#1. british humour calm down

[inthelittlegenny]

fell across people being rude to noxcrew. that's hilarious but also fuck off

[rein-ette]

Are you still working on your Commonwealth study? Do you have any thoughts on Arthur's relationships with his colonies apart from Canzuk + US?

Not properly, unfortunately with exams and then work I haven’t had mental/emotional capacity to do real research (and probably won’t for a while 😔). But I have continued to think about and develop certain relationships, and I think I also have old hcs I’ve never shared, so I’ll put those down!

Born into the Empire

Australia

@oumaheroes has already done such great hcs on him idk what I can add, but basically he was a little bit of a rowdy child, always breaking windows and shattering fancy pots, never able to sit still. I think rainbow once mentioned that Ken (short for Kenneth, my name for Aus) was a lot like England as a child in his curiosity and energy, and I wholeheartedly agree. But I think Arthur’s intensity was more inwardly directed, pushing him to pursue and master new talents and learn whatever he could, while Australia is a little more carefree in his love for the outdoors, exploring, jumping around and off things, little wild animals. Unfortunately for him, he was born in a period of the empire when Arthur was very serious about his kids education, and therefore often praised those who studied hard and learned fast, which really just wasn’t Australia’s cup of tea. Australia took this kinda hard and thought he was the “dumb” one in the family that Arthur was always scolding, but in reality Arthur knew and appreciated that Australias interests lay elsewhere — he was just a frustrated, tired, parent who really wanted to give his kids the best while also holding his empire together, two goals that were never going to fit well in the end and would completely exhaust him.

As Australia’s grown older he’s realized a bit of this (not entirely, though) and also that 1) he really did break a lot expensive things and cause general mayhem 2) scolding us Arthur’s way of showing he cares, if he didn’t he wouldn’t have payed attention to him at all 3) despite being a penal colony, he was still one of Arthur’s more “legitimate” children (being white and a boy) and was therefore still incredibly privileged — never having to question, for example, why it was that Arthur was his dad, if it should be this way, or if he had a seat at the family table at all (more on this later).

New Zealand

Zee, from birth, was a clear favourite. Obedient, calm, quietly intelligent, he would also later develop a blistering sense of humour which combined with his appearance made it overwhelmingly clear who’s child he was. If Ken questioned his place in the family because of his poor academic record and others did because of their appearance/race/other complications, Kaelan never had such problems; his siblings called him the “prince.” Zee, however, also had a charm that, like Matthew, endeared him to his siblings and mostly protected him from jealousy, though he certainly still had issues with being called a try hard, daddy’s boy, bossy, arrogant. Certainly as a child Zee was a little prideful and, under that unperturbed demeanour, willful, but he grew out of it by the 20th century and became one of those most trusted by Arthur, second only to Matthew. He’s also always been inseparable from his brother Australia despite their differences, and today they both have one of the healthiest and most amicable relationships with Arthur of any nation, let alone former colonies (family road trips, every summer).

Bermuda

I absolute fell in love with this girl after reading about here, once, in this fic by @shachaai, and after that my mind just ran away with me. For me, her human name given to her by Arthur just has to be Ariel — for the little mermaid reference, yes, symbolizing her connection to the sea and stunning good looks, but also because:

1. Ariel is a biblical name, meaning lion of God. This makes sense to me, because Bermuda began as a Portuguese trade post, so Arthur definitely consulted our resident bad catholic Port before naming her.

2. Ariel used to be boys name. This also makes sense, because I hc Bermuda was and still is a tomboy. Bitch is fierce, takes no prisoners, and has zero filter. Her letters to Arthur, which all the colonies sent so Arthur could keep an eye on things, were full of shit like “I swear to god if the Spanish don’t get out of my waters I might eat one of them,” and “father, I asked you for destroyers two months ago, and yet you sent them to Hong Kong — could you explain this most unusual occurrence, surely it’s not that you forgot”, and “thank you for the harpoon on my birthday, I caught a small shark a couple days ago and have sent you some of its teeth for your collection.” Arthur tolerates this attitude because he’s weak when it comes to girls; he absolutely spoils his daughters (and flushes like a 16 year old when a woman so much as bats her eyelashes at him). Yes, p*ssywhipped Arthur is a hill I will die on.

3. It also suits her because? Ariel? Shakespeare? The Tempest? Bermuda Triangle? Shipwrecks? Daughter-like figure of powerful and vengeful sorcerer? Yeah. And this girl is a fire spirit — she is so lively, snarky, clever. As she’s grown older she’s mellowed out a little, but still: a no shit taken, no fucks given type of gal.

4. Speaking of growing up, she’s also become quite the beauty. Shacha, if I’m remembering correctly, described her as dark skinned, wavy-haired, and green eyed and that image has been burned onto the back of my eyelids ever since. Those Iberian genetics really be pulling through for her, that’s for sure. Engport love child if I’ve ever seen one. Definitely one of the prettiest in her family.

Singapore

I’ve already mentioned this to needcake, but I’m not too big a fan of canon Singapore, so this is my oc version. Singapore is fascinating to me because it had only a very small local population before it became a colony (The original settlement had actually been destroyed by the Portuguese about two centuries before the British started building a port there.) So nation-tans like Singapore and Bermuda really are Arthur’s children in the most direct sense of the word. And yet, Singapore is mostly ethnically Chinese, with Malays being the second largest group. Growing up Asian in a white, Victorian era family surely cannot have been easy and more than once Singapore probably wondered if there hadn’t been some mistake. To make up for the constant fear that he wasn’t “really” British, Singapore studied ferociously and had a truly terrifying work ethic. I’m not sure if this is common knowledge outside Asian circles, so I’ll mention that this hc comes from the fact Singapore is well known for having truly exceptional students and some of the most prestigious schools. Singaporeans score highly in literally everything and they have an advantage with good English learning environments, a highly desirable trait in Asia, but these results come from brutally long hours — and its really saying something that they’re known for working hard, considering the studying ethic of students in Korea, Japan, and China aint nothing to sneeze at, either. To me this actually fits really well with Singapore’s upbringing in Arthur’s household, because Arthur himself prizes intelligence and hard work above all else, being a workaholic himself.

As for their relationship, it was probably the best when Singapore was young and peaked in the 1930s with the massive naval base the British built at Singapore, at the time the largest dry dock in the world. Singapore was a well-behaved child, not necessarily introverted but not rowdy either, and all the way into his teenage years he truly admired Arthur and was proud to be a part of the British Empire, despite his lingering unease and insecurities. The British defeat in World War II, however, was a massive turning point. He had worked his ass off to be a good son, a good brother, to contribute to the only family and system he had ever known, and he had thought by the 30s he was finally on his way to becoming a fine adult. And suddenly, the British surrender brings his entire world crashing down. He had followed the rules faithfully thinking it was his destiny, but suddenly it was clear that all rules were made up. Of course, his insecurities exploded. If the empire was a ruse, what the hell was he? A part of the illusion? He couldn’t have a truly Asian identity, because many of the old East Asian nations shunned him for his Western upbringing, and he could not entirely understand their values either. So he was a kid who kinda had to figure out late and very very suddenly who the fuck he was and wanted to be.

And, well, he’s done pretty well for himself, hasn’t he. After having a total crisis and questioning everything, I think Singapore slowly started to realize that just because the British Empire as a political entity didn’t last forever, that didn’t mean that his entire childhood and identity weren’t real. The love he gave to his siblings and the love he got back, the hard work he put in, his bond with Arthur and the safe, happy childhood he had — those memories and feelings didnt have to be diminished by what came after. Essentially, he learned the lesson all nations have to learn, which is that one needs to be able to discern between duties as a nation and feelings as a human being, and to some extent keep them separate to protect both.

Whoooooo ok I’ll stop there because this turned into a dissertation, sorry. Let me know if there are any specifics u want me to elaborate on or anything I missed, but I’ll leave this here for today :)

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Five Fics Friday: May 21/21

Happy Friday, everyone!! Finally the end of the week, and the official start to the summer for my Canadian friends with our wonderful long weekend! :D So why not start off this weekend right with these great new fics on my radar! <3 Enjoy!

NEW MFLs THIS WEEK

A Lesson In Love by arthurs_best_knight (G, 2,825 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Missing Scene, Dancing / Waltzing, Infidelity, Unrequited Love, Unhappy Ending, Angst, Hurt / No Comfort, Angry John, Implied / Referenced Drug Addiction) – John asks Sherlock to teach him how to waltz in preparation for his wedding with Mary. Unfortunately, Sherlock is terribly in love with John.

The embers still glow when I´m sober by meet_me_in_samarra (E, 14,496 w., 3 Ch. || Punklock || Developing Relationship, Porn with Feelings, Porn With Plot, Shower Sex, Name-Calling, Rough Sex, Submissive Sherlock, Dominant John, Sherlock is a Brat, Caring John, Drug Addict Sherlock, Slutty Sherlock) – When Sherlock woke up the morning after he actually felt good. Which was completely unexpected. Although he was sort of anxious about John´s reaction when he would notice that the punk who did not belong in his bed and who had coaxed him into having shameless sex last night was still there."Embers" is the sequel to "The toe that didn´t belong" but can be read without knowing part one

Ride On by Silvergirl (M, 17,390+ w., 5/8 Ch. || WiP || TEH Divergence, Reunion, First Kiss / Time, Mutual Pining, Alternating POV, Sherlock’s Violin, Music, Original Characters, Happy Ending) – After the disastrous reveal at the Landmark, John tells Sherlock there can be no excuse for what he’s done, and no forgiveness. Sherlock leaves London and starts a new life, and not even the British Government knows where. It’s up to John to track him down and make things right, with a trip around the world and a clue only John would recognize.

The Mole by ChrisCalledMeSweetie (T, 18,378 w., 8 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Reality TV AU ||  Mystery, Adventure, Games, First Kiss/Time, Humour, Romance) – Ten strangers — Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Martha Hudson, Molly Hooper, Jim Moriarty, Greg Lestrade, Sally Donovan, Philip Anderson, Mary Morstan, and Irene Adler — must work as a team to win money on a reality TV show hosted by Mycroft Holmes. The twist? One of them is a mole, hired by the producers to sabotage the game.

The Way of the Mind by bigblueboxat221b (E, 62,686 w., 29 Ch. || Martial Artist John AU || BAMF John, Slow Burn, Eventual Happy Ending, Angst, Alternating POV, Developing Relationship, Mystrade, Past Drug Use, Panic Attacks, PTSD John, Flashbacks) – Sherlock Holmes is a consulting detective for NSY, but only for as long as he attends self-defense classes with the rest of Lestrade's team. It's Anderson's fault for getting jumped by a suspect hiding at a crime scene, but if that hadn't happened, Sherlock would never have met the Army-trained, dual-black belt holding instructor, John Watson, who seems to be better than a good homicide at calming the noise in Sherlock's head...

[justletmeplayminecraft]

Hermitcraft Great British Bake Off AU

(Or the Great British Baking Show outside the UK)

With the start of a new series, I thought I'd compile this AU I came up with a while ago. Big shout out to @skywillsometimeswrite who helped me brainstorm nearly all of this (and accidentally got into the series sorry. Time to get emotional over bakers again.) 

It's Great British Bake Off, where the hermits take the place of the contestants, judges and some of the crew (with the recap boys as the hosts!) It follows the structure of the show, but to add maximum fluffiness, nobody leaves and the show works on a point system instead. The loser of each week does the washing up. (Not that the winner matters, this is all about the shenanigans.) Further explanations and what role each hermit fills with a short bio is under the cut!

The recording structure follows the usual routine. It takes place over several weeks, with the recording happening at the weekend. They stay at a hotel over the weekend. On the Saturday they record the Signature Challenge and the Technical. On the Sunday they film the Showstopper. Each week is themed, with the challenges fitting into that theme. The themes are often based around a certain kind of baking (pastry, bread, chocolate) but sometimes around time periods, places, or diets. I recommend googling or watching an episode of the show but a brief explanation of the challenges:

The Signature Challenge: They're given a certain thing (cake, pastry, biscuit, etc) to create. They've been able to practice at home. This is the opportunity to show personality and a home-cooked, rustic style with tried and tested bakes.

The Technical: The Judges take turns each week to set a recipe for an often uncommon bake. The recipe is bare-bones and the bakers have to use their intuition and knowledge about baking to create what's intended. This round is unpractised, and judged blind, with the judges outside the tent for the duration. The aim is to perfectly replicate the recipe given and that's how they're judged.

The Showstopper: A chance to bring out the big guns! They're often given a theme and a type of bake and then the contestants can go wild. The aim is to create something of professional quality, that makes the judges go 'wow' and still tastes good. Also practiced over the week, though sometimes less due to the size of the bakes.

Now onto the hermits:

The Judges are TFC and Biffa. TFC is the friendlier of the two. He does his best to find positives in bakes, although he enjoys making jokes about things that go wrong. Most of the contestants come to think of him as a grandad. Biffa gives more thorough criticism, but it helps the contestants improve a lot and is tailored towards the advice they need. They enjoy talking to the contestants about their bakes and lives outside the tent, both on and off camera. They've both had long careers in the industry.

The Hosts are our recap boys, Pixelriffs and Zloy. They're a dynamic duo in front of the camera, riffing off each other and the contestants naturally. They have a good balance of improvisation and planned skits. Zloy will doodle scenes from the tent during their downtime.

In alphabetical order, the Contestants:

1. Beef: Works as a butcher. It's often joked about, and not helped by him spilling red food colouring on his apron early in the series. He's incredibly good at piping and often creates artworks on top of his bakes for decoration. Absolutely smashes any biscuit decoration.

2. Cleo: Works as a teacher. Ironically, has to be censored at least once an episode and continuously hopes none of her students watch. It's hard to tell what she's doing until the last minute when she pulls it all together. She enjoys making little figures from fondant or rice crispy marshmallow mix.

3. Cub: Runs a sports equipment company. He likes coming up with creative solutions to the challenges and surprises the others by how focused he can become once in the zone. He has a deadpan sense of humour and a willingness to commit to bits. Often banters with Scar.

4. Etho: His job seems to change every time he mentions it. It never fails to catch the others off guard. He rarely explains his bakes, and his ability to mix flavours that shouldn't work but somehow do is infuriating. Sometimes, as he waits for things to bake, he uses the free time to play music on the baking equipment.

5. False: Works as a bodyguard. She says the details of her job are classified and never brings it up again. Nobody is sure if she's joking, but she's built. She's a very precise builder, with perfectionist tendencies that can sometimes come back to bite her if she focuses on them too much. She jumps between different themes with ease when decorating.

6. Grian: Works as an architect. He's fond of going big with his bakes, trying to push the limits of what's possible. However, he often gives himself too much to do, and ends up having to rush, disguise unfinished parts or the other contestants help him finish. He's bubbly in front of the camera and enjoys the occasional prank.

7. Impulse: Works as an electrical engineer. Also anxiety central. He's a very technical baker who's brilliant at following recipes. However, he will restart a bake if very minor things go wrong, which often leaves him pressed for time. Despite this, he's one of the most likely people to jump in and help someone who's struggling.

8. Keralis: Owns a bookstore. He loves decorating and his bakes are always some of the prettiest in the tent. Although he has a sleek, modern style, he can branch out when needed. He makes up his own pronunciation for ingredients, bakes and the other people in the tent. Gradually, everyone else starts using them too.

9. Scar: Works as a landscaper. Skilled at detailing and has out of the box thinking for his designs. Likes creating vehicles. However, sometimes he finds himself hiding bad baking with his decoration. His name proves accurate when half of his arm ends up bandaged in the first episode. Becomes good friends with Bdubs because of this.

10. Stress: Works as a personal trainer. Her bakes are always bright and colourful. It isn't a Stress bake if it doesn't make you smile. She's fairly equal on her decorating and her baking and enjoys a cartoonish style. A delight to have in the tent, loves helping other contestants and cheers them up if something doesn't go to plan.

11. xB: Medical researcher. His bakes are always creative, with fun stories behind them, if a bit dark. He's soft-spoken and doesn't raise his voice. He never quite swears but always comes close. The others can tell something's gone wrong when they hear a quiet 'dangit' or 'son of a-' and somebody jumps to find out what's happened.

12. Xisuma: Works as bee-keeper. He loves big shapes and patterns in his bakes. Often keeps things healthy(ish). He's primarily a technical baker and researches and practices his bakes extensively. However, he has a tendency to panic and makes silly mistakes (salt instead of sugar, forget to turn on the oven, etc.) 

The Crew Members:

Camera Crew:

Mumbo: Sometimes mistaken for being on a work placement/internship. He enjoys his work and takes a lot of the detail shots of the bakes. Although he can keep to himself, Iskall often brings him out of his shell and encourages him to chat with the contestants.

Ren: He's an incredibly chill presence to be around. He'll do his best to chat with contestants in-between filming and try to calm them down or hype them up. Usually he films stressful sequences with a reassuring smile and kind words. He enjoys singing in their downtime.

Zed: Very bouncy. He enjoys rushing around the tent to get over the shoulder shots or focus on the detail. He's good friends with Tango, and maybe he occasionally worries he’s ‘broken’ something to get the chance to talk to him on set. 

Sound:

Wels: He's calm and organised. He tests everybody's microphones are working and manages audio levels. He's good at handling distractions, but if they manage to catch him off-set they find he has a fun sense of humour and can give genuinely good advice. Enjoys singing to test the microphones when he thinks nobody's listening.

Wardrobe:

Iskall: Most of his work is done off-set, and he becomes good friends with the contestants, discussing their plans for bakes and chatting. He'll dart onto set to touch up make up when the cameras are off, offering words of encouragement as he does. Though it’s a bit concerning when he calls people’s bakes ‘of doom’.

On-site Medic:

Bdubs: Bdubs is a familiar sight with the accident prone contestants. He's always there with calm words and enthusiasm, talking the contestant down from their worry about their injury, helping them to relax. Despite his silliness, it's obvious he takes his job seriously. The contestants are glad to have him.

Set Manager:

Jevin: A bit chaotic, but he helps make sure things are set for filming. He enjoys getting the ingredients ready for the day and working out what they'll need. He also enjoys bullying Hypno. They've worked together a few times now. He enjoys a good joke when he gets the chance.

Hypno: Fairly relaxed, but he can appreciate a good joke and he appreciates Jevin. He helps organise ingredients and makes sure that things run smoothly on set. Very precise with his work, he doesn't cut corners and makes sure everyone has what they need, when they need it. A good person for the contestants to talk to.

Researcher:

Joe: He takes great pride in searching recipes, trying new things and adding them to his repertoire. Sure he might use a few too many words, but he's good at his job. He's not often on set, working mostly with Jevin and Hypno behind the scenes. But he might step in as tech if he's needed. A bit of a cryptid to the contestants.

Technicians:

Tango: A good friend of Zed. Even though he has some... Less than professional terms, he does his job well, and enjoys the opportunities he gets to socialise with the bakers. Very smiley and friendly, however if he’s in the tent, it’s likely something has gone very wrong. He's terrible at baking himself, much to the amusement of those who find out.

Doc: More serious than Tango, he's there to do a job, not make friends. Then he ends up making friends anyway. They're infectious. Grian enjoys 'breaking' things to annoy him (and have a chance to pull him on set to talk to him.) He does, secretly, enjoy the shenanigans the contestants get up to. But he'd never admit it.

Keeping in mind, I care less about the accuracy of this and more about The Shenanigans:

The first time Xisuma gets everything correct in a bake, he is convinced he’s still got something wrong. He spends the entire time until judging expecting there will be something wrong with it that they only discover during judging. A lot of memes are made out of his worrying.

At the end of filming during the heatwave, they have a lake party. Someone challenges Cub to jump in the lake and he cannonballs straight in. The others are surprised. Scar, who knows him well enough by then, is not. Doc is dragged in. Xisuma sits neatly on the edge and looks so relaxed they’d feel too guilty pulling him in. Keralis sits next to him and splashes him a little instead.

Cleo will make frequent asides to her students to try and impart good messages. Sometimes she swears during them. Then swears again upon realising. She uses her teacher voice on the other contestants a few times by accident (and on purpose.)

Someone doubts False’s strength. It’s probably Grian. She makes a beeline straight for him and hauls him onto her shoulder. And possibly into the lake. She makes it her mission to pick up most of the guys, whether they’re ready or not (with prior consent, of course.)

Stress and False work out together in the mornings. Sometimes some of the other contestants will join them and she’ll lead an impromptu work out session. She also does yoga in the evenings to calm down after filming. A fair few join her for that. 

Some of Etho’s jobs include: ‘I’m a gardener so I want this cake to include edible flowers’, ‘I’m a beekeeper so I wanted to use honey.’, ‘I’m a piano tuner so music is a big part of my life’, ‘I used to hack as a part-time job’. His job subtitle changes each episode. He gets a lot of concerned looks from other contestants.

Grian and Scar become frenemies because they’re bench buddies. Grian loves bullying Mumbo off-camera. He argues with Iskall over wearing anything but a red sweater. He loves complimenting everyone’s bakes. He makes a lot of friends. 

Tango and Zed often try to take jobs on the same productions. Zed likes to bother Tango with stupid ways to make broken tech work. Impulse will sit there and try to fix it in earnest. They have to remind Impulse he’s supposed to having a break before filming resumes. The three quickly become friends and can be found hanging out together.

During one of the heatwaves, Impulse near passes out from heat exhaustion. There’s eleven concerned people crowding around him, and it’s one of the only times Bdubs has to seriously raise his voice to gain control of the situation. The others are all sat outside in the shade and given water. Impulse goes back to the hotel and is ambushed by a lot of very concerned friends later that day. They take good care of him and threaten to beat him up if he doesn’t take better care of himself.

During Saturday evenings is when they’ll all lounge around the hotel and hype each other up for the show stopper. They like discussing what their plans are and sharing their ideas. A lot of dumb things happen to help work off the nervous excitement. 

There’s also a lot of calming each other down when they’re stressed out and caring about each other. It’s the Found Family VibesTM.

Even though washing up is supposed to be a punishment, a group of them usually end up doing it together and singing loudly and terribly to the radio.

One of the contestants catches Wels singing as he tests his microphone and drags him outside to come and jam with the contestants. Ren joins in. Etho provides backing. It delays things a little but they agree it’s worth it.

Keralis and Beef at some point have some made up war between them that is completely stupid, entirely overdramatic, and gives all the contestants a lot to laugh about.

There is, absolutely, a prank war part way through the season. It also extends off-set. Nobody is safe.

I haven’t seen anyone doing this AU before, and I apologise if they have! I hope there’s enough unique ideas to set it apart. But yeah, this is the AU I use when I just want some Fluffy content. Thanks for reading!

[undertaker1827]

Can I get a matchup please?

Im 5"1 I get teased for it alot, im pansexual but lean towards guys. Im sarcastic alot of the time, british humour innit, im pretty touch starved to the point where when someone does give me a hug or even just brushes their arm against me I either jump away from it or stay stock still, I hate physical exercise. (Kinda ironic) I really love playing card games and listening to music, or going to the park at night (really edgy I know) im in the process of becoming punk, I need the right clothes and at the moment im broke, I can spend hours talking and not notice how the time went by, im pretty awkward to begin with at the start of friendships and stuff, I love conversing I just cant start a conversation. I have anxiety so that sucks, it means.I often either bounce my leg, or scratch at my legs, im trying to find better coping mechanisms. TW PAST ABUSE, (I tried to keep as vague as possible to not trigger anything, I apologise if it does) My parents weren't nice people so I cut contact from them, my past kinda sucks and im just trying to accept that never seeing them again is a good thing. NO MORE MENTIONS OF ABUSE NOW. I have a really bad habit of randomly wearing makeup, ill get up at midnight bored out my mind and do it just to take it all off and go back to bed. People say im kind but idk at this point, I feel like im being an asshole a lot of the time, my sense of humour usually included putting myself down, I guess I use it as a coping mechanism for my insecurities

Of course!

Masterlist

-

I match you with … Bardroy! (First time writing something centred around him too!)

So Bard is somewhere around the same height as Sebastian, right? So he’s gonna tease you for your height too. He won’t take it too far though; if you’re having an off day or you just don’t find it as funny as usual, he’ll apologise immediately. He seems to me like someone who would very much get sarcastic humour, and whether you look at him as American or British (which I do personally, its just how he seems to me) he’s been in Britain long enough to get the humour. He’s not over the top with the physical affection, but hugs/arm around the shoulders/hand on the back are all things he does, and he can’t help but smirk a bit if you jump about or literally just freeze. He’ll probably joke about your nerves being in pieces or something like that, but he will also make sure about what you are/aren’t comfortable with. Bardroy exercises quite a bit, but he fully understands why you don’t. It can be tough to drag yourself into working out. He’s great at card games and loves passing the time by playing them with you, probably with a bit of your music playing in the background.

Night-time walks are great and if you ever wanted company, Bard would be happy to go with you. He can’t wait to see the final result of your conversion to being punk, but he reminds you that the process is just as good as the final look itself, even if it takes a while. He loves just talking to you for ages and if you haven’t got any conversation starters, don’t worry! He has plenty. Bardroy gets having anxiety stemming from past trauma - he’s got quite a bit himself, leftover from the war - so he immediately recognises when you’re getting anxious and seems to know just what to do to calm you down. If he sees you scratching at your legs, he just gently takes your hands in his and sits with you, neither of you needing to say anything. He’s totally supportive with anything you need with regards to mixed feelings about your past, he’ll always talk to you about it.

Bard will admit he thought the midnight makeup sessions were a bit of a quirk the first time he woke up to find you with all the lights on and a brush in your hand, but he thinks you’re really good at it and besides, why not? Do what you enjoy. He’ll tell you every day how kind and nice you are if you refuse to believe him, and he’s made it his personal mission to get you to stop putting yourself down for the sake of humour.

[innittowinit]

Can you pick me up? my uni burnt down (Chapt. 2)

Relationships: Sleepy bois inc (all fics i write are platonic)

Summary: 

 In which Techno goes to England for University, his building catches fire in the night, and he isn't prepared for the difference in climate between England and California. SBI fluff ensues

Chapter summary: 

After waking up, Wilbur has the great idea that they should do a sleepy boys stream. Tommy doesn't get told about this id

Words: 1785

Language: English

AO3 Chapt. 1

Listen, waking up on a sofa, with a thin blanket shared with 3 men was never going to be the best morning. His back hurt and his legs were numb from Wilbur having sprawled out over the three of them as he slept. 

Stretching his arms back, he recounted the events of last night. God, it really was only a few hours ago, he was so tired. Had this been last year, he would have been able to stay up for days on end and then just crash for an entire weekend. It wasn’t last year though and Techno had gotten himself into a fairly healthy routine, he couldn’t exactly be sleeping through his uni classes anyway. 

“Alright you two” Hearing Philza’s voice, he propped his head up, “Get up, you can’t lay around all day”

A groan came from the mass of blankets and cushions that happened to be Wilbur, who was curled up in the centre of it,

“Phil it's so early and we went to bed so late. It’s fine to sleep in”

“Okay” he chuckled, humouring his tired friend “It’s midday Wil, im taking the blankets away now”

Techno thought it was much too early too, as he tugged the sleeves of Wilbur’s hoodie down a little further so they could act like gloves. 

“Do you mind if I use your PC to try and find out what’s going on with my classes at some point? They'll probably send me an email or something” He grumbled, standing up so he could stretch his back out properly, following Phil slowly to the kitchen.

“That’s fine, it's up in my room, do what you need”

Breakfast was nice, it had been a while since Techno had had time for it honestly, and even longer since he had been able to eat with people he cared about. He had a couple slices of buttered toast and a bowl of some british cereal which he didn’t really like but he didn’t want to be rude so he ate it anyway. 

“You wanna stream together later?” Wil asked through a mouth full of food, earning a snort from Phil. This was nice. 

“Yeah maybe, you use face cam though, I’m not like against showing them my face but y'know, it is what it is” he shrugged, spooning another mouthful of his breakfast into his mouth, he had to admit it was very bland, he much preferred the sweeter ones that were more popular in America. 

“Well think about it, if you decide you don't want them to see you, you can always just sit off to the side and I'll turn my monitor so you can still see it. My office is big enough for it anyway, it’ll be like where Niki was during that one MCC remember?”

Techno nodded and carried on eating, they really were 3 very sleepy boys right now. Maybe he’d take a nap once he found out what was going on with his classes. 

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

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

Streaming without any gameplay to comment about and with facecam on? Techno wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. That just didn’t really sound like something he was going to enjoy.

It was nerve wracking and he always seemed to glance at the camera too much when it was pointed at him. He knew the fans would be disappointed if he didn’t do it though, When Wilbur tweeted out saying that he and Phil would join him in a ‘you laugh you lose’ he watched as the replies freaked out. 

You could say he was just a bit camera shy, he wasn’t incredibly insecure, sure there were things he didn’t like that much but everyone had things like that, it just made him nervous to know that people were looking at him. 

He’d be okay with his friend’s though, he trusted that they’d never put him in an uncomfortable situation. He knew if he got overwhelmed he could sit outside the frame. 

It would be okay. 

“Hey hey chat” Wilbur mumbled into the mic, making it loud enough so that everyone could hear but it still sounded like he was whispering. 

“We’ve got the blade here, bet you weren’t expecting that huh chat? Or maybe you were, maybe you read the title of the stream, bet there’s someone watching who didn't think he’d be here though” he finally turned the music off and switched from his ‘starting soon’ screen to his regular camera. 

Wil went through the rules, it was the normal stuff, he added in some jokes here and there, prodding Techno and Phil to talk at times. They’d already agreed that this wouldn’t be for youtube, since that seemed to add a bit too much pressure for Techno, but hey, he still had to welcome his chat. 

“Okay!! First media share! Lets go”  

After a series of videos, some funnier than others, Techno had started to loosen up a bit. He was getting more comfortable with the camera and while he’d probably cringe while looking back at the footage, at least he was having fun right now.

He had a warm feeling in his chest that wasn’t usually there when he was streaming alone, sure it was usually fun but nothing was better than being with his friends while doing it, there was really only one person who was missing. 

As if on queue, chat started spamming Tommy’s name, for a moment Techno thought he had been mumbling his thoughts out loud, before he looked between Phil and Wilbur, who both seemed equally confused. Moving Wilbur’s mouse over the chat to pause it, Techno tried to read some of the messages. 

“Oh he tweeted something” he mumbled, pulling his phone out of his pocket without a care. Maybe some irl streamers would have used the computer but knowing Wilbur’s history, he doubted it could run Chrome and streamlabs at the same time. 

Looking at the tweet he felt a little pang of guilt. It was lighthearted and jokey but he knew there’d be a little truth to it. He nudged the other two and read it aloud to them. 

‘Damn guess I’m not a sleepy boy after all’

The air felt a little thick after that, they hadn’t meant to exclude Tommy; all of the excitement of Techno coming to stay had just made it a little hard to arrange to have Tommy here after all. 

Still, they probably should have still told him though. They were supposed to be each other's family.  

“Hey chat I think we’re gonna have to end stream early.” Wilbur finally piped up, deciding it wouldn't be right to carry on when they had hurt their friend, not that chat needed to know that though, he didn’t want to embarrass Tommy. 

“I feel kinda sick and I don't think you all wanna watch me vomit right? Yeah so it’s best we end it now” 

Techno sniggered to himself at that, in games Wilbur always seemed to be very cunning but he supposed he wasn’t very good at lying when it was about something he actually cared about. Said something being Tommy.  

After raiding Fundy, the trio hopped straight onto discord. 

Tommy didn't answer the first time he was called. 

Or the second. 

Finally, after three calls, Tommy decided he’d talk to them. 

“You are all a bunch of dick heads, you know that? What the hell! Why wasn’t I invited to the sleepy boy’s stream! Wilbur you bitch!” Through all the vulgar language and the constant yelling, it was clear that Tommy was genuinely upset. 

He had every right to be, as far as Techno was concerned. From his point of view his friend’s had just gone off and hung out without him. He just hoped he’d calm down once they explained everything.  

“You know I thought we were friends! I thought we were brothers! But if you don’t wanna hang out with a ‘kid’ you can just tell me and i’ll- i'll go!” He was still yelling, as usual, it was clear he was trying to make this into a joke where he could overreact but Techno noticed the small sniffles and the quiver in his voice. 

By the looks on Phil’s and Wilbur’s faces, they recognised it too.  

“Listen, Tommy” 

Wil was the first to talk, it made sense, it seemed that Tommy trusted him the most at times. Sometimes Techno could be a bit too cold and sometimes Phil could get a bit too overbearing.

Techno understood this, he didn’t take it personally, he knew it was only natural that you have people you trust with your emotions more than others. It didn’t mean Tommy didn’t love them just as much, just that they weren’t his ‘go-to’ when he felt down. 

Techno felt the same way sometimes. Feeling’s got complicated and personally he thought Phil was the best to talk to about that, the fact that he was older and had his life sorted out gave him a sense of comfort, like he could trust him because he knew what he was talking about. 

“We didn’t plan a meetup, it just sorta happened. Phil was at my place, helping me record, and then Techno’s Uni had a fire and he needed a place to stay while they’re making it safe again” Wilbur sighed as he heard Tommy moving on the other side of his mic. Techno wondered what he was doing. 

“We would have invited you, had we known that we’d all be in the same place Toms” 

Phil took over, giving Wilbur a little sympathetic smile. The brunette so obviously felt guilty about the situation. 

“But when we got the call from Tech’ it was past 3 in the morning and it was tipping it down with snow, as soon as we got home we all slept. We decided to do a stream this morning but never once did we intend to try and make you feel like you aren’t welcome with us” 

Finally it was Techno’s turn to talk...Fuck.

He wasn’t exactly the most sentimental guy, he struggled to show his emotions and he just assumed everyone he cared for just knew that he cared for them. He rarely had to say it out loud. God okay. He just had to swallow his pride and go for it. 

“Tommy you are a sleepy boy and you are our brother. We did kind of a dick move today and if I was you I’d probably be upset too. I know I didn't like seeing you guys playing without me during MCC and that wasn’t even any of our decisions. We should have called you or something. I know I kinda tease you a lot but that’s just how I show I like people. Listen Tommy if I didn’t care about you I wouldn’t be comfortable enough to make those kinds of jokes with you. It’s not funny if it’s hurting you though..”

Techno bit his lip, this wasn’t as hard as he had anticipated but it was coming out like word vomit. 

“You’re young Tommy but you’re so talented. We love you”

There was some more rustling, it sounded like Tommy was wiping his eyes. Maybe the boy had expected a yelling match, only for it to turn out to be very emotional. 

“I love you guys too.. If you ever exclude me ever again though I’m getting my vlog knife out”

[swissmissficrecs]

Most kudoed Sherlock (BBC) fics in 2019

Sherlock fics from 2019 with more than 1000 kudos on AO3*

1. Riptide Lover by jinglebell - 4011 kudos 114K, E, Johnlock, John/others The year is 1866. When John becomes swept overboard, he never expects to encounter a living creature of myth. When the merman absconds with John, the lost sailor must use every tool at his disposal to convince Sherlock not to kill him. But it seems that killing John Watson is not what the deadly, beautiful creature has in mind at all... 

2. The Only Unproblematic Slash Fic by songlin - 2641 kudos 554 words, M, Johnlock I decided to write this after being OUTRAGED by the number of highly problematic and abusive fanfics I see on this site! Honestly I shouldn't even post it here at all, since AO3 is complicit in LITERAL SEX TRAFFICKING and ABUSE by allowing just anyone to post whatever they want. But it's the best website for posting fic. What am I supposed to do, raise money to pay for servers and use AO3's entirely, 100% open source code to start a new site that upholds REAL MORALITY? Anyways here's my fanfic.

3. A different kind of adventure by curiousbees (orphaned) - 1996 kudos 27K, E, Johnlock A series of rash experiments at twenty-three left omega Sherlock unable to form a bond or have a child. He never particularly cared, even if he sometimes caught himself wishing after meeting John. Now at 36, this inability is simply another part of who he is, like his intellect or his tendency for addiction. So after one night's loss of logic with his married best friend, he doesn't think to question it. In hindsight, he really shouldn't have taken it for granted.

4. What We Could Be by Mottlemoth - 1908 kudos 46K, E, Mystrade Ficlets and short stories featuring Mycroft Holmes and Greg Lestrade. Fluff, smut, humour, a little well-marked angst... and of course, lots and lots of romance.

5. East End Boy by Mottlemoth - 1620 kudos 192K, E, Mystrade "You fear becoming the plaything of a powerful man." Greg Lestrade might have risen to the rank of Detective Inspector, but he's still just an East End boy at heart. That's why this arrangement with Mycroft Holmes, power incarnate, is starting to feel so weird—if only Mycroft weren't so hard to resist.

6. Minutiae (Or 156 Things I Know About You) by AtlinMerrick - 1572 kudos 105K, E, Johnlock Here, in no particular order, are some of the things John has learned about Sherlock, and some of the things Sherlock has learned about John.

7. A Novel Romance by EventHorizon - 1511 kudos 357K, M, Mystrade Mycroft Holmes is a successful, yet reclusive, mystery writer. His agent nearly had to resort to torture to persuade the writer to allow a studio the rights to film one of his books. The studio wants the highly profitable and extremely sexy Greg Lestrade for the role, but Mycroft isn’t happy with the choice. The studio sends him to Mycroft’s remote country home to do some persuading. Once there, after getting to know the secretive, brilliant and slightly-eccentric Mycroft Holmes, Greg isn’t certain which ranks higher on his persuading list - him getting a role he dearly wants or him getting a man he dearly wants.

8. Sensory Science by sussexbound (SamanthaLenore) - 1439 kudos 80K, E, Johnlock John Watson has been invalided home from Afghanistan and is struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD and insomnia, when an old friend from med school recommends something that might help: An ASMR YouTube Channel run by a friend. One session in and John is hooked, not only by the way the ASMR seems to calm him after nightmares, and help him sleep, but also by the mysterious man who runs it.

9. White Knight by DiscordantWords - 1360 kudos 69K, M, Johnlock Sherlock needs to fake a relationship for a case. He doesn't ask John.

10. Just To Hold You Close by sussexbound (SamanthaLenore) - 1324 kudos 70K, E, Johnlock When a woman is murdered and the last person to see her alive is recently invalided army vet turned reluctant (and prickly) professional cuddler, John Watson, Sherlock Holmes is pulled into a world of intimacy and intrigue he never could have imagined. 

11. Proving A Point by elldotsee, J_Baillier - 1296 kudos 186K, E, Johnlock Invalided home from Afghanistan, running out of funds and convinced that his surgical career is over, John Watson accepts a mysterious job offer to provide care and companionship for a disabled person. Little does he know how much hangs in the balance of his performance as he settles into his new life at Musgrave Court.

12. Dearest Life by InnerSpectrum - 1265 kudos 276K, E, Johnlock / Warstan / Mystrade Sherlock is forced to marry John, a wealthy Alpha doctor, who is married to Mary, an infertile Beta. Both of whom hide dark secrets from each other.

13. Soul Mate by Mottlemoth - 1258 kudos 4K, T, Mystrade The words appeared on Mycroft's arm aged fourteen, foretelling the first thing his soul mate would ever say to him—and horrifying his respectable parents. He's now lived with the unfortunate words all his life, not certain that he even wishes to meet his soul mate if that's how the man talks. But when Sherlock befriends a Scotland Yard inspector named Lestrade, Mycroft might just change his mind.

14. Isosceles by SilentAuror - 1212 kudos 56K, E, Johnlock and Sherlock/OMC After solving a case for a major celebrity, Sherlock gets himself asked out. When John asks, he discovers that Sherlock has no intention of going, at least not until John agrees to coach him through whatever he might need to know for his date...

15. Beloved Baker Street by LadyLibby - 1164 kudos 203K, T, Sherlock/female!Reader / Warstan / Mollstrade / John/OMC Y/N Hudson grew up in America, daughter to a loving British mother and the leader of a notorious drug cartel in Florida. She grew into a brilliant and yet compassionate young woman with a penchant for solving mysteries. Accepted into the forensic department at Scotland Yard, Y/N never expected to be swept up into the whirlwind life of Sherlock Holmes....

16. It takes John Watson to save your life. by Sparkypip - 1135 kudos 105K, T, Gen A series of One shots where John saves Sherlock's life in so many ways.

17. The Bells of King's College by SilentAuror - 1131 kudos 64K, E, Johnlock It's only been two weeks since Eurus Holmes disrupted their lives when Mycroft sends John and Sherlock to Cambridge to pose as an engaged couple at a wedding show in the hopes of solving six unsolved deaths... 

18. And if it begins anywhere, it begins here by Salambo06 - 1080 kudos 26K, E, Johnlock When Sherlock finds a letter in his bedroom, he doesn't expect to read the words of another version of himself from a parallel universe. What he expects even less is to read Sherlock Watson-Holmes at the bottom of the letter.

19. Pink, Purple and Blue by Mottlemoth - 1044 kudos 5K, T, Mystrade After eight years of failed marriage to a woman, with his boyfriends now a distant memory, Greg feels unwelcome in his own sexuality. Fallen between two factions, it seems like he belongs to neither. Comfort and reassurance come from an unlikely source. 

20. Better Late Than Never by sussexbound (SamanthaLenore) - 1020 kudos 3K, T, Johnlock He suddenly wants John Watson out of his bedroom, out of his flat, out of his life, because he has been lying to himself these last few months, he realises.  He doesn’t want John here, not with the way things are. He doesn’t want to keep being so careful, so generous, so, so…

* And now for the caveats:

- I’ve cut some of the summaries down because they were way too wordy. Sorry, authors. Write shorter summaries. It’s an AO3 blurb, not a dust jacket. - The kudo count is as of 2 January 2020. Obviously, fics that started posting earlier have the advantage, since they had a longer time to gather kudos. - For this list, I disregarded all fics tagged with multiple fandoms, since their popularity may be due to those other fandoms. - Fics may get - or not get - kudos for various reasons. This is not intended to be a rec list per se, and being on or off this list is not a statement on the quality of any given fic.

[sabine-leo]

Paradise Found - Part 1

Author: @sabine-leo

Pairing: Tom Hiddleston / Female Reader

Genre: Fluff, Smut, Romance, Humour (who knows what I´ll add along the way)

Rating: M 

Part: 1/?

Note: Here we are...I said I wanted to write something summer romancy with Tom and some of you jumped right into my cruise-boat ;) Thank you for inspiring the title @klbates22 and to everyone who commented and liked the idea! Feel free to jump into my asks or chat if you have an idea or need me to put in something specific in further Parts! I´ll try my best to make it work! 

Comments and reblogs are highly appreciated and LOVED! Now kick back, relax and hopefully enjoy Part 1 of your summer romance with Tom! 

xox Sabine 

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

They say, happiness comes in waves.

You took that quite literally and decided to leave everything that had weighed you down behind for a few weeks. Work, an ex-boyfriend that had cheated on you with his ex, the hectic life in general.

No, you were not sticking your head in the sand…just your toes! You needed to clear your head, breath the sea-air, feel the warm wind on your skin, the sand under your feet and let your mind relax in a hammock under the palm trees.

So, here you were. Standing at the shoreline, looking at the vast, blue green ocean that touched your feet with every new wave that tried to reach dry sand. 

Closing your eyes with a smile, you took in the first rays of sunshine that the new dawn gifted you after your long journey. It had cost you quite a little fortune to get here, but it already had been worth it. The instance you dropped your bags, got rid of your shoes and ran down the few steps from your private cabin into the warm sand you felt a weight lift of your shoulders. An easing breath left your lungs. The next wave drenched your jeans. With a laugh you walked a few steps into the water and kicked the ensuing wave, splashing seawater onto yourself. Damn, that felt good.

Half soaked you walked out of the water a few minutes later and took in the view.

You had asked for a cabin on the far end of the little island. As private and small as this resort was, there wouldn´t have been any direct neighbours anyway, but you wanted the seclusion, the feeling of being alone. You could only make out one other path leading to a cabin before the natural shape of the island took a turn and secluded those two lodges. The very friendly driver, who had driven you and your luggage in a golf cart to your home for the next weeks, told you that there were only 3 other guests on the island. 2 of them pretty close to the central building that hosted a restaurant and a bar. You and one other person on the far end seeking seclusion and serenity. 

Walking back to your cabin, you took it in for real now. The wooden home looked like out of an island dream. Dark wood, light, flowy- white curtains that swayed in the sea breathe through the wide-open double door windows. A solid roof but covered with palm-leaves gave it the typical beach flair. Inside, in an open space was a little kitchen, a lounge area and a table with 4 chairs. Secluded but with a phenomenal view of the beach was the bedroom with a double bed facing the ocean. Behind another door was a bathroom with a tub also facing the ocean. It really was heaven on earth.

 After unpacking and changing out of your wet clothes you went outside again. In front of your cabin was a colourful hammock waiting for you. The palm trees offered a shadowy place to get a little nap in after traveling for a whole day and some hours to get to paradise. It did not take long for you to drift of. The soft sway, the warmth and the sea air adding to your tiredness, knocked you out quickly.

The first day was over pretty quickly. After sleeping peacefully in that hammock, getting some food into your hungry stomach and ordering the things you would need to cook for yourself the next days you saw that the sun was slowly setting again. Taking a stroll along the beach seemed like a good idea since you were well and rested now.

 You did not bother to put on shoes, you just went directly to the shoreline in your short pants, the Bikini-top and the light blouse open on top to spare you the agony of a sunburn on the first day. The wet sand and the warm water felt so good on your feet that you walked for a good while before you sat down in the dry sand to watch the sunset. It really was a beautiful sight. The sky began to change from purest blue to the most extraordinary yellow, orange and red segue you had ever seen. Totally mesmerised you watched the sun kiss the ocean as someone walked into your view on the shoreline. He lifted a hand in greeting and stepped out of direct view again.

 “Sorry, didn´t want to interrupt your sight!” He said with a deep and smooth voice and added before you could answer “Have a nice evening!” and continued on his way.

A bit louder you said to his tall, walking form.

“No worries, this won´t be my last sunset in paradise. You too!”  He half turned with his next steps and you saw him nod and wave again. You lifted your hand too and smiled a little before turning your head back to the spectacle before you. When the last bit of the sun went into her ocean-bed you stood up and started to walk again, collecting driftwood on the way. On your way back to your cabin you had to walk past the one before yours. Since you were walking along the shoreline you would not disrupt the privacy of its occupant.

 “Beautiful view…” That deep voice again. Your head snapped up. Leaning on a palm tree you could make out the shadow of the tall man. “Oh, sorry! Who´s interrupting the view now…” You chuckled and pointed to the shadow of the hammock before your cabin “…Just wanted to get back....”

The soft breeze carried an easy-going, deep chuckle to your ears.

“Now that would ruin my beautiful view…”

It took you a moment before you got the gist of the words and laughed quietly. A smile lit up your face, but he would not be able to see it, would he?

“Well…” you started walking again “…then I am sorry to ruin it…” You put your windswept hair back behind your ear. “…maybe you do have more luck come tomorrow!”

Now a deep laugh resonated from his tall form. “I shall look for a shooting star and wish on it!”

 That voice sounded very British and very ear pleasing. You grinned as you kept walking back to your cabin. “Good night!” He said louder and pushed himself off the tree with a foot.

“Good night!” You answered half turning but continuing your way. The shadow of the man told you he was tall and lean, his hand ruffled through his hair as he watched you for a second before you turned around.

 The next day started late due to jet-lag but nobody was complaining that you were sleeping in, the bed next to you empty. For a second you thought about how nice it would be to enjoy the view from this bed with someone by your side. But then again, you never had a problem with being alone and you were certainly not missing your ex. That chapter of your life got closed some months ago. You stretched your limbs and got up. After donning a sporty bikini, you stepped out started to grin and walked onto the beach. The moment your feet hit the toasty warm sand you took off in a run with a laugh.

 Some hundred meters away a head snapped up in another hammock and a laugh escaped in a deep male tone as he saw you running into the water, jumping over waves and somewhat elegantly but definitely joyfully taking a header into the ocean. Yes, he thought, unquestionably a beautiful view. His breath caught as he saw you come out of the water some minutes later, disappearing into your own hammock. Now he needed some cooling-down…

 There was nothing better than salty water on your skin, drying off while swaying in a warm summer breeze. In a hammock. Under a palm tree. Watching the ocean. That was until you saw your “neighbour” walking towards the water. A low sitting navy blue shorts the only cover his undoubtedly hot body wore. Even from afar you could see the defined muscles on his back. Changing your position a little to unashamedly watch him getting nearer and nearer to the water you laughed as he too jolted into a run and elegantly took a header. You pushed your sunglasses up on your nose and let one foot dangle out of the hammock to give it another push as he emerged from the water again and walked to shore. His hand pushing back his wet hair.

 “Oh, blimey this is just cruel!” You gasped out as you saw his wet torso in full display and instantly felt a pang of guilt for ogling him like that. “Talk about a beautiful view...” You murmured and laughingly shook your head, closed your eyes and dropped the straw-hat onto your face with a groan.

 The soft sway of the hammock calmed you down again… as did the sound of the ocean.

You smiled softly and took a deep, deep breath.

“Hammock for two…how convenient…” You heard a deep voice say as your hat got lifted off your face and some drops of water hit your warm skin. Before you could say something, before you could even grasp what was happening a wet body balanced itself into the hammock. Blue eyes looked deep into yours and the weight of his lean body made you tilt sideways, flush against him. A smirk toyed with his lips as his tongue came out to wet them. “Hi, thought I´d come over to properly introduce myself…”

“Oh…” was all you got out before he grabbed your waist, tugged you on top of him and introduced his lips to yours in a hot, sizzling hot kiss. His big hands stroked simultaneously up and down your back. He grabbed the back of your head and your butt and squeezed while his tongue darted out to seek shelter with yours. “Hi!” He grinned near your lips afterwards and put a strand of hair behind your ear before he began a new kiss that let your skin tingle as if electricity pulsed through your veins.

A honk from an arriving golf cart yanked you up straight. Whirling your arms around like a damn bird wanting to take flight you almost toppled out of the hammock.

“Your delivery Miss!”

Looking around a little dazed you just nodded and tried to get a grip on your surroundings again. You were still laying in the hammock in front of your cabin…but alone.

Dang! You must have been fallen asleep right after that handsome man walked out of the water, initiating a wet dream instantly.

Rolling your eyes at yourself you got out of the hammock as the delivery man came out of your cabin again and said his goodbyes. Going inside yourself to put everything away you grunted with a breathless laugh. “Honk if you´re horny!”

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[drram1952]

Sindhi Community in Pakistan

The ruins of Mohan – Jo – Daro speak of tremendous age of human civilization in Sindh, but the 1st written records of the region related to the invention of Alexander the great in 325 BC. Alexander seriously injured in battle with fierce tribesmen outside Multan, but after his recovery he proceeded on down the Jhelum and in Indus River with a fleet of about 2000 ships, captured by securing Sukkur, and the surrounding territory. 

Eventually he made his way to the sea – to sail for home at a place that the historians call Alexander heaven, which was probably somewhere in the region of modern Alexander. The 1st major town that the travellers who followed Alexander historic route in to Sindh will come to his Sukkur, some seven horse drive to the south west of Multan its character is moulded around the river  that flows through it on which high rigged, sabot – shaped boats place slowly to and fro across the current, here in the shadows of the grand Mosque, which casts the reflection of its shimmering minerals on the waters of the Indus, fisher flock river people lead proud and independent outdoor lives, exposed to the elements and the vicissitudes of nature. 

Their settlements are strung out in a ranged line along the river banks thatched wooden huts on shore and huge leaking house boats afloat on the water. The fisher man looks gaudy caring and un-ruly hair seems to be the hallmarks of latter day pirate yet, on closure acquaintance, they immerse as gentle kind hearted people with delightful sense of humour and a calm and social fatalism. Pushing to smoke a home road cigarette with them and to drink a cup of tea you are aware of the beauty of the river in the early morning as

reflect un-hurried wavelets lap against the mud embankment. The shots of children bathing for a way in mid-stream carry effortlessly across the still sunny air and mingle with the rhythm of clothes being slapped dry by a laundry man against the flat black rocks.

Turning South from Sukkur the road runs straight and though some of the more fertile regions of Sindh. Cultivation here is plentiful but in the absence of effective irrigation, depends to a great extent on the modes of the Indus, through the river flows sluggishly for most of the year it has a tendency to flood and tendency that is the basis for more than 40% of Sindh agricultures over the millennia the Indus has deposited so much alluvium along its path that in many places its banks and even its bed are above the level of the surroundings plains.

One such change of courses dramatically improved the fortunes of Hyderabad. Some 320 km to the south of sukkur, in the mid-18th century Hyderabad was known “Nikunkot” and the Indus flow peacefully enough to the east of it. In 1758, however, the unpredictable river shifted into a new course to the waste of the town. A few years later because of the havoc further South, that had resulted from the change of course, Sindh rulers the saintly Ghulam Shah Kalhores moves his capital to Nirkot, at the same time remaining Hyderabad.  

The Oval fort build by Ghulam Shah still stands today, in the centre of modern Hyderabad and bears very little evidence of the skirmishes that have taken place outside 1 km circumference of its walls around them. Traffic moves ceaselessly. Horse drawn carts mingle with more elaborate 6 seaters landaus. A whole local industry is given over to carriage making and the craft man are renovated for their painstaking attention to detail, it is an aborting experience to watch a master at work embossing a huge wooden wheel with bright nails and chrome or carving integrate designs into the tall boat of landau.

Karachi enjoys a splendid natural harbour, 1 of the best in the sub-continent. It has only seriously exploded the valuable asset in the 100 years, although it potential for great prosperity was visible somewhat earlier. “Yet be the glory of the East”, prophesied sir Charles Napier. The British General who conquered Sindh would that I could come again Karachi, to see you in your grandeur Napier 1st visit was in 1943, when the great city was an in –significant and un-appealing coastal town with population of the most, a few thousands called Kullachi. It has 2 gates, Mithadr facing sweet water well, and Khaddar facing the salty sea. Today, though the world 19th century town is long gone its (sweet and salt) gets to Karachi oldest.  

In 1947 the new state of Pakistan was born and Karachi was established as the Capital, though Karachi is no longer Pakistan’s capital, having surrender that honour to Islamabad in 1959, its dominance in the national economy is behind dispute. The port handles is billions tons of cargo annually and is 1 of the most important shipping centre in South Asia, Karachi is also the main terminus of Pakistan railway system and the sight of the principal international airport, about 1 quarter of the centuries industries are located here.

Karachi cloth bazar is an excellent place to sample for the 1st time the intoxicating atmosphere of this great city.

Here amidst the food and drink stalls that seems to congregate where ever goods are bought and sold merchants from, all over Pakistan are to be found engaged in the business of making money. Textile are still century’s largest industry and Karachi is the largest whole sale centre for the products of

this industry. Products which are moved to retail outlet as far away as Peshawar and Ravalpindi, Kota and Lahore.

Karachi museum is a major repository of national treasury and a centre of Archaeological and Historical research situated in the heart of the city in pleasant garden it is divided into a pre-historic gallery, a Buddhist Hindu gallery, a Muslim gallery and Ethnological gallery, a manuscript hall and numismatist section. The Muslim gallery contains a particularly fine collection of miniature painting and art form that was in high vogue during the Mughal era. Manuscripts hall illuminated a number of extremely ancient copies of the holy Quran, illuminated throughout and characterised by delegate and imaginative choreography.    

In Pakistan over all the Sindhi community is settled in Hyderabad, Karachi, Sukkur and many other parts of Sindh state. The lifestyle of the Sindhi people in Pakistan shows that they follow occupations like making clothes, ornaments, fishing, making wheel carts with decorations. They make beautiful vehicles decorate them and are involved in poultry making also. In a survey conducted by myself in Vadodara, Ahmedabad & Mumbai, I visited 35 families in different areas I asked them certain questions about life in Pakistan. Many people of Amil, Bhaibandh, Shikarpur, Hyderabad and these have someone which is considered so many Sindhi’s like Punjabis. Bhatia, Shikarpuri etc.

In Amil most of the families are working in Government sector and in the corporate sector. This community is mostly highly educated Sindhi families. Bhaibandh are businessman working abroad most of the people are engaged in business activities like, toys, clothes, electronics etc. These people are working in neighbouring countries also. People other than this caste have a different social religious future language in the Bhaibandh caste are more educated and mainly businessman. The life style is different from community to community.

In Pakistan the dresses of Sindhi women’s are the cap they wear etc and different from the other Pakistani people. After the partition the Sindhi celebrate in a way of similar to that in India. They continued the barter system in Pakistan even after the partition, even today many other states practice the same, in many Sindhi caste (dowry system) is still equivalent in this system like cash, ornaments, clothes and furniture are demanded from girl’s family. Due to this many girls get married out of caste which leads to failure of marriage as girls are not able to adjust out of caste. I have personally observed that many girls over 30 years of age are un-married. In Sindhi community girls are highly educated while the boys are not so, so their ideas lifestyle changes but those Sindhi’s still who live in Pakistan has totally changed.

[hollandroos]

The Price We Pay | Chapter 1

Summary: A one night stand was all it took for your entire life to change. You're shoved into unknown territory, agreeing to fake date the prince long enough for his parents and the media to get off of his back only there are a few issues... one of them being that you really can’t stand each other.

Series Masterlist | Wattpad

Words: 4.2k

Warnings: Mentions of a one night stand & semi-sexual content

A/N: The prologue is really important to the plot so uhh maybe go read that first!!! I’m so excited for this, please remember to send asks and comments because they keep me motivated! 

The sheets beside you were anything but empty, in fact, an entire body lay there– just as naked as you were.

His brown curls were tousled over his forehead brown eyes stuck in a daze. He looked amazing post sex and you were sure you looked a wreck but still– you both wore matching smiles, giggles spilling from your lips whether it was from the alcohol that still lingered in your system or the fact that you felt as if you were floating on cloud nine. But it was a very sweaty cloud nine at that.

“That was…” You trail off, staring at the ceiling of your bedroom. 

“Amazing?” He replies for you with a thick British accent. His voice was raspier then you remembered, and you only just noticed the lipstick marks that trailed down his neck. Tom felt free, he felt euphoric and he wasn’t sure he wanted things to change.

Laughs erupt from your lips that were now bare, lipstick smudged on either side but you didn't realise until much later when you popped away to the bathroom. A warm shower was exactly what you craved. 

“Spectacular.”

Spectacular was surely the right word and it was only confirmed when you rolled over, groaning at the slight ache that settled.

Tom felt no sense of remorse for sneaking out of the castle as of yet, not when it had as good of an outcome as this. Besides, he doubted that anyone realised he was gone– and if they did, what were they going to do about it? But he did have to admit that his mind was slightly plagued, because while he laid with the girl from the bar– he had to wonder about someone else. About another girl that was playing in his head like a hive of bees who he’d only forgotten about for a set period of time. And if this… if laying with you had really been the best thing to do.

He finds himself rolling over, chest pressed against the sheets and plants his lips on yours, one arm curled behind your spine and your alcohol scented lips mixing with his own. “You were fantastic.”

The sheets were definitely not as expensive as his own and the shoebox bedroom wasn’t even one-quarter of what his was but he didn’t care one bit, showing no ounce of remorse or distaste.

If you only knew what you’d just gotten yourself into.

-

“You’re an absolute dick, you know that?”

The blinds were torn open with a forceful grip, an angry Harrison marched around the room tugging them open one by one, already dressed and alert despite it only being six in the morning. Tom only groaned, rolling into his pillow to cover himself from the blinding light and Tessa growled, though Tom willed her to be quiet considering she wasn’t supposed to be sleeping on the bed in the first place.

“You’ve told me plenty of times before, but what did I do this time?” He mutters, words slightly muffled thanks to the pillow.

“This.”

A paper gets chucked onto the Californian king sized bed, pieces falling out and mixing with the sheets and the duvet that was a plush white mixed with gold, and Tom struggles to comprehend what he was supposed to be looking at, still attempting to wake himself up.  He didn’t even attempt to hide the few scratch marks that laced his back, too tired to care. Because that’s all he seemed to do lately– care.

“What is this?” He runs a hand over his face, glaring at the cover page. “What do you– oh.”

Then Tom finds it. He finds the reason for his best friends glares and the harsh tone he carried and he swore he felt his stomach drop dramatically. It made his eyes widen in absolute shock and memories from that night to flood back. He thought that he’d moved on from it, carrying out his duties as the prince but the media never let him rest.

“Yeah, now explain.” Harrison demands, snatching the paper out of the royals hand. Harrison was the only person that would treat Tom that way– everyone else was too afraid of the prince. Not including his parents, of course. “Please tell me that isn’t you, for fuck sake.”

“That’s me, that’s definitely me.”

Harrison groans loudly, once more having to watch his best mate fuck things up for himself– but something this stupid? It almost made him laugh and only two years ago the blond would have laughed. Because then they were practically kids, finding humour in things that back then they didn’t realise had an impact on their image.

“You know how bad this looks, Tom, your parents will be furious when they see this.” He points out the obvious, ripping the sheets off of Tom who was still trying to process the situation. “I woke you up before your dad can read the paper so you can fix this somehow. Do you even know this girls name?”

“Of course I know her fucking name! I’m not that bad.” He tries to defend himself– key word tries. “God, what am I meant to do?” Tom pulls the sheets back, shivering as the cold air hits him. “How did the paps even find me there?” 

Harrison sighs, gazing over the papers once more. He hadn’t even noticed that Tom had snuck out that night like he so often did… he didn’t think anybody did.

“They do keep bugging you about getting a girlfriend...” He mutters.

“I don’t want one.” Tom hisses, quick to reply. He smacks his hand against the duvet like a child. But his glare was that of a full grown adult.

“I’m not saying that! I’m just trying to say that your parents will be very unhappy when they see this and hear that you were out drinking– no scratch that, sleeping with a damn stranger!” Harrison sighs, seeing the rather confused and overwhelmed look on his friends face. 

Tom glares at his friend, finally feeling the winter breeze hit. He willed himself to get up and fix this but he also wanted to crawl back under those covers and hope it’d all go away on its own.

“What? so I’m not allowed to have at least a little fun?” He complains. “We were safe and she didn’t even recognise me. Can you relax now?”

Seeing the look on Toms' face, Harrison releases his crushing grip on the papers. 

“I’m sorry for bringing up the girlfriend part, I know what happened with April and I just… I’m scared for you, for what these photos will do to your image. It’s not like you’re just innocently kissing, Tom.”

Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, Tom gets out of the bed and his feet land on the floorboards with a gentle thud just enough to make Tessa look up from her spot on the bed, tilting her head to the side as her owner makes his way over to his closet, searching through masses of clothing.

“I know. Look, it was just a one-time thing, but surely my parents won’t listen to that.” He sighs, pulling a shirt over his tousled curls. “Her name is Y/N. She lives in the town.”

Harrison cocks his head, leaning against the bed and watches with a confused gaze as Tom digs through his many drawers. Ultimately landing on the one with his sports gear in it. “So she’s a towns girl?”

Tom throws items of clothing onto the floor, some scattering across the bed and landing on the bedside table. For a prince, he truly wasn’t that clean. But he was kind-hearted– even if sometimes he came across as an ass, arrogant and cocky.

He shrugs, finding the things he was looking for. “Yeah, I think she mentioned that she works at one of those little restaurant things but we were pretty drunk.”

Harrison was confused but his anger had somehow vanished and with very little faith that the boy in front of him could fix this, he raises a single brow. At that moment Harrison Osterfield looked neater then the royal and he would gladly flaunt it– even with the current situation chewing away at them by the moment.

But it was Harrison's duty to keep Tom out of these messes– to keep him grounded and he felt like he failed. It was the anger of the King he’d be facing later that he feared.

“Do you know what you have to do?” He questions.

“I think I know what to do but I don’t know if it will dig me further into my grave or get me out of this mess, at least with my family.” Tom looks at himself in the mirror, seeing that the last thing he looked like was a prince in his unwashed horse riding gear. There were mud stains on the front from where he’d simply fallen off and patches on the knees of the pants. He looked more like a beggar than a prince. “Do you think you could cover for me for an hour or so?”

-

Work, eat, sleep, repeat.

That was your routine. Sometimes, if you had a little extra time on your hands and got out of work early then you were able to go out and have a little fun, or even run a warm bath at your shared apartment and soak in a pool of bubbles and pretty smelling salts. Those were the best days, where you were just able to let go whether that meant dancing everything out and getting drunk off of your face or treating yourself to a spa night.

The spa night included bath bombs and a glass of wine and maybe a hair mask or painting your nails a fresh colour, scraping off the chipped paint from the weeks before. But the other nights were more hectic, filled with booming music and bodies on bodies.

Your last night out had been two days ago with Tom, the curly-haired boy from the bar. Though you remember him better for the lips that trailed down your abdomen and right to the hem of your underwear, from the hands that gripped your hips and left gentle, blue and purple marks there and the way his demeanour quickly changed from gentle, slightly flirty to confident and dominating. 

You did, however, briefly remember the glint of mischief in his eyes as he bid you goodbye.

Okay, calm down.

What was even better? You hadn’t got his number, nor his address and all you knew was that he went to the same, grungy and rather run down bar as you and lived somewhere near the edge of the town. The only pieces of him that you had left were the marks down your neck, fingerprints on your hips and the fact that you woke up with his jacket sitting on your bedroom floor, a tube of chapstick on the inside and a necklace– a simple chain with a key dangling from the bottom. Not a proper key, simply a decoration.

The memories were still perfectly inked into your brain and you may or may not have only zoned out at work once or twice the next day, brain still fuzzy from the alcohol you consumed when you arrived back at your place and the feeling of being on cloud nine. It only made your expectations higher.

You slept with him.

But that was two days ago, and this was now.

You race around the house, a cup of now cold coffee resting in the centre of the coffee table, mug stained with your lipstick. Shoes pad against the carpet, leaving ugly prints that as a child, your mother would have scolded you for. But now as a grown up you were more focused on the clock that ticked away on the corner wall, every second indicating one more until you were late for your job that you were barely hanging onto by a thread. You were opening today– the biggest job of all right next to closing up.

If you pushed the thought of the shoes to the back of your mind, then you also tended to ignore the blisters swelling on the heels of your feet and the splotches of blood that stained your pantihose by midday. Because as much as you wished you could simply run around in leggings all day, you weren’t allowed.

Being a mostly mature adult with a lot of time on your hands, (because work was boring) you could write an essay about the things that you liked and didn’t like, an entire scripture on your interests because you were simply very adamant. And grumpy bosses was at the very bottom of that list. The thought of him scolding you again, coffee-stained teeth and warm saliva spilling past his lips and landing directly on your cheek was enough to make you grimace.

He was a gross old man, recently celebrating his sixty-fifth birthday and had recently lost his very last standing patch of hair and now relied on glasses to get him through day to day life. You wondered if he slept from the bags under his eyes or if they were just natural by now or if his wife was just overwhelming– and if he had always had nose hair that long or if it was a development within the last few years.

You were so distracted that you nearly tripped on the rug and you would’ve ended up flying forward– papers and work gear spilling onto the floor. That perfectly explained your level of focus right now. But life was boring, a cycle of the same events over and over and it wasn’t that you were just waiting for something interesting to happen, but you were just waiting for something interesting to happen.

The house was messy, things scattered around but what could one expect when you put two young girls together? Absolute chaos. You nearly miss the sound of footsteps that weren’t your own, hurried yet cautious as they step down the hall.

You grip the keys in one hand, stuffing your phone in your pocket with the other, your bag was slung over one arm and you were sure that you looked a wreck but what had changed? You mentally checked things off, not wanting to forget your keys again or sanity for that matter.

Taking a sip from your second coffee– yes second, this one was in a flask, you open the front door, nearly walking into a stranger. At least you thought he was a stranger with his hood pulled up and over his features, dirty clothes and a slight hunch.

That was until he looked up.

“What the fu–”

He puts a finger out, using the hood to hide most of his face. But you’d never forget those dirty brown curls. “Shh, I need you to let me in.” He instructs, voice shaking as the words slipped a little faster then they should have.

Your mouth opens and closes like a fish, the coffee burning the palm of your hand as you hold it. “You’re at my house at six o’clock in the morning.” You were beyond confused to see Tom, especially this early and so soon.

Tom glanced around, watching one of your neighbour's eyes. Her name was Mallery and she nearly had a heart attack seeing the royal, being as big of a fan of them as she was. Only you didn’t realise that was the cause of her widening eyes and other star stricken features. Glancing back, Tom wanted to smirk seeing the purple and blue marks ‘hidden’ by a thin scarf but was in too much of a hurry to. He only had around forty-five minutes until his father woke up and saw the paper and while that was inevitable, a good story that’d please the man wasn’t.

“Something bad has happened and by your reaction to me being here I assume you don’t know and that makes me feel worse about this entire thing.”

You were still in slight shock, what felt like a hive of honey bees buzzing around your brain as he waited for a reply. You get yourself together, deciding questions were better to come later.

“I really have to get to work, Tom, I can’t be late again or I’ll get fired and I can’t lose my job. Can we talk about this later?” You practically beg, tapping a foot against the floor. He shakes his head wearily, knowing that if you left that house you’d be noticed as the girl from the pictures in moments. It was clear as day, your face was in it. “Fuck… okay, come in.”

He steps into the familiar apartment only this time he wasn’t as drunk and was able to point out just how small the room really was. He recognised the woollen blanket that was slung over the couch and the multiple cups that were scattered around the room, and the ugly grey that the walls were painted as well as the pastel blue backdrop in the kitchen.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen and now that it’s out there, there’s really nothing we can do and I don’t know how to tell you this…” He trails on, fumbling with his fingers.

You tilt your head, glancing down at your wristwatch as the minute's tick by. 

“What are you even talking about?”

“I didn’t tell you who I am the night we… you know.” Tom grimaces, running a hand through his curls as he throws the hood off. “I’m not a mechanic, I don’t even really know what they do. I’m the son of Anne and Derek, the King and Queen–”

You want to laugh at his statement, and maybe you did because it was absolutely wild, so bizarre that you shook your head, not believing it for a second. But he stood there straight-faced in your living room while you stood in disbelief.

“I’m not falling for that shit, if you came here to try and fool me then you should just leave before I lose my job and my patience.” You shake your head, frustration beginning to course through your veins.

“I’m not trying to trick you!” He says, a little louder then he originally meant to. “I’m being dead serious right now because what I’m about to show you is even worse.”

You saw the sincerity on his face, even if you didn’t know him at all yet and slump your shoulders. Toms gaze wasn’t faltering at all and you were still confused. Not that the situation was weird enough, but you couldn’t exactly imagine the boy in front of you in a crown and fancy clothes. Not when he looked like he’d just fallen off of a horse and rolled into a puddle of mud.

“What are you talking about?” You question, placing your coffee onto the entryway table.

“These.”

He hands you a folded up piece of paper and you take it, unfolding what you now realised was today's version of the newspaper and gape at it.

To say you were humiliated was easily an understatement. The photos on the cover were clearly of you and him from your night at the bar– that one night that ended up at your place. There were photos from every angle, from close up and further back. It was an absolute invasion of privacy, that much was for sure and you felt sick to your stomach.

There were pictures of Toms lips on yours as you locked in a heated kiss, his hands beneath your shirt and running up your thigh. Blood ran to your already flustered cheeks at the photo of you hiked up on the wall right outside the bar. Of course the two of you had been impatient and of course, Tom couldn’t have taken more care. Suddenly, you hated the previously charming boy.

“This is insane– they can’t do this, can they? Oh my god, my parents are going to kill me– I’ll lose my job and my life. This is humiliating.” You gasp, not knowing exactly what to say so you ramble, a hundred and one questions and statements running through your mind as you stare at all of the photos on the print. You felt embarrassed, blood running straight to your cheeks.

The title was even worse reading ‘Prince Holland out for some fun with a mystery girl.’ You swore you felt bile in the back of your throat. It was a wicked, wild and cruel dream, it simply had to be.

“They can do this and they’ll continue to do it.”

You swallowed thickly, growing angry and concerned and anxious all at the same time because god knows how many people would see these photos and god knows how many people would judge you for it. In a world where people were judgmental and parents were strict, where saving yourself for marriage was a strong belief held by many you could count yourself as good as screwed.

“Why didn’t you tell me about how you were and the consequences before we slept together?” You growl, passing the paper back to him. Staring at the photos made you feel nauseous and suddenly turned a great experience that you had previously basked in, into a scary one. Suddenly you were even afraid to step outside, seriously debating calling off on work.

“I didn’t want you to think any differently of me and can you blame me? I just wanted to be normal for once and I had no idea they followed me, nor how they found me.” Tom replies with wild hand movements. Maybe you should have been working together instead of tearing each other apart but with such frustrated and panicked minds, you were practically running on adrenaline.

You sigh and kick at the ground with your clothed feet, trying to snap yourself out of this in case it was a wild dream, which it sadly was not. “What do we do now?” You ask quietly, staring at the ground.

“I have an idea but you’re going to hate it, just hear me out, okay?” Tom waits for you to nod and you do so hesitantly. “We fake date.” He watches your mouth open nearly immediately and puts a finger up to silence you. “Just long enough to get the people to back off and to make my rep look… the slightest bit better.”

“What’s in it for me? It sounds like this is just a way for you to make yourself look better.” You cross your arms across your chest, glaring at the man. You couldn’t believe the insane offer– it sounded like something he’d come up with while drunk.

He sighs and grips the roots of his hair, looking at the clock to see he had to leave as soon as possible to get back to the castle on time. Harrison could only keep him covered for so long.

“You won’t have to work as long as we’re together, you’ll get to see the castle and–”

“I have no interest in seeing the castle.” Maybe you were being a little harsher then need be.

Tom stops and grits his teeth before continuing. “You won’t have to work, you’ll get to see parts of the country you haven’t seen… maybe even parts of the world. Think hairstylists and makeup artists, designer clothes. Plus, what would your family think of you dating a royal?” Tom stops, taking a deep breath as you stand and tap your foot, playing with the ends of your shirt. “We screwed up and now we have to deal with the consequences.” He says. Tom was just as angry as you, biting the inside of his lip to prevent himself from losing his temper at the girl he’d only know for a little over a day. He’d barely count a one night stand as ‘getting to know someone’.

“No way, I don’t want this.” Your arms flew over your head, anger and frustration coursing through your veins but you were hiding it over layers of what still had to be confusion or the fact that you were overwhelmed. This wasn’t real, none of it was, it had to be a dream. “This is all fucking crazy.” 

“I’d watch that mouth of yours, princesses don’t swear.” Tom tutts. He was just as frustrated as you. He found himself circling your apartment, the small stains that decorated the carpet and ornaments that sat above the fireplace were nothing you’d see at the castle. Blankets were strewn across the couch covered in wrinkles and empty coffee mugs lined the bench. The apartment was nothing more then a shoebox and the boy didn’t remember it being this messy the last time he’d shown up. “C’mon, just for a while then things will go back to normal. Your family won’t be able to hate you and I can sort everything else out, I’m Tom Holland.”

“I’m not a princess.” You cross your arms over your chest like a child throwing a tantrum, the sweater hugging close to your chest. It was a simple grey one from target. You bet princesses didn’t buy their clothes from target. “And this doesn’t mean that I have to like you, does it? Because quite frankly I’m not as nice when I’m sober.”

It was easily the beginning of something big– something totally out of your comfort levels and maybe you were ready for something new, and maybe you just wanted to stay right where you were but the offer was intriguing.

“Look, you just have to pretend that we get along until this all blows over.” Tom shakes his head, brown curls brushing against his forehead. “We fucked up– I fucked up, but this was a two-sided thing. This is the price we pay.”

Leave comments or asks, reblog if you wish!! let’s talk about this chapter

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[obaewankenope]

Absconding with Harry verse Part 4: Bake-Offs and Bees

Here on AO3!

Summary:

“Children are the future, after all. Need the future alive and well to do—well—evil or good, depending on what department you are.”

“Exactly,” Crowley nods. “So I had to step in. Protect a potential investment.”

Fic below the cut!

.

The meeting of Harry and Aziraphale, from Crowley’s point of view, goes a little like this:

“Hello, uh, Harry,” Aziraphale says, nervously, standing near the sofa Crowley had miracled into existence—replacing the original that came with the building and was sort of falling apart at the seams. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Hello,” Harry replies, just as nervously, sitting on the sofa with a glass of mixed berries fruit juice that is obviously nice considering how it’s close to empty. “Do you live with Mister Crowley?”

“I—uh—well—not—not really, no,” the angel replies, stuttering and spluttering over his words—tripping over his tongue due to nerves—and Crowley eyes the angel as a slight blush rises on those pale cheeks. “But—well, I suppose that—that since he stole you and you’re here, then—well—I suppose he does now?”

Crowley was too surprised at the questioning—hopeful—glance Aziraphale threw him to actually answer at the time, but Harry had resolved that problem by nodding and saying: “that makes sense” and that had been the end of it.

Sort of.

“So, angel,” Crowley says, leaning on the back of the sofa with a glass of wine in his hand. The miracled-TV is playing some sort of streaming show—Crowley had made sure it had every channel and streaming service available on it, ensuring that it was free and the charges would end up on some annoying politician’s bill instead—provides a nice background noise that elicits a sort of homely feel to the room.

Aziraphale has, as usual, a customary mug of hot chocolate in his hands as he sits rather stiffly on the other side of the sofa. The angel seems to be quite nervous judging by the way his fingers are playing with the wings of the mug and Crowley finds the sight quite fascinating.

“You haven’t explained to me how you came to steal a child, Crowley,” Aziraphale says, cutting off whatever Crowley was about to say. “I really would like to understand what I’m now complicit in.”

Crowley tilts his head, giving the angel a Knowing Look before he answers. “Not much to explain really,” he begins, “I was heading back from another jaunt down in Surrey—priest who was a little too close to quitting when he’d bring a good couple souls to hell with his hateful language—and decided to pass by the house of the kid who speaks Parseltongue. You know I don’t get to talk to that many who know it too—” he looks at Aziraphale who nods understandingly “—and well, I peeked through the kitchen window from the garden and saw his aunt hitting him with a frying pan. So I thought, ‘that’s not on that’ and intervened. You don’t hit kids. I don’t like that. So yeah. Didn’t think it was a good idea to leave him there either, so now he’s here. That about cover it?”

“Oh, oh my,” Aziraphale breathes, shocked. He takes an automatic sip of his hot chocolate—which Crowley notices is cooling and he flicks his hand to heat it up again—as he thinks. “I understand why you took him then. Hitting a child. Absolutely ghastly.”

“Mhhmm,” Crowley agrees. “No point hitting a kid unless you’re a nasty piece of work. Even demons have limits, you know?”

“Oh yes,” Aziraphale plays along—falling into the usual routine they have over jointly-ignoring-Crowley’s-bouts-of-not-very-demony-demoning-behaviour. “Children are the future, after all. Need the future alive and well to do—well—evil or good, depending on what department you are.”

“Exactly,” Crowley nods. “So I had to step in. Protect a potential investment.”

“Of course.”

Crowley ignores the mocking humour in Aziraphale’s voice, choosing instead to be a Mature Demon and take a large mouthful of his wine rather than responding to the angel with a scowl. The silence falls between them and both angel and demon turn their attention mostly to the TV, noting the show is The Great British Bake-Off[1].

“I suppose we will have to live together,” Aziraphale says a little later on like it’s the most reasonable thing to say in between the episodes when it most certainly isn’t.

“What?” Crowley splutters, after nearly choking on his wine—it was far too good a vintage to actually choke on it so Crowley didn’t, but it was a near thing—giving the angel a genuinely surprised look. “Angel, what?”

“Well,” Aziraphale says, taking a small sip of his hot chocolate—he’s miracled it hot again so many times it might as well be called hot hot chocolate—before continuing, calm and reasonable. “It seems like the reasonable thing to do. Young Harry is going to need guidance from above and below—especially since he lives here. I can’t very well have you live here with him alone; there would be talk[2].”

“Angel,” Crowley growls and Aziraphale shushes him.

“Quiet Crowley! Harry is asleep in the next room! No raising your voice because you’re annoyed with me.” Aziraphale gives him a sharp look that, unfortunately for Crowley, works wonderfully in making him calm down so he doesn’t disturb Harry[3].

“I can’t live here, angel! It’s dangeroussss!” Crowley hisses, and he scowls more. Stupid lisp. “We’re not meant to be seen together; what if someone from our respective offices comes and checks up on us?”

And here Crowley is, actually arguing against something he honestly wants because he’s a paranoid, scaredy snake. Typical.

“We’ll have warning, we always do,” Aziraphale reasons and Crowley scoffs.

“You forget what happened in thirteen-twenty-nine then did you?” he asks, mockingly. Aziraphale scowls at him now. “Thought not. It’s too dangerous angel.”

“But,” Aziraphale says, softly, “Harry wants it.”

Crowley sighs. That—that is a very low blow from the angel. He’d think that Aziraphale Knows about him but Crowley has been ever so very careful to cultivate his image and he maintains it ruthlessly. Yes, okay, not to the point of ignoring children or people who are hurt, but he doesn’t actively endanger the illusion of a demon with No Memory Of Before like this.

Usually.

“You really are a bastard, angel,” he says, slumping down in the sofa with a defeated expression. “That was a low blow, even for you.”

Aziraphale—the smug bastard—just smiles at him. “It really was, wasn’t it?” he says, pleased because Crowley has agreed and the angel knows it.

“You are so lucky I like you,” Crowley mutters, flicking his hand at the TV. Aziraphale’s little gasp of complaint is ignored as The Great British Bake-Off becomes one of the worst horror movies ever created: The Bee movie[4].

“I’m still not sorry,” Aziraphale admits, an hour later, head tucked into Crowley’s side where he’d shoved it after ten minutes of the film.

Crowley just smiles, safe to do so since the angel can’t see it where he’s burrowed in the demon’s side. “Neither am I,” he replies.

This is their relationship in a nutshell. It’s one that Harry will appreciate more and more every day, especially the day he turns eleven and receives a letter via owl that declares him a wizard and to attend a magical school in Scotland. He does not, however, appreciate the hissing-cursing from Crowley when he reads the name of the headmaster for the school. Aziraphale is none-too-pleased either, though he does avoid cursing in front of Harry—the angel chooses instead to accidentally turn Harry’s waffles into pancakes cut in the shape of a wizard’s hat with obnoxiously brightly coloured stars and moons on it. Aziraphale refuses to explain what that is about and Harry wisely doesn’t push the issue.

That is how life for Harry James Potter—absconded by a demon from Number Four Privet Drive at the age of nine—is already wonderous before he even hears of Hogwarts.

His friends will never believe him when he tells them he has an angel and a demon for uncles. He can’t wait.

[1] Crowley tried to claim credit for the show when reports of wannabe bakers and cake makers attacking each other over their icing technique reached hell, but the positive aspects of the show resulted in him admitting that he was only responsible for the idea of the show not the execution. That he laid at Aziraphale’s feet. It’s one of the achievements that heaven considers Good since it allowed quite a significant number of souls entry to heaven because of altruistic actions by said souls through cupcakes and other baked goods.

[2] The type of talk Aziraphale means is not, as you would expect, talk from heaven or hell. It is, in fact, more talk from his neighbours. They have long assumed Aziraphale to be a bachelor with no life except his books and the sudden presence of a child in his living space above the shop would induce them to Question Him. In Aziraphale’s mind this is far worse than heaven asking after a child living with him. At least heaven can be distracted with a memo or two of miracles; Aziraphale’s neighbours aren’t quite that easy to tame.

[3] Although he could easily miracle it so that Harry will not wake up no matter how loud they are, the fact that Harry is magical means that Crowley isn’t entirely certain it would work. Not with the instinctive magic magical children often perform. Crowley suspects that an absence of noise and other signs of life outside the confines of wherever Harry is sleeping would be anxiety-inducing—thus his magic would naturally seek to reduce the anxiety by countering whatever miracle Crowley performed to keep the child from being disturbed by his and Aziraphale’s antics. In short, he can’t make Harry not hear them because then Harry will want to hear them and that will cause Problems later on.

[4] The Bee movie isn’t, technically, a horror film. It’s impossible for it to be one on its own merit. However. The fact that the internet has collectively decided to be traumatised by a film wherein a woman falls in love with a bee has produced a lot—and I say a lot, reader—of material that is just too disturbing to consider. Crowley loves the entire chaos the film has created and took even greater pleasure than he would otherwise have done in exposing Aziraphale to it all by switching out one of his beloved books with a print out of every comment, piece of art, and reddit page relating to the film. The angel still twitches whenever he sees a book about bees.

[liam-93-productions]

Liam’s Interview for Men’s Health Australia

When we arrive in springtime London to meet with singer Liam Payne, he’s at the centre of a heaving team of staff, fussing around a small hotel room in the heart of the city. It’s a small whirlwind overlooking a comparatively peaceful Hyde park.

Amongst all the drama, Payne remains unruffled. He’s alert, aware of every person and conversation in the room, yet oddly at ease with the lunacy ensuing, greeting me with a traditional British bro-shake.

His calm under pressure is perhaps a product of his adolescent stint as one-fifth of the world’s biggest boy band, One Direction, an experience in which an ability to find your equilibrium amid chaos was an essential survival skill.

What’s immediately apparent is that Payne is a surprisingly self-aware and largely egoless 25-year- old, no mean feat for a man who’s helped sell over 50 million albums in the past decade.

“You’re kind of known sometimes as, ‘the guy from that band’, which is not really where you want to be at a certain point,” Payne says within minutes of our first meeting. It’s a refreshing show of vulnerability so early on, setting the tone for a poignant, sometimes emotionally raw two-day encounter with the star. “If you are what you think you are, then you don’t have to fucking prove anything.”

Delivered with a hint of defiance, it’s a sentiment that applies whether you happen to be a popstar or a product manager.

“I’ve got a lot of things wrong in my time, but they were also the moments that I’ve learned the most about myself,” Payne adds. “The moments to do with fear, patience, intelligence, all those different things.”

The truth is, Payne has lived his life in fast forward, cramming youthful missteps, naïve blunders and redemptive wisdom into one dizzying decade in the crucible of pop-culture stardom, a vortex that generally chews up and spits out young men. Instead he’s emerged, if not fully formed, then certainly as a man acutely aware of who he is. He’s as unsure as the rest of us what happens next – there aren’t many five-year plans in pop stardom – but you’d be hard-pressed to find a guy more ready to seize his potential and make his mark. And that’s an enviable position to be in, whatever direction you want life to take you.

BOY BAND BLUES

At the height of their success, One Direction achieved the impossible, inducing Sixties-style hysteria in an era deemed too atomised for such levels of superstardom. A five-piece boy band, manufactured on TV’s X-Factor by none other than Simon Cowell, with universal appeal. The mop-top haircuts, cheesy grins and wholesome values echoed boy bands of decades past, with an updated millennial twist.

To fully grasp the band’s gigantic pop-cultural footprint consider this: One Direction are the only band in history to have their first four albums debut at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat not even The Beatles managed in their heyday.

“It literally was the perfect storm,” remembers Payne. “There were so many scenarios that had to fall into line for that to happen. It’s not something that can easily be recreated or probably ever will be because of the way the Internet was kicking off, the way The X Factor kicked off. I just  think it was just dumb luck.”

Prior to meeting Payne I’d been given strict instructions not to ask any One Direction-related questions. As it turns out Payne freely offers up details of his decade in the eye of the boyband storm. Indeed, he’s happy to share, almost as a cautionary tale.

“It’s difficult when you have the level of fame that we had in the band,” he says. “There have been a lot of people in trouble with mental health that aren’t really getting the help that they need and I think that’s a bit of a problem in our industry. It’s the same shit that happens to everyone, that’s been happening since the 70’s. You know what the traps are and if you are lucky enough, like me, to be able to get out of that scenario and back into a sense of normality, then you know it’s a bit different.”

Payne was only 14 when One Direction blew up. Forced to grow and mature under the magnifying glass of the global media, his adolescence quickly became click-bait fodder and, despite the companionship of fellow band members, he remembers his 1D days as a lonely time, punctuated by alcohol abuse.

“When you’re doing hundreds and hundreds of [concerts] and it’s the same 22 songs at the same time every single day, even if you’re not happy, you’ve got to go out there,” he says. “It’s almost like putting the Disney costume on before you step up on stage and underneath the Disney costume I was pissed quite a lot of the time because there was no other way to get your head around what was going on. I mean it was fun. We had an absolute blast but there were certain parts of it where it just got a little bit toxic.”

It’s the only time in my two days with Payne that the mood darkens. The sentiment echoes around the empty room for a moment, Payne’s eyes glazing over as he’s transported back to those riotous days. Did he ever feel in control during those times? “No. Never.”

“I still struggle with it now,” he adds. “I really struggle to say no because I don’t like to let people down. It’s in my nature.”

If there’s anything Payne hopes his fans take away from his time in fame’s spin cycle, it’s to embrace your past for what it is and grow from it. That way, at least, you ensure the only direction in which you can head is forward.

PAYNE AND GAIN

As if to remind us that we are in fact in the UK, on my seconds day with Payne the spring weather gives way to frosty winds and constant light drizzle. It doesn’t seem to bother anyone in Payne’s camp. Today is the singer’s turn in front of the camera and he wears the dreary London day as well as his perfectly-tailored suit. 

After much negotiation, we manage to get onto the rooftop of The Beaumont Hotel, giving Payne a chance to survey his turf. It’s the most at ease I’ve seen him in our time together, the rain seemingly washing away the last traces of his boyish nervousness.

For all his self-discovery and reflection, Payne seems to have solace from the trials of pop stardom in fitness. He’s energetic and you get the sense his next workout is never far from his mind. Even as we shoot on The Beaumont’s suddenly wet rooftop, he jumps at the chance to squeeze in a few triceps dips on a flimsy railing. It’s an odd look, the former boy-band star dressed in a beautifully tailored Hugo Boss suit, the contrast perhaps symbolic of the crossroads Payne now finds himself at. 

The less than optimal workout gear not withstanding, Payne credits his newfound fondness for fitness for keeping him on the straight and narrow. 

“For me, working out was one of the things that I really wanted to tick of the list ‘cause I always saw myself as that sort of sporty active person and I actually wasn’t,” he says, “I was smoking tons of cigarettes and drinking alcohol. It was the complete opposite but in my head I was still a 14 year-old cross country runner who was fucking on top of the table.”

And although it seems Payne may have simply traded one addiction for another, there’s no denying the positive effects his commitment to movement has had on him. 

“I run every morning at the moment,” he says, showing off pictures from this morning’s run on his phone. “I’ve been getting up and doing a before sunrise sort of thing, whereas before I would have been out of bed at 11 and smoking cigarettes.”

Surprisingly for a man of his age, Payne’s workout motivation remains relatively pure, free of any vanity and at odds with the current gym-bro culture. 

“I think it’s just having a gentler approach to things and not thinking that everything has to be brawn, muscle and testosterone,” he says. “Man, just fucking be a man about it but do it gently.”

At the same time his fitness journey isn’t solely about pursuing emotional growth. Payne is keen to increase his strength, offering inspiration to fellow “lanky lads”.

“My biggest problem training wise has always been trying to bulk up,” he says. “Bulking up is super hard and my metabolism is just so quick and I’m always on the go, so fitting food in has always been quite hard.”

Currently eating over 12,000 kJ a day in pursuit of size, no doubt spurred on by his latest workout partner, Mark Wahlberg. Payne needs to mantain this high-energy intake and systematic recovery plan to sustain his vigorous training schedule. And it doesn’t come easy. “I have ice baths every single day”, he says. “It’s a fucking mission to get yourself in and out.”

Hard as it may be, fitness has become Payne’s sanctuary, the therapy that keeps his mind in the right place. “The moment you have that little bit of time to yourself where you put your body through a bit of stress, it’s like everything just starts to fall into place.”

FIND YOUR BEARINGS

As I accompany Payne to meetings with stylists and photo shoots for German fashion house Hugo Boss, it’s hard not to reflect on the duality of his circumstances. It’s clear Payne is caught somewhere between boy and man. He mantains the youthful energy and humour that endeared him to millions of teenage girls worldwide, yet there’s a vulnerability and self-awareness many pop stars could benefit from. The partnership with the fashion giant makes a lot of sense, with Payne looking to solidify himself as a man of style and the brand hoping to appeal to a new generation. In Payne, they’ve found the perfect bridge between the old and the new. 

The singer certaintly brings edgy appeal and a generous dollop of street creed to the table. 

“I haven’t really managed to settle,” he says (...), as we approach at his mate’s photography studio. “(...) Everything happens five years earlier in my life. I should just blame Brexit. It’s fucking Brexit.”

“I’m single... with a goal,” he continues, as he holds me back from a passing black cab. He has a cheeky look, (...).

(...)

(...) although Payne isn’t in a rush to define himself as a solo artist just yet. Unlike his fellow 1D grads, he’s yet to release a full album, instead biding his time to explore his sound and, indeed, himself. 

“At the moment, I’m kind of song searching a little bit, which is hard because a lot of songs sound the same to me,” Payne says. “I hope to tell more of a story about myself with the music. I think the first few songs I’ve done were fun and we were very lucky with the success we had, but it doesn’t necessarily paint the right picture of me.”

Indeed, Payne is keen to distance himself from the image he initially portrayed following the 1D departure, despise the success he enjoyed. On sales alone, he’s the most successful of the One Direction alumni. But he insists that the “Lamboghinis, big houses, flash shit, gold chains” have given way to “pick up trucks, lakes, sunrises”. 

“It might seem crazy, like a midlife crisis, but I don’t give a shit,” he says. “That’s what I enjoy doing. And then you just kind of have to develop on top of what you like. And I know what I like is getting up and watching the sun come up. And I can do that every single day, free of charge.”

He admits that it’s a complete transformation. He’s not wrong. For a man whose life and career have been shaped by sharp and distint trajectories, this qualifies as a very clear 180.  

[superrichlads]

“I always work off the motto of, ‘if you think you’re working hard, there’s always someone else who’s working harder’… there is nothing easy about the sport or music industries, and you have to work so hard to be successful.” - Niall Horan

On The Loose: released official fourth single from Flicker, including a radio edit, lyric video (rip), official video, behind the scenes video, Basic Tape remix, Slenderbodies remix, acoustic version, acoustic video, and vertical video So Long: performed unreleased song on piano throughout Flicker World Tour dates Mirrors EP: released on vinyl for Record Store Day 2018 Seeing Blind: released acoustic video, live video, and radio single in Australia Finally Free: released song for Smallfoot soundtrack and live video recorded at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles Flicker (song): released as a radio single in the Netherlands Flicker featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra: released live album in Ireland, featuring nine songs including an official live version of previously unreleased song So Long

81 tour dates: across Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, playing arenas, amphitheatres, state/regional fairs, and large theatres Featured opening acts & special guests: including Wild Youth (Killarney), Julia Michaels (Europe), RuthAnne (Dublin), Lewis Capaldi (Glasgow), Hailee Steinfeld (London), Maren Morris (NZ, Australia, the Americas), Jayda (Manila), Ming Bridges (Singapore), Sugar Me (Tokyo) Setlist: featured 14-15 original songs and 3-4 covers Regular covers: Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen), Crying in the Club (Camila Cabello), Drag Me Down and Fool’s Gold (One Direction) Covers for select tour dates: Dancing in the Moonlight (Thin Lizzy - Dublin night 1), Where the Street’s Have No Name (U2 - Dublin night 2), Won’t Back Down (Tom Petty - Greek Theatre LA, Red Rocks & others), New York State of Mind (Billy Joel - Jones Beach Theater, Long Island), Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles - final September tour dates) Filmed Red Rocks show: for potential future release Top 50 worldwide tours of 2018: selling more than 445,000 tickets

BBC Biggest Weekend: played a six-song set on the second day of the festival in Swansea Reputation Tour: special guest for Taylor Swift’s first night at Wembley Stadium, performing Slow Hands together RTÉ Concert Orchestra special: performed nine songs from the Flicker album for broadcast in Ireland, later broadcast in France & South Africa Sounds Like Friday Night: performed acoustic version of On The Loose & interview  New York State Fair: played the headline show on the final day of the fair Official livestream: of Flicker World Tour Amsterdam show, in partnership with Live Nation, for a global streaming audience Late Late Show: performed Slow Hands on London episode Virtual reality concert: made London Flicker Sessions show available on MelodyVR platform

Sounds Like Friday Night: interview on BBC RTE: interview with Eoghan McDermott, as part of RTE Concert Orchestra Special The Project: interview on Australian TV The Voice Australia: guest mentor with Delta Goodrem Today Show: interview on Australian TV Sunrise: interview on Australian TV Studio 10: interview on Australian TV Late Late Show: guest on London show, brief appearance on show in October

TalkSport: co-hosted breakfast radio show in January & September Dubai Desert Classic: played in Pro-Am with Rory McIlroy and a competition winner, and participated in a golf clinic, helping two of his Modest! Golf clients gain entry to the pro event US Golf Masters: ambassador for Drive, Chip & Putt competition Ladies golf: signed Maguire sisters to Modest! Golf, announced Ladies event for NI Open in 2019 Ryder Cup: played in celebrity match & Team Europe ambassador BMW PGA Championship: played in Pro-Am with the winner of a BBC Children in Need charity auction Sky Sports British Masters: played in Pro-Am Interviews: ESPN, SkySports, BBC Radio 5, Golf Channel, Bunkered, Ladies European Tour, The Irish Times, Golf Magic, among others LUFC: provoked an infamous Twitter clapback from Leeds United Modest! Golf: supported four players who have secured tour cards for 2019

Irish referendum: supported the yes vote to legalise abortion March for Our Lives: supported cousin’s participation in march for gun control US politics: publicly denounced Trump (again) US mid-term elections: urged US citizens to vote

Horan & Rose: hosted the second edition of the charity gala & golf event, upping the total money raised for charity to £1.5 million to date Charity t-shirt: released second charity t-shirt raising funds for Cancer Research UK and the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation Rays of Sunshine: hosted teens at Flicker World Tour London soundcheck & show, donated Jingle Bell Ball Santa shirt for charity raffle Charity auctions: donated items for multiple fundraisers, including a signed guitar & VIP concert experience for a Grammy auction raising $4,500 for Musicares Foundation; signed boots to a Small Steps charity auction, raising £1,130; signed artwork; signed guitar to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation auction, raising €4,000 Anti-bullying Week: supported efforts to stop cyber-bullying on Twitter Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr: supported Brazilian football superstar’s work providing education for kids in Praia Grande, Brazil World Cancer Day: supported Cancer Research UK’s Unity Band initiative LauraLynn Hospice: spent time with kids in hospice care before Flicker World Tour Dublin show

BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw: how real are these Niall Horan ‘facts’?, can Niall Horan remember his own lyrics? BBC Radio 1 Biggest Weekend: when Niall Horan met Shawn Mendes BBC Radio 1 Biggest Weekend with Matt & Mollie: Niall Horan answers questions he’s never been asked before EW: Niall Horan listens to Dua Lipa, Springsteen and more on tour - check out his exclusive playlist Billboard Pop Shop podcast: Niall Horan on new song 'Finally Free,' 'disappearing' after tour to work on next album & 8 Years of One Direction MORE FM: Niall Horan talks about his “intimate” connection with NZ The Edge afternoons with Jono, Ben & Sharon: Niall Horan talks about being mates with Dan Carter The Edge 30: Niall Horan says NZ is his favourite country to perform in Nova 969 Smallzy’s Surgery: could new Niall Horan music be on the way? Nova 969 Smallzy's Surgery: Smallzy’s backstage tour with Niall Horan Nova 969 Fitzy & Wippa: exclusive chat On Air with Ryan Seacrest: Niall Horan recalls best Flicker World Tour moments so far FUN 107 The Michael Rock Show: Niall Horan surprising secret to great hair Walk 97.5 Christina Kay: interview Coup de Main: interview - Niall Horan on his upcoming NZ show, recording live, and honesty in writing ‘Flicker’  Coup de Main cover story: interview - eye to eye with Niall Horan GQ Italia cover story: Niall Horan: my life after One Direction George Ezra & Friends the podcast: Series 2, Episode 1 Zeit Leo: "I get restless very quickly." Singer Niall Horan has a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder. How music helps him, he tells here.

GQ Italia: Music Issue cover shoot Paul Smith: guest at Paris fashion show and spent time with the designer in his studio Revista GQ: Niall Horan is, right now, the only person who knows how to wear a shirt with undershirt as it’s done in 2018 Fashion Bean: best-dressed men of the week

US RIAA certifications: Slow Hands 3 x platinum, This Town 2 x platinum UK Official Charts certifications: Flicker x gold Australia ARIA certifications: Slow Hands 5 x platinum, Flicker x gold Canada Gold/Platinum certifications: Slow Hands 5 x platinum, Too Much To Ask x platinum Chile certification: Flicker x platinum Songwriting awards: BMI London Pop Awards Song for Slow Hands, BMI Los Angeles Award Winning Songs for Slow Hands & This Town  Spotify milestone: Flicker surpassed 1 billion streams in June 2018 Billboard #1s: achieved his 9th solo Billboard chart number 1, with Too Much To Ask reaching #1 on the Dance Club Songs Chart Billboard Year-End 2018: achieved album, song, radio, social and artist entries on the year-end charts US radio: On the Loose became Niall's fourth Top 20 single on Hot AC radio, and fourth single to chart on Mainstream Pop, Hot AC & AC radio formats, reaching #22 on pop radio Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Finally Free nominated for Original Song - Animated Film RTE Choice Music Prize: Slow Hands nominated for Irish Song of the Year iHeartRadio Awards 2018: winner of Best New Pop Artist & Best Lyrics (Slow Hands)

April: using soundchecks to come up with ideas October: wrote a tune on the piano November: ‘3 days into making tunes and it’s feeling good !!!!!’, ‘exciting watching ideas come to life in the studio’, in the studio with Julian Bunetta & John Ryan in Los Angeles I / II / III / IV, RuthAnne Cunningham tells CelebMix she will be writing with Niall for NH2 December: ‘exciting week of writing’, writing session with Jamie Scott, Mike Needle & Dan Bryer in London, ‘very much in writing mode’

Everyone loved Niall: and Niall loved everyone, but especially Hailee Steinfeld, whom he quietly dated while avoiding the media circus which often surrounds celeb relationships.

Soundcheck Q&A and Meet & Greets: made fan engagement a central part of his Flicker World Tour experience Golf events: made time for fans who came out to see him play at pro-am events Maintained boundaries: called out fans for taking creep shots & obnoxious behaviour Calmed audiences: and looked out for the wellbeing of fans at his shows, especially in Latin America Twitter & Instagram: read and responded to fan tweets and questions with a mixture of sincerity, gratitude, brutal honesty, and humour Jade: made one young fan’s night (/life) by inviting her up on stage to dance at the Allentown Fair show

Baby Marit: melted hearts everywhere offering reassurance to two new dads

[thepageofa1000worlds]

Pairing: James Conrad x reader Part 1 · Part 2  · Part 3 · Part 4 · Part 5 · Part 6 ·

Synopsis: After having left thing uncompleted and unresolved with James Conrad 3 years ago, you two find yourself again in the kong island. What happened three years ago with you two? How is it that you got to make part of an expeditionary mission?

Song: Ólafur Arnalds- So Far

Warnings: it’s a six part mini-series, this is part to and also its a slow burn.

A/N:  btw viktor ( in the gift the one in light blue) is a mood if I were ever stranded on an island.

Words:  3338

   “ What about your helicopter? “ Asked Brooks, you sighted.

   “ Scatter in pieces along the island “

   “ Have you found anyone else?” Questioned Slivko next.

   “ Only you six, although my coms did picked someone else, but the battery died before I could ask who”

   “It is best if we keep moving” interrupted James. “ We are out in the open and we’re running out of daylight”

    He was right as always, the more terrain you all walked in daylight was better and just as you expected he took the lead.

Seeing him made you remember when both of you used to walk around your father’s property while hiding your brother Christmas gifts.

   “ So you didn’t catch who it was on the other side of the radio? “ Asked Slivko at your side.

   “ For all, I know it could’ve been you,” You said sadly. He sighed.

   You were glad that walking wasn’t as painful as you thought it would be, because even if the group had organized itself to match your steps, they were still walking pretty fast.

You were right behind James who after analyzing your wound came to the conclusion that you wouldn’t be able to shot a weapon the size that he had, so instead, you showed him your gun which agreed that it was better than nothing.

   Being the only one in the entire group that was wounded noticeably, it was better to keep you in the middle where if anything were to happened people could aid you.

   Conrad couldn’t avoid looking occasionally behind him to know that you were right there, the times you catch him you would smile sweetly and he would once again look ahead.  

   You were looking at the floor to avoid tripping over branches when you felt him stop suddenly, stopping right before crashing with him. Looking around you understood why he had stopped, this part of the jungle lead to something else. James right arm found your waist, making you stay behind his much bigger frame. You didn’t minded, as he had a bigger gun. He slowly moved to examine the place and you followed close by.

   You were looking at Mason taking the photograph when her sudden gasp made you look directly to the wall, instantly backing away, movement from behind you made you turn sharply. Seeing those people make the air leave your lungs and you could fell you body popping adrenaline ready to fight.

   “ Conrad” you heard Mason said.

   “ Stay calm” advice him while raising his gun.

   Many of the people in the group had too, all of them raising their guns and making the circle smaller until you could feel all their backs.

   “ Guys” you murmured, but to no effect

   Mason was now close to you in the middle of the circle that the group had formed. She was the only one that gratefully moved a little not to hurt you. Taking your gun you pointed it to the small space in which Mason was, as she didn’t have a gun herself. The pain that shot through your left arm while raising it reminded you of the wound on your arm.

   “ Don’t shot” keep repeating James.

   “ Whoa, whoa, whoa,” said someone from the entrance of the strange place. Moments later a man with a long beard and an old military uniform appeared. You exchanged worried looks with Mason through his entire presentation. Hank Marlow, he presented himself, he had been on the island for 28 years, literally your life span. However, the most amazing thing was James’ face as the man was explaining how he had landed in there.

   “ You don’t want to be out here at night,” said Marlow.

   “ Nether at day,” You said while following, the chuckle that came from James made you look at him strangely.

   “ What?” He asked

   “ You just chuckled,” You said plainly.

   “ Not even in a life or death situation you lose your sense of humour,” he said while offering you a side smile, then his face went back to its original — not so smiley— position. “ Your bleeding”

   You examine your bandages and found an even bigger blood spot. You sighed.

   “ Tell me something I don’t know”

   After finding out that kong wasn’t the biggest nor the scariest monster out there, the idea of there being a way out of the island was like a dream come true, until Conrad was presented with the grey fox.

   “ Lovely,” he said with on an elevated level of sarcasm.

   “ Damn right,” said Hank at his side.

   Conrad could hear your not so silent laughter at his side.

   “ Those this thing even floats?”  Asked Slivko at your side, you were still laughing.

   You kneeled down between Slivko and Conrad, enjoying the story of how Hank and his friend had built the boat out of airplane parts.

   “ you’ve gotta be kidding me, this thing looks like its made out of tetanus”

   Conrad could hear you laughing, which made him smile too. He had forgotten, how you laughed and the level of sarcasm you handled; He found himself remembering what it was to be with you. How it would be late at night when both of you were near the fireplace, always talking about anything and everything that came. How you two had fallen asleep, you in the sofa and him on the floor near it, while waiting for your brother who swore would not take to long to arrive.

   He remembered how Dave had arrived in the morning and try to make both of you move to your rooms, for you to only pull the covers over your head. From the floor, Conrad looked at your form on the edge of the sofa and could only think of how adorable you looked.

   After accepting to work on the grey fox he at least got his hopes up on getting off the island.

   “ Ok, so we got 48 hrs. To make it to the North shore” He said while looking at Slivko who was meddling with some cables. “ Are you sure you know what you doing?”

   “ If I don’t fix this, he’ll disown me,” Said him referring to his dad.

   Hearing Conrad explain the Cold War to hank, was one of the most amazing things in the world. He was by no means a teacher nor a historian.

   “ Hold the phone there Churchill, Russia was our ally now you're saying we’re at war with them? “

   “ It more of a cold war “ Replied James.

   “ Like they take the summers off? “ You were at Hanks side and looking at the confusion and disbelieve on James’ face, you cursed that Mason was away with the camera. His eyes locked with yours as if asking if this man was serious.

   “ Oh my lord” you expressed still looking at him. A smile spread on your face while trying not burst out laughing once again, as you learned that laughing too much made the wound sting.

It had stopped bleeding but you now had to make sure that it wasn’t infected and that meant, removing the bandages.

   It took you some time to clean the wound and the help of Mason to put the bandages back on.

   “ Did you take photographs ?” You asked between greeted teeth, because of the pain

   “ As many as I could take,” She said while finishing a small knot. “ are you sure this is not dangerous?”

   “ It had stopped bleeding not long after you all found me, but in the middle of the panic of being surrounded by them” You made moved your head towards the people “ I raised my gun and my shoulder didn’t like I was trying to keep my self alive”

   “ You shouldn’t move it too much” she pointed out.

   “  I know” you sighted “ Sadly that's a luxury I can't give myself, everything her seems to try to kill us “

   Mason and you walked around the camp, as you accompany her to take more photographs.

   “ So, what do you do? “ she asked, “ I mean, how are you in here?”

   You were behind her looking at the people gathering for the photo, even if they didn’t talk you could see that they did understand signals.

   “ I work for monarch” you explained “ formerly a doctor, I was ascended a couple of years ago” Mason’s face showed how surprised she was of your answer.

   “ I didn’t paint you as a doctor, I mean” she stopped to take another photo of a cabin. “ you were the pilot of one of the helicopters and you know how to handle a gun”

    “ I was trained,” you said “  Packard was the one who toughs me how to fly and helicopter” both of you start walking back to the place you would be staying, as the sun was setting down. “ He’s my dad’s friend and one time I wake up to see that out of the blue and gonna learn to be a pilot” You both laugh.

   “ Out of nowhere?” Asked Mason, with surprise on her voice.

   “ The summer before I had thrown the idea but I didn’t though my father would have taken it so literally” She raised her eyebrows.

   “ And the shooting?”

   “ Oh, that my brother and at the time captain Conrad’s idea”

   Mason was observing you, you were maybe two or three years younger than her. Your British accent not as pronounced but still linger in the way you talked. She had seen you on the ship and even presented herself to you while you were on your pilot gear, You’ve been cutting Chapman’s hair while joking of how close was he of turning into sheep. You seem to know the team, but now and then one would ask where had you been.

   “ So he toughs you to shoot “ She confirmed.

   “ Well, they were both a common occurrence” you looked behind, to the gigantic wall that separated this small village with the rest of the island. “ They would finish a mission and if they had time would come over, once they got into this big competition of who was better at shooting,” You said smiling at the memory. “ My dad made part of it too, and I was a judge” looking at the place you would be staying the night it wasn’t so bad, a little rusty but it serves its purpose.

   “ So?” She asked after you went to silence for a little too long. You looked at her and smile.

   “ My father won, but I think it was because James respected him too much. After that, they said I could try”

   “How was it?” She asked

   “ The first time I almost shot my brother as he was explaining about the safety catch” Of how much you laughed you felt the sting on your left shoulder, deciding to watch the sunset you seated near the hole on the wall.

   Looking up at the night sky, you felt relaxed for the first time In the day. The Northern lights had appeared and were a spectacle to watch. You could hear people inside the small room talk, yet, your thoughts were raising from one event to the next one. You were seated in the floor looking through the hole on the wall, while Mason put up her equipment.

   “ Beautiful isn’t,” She said

   “ yes” You whispered.

   “ Those it hurt ?” she signalled to the wound

   “ Now it doesn’t” You inform

   “ I mean we all got out without more than a scratch and you were stab,” she said looking down at you.

   “ My luck” you smiled causing her to laugh. After cleaning it up and washing the bandages, you had gotten to the conclusion that it wasn’t infected.

   You saw Mason meddling with her camera, but you didn’t hear the small ‘ click ‘ that came when she took a picture. Mason looked at you and raised a small metal tube on her hand.

   “ My flashlight broke”

   Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw James approach both of you.

   “ Isn’t it odd, the most dangerous places are always the most beautiful “

   He hadn’t changed much. You had kept him out of your head and heart for so long that when you saw him today at the lake, you didn’t even know how to feel; now with the silence of the night, your thoughts took force.

   Three years ago you both had parted ways, but before that, you knew him for years. Your brother had also been SAS, After a hard mission, you brother offered he who back then was Captain James Conrad a stay in your house as they both thought about what had happened.

   When arriving home later the same week, you got home from school and found your brother, father and a man you didn’t know, enjoying themselves before the chimney.

   You’ve been introduced to you brother’s S.A.S  Captain. That had been the first time but not the last, it was strange for Dave to bring things like work at home, as he had decided to keep the family away from danger.

Some months later during the family plus James meeting, they told your dad what had happened during a mission to rescue a small child, illegitimate daughter of a Malaysian woman and British embassy worker, and how everything seemed to have been arranged for them to fail.

   Both your father and you had told how they were possibly right about the setup, an illegitimate child would make it to the news if England wanted something it was done. So they possibly wanted to say they had sent S.A.S soldiers but that the mission had taken a sour turn and ended in the death of more than one individual.

   Both he and your brother had stayed a couple of weeks, who had gladly lined up with winter break. During his time there, you three would do everything and everything to keep the boredom away.

   Returning from memory lane, you notice that Mason had gotten to take her picture with the help of James.

   “ I suppose no man comes home from war, not really” You heard James said.    you remember how the story of his dad and how he left and never come home.

   “ No, they don’t “ You whispered still looking directly at the sky.

   Mason didn’t need to be a mind reader to see how Conrad's eyes fixed on you after he heard you. She had also remembered watching how his face went black after he found you on the lake, but his eyes, they showed something else. Deciding that as none of you would take the lead, she would, thanking Conrad she walked to the back of the room to see if you two could at least talk whatever had happened and was still going on.

   From the corner of your eye, you saw Mason leave and you turned your head towards her form with a questioning look, she had left so sudden; the look she gave you back was that of someone not amuse, but you couldn’t comprehend what she wanted.

   Conrads moved and sat next to you, he had understood the little stun that Mason had played. Giving you space so you could talk.

   “ and you, how did you get on all of this ? “ he asked you

   You remembered that they say something about people eyes not changing and they were right, looking at his eyes, they hadn’t change a bit in so long.

   “ Am part of the team” You said avoiding his eyes.

   “ Of whose team? “ There were some things he just couldn’t understand, how had you ended up as a pilot of an all-male team adding to the million questions piling up. He was trying to make eye contact, which you avoided like the plague.

   “ Monarch,” said Brooks behind both of you. You turned to see him in the back, offering a thankful smile as he had answered. You rearranged your seating position so that you could face the room, as it seemed they all had questions regarding you.

   “ Monarch” repeated James incredulously. He frowned while mirroring your position and facing the room, the northern lights long forgot.

   “ Yes, she’s our mission supervisor,” Said San.

   “ Mission supervisor“ repeated Conrad at your side

   “ Are you okay? “ you asked faking worry, everyone looked at you questionable.

   “ Yes, why?”

   “ I was thinking you had a concussion, I mean your slower today at processing information” Everyone on the room let out a laugh, even James himself.

   “ I just thought you wanted something else” Something about the way he looked at you, made your heart clench inside. You were studying to be a doctor and you remember telling him, the smile that spread through his face, which gave you the courage you needed to really go for it.

   “ Well, it seems I will have my personal doctor” he joked that day.

   Conrad’s visits in the following years, to your house, increased. With time you got used to calling him James, not long after your brother and he came the first time. You shortly became friends and it surprised you when you were the first he had told his idea of leaving the S.A.S.

   “ I finished meds school and got a job not long after on Monarch” you explained “ I got assigned to multiple things and in three years they turned me into the mission supervisor” you shrugged.

   “ So you are the one who accepted me into this mission?” Asked Mason, you had omitted that part on your talk earlier today.

   “ I liked your job” you smiled at her “ Other than you and my team, I trusted Randa to know what he had to do, he gave me the list of names of people in the mission, I just looked over it but did not read between the lines”

   “ Oh, thank you,” Said an offended Victor.

   “ I mean” You tried explaining “ I got into a plane so I could get to the departure place and I swear I was too tired”

   “ What about me?” Asked Conrad

   “ Randa told me he got this guy, a tracker somewhere on Saigon and I just” You shrugged, Conrad frown.

   “ You didn’t even know I was coming”

   “ In her defence, Randa told me he got the name from a fellow comrade” Said Brook.

   “ A fellow comrade ?” You repeated, your brain processing

   “ Now whose the slow at the processing of information?” Said James mockingly

   “ Still you” you responded seriously, everyone burst out laughing “ Of course, let me guess,” you said, going back to the original topic.

   “ Yes,” Said brooks before you finished “ It was Dave”

   You remember Dave telling you of Conrad's missions the following years after you said goodbye, he was always the one who wanted you both together the most, after him, your dad was a close contender.

   “ Well, I think we better sleep, we should wake up early in hopes to get in time” Said Marlow from where he was.

   You followed James to another room, much like the one you had just come from but with more space on the floor and a smaller hole on the wall. You opened your bag and took out your jacket, folding it to make the best made up pillow ever. James sat down right next to you as the rest of the team find their spot in the ground.

   “ Thanks” you whispered after a while, so it didn’t bother the rest of the people there, some who were already sleeping.

   “ For what?” He was still sitting while you were lying with your head on your jacket.

   “ For keeping them save” You singles towards the rest of the team.

   “ That's for what you paid me”

   “ Still, the circumstances are not what you expected” you offered an apologetic smile. Unable to find sleep, you saw how Conrad lay down, though, he too seemed unable to sleep. You were laying over your Right arm, where you could see James laying on his back.

   “ What?” He asked, noticing that you were looking at him.

   “ Do you think we’re really getting out of here?” You asked but to the end of the question, your voice was a mere whisper.

   Something about the way you had asked let Conrad, to really see how afraid you really were.

   “ We will” he whispered.

    You stayed awake a little longer, enough to hear when his breathing became even; and somehow knowing he was there lower your anxiousness and let you finally fall asleep.

Masterlist 

[rxbelling-hxrald]

The rules are simple! post ten characters you’d like to roleplay as, then tag ten people to do the same ( if you can’t think of ten characters, just write down however many you can and tag the same amount of people ). aside from that, please repost instead of reblogging.

Tagged by: Stole it

1: Dr Eggman/Robotnik (Sonic Series, If I had the confidence, resources and allowed my love for the character to take place I’d make a blog for him in a heartbeat. but feel I wouldn’t give the doctor the justice he deserves though, especially seeing the quality of others around :) )

2: Gleeman Vox (Ratchet and Clank Series, Gladiator/Deadlocked. I once tried to run a blog as him under a slight AU in how Vox managed to survive after the events of the game. but didn’t seem to kick off sadly.)

3: Commander/Admiral Zhao (Avatar: The Last Airbender Series/ Legend of Korra if you count that one episode too. While he’s no Zuko/Azula, I always really liked how he was a smug/calm person on the outside but really just a big suck up with a lot of rage and aspirations. considering the smaller details revealed about his younger years I feel there was more to him to know that we never got to learn so I’d like to try and explore that buuuuut prob wont :( )

4: Dick Dastardly (Wacky Races/Dastardly & Muttley in their flying machines/Hanna-Barbera cartoons. The original villain to me who has a big place in my heart since childhood, I wouldn’t know where to begin to start if I adopted Dastardly as a muse, but I’d sure love him and have him fail over and over as per usual......though I might be nice and have him succeed just once at something.)

5: Mr Bean (Mr Bean, You probably know him if your aware of Rowan Atkinson or watch ample of old british TV, Its a weird pick I know but hear me out, He’s not so much of a thing these days but I was interested at the idea at trying to see how a character who barely talks if at all would be in RPs as he goofs around. I feel my writing wouldn’t help show him off well though since most of his style is based off visual gags and I’m not sure if I could be so descriptive to give his charms the fun they are to behold)

6: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars, particularly Clone Wars era/cartoon. I’m sure this legendary character doesn’t need much introduction but I feel he’s a character I might be able to pull off to an extent since he’s an all around good guy and I could get away with goofing around with him at times which could easily attribute to ObI-Wan’s habit of sass and sarcasm xD)

7: The Joker (Batman Series, another legendary character that I’d love to try but don’t have the skills/confidence to dare approach without fear of doing him disservice, I like Batman but don’t follow it as greatly as core DC fans so there’s that too. But I love the mental aspect of characters and I also love villains if its not obvious, so this just goes hand in hand as to why I’d be interested in trying him but never will :P)

8: Cryptosporidium or Crypto (Destroy All Humans! Series, Another passing fancy of mine with the sense of humour in the games, Crypto’s violent/destructive habits combined with his sarcasm and the general stupidity of the humans in the world he’s in throughout the timelines. I feel it would be funny to use him as a muse and throw him into other universes as a scout for the Furons xD)

9: Saruman the White (LOTR, So I’m a huge nerd of both films, books and the games but I was first introduced to LOTR as a whole via Fellowship of the Ring movie, I almost immediately loved Saruman played by the legend Christopher Lee who really did portray him perfectly, a character whom had the power of the voice, perfectly balanced by a deadly combination of magic and wisdom. If I did use Saruman, I’m not sure if I’d base him during the timelines before his fall to darkness or during the War of the Ring but he’s a character I feel I’d like to mess with.)

10: Johnny Cage (Mortal Kombat Series, I don’t think I really need to say much about him, just look him up randomly in some videos in how he acts and I’m sure you’ll see why I’d like to use him, big shocker he’s not a villain!)

Tagging: Anyone that wants too xD

[eggoreviews]

My Top 10 most hyped games for 2019!

Now the first Nintendo direct of the year has come and gone and some more of the big releases this year have become a bit more concrete, I think it’s time to vomit my excitement all over you once again by detailing the ten games I’m most looking forward to this year!

10. Yoshi’s Crafted World

This adorable little cardboard platformer has been floating around for a couple of years now and I’m v happy that it’s finally nearing release! The striking visuals, unique art style and variety of play-styles with the introduction of the rafting and the kart racing all definitely piqued my interest for this. While I haven’t played a Yoshi game before, I really enjoyed the recent demo they put out and this seems like a whole load of fun you don’t really need to think too deeply about. I’m pretty sure I’ll pick this up at some point.

9. Astral Chain

From the dudes who brought us Bayonetta comes this steampunk JRPG with a touch of massive robot. And boy, does it look cool. The trailer we were shown in the most recent Nintendo direct kept it cryptic enough that I really didn’t know much of what was happening, but still let me grasp the basics. And I’ve seen enough to know that I want to hear more about this. Plus, the apparent ‘fighting as two people’ has definitely intrigued me. I almost sort of don’t like how easily I’m drawn in by game trailers, but you know, it’s happened now.

8. Man of Medan

The latest title from the same devs as Until Dawn, a game that very rightfully got into my top 10 games of all time, is the first in their new horror anthology. Keeping the same decision based, quick-time heavy gameplay, this time we’ll be taking control of five tourists trying to find out what happened to this weird war vessel in the middle of the sea. And boy, does it look pretty spooky. If horror is your thing, this might just have slipped under your radar, and it looks so far that it could match the quality of Until Dawn.

7. Animal Crossing

Yet another Nintendo franchise I’ve somehow never touched, the announcement of a new AC for the Switch alongside Isabelle’s Smash reveal got me hyped anyway. I’ve heard so much about how calm and fun this whole series is and I’m purposely avoiding the other titles now so my first experience can be with this Switch version. I’m just really hoping we get some gameplay footage soon! I really want to know what the features of this one are gonna be. Can we build anywhere we like this time? I hope so.

6. Luigi’s Mansion 3

Again, I’m totally new to this series as I never really got round to picking up the DS ones (and I’ve never owned a Gamecube) so I’m excited to learn more about this one. Especially after seeing Simon Belmont’s Smash reveal, exploring a spooky mansion as Luigi seems a bit too ridiculous for me to pass up. So I’ll be getting this. 

5. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

I’m REALLY into Persona 5 at the minute and, on top of that, my 3DS has been kinda dormant for a while. And if Nintendo are slowly unplugging the life support for their long serving portable, it feels right to send it off with a cool dungeon crawler with my phantom bois in it. Apparently it hasn’t actually been dubbed over here, but still, it’s Persona! I’m sure it’ll be big fun.

4. Pokemon Sword & Shield

Somehow, I’ve managed to avoid Pokemon for my whole life. Never picked up literally any of the games, never watched the show. So when I tuned into the direct last week out of curiosity, I was nearly blown away by how massively expansive and interesting the world looks. So many colours! And cities and like a mine you can go into?? I’m down for that! This looks to be a pretty great RPG and I think my boyfriend would be sad if I didn’t pick this up so there’s that.

3. Super Mario Maker 2

And now for the title that makes me SUPER glad I didn’t pick up Mario Bros U Deluxe, Nintendo have now announced that they’re giving us a second helping of infinite Mario on the Switch, this time with a 3D World texture pack! As someone who’s never really delved into a new 2D Mario, other than like ten minutes of the Wii one, I’m pretty excited to basically have an unlimited supply of (probably impossibly designed) levels to toy around with.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

I honestly thought the whisperings of a new 2D Zelda were just baseless rumours, so I really wasn’t getting my hopes up. But considering Breath of the Wild recently became my favourite game ever, seeing this adorable 2D remake of Link’s Awakening at the end of the last direct was enough to make my heart explode. So yeah, call me a sucker for anything Nintendo, but I think it’s honestly earned my pre-order on that trailer alone. I’m mega hyped to literally never put this down.

Here are some games I’m still hyped for, but didn’t quite make the main 10:

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Dragon Quest Builders 2

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

1. MediEvil remake

This may seem like an odd pick for number 1 considering the rest of the list, but this total reimagining of one of my favourite games of all time, a game I thought Sony had completely abandoned, also made my heart explode but like slightly more. The soundtrack is as amazing as ever, the game looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL from what we’ve seen of the redesign and the upscaled graphics and I am beyond excited to experience this brilliant adventure platformer with its wonderfully stupid British humour in a whole new way this year.

Got some games you’re excited for in 2019? Let me know down below if you want to! Thanks for reading!!