#1500 follower special

[starvingxxxsiren]

ִ ࣪𖤐 vicious hedonistic nymph diet ִ ࣪𖤐

(inspired by @honey-diet 's gorgeous diet plans)

"you might look like the other mortals around you, but you're different.

you have a dark secret, one so controversial that you must only whisper about it to the other beings like you who lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

but just because you have certain "odd" habits that normal people lack doesn't mean you don't live your life to the fullest..."

the basics!

you're not a human. you're a nymph. so you tend to feel out of place in this mortal-designed world.

mortals eat so much more than your kind...nymphs only eat about 500-1000 calories a day!

humans tend to be scared, stupid, and uneducated. they follow the herd. you do whatever the hell you please. why? well, why not?

never allow yourself to be disrespected by someone. especially concerning your "special habits". don't be afraid to retort their cruel quips with an even crueler one.

on the other hand, nymphs do love their special genuine connections with important people.

ִ ࣪𖤐

diet rules

nymphs eat whatever they want. they dine on whatever pleases them in the moment.

however, this is vastly different from what mortals do. nymphs naturally have a smaller appetite, so they never eat in excess.

nymphs NEVER eat anything they don't want to, or anything mediocre or subpar. never settle for anything other than immense pleasure.

why overindulge on food? it will always be there. you can always have a little more later. you get full fast anyways.

NEVER go over 1500 calories. under any circumstances. nymph bodies are too tiny to handle this much food, and will cease to perform correctly!!

ִ ࣪𖤐

inspo moodboard

ִ ࣪𖤐

diet example

you wake up in the morning, wishing you could return to sleep. alas, humans prioritize being busy rather than lounging in bed all day. much to your hedonistic dismay, you have responsibilities to do.

you pull yourself out of bed and brew yourself a fresh cup of tea or coffee, whichever you prefer that day. if you have a sweet tooth, you sweeten it with 0cal sweetener of choice. if you're feeling especially famished, you grab a piece of fruit or toast to munch on your way to work/school. (~100-300cal)

throughout the day, you drink various 0cal drinks, which keep you sustained perfectly. it always feels good to be a little hungry after all! if you are hungrier than usual, you may indulge in a light snack. nothing more than 100cals though, you'll get too full!

ִ ࣪𖤐

after a long day of nymph shenanigans, you are ready for dinner. you settle down and prepare yourself a meal of your choice. maybe a sandwich, a bowl of noodles, some home made soup, or you can experiment with some human foods that sound appealing. whatever you may choose, make sure it's a nymph-like portion. you are not a human. so don't pig out like one! (~400-700cal)

total cals = ~500-1000

ִ ࣪𖤐

[goodomensafterdark]

4.5k followers?! CALL FOR ARTISTS, WRITERS AND PODFICCERS

Oh my god, we just hit 4,500 people following the account!

(okay, missed it by a few days, we were busy okay)

What are you all doing here and when did that happen?! Well well well…  

*adjusts waistcoat*

We have something very special in mind in order to celebrate this milestone: we would like to do a bit of a rebrand of the Tumblr account.

And for this, what better than a little contest?

This will go into three directions : 

Artists

We would like to change our pfp ! We of course love @vavoom-sorted-art ‘s, but since this one was put in there, the subreddit changed 20 times! So it is time to do a bit of undusting.

Draw a riveting pfp for the Tumblr account!

Writers

We have been trying to give a good summary of who we are and what the sub and this account are all about, but… we are missing YOUR interpretation!

Write an epic/crack/lewd presentation of our sub! 

Make us LAUGH and make us HORNY!

Try to keep the main presentation at a maximum of 500 words.

If you want to write a companion fic that would be longer, go for it, but we need an actual presentation that would be a bit shorter 😉

Podficcers

You heard us, YOU TOO get to participate! We have special plans for those celebrations, you see, and for this, we will need you!

Choose a fic in our collection that is less than 1500 words and podfic it.

You will have 1 month to complete this task, so until the 28th of July!

How will the choices and results be handled

Submissions

Please submit your art, fics and podfics on the Good Omens After Dark file share here.

Folder name should be : GOAD Tumblr Contest

Name your files as follows:

[your tumblr account name]_[pfp/presentation/podfic]_submission

We will not take your submission into account if you don’t follow the GOAD account.

Your productions don't need to stay private: you can absolutely post them and mention us!

If you post ahead of the results announcement:

On Tumblr: use the tag #GOAD 4500 celebrations

On AO3: use the tag GOAD 4500 celebrations and add it to the collection

Results announcement

We know you feral goblins, so we will be planning for 2 weeks to go through the art and writing and podficcing you will have submitted.

Once we are done with it all, we will choose 3 winners:

an artist, whose art will become our new pfp

a writer, whose presentation blurb will be added to our metapost

a podficcer, whose podfic will be added to our metapost as a star example of what this community has to offer.

But for all the others, not to worry: you will of course all be celebrated for the work that you have done during this month, and will get plenty of love from us! <3

TL;DR: Celebration contest! (need to follow us here if you want to compete)

Deadline: 29th of July

Artists: draw a new PFP

Writers: write an epic/crack/lewd presentation of the sub

Podficcers: choose a fic from the collection that is not more than 1500 words long and podfic it

Prize: the winners will be part of our rebranding! The artist's pfp will be our new pfp, the writer's presentation will appear in our metapost, and the podficcer will appear in our metapost.

Good luck to you all!

[twinsimming]

New Scholarships by Twinsimming 🎓

"Need some extra simoleons for university? Sims University now offers a variety of scholarships for prospective students!"

This is a script mod that can be placed in your Packages folder. It was built and tested on 1.69 but should work fine on 1.67.

Requirements

To access all of the scholarships available with this mod, the following packs and store content are required:

The Sims 3: World Adventures

The Sims 3: Ambitions

The Sims 3: Generations

The Sims 3: Showtime

The Sims 3: Supernatural

The Sims 3: Seasons

The Sims 3: University Life

The Sims 3: Island Paradise

The Sims 3: Into the Future

Fit As a Fiddle Violin (The Sims 3 Store)

Artisan Glassblowing Station (The Sims 3 Store)

Stiff as a Board, Light as a Feather Dance Floor (The Sims 3 Store)

Overview

Applying for Scholarships

Types of Scholarships

Maintaining Scholarships

New Moodlets

Online Aptitude Test

New Cheat

Applying for Scholarships

Teen sims and older have a new “Apply for Scholarships” interaction available at the school rabbithole or on the computer under “Sims University Online”. Though they’re less likely to win a scholarship if they apply online rather than in person.

If your sim wins a scholarship, they will not be able to reapply for that scholarship again. If they do not win, they will be given a Disappointed moodlet and have to wait a day before applying again.

Types of Scholarships

There are four (4) types of scholarships your sims can apply for: General, Legacy, Skill Based, and Occult. In total, there are 18 scholarships, each with their own custom moodlet. 

Sims have a 45% chance of winning a scholarship in the General, Legacy, and Occult categories when applying in-person and a 40% chance when applying online.

Sims have a 6% chance of winning a Skill Based scholarship at Level 1 of the required skill. This chance multiplies with each skill level, with a maximum of a 60% chance at Level 10.

Certain traits can either increase or decrease your chance of winning a scholarship by 5% (note: this value stacks the more traits your sim has):

Increased Chance Traits - Lucky and Ambitious

Decreased Chance Traits - Unlucky and Loser

Some of the scholarship names are originally from The Sims 2 and the others I made up myself. They are listed below by category:

General

Young Entrepreneurs Award (§750) - Requires Level 3 part-time job, Teen only

Orphaned Sims Assistance Fund (§750) - Requires deceased or non-existing parents, Teen only

Golden Year Scholars Grant (§1000) - Elders only

Gemini Hidden Masters Prize (§1500) - Requires Level 10 in one hidden skill

Legacy

Student Service Workers Fund (§1000) - For sims with a service worker hidden trait (Makes No Messes, Pyromaniac, Can Apprehend Burglar, Can Salute, Immune To Fire, or Pizza Appreciator)

Cultural Exchange Program (§1000) - For sims with one of the hidden culture traits from The Sims 3: World Adventures

Students of Tomorrow Scholarship (§1000) - For sims with the hidden Future Sim trait from The Sims 3: Into the Future

Skill Based

Dreamer Family Artisan Award (§750) - Requires at least Level 1 Artisan Skill

Tsang Footwork Award (§750) - Requires at least Level 1 Dance (Store) Skill

Violin Society of SimNation Scholarship (§750) - Requires at least Level 1 Violin Skill

Occult

Undead Education Scholarship (§1500) - For Vampires, Zombies, and Ghosts

Extraterrestrial Reparation Grant (§1500) - For Aliens and sims recently abducted by Aliens

Spellcasting Scholars Grant (§1500) - For Witches, Fairies, and Genies

Lycanthropy Philanthropy Fund (§1500) - For Werewolves

Bots Opportunity To Specialize (B.O.T.S.) (§1500) - For Simbosts and Plumbots

Forbidden Fruit Fellowship (§1500) - For PlantSims

Real World Acclimation Fund (§1500) - For Real Imaginary Friends

Aquatic Allies Award (§1500) - For Mermaids

Maintaining Scholarships

After winning a scholarship, your sim will get the new custom Won Scholarship moodlet. They have a week to either enroll in online university with my Attend University Online mod, or in-person university to remain eligible for their scholarship.

If they fail to enroll in time, their scholarship will be rescinded and they will have to pay back the money they were awarded. If they can’t afford to pay back the scholarship amount in full, it will be added to their next household bill. (No free money here!)

Once a sim has a scholarship rescinded, they will get the new custom Lost Scholarship moodlet and be barred from applying for scholarships for 3 days.

New Moodlets

Won Scholarship: Given when a sim wins a scholarship, lasts 1 day, +20 mood, each scholarship has its own custom moodlet icon

Lost Scholarship: Given when a sim has a scholarship rescinded, lasts 3 days, -20 mood, makes sims stressed

Online Aptitude Test

Teen sims and older can now take the university aptitude test on the computer under “Sims University Online”. It works the same as the default interaction.

Tuning

All of the tunable values can be found on the mod download page under the header “Tuning”.

New Cheat

If you want to clear all scholarship winners in your world (on a per save basis), enter the cheat menu and type “ClearScholarshipWinnerData” without the quotation marks.

Conflicts & Known Issues

This is a new script mod so there shouldn’t be any conflicts.

Credits

EA/Maxis for The Sims 3 and The Sims 4, Visual Studio 2019, ILSpy, s3pe, Notepad++, and Script Mod Template Creator.

Thank You

Thank you to gamefreak130, Battery, @zoeoe-sims, @greenplumbboblover​, and @monocodoll!

If you like my work, please consider tipping me on Ko-fi 💙

Download @ ModTheSims

[natashaismylove]

Another life |N. Romanoff

Summary: Natasha and Y/n’s secret relationship will soon come to an end.

Pairing: G!p Natasha x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Set in the 1500s, Angst, Smut, Unprotected sex, Vaginal sex, Belly bulge kink, Praise, Hair pulling, Arranged marriage, Forbidden love. 18+ Minors DNI

Word count: 1059

═════════☾☆☽═════════

You knocked on the door before opening it, the creaking noise loud in your ears. You stepped inside and you saw Natasha lying on her bed.

“Are you about to sleep?” You asked as you closed the door behind you.

She smiled softly and sat up against the headboard. “I was, but I always have time for you.”

You returned her smile, stepping further into the room. “I wanted to see you.”

She got up from the bed and moved towards you. “I’m glad.”

You placed your hands on her waist as she brushed her knuckles over your cheek. You pulled her closer, holding her body against yours. “I‘ve missed you.”

She leaned in and rested her forehead on yours. “It’s only been two days.”

“I know.” You answered with a playful smirk.

You saw her look down at your lips before looking back into your eyes. You were quick to press your lips against hers in a tender kiss. You pulled away after a few seconds, memorizing every detail on her face while she had her eyes closed.

“I didn’t expect you to come.” She whispered before opening her eyes.

You smiled at her before dragging one of the straps of her nightgown off of her shoulder. You did the same with the other one and watched as the fabric pooled around her feet. You took the time to admire every inch of her bare body, every curve and perfect imperfections. You stepped away and reached back to unbutton your dress, following her movements with your eyes as she sat down on the edge of her bed.

“Come here.” She said as you now stood naked in front of her.

You straddled her and gave her a shy smile as she wrapped her fingers around her length. “Do you want me inside of you?” She asked.

You nodded and lifted your hips, keeping eye contact with her as she lined herself up with you. You watched her eyes roll back as you slowly slid down onto her. You let out a breath once she was fully in, and she carefully started rocking your hips back and forth as she leaned against you.

You felt her breath against your cheek and you placed your hands on the back of her neck, grasping her hair desperately. Her hands moved up to your sides, leaving a warmth behind on your hips where they had just rested. She kissed across your jaw and down your neck, lightly nipping on your skin with her teeth. 

“Don’t leave marks.” you breathed out.

“I won't, don’t worry,” she assured you as she moved her lips back up your neck to meet your own in a heated kiss.

Her breast brushed against your bare nipples, causing a shiver to run through your body. She ran her hand over your stomach, lightly pressing on the slight bulge.

“Feel how deep I’m inside of you?” She spoke into your ear, and her raspy voice made your stomach flutter. 

You nodded, moving your hips up and down her dick as you straddled her. “So deep.”

She slid her hands down to your ass before squeezing. “Is it filling you up nicely, sweetheart?”

You hummed in pleasure, nodding once more as you closed your eyes. “Yes.”

She kissed your collarbone, using her hands to guide you in riding her. “Good. Wanna make you feel so good…”

You rolled your hips, letting out a moan as she brushed so perfectly against that one special spot inside of you. 

You opened your eyes and looked down at her, brushing some of the hair away that was sticking to her sweaty forehead. You leaned in and kissed her desperately, needing to be as close to her as possible. Your lips opened to let her tongue meet yours, her hands gripping your hips harder. You pulled away to moan her name, tangling your fingers into her hair again before pulling on it.

She groaned in pleasure from the slight pain on her scalp. “What is it, sweetheart? What do you need?” She asked out of breath from the kiss.

“Need to come, I want to come so badly.” You mustered up the words, your mind already starting to fog.

“Yeah? You're going to come for me?” She smirked.

You nodded quickly. “Yes, gonna come for you!”

She hummed. “Do it, let me know how good I’m making you feel.”

Your mouth opened in a silent moan as your eyes closed. A tightening formed in your stomach, quickly erupting into ecstasy and lighting your body on fire. 

Natasha’s constant praise into your ear and her hands on your hips guided you through your orgasm. You slowly came to as her lips peppered kisses all over your shoulder before moving onto your face.

“So good, sweetheart, did so amazing for me. My perfect girl.” She muttered against your forehead.

You let her hold you against her as you regained your energy, and slowly you felt your mind become clear again. You sat up more and leaned a little away from her.

She gave you a sad look. “Please don’t go.”

You sighed, returning her sad expression. “I’m sorry, Natasha.”

She searched your eyes, clearly seeing the hesitation in them. “You don’t want to, please don’t.”

“I have to.” You cupped her cheek, feeling your heart break as she leaned into your touch. “I’m truly sorry, my love.”

You saw tears well up in her eyes as you moved off of her, reaching for your dress that had been discarded onto the floor earlier.

“I love you.” She whispered.

You met her gaze as you put on your dress. “I love you too, but I have to do this for my family. You know I don’t want to marry him, but I have to.”

She slipped her nightgown onto her naked body, standing up as you turned away from her. She placed her hands on your back before she buttoned up your dress, pressing a tender kiss to the back of your neck. She wrapped her arms around your waist and you leaned back against her.

“In another life…” you started as you looked out the window, your eyes focused on the moon lighting up the night sky. “In another life, we’ll be together. I promise you that.”

She rested her chin on your shoulder. “Another life…”

═════════☾☆☽═════════

Taglist: @sayah13 @aflopmop @agent99galanzo @abeillesurlalunerose @thenazwife @shayzulia @elenaguarnieri @mrsromanovaa @therealwanda @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @meshuganna @luccyland @alwaysgoodnight @sheneonromanoff @mrromanoff @lesbean-slut @alwaysharmony @i-loveyoubutyourenotmine @wizardofstories @the-night-owl-blr @riveramorylunar @wandaspropertyonly @inluvwithfictionalwomen @arabellaolsen @lovelyy-moonlight @nclgsticore @madelinelcl @justemiris @natashamaximoff69

[creepling]

FICS FOR GAZA !

hello peeps! i am taking part in wip sponsorships for @ficsforgaza to help out with donations for the many fundraisers they have linked.

to meet with the terms, i am only offering sponsorships of works about video game characters. this includes my usual tcm game wips, alongside one i have of boomer from ssktjl.

here is an outline of steps to participate; send a screenshot that is proof of donation alongside the wip you are sponsoring into my inbox. $1 donated to a fundraiser = 100 words written for the sponsored wip. the word counts i provide are just rough estimations and i am willing to go over if the donations go higher! once a work is completed, i will give special thanks to donators for their contribution to the fic and the aid for gaza!

my limit is $20 for 2k, but feel free to donate as much as you can seperately from my wips!

click here for a further explanation from ficsforgaza if you are still unsure. their blog also has tabs on FAQ, fundraisers and all the info you need.

reminder: do not donate to ME. only send me proof of donation.

MY WIPS

BAD TINDER DATE WITH BOOMER (title still to be decided)

ssktjl!captain boomerang x fem!reader. bad first impressions. enemies to lovers. eventual smut? mini-fic series.

you have a reputation for liking the bad boys. your friends have warned you'll get your heart broken and it's time to move on to better things. after a horrible date with the aussie boomerang-slinger, you decide to finally take their advice. but it's not that easy moving on. there is something about him you can't get enough of...

progress: 676/6000 words

TO DEVOUR IS TO LOVE: CHAPTER 2

tcm game original character. multiple ships. dead dove - do not eat. general tags on this post.

in the second chapter, winona slaughter is navigating through the city life. fate aligns with her hunger and she crosses paths with maria flores and her group of friends. all is well as they take the abnormal, but intriging rural girl under their wing. but winona is struggling to cope with the buffet that she surrounds herself in. let's see how long she can last before things get messy...

progress: 4312/5500 words

THE BABYSITTER (title still to be decided)

johnny slaughter x fem!reader. babysitter trope. stalking. violence and gore. non-con. minor character death. dark smut. dead dove - do not eat.

reader finishes up her babysitting shift and expects the usual routine of her boyfriend picking her up. she doesn't know that someone is watching her, and is waiting for the right time to prance. when johnny finally digs his nails into reader, he knows a sadistic way to get her to succumb to him and have some derranged fun.

progress: 0/1500-2000 words

FOXY (title still to be decided)

johnny slaughter x fox-hybrid!reader. smut. petplay. dom/sub. minor injury. primal. humiliation. tags still to be decided.

fox-hybrid!reader gets caught up in one of hitchhikers traps when trying to snag nugget from the family property. unlucky for them, johnny's been working outside and spots the commotion. finding the hurt, scared reader, johnny takes them in with a devilish smirk. now he's got a little pet he can play with, and he ain't gonna play nice.

progress: 0/1000 words.

IN THE BLUEBONNET FIELD (title still to be decided)

johnny slaughter x fem!reader. smut. stalking. yandere. primal. non-con. knifeplay. bloodplay. dead dove - do not eat.

johnny has been stalking the reader for weeks, relishing in their scared state. as the days go by, the reader feels like she is being watched, catching glimpses of an unknown man following her every move. with morbid curiousity, the reader decides to treck through the bluebonnet fields to finally come face to face with her stalker. when he takes her advances, he finally has her at his mercy.

progress: 0/3000 words.

dividers by @thecutestgrotto.

FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE.

[xxsycamore]

Bestie, love i just woke up but concept

😈+🪱 @gilbert. Ywah i know I'm breaking rules. You could ignore my half asleep ramblz

Love <3 V

HEY YOU CAN'T DO THAT‼️‼️ I'm definitely making this a worm request after a careful examination where I concluded there are no other worm gilbert requests.

[🪱] 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙶𝚒𝚕𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚝 𝚒𝚏 𝚑𝚎'𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚖 …

GILBERT:

Blinking into awakeness, you slowly but gradually come to remember how you got into your current state. Gilbert offered to read together, but you didn't feel like going anywhere special, so instead you opted for lounging on the bed. You must have fallen asleep amidst it...

Since you were on top of the black duvet, Gilbert simply covered you with the part of it that was on his side of the bed - so that now you're completely wrapped in it like a warm, tight cocoon. You crane your neck upwards to see him reading calmly as before, with his back rested against the bedframe. He's completely out of reach and you here you wanted to nuzzle onto him to signal you're awake...

Determinedly, you push your feet upward, crawling closer to your lover, thankful for the added glide of the satin covers. Gilbert's attention is successfully captured - less by the nuzzling and more by the sight that preceded it.

"Has my little bunny turned into a little worm?"

A worm!! He could at least say a caterpillar... Though you know deep in your heart that Gilbert would always see you as nothing short of dear to him, no matter what form you take - he'll do anything for you, make sure you're loved and taken care of. Still, you can't help but ask a very silly question...

"Would I still love you if you were a worm? Heehe."

You don't appreciate the "wouldn't you like to know?" tone of his little giggle, but it seems like he's giving it a thought after all. You begin to regret asking.

"I want to see something. Why don't you try giving me a kiss?"

Without the use of limbs to prop yourself up?! You'd rather wiggle your way back down in retreat, turn around, fall asleep, and pretend all of this was just a dream.

∎ (REQUESTS CLOSED) Steal My Heart!! - xxsycamore’s 1500 followers celebration event | 💌 event masterlist

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

Read my lips

Regardless of what people say the worst thing about being Isekai in genshin isn't the lack of technology or how many monsters there are, it's about how you can't read anything that is written

Notes: i know this concept is overdone and everything but i just wanted to see an Spanish speaking reader jsjsjjs

Wc: 2,1k

Landing on teyvat there were many things you had to get used to quickly to not get attention. Getting used to seeing children with natural pink hair. Blue being a more common hair color than brown for vision bearers.

But one thing you never got used to is reading in their alphabet. Even if the way they speak sounds like English the symbols that represent each one are so different to any type of alphabet you ever saw that at one point you gave up trying, opting for asking questions or leading people to suggest things so that you don't have to read. As you are doing now.

Looking to the blackboard with what you guessed was the menu you ask her as smoothly as you could "Say Sara, what do you recommend for me on this sunny day" you smile widely.

Sara, already used to this antic simply answers " well, there are chicken skewers and if you pay 500 extra we add a drink. But if you are specially frugal today I can give you a few tasks and the house covers it all, what do you think?"

" I just got paid so I'm going to pay" pulling out 1500 worth of moras you lean over the counter " is it me or has it gotten hotter"

Sara scribbles the order and grabs a chicken from behind the counter, cutting it so she can skewer the pieces " I think it's because it's been raining lots, whenever it's this humid my hair is a mess and my clothes stick so much because of the sweat"

A voice joins in " is it really so hot for you two? I would say it's rather mild" the owner of the voice being an old novelty, an animal hybrid.

He walks towards the counter followed by a girl and a man dressed up as a knock off Anubis, even if they looked slightly different than in game you could guess they were collei and cyno.

" Yes, summer is coming so i guess we have to get prepared for a heatwave" As collei gets closer you can see some familiar words written on collei's arm " do you have dirt in your arm? Here, let me clean it for you" taking a piece of fabric you use as a handkerchief and dampening it slightly with saliva you try to erase the supposed dirt

Collei takes her arm away whining " noo, please. It took me so long to write this words I doubt I can remember how to do them again without the book"

Tighnari looks at yours and Sara's confused faces and briefly explains "in sumeru people write whatever they feel they need the most of in certain moments as a way to feel closer to the creator"

Looking closer you see it reads 'seguridad en mi mismo' " oh, then you must be ready shy if what you need is confidence in yourself"

Tighnari's ears stand upright, surprised meanwhile collei looks at you starstruck " are you so knowledgeable about the holy language that you can read it without a guide?It's so cool! Even the scholars and scribes need a dictionary!"

Surprised you try to brush off her excitement " oh, i just know a little, bit too much. I do know that you gendered 'mismo' wrong, if you are a girl you would refer to yourself as 'misma'" getting the handkerchief closer to erase the o " can I erase it and write an a?"

Collei nods before taking the handkerchief and erasing the o, taking a pen out of her bag she stops for a second before looking at you sheepishly " I… forgot how the a looks. Can you?" You grab the pen, gliding smoothly over her soft skin " woah! You calligraphy is sooo neat! I can feel more confident already. Cyno look" she shows the mismatched calligraphy on her arm "doesn't it look so nice!"

" I guess you can say it's 'callineathy'"

" Why do you think it's a gendered language?" Tighnari looks at you, eyebrows furrowed " it's just a theory that started taking rise a few days ago…"

Looking at him a bit confused you answer " When talking about someone else you use

'él' and 'ella', each job or title or other things changing accordingly? Like 'hijo' is masculine and used for 'él' and 'hija' is feminine and used for 'ella'? That is just one example that it's heavily gendered."

Cyno scratches his chin " I never thought mondstrat had an expert on holy language. If you don't mind, would you come with us to sumeru after the windblume festival? I'm sure the akademia would find you the most helpful"

" Oh, i have never been the scholar type. I will pass, but thanks either way" the last thing you need is people getting amazed about your abilities to read Spanish even as your first language, what you need even less is people trying to find something about you only for your history here to have started three months ago at best

" Who would have said, my client to refuses to read the menu and asks me for suggestions is actually well versed in holy language" Sara laughs

" Why don't you three come here and we share a meal together?"

After a week the windblume festival comes to an end as does the three foreigners travel back home, not without another offer to show you they Homeland (or more specifically their akademia and old manuscripts that needed to be translated)

" Are you sure that you don't want to visit sumeru? There is beautiful greenery throughout"

" Oh, I'm sorry, I truly like forests in theory but I can't stand mosquitoes"

" There are almost no mosquitoes in the desert, i could take you to aaru village, it's a beautiful place"

" I would love to but I can't stand such high heat! I'm prone to overheating. Sorry"

After a few days of that over and over they greet you goodbye and hope to see you soon, sighing tiredly you rest your back against the wall as you watch them leave " they were so nice but so insistent. I almost gave up and went"

A few months went by, summer had already passed its hardest peak and you were getting ready for autumn even if it was many weeks away, almost like a lover you yearn for after years of not seeing each other. Only to later start yearning for winter after you get tired of the leaves, and then spring when you can't stand the cold any longer, and then summer again after getting bad pollen allergies and the endless cycle continues

" It's been so long since I could write in my language" you start running a stick you found on the floor through the ground, slowly making out various words. Patos, caracol, flores, calor. You would have kept going had someone not stood up behind you covering the sun. His green eyes scanning the words before meeting your own

" So you must be (Y/N)"

"Ay, pero la repu-"

It seems that they snitched on you, after something that you would consider a kidnapping had the knights at least done something when al-haitham dismissed them saying something along the lines of the future of how we understand the holy language you are dragged to the akademia.

Finally reaching the palace like building after hours of being held like a potato sack al-haitham drops you. That would be a good chance of running away had you a) had a glider, and b) not being literally between al-haitham and the door

" Enter. It was difficult enough tracking down the rumors and getting you here for you to behave like a mule"

" I remind you I was very happy living in mondstrat until I was dragged here"

" At least you didn't have to walk. You aren't specifically light, you know?"

Now giving up on keeping a façade you start cursing him out " ay pero que gracioso el hijo de mil p-"

A child comes out of the door, her hair white and her big eyes bright green. " oh, you must be that expert the rumors talked about. Come in, let's talk, you too al-haitham"

You are basically pushed forward by al-haitham's chest intro a room with two couches and a coffee table

You are sat between al-haitham and the wall, both of you looking at nahida

" So this is the person who shows great use of the archaic language?" She asks al-haitham who only nods

" When I found them they were writing in it" nahida seems surprised

" Writing?"

" Those seemed like loose words but it's still at least a bare minimum of three years of intensive study to write without guides"

" Where did you learn it?" The question now seems directed to you " i have yet to hear of someone in Mondstrat who teaches it "

Now it's your time to lie. Should you go with the classic 'I don't know. It comes naturally' or a simpler ' i used to know an old man who taught me, he said it was a fake language' but that will almost certainly discredit you, it seems like you could milk the akademia for some mora or at least a semi luxurious treatment as a guest. it's a promising future even if it wouldn't last that long

" When I was a child I went into a coma" the typical 'I woke up knowing it' will work, or so you hope " I remember dreaming of someone talking to me in a strange language and it stuck with me and somehow when I woke up I could speak it." Nice it seems like they semi believe it, now just the finishing touch and it should be flawless "I didn't find out it was the holy language after years, when I was speaking with a girl named collei who came for the windblume"

That girl only muttered a small 'interesting' "then you are able to read and write it?"

You shake your head " i can also speak it"

" Al-haitham" he looks up as he is named " please translate those texts with them and rewrite them in the common tongue" and he nods as an answer, is he capable of muttering more than three words consecutively or does he need a time to cool down?

" Hey, I kind of never agreed to this. I work doing commissions from dawn to dusk and hardly can make ends meet. I can't afford to take time off" please for god's sake bite the bait and let you live comfortably

" Is that so?" She thinks for a bit " i guess the akademia can take care of your stay and food for as long as you agree to work with us" she extended her hand and you don't even stutter to grab it

" Deal!"

Now a few days later you start to dislike your own choice

" Al-haitham, i already told you. You have to mark your ñ's!"

" Islenio" he says confidently

" Don't act so smug when you are wrong!" You throw your head back, almost hitting the back " follow after me"

"Is"

"Is"

"Le"

"Le"

"Ño"

"Nio"

" Give me your hand, i saw someone do this to teach their child" you grab his hand and put it on your neck so he can feel the vibrations " look closely to my lips"

You start repeating that word repeatedly, his hand snug against your neck, almost pressing on your pulse. His deep green eyes fixed on your lips as he mouthed the syllables alongside you. This was one of the most calming times with al-haitham that you could remember had it not been for-

"Hyaa!?" Kaveh's shriek scares the living shit out of you "I know it's your apartment and all but next time tell me you have someone over!" His face is mostly blush by this point

" Why would I? You have never been bothered by visits before"

" Well, because you didn't bang them! If you want to have some over it is fine but if you want to be intimate at least let me know! I don't want to be here when you fuck someone!"

"Oh" Al-haitham focuses on his hand wrapped around your throat and how intensely he was looking at your lips but doesn't care enough about making things clear " if you are bothered you can leave"

You don't get a chance at explaining before kaveh is out the door " couldn't you just tell him this is for our job?"

" I don't see why he should know. Plus we are both grown consenting adults, whatever our relationship is it's between us"

" You are dense as a rock, ain't you?"

[yugiohcardsdaily]

Vouiburial, the Dragon Undertaker

"If this card battles a monster, neither can be destroyed by that battle. During the Main Phase, if a monster(s) your opponent controls is sent to the GY: You can activate the following effect, based on where this card is at activation (but you can only use each effect of 'Vouiburial, the Dragon Undertaker' once per turn);

Hand: Special Summon this card.

Field: Make 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls lose 1500 ATK, then if its ATK becomes 0 by this effect, you can destroy it."

[sing-it-togetherzine]

Terms of Participation and Creation Guidelines

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To participate as a contributor in this zine, every creator must:

Have an email for correspondence (Discord is preferred for quick and group communication but is optional).

Reply to check-in emails in a timely manner. We want to make sure everything is running smoothly and everyone will meet deadlines. If something happens and you are unable to meet a deadline you must notify a moderator as soon as possible.

Follow the Creation Guidelines (listed below) for their piece.

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Agree to not post any w.i.p’s, snippets, previews, or finished pieces until it is time to do so, as mentioned on the Timeline. Moderators will announce when it is time.

Creation Guidelines

All pieces should be centered around a relationship of the artist’s/author’s choosing, featuring any of the characters from the Trolls movies, specials, and/or shows. Examples of relationships include, but are not limited to: romantic love/ships, family, friendships, frienemies, found-family, and pet/creature companions.

The zine will be kept PG, so be mindful especially if you choose a romantic relationship.

Original characters (oc’s) are allowed, but we encourage creators to focus their pieces on canon characters. Oc’s are best for background extras (such as in a big group shot), side characters, and icons for the credits page. We understand that not everybody will be familiar with every oc, and we don’t want the material to be too confusing.

Canvas size for all artists will be 2400px x 2400px, or 8in x 8in. The final format of the zine will be styled like a scrapbook, hence the square shape.

For all digital artists, it is recommended to work in RGB color, set your canvas to a minimum 300dpi, and saved as .PNG instead of .JPG/.JPEG when finished for best quality.

Word count for fanfics will be between 1500 and 5000 words. This is a flexible limit, which means it’s fine if you go a little over or a little under, but please keep to the word count as close as you can manage.

All pieces must be edited and/or polished before final submission. This means we expect final pieces to be reviewed for errors, fics are edited, and artworks are colored and/or lined cleanly (depending on the artists’ personal style). We want our creators to be proud of what they submit!

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Chapter Six: One Helluva Party

Gale Cleven × Hope Armstrong (ofc)

Series Masterlist

This story is based on on the fictional portrayal of these men from the MOTA to series.

Summary: John Egan’s birthday was always a special affair, even when Ruth is causing the whole base stress trying to arrange a surprise party. But Hope doesn’t mind, she’s able to spend some time with her beloved fiancé, Gale and they might even get some time alone.

Collab: A Pair of Silver Wings by @major-mads

Wednesday, September 8th: AAF Grove, Berkshire: 2200 HRS

Ruth’s boots thudded against the cement floor of the girls’ hut as she paced up and down the center aisle. The blonde held a slip of paper, pouring over the list on it endlessly.

“Streamers, check. Distracting John duty, check. Cha-”

“Ruth,” Hope groaned. “Go to bed. You’ve looked over that list a million times.”

Her steps halted and she turned to her friend with a sigh. “I just want his party to be perfect.”

“I know you do, but you have nothing to worry about. Tatty and Helen are getting everything taken care of until we can get up there tomorrow. Please go to sleep, Rue.” Hope rolled over on her small cot, turning away from her pacing friend.

“Fine,” Ruth relented, tossing the list onto her nightstand before sliding beneath her covers. She rolled over to face Hope, her lips pursed in thought. “Do you think-”

“Go to sleep.”

Her mind wouldn’t shut off as she continued to worry about the party. “But what-”

“Ruth! Just shut up and sleep.” Hope didn’t even open her eyes to scold her this time, and she pulled the covers up over her head.

“Okay,” she sighed quietly, turning onto her back, her mind still racing over all the events for the following day. She only hoped that everything would go according to plan.

The Next Day: Sep. 9th: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base, Norwich: 1500 HRS

The previous night was filled with restless sleep for Ruth, and her nervousness battled excitement in her chest when Frank discreetly pulled up behind the Red Cross hut.

“I’m not your personal chauffeur, you know,” he sassed, turning off the engine. “I don’t like wasting my day passes to take you two up here.”

Hope rolled her eyes as she got out of the car. “But you still do it each time we ask, don’t you?”

Frank mumbled some choice words under his breath, helping the girls unload their bags from the trunk of the car. “I only do this so I know you get here safely. With your navigation skills and Ruth’s nerves, who the hell knows where you’d end up.”

Hope just glared at him with narrowed eyes. She wasn't that bad of a navigator but they missed one turn once and he’d given her hell for it ever since.

Helen and Tatty hurried down the steps to greet them, both quickly embracing the girls. The four had become good friends over their multiple visits to Thorpe Abbott and their reunions always resulted in a big hug.

“You two ready for tonight,” Tatty asked, hurrying Ruth and Hope inside.

“You betcha, Ruth’s been driving me up the wall planning the damn thing. I’ve been waiting for her to have a nervous breakdown over it.” Hope smiled fondly at Ruth who just continued to chew her lip anxiously.

The blonde sighed. “I just want everything to be perfect…it has to be.”

“And it will be Ruth,” Helen placed an arm around Ruth’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, everything is in hand.”

“The boys are on a mission and won’t be back until around four this afternoon. I’ve got Cleven and Armstrong on diversion duty to keep John as far away from the Officers’ Club as possible,” Tatty informed them, bundling a box of bunting underneath her arm. “We’ve got our work cut out ladies, but I think we can pull this off.”

The first order of business was to get the decorations up.

The women carefully draped colorful streamers from every surface possible, and by the time they were through, the bland dance hall and bar were vibrant with color. Ruth removed the wrinkled list from her pocket, checking off the “decorate club” box from her to-do’s.

“Alright. What do we have left?” Tatty asked, walking over to Ruth.

The nurse glanced down at her list with a hum, then suddenly her eyes widened and she gasped, throwing a hand over her mouth. “The banner! I can’t believe I forgot! It’s in the car, I’ll be right back.”

She left the club in a tizzy, the door closing behind her with a slam. Hope, Tatty, and Helen all shared a worried glance as the loud sound echoed through the hall.

“You’re right, Hope. She’s too wound up about this,” Helen said as she picked up the box of leftover decorations.

A sigh left Hope’s lips. “ She wants John to have the best birthday possible. He means so much to her.”

“I think the feeling’s mutual,” Tatty chuckled, thinking back to when the pair rumbled up to her hut the week before. “I’ve never seen John wrapped around a woman’s finger before, but Ruth’s done it. I didn’t think it was possible.”

Smiling softly, Hope twisted the engagement ring around her finger and thought about how much their lives changed in such a short time. “Yep. She’s something else, alright.”

“And I’ve never seen Gale as happy, either,” Helen added with a smirk.

Hope ducked her head blushing as she glanced down at the engagement ring adoring her finger, “I know things may seemed rush, but when you know, you know. I couldn’t imagine loving anyone else.”

Tatty groaned in the background about how sickeningly in love they were, causing the two girls to laugh.

“Well, I’m very happy for you, Hope, and looking at that ring your man has taste.”

Hope chuckled, “Actually…”

The back door swung open, and Ruth rushed in holding a folded-up sheet. The woman’s curls were disheveled and her cheeks were bright red as she leaned against the door, out of breath. “They-,” she panted, her chest heaving. “They’re back.”

“Rue, you alright?” Hope asked, concern etching her face. “Why are you breathing like you just ran a marathon?”

“Because I was getting out of the car and then I saw John on a truck, so I dove back into the back seat and wait-,” she held up a hand to them, pausing to breathe heavily. “Waited for him to go into a building and then I bolted.”

Tatty eyes flicked down to her watch quickly. “They’re right on time, then. It’s already 16:30.”

“What?!” Ruth blurted as a wave of panic coursed through her. “Everyone will be here in an hour and we still haven’t gotten the banner up!”

Hope put a hand on her shoulder. “Rue.”

“And I still need to get-”

“Ruth!”

Finally, her worry-filled sky-blue eyes snapped to her friend’s. “What?”

“You need to calm down,” Hope said gently but firmly. “Everything looks perfect. Johnny’s going to love it.

Just as the night before, Ruth’s mind refused to turn it down a notch, and she sighed. “We still need to hang the happy birthday banner, Hope.”

“We’ll do that and then we’re done, alright?” Hope asked, squeezing her shoulder comfortably before looking at the two other women. “You two good to hang up the banner? I’ve got to get her all dolled up.”

Ruth opened her mouth to object but Hope shot her a glare, sending the blonde’s gaze to the floor. She couldn’t shake the feeling of anxiety that gnawed at her insides. She knew she was being irrational, but the pressure to make everything flawless was overwhelming.

Helen nodded with a small smile, taking the banner from Ruth. “That sounds like a plan. You two go get ready in our hut! We’ll see you in a bit!”

The dark-haired nurse practically dragged Ruth from the officer’s club to the Red Cross hut where they quickly got ready. Hope helped re-curl the falling waves in her best friend’s golden hair, and from the way she chewed on her bottom lip, Hope knew she was thinking about her Major.

“Do you think he’ll like it?” she asked quietly.

“Rue, you could have one measly streamer hanging from the ceiling and he’d love it just the same. He’s gonna be more excited to see you than anything.”

“I hope so.”

Hope smiled at Ruth reassuringly in the mirror, “I know so.”

John groaned, stepping out of the interrogation hut. He hated interrogation, as if it wasn’t bad enough experiencing everything the first time, you then had to relive it. He stretched his aching arms above his head, all he wanted was a shower and a drink.

It was his birthday after all.

Gale and Hugh soon appeared from the hut after him, they too stretched out their aching muscles, and the three made their way across to the shower block.

“You got any plans for tonight, Bucky?” Hugh asked, a smirk plastered across his face and Gale elbowed him warningly. He couldn’t have Hugh giving the game away, not after all Ruth’s hard work.

“I don’t know, Sparky. I was just going to shower and then head over to the club for a drink. You boys in?”

Gale and Hugh glanced at each other, a silent question passing between the pilots.

“Sure thing, Bucky,” Gale responded first, throwing his arm over his friend's shoulder, “Can’t have you celebrating alone now, can I?”

“Good, because I plan for this to be a night we remember,” he thought for a moment, rubbing his hand over his moustache, “Or more like a night we don’t remember. But don’t worry, I won’t go too off the rails,” He cackled, strolling ahead of them.

Hugh turned to Gale, his eyes wide as he hissed, “How the hell are we supposed to keep him out of the club?”

Gale shrugged his shoulders, seemingly very calm about the whole situation, “We’ll find a way.”

“Hey,” Bucky called out, stopping with his hands on his hips as he waited for them to catch up.

The pair shared a wary glance, panicking at the possibility of his overhearing them.

Ruth would kill them if he found out.

They reached him, and John pursed his lips in thought, “You got a letter from Hope today or yesterday?”

Buck and Hugh nearly sighed in relief at the question. The cat wasn’t out of the bag yet!

“Yeah,” Gale replied, “Got one yesterday. Why?”

Johnny nodded once, his gaze falling to the dirt beneath their feet. “Nothing.”

Hugh cocked an eyebrow at the man’s sudden change in demeanor. “What is it?”

“I guess I thought Ruth would’ve sent me a letter for my birthday, that’s all,” he shrugged.

Trying to keep a sly grin off his face, Buck threw an arm over his shoulder and got the trio moving toward the shower block again. “The night is still young, Bucky. There’s still time for a letter to get here.”

“Yeah, you never know,” Hugh added with a smirk, ignoring the sharp glare Buck gave him as he walked past the duo. He then checked his watch.

17:00…One hour til’ showtime.

17:15 HRS

Hope and Ruth took a shortcut behind buildings on their way back to the Officers' Club to stay out of sight. Ruth’s hair was once again curled to perfection, and she wore victory red lipstick that Hope let her borrow.

She wasn’t one for bold statements, but this night, she wanted to do something special.

When they snuck into the club through the back door, Ruth’s eyes widened in awe at the final decorations Helen and Tatty finished. String lights hung below the streamers above the tables, giving the room a warm, soft glow, and the “Happy Birthday John” banner hung high at the front of the stage.

“This is amazing!” She squealed, her heart fluttering with excitement as she pulled Helen and Tatty into a tight embrace. “Thank y’all so much. I’m sorry I lost my head earlier.”

The two women returned the hug and laughed quietly, sharing a knowing gaze with Hope over her shoulder. If there was one thing Hope Armstrong knew about Ruth Morgan, it was that she cared about those around her so much. It was what made her a good teacher, a good nurse, a good friend…a good person. This was often the underlying cause of the worry that ate away at her.

“We have a surprise for you,” Tatty said, gesturing over to the bar.

Ruth’s eyes drifted over to the area to find a small box on the counter. She and Hope made their way over and opened it, grinning from ear to ear at a small cake inside with cursive icing on the top.

“Happy Birthday Bucky,” Ruth read aloud before turning back to them. “How did you two get this?”

Helen shrugged her shoulders. “I might have to go on a date with the cook, but it’s worth it.”

The group broke out into chuckles and Tatty went behind the bar, grabbing four glasses and pouring them each a shot of whiskey. “I say this is a cause for celebration.”

Helen and Tatty raised their glasses in a toast. “To John,” they chorused, the clinking of their glasses filling the air.

“To John,” Hope and Ruth grinned, throwing back their shots.

Hope was unphased, but Ruth’s eyes watered slightly as the fiery liquid burned down her throat, leaving a warm trail in its wake. She’d grown more accustomed to the taste of alcohol since she started going out more, and she found that it wasn’t as bad as she once thought.

As the minutes ticked by, airmen started to trickle into the hall, and with each one, Ruth’s nervousness swirled again in her stomach. Sensing her discomfort, Tatty poured her another shot with a wink, “It’ll help.”

A smirk formed on Hope’s face watching the blonde throw back the shot. Ruth was not good at holding her liquor, and the one time Hope had seen her overdo it in Berkshire, she had to almost carry her back to their hut at the end of the night.

Before long, the alcohol warmed Ruth from the inside out and melted away her worry, leaving behind a tingling feeling that made her feel lighter than air.

“It’s almost time!” she squealed loudly to Hope who sat beside her at their table.

Hope chuckled under her breath, noting the way she’d become more talkative and bubbly, even starting a few conversations with the men around them.

It was going to be a good night.

“Hey Buck, what was this ‘way’ you have planned to keep Johnny boy from the club? Because now might be a good time to know about it,” Hugh hissed, yanking his underwear onto his still wet body as he continued to fight his clothes on in his haste.

“I didn’t say I had anything planned. I said ‘we’ would find a way, so if you’ve got any ideas, Charlie, now would be a really good time to share them,” Gale spoke in a hushed whisper, gracing back down the hut to check the water was still flowing in Bucky’s cubicle.

Hugh threw his hands in the air, “Well I don’t know, do I? I think half the time John just wants to punch me in the face.”

Gale hummed, “Maybe that’s what we should do then.”

Hugh glared at him through the hole of his shirt, pulling it violently over his head before he responded, “Gee thanks Gale, maybe I should tell my sister that her future husband is a brute and he got me duffed up.”

“I think Hope would be inclined to agree with me…”

“What’s Hope agreeing to now? She already agreed to marry you Buck, what more can she agree to?” John asked, wandering up to them with just his towel draped precariously around his waist.

“Bucky!” Both men called out, their voices a little higher than they would have liked. John cocked an eyebrow at them and Gale stared wide eyed at Hugh, waiting for their next move.

“So Bucky, we’ve got a nice birthday treat for you planned…” Hugh began, hoping that Gale wasn’t about to tackle him to the ground. “We thought it would be nice to head back to the hut, crack open a bottle of my old Vat 69 and make a night of it. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like you don’t know me very well at all, My Dear Sparky,” John rested his hand of Hugh’s shoulder and within a split second Hugh folded.

“It was Gale’s idea.”

Gale glared harshly at Hugh before meeting John’s gaze with a simple nod.

John sighed, “Buck, I get that you’re not a big drinker, and that’s fine, why don’t you go write a letter to Hope or something while Sparky and I head down to the club to have ourselves some fun?”

John wasn’t sure why he ribbed Gale about writing letters to Hope. He wrote just as many letters to Ruth, if not more. With Gale though, it was the time he spent pouring over the letter, changing little bits and then rewriting it until it was perfect. He’d sit in the corner for hours, his tongue stuck out the corner of his mouth as he pen flowed effortlessly across the page.

Gale sighed, “Okay, we’ll head down to the club at 18:00, okay? Let’s go back to the hut first so we can drop this back. Maybe I will have some time to finish my letter to Hope too, and then we can go. Sound good?” Gale really hoped this sounded like a fair deal because he was all out of options if not.

John thought for a moment before nodding, “You know, you drive a hard bargain, Buck. Good thing I like you.”

Six o’clock rolled around quickly, and Gale found himself sighing with relief as the trio walked towards the officers club. They’d managed to keep the secret and everything had gone to plan. He’d have to have a word with Hope regarding no surprises at their wedding, his heart couldn’t take the suspense.

John was out in front with Hugh, bickering again about the Cardinals and the Yankees, an argument that Gale had heard so often he managed to tune the whole thing out now.

As they neared the club, Gale took the lead, winking at Hugh as he hurried passed to reach the door first. If John noticed anything suspicious he hadn’t let on, but from the way he’d been watching his every move across the Nissan hut earlier he definitely knew something was up.

“Hey Buck, what are you in such a hurry for, they’re not gonna run out of ginger beer,” John called out, cackling loudly at his T-total friend. Gale ignored the comment, he’d grown used to them over the years.

“Very funny, Bucky. I thought you’d be the one in a rush to get here. You wanted the drink after all,” Gale retorted, appreciating Hugh’s laughter.

“You two are like a old married couple, forget Hope and Ruth, it’s you two that sound like you live together,” Hugh ducked as John went to smack the back of his head, but he was unable to avoid Gale’s foot that he’d stuck out to the side and Hugh stumbled over, recovering himself quickly.

“Good trip there, Hugh,” John chortled, and Gale just smirked cheekily.

Hugh brushed down the front of his uniform, despite it never actually touching the ground, “You’re lucky you’re marrying my sister, Cleven.”

As they reached the door to the club, it became obvious how unusually quiet it was, normally by this time the band had struck up a familiar tune, or there was loud laughter from inside. The silence was rather eery and John found himself growing uneasy.

What exactly was going on?

Gale’s hand reached out to the door, swinging it back on its hinges and standing aside. “Happy birthday, Bucky.”

John glanced up at his friend, before looking back inside the club. Everything in the small entrance looked normal, but the silence and the suspense only grew.

Why was Gale being so cryptic too?

Sparing his best friend one last wary look, Johnny stepped through the doors.

“Surprise!”

“What?!” A wide smile broke out on the Major’s face, his eyes widening as he took in the hall…the lights, the decorations, his friends.

‘Happy Birthday John,’ the banner read.

He was about to speak, but all the thoughts in his mind flew out the window when a familiar blonde rushed towards him, grinning from ear to ear.

“Happy birthday!” Ruth giggled, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him down into a kiss. Surprised at her sudden forwardness, he froze for a moment before returning it, sliding his hands around her waist.

The sound of wolf whistles echoed around the club while Hope caught Gale’s gaze from behind the pair. A lazy grin pulled at the corner of his lips at the sight of his fiancée, and he sent her a wink as she made her way over to him.

When Ruth and the birthday boy finally pulled away, he peered down at her with a smile so filled with joy that his eyes were almost squinted shut. Her cheeks flushed rosy, but not from embarrassment. John saw the way her eyes were in a daze but still sparkled up at him like the night sky.

He knew that look.

“Someone’s had a few drinks, huh?” he grinned.

Looking over Ruth’s shoulder, his eyes met Hope’s and he tilted her head towards the woman in his arms with an amused brow raised. She simply shrugged, throwing a hand over her mouth when a laugh escaped her lips at the bright red lipstick stains that smeared on his mouth, some even up in his mustache.

“Happy birthday, hotshot,” Ruth whispered as she kissed his cheek.

Another lipstick stain.

John’s grip loosened on her waist, but Ruth’s hands slid around his torso, keeping herself tight against him. Chuckling under his breath, he turned them toward Gale and Hugh. “So this is why you two were acting weird.”

Buck saw the same lipstick stains on his face, and unlike his fiancée, made no effort to conceal his laugh. “You got a little something all over your face there, Johnny boy.”

He quickly did his best to wipe away the red marks, but only smudged them against his skin, leaving splotches of pink on his chin and cheek. “I thought you were up to something, I just didn’t know what.”

“Well, your girl, here, was the mastermind behind this whole thing,” Buck grinned, nodding towards Ruth. “Been planning it for weeks.”

John’s eyes narrowed playfully as he peered down at her. “You sneaky woman.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t somehow feel her worrying from here in Thorpe Abbotts,” Hope said from under Gale’s arm. “She damn near drove me and Frank crazy.”

“Oh, you’re full of it!” Ruth cried, her eyes widening dramatically as she shot Hope a wide-mouthed smile. “Don’t even get me started on you stressing about wedding planning!”

Above the women’s heads, Gale and John shared an amused glance, neither having seen them go at it before.

“Who wouldn’t be stressed about their wedding?”

“Well, I’m sorry for wanting Major Hot Stuff here to have the best birthday possible,” Ruth said plainly, patting John’s chest.

He was thankful that he hadn’t gotten a drink yet because it surely would’ve spewed from his lips and sprayed all over Buck. “Major Hot Stuff?” he choked out before he composed himself, a toothy grin tugging at his lips. “Just how much did you drink, doll?”

“Not much,” Ruth replied innocently, and stepped impossibly closer to him before tripping into John’s side, his hands instantly coming up to support her. She giggled happily and John couldn’t help the amused smile that spread across his face.

“She may have had a little too much for her,” Hope interjected, “To calm the nerves, you see.” Hope found the whole thing rather amusing in all honesty. Ruth had been so uptight ever since she’d started the party planning that it was nice to see her relaxing again.

Gale smiled fondly, watching as John guided Ruth to a table, settling her down in the corner.

“Shall we?” He offered Hope her arm and she gladly accepted, letting her fiancée lead her to the table where she seated herself between Gale and Hugh, opposite Ruth and John.

The rest of the men soon followed suit, all crowding around the table to find a seat. Harry Crosby perched next to Hugh, greeting Hope as he took his seat. Demarco sat on the other side of Gale, and Meatball found his way to nestle his head into Hope’s lap.

“Hey Meatball, who's a good boy,” Hope scratched behind the dogs ear and he flopped against her, whining and grunting as she hit the right spot. Gale watched the interaction adoringly.

How did he manage to find a girl so perfect?

“So Buck, tell me about this wedding you’re planning then. First I heard about it was from Croz this morning,” Demarco asked, leaning across so he could eye Gale and Hope suspiciously.

Harry looked sheepishly at Hope but she just smiled, he’d been in the infirmary when she’d dropped off supplies earlier and he’d noticed the ring.

“Couldn’t keep one secret could ya, Croz,” Hugh jested, grabbing Harry and ruffling his hair affectionately. Harry protested, smacking Hugh’s hands away and the pair began to squabble like children.

“Yep, it’s official. I popped the question and she said yes,” Gale replied, wrapping his arm around Hope’s shoulder, “She’s the only one for me.” He smiled down at Hope and she reached up, pressing her lips to hers, followed by a few low whistles and cheers from their fellow crew members, while Hugh merely made gagging noises.

“I’m happy for you, Buck, I really am,” John raised his glass, nodding towards his friend. “I would’ve paid to see this one’s reaction,” he chuckled, motioning to Ruth who was grinning beside him, tucked under his arm. She smiled fondly, thinking back on the day she found out her best friend was engaged to one of the loveliest men she’d ever met.

————————————————————————

Sunday, August 29th 1943: AAF Grove, Berkshire: 2000 HRS

Hope perched on the edge of the bed, her sore leg giving her some grief. She’d been on her feet most of the day, sorting things out around the base and she was paying for it now. Blood had seeped through the fresh bandages and she winced, peeling the fabric away from the wound.

“I told you not to do too much,” Ruth scolded, sitting down on her bed opposite Hope, “But you never listen.”

Hope just glared at her, Ruth was right but she wasn’t about to admit that.

“What would Gale say if he saw you hurrying all over base today? You know he’d be saying the same thing as me, Hope. We care about you, so please just take it easy,” Ruth pleaded, reaching over to squeeze her friend's shoulder. Her eyes trailed down to the wound on Hope’s thigh and she noticed the gold ring that adorned her ring finger.

“WHAT IS THAT?” She screeched a little too loudly, grabbing Hope’s left hand and holding it up to her face. “THAT’S A RING! AN ENGAGEMENT RING!”

Hope chuckled at her friend's enthusiasm, pulling her hand back and admiring the ring herself, “Gale popped the question in the infirmary while he was patching me up yesterday, and I said yes.”

Ruth looked at her dumbfounded before she smacked Hope’s arm, “WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?”

“There was a lot going on yesterday, it sort of slipped my mind,” Hope admitted, feeling guilty that she hadn’t told her best friend.

“Slipped your mind? You mean to tell me that your engagement just ‘slipped your mind?' Hope Armstrong, I am your best friend and you didn’t tell me first,” Ruth looked utterly betrayed as Hope moved to sit beside her.

“I’m so sorry, Rue, I should have told you. Everything was just so emotional yesterday and it all happened so quickly. Then we had to leave the base and things have been just as crazy here but that’s no excuse. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

————————————————————————

“It’s okay. At least I knew before Johnny,” she chuckled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Just wait ‘til he finds out!”

Hope cringed slightly and Ruth’s smile faltered. “I did know before John, right?”

“Well…”

“That sneaky piece of shit!”

The guilt that swirled within Hope’s stomach dissipated as Ruth’s curse echoed through the hut. She didn’t swear much, so when she did on occasion, Hope could never keep a smile from her lips. “I don’t think he wanted to spoil the surprise.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ruth playfully frowned, waving her hand in the air. “He’s a doggone traitor.”

But the frown didn’t last long and quickly changed into a wide smile as she threw herself onto Hope, trying to avoid her injured leg, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’m so happy for you, Hope. Gale is a great guy, and I know you two are going to have a long and happy life together.”

Hope smiled, “Thanks Rue, it means a lot that you support me.”

“I guess my question now is…” Ruth took a deep breath, “Can I be your maid of honour!”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Hope smiled, thinking back to the conversation she had with Ruth after her engagement. There was no way on Earth she could walk down the aisle without Ruth by her side, and Hugh of course. She glanced at her brother who was trying to loudly explain something irrelevant to Jack across the table.

The room was buzzing with life, laughter, and cheers of excitement filling the room as Tatty brought over the chocolate cake and laid it before John, a few candles stuck into the icing.

Everyone around the table erupted into a chorus…

“Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Bucky,

Happy birthday to you!”

Hoots, hollers, and laughter followed as John leaned forward with a beaming smile, extinguishing the candles in one breath. He fell back into his chair, laughing wildly. Ruth snuggled back in under his arm and he pulled her close, pressing his lips firmly to her forehead.

“Thank you, slugger,” he murmured against her skin. “Thank you for everything.”

Ruth looked delightedly back at him, “You deserve this, John. Happy birthday.”

He craned his neck to look down at her, trying to engrain the moment into his mind before he leaned in and captured her lips in his. It was short and sweet but conveyed all the gratitude and affection John felt for the nurse.

Although he may not have said it out loud, she meant everything to him.

Ruth glanced over at Hope as she pushed her chair away from the table, brushing the creases from her dress. Gale’s hand that had been resting on her thigh moved quickly, clutching her hand.

“Where are you going?” Gale glanced up at her, his long lashes casting shadows beneath his eyes.

“Don’t worry,” Hope bent over, pressing her lips to his cheek, “I won’t be long.”

Gale released her hand reluctantly, his eyes following her across the hall as she disappeared behind the band. He was confused about what she was up to, her sideways glances between the stage and back all evening gave him an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

John was laughing loudly at something Benny had said when her familiar voice came over the microphone.

“Could I have everyone’s attention please,” Hope spoke softly but firmly into the microphone, causing everyone in the room to turn. “Thank you.” Hope looked a little nervous, her hands clasped in front of her. She wasn’t used to public speaking, having never really been a fan of big crowds ever since she went to a baseball game with Hugh. It was probably one of the main reasons why she made a good nurse, the one-on-one contact with another person was something that came so naturally to her.

She cleared her throat, trying to avoid all the eyes that were suddenly on her and concentrate on the one pair of eyes that truly mattered to her. Gale’s.

“Like me, you are all here to celebrate a certain Major’s birthday. I’m sure all of you have many stories you could tell about Bucky.” The room erupted into a small chorus to ‘to rights’ and ‘hell yeah we do’.

“So what can I say about Major John Egan? I’ve only known him for two months and he sure does love to rock the boat. He’s quite the character,” a few mumbled agreements followed.

“He’s a damn good pilot and a good friend. I couldn't think of anyone more suited for Ruth,” Hope pointed towards her friend. “I would also like to thank the very lovely Ruth Morgan for putting this whole evening together for us.” Several cheers erupted around the table and for once, Ruth’s cheeks didn’t flush. She held her head high as John reached out and brushed her curls away, kissing her cheek with a chuckle, obviously noticing the change from her usual behavior.

“Thank you, doll,” he mumbled, a soft smile on his lips, but before Ruth could speak up, Hope began talking over the microphone once more.

“So without further ado, this one’s for you John,” Hope moved across the stage and placed the record down onto the gramophone.

The disk turned for a few seconds until the smooth trumpet began to play, Hope tapped her foot along to the beat, waiting for her time to start.

“Blue skies, smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies do I see”

Hope’s voice flowed effortlessly into the microphone, playing through the horn, filling the long hall with life.

“Blue days, all of them gone

Nothing but blue skies from now on”

Hope’s eyes met Gale, as he beamed at her from the audience, a wide smile gracing his handsome face and his blue eyes sparkled in awe. She’d never felt so enamoured in her life than she did at that moment under Gale’s gaze, and the lyrics flowed easily.

“Blue days, all of them gone

Nothing but blue skies from now on”

Ruth and John were swaying beside each other from their cosy spot at the table. John’s arm was draped over Ruth’s shoulder as he spoke quietly to her.

Ruth beamed at something he said and Hope couldn’t help but smile along with them. After everything they had been through together, Hope never thought they would find happiness like this.

“Blue days, all of them gone

Nothing but blue skies from now on”

As the song came to an end the crowd burst into a round of applause, having Hope scurry back to Gale, blushing all the way. Gale’s arm instinctively wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her into his side one more.

“That was beautiful,” Gale mumbled, pressing his lips to her temple.

Hope smiled up at him, “Thank you,” she chuckled, “Just wait until it’s your birthday, Major, I have a whole lot up my sleeve.”

Gale hummed in amusement, kissing her temple again, “I look forward to it.”

“Hey, hey,” John butted in, snapping his fingers at them over the table. “You two keep that for your alone time. We’ve got a cake to eat, and I’m gonna hurl like Croz here if you keep talking like that.”

“Oh, come on!” Harry sighed, dragging a tired hand down his face. “I’m never gonna live that down.”

Ruth remembered Hope telling her of the poor navigator’s airsickness, and she was relieved that her own bout of projectile vomiting stopped in the early stages of her training at Bowman Field. The rumble of John’s chest against her broke her from her thoughts.

“But thank you, Hope. You almost sounded as good as me up there.”

“Well, that’s an insult,” Bill Veal scoffed, pulling up a chair to the table.

The table exploded in laughter and nods of agreement and Ruth nodded, snickering to herself as Johnny’s face screwed up in playful confusion. “I thought you liked my singing?”

“Oh, I do,” she smiled and patted his cheek gently. “But I never said you were Frank Sinatra, hon.”

“Well, in that case, I guess I’ll have to impress you with my dance moves.”

John stood to his feet, pulling Ruth with him by her hand. “See you, boys.”

He tugged her behind him to the dance floor where a few other couples were already dancing their hearts out to the upbeat tune of Glenn Miller’s ‘A String of Pearls.’ With a wide grin, John spun Ruth around the dance floor, watching her face light up as they got lost in the moment. With every spin, dip, and kiss, their laughter filled the room, and even though Ruth stumbled a few times, Bucky’s firm grip kept her steady, his smile never faltering.

Hope watched from her spot beside Gale, envious of all the dancing couples. She glanced at Gale but he was talking to Demarco, who was feeding Meatball scraps from the table.

A hand on her shoulder caused her to jump and Hugh’s outstretched hand appeared.

“May I have this dance?” Hugh bowed his head down and Hope couldn’t contain the laughter as she watched her brother's antics.

“Why of course,” she clutched Hugh’s hand, glancing back at Gale who looked a little saddened by her departure.

“Come on, Hope,” Hugh pulled her after him, “Gale never dances and you don’t want to sit around like a sad sack all evening.”

Hope nodded, she had to admit that she loved dancing and the thought of missing out did make her a little disappointed, but she also wanted to spend time with her fiancé, who thanks to the war she so rarely saw as it was.

A few more fast paced songs passed and Hugh had Hope spinning around the dance floor. He wasn’t very spatially aware and Hope often found herself apologising as they crashed into other couples.

“Good thing you don’t fly like you dance, Sparky,” Bucky called, “You’d take out the whole 8th Air Force with those skills!”

Hugh spun around, ready to defend his honour, but Hope quickly swung him away from Ruth and John with a small smile.

As Glenn Miller played loudly and Hope couldn’t help the infectious smile that spread across her face as the hall came alive. Despite all the bloodshed and suffering they had witnessed, moments like this made it all worth it.

Hugh had always been a rather good dancer, except for his special awareness, and he led her easily across the floor. It had been a long time since she had danced with her brother, the last time having been at a party back in the States before the war broke out. It was comforting and familiar really.

Hugh began chatting animatedly about a girl he’d met the other day in Dicklesburgh. Every time they spoke Hugh was supposedly ‘in love’ with a new woman. When he’d settle down, Hope wasn’t sure.

The whole time Hope could feel Gale’s eyes on her, following her around the room. She wished he would dance with her, but she knew Gale wasn’t much of a dancer and accepted her fate to always having to find a dance partner in Hugh, who was more than obliging.

Hugh turned to face her, “So have you set a date yet?”

Hope rolled her eyes at him, “Not quite, we’ve only been engaged twelve days.”

“And you’ve only known him two months but look at that, you’re head over heels.”

Hugh’s words resonated with Hope, she couldn’t believe it had only been two months and they were already engaged, it felt like she’d loved him for a lifetime. She never imagined herself to be the kind of woman to fall head over heels for a man and marry him within a year, but here she was head over heels for Gale Cleven.

She’d written to her family to inform them of her engagement, hoping they would be a pleased as she was. The reply she received was less than friendly, accusing her of getting ‘knocked up’ and ‘bringing shame upon their family’. Hugh had written to their parents too, vouching for Gale’s credibility as an honourable man but with Hugh’s track record after his breakup with his fiancée, they still weren’t convinced. Hugh had promised her that no matter what their parents said he’d support her.

“I see the way Gale looks at you,” he spoke softly, sensing that his comment had caused Hope to rethink their mother’s harsh words. “No man looks at a woman like that unless their completely in love and that right there,” he pointed towards Gale who was leaning against the bar with Demarco and Meatball, his eyes still on Hope, “that man is completely in love with you.”

Hope blushed, nodding in agreement, “And I love him, very much.”

“Then that’s all I could ever ask for, my little sister is happy and she has chosen an honourable man. My work here is done.”

As if Gale had read the situation, he began to make his way across the dance floor towards the two Armstrongs.

“Hugh, do you mind if I steal Hope away from you?”

“Be my guest,” Hugh released Hope, passing her hand over to Gale’s who took it instantly. Her hand seemed to fit into his as if they’d been holding hands for all their lives. Hugh drifted away across the dance floor towards Helen and Tatty, sending Hope a thumbs up as he disappeared.

“May I have this dance, Ma’am?” Gale asked, his spare hand already coming to rest on her hip.

“I didn’t think you danced, Major,” Hope retorted, eyeing Gale suspiciously.

“Who would pass up the chance with a beautiful woman, such as yourself?”

Hope blushed at his flattery, placing her head against the crook of his neck. “Well I can’t argue with that, Major.”

Hope swayed in Gale’s arms, not in time with the now slow beat the band was playing but to Gale’s pace, his heart beating rhythmically beneath her hand, keeping her in time. Her eyes followed around the room, catching Hugh’s eye as he danced with Tatty, he grinned at her, and she grinned back. Hope wished Hugh would settle down, find a nice girl and be as happy as she was with Gale, but Hugh seemed to appreciate the bachelor life, it never seemed to phase him.

Hope’s eyes searched the crowd for Ruth and John but they were nowhere to be seen.

“Did you see Ruth and John leave?” Hope perked up, glancing worriedly at Gale but he just gave her a calm smile.

“They only just left, Sugar. The birthday boy needed some alone time with his girl,” his voice was low and his chest rumbled under Hope’s hand.

“Some alone time, huh?” She cocked her eyebrow at him, biting her bottom lip, unpaused that the red lipstick might end up on her teeth. “How about we have ourselves some alone time, Major Cleven?”

“Hmm,” Gale mused, leaning down to press his lips to her ear lobe. “I like the sound of that.” Hope giggled, grasping Gale’s hand and pulling him along behind her.

They passed Hugh who gave Hope a thumbs up to which she responded by throwing him her middle finger as she passed, not looking back to catch his reaction.

Once outside, the cool evening air embraced them and Gale wrapped his coat around Hope’s shoulders, smiling down at his fiancée. “What did you have in mind, Sugar?” He asked, leading her down the road that led up to the officer's hut.

Hope pondered for a moment, she knew what she really wanted, but Gale was such a gentleman that she wasn’t sure what to ask him.

“How about we head back to the officer's hut, everyone will be out enjoying the party and we can see where the evening takes us.”

Gale nodded, a smirk tugging at his lips, “Whatever you’d like, Beautiful.”

Gale led the way back to the officer’s hut, his hand resting firmly on the small of her back, guiding her all the way.

She stepped inside, and the familiar smell of body odour and aftershave hit her, it reminded her of Hugh’s bedroom back home in Missouri.

Hope made her way along the line of beds, “This is the second time you’ve broken the no-girls rule, Major. Whatever next?”

Gale snorted, closing the door behind them. His eyes followed Hope’s movements as she came to his bed, her hand running over the neatly concertinaed edge of the sheet before flopping down onto the mattress with a sigh. Her heels started to hurt her, and as if Gale knew, he stood at the end of the bed, his hands running slowly up and down her calves, before unbuckling her heels and removing them for her.

She sighed as the shoes slipped from her feet, but Gale’s hands remained firmly on her legs, trailing patterns up the smooth flesh just above her knee. Gale looked up at her through hooded lashes, his pulp lips sealed together and he looked deep in thought.

“Gale?” Hope propped herself up on her elbows, watching him curiously as he knelt on the end of the bed, his hands still on her thighs. “What are you thinking?”

Gale swallowed, his eyes making their way up her body until they landed on her face, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Just you,” he mumbled nonchalantly.

“You’re thinking about me?” Hope chuckled, pushing herself up further so she could lean over to him, her lips inches from his. “And what are you thinking about me?” She bit her lip and Gale’s breath faltered. He looked like he was having some sort of internal fight with himself, he opened and closed his mouth to speak and his forehead creased.

“I’m just thinking about how much I love you, how much I wish this damn war was over so we could be together,” Gale glanced up at her, his large blue eyes resembling a sad puppy. “I want to be with you, Hope, and not just fleeting moments but all the time.”

Hope sighed, pushing Gale back so she could straddle his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wish we could be together all the time too,” she rested her forehead against his own, “But at least in these fleeting moments we can make the most of our time together, we’ll have memories to get us through the time we are apart.”

Gale's breath faltered as his hands came to rest on her hips, shuffling her closer to him. His lips were inches from hers, just brushing lightly as he spoke, “Hope Armstrong, you’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”

She blushed, running her fingers through his tousled locks, “Why thank you, but I like the sound of Hope Cleven better.”

His lips pressed against Hope’s, a small moan leaving his lips. Hope could feel his fingers trailing up her spine, tenderly stroking the soft skin above her hips.

Hope moved her hand to Gale’s cheek, her thumb delicately stroked along his jaw, and Gale flexed under her touch. His lips immediately moved to her neck, kissing gingerly along her collarbone, his eyes darting up to hers in a silent question that she answered with a small whimper.

Hope’s cheeks grew flushed and hot, her eyelashes fluttering as she fought to keep her eyes open. She shuffled closer to Gale but he still her movements, a low groan leaving his throat. The energy in the room shifted, Gale’s desire evident on his face and his eyes burned, darker and stormier than Hope had ever seen before. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins and her hand shook as she cupped his cheek, bringing her lips to his firmly.

“I want you, Gale,” was all she could muster before he rolled her over so she was beneath him on the bed, pinned down by his large arms on either side of her head.

“Gale,” she murmured before his plush lips met her mouth, teasing her lips until she allowed him access and he slipped his tongue inside. Their tongues fought for dominance, while their hands roamed each other's bodies, exploring every crease and every curve.

Gale’s hand roamed up Hope’s thigh, grazing over the scar that ran from her knee upwards. The wound was still fresh really, having only sustained it 12 days ago. Hope had removed the sutures herself the night before traveling to Thorpe Abbotts, and the wound had healed well but the flesh was still red and raised. Gale trailed his fingers around the edge of the scar, muttering softly.

Hope sighed, “It’s ugly, I know.”

Gale had never felt so heartbroken in his life, the look on Hope’s face resembling one of disappointment, as though she wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

“I’ll be disfigured for life, those scars never going away, Gale,” a silent tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed it away, hoping he hadn’t noticed. Gale of course had, he could barely keep his eyes off of her.

His forehead creased and he gave her a sympathetic look, “Your scar isn’t ugly, Hope. It shows what you’ve been through and that you survived. None of us will get through this unscathed but our scars show that we got through it, and we will get through this together.” Gale leaned down, pressing his lips onto the raised flesh. “I told you that I love you, and that means all of you, Hope, no matter what.”

Hope pulled him towards her, wrapping his arms around his neck once more. The kiss this time had more feeling, more need, more urge to close the impossibly small gap between them. Gale hummed against her lips, his fingers beginning to work on the delicate zip at the side of her dress, while his spare hand began kneading the flesh above the hip.

Each moment their lips met, a new fire was ignited, a primal urge. Hope moaned and Gale happily swallowed any noise she made, and let out a low groan that only caused the fire inside Hope to burn brighter.

As they stripped each other down to their underwear, Hope rolled her hips experimentally, brushing against Gale’s crouch, causing him to bite down on her lip. Their chests were heaving from the effort, bumbling against each other, as Hope rolled her hips once more.

“You’re so needy,” Gale mumbled, resting his hands against her hips to slow her motions. Sweat trickled down his forehead and Hope had already noticed a large bulge in his underwear. “Hope, we shouldn’t, we’re not married yet and I don’t want you to feel like you have to do this. I’m happy to wait if you’re not…”

“Gale, I love the sound of your voice but just this once would you please shut up,” Hope battered her eyelashes at him, and watched as Gale’s jaw slammed shut. He looked confused for a moment, as if he needed a minute to process what his next move was before he was back on top of her, his teeth grazing along her collarbone, while his hand slipped beneath her underwear, storming the sensitive flesh of her groin before moving lower.

“I’ll make this a night you’ll never forget, Hope Cleven.”

If Hope had been coherent enough to notice the nickname, she was sure she would have felt warm and fuzzy inside, hearing Gale refer to her as his wife, even though they were not yet officially married. Hope, however, groaned loudly, bunching the sheets on either side of her as Gale moved lower beneath the sheets and disappeared from view.

The pair were pleased that John’s party was such a hit, even if the man of the hour had excused himself early. The other men were clearly having a good time, drinking and relaxing without the worry of a mission hanging over them, enough so that no one returned to their barracks for a good while.

Hope sighed, finally catching her breath enough to glance over at Gale who had a massive grin plastered across his handsome features. He reached up, running his fingers through his messy locks, his chest still rising and falling rapidly from the effort.

He caught Hope’s gaze, smiling softly at her, he rolled onto his side to face her, his hand coming over to rub his thumb across her cheek. Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Hope sighed, her emotions finally ebbing enough that she could think straight. A small whine slipped past her lips as she shuffled closer to Gale, resting her head against his warm chest.

“I didn’t hurt you did I?” Gale immediately asked, propping himself up a little, his eyes wide and his lip quivered as he spoke. “Oh no, I did. Oh, Hope, I’m so…”

“Hey, hey Gale you didn’t hurt me, you didn’t hurt me I promise,” Hope pulled him in close to her, “I’ve just never been with anyone before, I’m just a little stiff.”

Gale still looked sadly at her, “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his lips pressing firmly to her forehead and his arms enveloping her in a loving embrace.

“Don’t be sorry,” she mumbled sleepily, “This was the best night of my life.”

Gale chuckled, running his fingers slowly through her brown curls. “I wish we could stay like this all night but the party ends soon. The guys will be coming back, and I don’t exactly want them all to see my future wife naked.”

Hope laughed, pushing herself off the bed and quickly gathering her clothes, “Well, we can’t have that can we?”

After their visit to the vacant shower block, where they’d continued to have trouble keeping their hands, they made the short walk back to the Red Cross Nissen hut. Tatty, Helen and Ruth were already back, sitting near the window with their curlers in their hair. Ruth stared at the wall with a dazed grin, and Hope smiled to herself knowing exactly who she was talking about, the same man whose arms she was most of the evening.

Hope stood on the step, her hand resting on the doorknob but she couldn’t find it in her to go inside, not yet.

“I truly had a wonderful time tonight, Gale,” she linked her fingers through his, bringing his hand up to kiss his knuckle.

Gale sighed, stepping forward to bring her in for another searing kiss, “I want to kiss you every day for the rest of my life. Maybe we should get married before this all ends. I love you, Hope and you love me so what’s stopping us.”

Hope was a little taken aback, “You really mean it?”

“Of course I do, Hope. You’re the only woman for me and I love you more than anything. We should set a date. Does a month from now sound alright?”

Hope nodded, clutching hold of Gale and burying her face into his jacket, ignoring how her wet hair soaked his shirt and inhaled the sweet scent of his aftershave. His heart was pounding beneath her hand. She stared up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears in the moonlight.

“I love you too, Gale, with all my heart.”

Pressing one last kiss to his lips, Hope reluctantly pulled herself from him and entered the hut. Helen and Tatty sent her a few winks as she walked past them, but Ruth raised a brow skeptically from her bed, and Hope saw the questions shining in her friend’s eyes. The blonde managed to stay silent a few more seconds until her excitement and curiosity bubbled and broke free in her chest and she tugged Hope to sit down beside her. “Tell me everything!”

Gale strolled into the hut, his towel resting over his shoulder and his hair still dripping from his shower.

“Where the hell have you been?” Hugh asked, cocking his head to the right. “Was about to send out a search party to save you from my sister.”

Gale snorted, “I didn’t need any saving. The ‘future Mrs Cleven’ and I had a fine evening.”

Hugh rolled his eyes, “Oh Christ, you know what that means.”

Before Hugh could continue, Harding poked his head in the door with Major Bowman behind him.

“Evening Gentlemen. Everyone alright?” A chorus of ‘Yes Sir’ followed, and Harding nodded.

“Good. Glad you all had a good time. I just wanted to remind you all that the rule of ‘no women in the huts’ still stands. That goes for you too, Cleven.” He pointed at Gale suspiciously, eyeing him up and down before returning his attention to the rest of the men. “Have a good night, Gents.”

The door slammed shut and the room was left in silence, all the men looking at Gale, who was still standing in the center of the room in utter disbelief when John spoke up from his spot on his bed, placing ‘The Odor of Violets’ onto his nighstand.

“Buck, you sly dog,” he chuckled, pointing at his best friend with his brows raised. “You finally got some action!!”

A few moments later, the door opened again and it was Red’s face that appeared in the doorway. “And Egan,” the man sighed, fighting a smirk from appearing on his lips. “Next time you decide to give your girl a plane tour, make sure there’s no ground crewmen in the cockpit, alright? Night, boys.”

The second the door closed, the hut erupted into laughter and John’s was the loudest, his cackles echoing off the metal walls. “No one tell Ruth! She’d never wanna be seen with me again!”

Gale released a grateful sigh, thankful that the attention was no longer on him. John was used to that kind of attention, but he was not.

“Sounds like you’re the one who got some action, Bucky,” Demarco yelled from across the room.

“No action over here,” John shrugged, settling back down onto his cot and grabbing his book.

Bill scoffed on his cot beside Johnny’s. “I don’t believe that for one second. You two were all over each other at the party.”

“And you disappeared pretty early,” Bubbles added with a smirk.

“What? I swear! Is it that unbelievable?”

A chorus’ of ‘yeahs’ and ‘yes’ filled the hut at the question, and Bucky shook his head with a shrug, resuming his spot in his book. “Believe what you want, boys. Nothing happened.”

They continued to argue, but he just blocked them out, smiling to himself as he thought of the party and his evening spent with Ruth. John’s eyes drifted over to Gale across the room, who was seemingly doing the same thing, a small grin on his face that only appeared in Hope’s presence or at the thought of the nurse.

Feeling eyes on him, Buck’s gaze roamed around the room until it met Johnny’s over his book. The older man sent him a questioning eyebrow and when Gale shrugged with a smirk, he knew all he needed to know. When Gale sent him the same look, Bucky simply winked and went back to his book, and knew he was telling the truth.

It seemed the women in their lives brought out the other side of them…Hope brought out Gale’s bolder side, and Ruth brought out the loving and calmer John that Buck knew him to be.

The rest of the hut was still in disbelief at the atypical behavior of the majors, but Hugh just grinned from his position on his cot…he knew exactly why they both acted that way:

They were in love.

Tags: @georgieluz @docroesmorphine @major-mads @violetdaze25 @bcofl0ve @precious-little-scoundrel @blurredcolour @artlover8992 @b00ks1ut @xxluckystrike @hockeyboysarehot @groovin2beats @kmc1989 @ginabaker1666 @hesbuckcompton-baby @blueberry-ovaries @forsythiagalt

[siyabsimmer]

‘Chain REDUX’ – Pose Pack

Hey, everyone!

It’s been a hot minute since I released a pose pack (life got crazy), but I’m back!

I recently hit 1500 followers on Insta, and I wanted to make something special to celebrate it, so I’ve decided to finally give a much-needed remake to one my first big pose packs.

You need to place the Teleporter in the middle of the sofa.

DISCLAMER!

The poses were made with custom rigs, so there will be some clipping, it’s inevitable.

You will need:

Teleporter mod & Pose Player

TOU:

Do not reupload my content.

Do not claim as your own.

Do not put behind a paywall

Download  - link

Please, tag me on Instagram (@scorpio.whims, @scorpio.extra) if you use the poses. Nothing would make me happier as a creator to see you use them!

@ts4-poses @maxismatchccworld

[a-casual-kpopfan]

CCDI-0401 : Chuu

A/N: Consider this as a thank you because recently I just hit 1500+ followers! Please enjoy!

“Do I really need to join you for this episode Jiwoo?” You ask your girlfriend Kim Jiwoo as she’s dragging you inside a studio for a shooting of ChuuCanDoit. “Yes oppa! Trust me, you’ll like this episode!” You roll your eyes as it’s late in the afternoon, you were really hoping to get some barbecue tonight.

As you enter the studio, you did notice that Jiwoo is wearing quite a long trench coat. It’s not raining and it’s not cold enough for this kind of attire, what could she be up to?

“Jiwoo-ah, what’s with the get up? Are you going to interrogate someone?” You chuckle as Jiwoo just looks back at you with her usual big smile. “It’s a surprise!” You didn’t know what to feel, whether to be terrified what might come next or feel excited.

“And we’re here!” Jiwoo pushes open the door leading to an open dance studio, but something has caught your eye. You would never imagine in a million years that this is what Jiwoo would be doing.

Pole dancing.

“Jiwoo, I thought this season is about… Exercising?” Jiwoo walks to the wall with a coat hanger and looks over at you with a smirk. “It is! A lot of core exercises!” Jiwoo then pulls off her coat exposing her body, wearing only a bright blue yoga short and a tight white Adidas tank top. Her pale skin is at its maximum exposure, you don’t even think Jiwoo is wearing a bra under the tank top.

“J-J-Jiwoo?” You were flabbergasted, astonished, and, shocked. You lost all thoughts, your mind came to a blank, lost as ever when Jiwoo started walking towards you. You watched as each step she took, the more her white, thick and milky thighs would jiggle, ever since leaving BBC and working out more for CCDI, Jiwoo has been looking much healthier, much tastier.

The closer she got, the better look you get. You can confirm that Jiwoo is definitely not wearing… Breast support as her cute little titties are bouncing freely underneath her top. Now being so fixated on her chest, you notice her nipples are started to erect do to being exposed to colder air than being warm underneath her jacket.

“Hey! My eyes are up here!” Jiwoo points to her eyes with one hand, then taking the tripod bag off you with her other hand, with of course her large smile. “What are you up to?” Jiwoo opens the bag to stand a tripod up and attaching a single camera that Jiwoo carried with her. “I told you, it’s to record a special episode of ChuuCanDoIt!”

You shrug as you take your jacket off and hang it up next to hers, then finding somewhere to sit but only to find there’s a single seat in the room and that’s generally behind the camera, the best view to watch Jiwoo as she can make eye contact with you.

Jiwoo walks over to the windows and undo the blinds, covering the view outside and to keep the following event inside for you and your eyes only. The one smiling and happy peach, the Jiwoo that the world knows as Chuu, has completely changed. “Time for our lesson.” Jiwoo slowly walks towards the pole with a smirk, keeping eye contact with you.

You swallowed all the saliva that was pooled in your mouth, ever so often you see Jiwoo act like this, and it never fails to make you salivate. “Now let’s get started on some of the basics. I saw this online while researching.” Jiwoo then grabs the pole a feet inches taller than her height, then slight hopping up for her leg to wrap around it so she could hold herself up.

“Oppa! Look! I’m on a pole!” Jiwoo giggles as she starts spinning herself around the pole. You couldn’t help yourself but chuckle at her excitement, but that changed like a flip of a switch. Jiwoo’s giggles have disappeared and became a focused although seductive glare. The now to be pole dancer has brought her other hand to the pole so now she’s fully faced at the pole.

You watch Jiwoo bring her other leg forward resulting in her leaning back, leaning quite back. Jiwoo’s back was facing you which in turn, the more she leans back, the more cleavage gets more exposed towards you. Jiwoo releases the pole from her leg’s grasp, and gently letting herself slip in towards the pole, making contact with the lips in between her thighs.

“Ahhh…”

The coldness of the pole has made contact making Jiwoo a smidge sensitive, while you also start becoming “sensitive.” Jiwoo tightens her grip around the pole with her thighs, her squeals grow louder the more she rubs herself around the pole.

You feel your pants starting to tighten up, oh how you want to pin Jiwoo to the floor right now and ruin her tight pussy, but instead you sat there quietly trying to hold yourself. “Wooo, I’m getting dizzy.” You can see Jiwoo loosen her grip around the pole in between her thighs, she starts sliding down, slowly.

Very slowly.

“Mmmmmm… Ahh…” You can see the pole where Jiwoo was holding herself to is glistening a little more than before. “Oo… It seems I glazed the pole…” You watched her slowly land on the floor; she slowly pulls one of her hands away to see that she’s touched the sticky residue. “Oh, it’s become sticky.” She says while spreading her fingers slowly to watch the residue spread in between.

“I wonder…” To your surprise, Jiwoo slips in her index finger in her mouth, sucking on it and making a small popping noise once she pulls out of her mouth. “That was good, do you want to see me try more?” Jiwoo directs her eyes towards you with a little smirk, while her finger is being slightly bitten between her teeth.

You nod your head to let Jiwoo know that you want her to continue, and so, she does. “I need more flavour.” Jiwoo then brings her hand down to an emerging wet spot of her shorts, she moans at the slightest touch from herself, if it were you, she would be on the table already getting her ass blasted.

Jiwoo digs in a little, trying to scoop up more of the juices out of her now juicing pussy. “Ahhh... I hope I’m getting a lot…” Jiwoo then sucks on her middle and ring fingers, as those were the main fingers she used. You then started biting your bottom lip, getting quite anxious as you don’t know if you can pull your pants down and start stroking.

“Are you getting horny oppa?” Jiwoo then lays back on the floor, raising both her knees up, feet planted on the floor. “Take off your pants.” Jiwoo commands you before she started massaging her small breast through that thin tank top she decided to wear today, you guess that’s why Jiwoo isn’t wearing a bra.

Convenience.

With question or retorts, you pull your pants and underwear together in one go, flinging your manhood out in the brisk air of the room. “Aw, yeah… That’s right…” Jiwoo proceeds to lift her shirt up, exposing one of her boobs, all for the camera in front to record. “Start stroking.” Her wish is your command.

You started stroking for the amusement of Jiwoo. The once innocent peach has changed to one that’s beginning to ripen and squirt it’s juices out, all for you to watch. The now horned up peach laying on the floor, is pinching her bare nipple, slowly rubbing her clothed folds along the pole that she’s still very much attached to.

Jiwoo’s moans grow stronger as she continued watching you stroke yourself, every minute or see to tell you to do it either faster or slower. You can see from her strokes along the pole is getting stronger, deeper even.

“Fuck… Ah… Oppa, you look so- Ha- Hot…” Jiwoo adds her free hand, rubbing her clit still outside of her shorts, it has come to your attention she isn’t wearing underwear either. “Ah, yes! Yes! There!” Jiwoo stimulating herself from her clit and the pole at the same time, pinching her nipple harder than ever.

And in one loud scream, the small wet stain in between her thighs has now made her short in a giant piece of wet fabric. “Ah fuck… That was… Great…” Jiwoo’s body now rests on the floor with her lower half in a pool of her liquids. You were still hard as a rock, stroking yourself to the mess on the floor.

“I don’t think that was- Ha- Enough for an episode.” Jiwoo catches her breathe for a moment before sitting up, moving away from the pole for a second. “Let’s make this easier now.” She stands up, grabbing the hem of her shorts to only pull them down and get thrown to the side. “It’s laundry day anyways.”

You watched the shorts hit the floor; a loud wet slap was all that was heard from the drenched pair of shorts. You move your sights back to Jiwoo who’s now on all fours, moving back up into the pole. “Is she really going back to masturbating on the pole?” Is what you thought before her now expose pussy lips make contact with the assuming cold metal.

You watch Jiwoo bring her peach up in the air, the folds in between her legs, her thighs, envelop part of the pole. There were signs of hunger in her that you never seen before, a level of horniess that never had been reached before, a whole new version of Jiwoo that no one outside of you would never ever see.

Jiwoo’s face falls on the floor, pleasure can be seen from the expressions on her face, she’s enjoying this just as much as you are. Her face turns into a beet red, you can feel the room warming up with all the heat coming off of Jiwoo. You continue stroking for Jiwoo to watch as she started to stimulate her clit while feeling herself onto the pole and the other hand grabbing her left breast, massaging it and rubbing her nipples.

“Oh, fuck Wooming.”

You felt a sudden urge in yourself watching Jiwoo make herself in a hot fucking mess on the floor, but you felt like something was missing. “What’s wrong oppa?” Jiwoo stopped her actions, slowly moving away from the pole. You were confused why she’s stopped, but Jiwoo slowly approaches you on all fours with a smirk on her face.

“I bet you need help, you can’t do it by yourself.” Jiwoo’s voice was low, stimulating and in a sultry tone that you don’t hear so often. “Does baby need help?” She asks as she crawls in front of you, now her arms on top of your lap, resting her head on her arms as she stares and holds onto your cock.

“It looks so good… It feels so hard… I wonder how it’ll feel inside me.” Jiwoo’s expression changed from wondering to a large smile. “Tell me, does baby need help?” She begins to stroke your cock for you, waiting for your reply. “I need help Wooming.” But she doesn’t do anything, just continuing slowly, long strokes. “What was that?”

“Baby needs help.”

And with that, Jiwoo acts. She straightens herself up and places both hands on each of your thighs, leaning closer to your crotch, kissing your little head then spitting on it. “Let me take care of baby.” A smirk is seen on her face while she rubs her mouth made lubricant around your forever erected cock, but that smirk goes away in a snap of a finger due to Jiwoo swallowing up your piece in her mouth.

Your moan reaches an all time high, never had Jiwoo ever deep throated you before. It turns you on harder and harder hearing Jiwoo gagging due to you inside of her mouth, in a moment she pulls out to take a breath but goes immediately back in, sucking you off the best she can. Her tongue making laps around and around the tip of the head.

Her hand jerking you off while you’re still inside her mouth. You felt a sensation coming, a familiar feeling, you were going to bust.

“Jiwoo! I’m going to-”

Jiwoo stops and let’s go, stopping the process of the nut. “What the fuck!? Jiwoo, why?!” You were mad, confused, you felt like you got the biggest blue ball ever until…

Jiwoo is back on all fours, ass facing you and a pleading face looking back at you.

“Can baby fuck me?”

[occamstfs]

Nothing too special here! Just figured I'd let y'all pick for once haha! Though I've highlighted specific themes for each one it's safe to say that there will be crossover regardless, were we to go with Devolution there would certainly be Hair Growth and IQ drain aplenty-

Also thanks again for reading and interacting my work, certainly wouldn't be able to keep it up without such a warm response :) !

[undiscovered-horizon]

Imagine Dream and Desire having a competition over who can make you part of their kingdom.

[Part 2]

[2K Followers 'Clue' Special]

It's 11 AM and your Americano is still hot. You stare at the open Word document. It's just an essay like the thousand others you've written so far. But the page is completely empty no matter what you keep telling yourself. There are still at least 1500 words you need to register.

Focusing on the somewhat vague essay question you had been given, you fail to notice two strangers standing across the street from the cafe you're sitting in. One of them looks like he has just woken up while the other seems to be dressed for an occasion far more formal and exquisite than gossiping on the curb. Pedestrians pass them by without ever paying attention.

Initially, Dream was set on not entertaining Desire in this little sibling rivalry but the competitive relationship they shared got the best of him. Apparently, boredom has power even over the Endless. Now it wasn't a question of "if" but how to bring them down a peg or two.

"Money, power, fatal devotion..." Desire counts. "And what can you give them, dear brother? Saint Jacob's ladder?" they tease.

Neither of them tears their eyes away from you. Perhaps they enjoyed the side or simply wanted to make sure that the other doesn't try anything that could be considered cheating while they look away. Although this butting of heads can't be considered final, the two siblings considered it to be at least crucial in deciding which one of them is actually more powerful and important to humanity.

"They dream of a fairer world, a realm where not riches but ethics are put on the pedestal. I can make them a ruler. The first and last monarch of the entire world."

"Well, then. The game is on, I suppose." Desire announces with a mischievous grin on their face. They're checking their mother-of-pearls cufflinks. "But be prepared to lose."

Dream remains as he was: unkempt hair, pooling coat and hands shoved into pockets. His rigid face brightens, almost curving into a fleeting, elusive smile. "No, I don't think I will."

Still blissfully unaware of the figurative price on your head, you sip on the Americano. 1200 words left.

[xxsycamore]

Congrats on many followers! 🥳🎉 You deserve each and every one of them! 💖 For your event, could you please do 🤭 for Clavis (ikepri) 😇

NINNI, SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE, THIS TIME TOO 🥹🥹 Thank you! Hope you enjoy!

[🤭] 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚜 '𝚜 𝚎𝚊𝚛, 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚜𝚑𝚞𝚝 𝚞𝚙…

CLAVIS:

There hasn't been one instance where Clavis didn't showcase a new creation of his while declaring that this time it's very important and special!, and attendance in the Foreign Affairs Faction office is a must. Why believe him now? Well. Being his lover, you're doomed to sit in the first row every time. But you also happen to love him. Which makes things more bearable.

"Of course, our imaginary enemy would be well-prepared for any and all poisoning attempts. But what if our killing agent is hidden in Rhodolite's specialty? Behold, a brand new species of a Rhodolitian rose - beautiful and twice as deadly. The perfect addition to every fancy-looking last supper. Brought to you by your very own wonderful prince Clavis Lelouch, born out of his love for cookery and mischief."

Okay, this IS a bit impressive, but not without flaws. That much you can conclude by Chev's judgemental gaze. Or is this just what he's been looking like since he set foot in the room?

You stand up from your chair, and everyone takes in a barely noticed breath of hope. You're about to disappoint them, though, because you're only after your own amusement...

To Clavis who welcomes you with open arms, you dodge the offered embrace and insteal shield your mouth with a hand as you whisper in his ear.

There's something so hot about you when you're confident.

Clavis is now broken. And noticeably red-faced.

"Haha. Ahahaha!"

He taps harder against the blackboard littered with his unreadable writing and somehow even more unreadable graphics. Speaking with even more passion than before, you suddenly have a valid reason to worry about the others suggesting you for being the very first test subject of Clavis' deadly creation. Fortunately, as you expected, Clavis cuts his presentation short, seeing the others out but asking you to stay behind so you can tell him more about what you said earlier...

∎ Steal My Heart!! - xxsycamore’s 1500 followers celebration event | 💌 event masterlist

[tys-kitty]

What is happening?!

This is insane, you guys! Thank you so much for 1500 followers - I love every single one of you! It‘s crazy how much time has already passed since I started this account in May 2022. And even though a lot of things have changed over the last year, I‘m still so amazed by the sheer support, love and creativity of this fandom. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of this community and for always supporting me and my content! 💕

I might not be as active in the next couple of weeks because I‘m moving to start university but I will definitely try to post as much as I can! (Maybe I will also post some pics of my new room which I‘m very proud of)

I also wanted to use this post to ask which kind of content you would like to see more of in the future so…

So again thank you all so much! Love ya💕

Michi

Special thanks go to:

@mayaheronthorn (for always chatting with me about the newest TSC news), @walkingaftermidnight07 (for being amazing), @princeash (for your amazing content), @arcs-01 (for your stunning moodboards), @sunseeking-cryptid (for all your love), @kaitcreates (for your amazing blog)