#1. Introduction to Bikes

[asknjjhd]

1. Introduction to Bikes

Discover the Joy of Cycling: Ride into Adventure

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a newbie just getting started, there’s a bike for everyone. From sleek road bikes designed for speed to rugged mountain bikes built for tough trails, cycling offers unmatched freedom and excitement. Ride your way to a healthier lifestyle, explore new terrains, or simply enjoy the thrill of the open road. Embrace the ride—no matter the distance.

[chelseeebe]

build me up, buttercup

chapter 1 — orchid

after winding up in the dead-end town of hawkins, you start to lose faith in your dreams ever becoming a reality. not to mention the despicable boy next door who seemed to want no part in your happiness.

18+ mdni. eventual smut. grumpy, borderline mean eddie. no use of y/n!

hello! dropping this and running because i’ve been so badly inactive it hurts. this is the first part to my mechanicasshole!eddie x floristsunshine!reader that’s kinda short in hindsight, take it as an introduction, but the next part is also finished so will follow shortly, hope you enjoy idk i like it!!

༘⋆✿

a dying, otherwise desolate strip mall in buttfuck indiana was never an ideal place to set up shop. other than the tiny, family-run vietnamese restaurant, the only other shops that weren’t bordered up were your florist and the despicable garage that lingered right at the end. 

it was dark and dinghy, men with grease stains and tattoos littering their arms swaggered in and out daily. swearing and smoking as if they owned the entire town. 

in the eighteen months you’d owned lavender lane, you had never, ever seen eye to eye with the conceited prick who owned munson’s & co. 

a self-obsessed, arrogant asshole who had no business acting the way he did. 

ridiculous hair and torn jeans that’d serve better as one of the rags he kept hanging out of his back pocket. 

it’s almost too much, a show he’s putting on to prove to everyone else that he didn’t care, that being normal was beneath him. 

yuck. 

he’s stood now, horrific music blaring out of the shop, cigarette in hand, paying you no mind as your stomp over for the second time this week. 

you’d have left him alone if you hadn’t found cigarette butts littered along your doorstep. a spiteful, purposeful act no doubt. 

“what’ve i told you about smoking outside of my shop!” jaw clenched, ready to throw fists if it really came to it. 

eddie turns, already rolling his eyes, “what’ve i told you about speaking to me like that?” blowing the smoke right into your face. 

he’s repulsive. his smug little smirk makes your skin crawl, so much so you’re sure no human had ever possibly loved him before. 

“control your staff, before i have to do it for you,” sneering your reply, no words were enough to describe the utter contempt you felt for him. 

eddie’s laugh echoes, a cackle that cuts deep, “yeah? or what? what the hell are you gonna do ‘bout it, princess?” 

your brows furrow, he was only using that to taunt you. looking down on you from his dirty, cement tower. 

with your blood boiling and a rapidly declining sense of self-control, you hiss, “i’ll.. i’ll smash that bike of yours to pieces,” turning on your heel to stomp back to your own store, feeling their eyes bore into the back of your head. 

eddie whoops and they leer, making comments amongst themselves, a pathetic gaggle of school children really. 

your eyes burn, desperate not to let him see that he’d got to you. he didn’t deserve that satisfaction. 

you could pack up and go home if you really wanted, you’d maybe get one more customer between now and five, they could go without for one day. 

that’d be giving up and giving in, something you were most definitely not prepared to do at the hands of eddie. 

-

they’re still outside when you do shut up shop, talking loudly about the bar they all frequent. a grotesque shithole, you don’t doubt. 

any place that eddie munson went, trouble was guaranteed to follow. 

he was crude and uncouth, swaggering about like the world owed him something. everything you stood against as a person. 

you attempt to get out of there quickly, the bottle of pinot grigio you’d chilled before work loudly calling your name, but he has other plans. 

“hey,” he hollers as you turn the key, cursing the sky, “you joining us tonight sweetheart?” kissing the backs of his teeth, knowing full well what your answer would be. 

your lip snarls, finding it hilarious that he’d even waste the breath to ask, “i’d rather die,” monotonously and without faltering as you stride over to your car. 

they share a laugh at your expense, leering over the crumbling brick wall, “that’s your loss sweetheart,” watching as you climb in and pull away. 

who he did he think he was? 

like you’d ever degrade yourself enough to even entertain him or his pathetic friends. 

his words, and attitude for that matter, make you fume the entire way home, still grumbling to yourself as you pull into your driveway. 

the man was a narcissist, plain and simple. that was the only explanation you could conjure up on the ten minute drive. 

you try and push him out of your brain, his irritating, grating voice still niggling away in your ear. an impenetrable force that was bound to curse you forever. 

or at least until the first sip of cold wine passes your lips and eddie munson becomes but a distant memory. 

practically launching yourself on the couch, your pants strewn across the floor and a severe lack of energy to care. you press the answering machine, half-expecting silence until the all familiar warm voice rings out. 

‘hey sweetie, i was just calling to see how you were doing, but i suppose you’re busy at the shop! i hope you’re working hard and indiana is treating you well. okay, that was all. love you baby, bye.’ 

your mom, only calling to to see how her 

how could you tell her the store was failing? that three customers a day was a victory at this point? 

she’d be so ashamed, funnelling money into your move east just for you to crawl back home with nothing to show for it but a failed business and a new sworn enemy. 

there he was again. always lingering, haunting if you will. 

you’d call her back tomorrow, or another time when you had the nerve to face her.

she deserved to know, but she also deserved so much better. something you had not been able to provide for her like she had you. 

it’s not as if you’re not trying, hawkin’s was a dying town before you’d moved there and now with starcourt mall lingering on the outskirts, main street remained empty. 

why would they waste time coming to you when the mall has everything they’d ever need? 

you couldn’t believe so many people had fallen for such an obvious gimmick, the neon lights and extensive food court was everything hawkins stood against. only the people didn’t seem to think so. 

the tv comes on, a re-run of full house you’d seen a hundred times by now. but it’d do as you sipped wine for supper and planned exactly what lies you’d spin your mom tomorrow. 

-

it’s a dull, bleak morning, highly reflective of your mood. another day spent pitying eddie and pretending that the lack of footfall didn’t hurt your feelings. 

maybe an entire bottle of wine wasn’t wise, now paying the price for your greed as your head pounds all the way over to the store. 

some days you ponder if opening is even worth it, if the extra hours spent in bed would be far more beneficial than dragging yourself here. 

but then the ever-growing voices of your mom weigh in and remind you that this is your dream and if selling one bouquet a day was what you had to do to live it, then so be it. 

an envelope—the envelope, sits on the doormat when you get in, obviously slipped under the crack in the door some point this morning. all red and glaring. 

your heart sinks, knowing exactly what this meant. 

you’d failed. miserably. and now you’d have to crawl back home with your tail between your legs, begging for another chance. 

your eyes only skim the words; regret, closure, re-development, final. all daunting and without a trace of sincerity. 

glancing over at the garage where eddie stood with his steaming mug, seemingly unaffected by the news. maybe they’d decided to leave the garage open and just tear your little shop down. 

that’d be right, wouldn’t it? 

you must know, stomping over, letter in-hand to question the smug man. 

“did you get one of these?” flapping the paper about in his face, making sure he knew exactly what it was. 

his eyes narrow, prepared for an argument only to realise you’re not so angry at him today. “what? that crock of bullshit? yeah, i got one,” nodding at the crumpled piece of paper tossed on the floor, “they’d never close this place down,” so certain of himself, “i’m not worried and you shouldn’t be either sweetheart,” taking another sip. 

your brows furrow, unsurprisingly, you don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth. “this isn’t a joke, eddie,” frustration seeping out of your mouth, “i think you owe it to your uncle to care, or at least pretend to,” snarling your lip, though this wasn’t your usual bickering. 

his blasé attitude wouldn’t run this time, someone had to care before they left both of you without jobs. 

his uncle is a nice man that took the time to get to know you, holding a genuine interest in your shop all until he gave it up six months back, retiring just to leave the garage to his dorky nephew. 

eddie’s gaze averts yours, shaking his head as if to dismiss you. “you done? i’ve got work to do,” folding his arms over his chest, attempting to slink off back into the dusty building. 

if he wouldn’t fight it, you would. 

you and mr. pham maybe. 

though you can’t see him putting up much of a fight either. 

trundling back over to your own depressing storefront, wasting no more breath on eddie munson. 

it’s the worst news in the world and yet, you can’t help but feel relieved. 

months of stress and fretting over bills needn’t amount to anything if they were just going to bulldoze the entire thing. 

but then, leaving without a fight would be futile, downright pathetic even. that’s not who you were, or who you were raised to be. 

mayor kline would have to listen to you, either that or you’d tie him to his chair and frankly force him to. 

you ponder asking eddie for wayne’s address, hoping to get him on your side yourself but knowing him, he’d send you on a wild goose chase around town just for the fun of it. 

you were fighting this on your own it seems. the only person left in this desolate town that cared about the little people. 

[noosayog]

he's not subtle! ft. ojiro aran

maybe he’s not one for over-the-top declarations, but it’s all the same when he makes it this obvious

wc: 1.2k

for @seiwas's and there's something, this feeling collab! happy 1 year anni selly belly and thank you for letting me join <3

1. social battery low

You dump the rest of your sugary drink down the drain before tossing the plastic cup in the nearest trash. Then, you weave through the hordes of people, all mingling, laughing, and drinking.

Except for you. 

“Hey, baby.” You hear your boyfriend’s voice before you feel his warm presence by your side. 

“Aran,” you relax, turning to give him a hug. He reciprocates and as much as you’d love to nuzzle your face further into his neck and lose the noise of the party in him, you know that he would notice something wrong instantly. 

“Havin’ fun?” 

Wordlessly, you nod. 

Your boyfriend opens his mouth but he’s cut off when another friend of his joins you two to say hi. To you, his introduction goes in one ear and out the other as you tune the conversation out while Aran talks animatedly.

You watch Aran laugh at what the friend says and give him the man-handshake. Another person joins in on the conversation, and then another, and then another. Soon, your boyfriend has a harem around him, all ribbing him and making jokes. As much as you try to laugh along and respond when it’s polite, you begin to withdraw, going silent. 

“Hey,” Aran murmurs in your ear. “Wanna ditch this party?” 

Your eyes snap open. You know how much Aran has been looking forward to seeing his friends and he seems to be having so much fun. 

You force a smile on your face. “What, no! Let’s stay.” 

Aran chuckles. “Nah, I wanna go. Let’s go get some food.” 

You let him usher you out and when the cold outside air hits you, you ask him, “what gave me away?” 

His eyes crinkle when he smiles down at you, gaze tender as it always is. He says nothing, only intertwining your fingers with his own and walking the two of you to the nearest fast food joint. 

2. something he saves for you

Aran needs to suit up today. Besides the few sponsorship parties and interviews, he hasn’t needed to tie a tie since his high-school uniform days. That being said, it’s like riding a bike – once you learn it, you don’t really forget how to do it. 

That being said, he doesn’t argue when he sees you emerge from the bedroom, hair a mess and eyes bleary. You trod over to him, plopping your forehead into his chest while your arms dangle as deadweight by your sides. 

He chuckles a bit, happy to hold you up, until he feels you tug at the fabric around his neck. 

Long ago, he had told you that you don’t need to see him off on his early mornings, but you had been stubborn, insisting that you at least help him tie his tie on suit days. As he does with any and all of your demands, he had given in, making sure to let you know the night before any suit days. 

Routine now, he leans down to indulge you. 

In your drowsy state, eyes hooded, you reach both arms up and begin to fumble with his tie. Aran continues to hunch down, hovering his lips over the crown of your head while you go through the motions. 

When you’re finished, you give the tie another tug, which is both a signal that you’re done and that you’re ready for a proper good morning kiss. He obliges, gently tilting your chin to drop a sweet kiss to your waiting lips. 

“Thank you, baby.” 

You say nothing, but keep your arms wrapped around his neck to cling on for just a second longer. 

Aran knows how to tie his own tie. When you tie it, your knot is messy and one side of the neck never seems to be properly tucked into his collar.

But he doesn’t mind. He can’t say no to you, after all.  

3. designated seat 

“Can I do this to you?” 

A phone is shoved into Aran’s face. He cranes his neck back to avoid getting cross-eyed. 

He eyes you above the phone. “Why don’t you just do it on yourself?” 

“Yours are longer than mine. It’s not really fun with mine.” 

He sighs. “Now?” 

Instantly, your eyes glaze over with excitement. “Yes please!” 

He doesn’t say anything and he doesn’t need to. You dart into your shared bedroom before returning with an eyelash curler and a tube of mascara. Aran settles deeper into his seat on the couch while you sidle up next to him, on your knees to hover over him. 

Before you start though, he grabs hold of your bare thighs, fingers just brushing the openings of your flimsy sleep shorts. “Here,” he grunts as he picks you up and plops you down in his lap, your knees straddling his thighs. 

You wiggle, getting comfortable before holding the contraption up to his eyelashes. “Keep your eyes open, okay?” 

He nods, earning him a swat to the chest and a “don’t move!” 

Aran watches you as you press the curler to his lashes. Surprisingly, he barely feels it. He takes advantage of the quiet to just look at you, eyes roaming over your cheekbones, wrinkling of your nose, and tongue darting out the corner of your lips. His thumbs absent-mindedly stroke the sides of your thighs where he has yet to let go. 

“Aran.” 

“Hmm?” he doesn’t look away. 

“Your hands are distracting me.” 

His gaze continues to roam shamelessly. He hardly registers the words coming out of his own mouth. “It’s this or nothin’” 

You finish curling each lash, applying a coat of mascara to both sides. Aran only blinks when the wand gets a bit too close, but keeps them wide open, not wanting to miss a second. 

When you finish, you sit back, plopping your butt on his legs. A big toothy smile streatches across your lips when you appraise your work. Both of your hands come up to squish his cheeks. 

“Pretty,” you giggle. 

“Yeah,” Aran murmurs. “Real pretty.” 

4. through the wire

“... Hello? Hello, babe, you there?” 

You say something in your drunken haze, further muddled by the fact that you’re face down on your pillow. 

“Did you get back to your hotel?” 

“... Mmmm.” 

“Did you go back with everyone?” 

“Mm.” 

“Did you have fun?” 

“...” 

He chuckles, enjoying the sound of your evening breaths against his ear. It may be through the phone, but he can imagine your drooping eyes and limp body sprawled out on the little hotel bed. It’s just shy of his essential daily fix of you, but it’s going to have to do tonight. He continues to ask you questions about your trip, your night, what you wore, what you drank, even though your answers have long tapered out to a nondescript hum or nothing at all. He listens to your sounds with rapt attention, pressing the phone closer to his ear, even though he joked yesterday that you’d miss him way more than he’d miss you.

It’s cute. Your voice, your breathing, your drunk dial. It’s all so so cute. 

He can’t help but tell you as much. Maybe you don’t hear him, maybe you’re not awake to register it, but he can’t help it. 

His eyes are crinkled and his lips are curved upwards. He has an urge to squeeze something tight, preferably you. His voice drops an octave, his tone more tender than he thinks possible. 

“You’re cute.”

[call-me-copycat]

Only You

➤ Welcome - Introduction and request rules (requests are open + some info about me)

▶ Characters: Shinso x GN Reader

▶ Genre: Comfort

▶ Summary: You've been feeling a little forgotten, Shinso's popularity bringing in people who take up more of his time. Shinso, however, lets you know that you're far from that.

▶ Word Count: 3134

▶ Warnings: Feelings of insecurity

U.A was the school everyone went to when they dreamed big. It was easy to do such a thing in such a large, colorful world. One of the biggest things a person could dream of was being a hero, a dream everyone possibly held at one point. Over time, as one grew they realized that that's all it was - a dream. And so, it was dropped.

You admired Hitoshi since day 1. He quickly proved that he wasn't like the others, putting up with all negative allegations thrown at him and continuing to push forward towards that dream he held so close to his heart. You liked to say that heart was made of gold.

It was at the entrance exam that you noticed him, standing slightly aways from the large group crowding the doors. Back then, he seemed just like another face in the crowd. But you kept running into him. Over and over. You saw how frustrated he became, how unfair the exam was towards those without physical quirks. You worked up the courage and talked to him after the exam was over, something you didn't regret doing despite the hushed whispers that would go on around you two.

It was just you and him. Versus the world.

It used to be so simple. He got into the General Course, you in the Hero Course. Still, you continued pushing and pushing him - something you didn't even have to do much of seeing as his drive to become a hero was a burning flame of passion that flared with an intensity that'd put others to shame.

You and him.

School was the only time you used to see him, and that eventually morphed into going to his house to study every now and then. Then, to taking casual walks to the corner store. All the way to you both taking daily bike rides together, and at that point it had gotten where you both couldn't go a single day without seeing each other.

You both matched each other perfectly when it came to passion. His passion to achieve, and yours to support and love almost mirrored each other. It was one of the reasons why he showed up on your door step one night, his face red as he pushed a single rose into your hands.

You both kept at it, and when two passionate souls get together to achieve something it's only bound to go one way.

And... He did it. He made it to the Hero Course. Class of 2-A, with a new seat right next to yours.

But...

You couldn't help but feel that things weren't going as planned. You thought it would be seamless, he'd go into the Hero Course and would just be another student as all the others.

You had forgotten just how popular the Hero Course was.

It was natural for him to garner attention. He had the looks and the charmingly grumpy personality, and paired with that burning passion that Hero Course students seem to love it made sense that he'd be seen as 'the perfect hero student'.

Suddenly it wasn't just you and him.

People greeted him in the halls, people invited him to lunch, people asked him to come to their houses. They were invading your space, and you couldn't go anywhere without seeing at least one person trying to befriend him.

It began to drive you mad. Of course you weren't entirely against the fact that people liked him now. But... Where were you in this equation? With so many new faces, would he discover other people he liked better? What if he got tired of you?

Thoughts like these plagued your mind daily. You couldn't help but tighten the grip you had on your bag as you reminisced on the beginning of your first year. Where were these people then?

"Hey. "

You jumped a bit at the sudden hand Hitoshi placed on your shoulder. It was the end of the school day, and you both were walking down the empty halls (hopefully without interruption).

As you looked up at him, he couldn't help but feel something was off about you. Your demeanor just wasn't the same, it hadn't been for the past few days - something only he could tell.

"Everything alright?" His tone was soft, a stark contrast from how he normally greets others.

You turned your full attention onto him. His bag was left a little ways open, one of his shoes were untied, and his hair was ruffled in its usual messy stance. You could only think of how much you cherished him in that moment. There didn't seem to be a way you could confess your worries without coming off as greedy.

"I... I'm sorry if this comes off as a little selfish, but..." Sighing, you could only try to piece together how you'd word this. In response to your furrowed expression, Hitoshi gingerly went up and brought his arms around you. He wasn't one prone to outwardly showing affection much, but he felt this moment was an exception.

He ran his fingers gently through your locks of hair as he sensed you were getting worked up, and frowned at the thought. Selfish? You were the light in his life, the cheerleader he never knew he needed. You were the furthest from it.

"Nothing you can say will convince me that you're selfish, I'm serious." He kissed the top of your head. "You can tell me anything, what's on your mind?"

You squeezed him a little before pushing yourself away from him so you can focus a little better. It was hard, and you turned to picking at your fingers as you tried explaining yourself. With your attention directed to the ground, you started.

"I...I- We've been together for awhile, haven't we?" Thinking back to all you've been through with him, you began going through it all with a deep fondness. "I remember meeting you at the entrance exam, and I remember the moment you were told you had gotten into UA... And how happy you and I both were", you sighed a bit, remembering every detail.

The anxiety that you both felt the weeks after the entrance exam. The excitement at the announcement of you both getting into UA together. The consolation after it was decided he'd be in General Studies and you in the Hero Course.

"I remember how upset you were when you didn't place the Hero Course. I knew you had the strength though, and that's why I always cheered you on. You know that I was always by your side, right?"

He placed a finger on your chin as he brought your head up so he could face you, not liking the sad expression on your face.

"Of course I know that - you've been by my side since day one. And for that I can never thank you enough for all that support. I- ", he looked away for a split second, seemingly trying to gather his thoughts. When he looked back at you, his dark indigo eyes were filled with warmth as he gazed at you lovingly.

"I don't think I'd have gotten this far without you. "

It was touching, to realize just how much Hitoshi remembered. For him to be able to recall everything you've done all in his name so fast only meant that it had a lasting impact on him. And with that, your heart swelled a little more.

Giving him a wobbly smile, you felt your eyes water a bit before you blinked them back to normal.

"And I'd do it all again, too. But, now that you've transferred to the hero course, I can't help but feel that everyone's starting to notice you and your dedication," It sounded so bad when put into words, and you could only attempt to hide yourself by covering your face with your hands.

"I- it's just that..." Sighing once again, you tried your best to recollect your thoughts. "You've come so far... And I feel that there's so many people noticing you. So many people that only care about those that make it far, but don't care about those at the bottom. Those very people that I'm worried about trying to overturn me..."

Your body tensed at the thought. The contrast between now and then made it all feel as though everything good given was artificial, that no one really truly cared.

And then, there were those that do. Would you even be able to compete with them either?

Clenching your fists in frustration, your vision dropped to the ground as your eyes began to water. "You mean so much to me. So much so, that I can't help but feel - but worry - about... Being forgotten."

With your view on the ground you stop fretting about worrying Hitoshi and let your body go lax as tears dot your face. "A-and I can't help but believe that you're going to find comfort in someone else... That you're going to move onto greater things..."

"...And forget that I was always here."

Shock.

Guilt.

Sympathy.

And so much more suddenly flooded Hitoshi's head as he saw you completely drop every worry you've held on to, on top of him. You've always been such a strong-willed person, so to see you've been worrying about so much for so long shook him to his core.

Hesitantly, gently, he pried your hands away from your face so he could hold you close as he did earlier. Pulling you into a tight embrace, he buried his face in your neck as his own eyes started to water.

"I know that becoming a hero has its issues, this is one of many. To start," Breathing a heavy breath, Hitoshi quickly formed a list in his head.

"I will never find comfort in someone else. I don’t ever want to find comfort in someone else because they won’t be you." It was a maddening thought.

Hitoshi was... Picky.

Most people were too loud. Too bright. Too much, too little, too far, too late. They were either one thing or another, and that's why he consistently struggled to make friends growing up. You however, were perfect.

You fit him, matched his pace. He didn't believe there'd ever be another person on the planet to conveniently check off every single box he had on his list the way you did. Alongside that, he was a simple man. He found you, you found him. Why look for someone else when he was perfectly happy with you now?

Why trade in a phone when the one he had worked fine? Why toss out an old blanket and get a new one when it warms him the way it should? He never understood those types of people, it was too much work to do such things - not to mention shallow.

Before you could get a word in, he was at it again.

"Two; I will never leave you behind. I will never forget you. No matter how far I go, I will always remember you." You always thought of him when he needed it, always kept on pushing him forward despite making it into the Hero Course yourself. You had everything, and could have left him behind. Yet, you didn't. Even if you did, Hitoshi believed he'd easily let you back in - he was just too attached.

It was sweet of him to already have a way to reassure you. He was persistent, one of the many reasons he got so far after all. It helped, hearing your partner himself console you. But the voices in your head wouldn't budge, constantly conjuring up worries and aches you couldn't escape.

Sniffling a bit, you gingerly wrapped your arms around his neck, leaning into his touch.

"I-I know... I can tell how much you care for me though everything you do," the air was heavy as you paused. "I just... can't help but worry anyway. I'm always worried. There are so, so many other people that like you, that want to be close with you... It hurts a little at all the things that could happen in the future."

In response, Hitoshi brought a hand up to the back of your head, gently cradling it as he ran his fingers through your hair absentmindedly.

"You're right. "

You could only move your head away and look up at him in shock, your heartbeat pulsing in your ears.

"It's only to be expected that I'm going to meet many new people on this path that I'm taking. I might even make some new friends," looking down at you, he gave you a smile filled with warmth and love. "But no matter how many new people I meet, none of them will ever mean as much to me as you do. "

You moved your head back down to rest in his chest after the initial shock wore off. His words were more than reassuring, they were loving. But... The pain always lingered.

"I just can't help but wonder how much you'll love me in the future, after meeting so many new people... And wonder how much you even love me now..." You felt a little hazy at the thought, your mind not working as well as it normally did at that moment.

Tightening his the grip around you for a moment, Hitoshi pulled away slightly so he could look at you properly, gently putting a finger under your chin so you'd look at him properly.

"How much do I love you...?"

He repeated your words in a soft tone, his dark indigo eyes never leaving yours.

"How much do I love you, you ask? I don’t think words could describe how much I love you..."

He closed his eyes for a few seconds, taking a deep breath to control his swirling emotions, seemingly creating an inferno inside of his mind.

"You're... You're my first love, the first one I've ever fallen in love with. My-"

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat in an attempt to keep himself from getting too emotional, Hitoshi opened his eyes once again, everything suddenly clear to him.

"My most precious person."

The air was silent between the two of you for a beat, as all you could do was look up at him in admiration. The bond you both held was special, as it developed and grew over time. And bonds formed that way are normally one of the strongest.

"I-"

He put a finger over your lips, effectively silencing you.

"Let me speak. "

You watched as he took a deep breath, looking almost frazzled. It was odd, as Hitoshi was typically one of the best to keep his cool. Seeing him work himself up so much over you simply confessing your worries to him... Words evaded you.

"I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. You are the most precious person to me. I-"

He let out a small sigh as all the things he’s been keeping inside for too long suddenly poured out, also taking advantage of this moment to truly show you everything he ever felt for you.

Hitoshi was a cold guy on the outside. He kept people away, kept friendships shallow at most - all for the sake of his safety. Bullies tainted his idea of relationships of all shapes and sizes, so he naturally kept himself closed off.

But, you. You were here, and you were in need of consolation. He didn't ever learn how to express himself properly. All he knew was that he loved you, and that he needed to let you know how much he did. Even if he struggled.

"I love you so so much. I-"

He took a deep breath to calm himself down. There was so much he wanted to say, yet at the same time he was at a loss for words.

"No matter where I go, or what happens to me, nothing-" He brought his hands down to grab yours, giving them a quick squeeze, "and I mean absolutely nothing will ever make me stop loving you."

It was hard. Watching him tear himself up so much about your worries. But, he cared. He cared so much. And that was all that mattered to you.

"I may not be a very affectionate person... I know I’m not always there when you need me, and-"

Sensing he was working himself up too much, you took initiative and moved your hands to cup his cheeks. Both your eyes meet, and in between you two, hundreds of unspoken words bounce in the air.

Leaning into your soft touch, Hitoshi brought his hands up and gently wrapped them over yours, relishing the feeling of his skin touching yours. Even in the smallest actions you made him feel so loved. He gazed at you without word, letting all his emotions be conveyed in that look. Love, affection, assurance, protection, and all sorts of emotions that he couldn't quite word.

Hitoshi leaned down just a touch and pressed a soft kiss against your forehead, closing his eyes as he took in the feeling of your warm skin against his lips.

"Nothing and no one can make me stop loving you."

The idea of leaving you behind, and letting some stranger take hold of you almost made his emotions flip 180°. It was such a nauseating thought to him, he cherished you so dearly and fully believed that there wasn't a soul that deserved you in the same way. You both did everything together, both did everything for each other, fit together like puzzle pieces.

"I won’t let anyone take you from me. Especially not some person who doesn’t even-" heaving out a heavy breath, he cut himself off in an attempt to not bring down the mood once more. Neither of you needed that.

It was odd to think about. So odd. Hitoshi also worried the same thing about you in the end as well. He never seemed to show any signs of worry. Never seemed to falter in confidence. Yet, here the two of you were. Sitting and worrying, loving each other too much and hurting yourselves over what might happen.

Suddenly, you felt a little less lonely.

"I-" you grabbed his hands in yours as you stepped back just enough to see his face. "I've been supporting you since day 1. And I intend to continue doing so until the very end." Looking up into his eyes, he smiled a little at the newfound sparkle yours had.

Squeezing his hands in yours, Hitoshi chucked.

"I know. I know you will."

@hitoshisbf

Thank you so much for the request! I'm very sorry for the wait, but I hope this suits your request! I started it on your ask, but I made the mistake of saving it to drafts and in turn it disappeared ( ⌯᷄ ·̫ ⌯᷅ก )

I had to start over in the morning, I apologize for the extra delay (⁠｡⁠ŏ⁠﹏⁠ŏ⁠)

If you ever want to request again I'll always be here! Wishing you the best, hope you have a lovely day! ( ˶'ᵕ'˶)و.ᐟ.ᐟ

[esquie]

PROPAGANDA UNDERCUT!!!!

also i will be continuing murderbot dairies no matter what so it's not on here :3c

Mystery, Thriller, SciFi, books are around 300-400 pages

The plot surrounds Secret Service agent Ethan Burke's introduction to the remote small town of Wayward Pines, his new home from which he cannot escape. The residents of this picturesque town do not know how they got there and are forbidden to talk about their prior lives. An electric fence surrounds the town, and the residents are under 24-hour surveillance. The mysteries and horrors of the town build until Ethan discovers its secret. Then he must do his part to keep Wayward Pines protected from threats both within and beyond the fence. The series covers themes of isolation, bucolic Americana, time-displacement, man vs nature, human evolution, and cryonics.[citation needed] Crouch has acknowledged that he was inspired by the 1990–91 TV series Twin Peaks.[1]

Space Opera, LGBT, SciFi, books are around 300-400 pages

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

i have been informed the pilot of the ship is in love with the ships ai and there's wire touching. so. you know

Horror, Thriller, Lovecraftian, SciFi, books are around 400-500 pages

The Threshold Universe is an ongoing book series written by Peter Clines and begins with the novel 14 published in 2012. The other books in the series included The Fold (2015), Dead Moon (2018), and Terminus (2020). Padlocked doors. Strange light fixtures. Mutant cockroaches. There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbour across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s. Because every room in this old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends. Or the end of everything...

this series is Strange and every book feels entirely disconnected from the last in terms of desc so i included the first books desc... they ARE connected things just. go crazy i guess...........

Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, SciFi, each book is around 300 pages

A girl named Rose is riding her new bike near her home in Deadwood, South Dakota, when she falls through the earth. She wakes up at the bottom of a square-shaped hole, its walls glowing with intricate carvings. But the firemen who come to save her peer down upon something even stranger: a little girl in the palm of a giant metal hand. Seventeen years later, the mystery of the bizarre artifact remains unsolved - the object's origins, architects, and purpose unknown. Carbon dating defies belief; military reports are redacted; theories are floated, then rejected. But some can never stop searching for answers. Rose Franklin is now a highly trained physicist leading a top-secret team to crack the hand's code. And along with her colleagues, she is being interviewed by a nameless interrogator whose power and purview are as enigmatic as the relic they seek. What's clear is that Rose and her compatriots are on the edge of unraveling history's most perplexing discovery, and finally figuring out what it portends for humanity. But once the pieces of the puzzle are in place, will the result be an instrument of lasting peace or a weapon of mass destruction?

Cyberpunk, War, Dystopia, Fantasy, SciFi, books are 300-350 pages

My name is Rex. I am a good dog. Rex is also seven foot tall at the shoulder, bulletproof, bristling with heavy calibre weaponry and his voice resonates with subsonics especially designed to instil fear. With Dragon, Honey and Bees, he's part of a Multiform Assault Pack operating in the lawless anarchy of Campeche, south-eastern Mexico. Rex is a genetically engineered Bioform, a deadly weapon in a dirty war. He has the intelligence to carry out his orders and feedback implants to reward him when he does. All he wants to be is a Good Dog. And to do that he must do exactly what Master says and Master says he's got to kill a lot of enemies. But who, exactly, are the enemies? What happens when Master is tried as a war criminal? What rights does the Geneva Convention grant weapons? Do Rex and his fellow Bioforms even have a right to exist? And what happens when Rex slips his leash?

Horror, Fantasy, Gothic, Mystery, both books are around 140 pages

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

seen this get recommended to annihilation fans are bunch...

Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fantasy, SciFi, Queer, first book is 450 pages, second book isn't out yet

In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible. Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears--quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home. Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective. As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect. Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.

ive got NO idea why this has the queer tag on goodreads but if these 2 holmes and watson likes end up being faggots together i am HERE i need to be HERE

Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Adventure, Paranormal, Fantasy, SciFi, books are 350-400 pages long

Not all secrets are meant to be found. If Indiana Jones lived in the X-Files era, he might bear at least a passing resemblance to Nolan Moore -- a rogue archaeologist hosting a documentary series derisively dismissed by the "real" experts, but beloved of conspiracy theorists. Nolan sets out to retrace the steps of an explorer from 1909 who claimed to have discovered a mysterious cavern high up in the ancient rock of the Grand Canyon. And, for once, he may have actually found what he seeks. Then the trip takes a nasty turn, and the cave begins turning against them in mysterious ways. Nolan's story becomes one of survival against seemingly impossible odds. The only way out is to answer a series of intriguing questions: What is this strange cave? How has it remained hidden for so long? And what secret does it conceal that made its last visitors attempt to seal it forever?

Cosy Mystery, Fantasy, SciFi, LGBT, both books are around 120 pages

Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers' series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Espionage, Spy, books average to around 300 pages but there's.. a lot of books..... i have 9 books and 1 novella in this series

John le Carré classic novels deftly navigate readers through the intricate shadow worlds of international espionage with unsurpassed skill and knowledge, and have earned him -- and his hero, British Secret Service Agent George Smiley, who is introduced in this, his first novel -- unprecedented worldwide acclaim. George Smiley had liked Samuel Fennan, and now Fennan was dead from an apparent suicide. But why? Fennan, a Foreign Office man, had been under investigation for alleged Communist Party activities, but Smiley had made it clear that the investigation -- little more than a routine security check -- was over and that the file on Fennan could be closed. The very next day, Fennan was found dead with a note by his body saying his career was finished and he couldn't go on. Smiley was puzzled...

jeff vandermeer said le carré's work inspired authority which is my favourite book of all time . so. i'm interested

Post Apocalpytic, Dystopia, Space Opera, Fantasy, SciFi, books are 400-600 pages

A race for survival among the stars... Humanity's last survivors escaped earth's ruins to find a new home. But when they find it, can their desperation overcome its dangers? WHO WILL INHERIT THIS NEW EARTH? The last remnants of the human race left a dying Earth, desperate to find a new home among the stars. Following in the footsteps of their ancestors, they discover the greatest treasure of the past age—a world terraformed and prepared for human life. But all is not right in this new Eden. In the long years since the planet was abandoned, the work of its architects has borne disastrous fruit. The planet is not waiting for them, pristine and unoccupied. New masters have turned it from a refuge into mankind's worst nightmare. Now two civilizations are on a collision course, both testing the boundaries of what they will do to survive. As the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, who are the true heirs of this new Earth?

ive been told theres evolved jumping spiders in this and like. im here for that. my god am i here for that

Weird Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Fantasy, SciFi, books are 200-300 pages

In a ruined, nameless city of the future, a woman named Rachel, who makes her living as a scavenger, finds a creature she names “Borne” entangled in the fur of Mord, a gigantic, despotic bear. Mord once prowled the corridors of the biotech organization known as the Company, which lies at the outskirts of the city, until he was experimented on, grew large, learned to fly and broke free. Driven insane by his torture at the Company, Mord terrorizes the city even as he provides sustenance for scavengers like Rachel.

jeff vandermeeeerrr..... also i love how he has a book called strange bird and a character called ghost bird in southern reach....

Weird Fiction, New Weird, Horror, Steampunk, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, SciFi, the omnibus is 1.5k pages long

Before Area X, there was Ambergris. Jeff VanderMeer conceived what would become his first cult classic series of speculative works: the Ambergris Trilogy. Now, for the first time ever, the story of the sprawling metropolis of Ambergris is collected into a single volume, including City of Saints and Madmen, Shriek: An Afterword, and Finch. In City of Saints and Madmen, Jeff VanderMeer has reinvented the literature of the fantastic. You hold in your hands an invitation to a place unlike any you’ve ever visited–an invitation delivered by one of our most audacious and astonishing literary magicians. City of elegance and squalor. Of religious fervor and wanton lusts. And everywhere, on the walls of courtyards and churches, an incandescent fungus of mysterious and ominous origin. In Ambergris, a would-be suitor discovers that a sunlit street can become a killing ground in the blink of an eye. An artist receives an invitation to a beheading–and finds himself enchanted. And a patient in a mental institution is convinced he’s made up a city called Ambergris, imagined its every last detail, and that he’s really from a place called Chicago.… By turns sensuous and terrifying, filled with exotica and eroticism, this interwoven collection of stories, histories, and “eyewitness” reports invokes a universe within a puzzlebox where you can lose–and find–yourself again.

[unmeisenpai]

Ok… sooo… I know I’ve been gone for a while but I missed you guys so much and I have been slapped with inspiration.

I need yall to know this is a dark Alcina x OC fic here are the warnings:

❌❌❌ 18+only❌❌❌ praise kink, marking, possessive behavior, physical violence, CNC(IYKYK) Omega vers. I can’t explain this enough this fic is dark and dirty please don’t read it if it’s too much.

As usual feedback is welcome, and let me know if y’all want more.

A Monsters Grace

Chapter 1: The Introduction

‘Speaking truthfully, I’m not sure why we keep fighting, you just go blame the bad timing.’

‘Admit it to me.’

‘Speaking Truthfully, I love you more then you love me.’

The song blasts through your headphones, as you ride down the hill to your house.

Your boss Alexander had let you out of the cafe early this evening at 4:15 pm, you thought it was because it had been annoying slow for a Sunday, but you couldn’t stop feeling odd due to the way your boss of 5 years had been looking at you and mimicked the behavior of a best friend when they can’t, but want to tell you something important.

You tried not to think about it as you went, skidding around the corner to the golden brick house at the end of Storm Trail Drive but just as the house comes into focus, you noticed a strangely huge black truck parked directly behind your mom, Sera’s dark blue Chrysler 300.

You’d never seen a truck of that size in your life, and as you slowed your bike to a stop in the driveway, only a few feet from the intimidating vehicle, you could see the license plate.

‘DIMITRISCU’

In thick black letters, the words seemed too big compared to the size of the plate, and you could see a woman in the driver’s seat with thick black sunglasses who glanced at you for only a moment, before she looked ahead again like you weren’t there, she looked almost like a CIA or FBI agent.

You dropped your bike afraid of what was going on, you and your mother had lived in this house alone for years, after your father passed, only a few months before your birth.

Company was scarce, because you both enjoyed each other’s company, and your mother told you many times that your father was the only one she loved, and that was ok with her.

So to see this, was too much.

You rushed to put your key in the lock, almost dropping your keys in the process. Finally getting the door open you immediately shouted into the seemingly empty space.

“Mom!?”

No answer as you rushed to the kitchen/living room, feeling panicked as you rounded the corner.

You stopped immediately in your stride, a woman, a very tall woman with eyes as gold as the sun, sat at your kitchen table. A hot cup of tea in her hand, that she was about to sip from before you had bolted in. The small chair looking odd beneath her, as you scanned her oddly elegant face and black suit.

Her face pail and almost perfect, you couldn’t help but blush when she looked you up and down, before taking a sip of her tea.

“Destiny?” Your mom spoke softly a surprised look on her face, as she put the tea kettle back down on the stove.

“Your home early.” She spoke quickly coming up to you and blocking your view of the stranger in your home.

You looked past her at the tall woman, your words unpleasant and cutting. “Who the hell are you?”

Your mother quickly wrapped her arm around you turning you around entirely, even as you looked back at the woman who now stood and smirked in your direction. Her height becoming completely realized as her head came close to the ceiling.

“Destiny I need you to go to your room for me ok sweetie?” She spoke in a rush as she practically dragged you up the first few steps.

“Mom who is that, what’s going on are you ok?” You had a million questions including why she didn’t want you there.

“I’m fine dear but..” she looked over the railing, then back at you. “I can’t explain right now ok but I promise I’ll explain soon enough, I swear.”

You felt even more panic rise in your throat at those words, and how your mother looked into your eyes. You never knew her to be a nervous woman she was your rock always had been, she even taught you how to box to an almost professional level in order to keep you safe.

But she held you tightly and gave you a reassuring smile.

So you nodded and headed up the steps to your room.

You don’t know how long you waited and paced about your room, trying to find your brass knuckles if you needed them, but to no avail.

Looking up at your clock you saw it had only been 45 minutes. No yelling or crashing sounds but you still felt uneasy.

‘Knock, knock’

You all but ran to your door at the sound, and reached for the knob, but it began to twist on its own and in stepped her.

Her eyes boring into your very soul as she walked towards you, instinctively you backed up until the back of your legs hit your bed and your were forced to sit.

You had to practically put your head back entirely in order to keep your eyes locked on the tall woman’s face.

She reached forward to touch you, so you quickly tried to swat her hand away with your right, only for her left hand to immediately seize it and squeeze it painfully. You tried to get away but her free hand was already around your neck, yanking you up towards her just as your mother’s voice calls out to the older woman.

“Miss Demitrescu!”

The iron grip on you was released and you ran past the strange woman towards your mother, standing behind her frightened.

“You will not touch her now that was the agreement.”

You shot a look at your mother who stood her ground, and held her arm out in front of you to keep you shielded.

“Mom, what?”

Your mother glanced at you apologetically, for a moment before addressing the tall stranger again.

“Do you hear me Alcina?”

This beautiful but scary woman ‘Alcina’ looked at you then your mother her face softened, and a sadistic smile graced her crimson lips as she tilted her head and put her hands in her pockets.

“Make sure she’s ready in an hour, no later, my people will gather the rest of her things in the morning.”

Her deep voice mixed with an odd accent that you couldn’t place was as intoxicating as it was cold.

Without another word she walked passed you and your mother, and down the steps.

“Mom, what the hell was that? What did she mean be ready in an hour!?” You shouted as your mother pulled you into the room closing the door, and sat you down on the bed next to her.

Her face was filled with pain, and what looked like regret as she spoke to you. Her eyes began watering with each word.

“Destiny I need you to listen to me ok? I’m truly sorry but we don’t have much time.”

She squeezed your hands as she spoke trying not to let her tears fall.

“I can’t believe this day has come so fast, and I wish it didn’t have to be this way but I…” She took a deep breath.

“Destiny, before you were born, your father and I got sick at the same time. I was pregnant with you at the time and your father passed before me. I was terrified that I would die or lose you, and with your father gone I had no way of paying for the house or the medical needed to save us both.”

Another deep breath as Sera wiped away her tears.

“I had been working for Miss Demitrescu for about two years, cleaning her offices, she found me crying one day when I broke down. I told her about my illness and your father, and how I couldn’t help you or him. She… she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Your body went stiff and your mind numb, as the next few words slipped out of your mother’s mouth.

“She offered to pay for everything this house my medical anything and everything I might need to help take care of you, and in exchange on your 25th birthday you would be her Omega.”

“It took me two days to think it over but my condition was getting worse, and I couldn’t wait any longer. So I signed a contract that made you legally hers.”

You couldn’t move, or think as you stood up looking at your mother with horror. This had to be some dream or nightmare, the day did seem to good to be true this must mean you’re asleep. Perhaps you blacked out at work this morning and now you’re sleeping.

“No.” You said coldly shaking your head.

“How.. how could.. you.. sold me?”

“You sold me!” You said turning to leave, as a million thoughts flooded your mind. Your mom took your wrist before you could get to far and she pulled you into her embrace.

“Destiny I’m so sorry I hope you can forgive me, I just couldn’t lose you I already lost so much.”

“Mom, please don’t make me go with her please I don’t want to!”

Sera looked down her eyes puffy and red as she kissed your cheeks, whispering apologies.

“I’m so sorry baby, I got 25 beautiful years with my sweet baby girl, and I wish I had made a better decision but there were no options back then.”

All you could do was cry as your mother explained why she didn’t try to send you away when you were born, how Alcina would have people watching the house and most importantly you.

As your mother began to pack a bag for you, while you sat on the bed still crying and sniffling. The door opened and Alcina stepped in and immediately grabbed your wrist, lifting you from the bed with force.

“Let me go!” You shouted as you tried to pull away, but Alcina only squeezed you tighter, sending a shooting pain up your arm.

“You’re hurting me, stop it.”

Your mother ran towards the two of you but a tall woman,(nowhere near as tall as Alcina but close) probably the one who was waiting in the car. Stepped between the three of you, stopping your mother from helping you.

“I’ve waited long enough, she’s coming with me now.”

She headed for the door without another word to your mother, and practically dragged you down the steps. Your mother continued to shout for her to let you go but Alcina acted as if she didn’t hear her.

You continued to struggle against her iron grip to no avail so you decided to try and punch her.

Big mistake, as soon as your fist made contact with her shoulder she whipped around and pushed you up against the rear car door pining both your wrists behind you.

“Keep fighting me Destiny, and I will break your arm.”

Her tone was as cold as ice and her grip on you made you realize she wasn’t bluffing.

Crying in pain as she twisted your arm further back.

“Ok! Please stop I won’t fight! Ahh please you’re hurting me!”

Alcina chuckles as she whispers;

“So cute when you beg little Raven.”

She finished those words with a lick to the right side of your neck, making you shiver.

“I’m going to let you go, so be a good girl and get in the car, if you try to run I’ll catch you and make you regret it.”

You began to cry as you nodded and she let go of your wrists.

She opened the car door for you and you stepped inside, just then the driver door opened the woman who stopped your mother got in and started the truck.

Alcina got in after you and immediately crowded your space burring her nose deep in your right shoulder, breathing you in.

“Finally… you’re all mine.”

She snapped her fingers and the woman who was now driving, pushed a button that closed a wall between the front seats and the back.

She pushed you down on the leather seats and began kissing you, you did your best to push her away but it was no use she was much bigger and stronger then you but you refused to give in so easily.

“Let me go! Get off me, stop it!”

Alcina could only chuckle at your words, as her grip on your wrists grew tighter.

“What did I say earlier?”

She squeezed your wrist so tight you thought it really would break, and you screamed in pain.

“Please stop, please you’re hurting me, why are you doing this?

What do you want from me?”

You started to sob as she licked away your tears, her hand resting gently on your cheek.

“Darling it’s ok, I won’t hurt you if you do as your told, now be still and take whatever I give you.”

She leaned in again and kissed you gently this time, her tongue playing around in your mouth as she moaned in ecstasy at your flavor.

“So delicious.” She said pulling away when you started to choke.

“You were truly worth the 25 year wait my darling.”

Ripping your black work button up down the middle to get better access, the buttons flying everywhere and all you could do was lay there and moan as she roamed your upper body with her tongue, kissing, licking, sucking and biting you anywhere she wished, worshiping until you were covered in her deep red lipstick and small black bruises. Your mouth was also smeared with it, a blush painted across your brass cheeks.

“Now that wasn’t so bad was it?” Alcina smiled down at you as you cried and tried to cover yourself, she simply took your hands and pulled you into her lap with your back to her front, her long black hair tickling your neck.

“Please… Miss Demitrescu, please let me go, I just…I just want to go home.”

You couldn’t help but cry more, as you struggled to remove your wrists from her grip.

Alcina kissed your right shoulder that was bitten and purple, then slid her free hand under your thigh, massaging the tender flesh and making your body shiver.

“Please darling there is no need for such formality, you are mine now so you may call me Alcina.”

You turned your gaze up towards her your eyes pleading with her, but all she did was smile down at you and kiss your for head.

Her gentle behavior was strange but not unwelcome, and you couldn’t help but lean more into her hold.

“Don’t fret my little raven, I shall make you understand that being mine is a good thing. You will want for nothing, you may eat anything you wish and you shall have a wardrobe that will make queens envy you.”

As she spoke she removed your underwear, leaving your skirt on and playing with your now exposed cunt.

“Well well, it looks like you did enjoy my touch. You’re dripping wet my sweet little raven, would you like me to make you feel good hmm?”

You tried to close your legs but she used her knees to keep them apart, as she continued to play with your dripping cunt.

Your legs shake as she rubs tight circles on your bundle of nerves, right before she added a finger.

“No!! Wait!!”

You began to fight her again regardless of the threat she made to break your arm but she didn’t snap your wrists like a twig, instead she let go of your wrists and used her now free hand to play

with you even more.

Digging her sharp nails into the soft flesh under your thighs and drawing blood, causing you to cry out in a mix of pain, pleasure and confusion.

“Please Alcina.” You said in a whisper, as the older woman sucked on your right shoulder.

“Well now, you finally said my name.” Alcina chuckled as you whimper, and kissed you once more, slowly this time sensually like she wanted you to enjoy it.

Her hands let go of your thighs to fondle your nipples, gently scraping the sensitive flesh with the tip of her sharp nails.

“Ahhh! Please I can’t… I ahhh! Don’t understand.”

“It’s ok my dear just enjoy it.”

Alcina slid her hand back between your legs and began to pump her fingers in and out of you gently, curling her fingers upward hitting your g-spot.

“Ahhhh!” You cried out your whole body feeling like fire crackers were exploding all over your sweaty body.

“No! Alcina… please wait it’s… ahhh too much, too much.”

You tried to fight off her hands but nothing worked as she bit down on the right side of your neck, breaking the skin.

You had never screamed so loud; you came undone on her hand, and as she made you ride out your high she marked you keeping her teeth buried deep in your scent gland.

The world around you became a blur, as you went slack against Alcina’s ample chest.

She kissed your forehead then your lips soothing you to relax against her, as she whispered sweet nothings into your ear and cleaned your now bloody shoulder.

“You did so well for me cel mic, I’m so proud of you.”

A kiss to your lips.

“I knew you would be perfect for me.”

A kiss to your temple.

“My sweet precious little raven.”

A kiss to the bandage on your sore bruised neck.

“Now rest draga mea, I promise to be here when you wake.”

You were too blissed out and scared to argue with her as you rested your head on her chest.

She continued to kiss you as your eyes became heavy and you found yourself leaning into them.

Part of you wanted her kiss and her touch but you knew it was wrong and twisted.

“Alcina… why did… you want…

Me?”

That’s all you remember saying before slipping into an inky blackness.

Look at that you made it to the end… you nasty (I love it) lmk what you thought cutie 🥰

[rainbow-arrow]

Lukadrien Episodes:

Luka Couffaine is only in like, 19 episodes, so here's the list from the top of my head:

Episodes where Luka and Adrien Interact in Some Capacity (some ARE a stretch but I've had Lukadrien brainrot for literal years):

Season Two: Episode 16: Captain Hardrock (Luka introduction, iconic 'Welcome to the Band') Episode 17: Frozer (sure it's a bi-square ep but watching through a lukadrien/marigami lens is so fun)

Season Three: Episode 7: Silencer (Silencer calls Chat Noir 'kitty' and no one ever talks about that) Episode 11: Desperada (the whole episode. no explanation needed) Episode 20: Party Crasher (Luka comes to party uwu, Vipernoir moment)

Season Four: Episode 1: Truth (anytime he's akumatized and interacts with Chat Noir is so fun to me. 'do u love me? beat me up pls' also both times they really emphasize hand-to-hand combat) Episode 12: Crocoduel (no Lukadrien bc 'GOTTA KEEP ADRIEN AWAY' but lukanoir is a fave of mine) Episode 13: Optigami (a stretch, absolutely, but the idea of Luka coming to a model thing for Adrien is so funny and cute to consider) Episode 18: Wishmaker (Iconic, the whole episode. 'you don't want to be a model Adrien, i hear your melody' etc; kicking and screaming) Episode 19: Ephemeral (pls watch this with a Lukadrien lens, Chat Noir's shocked face at Viperion de-transforming makes me cackle every time)

Season Five: Episode 6: Determination ("He loves everyone and everyone loves him back, he's surrounded by love and has a hard time understanding it all") Episode 12: Perfection (the song one. You know how they look at each other at band practice) Episode 13: Migration (*through gritted teeth* "this way, CHAT NOIR can come help us" *shoves Adrien in the closet*, oh and of course "'what would I do without you")

The episodes Luka appears in that he doesn't really interact with Adrien/Chat but just merely appears:

Season Three: Reflekdoll (complimenting Juleka) Heart Hunter/Miracle Queen: (cute biking sequence, Marinette sobbing into his arms)

Season Four: Lies (being the inverse to Truth ofc) Sole Crusher (party on the Liberty) Penalteam (Viperion is trapped in the bubble for the wHOLE GAME) Risk (barely there as Viperion) Strikeback (Luka gets a :o moment)

Season Five: Re-creation (comes back fINALLY)

tldr w/out my commentary:

Season Two: **Episode 16: Captain Hardrock Episode 17: Frozer

Season Three: **Episode 7: Silencer **Episode 11: Desperada Episode 20: Party Crasher

Season Four: Episode 1: Truth Episode 12: Crocoduel Episode 13: Optigami **Episode 18: Wishmaker Episode 19: Ephemeral

Season Five: Episode 6: Determination Episode 12: Perfection **Episode 13: Migration

**personally view these as the Most Lukadrien:tm: episodes

[yourtoradorasextendedwarranty]

hi! read your long public transit rant that you responded with to someone a while back. i partially disagree ! and im making it your problem <3

ill try to account for your arguments being made specifically in the american context but i will fail becuase i am tired and ill and europe ian and silly and am responding from my memory of reading it 10 minutes ago now

firstly: you claim introduction of buses would necessitate widening of roads, would risk bus breakdowns, and would create a harmful reliance in rural areas. 1. a person in a bus means a person not in a car. if i remember correctly in america an average car trip will involve 1.2 - 1.6 people in the car? a bus then needs to carry around 4 passengers to take up less road surface ! public transit is regularly suggested and implemented by people smarter than i as a measure against congestion. the roads will not need widening. 2. breakdowns, while potentially impactful are... such an edge case? sure, even if the average american is, say, even 1.5 times heavier than any european country. that simply doesnt matter? even if it was a problem, theres no way american buses wouldnt be ordered from an american firm, where a Tiny portion of the environmental benefits can be traded for a bus that is up to that task. 3. the first thing id like to say is: no one would Ever, ever here, suggest public transit to 100% replace cars. especially in rural areas, people will simply continue to have cars. taxis and ridesharing services may shrink, but theyll always be there in a pinch. most times transit is advocated for, it isnt in rural areas anyway. one of the main trouble points with cars is the large necessity for parking space in cities, and that in many places, the average car trip is comedically short, and is only taken for lack of a better option. both are problems transit easily solves, alongside myriad other benefits. removing this large parking requirement can allow for greater density, better land use, and easier transition to walkabilty, which is usually the ultimate goal.

secondly, you discredit bicycles. obese people wont ride + disabled people cant

even if the currently obese do not ride, the presence of the possibility means future generations will not be so obese, but frankly, there is little reason why the current population couldnt start. as for the disabled: there are always other options? thats the point. they can always have small electric vehicles within allowances to use bike paths, or even keep their car (which also isnt very disablity friendly!!)

3. trains. fu ken love em. you say: too expenisive to maintain, and no political will (to many obstacles), and no money 2 build

first, as for the money: yes! you are right ! amercia has no monry for anything! not healthcare not road maintenance not science ! thats not the trains fault ! but the humble asphalt road is far worse. its attacks on your nations budget are multipronged: a. car dependency leads to the need for quite a few, and alongside zoning laws, creates very many low density suburbs that must all have city funded services, including the roads. so low density, that many wealthy culs de ballsack are actually a net loss in tax revenue ! with less asphalt (and better zoning) cities would readily have more money to spend, by way of having to maintain smaller utilities networks, which service the same or more people ! 2. asphalt road is cheap to build and a bitch to maintain. so much so, that it is a constant drain on treasuries, to such an extent that more constantly needs to be built to try and scrounge up more tax revenues to pay for ehat is already there.google "growth ponzi scheme".

2. maintenance! thats simply not true. a high initial investment is needed for trains, yes, but maintenance? generally, a wellbuilt track's maintenance schedule involves a semiregular visit by and engineering car to ensure the track is intact, which is a few salaries and a pitance of electricity, and a track replacement every few decades, which is considerably cheaper than what and asphalt road seeing similar ridership would need.

3. no political will

yes !!! yess!! thats why we advocate !! save for bumfuck nowhere, alaska and wyoming as a whole /j there is scarcely anywhere that wouldnt benefit from expanded transport ! but there are entities that wouldnt! unfortunately for americans, these entities have money! there js no transit, because automaker lobbies dont want you to have it!!! thats why you advocate !!

if yku bothered to read i love you

good night

i am literally always corrext except when i m not whi h is never btw

I'm not going to lie to you when I said I skimmed to this. And the reason is because you clearly need to go back and read my post.

The United States actually has some degree of public transportation. But the post that I was responding to in one of those posts, did not state that we would have to widen the roads if we introduced buses. We actually already have public buses. In most cities. Hell since it is even have trolleys. Some I'm actually have both. My statement was more towards if we got rid of vehicles which they wanted to outside of public transport, We would have to increase the amount of buses. That would facilitate a need to make wider roads in general. Unless you created an entire fleet of short buses, which would in turn actually make things worse as far as traffic.

You are so vastly underestimate the size of the United States in the amount of money that it would be required to maintain public infrastructure such as public transportation across states. Also you ignore the amount of damage that it would need to be done to upend a lot of different locations especially those of rural types. What's more, American natural disasters have to be taken into effect in regards to this maintenance. And further still the initial investment needs to be able to happen.

So what I would strongly suggest is doing yourself a favor and reading into the abject failure that was the high speed rail that California was supposedly attempting to make and has spent I think north of a billion dollars on and if not even gotten an entire mile done. So I would go back to my post, whichever one it may be, reread what I said with an open mind and try to understand where I'm coming from. Because it sounds like you read what I wrote while trying to come up with a rebuttal. Rather than attempting to understand what I was explaining.

[spoonfulofmilo]

Contestant Number 3's Introduction

updates will be tues, wed and thursday my time at 7pm aest!

love y'all

the bachelor masterlist is here

part 1 is here

---

my masterlist can be accessed here

Please keep requesting - y'all have awesome ideas we agree on a lot of stuff :) - my guidelines are here, and if you want some prompts, they are here.

also feel free to come in and start chatting to me in my asks, would love to get to know y'all better

and if you want to be added to my taglist lmk :)

Y/N had his makeup touched up and his microphone adjusted as he thought about Logan. He was aware of the car sitting just around the corner, the new guy waiting in the car for the go ahead.

The producer in Y/N’s ear reminded him to smile. He forgot how much he was being watched, not just by the cameras, but by the entire crew.

The touch ups were finished and the next guy was given the green light as the cameras started rolling and Y/N noticed the guy wandering around the corner towards him.

Y/N felt his heart pound slightly faster as the figure emerged. The familiar nerves crept up his spine, but this time there was something different, a sense of curiosity mixed with a hint of anticipation.

Maybe it was a bit extreme to call Logan sunkissed, even though compared to Kimi he was. But this guy was definitely tanned. His smile was knowing, like they were already in on the same joke. He had dark curly brown hair, and scruff on his chin as if it was a rugged but polished look.

Logan's energy had been light, almost like a breeze. But this guy, there was something undeniably grounded about him, his smile inviting but his eyes carrying a depth that felt less playful, more serious.

He was carrying a helmet in his hand, as if he’d gotten off a motorbike, and as he approached Y/N for a hug, he hugged him with the helmet in his hands.

Y/N saw him before he heard him, the way the black suit clung to broad shoulders, the collar unbuttoned just enough to make Y/N's pulse stutter.

He blinked, forcing himself to look away.

Not your type.

Too confident. Too perfect. Too... hot.

“Howdy.”

The accent hit Y/N like a second punch.

Y/N was so fucked.

“I’m Daniel. Thought I’d rock up with a little somethin’.” He held out the helmet with a grin. “Not sure how much dirt you’ve played in outside the karting stuff, but I’m a bit of a two-wheel guy. So if you're up for it, this one’s got your initials on it, literally.”

Y/N laughed, taking the helmet. “No way, that’s awesome. It’s got my initials and everything.”

Daniel winked. “Of course, mate. Gotta come prepared.”

“So, tell me about yourself.”

“Alright, rapid-fire style? Thirty-three, Aussie made, professional camera clicker these days, but honestly I’ll take any excuse to jump on a dirt bike or mess about outside. I’ve got a soft spot for sunsets, Italian food, and people who laugh with their whole face.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What actually brings you here, to the mansion?”

Daniel tilted his head slightly, scratching the back of his neck with a little smirk. “To be honest? Curiosity. Hope. Bit of chaos, maybe. I mean, yeah, I want something real, but I’m also not here to force it. If it clicks, it clicks, y’know? Just tryna stay open to it all.”

“What’s your idea of a perfect first date?”

“Ohh, alright. Let’s go picnic under the stars, something chill, y’know? Or, if you’re brave, we can hit some dirt trails, get messy, maybe fall off once or twice. Makes for a good story. I'm flexible, it's more about the vibe than the plan.”

Y/N hesitated, then asked, “Do you like to travel? It’s kind of a dealbreaker for me.”

Daniel nodded quickly, eyes lighting up. “Absolutely. I’ve done my fair share. Hard to pick a fave, but I reckon I’m supposed to say Perth. That’s home. Grew up there, quiet, spread out, beaches that’ll make you cry they’re so good. But I love discovering new places. Food, people, dodgy airports, all of it. Sure, long flights suck, but I’m always tryin’ to see the good in it.”

He leaned in, elbows loose, casual. “Alright, your turn, where’s your happy place?”

Y/N gave his answer,

“Hmmmm, my happy place, I think I like that idea more than the idea of a favourite city. Cause I feel like I can have multiple happy places. And the second I find somewhere in a city, like a book cafe, I’m happy, I’m in my happy place. And I think that, that’s almost better than having a home, or a favourite city. Being able to find a spot in every city you go to, that, that is important for me.”

 Daniel nodded slowly, listening.

Then he nudged, grinning. “Okay okay, philosopher, now gimme a real place. C’mon. City, race weekend, something that actually got into your bones.”

They went back and forth, Austin, music, moments that stuck. Then Y/N asked, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever given?”

Daniel paused. Then his eyes softened. “Can I level with you? No producers, no fancy edits, just me talking like a bloke in your kitchen.”

He reached for Y/N’s hands. It wasn’t dramatic, but it was honest. Grounded.

“Alright. Here's the deal. Enjoy the butterflies, yeah? Let yourself be nervous, bit wide-eyed. That stuff means you care. Don’t feel like you gotta peak in the first five minutes. Let it build. Let people see you grow into it.”

He chuckled, a little bashful now. “You’re already amazing, but you’ve got more to give, I can see it. So meet people properly, laugh heaps, learn stuff, even if it’s just how someone takes their coffee or how they recover from tripping over their own ego. And don’t go it alone, yeah? Bring your mates, call your mum, take your support crew with you. It’s meant to be shared.”

He shrugged. “That’s it. Cheesy as… I know. Was that alright?”

Y/N’s smile broke open, wide and real. “I think that’s the best advice I’ve ever been given.”

Daniel beamed. “Nailed it, then. Let’s goooo.”

(cut to Y/N’s interview)

"That one shook me a little. I wasn’t expecting him. Not like that. Daniel walked in like he already knew who I was. Not just the suit, the setup, the camera version of me. Like, me, me. And I don’t know if that’s terrifying or comforting, but it was definitely... something. There’s this thing he said, about enjoying the butterflies, not rushing to the top so fast you forget to look around. I think that’s the first time tonight I really let my guard down. I didn’t plan to get that emotional this early. I’m usually the one asking the questions, keeping the energy light. But he flipped it. He made it about something deeper without trying too hard. I don’t know if Daniel’s dangerous in the romantic sense or the existential sense yet. But... I’m not brushing that one off."

(cut to Daniel’s interview)

"Y/N’s the real deal. You know when someone walks into a room and you're not sure if they're about to change your night or your life? Yeah. It felt a bit like that. I wasn’t trying to do anything clever. I just wanted to give him something honest. Maybe I’ve spent too much time with people who perform their feelings, so I’ve learned to spot the difference. Y/N doesn’t perform. He... invites you in. I brought him a helmet. Thought it might make him laugh, or at least give us something to talk about. But the moment I touched his hands… Yeah. That wasn’t nothing. I’m not saying this is it, not yet. But if I get the chance to keep showing him who I am, I will. I didn’t walk in here planning to feel this way. But now? I’m in it."

taglist: @barcelonaloverf1life, @leosxrealm, @tallrock35, @wolf-knights, @janeholt3, @badblondebisexualboy, @ghostking4m, @fate-posts, @evelyn-4034, @jupiter-je-taime, @redcrescentmoons, @youraveragebritishamerican, @v3lnys, @thatonesblog, @bangbangdevotee, @annegrey, @pear-1206, @alchemxx, @koalapastries, @saucy-apples, @milessunflowers, @dramaticpiratellamas, @bunnisgreen, @jamesiesposts, @tammyfortis, @sleutherclaw, @blazecosplay

[cina-full-moon-xanadium]

With the franchise continuing to grow in popularity, I thought I'd give a rundown for new fans of the earliest fist-fighting, bike-riding lone hero Kamen Riders that they might not be too familiar with compared to the modern shows.

Kamen Rider #1

Made with specific intentions in mind about the nature of violence in humanity, the first Kamen Rider often struggled with a distancing of sorts from his humanity that his superpowers gave him; focusing most frequently on the terrible harm he was now able to visit upon his opponents. Conceptualized as the lone hero with these powers, the bug-themed #1 didn't have a 'secondary rider' of sorts to help him out; instead being assisted most frequently by a professional officer who also acted as his liaison with the police. Another well-liked supporting cast member was an older 'uncle' figure who let the main hero stay at his shop. At the conclusion of the series, Rider 1 decided to leave Japan to journey abroad. Kamen Rider #1's show was very popular with children to the degree that, while not intended, it naturally spawned an indirect sequel series and eventually a whole slew of shows that continues to this day.

Kamen Rider #2

While Kamen Rider #1 was not conceived as having any successors, events behind the scenes incited the production of a replacement hero in Kamen Rider #2 who would take over from #1 over the next year. Very similar in design and origins to his predecessor with the same bug design basis and often mixed up with him, this new Kamen Rider was a quirky jokester type of character compared to the typical 'hero' type kids could look up to that #1 was; and often confounded his supporting cast with all the strange things he'd say and do. Rather than dwell on his personal tragedy of what he'd lost, #2 as a character preferred to focus on his own personal hobbies and interests; only going out to battle the enemies when called. #2 notably marked the introduction of a teamup of multiple Kamen Riders at once, though he fought with derivations of #1's suit rather than the original. While not as well remembered as the original Kamen Rider, #2 still laid the groundwork for many elements that the franchise stays true to today.

Kamen Rider V3

As the first departure from #1 and #2's basic setting and storytelling with a very different design, Kamen Rider V3 obviously had some big shoes to fill -- but almost instantly he was a hit, easily becoming one of the most popular Kamen Rider series of his era. While previously glimpsed with #2's occasional scuffles, V3 notably was the first Kamen Rider series to have fellow Kamen Riders fighting with each other; not out of misunderstanding, but out of genuine moral conflict. While some of this would be resolved, multiple Kamen Riders end up dying in this season, and arguably this rivalry is what most influences the typical Main Rider/Secondary Rider relationships to this day.

Riderman

While many Riders feature their transformation belt magically appear out of nowhere, the fourth Kamen Rider notably had a more 'realistic' transformation that required the hero to physically put on his gear. Arguably weaker than many other Kamen Riders due to having a limited powerset derived from now-outdated science, Riderman in his series was characterized largely by a distrust of everyone around him due to his coloured past; naturally leading to many of the show's most memorable character conflicts and fights. This Kamen Rider has an interesting relationship with death, with the ending of the show and post-series media seemingly unable to decide if he's alive or not.

Kamen Rider X

Plagued by rewrites and completely different directions in the first and second half of the show, the first Kamen Rider to constantly carry his weapon with him has nonetheless remained quite popular with fans of the era; in no small part due to the tantalizing relationship he has with a black and red rival he makes early on. While the show would eventually move on from this element, X as a character is informed by the tragedy of losing his father and the hero complex this event forced upon him.

Kamen Rider Amazon

A very sharp change in direction from the more technological Riders that came before him, Amazon in many respects does not feel like part of the Kamen Rider series as much as it does an original series very much doing its own thing -- and one that has garnered its own small fanbase. Amazon featured multiple forested fights and pit the main hero against animalistic beasts rather than what you might expect from a usual Tokusatsu monster. Amazon is frequently followed around by a young boy fascinated by the new world of possibilities the hero has introduced him to, and the relationship between Amazon and this boy is one of the highlights of the series.

Kamen Rider Stronger

This red rhinoceros beetle Rider is a cult favourite among fans for its infectiously confident main hero who makes speeches about the heavens as he charms his way out of just about any situation. This series brought the classic theming back in a big way, with all the main heroes being based on a different type of bug. This series may surprise modern Kamen Rider fans for Stronger only having a single upgrade form, not even having a single other one between his base form and final. Unfortunately, this series failed to be the jab-in-the-arm of popularity the producers wanted it to be; with the Super Sentai series that same year arguably overshadowing it.

(inspired by this twitter thread)

[letmereadinpeace4]

Love Sea episode 1 Commentary

So yesterday the first episode of Love Sea was released. After watching it, I decided to put down my thoughts and impressions. Hopefully I can keep it up until the end of the drama.

First, a few things:

I have bought and read the Love Sea novel. I will try my best not to spoil anything, but this knowledge informs my perception and my commentary. I have also read Love Sand, which chronologically happens before Love Sea, and I will spoil minor plot points if I think they can help understand elements in the drama.

There will be no Mame hate in this post, or in any other posts.

With that out of the way, let’s start:

The drama opens by separately introducing the main characters. Masahamut is diving, checking and noting damages, while Tongrak is on his way to the island, wearing the most impractical travel outfit he could have possibly worn. We learn that his stay on the island was booked by Connor Warrington, a close friend of his.

The character introduction is pretty well done. Masahamut is set up as a character who deeply cares about the well-being of the island he lives on. He is shown interacting with his friend Palm (they are not biologically related, they are senior/junior) and we get an impression of someone who communicates well with others and has a joking, playful side to him. Meanwhile, Tongrak is shown alone, even as he talks with Connor, we do not hear his replies, so we get the sense of someone cut off from other people. His outfit is also very fancy, showing his financial comfort, but also wildly impractical, showing that he is not very down to earth.

To explain who the characters are in the Mame universe, Masahamut is the best friend of Khom, who is Type’s childhood friend (from Tharntype). Khom is dating Connor, who is close friend with Tongrak. Tongrak is also a novelist, and his novels have been adapted by the movie director Aphros, who is Prapai’s uncle and the director who inspired Sky after his breakdown (not going to lie, with all those connections, I am low-key surprised that the closest we ever got to incest was Tum and Tar’s relationship).

At the docks, Tongrak is not exactly impressed with the place he will be staying at. We have it confirmed that Connor booked his stay because Tongrak’s next novel will be about the ocean (Connor my beloved I love you so much you asshole). Masahamut meets Tongrak at the docks and decide to piss him off by speaking in a Southern accent and not driving an appropriate vehicle to transport his suitcases. After Tongrak blows a fuse, Masahamut cuts him off and borrows a cargo tricycle.

This develops the characters a bit further. Tongrak shows a rather childish side and a lack of control over his emotions, while Masahamut’s confidence and capacity to adapt is set up. We also see more of his playful, “troll” side. I also like how his popularity on the island is subtly shown by having him borrow a bike from someone with no issue whatsoever. People trust him!

Tongrak immediately calls Connor to complain and demands to go home, further showing his childish, needy side. We get to hear Connor, who is mostly amused. Meanwhile, Masahamut unloads Tongrak’s suitcases with an amused expression and grabs the phone to chat up with Connor.

For more explanation about Connor and Masahamut’s relationship, they met when Connor stayed at the island for the holiday. He met Khom, who was working as Masahamut’s assistant and as Connor’s guide, and Masahamut helped Connor in his pursuit of Khom (in exchange for monetary compensation. Truly a win/win situation for everyone involved).

I love how entertained Masahamut is with Tongrak’s prissiness. He doesn’t care or take it personally, just rolls with it and takes advantage of it to troll him.

Masahamut escorts Tongrak to his room, who immediately pushes him out and ignore his offer to be at his disposal if he needs anything.

Sidenote, but I love Tongrak raging against the suitcase and later at the blankets. It is so cute, childish and relatable at the same time. I have definitely “scolded” a zipper because it wouldn’t open or the printer because it had issues.

We cut to Mook, Tongrak’s assistant/secretary, who is looking very busy and overworked. She is so far the most relatable character in the drama for me, down with the messy hair. She is called by Vi, Tongrak’s best friend, who promises to keep her busy. I love her, she is such a troll! Also a cameo appearance by Ja, which is definitely great to see! Hope he’s been well!

We cut back to Tongrak as he goes to a bar, wearing a really awesome sheer shirt and enjoying the attention he gets. Palm is his waiter, and immediately start hyping up Masahamut. We get confirmation that Masahamut is really popular both with the residents and with the tourists. We also learn that he is bi, which is great! We always love to see bi representation.

Tongrak seems pissed both at the fact that Masahamut is popular and by the fact that people would assume he is attracted to him, which he is definitely not! One hundred percent not! Not a trace of attraction here! Who cares if Masahamut is handsome anyway? Not him that’s who! And his sulking has nothing to do with it.

Next morning, we get to see how much Masahamut is involved in his community. While it may seem a bit heavy-handed, I do like that this aspect of Masahamut is so strongly enforced. It gives him a lot more depth and shows his maturity.

This mature impression is immediately countered when we see that he has a double of Tongrak’s keys and didn’t tell him. He immediately takes on the caretaker role and as he cleans up the room, we learn that Connor paid Masahamut to serve as Tongrak’s caretaker/nanny/guide/sitter during his time on the island. Is it like some kind of gift reciprocity? Masahamut helped Connor date his best friend so Connor helps Masahamut get with his own friend? I also really like the comparison of Tongrak to a cat. It suits him so well. We also have it mentioned again that Tongrak is very lonely (initially, Connor filled that loneliness void, but once he started dating Khom, he could no longer give as much attention to Rak as he used to, hence why he is trying to find a solution.)

Connor wakes Tongrak up. Not going to lie I would punch him! Do not bother me before I had my tea and breakfast! As he tries to punch him Tongrak falls on the ground, giving Masahamut a perfect view of his body.

The “seduction” scene is really well-done. You can see the switch as Tongrak finds himself in a more familiar territory and tries to seduce Masahamut by removing his robe/shirt. He really seems to enjoy having power over Masahamut, especially since the latter has annoyed him so much. However while Masahamut is admirative, he does not lose his head and starts commenting on Tongrak’s lack of body hair. You can really see the switch back as Tongrak loses his confidence. Peat acted really well in that scene!

I love how offended Tongrak is by Masahamut’s lack of sexual interest. Poor kitty got his pride hurt! Speaking of which I also love how Masahamut speaks of Tongrak like a kitty he is taking care of.

Tongrak tries to provoke Masahamut by constantly asking for a different breakfast and being picky, to no success. I always enjoy seeing Tongrak’s bratty side, especially when his brattiness doesn’t work.

Masahamut is such a troll! I love him already!

Meanwhile, Tongrak has found out a way to get Masahamut to do what he wants (to some extent). He pays him to get him to speak in a Central dialect. It really sets well the economic difference between them. Tongrak has money to burn and Masahamut will do anything for money. I love how much he doesn’t care about being bought and getting money from his clients. Masahamut is there singing “Material Girl” and doesn’t care about what anyone thinks!

I love it any time Tongrak’s more vain side is shown. The way he jumps when Masahamut mentions wrinkles. Also he is supposed to be in his late twenties/early thirties.

Masahamut offers his sexual services and can obviously see that Tongrak is more interested than he lets on. “Even if you were the last man on Earth, I still wouldn’t want you”. Oh hey! I heard a cool girl named Elizabeth Bennet say the exact same thing. I wonder what happened to her….

We cut back to Mook rehearsing her speech to Vi to not have to work as her assistant. By the way I love her shirt! As she dares Vi to call her, she answers her prayers and does so! We get to see that Mook has an itemized list of how to deal with Vi! That is some thoroughness! Anyway Vi claims a light bulb in her room is busted and that Mook needs to come and change it. I see Vi subscribes to the “pulling her hair” strategy in courtship. Meanwhile Mook is getting more and more erratic and her faces are amazing! She looks offended, outraged and confused at the same time. Also I love how messy her hair is.

“I’m a frail lead actress who can’t do anything on her own” as she sits on the ladder she used to bust her own light bub to get her crush to come to her place! I love Vi she’s such a troll! Also does she have Mook’s picture? I can’t really see well.

In his room, Tongrak is having trouble writing the sex scene and we learn he needs to have sex or to hug someone to properly write sex scenes. It really is interesting that Tongrak needs an intense physical situation to describe a romantic sex scene, because it suggests that he cannot conceptualize the intensity of the emotions involved unless he experiences a “similar”, physical sensation. It really goes with him being lonely but also suggests he never truly offered his heart to anyone.

The next day, Tongrak is working on his novel, looking extremely cute with his round glasses, while Masahamut is waiting. He soon gets bored and starts reading what Tongrak is writing. I wonder if the sex scene he reads out is a random scene that was written especially for this or if it was taken from another of Mame’s novels. I cannot place it.

Anyway Masahamut is bored of it and takes Tongrak on a boat to show him around. I love how Masahamut gently scolds Tongrak and tells him to sit properly so that he doesn’t fall, causing Tongrak to sulk. It sets up their future dynamic. Also Masahamut don’t scold the kitty! He’s a city kitty and has never been on the sea before.

Tongrak is called by Mook and doesn’t hear her well. Yeah in the middle of the sea it is a lost cause. Masahamut decides to take a dive while Tongrak is on the phone, causing him to panic. I actually agree with Tongrak here! For safety reasons Masahamut should have warned him.

Tongrak freaks out and starts crying. Masahamut tries to reassure him by poiting out that he’s fine but is unsuccessful. I love how he takes the freak out seriously and only reaches to touch him after Tongrak has been unresponsive. Tongrak scolds him and Masahamut reaches out to hug him and apologize. I love the light little kiss on the forehead and how Tongrak slowly accepts Masahamut’s hug.

Afterwards, Tongrak is embarrassed about his crying episode (don’t worry baby it happens to the best of us) and plays the shy Victorian maiden when Masahamut moves to remove his shirt as if he didn’t wear a sheer shirt in public two days before. Masahamut offers to show him the good stuff, and just like Tongrak I was not thinking of clams when he said that! Again, I love how confident Masahamut is! He is aware of his charm and sees well the effect he has on Tongrak. The episode ends with them still on the roof of the boat.

Overall I really enjoyed this episode. It was a good set up for the characters and I love the atmosphere they created. I look forward to seeing more of it.

[justagalwhowrites]

Halcyon - Ch. 1: Can I Buy You a Beer?

You run into someone you don't expect when out for a drink. A continuation of Halcyon, a modern no outbreak AU TLOU fic found on Tumblr here.

Yes it's a Javi gif but we're gonna say he's Joel because Joel is in his 30s for this fic, OK?

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader

Warnings: Modern No Outbreak AU, No use of Y/N, Slow burn, 18+ only, Minors DNI

Length: 5.7K

AO3 | Prologue | Next Chapter

Austin, Texas

September 30, 2022

You were going to strangle Alyssa. 

It sure as hell hadn’t been your idea to go out drinking to celebrate the end of the first month of the school year. Definitely not your idea to do it at a bar that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned this decade. And it absolutely was not your idea to try to pick up a guy while out at said dingy bar. 

But it apparently was Alyssa’s idea of a good time. 

You sighed as you watched people go to and from the bar from your seat tucked in the corner. You tried to come up with stories for the people you could see in the dim light, like they were characters in a book you were writing. The biker in a leather vest, you decided, had been an accountant for 20 years when he bought a Harley during his midlife crisis. He’d become a mechanic when he became too obsessed with the bike to be satisfied behind a desk. His wife was pissed but his son thought he was way cooler now. The couple at the end of the bar were on a second… no, third date. She was deciding whether or not to fuck him. You thought it was going to go in his favor.

Alyssa had moved out of the seat next to the guy she’d taken up with and into his lap. You wondered if there was a world record for how far someone’s tongue could be down another person’s throat. It had to trigger her gag reflex at some point, right? Or maybe she didn’t have one. That must be nice. Maybe that was the key to being good at oral. Maybe you’d be better at it if you didn’t have a gag reflex. Maybe you’d still have a husband if you were better at oral. 

You downed the last of your Shiner and rapped your fingers along the side of the glass. That was one upside to being back in Texas, at least. Shiner Bock on tap was a nice perk. 

Next time you went out with Alyssa, you were driving yourself. If there was a next time. 

But you’d probably cave before too long. You didn’t have many friends and you liked her. Even though this night hadn’t been much fun and getting to know her at all had been awkward at first. Alyssa was a few years younger than you and the first time she’d stumbled into your office she had your book in her hands and a wide smile on her face. 

“I am so sorry if this is weird,” she said after a brief introduction. “But… I’m in love with your book and I am dying for you to sign it!” 

“Sure,” you laughed a little and she passed it to you. You flipped to the title page and scrawled “Alyssa, Thanks for reading. With love, your coworker” before you penned the signature you’d practiced a million times with your agent below and handed it back. She squeaked, a little giddy,  before offering to show you the best restaurants near campus. You didn’t have the heart to tell her that you’d grown up in Austin so you had plenty of favorites without any extra help. 

Still, you had this strange drive to have Alyssa see you as a normal person. Award-winning author famous was, thankfully, not the kind to get you recognized on the street but it still made you uncomfortable. Book signings and readings were exercises in misery. There was the acute agony of being observed and noted, the strange knowledge that, for these strangers, this brief encounter was going to be something they remembered. They’d remember if you had a mustard stain on your shirt or if there was lipstick on your teeth or if the stress you were under as you traveled from city to city while your marriage fell to pieces around you made you snap at someone. You never realized how keenly you valued anonymity until it wasn’t an option anymore. 

The very last thing you wanted was someone who was a fan with an office two doors down from your own.

So, you’d decided to have her be a friend instead. Make it so she saw you as a person and not someone from the inside of a book jacket. The two of you had gone to lunch a few times and out for a quick drink once, too. It had been nice and, ever since, it felt like she had stopped watching you like a pseudo-celebrity and started seeing you as a friend. Or, at the very least, a friendly acquaintance. 

So when she’d asked if you wanted to get some drinks tonight, you’d said yes, envisioning the lounge she’d suggested the first time you’d gone out, one with jazz music playing quietly enough that you could chat over it. 

That was not where she suggested this time. 

But you were already here and edging in on tipsy and if you were going to spend the night alone at a bar and, eventually, at home with your vibrator, you may as well be drunk doing it. 

You made your way to the bar and ordered a tequila shot and another beer, drumming your fingers on the bar top as you waited for your drinks. 

“Well hey there, beautiful,” a man who had to have at least 10 years on you sidled up next to you at the bar. “What’s a pretty thing like you doin’ getting your own drinks?” 

“No one else was volunteering,” you gave him a tight smile. “But I’m not looking for company so…” 

“Don’t tell me you’re here all by your lonesome?” He smiled a lopsided, cocky smile, looking you up and down. The accent felt a little heavy handed and the cowboy hat put it over the top. You wondered, idly, if he was hiding a bald spot under there. 

“I prefer flying solo, but thank you,” you said, peering around him to watch the bartender flirt with a girl who looked like she was newly 21 and probably here slumming it at this bar that was far from the school. You sighed and settled in to wait even longer for your drinks. 

“Girl as pretty as you shouldn’t be all on her own,” he said, leaning against the bar and blocking your view. “No way someone hasn’t snapped you up yet, a face like that…” 

“Oh my face has nothing to do with it,” you smiled, forcing your eyes to go wide enough that you looked a little crazed. “It’s because I’m a murderous sociopath with six bodies buried beneath my house.” 

The man just blinked at you, a puzzled look on his face. You could practically see the wheels turning in his head and you considered, for a moment, timing him to see how long it would take to piece it together. 

“She’s right you know,” a familiar voice from behind you made you stiffen. “There's a reason she's here alone. This one’s insane, she’d chew you up and spit you out, man. Best you find someone else to try n’take home.” 

“Sorry, man,” he said. “Didn’t know she was spoken for.” 

You watched the man shove himself back from the bar and prowl off to find another woman to try and bed before turning, slowly, to the man standing at your back. Your heart beat picked up in spite of yourself when you saw him, as tall and broad and somehow even more handsome than ever. 

Joel Miller smiled, one of his cocky, lopsided smiles that made his cheek dimple. 

“Hey, Goldie.” 

***

It was you.

Here, in this shitty bar in his corner of Austin on a Friday night was you. 

Joel froze when he saw you, sitting in a corner by yourself, watching the bar with a far away look on your face. 

It was a look he knew intimately, even though it had been 11 years since he’d last seen your face in person. You’d get that look when you were thinking about something important, something you wanted to remember. You’d have that look and then you’d open up that gold notebook of yours and write furiously for a minute or two before stashing it away. 

“You ever gonna let me read any of that?” He’d teased one day as you sat, curled up in the corner of his couch, your notebook on your knees. 

“No,” you scoffed. “Trust me, you don’t want anywhere near this disaster area. It’s basically just the word vomit version of my brain, it’s a mess up there.” 

Joel didn’t push you on it but, truthfully, he’d have killed for a chance to see inside your mind for a moment. He wanted to crawl inside your skull and look at whatever you’d let him see. He wanted to memorize you, carry you with him, wrap himself up in you at every opportunity. You felt like home, more than anything else he’d ever had. Of course he wanted to be close enough to you to see inside your mind. 

But that was a long time ago. Yes, it had been 11 years since he’d seen you but it had been even longer since he’d seen you when you weren’t pissed at him. In fairness, he was pretty pissed at you, too, but you’d started it. 

And he wasn’t even sure why. He didn’t know what set you off to begin with. One night it was prom and the next thing he knew, you were gone. Taking off across the country before graduation without so much as a goodbye. You changed your number and your mom wouldn’t give it to him and you were just gone. Like the two of you hadn’t spent every day together for the last three years, like he had all meant nothing at all to you. 

Joel saved up the money to buy a bus ticket to your fancy fucking college, intending to find you there and demand an explanation, but that hadn’t gone as planned. He just settled into not knowing and not understanding why the most important relationship in his life had been ripped away from him without a word. 

But it had been a long time. He’d moved past the resentment of it and now he was all but awestruck at seeing you again. 

“Hey, do you want…” Tommy’s voice trailed off and his eyes tracked where Joel’s were looking. “Holy fucking shit, is that…” 

“Yup.” 

“Did you know she…” 

“Yup.” 

Tommy was quiet for a moment.

“Know she was gonna be here?” 

“Hell no.” 

Joel caught a glimpse of his brother nodding out of the corner of his eye - he wasn’t about to stop looking at you, he was worried if he did you might disappear again - and sighed. 

“You gonna talk to her?” Tommy asked after a moment. 

“No idea.” 

“Shit dude,” Tommy clapped his hand on Joel’s shoulder. “Good luck with… whatever the fuck is gonna happen there.” 

Joel glared at him for a second but kept his eyes on you. One of the other guys on the crew went to get the first round, something he appreciated because it meant he could keep watching you at a distance. He wasn’t sure what the fuck to say to you and he wasn’t about to just go talk to you with nothing to say. 

But then you went to the bar and a guy was clearly annoying the hell out of you and, before he really knew what he was doing, he was heading for you. 

“Hey, Goldie.” 

You looked at him for a moment. You looked as surprised to see him as he was to see you. 

“Hey, Joel.” 

He smiled a little wider. 

“Can I buy you a beer?” He asked. 

“You’re a bit late, I’m afraid,” you said. “Already put it on my tab. But that’s assuming the bartender remembers I exist which seems like it might be aiming a bit high…” 

Joel hung over the bar and hit the top of it a few times.

“Hey, Jimmy!” He yelled. The bartender whipped his head around. “Stop fuckin’ around, get my friend her shit, yeah?” 

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, turning back to the woman he was talking to for a second before making you a shot first and then pouring your beer. He set both in front of you at the same time.

“Thank you,” you said, both to Joel and to Jimmy, and you did the shot, wincing as the tequila went down. 

Joel whistled

“Shit, you lookin’ to get fucked up?” 

“Well,” you coughed a little on the liquor before taking a sip of beer. “I already need to take an Uber home because the friend I came with is currently being devoured by that charming gentleman over there…” You nodded to a man at a table against the wall, a brunette draped across his lap who looked to be surgically connected to the man at the mouth. “So I figured, fuck it, may as well get hammered.” 

Joel laughed a little at that. 

“Since you’ve got no one else to get hammered with,” he shrugged. “Want to do it with me? Catch up a bit?” 

You thought for a second, taking a sip of beer. 

“Sure,” you said. “Yeah, that sounds good.” 

Joel got a beer, too, and followed you back to your table before he settled in beside you. Part of it felt so natural, being next to you, but it was so different, too. You were different, fuck knows he was different. 

“So,” he said, watching you. “You’re in town.” 

“I am,” you nodded. 

“Visiting Anna?” He asked, even though he knew the answer. It had made news, the fact that you were coming to teach at UT.

“Work,” you said. “Moved back a few months ago.” 

“So what do you do now?” He asked. “For work, I mean.” 

“Teach, mostly,” you said. “I’m at UT now. Literature and creative writing.” 

“Seems right up your alley,” he nodded. “Always liked that sorta thing. You ever write that book?” 

You nodded, taking another sip of beer. 

“Yeah,” you said. “Just one, though.” 

“Ever publish it?” 

“Yeah,” you nodded again. “A few years ago…” Joel laughed and you frowned. “What?” 

“You really think I don’t know you wrote a fuckin’ book?” He asked. “Course I know you wrote a fuckin’ book. Jesus, Goldie, your name is on fuckin’ posters and shit! You think I live under a rock?” 

You laughed. 

“You dick!” You shoved him playfully. “Look, you’re basically illiterate, I didn’t want to assume…” 

“Hey just because I do shit besides read does not mean I’m illiterate!” He laughed. “You’re just a nerd…” 

“You only finished high school because I’m a nerd,” you rolled your eyes. “Pretty sure your coach was ready to make me an honorary member of the team since me hounding you about homework was the only thing that kept your ass grade eligible.” 

“Oh, you were the MVP,” he smiled, watching you take another sip of your beer and you smiled that amused little smile, the one you had when you were humoring him, the same one you’d had since you were 15 years old. “No question about it.” 

“Since you know all about me apparently,” you teased. “What’s been going on with you?” 

Joel shrugged, taking a drink. Mostly to buy himself time. 

Did he want to admit to you that he’d all but taken his life and driven it into the ground since he last saw you? 

Not that he ever felt like he had much potential, anyway. You and his mom had been the only people who’d ever really seen anything in him. But then you left and she died and was he even failing anybody anymore? Certainly not himself. And everything he did now he did to make sure he didn’t fail his daughter who, for the last 10 plus years, had been the only thing in his life that made it seem like all the shit was worth something. 

But he wasn’t sure he wanted to tell you about her, either. It seemed cheap, to bring her up in a bar to you of all people, one of the only reasons she existed in the first place. 

“Kept busy,” he said instead with a shrug. “Workin’ construction. Roped Tommy into it about a year ago, too. His dumb ass kept getting into it with people, told him I wasn’t going to keep bailing him out of jail if he didn’t at least look like he was trying to get his shit together.” 

You nodded and took another sip of beer. 

“Do you like it?” 

He shrugged again. 

“Pays the bills.” 

“Not what I asked, Joel.” 

He looked at you. You were watching him in that keen way you had, your head cocked slightly to the side, your eyes looking at him like you could cut through everything, everything he ever had or was or would be, down into the lanky boy he’d been when he’d first met you. 

“Not sure why it matters,” he said after a minute. “But it’s fine, I guess. Crew��s good. Work’s steady.” 

“It matters because you deserve something that fulfills you,” you frowned slightly. “Don’t you think so?” 

He laughed once, looking at you for a moment. 

“Haven’t thought about shit that way in a while,” he said. 

Since you left, he added silently. He didn’t say it. Wouldn’t say it, even though part of him wanted to. Wanted to demand an answer, wanted to yell at you, wanted to cry at you and make you answer for the destruction that you left behind you. Destruction that Joel wasn’t entirely sure he’d ever really recovered from, just found a way to live in the rubble of it all. 

But you were here now, talking with him again. 

“When was the last time we did this?” He asked. 

“Did what?” 

“Talked.” 

You smiled a little. 

“You mean besides the time you decided to yell at me about my romantic choices at my mother’s funeral?” You asked, brows raised. “Been a while.” 

“Since prom?” He asked quietly. 

He watched you clench your jaw before nodding and taking a drink. 

“Since prom.” 

Joel picked at the label on his beer bottle for a moment as you sat with your hands between your knees and looked anywhere but at him. Eventually, you picked up your drink glass again with your left hand and Joel traced your bare ring finger with his eyes. 

“Thinkin’ I might have been right about the romantic choices,” he teased lightly and you frowned before he nodded at your hand. 

“Ah, right,” you said, extending your hand in front of you and running your thumb over the inside of that finger like you would if there was a wedding band there. “Yeah, it turns out going on a book tour when your marriage is on the rocks isn’t the best way to handle things…” 

“Shit,” he shook his head a little. “I’m sorry, Goldie, that…” 

You scoffed. 

“No you’re not,” you put your hand back in your lap. “You hated him. You said all of three words to Gale and you hated him…” 

“OK first of all, his name was fucking Gale,” Joel cut you off. “And second of all, he was a fucking douchebag.” 

You snorted into your beer, coughing and choking on it for a moment and Joel clapped you on the back as you held on to the table, trying to laugh and breathe at the same time. 

“You alright there?” He asked, leaving his palm in the middle of your back. 

“Fine,” you coughed, pounding your chest with your fist. “I’m fine, I just… It’s so funny, but Gale isn’t even his birth name.” 

Joel gaped at you. 

“You’re shitting me,” he said. “That asshole chose the name Gale?” 

You nodded, still coughing and laughing. 

“He did,” you said. “He did, he thought it made it sound him more authorial and academic, he changed it before he started teaching. His birth name is fucking Bradley - his mom still calls him Brad - and I only found out when filling out the marriage license.” 

“What a fuckin’ dick,” Joel laughed, his hand still on you. He was touching you. He hadn’t touched you in so long and he was touching you. “Jesus Christ… Sorry if you’re still hung up on the guy but shit, you can do way better than that.” 

“It’s fine,” you laughed, calming down a bit and nodding to yourself. Joel watched you, uncertain. “Really, it is. I’m not going to pretend like I entirely agree with you but… things look different once you’re outside of the marriage and not in it anymore… Anyway. You married? Kids?” 

“Not married,” Joel said, still not sure how he wanted to tell you about Sarah. If he even should, if the two of you were going to just go your separate ways after tonight and never speak again it felt wrong to share her. “Not even dating, really. At least, nothing steady…” 

You laughed. 

“Christ, why am I not surprised?” You teased. “You always had a way with the ladies. Haven’t outgrown that yet I take it?” 

Joel smiled a little. 

“Why outgrow what’s fun?” 

You smiled a little back. 

“Fair enough,” you said. “Don’t you want that, though? Something stable?” 

“Is anything stable?” He asked. “Shit, half the people we went to school with now are fuckin’ divorced, what difference does it make?” 

“Yeah, I guess I am one to talk,” you said, polishing off your beer. 

Joel winced. 

“Fuck, not what I meant…” 

“It’s fine,” you shrugged. “I just… it didn’t work out and that’s that, right?” 

“Right,” he said, watching you closely for a moment. “Hey, since you’re lookin’ to get hammered and I don’t got shit else to do tonight… shots?” 

You laughed a little. 

“I don’t know that I want to get that hammered,” you said. “I’m not a teenager anymore…” 

“C’mon, Goldie,” he teased. “It’s on me. Plus it was my birthday the other day, gotta do at least one with me for that.” 

“Oh shit,” you said. “It was, wasn’t it? You turned 33 on… Monday? Monday, right?” 

“Right,” he laughed. “So, you in?” 

You laughed a little back. 

“Alright,” you said. “You’ve sold me. But I’ve got the first ones, it was your birthday, after all.” 

The two of you moved to open bar stools on the end of the bar and ordered the first two shots - tequila - and clinked your glasses together before downing them, slamming them down on the bar top when you were done. 

“See?” Joel teased. “You still got it in you.” 

“If you say so,” you coughed a little and then laughed. 

“Another?” He asked. 

You looked at him for a moment. 

“Fuck it,” you said and Joel flagged down Jimmy and ordered another round. 

By the time it was last call, your friend had come over to say goodbye, her lipstick smudged around her lips and the mouth of the man she’d been draped across, and the bar had gotten quiet, just a handful of stragglers left even on a Friday night. 

It took a few shots but you’d given up on keeping any distance from Joel at all, your bar stool sitting against his, your body pressed against his side, your head on his shoulder. 

“Hey Jimmy!” Joel slapped the bar top a few times. The man came over and leaned on the bar, looking at you tucked against Joel. “Think you can get me a cab?” 

“Sure as hell not lettin’ either of you two idiots drive,” he replied, going to get the phone. 

“Hey,” Joel nudged you. “Where… where do you live? Need an address, gonna get you home.” 

You thought for a second and then devolved into half drunk laughter. 

“I don’t know,” your words were slurred. “Oh fuck, I’ve only lived there like… a few… a few… fuck. When did I move?” 

“Before the school year?” He asked. 

“Right,” you nodded. “Prob’ly right, that’s… that’s when. S’not long. I don’t know where it is, oh shit…” 

“S’OK,” he said, putting an arm around you. “Just… just come home with me, s’fine.” 

“Yeah?” You asked, raising your head slightly. “You… you don’t mind?” 

“Don’t mind, Goldie,” he said gently. “Never mind, not with… not with you.” 

You nodded and dropped your head back to his shoulder. 

Joel had to half carry you to the cab and you dozed off against him on the drive, pressing your warm, soft body against his, passed out enough that you were drooling on the shoulder of Joel’s t-shirt, soaking through to his skin. He didn’t mind. 

“She gonna be alright?” The cab driver asked as Joel paid him and nudged you awake. 

“M’fine,” you waved him off. 

“You know this guy?” The man asked, watching you in the rear view mirror. 

“Him?” You asked, brows raised. “‘Course I know him, this… he’s Joel, he’s my best friend, s’fine.” 

The driver nodded once. 

“Good,” he said. “Take care of her, alright buddy?” 

“Sure,” Joel said, setting you down in the back of the cab. “Always have.” 

He got out and went around to the other door, almost tripping on the curb, before tugging you out of the backseat and against his side. You laughed and then shushed yourself. 

“Sorry,” you tried to whisper but failed. “S’late, I should be quieter….” 

“S’fine,” he slurred. “The neighbors think I’m trash anyway, not gonna ruin my reputation…” 

You snorted at that. 

“Assholes.” 

He helped you up to the front door and fumbled with the lock, the two of you stumbling in. Julie, Sarah’s babysitter, shot up off the couch, a groggy look on her face. 

“Wha?” She blinked for a second. 

You yelped and Joel shushed you.

“Sorry,” you failed at whispering again. “But Joel… there’s a teenager in… you’ve got a teenager on your couch.” 

“Yeah, she does that,” he tried to whisper back. “S’fine. How’d it go, Julie? Everything OK?” 

“All good, Mr. Miller,” she stretched and got up, meeting Joel in the entry way. “She went down at 9:30 after trying to talk me into watching Coyote Ugly…” 

“Oh lord,” Joel sighed. “Last thing she needs is to get it in her head that she should be singin’ and dancin’ on a bar…” 

“Don’t worry, I said no,” she smiled. “But I think one of her friends at school is obsessed with it, not sure how else she’d know about it… Anyway. How about you pay me next week?” 

“Oh shit,” he said, going for his wallet. She laughed. 

“Seriously, don’t worry about it,” she said. “Not sure you’d remember paying me right now and I’m even less sure you can count.” 

“Thanks,” he said, grateful. “You drive safe, alright kiddo?” 

“Will do,” she laughed a little. “Night, Mr. Miller. And Mr. Miller’s… friend.” 

“Night!” You said, a little loud before clamping your hand over your mouth and laughing. Once the door was closed, you turned your attention back to him. “Ooooo you’re Mr. Miller now.” 

“Yeah, I’m gettin’ old,” he said, guiding you inside. “Here, I’m gonna put you to bed and then I’ll take the couch…” 

“You absolutely will not,” you snorted. “I’m… I can sleep on the couch, not… not letting you take the couch in your own house. ‘Specially not when you’re old enough to be Mr. Miller.” 

“Goldie…” 

“I will move and sleep on the floor.” 

He sighed and started moving you toward the couch. 

“You ever gonna be less stubborn?” 

“Nope,” you popped your lips on the p as he set you down. He got the blanket Julie had been asleep under and draped it over you as you snuggled into the couch. “Hey Joel?” 

“Hm?” 

“Who was that girl?” You asked, eyes already closed. “Why… why did you have a teenager in your house? This is your house, right?” 

“S’my house,” he said, tucking you in. “And don’t worry ‘bout it. Just go to sleep.” 

You yawned. 

“Thanks, Joel,” your voice was groggy. “For taking care of me. Missed you.” 

He stopped and looked back at you for a moment. 

“Missed you, too.” 

He went to bed, trying not to think of the last time you’d fallen asleep on him. 

***

The Morning After Prom

May, 2008 

The pink and orange of dawn woke you up. You were on Joel’s chest, his shirt unbuttoned so you could feel his skin on yours and your dress was still bunched around your waist from when Joel had slid the straps down your arms the night before. 

You enjoyed it for a moment. The feel of Joel’s skin, how his chest rose and fell with his breaths, how the early morning light caught in the curls that had broken free of the gel you were sure his mom had put in it the night before. He smelled good, like cologne - the kind that a man would wear, not the Axe shit that drenched the hallways of your school - and soap and a hint of sweat that just felt like the essence of him. You wanted to stay like this with him forever. Be this close, know him in this way. It felt right, it felt beyond just good. 

And then you remembered, you weren’t supposed to be here. 

“Joel,” you whispered, sitting up from him and shaking him gently but urgently. “Joel, wake up!” 

“Hm?” He mumbled, groggy, his eyes opening slowly. 

“We fell asleep,” you said, still whispering even though there was no one here to hear you. “We’re not supposed to be up here, we have to go!” 

“Shit,” he blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked you over and you were suddenly fiercely aware of how naked you were, how the light of day was creeping in and casting over your exposed skin. Joel reached out and cupped your cheek. “Sorry, didn’t mean to pass out…” 

“It’s OK,” you said quickly, clutching your dress over your naked breasts as you slid the straps back on. “But we should get home, we didn’t tell our moms that we were going to be out all night, I’m sure they’re pissed…” 

“It’s prom,” he said. “Think they expected it to be a late one. But… you’re right, we should get going.” 

Joel got up and offered you his hand, pulling you to your feet. It wasn’t until you moved your lower half that you realized how sore you were between your thighs, your skirt falling back down to your feet. Joel held your hand for a moment once you were standing and his skin felt hot against yours. You dropped his hand and cleared your throat awkwardly. 

“You should button your shirt,” you said quietly, nodding to his bare chest. “And… um… Zip up your pants.” 

“Oh,” he looked down. “Um… Right. Right.” 

He moved quickly as you looked over as much of your dress as you could see and Joel used the glass of the press box as a mirror to adjust his hair. 

“Do I look OK?” You asked when he was done, turning so he could see the whole dress. “Not like… not like we….” 

“There’s… um…” he cupped the back of his neck awkwardly. “I think we made a mess of the back of your dress, I didn’t think… should have moved it, I guess…” 

“Shit,” you twisted, trying to spot it. “Do you think…” 

“Just don’t turn your back to your mom,” he said quickly. “Should… should be OK.” 

“Right,” you said. “Yeah, that’s… right. OK.” 

Joel led the way to his car and the two of you sat in silence on the ride home. You kept glancing at him out of the corner of your eye, his elbow propped on the door of the car, hand on his mouth, his face drawn. 

What were you supposed to do now? You’d never done… this. You’d never been in this position and now you were here with Joel, the person who was your best friend, the person you knew better than anyone else in the world, the person that everything had felt so right with it had been impossible to stop. 

But what did you do now? 

He stopped in your drive way and sat there, staring straight ahead. 

“Thank you,” you said. He looked at you, his eyes a little wide. “For taking me to prom, I mean. It was… I had… It was good. I liked it. It was good.” 

“Yeah,” he nodded after a moment. “Yeah, I’m glad I… got to go with you. To prom.” 

“Right.” 

You looked at him. You wanted to kiss him. Wanted him to hold onto you and tell you that everything was going to be OK and that you were going to figure this out and it would be you and him together just like it always had been. 

Instead, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. 

“I’ve got church this morning,” he said. “And then we’re goin’ to help my grandma in the afternoon so I don’t think I can see you until tomorrow…” 

“I’ve got that doctor’s appointment in the morning,” you said. “So… I guess I’ll just… I’ll see you at school?” 

“Right,” he said. “Yeah, right. I’ll… I’ll see you at school.” 

You smiled tightly at him and leaned in slowly to kiss him on the cheek, hoping that he would turn his head and press his lips to yours the way he had the night before. 

He didn’t. 

“Thanks, Joel.” 

“Yeah.” 

You went inside and got undressed in your bathroom, looking at the stain on your dress, hoping you’d be able to get the stain of your blood and his come out before your mother noticed and it ruined anything else.

Next Chapter

A/N: Eeeeeeee! I'm so excited now that this story is properly going!

I hope you enjoy exploring Joel and Goldie with me. I really love their friendship and the way they care for each other and I think there's so much to explore with the both of them.

I do have an updates blog. Follow it here and subscribe for alerts when I post.

Thank you for being here! It really does mean so much to me to share this story with you. Love you!!

[badbatch-badfics]

Padawan (TBB x Male Reader) Part 1

Part 2

Characters: The Bad Batch - Crosshair. Not much of Wrecker, mainly just meeting them.

Relationship: All platonic

POV: Mixture between 2nd (you/yours) and 3rd (he/him)

Pronouns: He/him, but referred to as they/them when identity is unknown to the Batch

Species: Unspecified, should be pretty neutral

Content: Angst?? Panic?? Introductions?? Beginning of found family??

Warnings: Panic attacks, minor injury description, thinking about your death (non-suicide), anything that would be in TBB normally. Possibly some lore inaccuracies. Cringe

Word count: 4,777

Notes: If you’re willing, please let me know if you think 2nd person or 3rd person POV is better, or if the combo is readable.

You balanced yourself on the beam, steadily walking across with eyes darting back and forth for anything that seemed of use.  Or, at least, a new pathway, or bridge, or anything that could lead you somewhere new, where there was the possibility of supplies.  Or food, or some type of communication device, or, quite literally, anything.  You weren’t picky, given the circumstances- couldn’t afford to be.  But in truth, there was little to no chance of finding anything new.  You’d scavenged through the ship countless times, and for the past…however long, there’d been nothing new.  You hadn’t missed anything from the previous ventures, no small creature had drug in anything from outside or from a part with limited access, nothing fell to reveal a hidden treasure of some sort.  Absolutely nothing.  But yet, each day you once again went out with a glimmer of hope- or denial- that there would be something.  Or maybe it was just a feeble attempt to focus your mind away from the events.  Not that it worked.

As the beam came across a body of water, you peered down to the pool, loathing at what was reflecting back- raggy, dirty, and bloody.  Kriffing Hell, I could be mistaken for a Tusken Raider with this shit-job of a covering.  Your normal Padawan robes, as well as ones from your Master, had been torn into several chunks, and wrapped around different limbs, as well as pieces of fabric from any corpses you’d stumble upon.  Layered on top of those was a poncho-cloak, barely holding on by a thread.  An oxygen mask hung limply around your neck, and was covered with a fine coating of dirt and grime, with splattered blood on top.  Bandages, cloth, and even animal pelts wound loosely around your head, leaving only small holes and strips for the mouth, nose, and eyes.  Your waist was adorned with a make-shift gear belt, holding a multitude of different bones- sharpened and shaped to become tools and methods of protection.  Your Lightsaber bumped lightly with each step, an eternal reminder to what happened- and as many bad thoughts as it brought, it would be an absolutely idiotic move to ditch the weapon.  Not wanting to look any longer, you pulled back your head and took a deep breath, continuing on.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rex led the squad of modified clones through the dirty, deserted and desolate hallways, shining a light so nobody fell to their demise.  The group talked about the war, inhibitor chips, and the like until they came across a large canyon, so to speak.  Rex, Omega, Tech, Hunter, and Echo all shimmied their way across, leaving Wrecker to go last.  “You can do it!  Just keep your eyes on the table,” Omega yelled encouragingly.  With a few grunts and a shake of his head, Wrecker began climbing the cable upside down.  Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, it couldn’t hold his weight, plummeting him down to the murky water.

The collective panic from all six clones shot out an incredibly large Force ‘wave’ to the padawan, of which felt as though he was being hit by a speeder bike head-on and then ricocheted into a Bantha.  The shock of realizing that someone- scratch that, multiple someones- were here, on the ship with him, at this exact moment was more than enough to cause (Y/N) to stumble backwards from where he was standing and trip over some debris, falling flat on his ass.  Once (Y/N) could gather that he and the strangers had a decent amount of space in between them, his breathing calmed- but not enough to be normal.

(Y/N) carefully got up, watching his foot placement, before turning to where he had been sleeping and recouping for the past few months.  His legs felt both stiff and shaky, his vision was blurry, and his breathing was ragged.  Once (Y/N) was finally in the small space that contained his very few belongings, he fell to the floor, backed into the wall, and curled up into a tiny, and rather pathetic, ball.  People were here.  (Y/N) didn’t know if they were good, or bad- or if they weren't much of either.  Didn’t know their motives, didn’t know anything.  When (Y/N) had prayed to the Force to find new things, this is not what he meant.  At all.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Soon enough, and with several general or head-based injuries, all four men had their inhibitor chips removed.  Omega and Hunter were walking around, exploring this and that and whatnot.  Mainly because Omega would have done so anyway, but she most definitely needs supervision on the death-trap that is so humbly called a ship.  Unfortunately for you, the pair was getting awfully close to his “hide-out.”  Even worse, it seemed Hunter was aware of that as well.

“Omega…I think there’s someone here with us.  Stay close,” he whispered, pulling out his blaster.  Your breathing grew faster and more shaggy, and your vision clouded.  What could I do?  They’re in front of the only exit, and I haven't fought a person, or even touched my lightsaber in Force knows how long!  Considering the only way out, other than direct confrontation, seemed to be a 100+ foot drop- the choice was more or less clear.  You shakily stood up, grabbed the lightsaber which had been doing nothing else than collecting dust (and bad memories), and began to sprint as fast as possible, shoulder aimed at the door.  Dank Farrik, please- don’t let me die like this.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hunter jumped back, quickly grabbing Omega’s arm and pulling her out of the way with him.  And lucky he did, otherwise she may have been crushed by the metal plate that went flying as the cloaked figure stumbled and bolted.  Immediately, Hunter reached up to his comm and reported, “There’s somebody else on the ship!  His motive is unclear- just blasted through a door and ran- looks like he’s going for an escape.”

On the other end, Wrecker almost jumped out of his skin in excitement- “Finally!  Some action!”  Tech couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Wrecker’s interest in beating someone to hell and back.  After some more information was passed through, Wrecker and Tech had an approximate idea of where they needed to head in order to intercept the stowaway.  Since Hunter had said that the mystery person appeared to be running away, stealth was not an objective for the pair- running through loudly was acceptable.

(Y/N) was solely focused on getting out- not where the others could be.  Which was a terrible mistake- if you’re running away from somebody, it’d generally be wise to know where they are.  Tech could guess as much, and used it to his advantage.  Although he hadn’t gotten a full map of the ship, based on Hunter’s location report, the mystery person’s motive, and the ship being heavily damaged, he could make a reasonable estimate as to where the person would be.

To no one’s surprise, Tech was absolutely correct.  After instructing Wrecker where to go, they had each blocked the end of a hallway.  Wrecker had cut in front and faced the mystery person head on, grinning as cracking his neck, while Tech had stealthily followed from a ways behind.  By the time Tech caught up, the mystery person had already slammed to a stop and immediately turned around to exit the other end, but to no avail.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You ran as fast as you could, and you really did try paying attention to your surroundings, but it was all utterly useless.  The intruders had pinned you.  One giant guy to the front, and one smart guy to the back.  Brains and brawn.  Your heart beat far too fast, feeling the thump thump in your head, being far too hot, and your vision was rapidly becoming smaller and more tunneled.

It didn’t help when the big guy spoke, and you realized they were clones.  Odd clones, granted, but clones, who, as far as you knew, executed Order 66, executed your Master, friends, your entire sense of familiarity and comfort.

You weren’t prepared for this- you hadn’t trained in months, or even used your lightsaber.  There was no means of escape, considering the second either of them saw you reach for a weapon, it would be over.  Running would do you no good, and if they had followed Order 66, talking wouldn’t do any good either.  It seemed you’d join the other jedi in whatever afterlife awaited.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The figure fell flat on their ass and scrambled half-way backwards and half-way to the nearest wall after hearing Wrecker’s voice- they were shaking, sweat drenching their clothes all the way through, and, all in all, resembling a caged animal who knew it was done for.  A loud echo ran out as the figure roughly contacted the metal wall, and pulled their legs up, semi-resembling the fetal position, as their hands were still on the ground.

Wrecker and Tech slowly approached the figure, blasters balanced on their arms.  Both took notice of the shaky and rapid breathing, the occasional twitching, and how the figure seemed to be ever-so-slightly rocking.  This person was a very good actor, or nothing more than someone scared, who was in the very wrong place at the wrong time.  They both assumed the latter.

As Tech walked forward, he used his scanner to find the general age and species of the subject, brows furrowing as results came forward.  The figure was somewhere in between 15 and 18, was (chosen species), and, as more data was collected, Tech discovered that the figure was a Jedi.  Or, at the very least, someone with a high midichlorian count.  He stopped walking, lowered his blaster- not a lot, but just enough, and gestured to Wrecker to copy.  Wrecker made a grunt in confusion, not understanding.  Tech sighed and replied, “I do not believe they intend to harm us.  If my data is correct, they are a teenager, and most likely a padawan.  And it would seem they do not wish to engage through a fight, anyway.  Put your weapons down.”

(Y/N)’s head darted back and forth between the two, confused- was he safe?  They were clones- were they not going to execute Order 66, or at the very least, kill him as a simple intruder?  Just then, a third clone appeared- one with half the helmet white, the other black, with a few more details and some large red stripes.  He had a vibro-knife in one hand, extended outward with a curve, and his other hand, holding a blaster, rested on top of it.  “Hunter, I do not think they are a threat- at least, at this moment.  There has been no attempt to harm us as of yet, and they appear to be force sensitive, which would most certainly warrant an attempt to flee from a group of clones,” Tech informed.  (Y/N) slowly reached his hand towards the lightsaber on his makeshift belt, but didn’t quite grab it- not yet.  Hunter slowly put his weapons away and set down his helmet, a small hiss ringing out when he took it off.

He crouched just enough to seem smaller and slightly less intimidating, without looking like he was getting ready to spring up.  He extended his hands, walking slowly towards (Y/N).  “We’re not here to hurt you- we're not like the other clones– we’ve had our inhibitor chips removed.  You’re safe,” he spoke slowly and clearly.  Tech jumped in, “The inhibitor chips are what programmed the regs– the other clones– to execute Order 66.  So we don’t want to hurt you.”  Wrecker grunted something in agreement.

“Now, we have a functioning ship with us, and we can get you out of here- somewhere safe, or at least, more safe than here, okay?  We have food, water, medical care, and we have a place to stay where the Empire won’t bother us.  Let us help you.”  By the time Hunter had finished his little speech, he was only a few feet away from (Y/N), crouching down, now eye-level with him.  (Y/N)’s hand slowly came away from his saber.  This felt safe- he could sense it, more or less.  There wasn’t actually any danger, and the clone, who (Y/N) assumed was Hnuter, felt safe and honest– reminding him of the warmth and comfort the Jedi Temple, his fellow Padawans, his Master, all brought him.

(Y/N) tried to say something, but his voice caught and cracked horribly- a mixture of the panic, and having not talked to anyone in months.  He felt his eyes water behind the terribly dirty rags, which stung more than it should have.  “Let's start by getting those rags off you, okay?  Tech, bring over some bacta-spray and clean bandages,” Hunter instructed.  Tech did as he was told, fishing out some spray and bandages from one of his several pouches that lined his waist.  

Tech passed the supplies to Hunter, who indicated for him and Wrecker to go report to the rest what was happening.  He directed his attention back to (Y/N), calmly asking, “I’m gonna take off your face wrappings, alright?”  (Y/N) mumbling what Hunter assumed was an ‘okay,’ and felt his body go heavy and almost limp.  Hunter reached up, tenderly brushing against the Padawan’s face, swiftly untying the bounds of cloth.  He quickly used his other hand to bring the rest of it down, now draped around (Y/N)’s neck.  His face was dirty, caked in dirt, grime, and what appeared to be blood.  The mixture of paste, so to speak, was cracked and chipping, looking like a desert’s mud-crack.

Whether or not he meant to, Hunter grimaced at the sorry state of the Padawan.  He took his gloved hands to try and brush and scrape off the majority of the paste off, which was primarily successful.  After the layer of muck was removed, Hunter found one long gash, following the curvature of (Y/N)’s jawline, from just below the eye to just above his mouth.  It was inflamed and oozing, and was most certainly going to need stitches.  He held up the bacta-spray, and lightly spritzed it onto the wound.  A sharp hiss sounded out from (Y/N), who was now squinting his eyes.  Hunter mumbled some sort of apology before taking out the bandage and delicately, yet firmly at the same time, placed it on the gash.

“Are there any more major injuries we should worry about?  We can take care of the smaller ones on the ship, but still.  Better safe than sorry.”  (Y/N) shook his head no.  Hunter slowly stood up, and extended a hand, but (Y/N) just seemed to stare at it.  Slowly, though, the Padawan extended his own hand out, flinching and hesitating once his arm was half-way extended.  After a few seconds, though, he fully reached out and tightly grabbed the man’s hand.  Using the wall behind him, (Y/N) pushed himself up, legs shaky.  As soon as he was steady, (Y/N) ripped his hand away, bringing it close and pinning it tightly against his own chest.

Hunter commed Tech, instructing him to get everyone on-board the Marauder, and to try and use any spare pieces of clothing or blanket to form some type of clean cover that would fit the Padawan.  After what seemed to last forever, Hunter broke the silence- “So, what's' your name, kid?”

“(Y/N)...” he mumbled, quiet enough that only Hunter’s enhanced ears could make it out clearly.  The pair continued their walk through the broken up ship, eventually coming up to the ramp that led out to the Marauder.  (Y/N) brought his arm to his eyes, squinting at the sun- being far too bright, seeing as he hadn’t gone out of the ship in Maker knows how long.  Hunter took notice and briefly stopped, turning his head back to the teenager.

“You alright?  I’m sure I have something if you want to block out the sun for the walk,” he gently offered.  (Y/N) silently shook his head no, while slowly taking his arm down, bringing it back down to his chest, head and eyes solidly trained on the ground.  Hunter stared for a few seconds more, just to be sure, before continuing on towards the Marauder.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Your head was woozy, your heart beating out of your chest, and you were simultaneously shaking, yet felt numb.  All in all, it felt terrible.  And perhaps even worse, you knew there was no real reason to feel this way.  You were finally safe.  And there was no possible way that the clones would turn and execute you.  They would have done so already, without a doubt!  Why would anyone go against direct orders, and pure convenience, just to make someone suffer more?  That would be beyond inadequate. And it just made you feel terrible for not trusting them, or at the very least, for being suspicious of them.  And now your head hurt more than before.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, but was no more than a five minute walk, the pair came up on the Havoc Marauder, in all its battle worn glory.  Echo was leaning on the frame to the entry ramp, draping a clean, albeit worn and torn, wool poncho over his scomp.  From the time Echo had spent with them, he gathered that the Jedi seemed to really like their ponchos.

As you and Hunter finally came up to the ramp, you froze.  Your heart got significantly louder, palms sweater, which, by the way, was never pleasant under the dirty rags, and your eyes began darting around.  There was only one way out, it seemed.  If the group did have ill intent, you’d be done for as soon as you set a single toe in the ship.  That was not a comforting thought.  Hunter could hear your heartbeat and smell your sweat (or rather, the reaction it has with your skin) from a mile away.

Alerted by this change in demeanor, he turned back to look at you- who was completely frozen stiff, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape and pulled downwards.  He may have been prepared for any mission the Republic gave him, but there certainly wasn’t any briefing on traumatized teenagers- let alone force sensitive teens.  Kriff, he barely knew how to socialize with the Regs, and it was a miracle he could bond as much as he did with Omega.

Echo, even with his lack of enhanced senses, could easily see Hunter’s predicament.  “How about you get the rest of the squad together, keep it calm for the kid.  I’ll go take care of this.”  Hunter silently nodded in thanks, brushing past his brother to head inside and start giving orders.  That he was good at, no matter the topic.

Echo slowly, but not too slowly, as that would seem like a predator circling its prey, walked down the ramp and stood just in arm’s reach of the Padawan.  You seemed to stare at each other for an eternity before he slowly handed you the poncho.  “Here… seems you Jedi like ponchos, and we had one lying about.  Hope it works.  Got some more fabrics up on the ship, if you need any.  And better med-kits, stuff to find infections or fevers.  In case.”  He spoke both in a calm and precise manner, and continued on, “Name’s Echo, by the way.  Yours?  If you don’t mind, anyway.”

You didn’t respond for a few more seconds, taking it all in.  Finally, you mustered up a small response, “(Y/N)... and thank you.”  Echo smiled lightly, extending the poncho out a  bit further.  Quickly, you threw off the old poncho, which wouldn't have lasted another week, and put on the fresh new one.  “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up, at least around the arms and face, yeah?  We’ll be on another planet soon, and then you can get some proper fitting clothes.”

Echo turned and walked back up the ramp, making sure he could hear your footsteps following him.  A few steps after you had gotten in, and the ramp seemed to slam shut.  Realstickly, it was probably shutting for a while, but you hadn’t noticed it until it registered that there was no way out now.  And everything seemed so tight.  Sure, you had just been in a wrecked ship for Maker knows how long, but it was a big one.  Now, you were stuck on a much smaller ship, with however many clones.  Before the claustrophobia and feeling of complete despair could kick in, a small blond girl tugged at your burnt, calloused, and wrapped up hands, attempting to pull you somewhere.  Of course, given your larger mass, as well as training, you didn’t budge, not one bit.  You stared down at the young girl, eyes wide, yet blank.  To say it disturbed her would be an understatement.

“Omega!  I’m Omega, and this is Lula- Wrecker’s tooka doll!” she exclaimed, bringing your attention to a large stuffed…rabbit?  Or… loth cat?  It was hard to say.  It had a black body, with red sock paws, similar to the red tips on its ears.  The tooka doll sported some pattern of white, clearly resembling a face, with two red dots for eyes.  Distracted by the stuffed creature, she could successfully pull you, where she then disposed of you in someone's bunk.  She all but slammed Lula into your chest before running off, what, or who she was looking for, a complete mystery.

She came back with a collection of blankets, pillows, and snacks, and most certainly more than she could carry. Immediately, Omega got to work, bundling you like a baby in a blizzard.  You were too stunned to do anything, really.  What could you do, anyway?  After about two or so minutes of her layering, she paused, and frowned.  “How are you going to eat if your hands and arms are covered! Agh!”

She quickly began undoing her work, until your arms could be brought out, and then resumed the stacking of blankets.  All you could do was blink repeatedly, ever confused.  After another five or so minutes, she smiled triumphantly at her work.  “Perfect!  Here, have some mantell mix!” she said as she shoved a fist full of some clunky substance into your palm.  Looking down at it, mouth watering, you slowly reached down and plucked one of the misshapen balls, and popped it into your mouth.  And by the Maker, was it delicious.  Your eyes widened, and without a second thought, your hand flew to your mouth, sending the entire pile of mantell mix down your throat.  After eating random rodents, insects, and food that was quite possibly expired from the ship, this mantell mix was a blessing to your senses.

As you continued chewing and swallowing the treat, you leaned back against the hard wall of the ship, a quiet, content sigh escaping.  While it certainly wasn’t the most comfortable, it was ten thousand times better than anywhere you had slept on the Venator.  Lula was still resting across your chest, and Omega smiled proudly at your comfort before running off again.  Although it was muffled, you could hear her talking to one of the clones, before grabbing something and running back towards you.

“I was training with Nala Se and the medical equipment at the Kaminoan facilities, so I can fix you up!  Now, where does it hurt the most?”  She was a bit too excited about her ‘patient’ needing help, you thought.  It was cute, though.  The younglings and other Padawan at the Jedi Temple were like that, too– always eager to be the first to help, even in situations where most would never be joyous.  You supposed there wouldn’t be any harm in humoring the girl, even if she was, by all means, a possible threat, with everyone else on the ship.  I mean, if they did plan to harm or kill you, there’d be no chance of survival, so you might as well play along with the little girl.  Either your last moments wouldn’t be too bad, or you’d start bonding with your saviors.  Either version was a win, in one way or another.

Cocking one eyebrow, you raised a question– “How are you supposed to take care of me if I can’t move under all these layers?  That seems rather counter-productive, no?”  Her face molded into one of thought and consideration, nodding her head in agreement.  Before you could register her next move, she essentially lunged, quickly stripping you of the layers for the second time within the hour.  Now, the blankets all strewn around you resembled a porg’s nest, without the sticks and twigs, anyway.  Omega yanked your arm forward, a tad too eager, considering you should always be gentle with your patients.  Your eyes squinted, brows furrowed in a smidge of pain- Omega immediately noticed, and gave you a sheepish smile before apologizing and bringing it towards her more gently.

She carefully wrapped the bandages off of your arm, eyes widening at the…state of it.  Burn spots, blisters, scratches, bruises, and more littered the entirety of it, looking like it came out of a horror holo-film.  You stared at it rather intensely.  You had no clue it was this bad.  I mean, it hurt, obviously- you were in a crashed ship and had no proper care for however long.  Of course it was going to hurt.  But seeing it, that was still a shock.

“Umm… I should probably get Tech.  I’m not this good, I don’t think…” Omega whispered, frowning.  She scurried off, but you just kept staring.  How could you have let it get this bad?  Was all the training useless?  Or was it you?

Tech, the one with goggles and a plethora of gear, came over, holding what Omega had given him, and more.  His armor was still on, but the helmet had been discarded.  He bent down on one knee, and scanned over your body, checking for any and all injuries.  And, oh boy, did he have his work cut out for him.  Tech carefully took your arm in his gloved hands, and stared for a little bit before spraying a lot of bacta on.  You lurched forward, bringing your other hand to your side, in a feeble attempt to focus the pain elsewhere.  Your brows scrunched, and cheeks pulled down, biting your tongue in every attempt to not bother him any more.

“Let me know when it stops stinging.  Most of the bacteria should be gone, then.  We’ll still clean it out routinely, as they’ve been untreated for so long,” he spoke precisely.  After what felt like eternity, he was finally finished applying the spray.  “Hold your arm out.  Make it as level and steady as you can,” Tech instructed.  Fingertips barely brushing your skin, he brought the clean cloth around, wrap after wrap, from your palm to your elbow.  He took some smaller bandages and wrapped them around each of your fingers, leaving your entire arm covered.

You lifted up your other arm, and you both repeated the process.  Bacta, wrap, done.  He gestured at your legs, silently asking to both take off your shoes and life up your pants, to at least the knee.  There was a much larger and deeper gash on your left shin, courtesy of a falling metal plate as you finally managed to get some sleep.  “That…will need stitches.  Wait here.”  Not like you were going anywhere.

After what felt like hours upon hours, everything that was physically wrong with you had been fixed- or, at the very least, temporarily fixed.  Obviously, there weren't the best medical supplies on a smaller ship that had long left the army, and thus left behind the blessing that was gift-wrapped med-kits.  Finally, he gave you some type of liquid- not a lot, just a shot.  He could see the quizzical look on your face, and quickly explained– “It’ll help you go to sleep, for quite a while, and it’ll help reduce the pain.  By the time you wake up, we should be at Orl Mantell, where we’ve been staying.  Or, at least, close to it.”

In a fraction of a heartbeat, you downed the small glass and handed it back to Tech.  He ran one more scan on you, just to be sure, before getting up and heading to the cock-pit with his brothers and little older sister.  Your heart slowed, and your eyelids grew heavy.  That serum worked fast.  Half involuntarily, you fell face first onto the bed and drifted into the best sleep you’d had in countless rotations.

[brokegirlsguidetolife]

Side Hustles That Actually Pay: Broke Girl Edition

Introduction

Finding ways to make money fast is hard. With this guide you can find some methods you never thought of! Here are 10 ways to make money fast online and in person.

1. Reselling Thrift Finds

How It Works: Buy clothes, home decor, or accessories from thrift stores, garage sales, or clearance racks and resell them for a profit on platforms like Poshmark, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. What You Need: A phone to take pictures, a small starting budget (or start with what you already own), and a little patience. Pro Tip: Look for name brands, vintage items, or trendy pieces that have a high resale value.

2. Pet-Sitting & Dog Walking

How It Works: Offer to watch or walk pets for busy people through apps like Rover or Wag, or just spread the word to friends and neighbors. What You Need: A love for animals and some free time. No upfront costs! Pro Tip: Offer overnight pet-sitting for extra cash, especially for pet owners going on vacation.

3. Freelance Gigs (Even Without a Degree!)

How It Works: Sell your skills online—writing, graphic design, social media management, virtual assisting—on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or even Instagram. What You Need: A laptop, internet, and a skill (even basic ones like data entry or admin work). Pro Tip: Don’t undersell yourself! Start at a fair rate and increase as you gain experience and reviews.

4. Selling Handmade or Spiritual Goods

How It Works: If you make jewelry, candles, or spiritual tools (like spell jars or tarot readings), you can sell them on Etsy, Instagram, or at local markets. What You Need: Supplies and creativity! Pro Tip: Take high-quality pictures and market yourself on TikTok or Instagram to get more eyes on your shop.

5. Flipping Furniture or Household Items

How It Works: Pick up free or cheap furniture from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or thrift stores, then clean, paint, or repair them and resell for a profit. What You Need: Basic tools, paint, and a way to transport items. Pro Tip: Mid-century modern and farmhouse styles tend to sell fast!

6. Plasma Donation & Medical Studies

How It Works: Donating plasma can earn you $50-$100 per visit, and some medical studies pay for participation. What You Need: A healthy body and willingness to spend time in a clinic. Pro Tip: Some clinics offer higher pay for first-time donors or referral bonuses!

7. Tutoring or Homework Help

How It Works: If you’re good at a subject, offer tutoring services online through platforms like Wyzant or locally to students who need help. What You Need: Knowledge in a subject and the ability to explain things clearly. Pro Tip: Offer test prep services (SAT, ACT, etc.)—parents are willing to pay extra for this!

8. Delivering Food & Groceries

How It Works: Sign up for apps like DoorDash, UberEats, Instacart, or Shipt to deliver food or groceries in your spare time. What You Need: A car, bike, or scooter, and a phone. Pro Tip: Work during peak hours (lunch/dinner) to maximize earnings and stack multiple apps for more deliveries.

9. Renting Out a Spare Room or Storage Space

How It Works: If you have extra space, rent it out on Airbnb or use apps like Neighbor to rent out storage space. What You Need: A clean, safe space to rent. Pro Tip: Offer short-term stays for travelers or event-goers in your area to keep bookings frequent.

10. Mystery Shopping & Market Research

How It Works: Get paid to shop, eat, or provide feedback on businesses through apps like Field Agent, Secret Shopper, or UserTesting (for online reviews). What You Need: A smartphone and attention to detail. Pro Tip: Combine multiple gigs for a full day of extra earnings!

Conclusion

Being broke doesn’t mean you’re out of options. These side hustles can help you get back on your feet with little to no investment. Pick one (or a few) that work for you, and start making that extra cash today!

What are your go-to broke girl side hustles? Drop them in the comments below!

[emeryhiro]

My Thoughts on The Book Of Carol Episode 1

-Spoiler Edition-

Firstly, I wanna say I absolutely LOVE this episode. What a mind-blowing way to start a season and what a beautiful start for Carol's journey to finding Daryl and, in the process, dealing with and healing from so much of her past trauma.

If this episode is any indication of how the rest of the season will go in terms of pace, then we're in for what could potentially be the best story ever told in twd history (at least for me).

If you'd rather avoid the spoilers, I have posted a spoiler-free version of my thoughts on the episode, which you can find [here]

!!Spoiler Warning for episode 1 of The Book of Carol!!

Carols mindset

From the very first scene with Carol, we see that she's in survival mode. She has shifted her focus onto her one and only goal: to find Daryl.

I absolutely adored the way she stood up to the men at the gas station, followed by her standing on the beach looking out toward the ocean that's separating her from Daryl. This was especially true of the way it mirrored Daryl's looking out toward the ocean that's separating him from Carol at the end of season 1.

Connection between Daryl and Carol

We know that throughout the seasons, Daryl and Carol and have helped each other heal and taught each other sooo much, and one of the things that I absolutely adored is how, in several instances throughout the episode, they showed how Carol was utilising so many little things that Daryl had taught her in the past in order to help her on her journey to finding him, like tracking Daryl, riding his bike, using his crossbow, finding the traps that Ash set and knowing how to get around them.

Yes, Carol is separated from Daryl, but he's still with her in all these little ways, making her stronger and braver.

Carols Growth

I love the way Carol stood her ground, apologised, and took responsibility for what happened to Ash's greenhouse after she broke in and accidentally led all those walkers in, destroying much of what was in there.

This showed a huge change and growth from the Carol we saw in season 10, where she would internalise all her guilt and allow it to consume her.

Introduction to Ash

It's only been one episode, but I already adore this character. It almost seems too good to be true that someone like this could have survived alone for so long. Don't get me wrong; he's clearly very intelligent and capable of protecting himself if needed, but he's also kind, forgiving, trusting, and innocent. We know from many seasons of this show that the world they've been living in has a tendency to break people like that in the most devastating ways.

The flashbacks and the music box

The two flashbacks we saw in this episode, the first one of Sofia at the barn and the second of Daryl giving Carol the Cherokee rose, I think are perfect memories to pull from to give us a glimpse of Carol's mindset.

They show us the people who mean the most to Carol, the events that led her to where she is and who she is right now, what brought her on this journey to find Daryl, and why she's willing to fight and do anything to save him.

One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the episode was when Carol found the music box on Avi's grave. The box played the melody of the song 'You are my sunshine', which Carol sang along to as her voice broke and tears fell down her face. All I could think of at that moment was how this song was almost like a plea from Carol, how she's already lost Sofia and how she is terrified of losing Daryl as well, the one that represents the sunshine that's left in her life. The person who held her when she she lost her children. The person who knows her better than she knows herself. The person who stood by her even when she lost herself. The person who she bound to by one soul.

Carol and Ash's relationship

This was, BY FAR, my favourite part of the episode. The layers. The parallels. The Tragedy. This duo's storyline is literal GOLD.

And fair warning because I have so much to say about them.

In the beginning when Carol gets herself "trapped" in one of Ash's traps, we can see her putting on her act, the innocent damsel in distress act which we love and have seen her do so many times before.

But when she started to speak to Ash, asking him for help, and he agreed to help her and believed her when she said she was alone, I could see the slight hesitation in her behaviour because she probably expected more resistance from Ash.

As they spend more time together, Carol starts to feel for Ash. She very quickly drops her act and begins to see how much they actually have in common, how much pain they've shared. Especially the loss of a child, a child that they each had to raise alone, blaming themselves for letting their child wander off and not being able to protect them the way a parent should.

However, despite dropping the damsel in distress act, Carol still lies to Ash. She tells him the story that she thinks he needs to hear to manipulate him into empathising with her and taking her to France.

But there's something incredibly important to note here. Carol may be intentionally manipulating Ash for her own ends, but it's clear that she's absolutely torn because of it. Yes, Carol has manipulated many people in the past (fair game), but she has never done it to someone she knew didn't deserve it. After seeing who Ash really is, it obviously becomes painful for her to keep up the lie, but in the end, she internalises that pain and guilt because of how much she loves Daryl.

Because even if taking advantage of this genuinely kind stranger makes her the villain, then that's what she's willing to become to save Daryl.

Carol & Ash's future and an important Parallel

Going forward, I expect Carol to grow to care for Ash even more and start to see a true friendship between them. There may be conflict between the two when Ash finds out that Carol lied to him, but I think that he's too pure-hearted to stay angry with her for long and will come to understand and forgive her. I also expect Carol to become very protective of Ash, firstly because of everything he's doing and giving up for her, and secondly because she'd feel responsible for his life, considering that her lie was the reason he ended up in this situation and that if anything were to happen to him, it be her fault.

I also see a clear parallel between Daryl/Connie and Carol/Ash's friendships.

Both Daryl and Carol have found someone in Connie and Ash who has somehow remained pure and kind despite the world they live in.

Both Connie and Ash are intelligent, brave, kind, forgiving, and heroic, and rare remenant of the goodness that's left in their world. Making both Daryl and Carol, who see themselves as realists, feel a sense of responsibility to protect them.

I could also see a potential parallel storyline here where there's tension between Caryl, as Carol gets frustrated with Daryl for butting their lives (including Ash's) in danger as he's chasing after revenge in France, just like how Daryl was with Carol and Connie.

The Nest and Daryl's storyline

I won't go into details about this again, as I talked about it in my initial S2EP1 thoughts post from Tribeca [HERE]. But to summarise, overall, it was clear to me that Daryl isn't happy at the Nest and doesn't think he could ever be. Yes, he's grown to care for Isabelle and Laurent, but they don't mean the same to him as the people he left behind.

Isabelle will never fill Carol's place in his heart, the person he's bound to by one soul, and Laurent will never replace Judith, the child he held in his arms, loved, and fought to protect from the day she was born.

Additional thoughts and details that I loved:

When Ash and Carol are sitting in the plane and ready to take off, Ash takes one last look at the greenhouse where his son is buried, then looks at Carol, reminding himself of who he's doing it for. This was such a poetic and heartbreaking moment to witness because, as the viewer, I was happy that he was finally moving forward and doing something that he believed would make his son proud, but I was also heartbroken knowing that it was all a lie.

The way Ash comforts Carol, who's feeling claustrophobic as they're taking off in the plane.

Genet's staredown with Daryl was such a powerful moment and honestly had my heart racing. I can't wait to get more of her story!

Losang and his crew at the Nest are look shifty af to me. There's something seriously sinister going on behind doors.

Conclusion and final thoughts

I'm going to repeat some of what I said in my first post from June because it's still accurate to how I feel after watching it again.

I now know beyond a doubt that Melissa has the talent and Carol has the depth to be a brilliant leading character. Her storyline can fill an entire episode, and there would not be a dull moment; on the contrary, during the episode, I constantly had chills because of the absolute power of Melissa's performance, and I'm dying to see more.

Episode one has planted seeds to potentially resolve many of Caryl/Daryl's storylines that were left unresolved in the main series in a way that's true to who Carol and Daryl are and how even we, as viewers, envisioned it should be. And if the current pace is continued, then I genuinely believe that we'll find Carol and Daryl finally on the same page again after so long, only this time, they will have dealt with a lot of the pain and trauma that has kept them apart. ♡♡♡

~~~~

Thank you for stick with me and reading through this post! I would love to hear what you guys though of the episode aswell.

There are just so many amazing things for us to look forward to, and I'm honestly over the moon with officially having Carol back on the show. I'm already counting down the days till next week ♡♡♡

[cre8inghavoc]

Can’t help it…

Part 2

inumaki x f!reader

pairing: inumaki x f!reader

summary: Transferring to a new school is tough, but having your three best friends there makes it easier. Things get even more interesting when you start falling for the mysterious boy who rides his motorcycle to school every day. What will happen next?

genre/warnings: [18+] Characters are aged up. Story contains cursing, new friends, alcohol, college!au, no curse!au, dark humour, SMAU and written parts, fluff, smut.

WRITTEN PORTION 1/2

Inumaki couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in your behavior. You seemed more withdrawn than usual, often lost in your sketches before class began. He observed how you arrived earlier each day for the last week, eager to spend more time with your notebook. Today was no exception; as he entered the classroom, he found you already settled in your seat, engrossed in your artwork.

As he made his way to his own seat, he couldn't resist stealing a glance at what had captured your attention. To his surprise, he saw you sketching something unexpected... a motorcycle.

Inumaki's curiosity was piqued as he noticed the subject of your drawing—a Yamaha R3, to be exact. The specificity caught him off guard, stirring his interest even further. As he settled into his seat, he couldn't shake the thought of why you, someone who seemed indifferent to motorcycles before, would suddenly be so captivated by this particular model.

"I didn't know you were into motorcycles."

Your heart skipped a beat as Inumaki's voice broke the silence, drawing your attention away from your sketch. You looked up, meeting his gaze with a soft smile.

"Oh! I'm not really into them, I mean… I am… sort of? I don't know anything about them, really." Your nerves tingled as you replied, a hint of hesitation in your voice.

It was the first time you had spoken to him since you started attending the school, and the nerves of breaking the silence lingered.

"Oh… well, how come you're drawing one then?" Inumaki's curiosity persisted.

"I don't know… I saw this bike outside a few days ago, and it really caught my attention… I've just been drawing it since," you explained.

Inumaki hummed in response, glancing once more at your meticulous work. "You've got everything down to detail… Are you sure you don't know anything about motorcycles?" he questioned, a hint of intrigue in his tone.

You couldn't help but giggle at his observation. Then, he smiled—though obscured by his mask, you could sense the warmth in his expression. "I'm Toge Inumaki, by the way," he introduced himself.

You returned his smile, "Y/n," you replied, exchanging a simple yet meaningful introduction.

SMAU

WRITTEN PORTION 2/2

Before you could read the next message from your friends, Inumaki noticed how you were smiling at your phone.

"Hey… you wanna get lunch together later?" Inumaki asked, breaking your moment.

You smirked at him, playfully teasing, "Inumaki, are you asking me on a date already?"

"What! N-no!" he stammered, caught off guard by your teasing.

You chuckled, enjoying his flustered reaction. "I'm just teasing you. Of course we can," you reassured him, your laughter echoing in the classroom.

"Cool," he replied, regaining his composure as the bell rang to signal the start of the first period. With that, you both focused on the teacher for the rest of the period.

this is silly, i wanna do more smau BUT i already wrote these parts before so just bare with the written portion and the smau for now.

anyhoo hope u enjoyed this part