't help but chuckle. "We've got all the time in the world, my love."

"All of the time in the world," you repeated. "I love the sound of that."

[azrielgreen]

Looking back at the last 2 years🖤

Huge energy shift happening in slow motion the last few weeks. Either go with the change and embrace the new energy or stay another cycle.

I feel so happy and excited that I got to write everything I wanted in the Steddie pairing and was able to share it with the people who WANTED to read it. I've always written for myself and I always will, but to have touched a few people along the way and brought a little light where it might not otherwise have been, that's a beautiful experience for me. I'm so grateful to everyone who reached out with kindness and passion. I'm grateful to have been so inspired. And I'm so happy I get to share more with you now as I go with the energetic shift that March always brings and follow the river where she leads.

There are several works about to be completed by me over the next week and even more after that, which is why I haven't been around much. This is so thrilling for me, honestly. Completing works is even better than starting them.

I'll always be writing for me, and sharing it with anyone who might like it. But as the energy shifts more and more, I wanted to share specifically what I'm grateful for the last few years and some of my best memories.

One of the first long comments I got on WSJK, it made me cry.

The first time I randomly saw a TikTok about my fics, nothing like that had ever happened to me before.

When I sold out the YD tarot deck in a single day.

People encouraging me to start a Patreon and then so many signing up!

Waking up to 100+ comments on ch2 of BOD.

Everyone who read week by week on You're Divine and supported me.

The people I met here who are my beloved friends now in real life

Those who reached out to share their own experiences with me.

Fanart, all of it♥︎ but especially the first piece that was ever sent to me by someone who asked me not to share it. If you, the artist, sees this (Eddie with his wrist over his mouth) please know that I still look at it every day.

To have inspired anyone, even just a little.

The freedom to write professionally.

Every single learning experience, bad or good.

The growing confidence to write whatever I want and share it.

Writing with @thorniest-rose

Bringing Little Bit to life - a character I've always had inside me who never had a name until YD.

Every comment showing the generosity of kindness people are capable of.

And most of all, the FUN I had every step of the way with these boys and the stories I got to tell through transformative works. You have no idea how much I ✨️LOVE✨️ writing, how fucking happy I am while working madly on a project. It's been INCREDIBLE to be so inspired for so long. It's not a chore for me, I don't care about reader numbers or popularity or anything like that, I just fucking LOVE to write and this pairing has been pure ecstacy to work with.

Bring on March, bring on the transformation and the fresh new ideas and the forward momentum. I can't fucking wait!!

Love, Azriel.

✨️💕💜💜💜💕✨️

[jayden-killer]

Hi!

I love your stories, could you make one where the reader is dating Miguel and is also a part of the spider community. The reader helps Miles to escape and Miguel finds out and argue with her.

I hope that you will keep writing stories.

Have a great day !

omg omg hii! I'm so glad you enjoy my stories, receiving these types of compliments always make my day :DD. And, i deeply apologise for taking this long to write your request; I've been so busy with my uni exams.. Anyways, here's your story!!

I HATE TO FIGHT YOU. (Miguel O'Hara × gn!reader)

warnings: Angst to light sfw (at the end)???, Miguel expressing his anger by literally destroying his lab lmao, VERY LONG ONE SHOT.

☆

Superpowers aren’t easy.

So it wasn’t a relationship with the leader of the Spider Society. Miguel was not an easy guy to argue with, you might call him stubborn, which was one of his main features. And even when Miles Morales, the newcomer to society, tried to change his mind, begging him to give him a chance to save his father, he hadn’t changed his mind. There was nothing Miles could do to change his mind. It was difficult with me, imagine with the others! But this is another story; Miles Morales was chased by an angry mob of Spider people, led by Miguel, flanked by me. The walls of the structure resounded with encouraging screams that every spider person gave himself, giving more charge during that chase. Miles was right in front of us, dodging webs and traps stretched by other members. There was something about that kid that maybe wasn’t something wrong.

He needed to be sent home and help him save his parents. I had not succeeded, and I would have avoided that another person (moreover a little boy!) would have gone through the same pain that I had to go through. Miguel and I split up, and that was my chance. With a perfect throw of my web, he managed to grab Miles' right arm and pull it towards me. The boy stretched his eyes, thinking it was the end for him. Only when I made a sign to him to become invisible and to hide behind a shaded wall, he understood. He hid me in turn, letting the angry crowd pass us.

Now it was the right time. "Miles". I called the kid with the labored breath and he returned to his normal form. He was exhaling and inspiring too, following the hunt we were giving him. Without wasting time, looking around if there was a person there, I took out my time clock, and put it on his wrist. " This clock will take you to your dimension. It’s already set for where you need to go. Don’t ask any more questions, go." Without giving him an answer, I left him there, in the shadows, his face confused and sweaty, while I waved him to go.

~☆~

"You did what?!"

"He’s a boy, Miguel!"

"You have no idea how serious the situation is because of you".

"Miguel, you have to reason. You can’t really thi-".

"The situation is far worse than you think, puta madre!"

Miguel’s scream rang out the second it left his mouth. I could compare him to an animal: panting, with his eyes reddened and grainy, studying every movement, his shoulders outstretched, ready to attack his prey, me, or maybe someone else. His fierce and intimidating tone made me shudder, close my eyes for fear that something might happen, or worse; I held my arms in place along my hips, biting my lip to channel the emotions I had inside. I didn’t want to show weakness before Miguel. Or better: he had already seen me as I was. Fragile, with doubts that twisted my mind, like a normal human being, yet in those situations I always tried not to show off... I wanted to have everything under control. The man didn’t realize that he was wrong, that he was blinded by this compulsive obsession with control. We were talking about a little boy, Jesus Christ!

I opened my eyes.

My thoughts were replaced by the still threatening tone of Miguel, my lover, who took a long sigh, pinching the tip of his nose. Then he shook his head, turning his back. The lab was upside down: the news of my help to Miles was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

"The consequences are serious. I can’t risk losing more people to a kid".

That was more a warning to him than to myself. "I need to think about it... I need to be alone".

"Miguel.." I tried to talk to him.

With one hand he stopped me from talking to him and shook his head slightly, not looking at me. " No." He said. "I know what you did. It was right. But now I need to be on my own" he repeated feebly, that I found it difficult to understand well what he wanted. Then I agreed, because I respected his condition and his well-being, so I left him alone in the now ruined laboratory, with the last words: "I only did what was right. He deserves a chance", then the doors closed. I swear I heard something from him.

"And I don’t blame you. But it’s not right that he can save his family, and I couldn’t do it".

[intimidating-fettuccine]

May I request Hobo Heart with a sweet and shy Reader who loves spoiling him with physical affection but they're often too shy to initiate it? I love Hobo Heart and just need more fluff with him. <3 (If this has been requested before I'm sorry- I have crappy memory. Any Hobo Heart fluff at all is much appreciated.)

I have written a similar request actually from you before :p, so I'm just using this as a way to ramble about Hobo for you :)

Click here for Hobo with a s/o who loves being affectionate but feels shy and insecure about it at first

This idea just popped into my head, but he totally makes you things with his feathers. He's got big wings and a fuck ton of feathers, and before he met you he'd just usually let them drift away outside, but he's started saving them for you now. You've always complimented him about them, and when he presents you the very first feather, a very large one from the end of his wing, and you light up in absolute joy it causes him to grow quite flustered and definitely encourages him to keep doing it. I think he likes to make you things, like decorations like a dream catcher, or maybe a feather wreath. They always come out beautifully and it brings him so much joy when you like them.

I've said before that Hobo can make chirping noises, and that he does so when he's really happy and content. However, I now think that when he's super comfortable with someone, especially you, he actually has separate chirping noises for just about every mood he has. Spend enough time with Hobo, and you'll eventually come to realize what chirps mean what emotion, and I think it's quite silly because he's not used to doing it around people, so it catches him off guard when you know what they mean. I also have this funny image of him chirping at you sassily and when you tell him not to be sassy with you he chirps back indignantly, and the two of you just go back and forth. I love this bird man and I just think he would be very happy to be able to do those things with you. Also, if you try and mock/copy him by trying to imitate his chirping noises he thinks it's the cutest thing in the entire world and he'll just giggle at you, a big bright smile on his face. 

Traps you in his wings. He's a huge fucking cuddle bug as I've said before, and I think it has evolved in your relationship that now, when he doesn't want you to get up from snuggles, that he'll wrap you up in his arms and his wings, holding you tightly so you can't get away. He does it to be silly and clingy, and it's hard for you to deny him more snuggles when he pouts at you and politely asks you to stay just a little while longer. He's been so touch-starved his whole life that he just feels so blessed to be able to receive that affection from you, and so sometimes he just wants to be a bit selfish and keep you to himself for a little while, just curled up in bed, his wings lightly wrapped around you as the two of you relax and relish in each other's company. Also adding a tidbit on the end, that I think he would also protect you with his wings. I think if he ever gets scared that something might happen to you, he reflexively and quickly fans his wings out around you and pulls you into him. It's such a reflex that it happens incredibly fast and often times he doesn't realize he's doing it until he already has. 

[bibbityboppitybillyharvgrove]

Stream Crasher- E.Munson

Summary: Eddie Munson is a well known streamer who keeps his private life out of the public eye. His fans get a little glimpse of his life with his wife when she crashes his stream on more than one occasion.

Pairings: Modern!Eddie x Wife!Reader

Warnings: Female Reader, mentions of food, Eddie is a mechanic and is a gamer in his free time, (Let me know if I missed any)

My full Masterlist

Author's Note: It's been awhile, I've been in a bit of a slump lately but I'm trying my hardest to get out of it. I'm working on a few things right now so keep an eye out.

Word Count: 1.1K

My asks are open for questions, suggestions and feedback

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged!

Enjoy!

gif not mine

Eddie Munson was a name well known across the gaming community. He was right up there along with Pewdiepie, Jacksepticeye and Markiplier. It took him years to get where he was and he wasn’t even expecting it, he was a mechanic who played video games on the internet for fun. It was his hobby and he never seemed to view it as a job, he always had fun with whatever game he was playing.

His fans had known that he was in a serious relationship, he and his girl lived together, had been together since high school and had been best friends their whole lives. He never revealed much about her, just that she was funny, gorgeous and a high school English teacher.

One night, Eddie had been streaming, he was replaying The Last of Us before the show came out, when he heard a gentle knock on his game room door. “That you, sweetheart?” He called back to the knock. The door creaked open, light from the hallway streaming through.

“Yeah, I brought you some snacks and I refilled your water,” She replied from the doorway. Making her way to her seated boyfriend, who had just paused the game and turned his chair so he could face her, she handed him the plate that held some cut fruit on it and his water bottle, now filled with ice water. She did this every time he streamed for over two hours, knowing he gets grumpy when he doesn’t eat.

“Thank you, baby. You wanna watch for a bit?” He asked her.

“I wish I could but I have to grade some papers,” She pouted at him. He pulled her down so she was straddling his lap and pulled her in for a sweet kiss, completely forgetting about the stream he had going on. 

“When you want to take a break, you know where to find me. I love you.”

“I love you, more Eds.” With that she planted a kiss on his cheek, got up from his lap and exited the room, shutting the door gently behind her. He turned back to the stream and continued about his way as if nothing ever happened. His eyes occasionally drifted over to the chat to answer questions, which were now all about his girl.

One comment stood out among the rest, “'That was my English teacher'. Well, I’m glad you have my girl for an English teacher. Please respect her privacy though. I don’t want to throw her into this world of social media and content creation,” He lectured his chat. He didn’t want her thrown into the toxic world that social media was, she wasn’t big on social media to begin with. She had Twitter, Tumblr, TikTok and Instagram, all of which she never posted much, just enjoying the content others put out. In one of the many cutscenes, he turned most of his attention to the chat, snacking on the peeled orange sitting on the plate in front of him. 

“For those of you asking, my girl and I have known each other our whole lives, we were best friends for years until I had the balls to finally ask her out our freshman year. I was convinced she had a massive crush on our friend Steve but boy was I wrong. We’ve been living together for 5 years. Once we graduated high school we got an apartment with the money we made at the bars we worked at. Once she graduated from college, we moved into our house. She's working on her masters right now, on top of working at the high school in our town.”

“One of you just asked if we’re engaged. We aren’t, we actually just got married last month. She hasn’t changed her last name yet, she plans on that once the school year is over so it doesn’t confuse her current students. Married life is great, not much has changed, it definitely feels great to finally call her my wife,” Eddie chuckled. He heard the door creak open again, turning around to see his wife in the doorway with a wide smile on her face. “Were you eavesdropping, sweetheart?” He teased her.

“Is it eavesdropping if you’re technically talking to yourself?” She teased back. 

“I-I don’t have anything. What can I do for you, beautiful?”

“Thought I’d take you up on that offer of watching before. I can’t read another paper. Like I swear I drill them about grammar and yet they are still using commas in places they don’t belong, the run on sentences, not taking my suggestions that I left on their rough drafts and don’t even get me started on using ‘your’ in a formal research paper,” She vented.

“I’m sorry, baby, come sit. Teenagers just don’t listen,” Eddie sympathized.

“Oh I’m aware. You never did, Mr. I don’t need help to pass O'Donnell's class. Mr. I can pass history without studying even though I never paid attention,” She teased him.

“You little snake! I ended up getting help didn’t I? My personal teacher helped me pass.”

“I sure did. Now get on with your stream. I wanna watch you kill some clickers.”

He had turned back to his monitors, where the game was paused, pulling his older gaming chair over so she could sit. As he played, she answered some of the questions coming through on the stream. She was out of the camera’s view, Eddie making it a habit to turn his camera further away from his right side and more to the left. A few names she recognized but she lit up when she saw some more familiar names to both her and Eddie.

“Honey, look! The kids and Steve are watching! Hi guys!” She squealed in delight. She loved seeing that their friends were supportive and frequently joined in on Eddie’s live streams. “For those asking, no, Eddie and I don’t have kids. The kids are our friends that are a few years younger than us. I used to babysit them when they were younger, Eddie played Dungeons and Dragons with them in high school, had a whole club and everything.”

“No need to out me as a freak there, baby,” Eddie joked, his eyes finding their way to his wife’s face, seeing nothing but love and joy in her eyes.

“What did I tell you about calling yourself a freak? You were just nerdy with really long hair, that’s all. Still are really nerdy with long hair but I married you, didn’t I?”

“You did indeed. And I’m very happy you did.”

“I’m very happy I did, too.”

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Hey everyone.

Maybe some of you have noticed that my writing's been super sporadic since like June (if you haven't that's very okay) but I just wanted to write a little bit about what's been happening in my life because it's had a pretty big impact on my writing.

It turns out that I'm actually ace.

So, if you happen to notice an uptick in me writing fics with ace characters who still get to be loved, I'm just trying to process a thing.

Please feel free to skip the rest of this post if you're not interested in the harrowing journey of self discovery. I am absolutely giving too much information about my life, I'm just really working at processing everything and I'm hoping writing it out will help. And honestly, there have been some beautiful souls in the Tumblr community who have given me some beautiful encouragement (including but not limited to @basicallyahedgehog who answered an anon ask I sent them the other day with so much kindness and encouragement because I'd bawled my eyes out about one of their fics featuring ace Harry/Draco.).

(Anyway. If you want to read a ramble about all of the things I'm struggling with at the present moment, I'm gladly accepting advice and kindness at this time. Please read below the cut and chime in if you have anything hopeful to add.)

For most of my life I've pretty comfortably called myself a "picky bi" and in the past couple of years have labeled myself "demisexual" because I'm not sex repulsed; I've had sex, it was fine/good when it's with someone who I'm in love with. I moved on from the labeling, content with the label I'd given myself and whatnot.

It's been a minute (read: 8+ years) since I've been in a relationship that got to the point where I've considered having sex but I didn't really think all that much of it. In retrospect, I think this is largely because I've grown a lot in terms of self respect and honoring my own autonomy. Somewhere around 25, I started saying no when I didn't want something and if the other person didn't respect that decision they were not worth my time.

Anyway, it didn't really occur to me that perhaps going nearly a decade without thinking about/wanting to have sex with anyone (and without experiencing even vague aesthetic attraction to someone with only the odd exception here and there- some of you saw that post a couple of months ago, apparently just having the thought that someone is pretty isn't the same as attraction that allo people experience- so that panic now seems pretty unnecessary. It literally boggles my mind that people can just see a person they've never met and want to have sex with them. Anyway, I'm digressing.) Apparently, it's not a common occurrence even among demisexuals to go that long without thinking about sex if you have emotional intimacy with people (which I do). So fast forward to June when I went to a conference for lgbtqia christians and started listening to people talk about attraction.

To say that my experience of attraction and desire for sex is profoundly different than that of nearly all of the people that I talked to at that conference would be an understatement.

After that conference, I started talking to a lot of friends about their experience of attraction and their desire for sex (eventually this also included some new friends who are demi/ace) and have been a little flabbergasted by their responses. Suddenly, in light of the fact that my body doesn't interpret a lot of things the way that other peoples' seem to, a lot of things started to make sense.

I've been called a flirt (at best, and a [cock]tease in more unpleasant moments) my entire life because I always want to give people gentle physical affection; I love holding hands, touching people on the arm while we're having a conversation, playing with peoples' hair, hugging, leaning, the list is long- none of those things have ever felt like flirting to me. Every one of those actions was the end in itself, there was no artifice in my touches, no desire or even thought for more, but APPARENTLY that is not the thing that happens in a lot of peoples' bodies. It is incomprehensible to me that simple, affectionate touches are not something that everyone just wants to do to anyone that they harbor platonic affection for. This also applies to the way that I communicate with people. Again, I've been called a flirt, been told that I'm intense, been told that I'm trying to 'steal' peoples' boy/girl friends simply by being friends with them. APPARENTLY, showing "too much" interest in other peoples' lives and hobbies is flirting. APPARENTLY, getting really excited for people who are excited and doing cool things is flirting. Because (or so I have been told) the emotional energy I expend is too much to just be friends; surely, I have another angle.

Next, in terms of attraction, I experience attraction to beautiful things in nature in the same way that I experience it to people. If I'm being honest, nature makes my heart sing in a way that people usually don't. I can get caught up in the beauty of the world; the vastness of the ocean for literal hours, in the majesty of the mountains, the strength of trees, the way water carves a path through the rocks in glens and waterfalls. The world takes my breath away, it makes me weep just to exist in nature. Apparently, this in not everyone's experience of nature and apparently, many people who want to have sex don't think that trees, or bodies of water, or mountains have as much (or more, in my humble opinion) appeal than humans.

It's come to my attention that even the way that I have experienced heart break from relationships where I was "in love" and having sex is not the way that people typically experience heartbreak. All heart break feels the same to me; grieving leaving a job, grieving the death of a loved one, grieving horrible things that happen to my students, grieving the loss of friendships, and grieving the loss of a relationship feel like the same heart break. (Like some of those things hurt worse than others but the heart break over the loss of a relationship isn't worse.) One of my friends mentioned that I grieve the passing of summer into autumn (I fucking hate the winter) like the loss of a relationship and I wish I could say that she is wrong. I've been told my whole life that I experience my emotions too big and I just can't help but wonder if there is some sort of correlation there, but I digress.

The literal dream for my life is to have someone who wants to get in the car or on a plane and travel with me. Someone who I can make coffee for in the mornings and who wants to cook me dinner at night. Someone who wants to sit on the couch after a long day at work and talk about nothing, or watch a show, or just exist together. Someone who wants to dance with me in the kitchen, and hold my hand while we walk, who wants to smile at me while I ramble about nature. I want someone who wants to hold me when I cry, who wants to listen to me when I'm mad, someone who will remind me to take a break when I'm working too hard. The only thing that I actually want from a partner is just someone to do life with. It's not that I'm opposed to sex, it's just that it literally doesn't matter.

(So many things in past relationships, so many fights, so many of the reasons that I was left, so many things that I JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND make sense now. Or at least they're starting to.)

So. In the process of understanding this complete fuckery, of trying to put all of the pieces that haven't quite made sense in my life into order, in the end of July my best friend told me that she's in love with me.

And on the one hand, I'm fucking over the moon, delighted, honored, speechless, crazy-happy. She's literally the best person I have ever known, she's the kindest, sweetest, most loyal, loving, amazing human being to ever exist. She loves me so well, so completely, like all of the things that I said above that are my dream; that is her. We road trip together, and she lets me braid her hair, and we snuggle on the couch and watch movies, and we talk for hours (literally hours, when we road trip we go for 7-10 days at a time and I like do not shut the fuck up for more than like 5 minutes total the entire day and she loves me; loves listening to me talk about whatever is in my brain), and when I'm going on and on about how pretty things are in nature she looks at me like I'm the pretty thing (when I say, 'oh my gosh. that mountain, tree, lake, ocean, etc. is so beautiful.' she literally says 'you're so beautiful' and I am deceased, my heart can't take it, I can't fucking stop smiling- I don't even want to), and she lets me info dump about whatever I'm learning, and she loves my brain and my stupid adhd, and she plays me sappy love songs and sings them to me (and she sings in my car, sings to me even though she doesn't sing in front of people) and and and... she makes me feel like I'm good. She makes me feel like I'm all of the things that other people have said I'm not.

And I am constantly terrified of hurting her.

There are a variety of reasons we're not planning on having sex (partially because it's not really something that I want) that I'm not going to get into but I'm afraid of being what I've been to other people. I'm afraid of her feeling like I'm pushing her buttons because I just always want to be touching her (very platonically) like just having our shoulders bumping while we walk, or putting my head on her shoulder when we're on the couch, or letting our elbows press against one another while we're in the car. BUT what happens in our bodies when we're touching like that is really different. Like I described above, for me any type of touch is really the end goal in and of itself (if I'm braiding her hair, it's safe to assume that that is all I want to be doing. If I'm leaning against her on the couch, that too is what I'm wanting.) But that's not always how her body wants to interpret touch, even if she logically knows that I'm not intentionally teasing (she would never say that she feels like I'm trying to tease her, for the record, it's just the easiest way for me to articulate what it feels like could be happening).

And I love her so much, like so much; I'd do anything for her but it's not the same kind of love that she feels for me. By which I mean that she is just really gay and actively attracted to me emotionally/physically but for me if she started dating someone else, I'd be actually fine with that. If she was dating/having sex with someone I wouldn't be jealous, as long as we still get to be friends. (And maybe her dating would necessarily change the dynamic of our friendship and that would be really hard but that's a different mental exercise.) This isn't the way that she feels.

She is so special and important to me but even the way that we are aware of the other person's presence is different. For me, if I'm in a group of people and she's there, I'm aware of that on some level but it's not at the forefront of my mind. My brain is always sort of 'triaging' the people around me when they're my friends; who's being too quiet? who has been going through a rough patch with work/family, etc? who has an exciting new thing they need someone to squeal about with them? who hasn't been included in the conversation in too long? (see the paragraph above about flirting. haha.) She's there but she often isn't the first person I'm thinking about because I talk to her almost every day, I get to love her every day, and odds are good that we either drove together or will talk on the phone our way home from the event- I see the other people there less, so my brain just prioritizes them since I have less time to love them. (This is actually really good, healthy progress for me in terms of healthy attachment and not forming a codependent relationship. My therapist and I are really proud of the work I'm doing, but I'm digressing again.) For her, though, she always knows exactly where I am. It is work for her to pay attention to other conversations, work to be in a different room. In most situations, I am the person she defaults to thinking about and wanting to be near and she has to actively choose other things if she wants to. (And I don't mean to sound like an absolute asshole, it's not like I ignore her or anything, and I'm delighted for us to be in the same conversations, it's just a different way that we engage with the world.)

I love her so much. And I'm afraid of messing everything up. Of hurting her. Of asking too much of her without asking for anything at all. I try to let her be the one to initiate physical touch (or I ask first) because sometimes it's too hard on her body and that's fair. I feel frustrated with the different ways that we experience love for each other because the way that she loves me feels so good and safe to me and it makes me feel so happy. I'm afraid that the way that I love her doesn't feel as nice for her, that it feels less than, that the way I express my love and devotion isn't as good. I'm afraid that the way she loves me is going to wear her out. She always says she knows I love her just as much as she loves me, it's just different. She says she's okay, she says that the way I love her is good for her and she's happy. But it's hard to believe.

I'm afraid that she'll fall in love with someone else who can love her the way she loves and I won't matter to her anymore (partially because that's been my experience of people who have said they're in love with me). I'm afraid.

Is it even fair to entertain the idea of maybe having a whole life together? (we're already entertaining the ideas, already daydreaming about 'what if we lived together', where we're going on our next road trip, etc. And I'm terrified.) Is it asking her to give up too much? I would spend the rest of my life with her. I'd be good and kind to her, I would love her with so much tenderness. But is it enough? Am I enough with just the things that I have to give? Is it actually possible for someone to love me for just me and not for the ways that I could contort myself to be something I'm not?

I recognize the irony in what I'm asking. I know that that's what all of these hundreds of stories I've written here say, it's what I want to believe. But is it even possible when it's reality?

I don't know. Does anyone have any good advice? Any ace people out there living with a person who's in love with them? Does anyone have something that's lasted?

[aquagirl1978]

I wanted to wish everyone here a very Happy New Year. This past year wasn't a particularly great one for me personally, and like most of you, it was filled with ups and downs. I made a few bad choices last year that I'm not proud of, but I hope I can be a better person this year.

That said, there were still many bright spots I wanted to take a moment to reflect on. And no, I will not be tagging anyone because when you do that, someone is always forgotten from that list. And I've been forgotten from those lists more times than I can count in this lifetime, and I don't want any of you out there to feel that way.

First, to those who took time from their lives and created Christmas gifts for me, words cannot express my happiness that you thought enough to make me something. I'm only sorry I didn't gift you something in return (tho that can always change in 2024 😉)

To those who left messages on my Christmas tree, I was amazed not only by how many notes I received, but by how heartfelt each message was. I wish I would have written more than a generic Merry Christmas greeting, so for that, know that I love you all and thank you for being part of this crazy fandom family and I have screenshot every message so that they may live on in infamy.

To those who participated in my recent event, A Series of Firsts, I was floored that so many people participated with such lovely fics. When I initially posted the event, I didn't expect such a turnout for these less popular suitors. I hope everyone has enjoyed writing and reading these fics, and maybe it will encourage others to shine a light on these men more often.

To those who have interacted with my fics - whether it be by reblogging, commenting, leaving a heart, or just reading them - a gigantic thank you. I share these silly little things for you, and to know that any of them are enjoyed us the most amazing feeling in the world.

To those in my Discord server - I'm so happy to have gotten to know so many of you outside of Tumblr. I am thankful for different time zones and someone almost always being there at 3 am to scream with about these 2D men we all love so much. I love you each and every one of you.

Lastly, to those who are no longer active, either because they found a new fandom, left Tumblr, or any other reason - I miss you greatly, and I hope 2024 brings you joy and happiness.

[x0x0josephinex0x0]

Best part, seokjin bts, mutual pining pls 🫶🏼

A/N: ok bestie this combo……I’m in love. With you and the idea. Thanks for the request, I hope you like it!!

GN! Reader x Kim Seokjin, mentions of alcohol and drinking, drunk kiss, Christmastime?? Not proofread. Sorry!!

Your eyelids flutter open gently to a room flooded with the white-gold light of morning. Everything is as you left it last night — your head is still resting on your arms at the coffee table, your purse and coat are still on the floor, a few empty bottles of various types of alcohol are still littering the counter, and Kim Seokjin is still curled up on the couch, fast asleep.

And as you look at him -- messy black hair falling over his forehead, big eyes shut, those perfect lips parted ever so slightly in a dream -- you know that no amount of alcohol could erase last night from your memory.

Nothing had happened. Nothing ever really happened between you and Seokjin, but for the past six months, all of that nothing had started to feel awfully like something. That was the earliest you could trace back the phenomena of Seokjin being the first thought in your head when you woke up, which had started as an occasional thing and had progressed into an everyday one.

Before then, Seokjin had been just another member of your friend group, a tight-knit squad of varying careers and interests who'd all been friends since college. You'd always liked him -- he was smart and kind and funny, always willing to participate in any of the antics of other members of the group and always making sure everyone was taken care of -- but it hadn't got beyond that until Christmastime.

Specifically, the Christmas Dance Battle Challenge.

This yearly tradition was one of your absolute least favorite parts of Christmas with your friends. You were decidedly not a dancer, but you played along because you saw how happy it made your other friends. The rules were simple: on December 1st, each person draws a number, and whoever draws the same number is their partner. Each number coincides with a song, which is the song the two of you have to learn the dance for by the time of the annual Christmas Eve-Eve (two days before Christmas) party. There would be a group vote after everyone had performed, and the winning pair got a prize -- usually a gift card each and a bottle of wine -- that the rest of the group had to pitch in to buy.

So, on December 1st, you had gathered. You had drawn #2 with Seokjin, and the song had been Bite Me by New Jeans. And the two of you had met up the next day to discuss "the strategy", which was what Seokjin had called it, clueing you into something you didn't realize about him: Seokjin was competitive.

"Alright," he'd said, pacing in front of you like a general in front of his troops right before battle. "This year I have it on good authority that the prize will be a gift card to my favorite restaurant, and I have to defend my winning title from last year, so this has to be good. How confident are you?"

"Uhhh..." you'd stuttered, and Seokjin had paused in front of you to flick your forehead lightly. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Now is not the time for insecurities," he'd told you. "You hold yourself back from true greatness every year, I've watched you. But you have amazing potential. And now, I will be the one who releases this butterfly from their cocoon."

He was speaking seriously, and yet there was a way that his mouth turned up at the corners that made you realize that it was mostly an act. So you'd grinned at him hesitantly, and he'd clapped. "That's the spirit! Now, I need to know your schedule so I can put together a rehearsal timeline."

You'd practiced twice a week with Seokjin, and his positive encouragement meant that your dancing skills improved markedly during that time. And you were also enjoying getting to know Seokjin, whose goofy humor and gentle teasing eased your normally-anxious mind. He calmed you, and brought out a more energetic, less timid side of you that you didn't even know existed. Being around him was as easy as breathing. In time, you even found it within you to tease him back as you learned the moves to the dance. Things were going so well.

And then, the "dress rehearsal" on December 17th.

Only a minute in to the practice, Seokjin paused the music. "I swear I didn't mess it up, Seokjin," you growled at him, "and I know, because I made a point to flick my foot specifically like you said --"

"That's not it," he complained, stopping your words with a finger. "There's not enough passion."

“Huh?” you said.

He strode over to you, stopping well inside your personal space bubble and looking down at you. “Do you think I’m handsome?” he asked you.

Your eyes had gotten wide and you’d blushed. “You -- what?”

“Answer the question,” he’d said with a half-smile and an eyebrow raised.

“Well, of course,” you’d stammered. Because he was -- tall and broad-shouldered, confident and self-assured, with that sardonic smile and those eyes that were as sweet and warm as the caramel cinnamon syrup you liked in your coffee. You’d always known he was handsome, but it wasn’t until this moment that you’d realized just how beautiful he was. He was perfect, really.

“So, why do you act like you’re scared to touch me?” he asked you, amused.

Unbeknownst to you, Seokjin was fighting to keep his very real frustration out of his voice. Because for the past month you’d been teasing him without even realizing it. He was addicted to your secret humor, admired the way you were so thoughtful and considerate to your shared group of friends, and couldn’t stop thinking about how pretty you were. He’d been feeling this way since you’d met, secretly praying every year that you’d get partnered up for the dance competition, but only this year had the prayer been answered. And while it had been thrilling so far -- Seokjin was learning there was almost no line he wouldn’t cross to hear your laugh, especially when it was because of him -- he was also discouraged at the lack of real progress. His first concern was that if he said anything to you about his feelings, you’d be too polite to turn him down, and he hated to put you in a situation like that -- but he’d started to wonder, with all the times he caught you staring, if he might have more hope than he started with.

So it was time for him to take hold of his destiny, he supposed. When he wrapped an arm around your waist, you gasped a little, and Seokjin had to grit his teeth to keep himself from becoming a giggling mess. He pulled you gently into him. “Have you ever danced with a man before?” he asked you.

Blushing furiously, you shook your head no. He nodded, lifting one of your hands in his own. “Follow my lead,” he’d said, and with your hips touching, he waltzed you around the room.

You were surprised at how quickly you were able to relax into his arms, especially because your whole body felt tingly and electric where it met with his skin. Seokjin led you through a short waltz that had the whole room spinning treacherously around you, forcing you to look at him. His eyes seemed to swallow you whole in their warmth, and there was something unspoken and magnetic in them that threatened to overwhelm you. Finally, he slowed to a stop, but didn’t let go of you. “Feel that?” he asked in a whisper, his eyes searching your face.

You swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

He let go of you then, taking a step back. The sudden distance between the two of you left you feeling a bit cold, and you shivered. “That’s the energy we need to channel,” he said, turning away from you -- because this was the only way he knew how not to kiss you when you looked at him like that.

The rest of the practice had gone smoothly, but that was the first night you dreamed of Seokjin. And the first morning you woke up thinking of him. Little did you know, he was waking up that same morning thinking of you, too.

And you’d won the dance contest, without much of a competition. “I didn’t know you had that in you,” your friends had told you. “I mean, the chemistry?”

“Thanks,” you’d said, meeting eyes with Seokjin and blushing. “I had a really good partner.”

You’d assume things would go back to normal -- back to how they were before -- but Seokjin still texted you every day, just about different things. You ended up at his apartment a couple times without any of your other friends present, all for regular friendly activities like movies and video game nights, and he’d never made a move, always the picture of manners and thoughtfulness. And you had fun together, laughing more than you’d ever laughed with anyone. But the feelings that had awakened when he was standing so near to you had only grown, resulting in every morning being flooded with memories of him -- his smile, the smell of him, even the goofy pajamas he wore on occasion when you’d come over.

You hadn’t told him anything about this for several reasons. The main one was of course that you were friends now, and whatever else existed between you, you really enjoyed being around him. The fear that all of that would evaporate like a stray bit of smoke was 90% of the reason you stayed silent.

The other 10% was that you knew if you let yourself fall for him, there was a possibility that it wouldn’t work out, and you weren’t entirely sure how you’d survive that level of heartbreak.

So you’d let it be what it was for six whole months — from December to June, you had ached for Kim Seokjin in the same way as a carefully concealed wound. Sometimes, if you moved a certain way, it hurt worse — like during movie nights when his arm extended over the back of the sofa, but never quite around your shoulders. And sometimes it was barely there, like in late hours of the night when your quiet conversations had fizzled out and you were sitting in comfortable silence together. But still it remained, becoming clear to you at some indistinguishable moment that it wasn’t ever going to go away.

And then yesterday the call had come. “Hey,” he’d said. “What are your evening plans?”

“I’m pretty open. Why?” You hated the way your heart took off at the question, but it was hard when he phrased it in such a date-like way.

“Did you use your gift card?” he asked, referring to the one you’d both won as the prize for the dance competition.

“No, I didn’t.” You waited.

“We should go there tonight,” Seokjin recommended. “I can pick you up. Is seven okay?”

The whole day had been a terrible waiting game. The hours crawled by at a sloth’s pace, refusing to show much progress no matter how often you checked your watch. You’d gotten ready at 5, and it had somehow taken you only a half hour, so you were stuck waiting for another hour and a half before the knock finally came at your apartment door.

When you opened it, your jaw dropped. He looked like a prince in a blue suit with a crisp white shirt, his hair pushed up off his forehead. He’d held out the bouquet in his hands. “Um, hello,” he said, an endearing nervousness coloring his tone. “You look…really nice.”

You’d tucked a stray hair behind your ear with a jittery hand. “Thanks,” you’d replied. “Why the flowers?”

“Oh,” he’d said, like he’d just remembered them, although he was still holding them out to you. “They’re a thank you. For helping me win.”

“You really didn’t have to,” you said, taking them from him. “I had a lot of fun with you. And I’m glad we were able to get closer because of it.”

Was that a hint of a blush on his cheeks?

But he simply smiled, offering you his arm. “Let’s go.”

And dinner had turned into drinks, which had turned into drunk Seokjin. He was similar to regular Seokjin, just louder and less filtered, and though you were tipsy yourself, you knew better than to let him try and get home on his own. Not knowing what else to do, you’d brought him back to your place, letting him down gently onto the couch.

“Hey,” he’d said in a scolding tone as you stood up to stumble into your own bed. “Why are you leaving me?”

“It’s okay,” you told him. “You’re at my place. You’re safe.”

He’d reached up, then — and on your wobbly legs it was impossible to resist his surprisingly strong grip. You fell right into his lap, your hands finding purchase on the fabric of his shirt, and he wrapped his arms around your waist. He spent only a second looking at your stunned face through hazy eyes, admiring the tint of pink the alcohol lent to your nose and cheeks and the way your brows knit so adorably in nerves and worry, before he leaned in closer and pressed a soft, slow, entirely overwhelming kiss to your lips.

You couldn’t help it. You twisted your fingers around his shirt and returned the kiss, knowing with a pang of agony that this could be the one and only chance you had. You tried to say everything you couldn’t put into words with the kiss, caressing his face with the hand not holding his shirt and finally allowing yourself to feel all the feelings you’d been hopelessly trying to ignore that grew stronger and stronger the longer your lips were locked. The kiss cemented Seokjin firmly into his position as the first person you could ever remember loving like this.

And then he was the first to pull away. He frowned. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want to do that while drunk. Wanted it to be more…romantic. Special. But…”

“Yeah?” you’d whispered.

He’d fixed you with a bleary gaze. “If you love me, won’t you say something?”

And then he’d fallen asleep.

You watch him now — the sunlight turning his brown hair slightly auburn, the soothing rhythm of his breathing. And you know you’ll need to talk when he wakes up. But for right now, you let yourself reach across the short distance to move his waves off his face so you can see him better. “Beautiful,” you whisper.

As you let your hand drop, his hand shoots up to your wrist. “Hmm?” he hums at you, blinking awake. “What was that?”

Your heart is beating in your throat, but you know you have to ask. “What do you remember from last night?”

He closes one eye to try and focus. Then he realizes. “Oh, I am so sorry.”

You shake your head. “It’s fine.”

“No really,” he says, sitting up. “That…shouldn’t have happened the way it did.”

And you’re not sure what he means by that, but it’s almost to the point that you don’t even care anymore. So you shake your head and take your hand in his, preparing to be the boldest you’ve ever been in your life.

“Seokjin, you should know...that when you hold me, and kiss me slowly, it’s the sweetest thing.”

His jaw drops. And you continue, “I’ve felt this way forever. And all of the time we spent together has only made it worse. Because no matter what we’re doing, you’re the best part.”

You wait for him to respond, but he seems lost for words. Finally he chokes out, “you’re the sunshine of my life.”

Your face splits into a massive grin. “You want coffee, babe?” you ask him.

“You’re the only coffee I need,” he replies, looking at you like one looks at the stars — awed and reverent and overwhelmed all at once

[loving-jin]

Do you ever think about life - Kim Seokjin

Summary: lazy, comfort time with Jin who deals with your romantic existential thoughts Pairings: Jin x yn (female) Warnings: none, just love and comfort Words: 731 All rights reserved

Hello! I am back again for a drabble about my sweet man, Jin! It's just a silly comfort one I wrote for the times we feel like we need a little bit more love:) Feedback and reblogs are appreciatable!

The soft light of the long-risen sun was reflecting on your face as you stretched your arms a little, snuggling better in your bed. You felt a familiar scent back on your nostrils, a scent that reminded you of home. It was no other of your boyfriend, Seokjin. In your teddy matching pajamas that Jin highly insisted that you both buy on a random shopping spree on a free day, you laid peacefully in bed, your head safely tucked under Jin's jaw. His hand was lazily drawing circles on your back, slowly as he touched you between small naps that the both of you occasionally got. Your breath was even from the comforting scenery and the fact that not you nor your boyfriend had nowhere to go. You were thanking great heavens for Jin's well earned vacation given by his company. The soft scent of Jin's earthy aroma mixed with the remaining of his always worn fragrance was intoxicating to you, making you feel as if you were flying at the sky during a midnight dream.

"Baby?" you asked quietly, breaking the comfortable silence covering the both of you. The thing with Jin was that you didn't need to be talking or feeling anxious about finding any topics to start a conversation, your mind and heart was at the same ease while being silent. "Hm?" his raspy voice echoed against your ear, this being the only thing audible in the room, "what is it sweetheart?" a small smile appeared on his face, the kind of the ones you loved that were full of comfort and love. "Do you ever think about life?" you looked up to meet his eyes, placing your head against his shoulder. Seokjin made sure to place his arms differently so he'd still be engulfing you in his embrace. "Hm I'm not sure what you mean there" he chuckled lightly while fixing his position against the pillows so he could lock eyes with you. "Do you ever think how life would be if we didn't meet? How the smallest of events actually mean so much to the people we become?" you frowned on your own thoughts. "Hm" he tilted his head slightly, an also puzzled look on his face as he seemed to be thinking about it deeply. It was amazing how he'd always seem to be minding you and your worries no matter how small or stupid they seemed.

"It seems you've thought about it quite well" he humphed, his long fingers twirling the edges of your hair. "I've starting to realize how important this is. For moments like these. Where I can be myself" your grip became a little bit tighter around his torso. Jin turned down to you and smiled once again, sitting up, so his back was against the bed board. Swiftly, he passed his hands under your waist, placing you on his stretched out legs. Your arms naturally found their way around him as your front was against Jin's chest. Quietly, he rocked you just a tiny bit, your cheek squished against his broad chest. "I've been starting to get life more seriously now that I'm with you hm?" he looked down at you as he placed his finger under your chin encouraging you to meet his sight. "I do think of stuff like that sometimes. I don't know how or why, but we ended up together. And I'm so grateful for those series of events. Cause those have changed my life for the better" he said placing a small kiss on your lips, smiling.

"You are indeed the best part of me" you smiled back. "I'm not" Jin nodded negatively, grinning. "Hey" you frowned, pouting. "I don't want you to discredit yourself even a tiny bit. All this awesomeness comes directly from you. I don't play any role. I believe every different people bring out a different version of ourselves. And I'm happy to know that you bring out mine. My love, my darling" "Jin, what you said was so beautiful" you giggled, kissing his cheek. "Do I get more kisses for stuff like these?" he giggled back at your cuteness, before planting one on his own. "Hey, I'm the rewarder here" you playfully told him. "What about a change of roles?" he frowned teasingly before starting to pepper your face with kisses. He was indeed the one. The one for you.

[autumnslance]

Year of the OTP - June 2023 - Confession

(Time to yeet out a scene I've sat on too long. Altered dialogue from late Shadowbringers 5.0, in Amaurot at the last quest. 1035 words. References a few other previous writings.)

“Well, this has put everyone in a solemn mood, hasn't it? Honestly, we're not even sure this will be the end of it. But I suppose we should speak our minds when we have the opportunity. You taught me that much in Amh Araeng.”

Thancred took a breath. The air was still and damp. The letters were a weight in his coat, but there was no time, no opportunity for her to read them; he had squandered every chance. “So forgive me this moment of sentiment, Aeryn. By dragging me into this sorry mess, you've given me the chance to think and act as I should have…”

Say it. Tell her.

“...For Ryne's sake.”

True, but not the only truth to be said, bloody fool.

He swallowed. “Words cannot express how much this has changed my life, or how grateful I am for your support…”

He glanced at Ryne, so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t even look up to frown at nor encourage him. He sighed, reaching out and taking Aeryn’s hands in his. Aeryn looked at him, head tilting in her usual quizzical manner.

Gods, she looked brittle. Her white-streaked black hair looked like straw, her skin splotched with pale discoloration and seeming nearly translucent. Her eyes were perhaps the worst; he had always been fascinated by the changeable nature of her gray eyes, how they so expressed her moods even more than her frequent blushing. Now they were nearly colorless—yet still hers, her intellect and compassion still present.

I don’t have the right to say it. To add that pressure when she’s already close to cracking…

“Thancred?” Her voice was still her own, clear and strong.

He could not let those lessons go to waste. There may not be another chance, much as he prayed there would be. “That’s not all I wished to say,” he said quietly. The thick hush of the ghost city around them almost swallowed the words.

“Mayhap your bardic skills have grown rusty,” she teased gently with a strained smile.

He chuckled. “Indeed; I haven’t had much need to be a charmer—not when I would rather be guarding your back, and standing at your side, for as long as you will allow me.” He reached up to carefully cup her cheek, thumb brushing across her skin, wishing he could wipe that dreadful light away. Her eyes widened, darkening with emotion until they almost looked normal again. He smiled. 

“After everything, after all of this, I want—I need you to know, Aeryn, that I am in love with you.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and went very still.

His pulse pounded in his ears, but he’d said it, by the gods.

“I know my timing could be better,” he said acerbically. “And I haven’t forgotten my promise.” The damnable promise she had asked the day before, as they had left the Ondo to journey across the sea floor. “If anything, it makes it more important that you know—that whatever you need, whatever you ask, I can do naught else.” He paused, seeing the mists gathering in her too-bright eyes. “Our circumstances are wretched, so you needn’t worry about saying aught in return, just—”

“But I love you too,” she blurted, then blinked in the way she did when she surprised herself.

Thancred froze, afraid for a moment that he held her too tight, staring at her, the hammering of his heart loud enough to call attention from the shades around them. He was vaguely aware of Ryne now watching.

“I...am in love with you,” Aeryn repeated, with a little sobbing laugh. “I think I have been for awhile, but I didn’t know how to say it. When to,” she shook her head. “Perhaps you weren’t the only one who needed to learn something in Amh Araeng.”

His heart crinkled. Somewhere up the street Alisaie called back to them, though he couldn’t make out the words. He lifted Aeryn’s hand, brushing his lips over the backs of her fingers. “No promises,” he reminded her. “But we should talk later.”

Please let there be a later.

She made another half-sob, half-laugh sound, and nodded. “We should,” she repeated, voice shaking only a little.

“Meanwhile, even if words fail, I shall express my gratitude and love through action,” Thancred said. “No matter where you decide to go, I will be there, guarding your back.”

Or protecting Ryne and the others from you—as you asked. Gods, please don’t let it come to that.

Aeryn let out a long, shaky breath, and smiled. “That means…everything.”

He looked over at Ryne, who gave him a wan smile. “Now, I think Ryne needs a word. I’ll mollify Alisaie and Y’shtola’s tempers until you two catch up.”

Thancred hated stepping away, but he did, their fingers reluctantly slipping apart as he walked down the street while Aeryn turned to Ryne.

He’d said it. By the Twelve he had said it, and wondrously, Aeryn had said it in return. Would that he had been able to say it sooner—between everything with Minfilia and Ryne, his own base cowardice, and now, now Aeryn was—

It didn’t matter, he told himself. What mattered was that they had said it. That they knew. Their timing was shite, but the knowledge could not be lost now. Not between them.

“Everything all right?” Alisaie asked as he caught up to the others.

“Fine,” Thancred replied, a bit hoarse. He caught Urianger’s gaze, his raised eyebrow. Thancred smiled and gave a brief nod; his expression must have given away more than he thought, as Urianger visibly relaxed and grinned back. Y’shtola caught it too, brows drawing down together even as the ends of her mouth twitched upward. Had there been time, he would be receiving an earful, he was certain. “We each had our piece to say to our friend—though from Ryne’s expression, perhaps she needs to hear a few herself.”

The twins were peering at him now, stances their own but the gaze the same. They never realized when they did that. Thancred tried very hard to be nonchalant, to pretend all was normal, that his heart was not skipping and singing and screaming and sobbing all at once.

—

(I keep trying to write the parts around this but in the end...this specific little bit of Thancred's POV is it. Well, there's maybe a bit of Ardbert teasing Aeryn as a bro should, but that part's on Ao3.)

[wishitweresummer]

Sap’s Cuffs (Sapnap x Quackity x KarlJacobs)

Word Count: 2272

This one takes place in the DSMP Minecraft world where the three are engaged and very very happy together. (Hmph!)

Warning: Very intense tickling and use of restraints. Feet tickles.

     “So, I wanted to propose an idea for tonight.", Sapnap grinned as innocently as he could at his fiancés. They were all sat down for a dinner of mushroom soup and carrots. The other two stayed quiet and gave him room to talk. He only squirmed nervously in his seat.

"Yeah Sap?", Karl encouraged softly and then gave a little side eye to Quackity.

"What's got you so nervous?".

Sapnap took a breath and explained how he was hoping tonight he could handcuff the two together and then tickle them. Karl flushed and Quackity shook his head quickly, both men with wide eyes at the idea.

"You have been such a menace with the tickles lately! We didn't even fight back last time!", Quackity argued lightly. There was no heat in his words, though. Karl couldn’t help but giggle. An excited nervous energy crept into all of them like it always did when a new idea for something like this was suggested. This one being so tickle-focused added an extra shiver down everybody’s spines. Sapnap laughed.

"Well, it's just we got those handcuffs and we haven't really been putting them to use! I've been thinking about this a lot.".

Quackity and Karl whispered back and forth while Sapnap waited, sipping his soup slowly. They really had fun with it. Gasping dramatically and shaking their heads wildly while looking Sapnap up and down. He squirmed under their gazes.

"Guys!", he huffed, finally. They laughed.

So, they made a plan. Sapnap absolutely had to go first. Tonight would be dedicated to Quackity and Karl's ticklish revenge.

~•~

     As they got Sapnap in just his basketball shorts with his hands cuffed behind him on his knees on the bed, they told him about all the times just this month he had tickled them with no mercy. Somehow, it was the worst teasing he had ever experienced. He had been so hard on them recently...he was screwed.

"The other week when we were all getting cozy on the couch and kissing and you derailed everything by tickling me, and then you guys tortured me forever! You got my wings and my back, too!". Quackity shook his head while he brushed the sock fuzz off of Sapnap's bare feet. Sapnap shivered.

"The other day when we were cuddling waiting for Quackity to come home and you decided to instead pass the time by counting my ribs against my will! Poor ducky came home to screaming!", Karl said as he tested the tightness of Sapnap's cuffs. He wanted him contained, but comfortable. They went on and on going through each and every instance of Sapnap tickling them, right up until last night where he had promised them massages and instead tortured both of their worst spots. Sapnap had never felt butterflies like this before.

     Quackity adjusted their bedroom lights to his preferred slightly-darker setting while Karl guided Sapnap onto his back with his cuffed hands in the softest pillow they had. He nervously chewed his lip while he stared at the ceiling. He was trying his best to not think about what it was going to be like to have the tickles start while he laid defenseless…and he was failing. Karl caught his gaze and kissed his warm cheek.

"Remember your safeword?", he whispered. Sapnap giggled and rolled his eyes.

"Blaze.". Karl nodded and kissed Sapnap’s lips, both of them melting into the feeling for a moment. They both smiled at the slow and gentle affection. Sapnap squirmed as Karl pulled away after a few seconds. "I love you guys.", he whispered.

"We love you too, Sap-master.", he said softly and then smooched a bunch of loud tickly kisses into the side of his neck, quickly drawing frantic giggles from him. As if on cue, a giggly Quackity leaped onto the bed and startled them both.

"Who's ready for tickle tortureeee!!!", he yelled. Sapnap writhed in place as the giggles kept pouring out. The two grinned at each other knowingly.

"Yes!".

"Let's go!!".

"We gave him the giggles!!!". The two cheered as Sapnap laughed now.

"You guys…are idiots!".

                                          ~•~

     This wasn't the first time Sapnap had been restrained with the handcuffs, but it is the first time he had ever been tickled with the restraint. He had been pinned pretty well before, but the feeling the handcuffs left him with was surprising. He couldn't break out of handcuffs. He couldn't trick the handcuffs into letting go of him. The first round of real tickling was shocking.

     The two had started on his sensitive legs and really focused in on them. Each were sat on their knees at either side of his mostly-bare legs. He was already giggling from the teasing and anticipation. He didn't always get like this, but this entire scenario had him reeling.

Quackity latched onto his bare thigh with zero warning and started squeezing roughly, Sapnap wheezed before falling back into laughter.

"Quackity!!!", he wailed. Karl giggled and let his touch be slightly softer, grabbing up and down the meatiest part of Sapnap's other thigh. The legs jumped and twitched under the awful touch and Sapnap was already beside himself with laughter. It hit him just how helpless he was. He screamed for mercy.

"Oh please! We know you can handle more than that!", Quackity laughed.

"It's so bad!!! Move! Please!!".

"No. I want to tickle riiiight here.", Karl teased. He leaned down and nibbled on the ticklish skin and Sapnap squealed.

"Ugh, love that noise.", Quackity said as he moved down and teased at his kneecaps. Sapnap was twisting and jerking against the bed helplessly as the desperate laughter poured out of him. Hiccups punched through each new round of laughs and the other two praised him for being so cute. Which only made things worse.

"What? Where do you want us to move to?".

"Anywhere!", Sapnap whined.

"Anywhere?".

"Nonono-", Sapnap backtracked quickly at Karl’s dangerous tone. They started to flip him over. Despite his protests, he could only let them. Quackity giggled and adjusted the pillow so Sapnap wasn't suffocating.

"I have a bad feeling about...NO DON'T!!!".

Quackity looked back to see Karl holding one of Sapnap's ankles in a headlock.

"Oooh!", he trilled as he followed his lead and scooped up the other ankle.

"Guys, come on!!!", Sapnap wiggled pathetically, his cuffed hands grabbing at the air behind his back. The butterflies were taking over again. His feet were his worst spot.

Within a few seconds Sapnap was twisting and writhing against the bed as he screamed with laughter. No pleas could compete with the laughter that tore out of him. His mind fuzzed as he completely lost control.

His feet were bad.

They were so bad.

He was going to die.

But, he still couldn't beg for it to end. A few embarrassing snorts slipped out as Karl skittered his colorful nails against his heel. The tickle monsters giggled in delight.

"Lil piggy?".

"Little piggy!!!", Karl gasped as he made a fun connection in his mind. Sapnap wailed dramatically before slipping into a stunted silence, his whole body shuddering before the laughter barked its way out again. "This little piggy went to the market...", Karl teased. Sapnap squeezed his eyes shut as tears started to flow down his hot cheeks.

Karl wiggled each toe playfully while Quackity scribbled his nails into the other sole, them both singing the childish song together. A deadly tease. Sapnap doesn't think he had ever felt like this before. Well...he can't think. The sheet beneath his face was soaked with his tears. His body moved without his permission, the ticklish sensation driving every single jerk and squirm. His laughter surprised him. It had never been like this, so laced with wheezes and snorts that only seemed to encourage his fiancés.

"Wee wee wee!!! All the way home!!!", the two sang. Sapnap felt their hands crawl quickly up his legs and tickle together into the back of his thighs mercilessly. Sapnap could only squeal like a pig himself.

But, he seemed to have earned himself a small break. He whimpered through his gasps for air as the two whispered between each other somewhere behind him. His mind was barely working, but he caught words like 'really' and 'tickle' and 'safeword'. He barely processed any of it. His toes were still scrunching to try and get rid of the ghost tickles that remained. He felt a firm hand close over both sets of toes to help and he sighed in relief.

He squeaked as he suddenly felt Karl's sweet tickly kisses cross the back of his neck.

"Nooo!", he whined softly as he squirmed. Quackity coo'ed and ruffled Sapnap's hair.

"You're so cute oh my god.".

Sapnap scrunched and broke down into squeaky hysterical giggles as the two expertly placed the most ticklish of kisses along his shoulders, neck, and ears. They must have done a bit of strategizing before this. This was a move Quackity and Sapnap used on Karl all the time and he suddenly wanted to give him a million apologies because he could hardly breathe being suffocated by so much affection and tickles at once. He wouldn't survive, he was sure.

One of Quackity's kisses found Sapnap's wet cheek.

"We make you cry?", Quackity kissed Sapnap's ear as he nodded. "Cuuuute.", he whispered into it, dragging some adorable whining out of him. "Tears of joy, I presume.", Quackity broke out the fake high pitched British accent as he diverted for the playful route. Sapnap squealed at a well placed smooch to his jaw and the two joined in on the giggles.

"This was really such a great idea Sapnap.", Karl spoke up. He wasn't sure if the squirmy man could hear him, but he didn't mind. He smiled down at his fingers as they jabbed and poked along the ribs that were exposed perfectly for him with Sapnap's facedown position. Sapnap's sharp gasp-y laughter was beautiful. Quackity made a small contented hum as he mirrored Karl's rib tickles on the other side. Sapnap cried out and pattered his feet into the bed as he grew more and more hysterical.

"Pleaseee!!!".

"Please more?", the two didn't miss a beat and teased him in sync before laughing.

"Shut up!!!". Sapnap whined before clenching his cuffed fists and shaking violently as they prodded into a particularly sensitive pair of ribs. His laughter rose a few octaves and he twisted back and forth. The merciless rib tickling was only made worse with every twist and Sapnap only drove himself more crazy.

"His little hands are so cute when they do that!".

~•~

They had failed to set any kind of timer for this event and if you asked, none of them would be sure how long they tickled Sapnap for. They all indulged in the different emotions it pried out of each of them. Sapnap had no thoughts, just ‘that tickles!’. He trusted his fiancées, and they knew his spots and reactions well. They helped each other and took him apart as a team. Expert finger placements and shocking kisses, teases that flustered him beyond anything he was prepared for. Quackity finding ways to be funny and charming even while literaly torturing him. Karl being so so mean, but still somehow adorable and innocent. Sapnap’s laughter was one of the most amazing things to them both. His blush was adorable. His reactions and begs kept them chasing for more. While they’ve had him pretty helpless before, this was the most he had ever been at their mercy. And, they didn’t give much.

~•~

Sapnap found himself on his back. The two were at either side of him and smiling.

"Ready for the big finale?". Sapnap shook his head no, giggly and breathless.

"Oh...you want us to keep going? Forever?", Karl teased.

"No!!". Everyone laughed.

"It's going to be one minute. 60 seconds. Are you ready?".

"I'm ready.", he said. His voice small.

He was not actually ready, for the record.

The minute was a blur as the two put everything they had into tickling Sapnap silly. Quackity's soft golden feathers between his toes. Nibbles across his ribcage. Fingers wiggling into his armpits. Raspberries on his tummy and sides. Smooches all over. All Sapnap could do was give in to the laughter. It took him and threatened to never bring him back. His cheeks reddened and might never calm down. The nerves that were vibrating underneath his skin were screaming at every touch.

In an instant, it was over.

As Sapnap laid limp against the bed, his fiancé’s firm hands tried to soothe him a bit. Carefully working away any ghost tickles that kept the man squirming. Quackity unlocked the cuffs and rubbed Sapnap's wrists.

     He had survived.

     The cuddle session after all that was unmatched. The warmth and love. The trust. The playfulness. Sapnap was like a space heater between them.

“You did so good. Did you have fun Sappy?”, Quackity nuzzled his nose into the hair above Sapnap’s ear as he whispered. His blush rushed back as the giggles started again, shoving his face in Quackity’s neck to hide it.

“Awww!”, the two coo’ed. They cuddled in real close and gave Sapnap little praises as Karl played with his hair. It took a few minutes, but eventually Sapnap’s pulse slowed down and he found himself able to relax.

“I love you guys.”, Sapnap mumbled happily before slowly going limp against Quackity, finally succumbing to the sleepiness. The other two nearly melted at how adorable their blaze-hybrid was.

All three slept cozily wrapped together. Only dreams of tickles and love.

[altargarden]

What is it like to worship Lucifer?

What sorts of things does he help with? What kind of impact has he had on your life so far? Is he easy to approach? Is he forgiving of beginner mistakes?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm new to this sort of thing.

this is going to be a deeply personal answer, potentially oversharing in some aspects, so warning for mentions of abuse and emotional neglect. i just want to be perfectly transparent.

lucifer may have been an angel who had forsaken god, but in comparison, i have never felt more love from a deity than i have with lucifer. to me, lucifer is god's love - even if he claims to have abandoned god, he still carries a divine love that to me, is unable to be compared.

he came into my life during a very vulnerable time - i had just gotten out of an emotionally abusive relationship, and the treatment of my parents was as awful as ever. for context, i am a disabled man living in the same house as my mother, who is chronically ill and thus tends to lash out due to her feeling like garbage most of the time, and i share this house with my father as well, who is both emotionally neglectful and emotionally abusive (it tends to swing rapidly from one extreme to another). my father had been like this since i was around 10, and my mother has been like this since i graduated high school, which was about 10 years ago.

when you ask me what lucifer is like, it is almost unfathomable to imagine just how kind he is towards those suffering. towards those who want or need him. i've been through christian high school and my mother is christian too, and i still have never found that sort of kindness, by humans or by spirits. i have lived my whole life without knowing what parental kindness was, i have been put in so many unfortunate positions by both of my parents that i never thought i would ever taste parental compassion - even the nicer days where i could smile, i knew something was deeply wrong.

but when he came into my life, that feeling diminished, little by little. it did not change the nature of how my parents treated me, but it gave me much needed support. i felt something so new, and so warm. he protected me as much as he could from my parents, he kept me company when i needed to cry - he encouraged me to seek out my passions, and to do what made me happy. he told me to stand up for myself when my abuser came back into my life, and he encouraged me to always do what was right. he made me smile, he made me laugh, he gave life vibrance and light.

he was the parent i never had - he was my first taste of what it meant to be loved; to be worth something more.

when i started contacting him, if i had a dollar for every mistake i made, i would be rich. and yet, he laughed as if it didn't matter, he told me to keep going, he encouraged me to explore with curiosity, an open mind, and most of all, bravery. i met many demons after i started working with lucifer, and i still made mistakes then, even with his company. but he was there, he supported me. he always supported me.

i want to say, whatever frightens you with lucifer, i have to tell you he is not god. there is no sin that will make him cast you out. there is no sin that he damns humanity over. there is no sin that makes him turn away, or frown, or curse you. there is no sin that he'll sacrifice his own son for, there is no sin that he will sacrifice you for, either.

i'm telling you that you're best to just dive in, and ask him as many questions as you're able. he will listen, and he will answer. he may help you with that feeling of missing out on love, just like he did with me. for lucifer loves the suffering, he loves those who endure, he loves those who are brave, but he also loves those who are broken, weak, sick, the list goes on.

there is no sin that will make him give up, not on you, not on humanity.

[marysixnumbers]

Tickletober Day 13 - Sneak Attack

A/N: I wrote most of this fic before realising there aren't any Ace Trainers in Galar! Just assume one came over from a separate region to train there. I've always been curious about using Pokemon outside of strict battle settings - this fic attempts to explore that a little. Finally, though this fic is SFW it does get a little suggestive near the end, so if that's not your thing feel free to skip. Hope you enjoy!

Fandom: Pokemon (Sword & Shield)

Words: 1,936 (oops!)

Sandra sat on the uppermost step of the Circhester Gym's staircase, idly fiddling with her jacket and marvelling at just how subdued the gym was at the end of the day. Only a couple of trainers roamed the icy paths beneath her, moving hazards back into place to befuddle tomorrow's challengers, and the roar of the stadium crowds had entirely died down, the last few spectators trickling out of the gym and towards their (much warmer) homes. And who could blame them, the Ace Trainer thought to herself. Who would get any enjoyment out of watching someone lose to Melony for the fourth time in a row?

She knew the Ice-type Gym Leader would be a problem ever since she travelled to Galar. But even so, and even after several day's worth of fighting and training between losses, her Grass and Flying-type team still couldn't muster the strength to overcome the Gym Leader's endless barrage of icicles and blizzards. Though Melony had been an endlessly gracious winner, offering encouragement and ways to build up her Pokemon's strength, Sandra wasn't sure if she could reach that level in the time she had. She wasn't staying in Galar for that long, and she still had two other badges to collect. Spikemuth beckoned.

Sandra plucked a Pokeball from her belt. Pausing for a second and breathing in slowly, she cupped her hands around the ball and pushed the button, concealing the burst of red light in her palms, only opening them up again once she was sure nobody had seen her. Her plan was risky, sure, but with no other witnesses in the stadium, there was a slim chance it could work. She looked down at the Joltik in her hands, caught only yesterday, and giggled as it scurried to hide in her sleeve. If she couldn't Hyper Beam her way through this gym, she'd have to Nasty Plot her way around it.

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

"Ah! Sandra! Wonderful to see you again. Back for another try?"

Sandra hadn't expected to like Melony so much, especially after three straight losses to her. Between those battles and an offer of help after the third match, they'd spent a fair amount of time together, and with every passing moment Sandra found herself more and more charmed by the older woman. She loved how she could express all known human emotions with just a twitch of the lips and a minute raise of an eyebrow, and how she met every challenger with the same mixture of playfulness and gentility. Most of all, she loved how Melony seemed to find great enjoyment in every fight she took. It wasn't uncommon to hear her laughter echo and bounce around the stadium, even in the heat of battle.

Sandra nodded to her and smiled. "If you have the time. Isn't it getting quite late?" She turned and pointed to a clock in the far corner of the arena.

Melony turned and looked, too, giving Sandra the opening. She nodded to the Joltik, who jumped from her to the Ice trainer, the thick padding of Melony's clothes muffling and obscuring the impact. It scutted up her jumper and hid in the fur of her collar.

"Nonsense!" Melony spun back around. "I'm almost offended that you think I'd turn down a challenge from another trainer. Especially if it's you, love." Mischief crinkled around her eyes. "Let's see what you've learned since we last met! Let's go, Frosmoth!"

Crossing her fingers and gritting her teeth, Sandra shut here eyes and hoped desperately that the plan would work. "Uhh... go, Whimsicott!"

She knew she was at a serious type disadvantage here, and she knew Melony did too, the Circhester trainer smirking as she surveyed the battlefield. "A bold move for sure! I hope you have something up your- Oh!" She stiffened, her hair bouncing in place behind her. "Oh, ohahaha!"

A flash of yellow from the corner of her eye told Sandra all she needed to know. The plan had successfully begun.

"Whimsicott, use Giga Drain!"

While the Frosmoth shook off the attack like it was nothing, its trainer was having a little more trouble. Melony was trying to grab onto something running underneath her jumper, alternating between slapping madly at her upper body and clutching the area that the Joltik had just left behind.

"Oh! Oh gosh! Pardon me- Ah! Stop that! There's something in my clothes, it's proving remarkably- No! No, that tickles! Stop it! Oh no, nohohahahaAHAHAH!"

Sandra watched with a little sympathy as Melony's hands scrabbled all over her own ribs. She remembered how much the Joltik's stumpy legs had tickled, and that was just on her gloved hand. She couldn't think how ticklish they would be against bare skin. If Melony's reaction was anything to go by - stomping her foot against the icy floor and madly shaking her head, eyes squeezed shut and mouth half-open in a boundless stream of laughter - then it felt very ticklish indeed.

"Oh my! Hahahaha, Frosmoth use- nohohoho, use Icy Wind! Use Icy Wind! Stoppit, getoff!"

A sharp gust of wind cut through the stadium. Whimsicott yelped as some of its cottony shroud froze solid and scattered across the ground. Sandra instructed it to recover what it could with another Giga Drain, all the while keeping one eye on Melony's reactions. Joltik was doing an excellent job, constantly keeping Melony distracted as it scampered from sensitive spot to sensitive spot. She tightly crossed her arms and wheezed as it went under her chest, she wriggled and threw her head back as she felt its fluffy body slide down her spine, and she doubled over and snorted - yes, snorted - when she registered the first light scratches in her belly button. Ever since it had crawled onto her stomach, her gasps and surprised remarks were drowned by peals of constant, uncontrollable laughter, reaching every corner of the empty stadium. Her laughter was as buoyant and jovial as ever, but with any trace of primness or decorum gone - just wild, ticklish hysteria.

"Weheehee! Where are you going?... Oh, don't go there! Stoppit, don't go there, not there not thAHAHAHAHAAAHA! HAHAHAHA-*snort*-AHAHAHAHAPLEAHAHAHAHAHASE! HAHAHAHAHA!"

A random flick of Melony's hand found the Joltik under her coat, knocking off her belly and onto the patch of ground between her feet. She stood up straight, chest heaving and shoulders rising as she caught her breath, eyeliner smudged and clothes messy and crumpled.

"Are you okay?" Sandra called out. "Do you want to wait for a moment?"

Melony's expression had returned to her usual slight smile, though Sandra thought it seemed a little wider than when she'd first arrived. She looked down to see the Joltik was now halfway up Melony's right boot.

"It'll take more than a little tickling to count me out! Frosmoth, use Feather Dance!"

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Joltik are relatively uncommon in the wild, so many denizens of the Pokemon world, trainers and ordinary citizens alike, are unaware of its behaviours. For instance, not many people know that, in a distressing or dangerous situation, Joltiks will unload some static electricity into whatever is nearest. In larger specimens, ones on the cusp of evolution, this can be dangerous - but for smaller Joltik, and individuals who haven't fed in a while, the discharge is generally harmless. The worst-case scenario is it tickling a bit, with the sensation heightened against bare skin.

So when Melony felt something fuzzy brush against the sole of her foot, no matter how soft it felt, she definitely shouldn't have kicked the air as hard as she could and she definitely shouldn't have been surprised when she felt something intensely buzz against her most ticklish spot in response. And buzz again. And again.

"Oh dear, what's this... ..NYAHAHAHAH! Heavens, that tickles! That really tickles, don't... YAHAHAHAH! Alright, alright, just let me- AYAHAHAGETTITOUT!"

Sandra watched as Melony sat/fell down and began frantically tugging at her boot, then turned her attention to the cloud of feathers that Frosmoth had conjured up, a moment away from launching it at Whimsicott. She almost felt bad for what she was about to do, but then she remembered how badly she'd lost that second match against her, and all thoughts of mercy went out of the window.

This was the second stage of her plan. A counter to one of Melony's very favourite attacks.

"Whimsicott, use Fairy Wind!"

Instead of one massive storm, several small gusts of wind blew into the battlefield. Frosmoth's storm disintegrated as clusters of feathers were blown apart from each other. The Ice & Bug type could only watch as more and more feathers started flying towards it... and past it entirely, instead targeting the trainer just beyond.

Melony had just taken off her boot when the first feathers hit her. Soon they were spiralling all around her, teasing her ears and neck, dancing over her thighs and bare foot, slipping under her jumper and going for her navel. Every feather she batted away or plucked out of the air was insantly replaced with three more. What they lacked in precision they made up for in overwhelming numbers - and, of course, the sensitivity of the target.

"Ohohahahaha! Oh gracious, that's tohohohoho muahahahahach! Oh please, I'm toho ticklish, stop it, ohohohohohoho!"

The Ace Trainer wandered over and knelt down beside the quivering Gym Leader. Tears were streaming down Melony's cheeks, now flushed red from several minutes of straight laughter. Her back, face, and neck were all covered by dozens of loose strands of hair, her hat was in grave danger of falling off her head, and her top had ridden up, exposing a bit of bare skin. Her shoulders shook less and less as the fairy wind died down and the feathers fell in a soft pile around her, her unbridled guffaws dying down into soft chuckles and the occasional hiccup or snort.

Sandra hovered there (she should have kept standing, her knees were now freezing cold) as Melony's breath once again stabilised. She waited until she had fully recovered, before moving to stand up - only to be interrupted as she felt a hand grab hers.

"Well, young lady, you've certainly mastered the element of surprise. You caught me totally off guard." She reached down into her boot and withdrew a Joltik, a little scuffed but otherwise completely fine. "I suppose this fellow also belongs to you?"

Sandra thought of saying something, before simply swallowing and returning the Joltik to its Pokeball. She was going to spoil it with Poketreats tomorrow. Clenching her fists, she nervously looked back towards Melony, finding her gazing aimlessly into the stands, the arena now as quiet as a Tandemaus.

"I can't recall... I don't think I've ever laughed quite that much before." She turned around, grinning, seeming almost pleased with herself. "Tell me, do you subject every poor trainer you meet to that kind of torture?"

"No. Only the ones I can't beat fairly." Sandra shot Melony a shaky smile, and was met with a burst of warm laughter.

"Sadly for you, dear, this battle does violate the longstanding rule that forbids you from attacking the opposing trainer, using Pokemon or not. So I'm afraid I can't grant you the badge. However..." A devilish smirk spread across Melony's face. "I have several questions regarding your strategy that this battle failed to conclusively answer. If you wouldn't mind coming to my house after the gym closes, we could explore this matter to our heart's content." She leaned in and murmured in Sandra's ear. "They say I'm quite a laugh in the right hands..."

On second thoughts, Sandra could afford to delay her journey a little.