#Air Curry T Shirt

[hopeluna]

heyy<3 Can you do a Katsuki x female reader comfort where the reader is getting ready for a date with him but when she's doing her makeup it isn't going the way she way she wants it to, so she gets upset and Katsuki is like comforting her? It's alr if you don't want to!!

ProHero!Bakugou Katsuki x fem!reader

CW: 651 words. mentions of insecurities based on looks, i aged him up as a pro hero to better fit the narrative i hope u like it <333

You sit there for what feels like years, staring at the reflection on the mirror. You decide it's absolutely pathetic. The tears that start to sting your waterline definitely don't help.

It's date night. A rare occurrence since Katsuki's missions spiked up these past few weeks, added with your work stress. Tonight was supposed to fun and relaxing.

You're feeling anything but that. Katsuki is going to be here in less than 5 minutes, as he has texted you, and here you are- still in a old t-shirt of his and worn out shorts- not ready.

It's just one of those days. The makeup on your face isn't sitting right. You've tried to do your eyeliner for the million-th time without smudging it, all the lipsticks look just wrong on you, the foundation feels more like acid on your skin the more you keep messing it up.

You know it's irrational to think about but Katsuki always looks so handsome even without trying, it's bound to be a shame to others when they see you - in all your messed up glory - alongside him.

The fan above you hums gently into the air. There are muffled conversations from the street outside, occasional shouts from kids playing and tackling each other on the ground. The light from the bathroom door you left open serves to give you a further headache. You're so focused on the throbbing ache, you don't hear the front door opening, the sound of keys.

Katsuki is rightfully startled when he walks in the room. He felt uneasy from the moment you didn't excitedly jump on him at the front door, and now the messy room and your sad face staring into the mirror. He can feel his own lips etching into a frown at the sight.

You don't seem startled from the outside when he walks up behind you, trying to make eye contact in the mirror. He squeezes your shoulder gently before speaking, "everything okay?"

You lower your head, nonchalantly gesturing to the messy table full of makeup products. Katsuki would've found your sad pout adorable if it weren't for the tears stuck to your lashes.

He lets out a low hum in understanding. Katsuki is well aware there are some days you don't particularly like how your outfits or looks turn out - he's aware of it, though he doesn't quite understand how you can't understand that he's left awestruck every time he glances at you.

His eyes flash towards you when you shuffle in your seat a little, "can we...stay in tonight?" - you look at him sheepishly, guilty for ruining the night. Katsuki only tsks at you.

"Don't be dumb thinking whatever you're thinking. Of course, we can stay in. My cooking's better than whatever restaurant we were going to go to, anyways."

30 minutes later, you feel much better with a clean face, which Katsuki insisted he help with. You had told him cheekily katsu curry when he asked what you wanted to eat. You only got a scoff in return. You tap your fingers on the cool kitchen island, softly humming at the mouth watering scent that had begun to waft through the room. The TV is muffled in the background, dimly lighting the living room with the light from the kitchen. The air is cool in a refreshing way. You think you could stay like this forever.

You frown at the sudden poke on your temple as Katsuki walks past you to the couch, hands carrying two steaming bowls.

You wordlessly follow him, snuggling into him on the couch after snatching your bowl. You choose to dig in and ignore the groan from beside you when you turn on your favourite reality tv show- the one that Katsuki claims to hate.

You think this might just be your favourite date ever.

© hopeluna. Do not copy, translate, modify or repost any of my work in this or any other site. Do not steal or modify my ideas/concepts either.

[moominsuki]

✎ᝰ ITOSHI RIN ; — he promised he would never make you sad. even new promises can be born out of broken ones.

࿄ ! warnings — gn!reader except for the usage of ‘girl’, angst & lots of comfort. sfw! / note. my first time writing for rin so go easy on me :,} he makes my heart so warm. enjoy lovies <3

arguments with rin were akin to a battlefield. it hurts more than anything when he spits venom in your face, relaying words that should never be said by a man to his woman.

perhaps it’s the fact that you know him so deeply that reassures a hopeful part of you - a part of you that loves the dark, teal-hued haired man. it’s so tumultuous the way rin can go from zero to a hundred in seconds and suddenly, you’re walking on egg shells around him.

this time though, he knows for certain he’s fucked up. he can see it in the way fat tears run down the softness of your pink cheeks, and in the way that you relinquish all your weaponry, baring only a white flag and your soul:

“you’re right, rin. what do i know?”

it’s been a day and half and rin feels like hot garbage. he’s taking advantage of every half time to see if you’d message him first and his fingers always hover and twitch over the keyboard before the screen inevitably turns dark at his lack of activity and all he can see is his own tired and regretful face staring right back at him.

it was always you who'd reach out and, while he would seldom admit this to anyone, you were a constant in his life, the one person who understood him better than even himself. and now, he could feel you slipping out of his grasp, feeling a sense of despair creeping in.

he’s moving like he’s on auto pilot for the tedious remainder of his practice and he’s realised that you both haven’t gone this long without speaking in a long while and it sucks. why wouldn’t you understand that he’s a working man? he - you both knew that this was complicated. he was a professional footballer now - on the precipice of surpassing his older brother, and could you truly understand all the pressures and expectations that came with it?

rin doesn’t even know the answer to that anymore. though, what he does know is that he’s treated a good girl bad. and he’d be damned if he let his inferiority get in the way of loving you like you deserve.

“rin? you good, bro? you look like shit.” says isagi and rin scoffs before grabbing the black haired man by his shirt and pulling him close.

“what the fu-?!”

“tell coach i’ll be right back. something’s come up.”

rin speeds out the building before anyone can protest, taking nothing but his desire for you. he just hopes he gets there on time.

but it’s not like you’re doing anything particularly profound yourself. having called sick from university for a second day in the row, you’re eating leftover curry from the nights before... the nights when you and rin were cuddled up and you were spoon feeding him this exact meal.

you couldn’t stop the tears from dribbling down your face and right into your bowl. you hate that idiot. you hate that your heart beats for him and him only, even though he makes you feel like this on the bad days.

‘but there shouldn’t be any bad days,’ you think and the wrists of your sweater mop up any salty tears and snot from your face.

you can’t help but wonder if this was a sign from the universe - if you were destined to go your separate ways, to become nothing more than distant memories of a simpler time, a time in which rin would’ve ate glass if it meant he’d never see you cry again.

“you don’t have to do that, idiot,” you giggle, “though it would be a good punishment. are you manifesting that for yourself?”

rin shakes his head that’s kneading against your bare tummy, your t-shirt having been ridden up so he could press his cheek against the warm skin of your belly.

“just shut up… i would do a lot of things so that you’d never cry,” he grumbles cutely, ears red and you run your fingers through his hair as he lets out a puff of air.

“i’ll hold you to that, rinnie.”

three hard knocks against your front door throws you out of your reminiscing and you quickly wipe and pat at your face as hard as you can to brush away any remnants of a sadness-fuelled crying session before padding away to open at the door.

“hi - oh.”

you don’t know why you’re so surprised to see him but to see him like this? all sweated up, out of breath and pink in the face were all symptoms that were reserved for his football practice. the rin you knew would never sacrifice his prime training hours just to see you-

“just give me a minute. you - you don’t have to let me in. but i just wanted to say i love you, y/n. and you deserve better than - than, i don’t even want to say it,” rambles rin, who’s short of breath and he doesn’t know if it’s from running all the way over to see you or if it’s from trying not to get distracted by how devastatingly gorgeous you look, even when he’s the reason for your heartbreak. you’re wearing the sweater that he got you and your eyes are all doe-eyed and glassy and your plump lips are pursed together.

“but i’ll say it anyway because it needs to come from me. you deserve better than me. and i’ll still want you regardless, even though i don’t deserve you. and i’m sorry. i’d still eat glass even if you want me to but it still wouldn’t be enough. i’m sorry.”

rin exhales loudly and closes his eyes for a moment so he doesn’t have to see the hurt on your face but all it does it prevent the anticipation of seeing your arms fly over his waist.

“you’re such an idiot, rin,” you sob, face stuffed in his jersey and he all but wraps two strong arms around and rests his face into your hair, wanting - needing to be engulfed by everything that you are.

“i still hate you for making me sad,” you say, all muffled and sniffly and he breathes out a little harshly at that, wincing but he knows he deserves more than a few pointed words from you.

“i hate myself for making you sad,” he murmurs and you sniffle even more.

“you should definitely eat glass after this,” you mumble and rin presses his lips into the crown of your head and hums.

“as long as it’s made by you.”

“shut up… you should, sniff, go back to practice,” you whisper after pulling your face from the comfort of your boyfriend’s warm and toned body.

“you’re sure you don’t want me to stay?” rin frowns and for the first time in almost three days does he see a beautiful grin take up your face and he has to stop himself crumbling into the floor while you nod fervently.

“seriously, you should go. i don’t want to be the reason why bachira and isagi start going off on you,” you giggle and rin’s lips upturn slightly and he lets out a half chuckle.

“yeah, you’re right. but i won’t be too long so… wait for me?”

“…ok,” you bite your bottom lip and rin holds back the dire urge to kiss you but given the circumstances, he decides not to overstep, already elated that you still want him in spite of his behaviour.

he nods again and goes to leave the vestibule of your home when you pull his arm back.

the dark haired man turns to look at you in confusion, “what-” but he is merely interrupted by your hands that grab at his neck and the push of your lips onto his own.

the way rin kisses back in reciprocity is almost instantaneous and too wild for you to keep up as his hands splay themselves across the small of your back to your waist. your mouth tastes like a faint hue of katsu curry and even so, rin can’t help but slot his lips over yours. you eventually throw your arms around his neck to get impossibly closer to the man and even though he’s smells vaguely sweaty, you can’t help but be addicted to the scent anyway. especially when he holds you like he can’t get enough of you and it makes a fire rumble in the pits of your belly.

“i don’t hate you by the way,” you say when you break apart the kiss to whisper on his lips and he hums, all placant and appeased from being in your arms.

“i know,” and rin leans down to kiss at you one last time and you push him away playfully.

“you should definitely go now. they’re gonna be on you when you come back,” you twinkle and rin can’t help but mirror the soft expression that sits on your face.

“i’ll see you later, y/n,” he nods, taking your knuckles to his mouth, and the action makes you roll your eyes and he smirks this time around.

“okay, okay, i’m gone.”

when you finally get to shut the door behind you, you saunter off to the couch to see a notification light up your phone.

rinnie <3: on my way back. i love you.

a salty droplet hits your phone screen but this time, it’s not a cause of sadness; more so, a cause of adoration for the idiot. your idiot.

you: i love you too, rinnie :) have a good rest of your practice!

the striker has missed approximately 30 minutes of practice by the time he languidly strolls through to the pitch and multiple sharp eyes land on him - despite his attempt at blending in to make it seem like he never left.

to say that the guys on the team lambasted him would be an understatement. rin makes a mental promise to never induce sadness in you again, lest he face the wrath of his annoying teammates. though he doesn’t really care what those idiots think.

he’d run out of a million more games if it meant he needed to make things right with you.

࿄ ! — all rights reserved © moominsuki. please do not copy, translate, repost nor recommend my work outside of tumblr. this is strictly prohibited.

[samuel-de-champagne-problems]

Who's Counting?

Spencer Reid x Female Reader (Smut +18)

Summary: Part 2 to So It Goes, but could be read as a standalone. Spencer and reader have been dating consistently for a couple of months, after finally admitting feelings for each other at a night in a bar. Other things, like their sexual experience were admitted as well. Reader, after plenty of lunches and dates with Spencer is ready to take that step with Spencer…if he’ll ever make the move.

Warnings: Oral sex (female receiving) fingering, penetrative sex with protection

Note: I’ve been kind of off lately with writing consistently, but for some reason I had a lot of inspiration when writing this one. So I hope you like it. I’m really happy with it!

Word Count: 7K

After seventeen more shared lunches, three actual dates, and many nights with Spencer even sleeping over at my place. It took nearly everything in me to convince him to sleep in the same bed as me. Spencer, it seemed, was hellbent on taking it slow. It was hard to take things slow, especially when the man I’m taking things slow with, just happened to be the prettiest man I’ve ever seen. 

On our eighteenth shared lunch, Spencer sat next to me on the dark green upholstered chair in his office. I loved his office. It was quaint with mismatched furniture and probably hundreds of books all over the place. He had framed pictures of his former co-workers/basically brother’s and sister’s kids on his desk. It smelled like coffee and grapefruit air freshener. And I loved it. 

I brought leftover chicken curry over rice for us to split. Spencer, like always, provided the coffee. Dating a man with an impeccable memory proved useful when he always remembered my coffee order after hearing me place an order for it once. 

“Coffee with a splash of oat milk and cinnamon,” Spencer said. He placed the drink before me on the desk as I handed him his lunch portion, “Oh, and I bought you some Hershey’s chocolate syrup in the mini-fridge,” he told me. Spencer smiled as he looked down at his plate, clearly proud of himself for the small gesture. It was small, admittedly, but it’s also one of the nicest things a man’s done for me. 

“Did you really go out and get me chocolate syrup because I mentioned it fleetingly?” I proposed. I licked the back of my spoon and handed Spencer a napkin from my lunch bag. 

“You like your coffee a very particular way,” Spencer said with a shrug, “I want to make you happy, Y/N. Even if it’s something small like making sure you’re never too cold or having coffee the way you like,” 

“Even if you explain the logistics of it, Spence. I’m still going to think it’s the nicest thing anyone’s done for me,” I confessed. Spencer looked away pointedly; somehow he’s the one that got embarrassed about this whole thing. 

“Well you’re going to have to get used to it,” he replied. Spencer took a bite of the chicken, probably nearly burning his mouth of the molten sauce, “Because I’m gonna do it a lot,” he said with his mouth full, “Make you happy that is,” 

We never really talked about an ‘us’ before. For the last couple of weeks, Spencer and I’ve certainly acted like a couple. We continued our daily lunches from before that night in the bar, but began to hang out more outside of work. After the night when he finally slept in my bed, I went out and bought pajama pants and tee shirts for him. So he wouldn’t have to sleep in his clothes again. Just like Spencer wanted to make me happy, I wanted to make him happy too. 

“Don’t talk with your mouth full. It’s really not sexy,” I said, nudging Spencer on the shoulder.

He rolled his eyes, some of the sauce rested on the corner of his mouth. “Pfft. You find me devilishly handsome, freakishly sexy, and deliciously…” 

“Annoying?” I interrupted, soaking up some of his curry on his plate. I smiled at Spencer’s hesitant glee. 

“Nope. You find me sexy. I’m a profiler. I can tell.” Spencer quipped. He smiled with a mixture of mirth and coyish charm. Our knees touched under the table. My knees were bare and he was covered in his long gray dress pants. I felt the friction start at my kneecap and it jolted straight toward my lower stomach. 

“Then why won’t you have sex with me.” I said. It came out more frustrated and rather angry than I intended. “I-I mean. It’s just….it’s been like a bunch of dates and my couch literally has an indent from you sleeping on it. And I mean, you clearly know that I’m attracted to you and I’m like pretty sure you’re attracted to me, but it’s just…” 

Spencer's fingers reached up to my chin and tilted it up so I would be forced to look at him in the eyes. His gaze practically melted my insides. It was like that friction I felt turned into something like magma. His eyes bore into me and threatened him back with a gaze of my own. 

“You’re very wrong if you doubt for a moment my attraction to you, honey. I just want you to know that’s not the thing I’m after. Sex with you is going to be amazing. But sex with you isn’t all that I want from you. It’s simply an added bonus.” 

This man will truly be the death of me. But at least that death will be at the hands of multiple orgasms and intellectual conversation. 

I choked as Spencer’s fingertips left my chin. He returned his hands to his lap and looked back at me. Our eyes met again and I offered him a soft smile. “You already make me happy, by the way. Happier than I’ve been in a very long time.” 

Spencer’s eyes shifted from my eyes to where our hands almost touched. The table was cool against my palm, which seemed to sweat at the very thought of being brushed up against Spencer’s hand. Neither of us dared to make a move, waiting in the thick silence for the other to break the spell laid before us. It’s tense, the space between us. His brown eyes, once blazing in the bar that night, were soft with concern and worry. I’m smart enough, albeit a little naive when it came to romance, that the look in Spencer’s eyes was enough to warn me of what was to come. 

“I’m glad.” Spencer admitted. His eyes wandered around the room before finally they landed on my eyes yet again. It was like we were two magnets, made up of opposing poles, unable to stay apart for too long. Somehow we always ended up colliding in an unbreakable way. And I couldn’t say I disliked those of being bound by the law of physics to Spencer. 

“I don’t want to beat around the bush anymore.” I ventured, setting down my fork to look at Spencer dead on. His eyes were the window to his soul and I, in that moment, read exactly what he was doing. “I really really really really like you Spencer. You’re so charming and handsome. And seem to actually like me? I don’t get that often. So when I do get it, it’s really something to me. What I’m trying to say,” I paused, eyes searching Spencer’s face for flashes of disagreement, “is that I’m ready?” 

“For?” Spencer teased playfully, knowing exactly what I wanted. He shifted in his seat, eyes shooting back and forth from my eyes to my lips. He was going to make me say it out loud. 

Again.

“You know what I mean.” I whispered, my voice hushed even though we were completely alone. Though know one was in the room I felt a wave of unease rush through me at the thought of this conversation getting out. Spencer’s hands gripped me and a pressure from my shoulders seemed to release at his touch. I thought that I should be worried about how affected I am by him. I was completely enamored in the way he talked, the way he carried himself, the way he held my hand and bought me my favorite books. 

“I think I do.” Spencer said, his eyes were like liquid sugar and they melted my resolve. They completely washed away anything that held me back. Looking at Spencer, with our knees touching, it was hard to think straight. I felt the fire build in me. It was like warm embers burning deep inside of me. It threatened to swallow me whole and I was tempted enough by Spencer’s fiery eyes to just give into it. 

So it goes, I thought. 

“I think you do,” I repeated. I slotted Spencer’s hand into mine and squeezed. My heart leapt when he squeezed back, a silent sign that we were on the same page. I’ve never been on the same page as someone before. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but sitting there with Spencer with my knees pressed against his and his eyes burning into my skin, I think that I’d like to feel it again. 

***

Spencer, as it turned out, was quite romantic. And, as it also turned out, I quite liked being on the receiving end of being romanced by him. It’s not to say I didn’t do my fair share of romantic gestures for him. There was a never ending supply of gently used books and homemade sweets made especially for Spencer nearly every time I saw him, which quickly became every day. I loved our lunches, but something told me I was going to love the entire weekend with Spencer alone even more. 

He rested his hand against my thigh as I drove up the winding Virginia country roads. Spencer, I learned, hated driving, but was an excellent co-pilot. In his spare time, he memorized maps so he would know exactly where he was. If I already didn’t find him incredibly endearing and adorable, I would have fallen head-over-heels for him right then and there. 

“It’s not much further.” Spencer said. He didn’t even look down at the map that rested on his lap. He gestured with one hand, showcasing his excitement. The other laid gently on my thigh. I could feel the warmth from his hand, yet when his palm touched my skin I felt goosebumps crop up.

“I always forget how beautiful it is up here,” I commented, turning on the blinker. 

“I think you’re trying to manipulate me into saying that you’re beautiful too,” Spencer teased. His eyes were dark in the lack of light, but I swore I saw the color I’ve been searching for in them.

“Why,” I asked, “is it working?” I offered him a toothy smile, unafraid of showing off my crooked teeth. It seemed so innocuous, smiling fully, smiling carelessly, but I couldn’t remember a time I did. 

“Of course it is.” Spencer said, blushing crimson as I chuckled. His thumbs brushed against my leg, reminding me of what was to come. I pulled into the driveway, the little cabin that Spencer found online even more charming in person than on the computer. 

“Jeez, I can’t believe you insisted on renting this cabin for our weekend. I would’ve totally been fine with us going Dutch at the crappy Sonic and boning in the back of your Volvo.” I joked, leaning over the console and kissing Spencer on the cheek. 

He reciprocated, moving his face towards mine so our lips slotted together. Spencer's hands cupped my head, keeping steady against him. We kissed plenty of times in between the nineteen lunch dates and the countless times he crashed on my couch. Sometimes those kisses were sweet, as if my lips could break if he placed too much pressure on them. And other times the kisses were fervent and rushed, as if he couldn’t bear to not be close to me. 

Yet this kiss found itself lying somewhere in between. 

“Could you please just enjoy me being nice to you.” Spencer said with exasperation. His sigh made me giggle against his lips. And he swallowed it with another kiss. “And though this cabin is fancy, the hot tub is entirely for my benefit.” 

“Oh please you say that like I don’t want to see you walk around with nothing on, Spencer Reid,” I scoffed, “You are aware that women are just as much of sexual creatures as men are.” 

I gleefully watched as Spencer’s cheeks tinged a bright pink and then his eyes narrowed into my face. He studied me like he was looking at me for the first time. His thumb brushed against my cheeks, my chin, my bottom lip, and then it gently rubbed against my cheekbone. 

“I am aware.” His hand had snaked down to my neck, bringing me closer and closer to his lips. “Very aware, Y/N.” 

*** 

I slipped my swimsuit over one of the towel bars, letting it dry overnight. Spencer came up behind me, his hands seeking the warmth underneath my sweatshirt. They felt big against my waist and his thumb dragged against my hip. It was the parts of myself that hardly saw daylight, that were never touched, never kissed or caressed. 

“I told you that the hot tub was worth it.” Spencer whispered in my ear. I turned around to face him. My back was pressed against the counter. I didn’t realize I craved domesticity with Spencer until seeing his bottle of aftershave and my tube of moisturizer coupled on the counter. It was that simple little detail that sent shockwaves of something I couldn’t quite pinpoint up my spine and out my fingertips. 

“I did enjoy it. It’s another reason why I got to convert you to the Kindle. You can read with the peace of knowing you’re not hurting your book if it gets wet.” 

Spencer grunted, as if using an eReader was an affront to humanity. “I would rather eat a book than to read it on an electronic device. Besides, we both know why you prefer your Kinder.” 

“Kindle,” I corrected, “And why do I prefer my Kindle?” I continued, staring at a fixed point as Spencer’s lips dipped below my earlobe, kissing a patch of skin that he found to be particularly sensitive. 

“The books you read on there aren’t the kind of books that you’d want people to know you’re reading.” He replied, continued to pepper kissing against my neck and I gripped his gray tee shirt for some sort of grounding. “But I could tell,” he whispered, nipping my neck, “what sort of book you were reading. You do this thing with your lips. You wet them, part them, and then you let out this little breath. It’s adorable. And those eyes of yours, Y/N. They dart around like you’re going to get caught. You hide it well, but not from me.” 

“Spencer,” I panted, my fingers clawing at his shirt, begging for him to take it off and toss me on the creaky bed, “Please. It’s been forever since we’ve…..”

I didn’t know what it’s been since or even what we were. All I know is that whatever it is could break my heart or bring me back to life. Spencer’s hands gathered the fabric of my sweatshirt at my waist. His forehead dipped against mine and I swore I heard him curse something that sounded like my name. 

“Are you sure, Y/N?” Spencer asked, his voice husky with a potent mixture of want and need and desire, “This is your first time and I want to make sure you’re into this. You’re perfect and I want you to know that–” 

I cut him off with a kiss. Somehow, I jumped up so my butt rested on the counter and I braced my hands on either side of Spencer’s head as I crashed my lips against his. Instinctively, his hands creeped up to cradle my face, holding me like I was something precious, something sweet, something fragile. 

“I don’t break,” I choked out in between breaths and kisses, “So don’t be afraid to fuck me, Spencer.” I cursed, wrapping my legs around his waist as a way to tell him just how much I desired him. 

Spencer, finally, gave into me. He moved us from the cramped bathroom, holding up my weight as he entered the bedroom. I was tossed against the bed, ricocheting against the hard, springy mattress. He hovered over me, his eyes scanning my face, focusing on my eyes, my nose, my lips before kissing my forehead. It wasn’t the searing kiss against my lip I imagined it would be. It was sweet. Endearing even. 

He motions for me to sit up, taking the opportunity to remove my sweatshirt. Spencer kissed along the column of my neck, smirking against my skin at my responsive squeals and squirms. He used his other hand to take up home against my waist, fiddling with the waistband of my shorts. I watched as he glared at me in the living room when I came out wearing sleep shorts that could hardly be defined as shorts. Now, he traced the ruffle hem with a delicate attention that could only be defined as analytic.  

“Spence.” his name came tumbling from my lips before I could stop myself. It was halfway in between a plea and a prayer. His hands, long and lithe, gripped my thighs as he spread me apart, “Please hurry, Spencer.” 

“Oh sweetheart, I plan on taking my time with you. We’re going to figure out exactly what you like. And then some.” He said, sounding too much like a diabolical scientist for my liking. 

I licked my lips and then parted them and then let out a little breath. 

And then I felt my cheeks burn as Spencer’s knowing chuckle reached my ears. “I told you. You have a very obvious tell. I told you it was adorable.” He said in a hushed tone. “So fucking adorable.” 

“I would probably be even more adorable without my shorts on,” I quipped, grinning like I was pleased with myself. 

Spencer scoffed, running a hand up and down my leg until he reached the ruffled hem of my shorts. His fingers dipped underneath them, feeling my soft, untouched skin. “You mean this pathetic excuse for shorts? This tiny piece of fabric made with the premise of driving me fucking insane?” He cursed, his hand returned from underneath my shorts. This time he rested it against the waistband. “Where did you buy these?” He asked. 

“Target? I think? Like last summer. But there’s just sleep shorts. You can get them, like, anywhere.” He nodded, still staring at where his hand rested on my bare stomach. 

“So you’re not overly attached to this particular pair of shorts?” 

I shook my head, confusing coloring my face. But then I felt a ripping and noticed how Spencer’s face contorted with effort. In his hands he held scraps of fabric that used to be my shorts. 

“You did not just rip my shorts?!” I faux shouted, but it turned into laughter. “What was that, Spence?” I dragged him up by his shirt to yet again, kiss him. “My god, you’re such a dork.” 

“I thought you’d find it hot,” Spencer whispered sheepishly. His lips grazed across my lips, burning into my skin as he spoke. “But I’ll admit, it’s a bit out of character.” 

“Yes,” I nodded, still laughing, “It was hot, but out of character.” I knotted my fingers into his hair, brushing my lips against his face, searching for any bit of him to kiss. I felt him against my hip, the removal of the thin layer of shorts did little to hide his arousal from him, but it did make this feel all the more real. 

Spencer must have been able to read my mind, because his fingers bore into my waist and he ground down against me, sending that familiar friction down my lower belly and out through my toes. “Oh god, fuck.” I cursed, licking my lips as Spencer’s teeth nibbled against my collarbone. 

“More in character?” He teased, his tongue tracing against the dip in my neck. He smiled into it, unraveling me in one fell swoop. 

“Yes, yes,” I groaned, my hips thrusting upward to match his motions. “Are we…going to? Can we?” I panted into his mouth, so far gone that I could hardly care for the desperation that was laced in my voice. 

“Yes, Y/N.” Spencer cooed, his voice soft as he sank lower and lower down the bed. He stopped when his face was in line with my knees and kissed my rough kneecaps. “God, you don’t know how long I’ve waited to taste you. Can I? Can I taste you, Y/N?” 

“Yes, but I thought we were going to, you know…” I said, my voice trailing off with embarrassment. With Spencer I never felt as if I was this blundering late bloomer with a glaring V-card in her late twenties. But with that gorgeous man practically begging to eat me out, I felt completely lost. 

“We are.” Spencer clarified. “But penetrative sex sometimes isn’t enough for women to reach their climax. And considering this is your first time, I want you to be as relaxed as possible. So starting off with an orgasm, or two, usually helps with that.” 

Oh. 

“Cool.” I said, totally uncool. Spencer smiles, his fingers breaching apart my thighs as I give him the nod of approval. “You’re the expert on this I guess. I mean, at least before me. Not that you don’t know what you’re doing—” 

I stopped in my tracks when Spencer’s nimble fingers pulled down my underwear. His face is eye level with my center, that aches for his touch. He placed gentle kisses along the insides of my thighs. It’s like we’re a Rube Goldberg machine. His kisses, his nips, his wandering fingertips elicit a chain reaction of my drunken moans, my teeth biting my bottom lip, my hands grabbing fistfuls of bedding. Spencer’s agonizingly slow pace threatens to be the actual death of me. He teases me, his tongue darting closer and closer to my center. 

It has to be forever before he finally licks a straight line up my center. With careful trepidation tongue breaches my folds, unearthing a whole other universe of pleasure against my entire being. He pins my hips down, demanding my full attention and focus. 

“Was that alright?” Spencer asked, his breath shocking my core unnervingly. “Did you like that, sweetheart?” 

I knew by the tone of his voice that Spencer was teasing me. And I liked it. I knotted my fingers into his hair, pulling him closer to my core. His tongue swirled around my clit and I squirmed against his face. I whined into my fist, attempting to stifle my whimpers. 

“Don’t you dare,” Spencer ordered, snaking a hand that clutched around my wrist and brought it to my side. “I brought you to the woods for a reason, Y/N. There’s no one around. You can be as loud as you need to be, sweet girl.” 

“Oh my god, oh my god,” I whined, allowing the pleasure to envelope me in a warm embrace. “I feel so good, so good, Spence. Can-can you put a finger in? Please?” 

Spencer sneered at the question in my voice. Like there was a chance in hell that he’d deny my request. He slipped a finger into me and I instinctively tightened around him. Spencer’s voice shook with pleasure as he sung a string of swear words. 

“Take your bra off, sweetheart.” Spencer pleaded. “Touch your nipples for me. It’s an erogenous zone for women. Your pleasure will be intensified.” Scrambling to follow his instructions, I tossed my bra to the floor and watched a stunned Spencer stare at me. 

“Oh baby,” Spencer whispered, “You’re stunning. I could spend forever just staring at you.” He continued. “Do you like it when I have a finger buried inside this pretty pussy?” 

Spencer’s palm brushed against my clit as his finger pumped in and out. I couldn’t respond to his question, yet I believe that my pathetic, desperate moans answered sufficiently. He licked his lips, parted them, and then let out a little breath. I smiled. 

“You’re turned on.” I cooed, though it took all the strength in the world for me to string together the words to complete the sentence, “You did the thing.” 

“Yes, I’m turned on, Y/N. Jesus, is the sky blue. You’re just too beautiful for your own good. Look at you.” He brought his lips to my core again, his tongue entering me as his finger continued to draw out moan after whimper. 

“I think you like being full, baby.” Spencer assessed. “Would you like me to try another finger? Hmm? See how full you can be?” He asked, his eyes burned into my skin. It was like he was already replaying the memories of tonight in that amazing, brilliant brain of his. He watched me with a tenderness that I didn’t feel worthy enough to be viewed with. 

He slipped another finger into my center, filling me to the brim. I squirmed against his palm, the friction from the movement electrifying my clit as I whimpered into the crook of Spencer’s neck. He toyed with my nipples, alternating between quick, sharp touches and wet, soft kisses that drove me half insane and half drunk with need. 

“I–I think I’m close, Spencer.” I plead, as if I’m making a deal with the devil himself, when in reality I’m on the brink of Heaven being ushered over by my very own guardian angel. 

“I know you are, sweetheart. I can tell. Your heart rate is speeding up and you’re so tight around my fingers. I can feel you throbbing around me, baby. Just a little bit more. And you’ll come all over my face? Huh? For me. Get you nice and relaxed for my cock.” 

His crude words were a stark contrast to the gentle, yet firm way he coaxed her climax. Spencer’s steadfast way he guided her was evident through the bead of sweat that gathered against his brow. He studied her with deep concentration as she rode out her high. 

“That’s my girl.” Spencer praised. “That was so good, baby. How did that feel? We don’t have to go further if you don’t want to. It’s at your pace. Whatever you want, Y/N. At whatever speed you want.” 

God, if I hadn’t fallen in love with him already, I would’ve crashed from a skyscraper from that moment alone. 

“That was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.” I panted, dragging Spencer up to my lips for a kiss. I tasted my arousal on his lips, something that I never thought would be hot, but somehow with Spencer it was. He grinned with a self-satisfied smirk that told me he would want to do what he just did again and again till he either got bored of it or died doing it. “But I need you. Naked. Like yesterday.” 

Spencer chuckled. It vibrated through me. The sound of his laughter was enough to bring me back to life. I watched him, with my legs that felt like jelly, lift his gray cotton tee shirt and reveal his stomach and shoulders. It would take me several hands to count how many times I’ve hugged Spencer. He told me, in the beginning, that he was apprehensive of physical touch. But he, somehow, didn’t feel that way around me. I think it was because he felt safe with me. Whatever we shared, whether it was love or respect or a mutual sort of appreciation of each other, the one thing that ran constant was this sense of safety. Together, we lived without fear of judgment and ridicule. 

So when I saw Spencer without his shirt on for the first time, it wasn’t like I didn’t know what to expect. I could feel his body when I hugged him, when we laid on the couch together and he pretended to fall asleep so he could spend the night cramped on my small sofa for the sole purpose of being able to make me breakfast in the morning. I knew where his body was soft, where it was lean and lithe, where he felt so strong he could break me in two without really trying, where he felt gentle. 

Yet there was very little that could have prepared me for how Spencer looked without a shirt on. His hair was damp and I could smell my lavender soap that he stole. It clung to his neck and spread out in soft, brown waves. He wore gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips. My eyes were directed to the slight V that formed and the trail of hair that most definitely led to somewhere I wanted to discover, to claim as my own, to plant my flag on…

“The way you’re staring at me,” Spencer started, “It’s very dangerous.” He said, his voice lower than usual as he watched me. My knees were clamped together as I rubbed my thighs, desperate for the slightest bit of friction. I decided that I no longer wanted to wait for either Spencer’s permission or his advice because it certainly seemed that he got off making wait and it was probably time to take matters in my own hands anyway. 

I crawled to the edge of the bed, pulling Spencer forward by the drawstring of his sweatpants. Kissing along his stomach, I listened gleefully as his bodily responses to my ministrations. With an encouraging hand, he gently rubbed his thumb over my bare shoulder blade as my fingers reached his waistband. 

“May I?” I asked, suddenly understanding why he found consent so sexy. I wanted to hear him beg for me. “May I take off your pants, Spencer?” I asked again, biting my lip in a ridiculously sexy way that would have been funny if either of us wasn’t so turned on to realize it. 

“Yes,” Spencer sputtered out, as if his tongue was getting in the way of his speech. He bit his lip as my fingers reached into his sweatpants to reveal that he decided to forego underwear. “Holy shit, Y/N.” 

“I–I don’t know what I’m doing with that.” I confessed, as Spencer’s sweatpants fell to the floor in a heap. “It’s a little intimidating.” 

Spencer’s hand brushed my hair out of my face, “It’s okay. I’m so turned on that I’m not even going to need much. But I’ll show you, honey.” He reached down to hold my hand against his and then brought it to his erection. “There,” he said, the strain in his voice apparent. “Just like that. You can move your hand back and forth. Or…ah, that. Yes, that.” 

I brushed my thumb over the head of Spencer’s erection, watching with a small bit of pride as his face twisted in pleasure. He, however, had enough strength to reconnect our lips. His hand crawled up the back of my head and pulled me towards him. I continued to drag my hand up and down his hardness as he moaned into my mouth. My name sounded like a cursed prayer or a sacred swear against his lips. 

“I’m not gonna last, sweetheart. Your hand is too much as it is. I don’t think I’ll take it any much longer.” He pleaded against the expanse of my throat. Spencer left a collection of hickies as he let out a string of curses while I scrambled for the condoms I packed.  

Finally, I found them. I said a silent prayer to whatever deity out there that was okay with premarital intercourse for providing me with the forethought of splurging for the 24 pack of condoms. I tossed Spencer one, watching as he tore it open and rolled it onto his leaking erection with precision. 

“I’m ready for this, Spencer. Believe me, but I’m still just nervous. I know it doesn’t really mean anything. But it’s just…it’s silly. I know. But–” 

He interrupted me, hushing my fears with a kiss. “I’m not going anywhere after this happens, Y/N. I want to see you like this, all splayed out for me, so sexy and needy. I want to see you with toothpaste stains on your ratty college tee shirts and ridiculously tiny sleep shorts. I want to see you at work and have to pretend that I don’t know that you have these freckles under your left knee that look like Orion. I like you a lot. So much that I’m more than half sure that I’m already fully in love with you.” 

His fingers selfishly dug into my skin, marking me as his with greed and desire. I danced my fingers around his torso. If I could kiss every inch of him, I would with ease. I would’ve worshiped him sooner, knowing what he was hiding underneath his gray suits and striped sweater vests. With the way his eyes lit up as he gazed at my face, my neck, my chest, and then lower and lower, I actually felt myself fall in love with him.

It was with the ease of a well oiled machine’s gears falling into place that I fell in love with him. It was with the simplicity, yet wonder of a sunrise that I fell in love with him. It was with the joy of listening to him ramble about some arbitrary scientific topic that I didn’t know the first thing about that I fell in love with. 

“You’re a wonder, Spencer Reid.” 

He tsked, the vibrations tickled my shoulder as he kissed me over and over. I hummed in response as my hands snaked around his waist, wanting him as close to me as possible. Spencer caressed my breasts, pulling a pebbled nipple in between his thumb and pointer finger. His lightly calloused fingertips provided a delicious friction that caused me to cry out in pleasure. My hands found their home in Spencer’s hair, tugging his lips closer to mine. Just kissing him brought me to a state of pure bliss, I wasn’t entirely sure how I would handle what was to come. 

“Are you sure, Y/N?” Spencer asked, desiring my consent yet again. “You don’t have to do this just to please me. I’m entirely happy to have just done what we’ve done. I have a suspicion that eating you out is my favorite part.” 

I laughed with my head thrown back. It exposed my neck and Spencer took the opportunity to kiss and nibble along a rather sensitive patch of skin. I giggled and Spencer smiled, clearly pleased by my happiness in the situation. 

“I mean we could just do that again.” He offered with a shrug. I kissed him, bringing his head even with mine as I pulled both of us flush against the mattress. 

“I’m ready, Spencer.” I panted, wrapping my legs around his waist and rutting against him. I cried out at the friction, my will and resolve hanging on by a thread. He leaned down to whisper into my ear as he held himself steadily above me. 

“You’re ready?” 

“I’m ready. Don’t make me beg. It’s not cute, Spencer.” I puffed with a touch of annoyance, which Spencer found rather hilarious. 

“On the contrary,” Spencer observed, his eyes scanning my naked form, “I think you’re adorable when you beg. But if we’re being honest, I think I’m the one that’s desperate for you. For this. For us to be something.” 

“Fine. It’s cute when you do it.” I commented, brushing my fingers through Spencer’s hair as he smiled at me. “So you’re going to show me how to do this, right? Because I’m kind of lost by now.” 

“Of course, sweetheart,” Spencer said, his hands slipping down to my thighs and cupping underneath my knees. He spread me apart, kissing the soft skin of my inner thighs with an intense concentration. “I got you.” 

I gulped and licked my lips as Spencer breathed against my torso. “Why are you the one that seems nervous?” I asked, half joking, half serious. 

“You’re just too gorgeous for me. There’s so many things I want to do with you. But just looking at you is enough to drive me insane. You’re perfect. The most beautiful, funny, kind, wonderful, exciting girl I know. And you’re letting me….do this with you. Fuck, it almost makes me want to believe in miracles.” 

Spencer, lost in his passionate ramble, nearly lost it when I rutted my hips against him. I decided he needed me to show him my desire for him, rather than continue to talk about it, as he was hellbent on showing me. He whispered praises for me, for my body, for my mind and our future as he kissed along my lower belly. 

I nodded, the pressure that built in my belly was almost too much for me to bear. I cried out as I felt Spencer’s thumb rub tight, close circles around my clit. He positioned the head of cock against my core, teasing me as I whimpered against his shoulder. 

“Fuck…how doesn’t this already feel so good.” Spencer cursed, holding himself above me. He wrapped my leg around his hip as if the motion could lock us together perfectly. “I’m going to let you get adjusted. Remember, anytime you need me to stop just tell me.” 

“God, I’ll strangle you if you stop.” I panted, closing my eyes as Spencer’s cock inched deeper and deeper inside of me. I dug my hands into his shoulder, sure that I would leave bruises against his freckle speckled skin. 

“Kinky. I didn’t think you would’ve had it in you. Then again. I’ve seen your Kindle history.” He teased, his hand gripped my leg as he tightened his hold on me. 

“Enough about the lumberjack.” I panted with exasperation, much to Spencer’s enjoyment. He giggled against my collarbone as I concentrated on my breathing. I felt him fill me up, until he was fully buried inside of me. His talented, thin fingers continued to wreak havoc on my nerves. 

“I doubt he could make you feel this good, baby.” Spencer cooed, lifting my leg to increase the depth of how far he was buried inside of me. He opened his mouth in pleasure, desperate himself for the sacred bodily contact that existed between the pair of us. I yelped, the pressure that boiled in my lower belly burned with a fiery passion that was unfamiliar. 

“God, no. Fuck no.” I cursed, capturing Spencer’s lips in a toothy kiss. I felt the creases of his bottom lip against my tongue as I bit down. Spencer thrusted in and out of me, my folds dripping with heady pleasure. His thumb and index finger flicked and rubbed against my swollen clit as my cries cascaded around the room. 

His one hand remained at my leg, hoisting me up closer and closer to where our bodies met as one. He gripped my flesh with greed, as if he already knew I belonged to him, body and soul. Spencer’s nimble fingers speed up his ministrations against my clit as I clenched around his cock. He smiled, kissing me as he praised me for taking him so damn well. 

“That’s it. Fuck you’re so pretty with my cock buried inside of you, darling.” He sputtered, his one climax approaching as he edged me to the brink of pleasure only to rip the carpet out from underneath my feet. “You’re adorable if you think I’m going to let you go this easily. We’ve got the whole weekend for soft and sweet, Y/N. But right now, I want you to come around my cock so hard you see white. Can’t you do that for me, babe? Come for me.” 

His tongue traced my bottom lip, tasting me as he chanted my name over and over. His voice was husky with desire and I could smell my lavender shampoo as his hair tickled my nose and chin. 

Virginity is made up. It isn’t anything, really. And it went against every moral fiber of being to admit it, but as Spencer’s fingers worked against me and how his hips thrusted against my pelvic bone I knew that I belonged to him.

Yet it would make me a fool to not admit that he didn’t belong to me in the same way. I wrapped my leg tighter around his bottom, forcing our lower halves closer as we teetered oh so close to the edge. I felt hazy, as the lavender shampoo wafted over me, I begged to stay in it with Spencer. The lavender, the haze, the sound of his stifled moans as I clenched around him in a wanton desperation was all too much, yet it beckoned me forward.

“Come for me, Y/N.” Spencer urged, “Just like before, just like you do when it’s your fingers buried inside this pussy, wishing it was my cock.”  He mumbled the encouragement across my sweat-stained skin as I approached my climax. I felt my second orgasm approach as Spencer rested his forehead against mine, kissing my nose as his hip movements continued. I clutched his face, desperate for more kisses, for more skin touching skin, for more Spencer. 

“Spencer.” I panted, my orgasm causing my muscles to contract and release around Spencer’s pulsing erection. I felt him swallow a moan as he laced his fingers together with mine and kissed my knuckles. 

“Fuck.” 

He cursed. His lips dipped the hollow part of my throat. Spencer’s hips gave one, then two, and then three more sloppy thrusts as his cocked leaked into the condom. I felt a warmth that I had never felt before spread from my lower belly. A flush followed as Spencer’s fingertips traced against my breasts, causing my nipples to stand alert and pebbled. 

“That was perfect.” I whispered. I kissed Spencer’s shoulder and clung to him in the haze that settled between us. “It was different than I expected. I guess when you’ve waited so long you build it up in your head. But then I waited even longer after that. So, it was better than I ever could’ve imagined. So thank you.” I flushed, my cheeks ablaze under Spencer’s intelligent gaze. 

He continued to rub my nipple in between his index finger and thumb. I gave him the side eye, as if my single glance could read what he was thinking.

“Did you know that it’s possible for some women to have orgasms from nipple stimulation alone?” 

“We have the entire weekend, you know? Besides, I’d feel bad. You only came once and I had like two and a half.” 

“Pfft,” Spencer scoffed, “Who’s counting. Besides, I would much rather watch you come on my face or come from me playing with your nipples than me coming any day.”  

I rolled my eyes and kissed Spencer on the forehead. “You’re an anomaly, you know that, babe? Why not after we eat? I’m starving. Sex makes me hungry I guess.”

I hissed as Spencer pulled out. It took a second to get adjusted to the sensation of him not being deep inside of me. But there was something that told me I wouldn’t have to wait very long. 

“Studies show that we burn calories during sexual intercourse. A twenty-four minute session is said to have males burn 101 calories, while females burn 69 calories. And given that our session lasted quite a bit longer than twenty-four minutes, it’s safe to suggest that you’ve burned enough calories that it necessitates energy consumption in the form of food,” Spencer rambled, “Which makes me remember. You need to use the bathroom. UTIs and all.” He shuddered. 

“Yes, Doctor.” I giggled as I slid past him on the bed. His hand, big against my upper arm, clawed at my skin. “After the snack can we try something where you just wear jeans and suspenders? I mean you did bring me into the middle of the woods. We’re literally surrounded by nothing, but lumber. Why not put my wild imagination to good use?” 

—

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❦

HALFTIME.

JORDAN POOLE x BLACK!FEM!OC

SUMMARY: in which Teja goes to one of Jordan's games and ends up engaging in sexual activity in the locker room. ✨

❦

"𝗜 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧, 𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗬!" Teja exclaimed, a smile on her face, as her dark brown eyes sparkled at seeing Jordan make a three-pointer and she clapped her hands loudly, the area she was sitting in erupting in loud cheers while she watched her man and his team travel down the basketball court.

(A/N: pronounced 'TEA•JUH')

"let's go, Poole!" Monaé, Teja's best friend, exclaimed, hyping the man up and boosting his ego, as she and Teja smiled in sync and they watched their team play defense.

the teams were in the second quarter and there were only 5 minutes left on the clock. the Golden State Warriors had 56 points — leveling up from 53 due to Jordan's shot — and their opponent had 53 points, diminishing their tied score and causing both crowds of fans to get antsy since halftime was coming up and they wanted their team to be in the lead.

Teja and Monaé both dressed in Golden State Warriors apparel, but Teja's was more customized because Monaé did it for her. her shirt was long-sleeved and royal blue and on the left side of her chest, it said "Basketball Girlfriend" as "Warriors" sat on her left sleeve. on the back of the shirt, it read "Poole Belongs to Me" and under it read his jersey number as all of the words were spelled in gold letters since royal blue and gold were two of the team's colors.

her brown legs adorned black jeans and her feet held white Air Force 1's as a gold anklet dangled around her left ankle and gold hoops sat in both of her ears, a gold 'T' necklace sitting comfortably around her neck while a gold necklace that read 'Jordan' in cursive sat there as well. her black silk-pressed hair was side-parted and swooped to the right side as a few bobby-pins sat in her head to make sure her swoop stayed in place, her lips glossy with Vaseline and adding a 'pop' to her appearance.

it was clear as day that Teja knew she looked good, and though she preferred silver jewelry over gold, she always made sure to wear some gold to all of Jordan's games.

hearing cheers, Teja's eyes averted to the clock, and she realized that not only was there one minute left before halftime, but the other team had tied with the Warriors for a second time. she looked back at the court and her gaze intensified as she lightly chewed on her bottom lip, the time running down quickly while the Warriors traveled down the court with the ball.

Draymond Green passed the ball to Stephen Curry, and Stephen passed the ball to Gary Payton II, and Gary passed the ball to Jordan, who passed the ball to Andrew Wiggins. it seemed as if the time was only winding down quicker and quicker, and this caused Teja's palms to grow sweaty while her eyes flickered between the clock and the court.

as if on cue with the clock hitting 10 seconds, Andrew began making his way to the basket, swiftly dodging the opponents that tried to stop him while his teammates played excellent defense, as he suddenly jumped up and dunked on the men below him, the ball going through the net with ease and the buzzer sounding out into the lively court while Teja and the other fans began cheering.

"can't wait 'til our boys take home that dub, Mo'!" Teja smiled, the two women standing up from the stands, as Monaé smiled with her and the two began to walk down the staircase behind the other fans.

"girl, who you tellin'? one more win and we goin' to the playoffs, baby! ooh, i can't wait to celebrate!" Monaé smiled, holding onto Teja's hand so they wouldn't be separated by the large crowd, as Teja looked up at the scoreboard and read '58-56', making her smile slightly widen while she looked back at Monaé and the duo made their way to the concession stands.

"oh yeah, we fa'sho' gon' celebrate this win. and then after that... i'ma give my baby his reward, ya feel me?" Teja smirked, playfully raising her brows, as Monaé laughed and shook her head, playfully shoving the woman's shoulder while Teja laughed.

"T, you a trip! but i feel you, girl, no doubt." Monaé smirked as Teja stuck out her tongue and the two did their handshake, their pinkies locking at the end while they giggled.

"ooh, hold up. Mo', hold my purse, i'ma go to the bathroom real quick," Teja announced, taking her phone out of it and putting it in her pocket, "i'll be right back before halftime ends."

"you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Monaé asked, grabbing the purse from the woman's hand and slinging it over her shoulder.

"nah, you good, 'Naé, i'on want you to lose your place in line," Teja assured, looking down and checking the time on her Apple Watch, as she looked up at Monaé and gave her a small smile in reassurance, "make sure to buy me some nachos, mama! you know how i like 'em."

"will do, Mrs. Poole!" Monaé smirked playfully, watching Teja jog away from her, as Teja laughed and shook her head, a wide smile on her face while she made her way to the restrooms.

the farther Teja was from the crowd of fans, the more the loud sounds of them began to turn into low murmurs, and she tucked her phone into the back pocket of her jeans as she made her way to the woman's bathroom. before she could walk into the restroom, however, a large hand grabbed her by the arm and yanked her into a room, making her squeal out of surprise, as she watched the door to the room shut and she saw lockers in the corner of her eye, making her realize she had been yanked into the Golden State Warriors's locker room by no one other than Jordan.

"you know i hate when you do that shit!" Teja exclaimed, punching the man in his arm, as Jordan laughed at her and pressed her up against the door, kissing her lips while he sneakily locked the door.

"you still love me tho', girl," Jordan chuckled, a small smirk on his face, as he eyed her down and ran his tongue over his plump lips at the sight of her attire, "mm, you look good. who you lookin' this good for, baby?"

"nobody but my man," Teja smiled, cupping his face in her hands, as she placed a few pecks on his lips before giggling, "now why you bring me in here? you got 8 minutes left before it's time for you to go back on the court."

Jordan didn't respond to her question. instead, his smirk only widened, and his nonverbal answer immediately clicked in Teja's mind as to why she was pulled into the room so abruptly.

"uh-uh, Jordan, i know you not tryna'..." Teja trailed off, raising a brow, as Jordan chuckled softly and his brown eyes looked into her dark brown ones while lust started to cloud his pupils.

"oh, i'm definitely tryna'..." Jordan smirked, mimicking her past statement, as he let out a low chuckle of mischievousness before kissing her lips, the kiss oozing with passion and causing Teja to procrastinate on kissing him back while his hand latched around her neck and pulled her closer to him.

falling into the temptation rather quickly, Teja kissed Jordan back and she soon melted into the kiss, making his lips curl up into a smirk, as he let go of her neck and tugged at the waistband of her jeans, pulling away from the kiss and trailing wet kisses down her jawline while Teja's breathing turned uneven due to rising arousal.

"you movin' real slow like we ain't got a lot of time in here." Teja breathily mumbled, kicking off her shoes, as Jordan chuckled softly and his hand slipped into her pants before he swiftly removed them and made sure her phone remained unharmed.

"i know what i'm doin', mama," Jordan muttered, his voice slightly deeper due to sexual desire running through his veins, as goosebumps spread across Teja's skin at the tone of his voice and Jordan noticed this, a smirk crossing his lips while he placed a few wet kisses on her neck before tapping her left thigh, "jump."

wrapping her legs around his waist, the two kissed for a final time before Jordan hoisted her up onto his shoulders, carefully lifting her smooth legs onto his muscular biceps while she lightly scooted up on the smooth wooden door so her hips would be level with his face.

it was definitely safe to say that this wasn't their first rodeo.

"pull these to the side for me, princess." Jordan spoke lowly, his eyes flickering up to her, as Teja bit down on her bottom lip and gripped the right side of her panties, pulling them to the side and revealing her soaked sex while Jordan licked his lips at the sight.

not wasting any of the short time they had left, Jordan immediately dug in, his pink lips wrapping around her swollen bud while he gently sucked at it like he was a baby and her clitoris was his pacifier. moaning softly, Teja gently laid her head against the door as she ran her fingers over Jordan's head, her brows slightly furrowing while his hands squeezed her thick brown thighs.

"sh-shit, Jordan," Teja moaned airily, her brows slightly furrowing, as she felt his tongue slither and wiggle inside her folds and her hips lightly jolted against his face, "mmh, eat this pussy, Daddy... eat your pussy just like that, baby."

"like that, mama? hm?" Jordan hummed against her, sending vibrations through her core and up her spine, as Teja shakily whimpered and her back slightly arched off of the door, her grip on her underwear tightening while she rubbed the nape of her boyfriend's neck.

"yessss— o-oh, shit!" Teja gasped, feeling his middle and ring fingers slide inside her walls, as her palm gently smacked the door she was pinned up against and her eyes rolled back, feeling soft kisses be littered around both of her inner thighs while her juices began to drip down Jordan's hand.

moans, whimpers, and whines fell from Teja's two-toned lips and sounds of her gushiness aired out into the room as her eyes fluttered closed and her hand moved from the nape of his neck to his hand on her right thigh, gently squeezing it while she shakily exhaled. Jordan's fingers thrusted inside of the woman at a slow and semi-deep pace and he laid kisses around her vagina, occasionally laying some on her clit and causing her hips to jolt.

suddenly, Jordan's fingers curved, and Teja's whole body jolted as tingles almost immediately dispersed through her body, her grip on Jordan's hand tightening while she gasped loudly.

"oh, fuck, t-that's my spot!" Teja cried, feeling Jordan's hand slither underneath her shirt, as he pulled one of her breasts out of her bra and kneaded it in his palm, his index and middle fingers fiddling with and tugging at her sensitive nipple and earning feeble whimpers from her parted lips.

"right there? huh, pretty?" Jordan cooed, his eyes staring up at her with a combination of lust and mischief, as Teja vigorously nodded her head and her eyes rolled back, "ooh, you 'bout to cum, ain't you, baby? i feel that pretty pussy clenching, mama, you 'bout to wet my face up?"

Teja felt the pace of his fingers start to pick up and each thrust had him poking at her g-spot as her stomach muscles tightened and she let go of Jordan's hand, her hand sliding underneath her shirt and gripping her second breast out of intense pleasure while she practically gripped the life out of her underwear. her thighs began to tremble and her lips rested agape as Teja suddenly gasped and her stomach caved in, her body jolting and her brows furrowing while her legs locked on the man's shoulders.

"y-yes! oh, yes, yes, yes— fuck, baby, i-i'm cummin'!" Teja whined loudly, her hips grinding against his fingers, as Jordan laid his tongue out flatly and caught her nectar atop his pink muscle, causing a shiver to go down Teja's spine while she rode out her orgasm.

"there you go, beautiful. ride that nut out." Jordan cooed, a small smirk on his face, as he licked his lips and gently pulled his fingers out of her erogenous walls, slipping them in his mouth while he sucked her juices off of them and looked up at her.

sighing softly, Teja raised her head from the door and looked down at Jordan, noticing the smirk on his face instantly, as she let out a soft laugh and shook her head, removing both of their hands from underneath her shirt while she put her breast back into its cup.

"we ain't never doin' this again." Teja chuckled softly, letting go of her underwear, as Jordan chuckled and lowered her legs back down to his waist, her legs loosely locking around his hips while he kissed her lips.

"You know damn well this shit gon' happen again, T."

[nhl-stories]

Indoor Cat– Jeremy Swayman

Summary: Jeremy is excited to show his girlfriend Alaska, but she's not exactly an outdoor person

Author’s Note: Had so much fun writing this for @bqstqnbruin for @wyattjohnston's 2k24 summer fic exchange! Definitely made me want to write more Sway in the future

Word Count: 2.2k

“Sorry I was too lazy to fish my keys out of my backpack,” Catherine apologizes when Jeremy opens the door to his apartment.

“I wasn’t expecting you, so this is a nice surprise.”

She rolls her bike in and leans it up against the wall. Rubbing her hands across her face.

“I meant to text but I have a million exams to grade and my roommate was being a bitch and our air conditioning broke and I just had to leave.”

When she moves her hands away, Jeremy is standing in front of her with a sympathetic smile. He pulls her into a tight hug that makes her tension dissolve.

“You’re sweaty babe.”

Catherine gives him a shove, “Of course I am! No AC at the apartment and then I biked here in a million-degree weather with 50-pound backpack. I’m MELTING.”

“Sorry, my little ice queen can’t handle the heat.”

She levels a look at him that screams she’s not in the mindset for his little jokes and he bites his lips to hold back his smile.

After she takes a cold shower, she feels more like a real person. She throws on an oversized Maine t-shirt and makes her way to Jeremy’s dining table with a stack of papers.

Once she has a fresh red pen and her answer key, she gets into a sort of trance while grading. She doesn’t quite notice how far the sun has sunk when Jeremy comes behind her and wraps his arms around her kissing her right under her ear.

“Want me to order dinner?”

Catherine leans back into his touch, “Can we get Thai food?”

“Green curry and Pad Kee Mao?”

“Yes, please,” she kisses his cheek then goes back to focusing on tests.

When the food arrives, Jeremy moves her papers despite her protests.

“Stop, I have like so many tests to grade and only like two days to finish them and then enter the grades online.”

“Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a break.” He moves the tests to the coffee table so they’re out of reach.

This is the price she has to pay if she works at Jeremy’s, which is a pretty nice trade off even if she fights it. Every. Single. Time.

“So, school’s out in a week… any big plans,” he wiggles his eyebrows at her.

Jeremy is clearly hinting at their upcoming trip to Alaska, which Catherine has been actively avoiding planning specifics. She’s not exactly against seeing where he grew up and his parents, it’s the rest of the Alaska Experience™ that’s making her apprehensive.

She tries to be casual about what she says next.

“I’m moving in August.”

Jeremy stops with a forkful of noodles halfway up to his mouth, “Um- what?”

“Yeah, I mean I don’t get along with my roommate and our lease will be up then,” she takes a drink to stop herself from grinning, “And my boyfriend asked me to move in, so I thought I’d finally take him up on the offer.”

It’s a tactical distraction from Alaska, but also an announcement she’s excited to finally share, now that she’s informed her soon-to-be ex-roommate.

Jeremy is around the table and practically straddles her to wrap her in his arms around.

“Seriously?”

He doesn’t wait for the answer before kissing her.

Then he’s pulling back again, “Seriously?”

He goes back in for another kiss, it’s not very good. They’re both smiling too much for their lips to really meet, but soon they get in a rhythm.

 Then Jeremy starts to trail kisses down her jaw and neck. Catherine indulges him for a bit before gripping his hair to pull him back.

“I love the excitement, and I’m excited to move in too, but none of this tonight,” she kisses the tip of his nose, “I still have to be a responsible teacher.

He buries his face in her neck and mumbles, “No you don’t, just quit your job.”

“You say that now while you’re not working, but come fall when you’re back to work and I have nothing to do, you’ll be evicting me,” she rakes her nails through his hair.

“Is that why Taylor is being a bitch?” He says once he comes up for air.

“I mean, it’s not helping, but it’s also just her natural state as a roommate,” she gives Jeremy a gentle push, “Now let me eat my dinner so I can finish my work.”

“Then we can finish this later?” A quick, but filthy kiss follows.

“Maybe, no promises,” Catherine gives him her best stern teacher face, so he knows she means business.

She doesn’t finish all of her tests, mostly because Jeremy is determined to be touching her at all times. So, to keep him from moving around, Catherine holds him in place; leaning back on his chest on the sectional. His hands have free reign and she’s within kissing range. It appeases Jeremy, but greatly slows her grading speed.

Eventually, she just gives up and lets Jeremy rush her to the bedroom. Claiming they need to ‘christen their bedroom’ as if Catherine hadn’t already christened it every which way.

And it’s enjoyable and wonderful until her alarm goes off extra early to make up for the work she didn’t finish. Normally, she’s actually a morning person, but at the end of the school year, her body and mind are ready to call it quits.

Jeremy calls it teacher playoffs. A stupid joke that never fails to make her laugh. She’s soft for his goofy side, even when it’s telling the dumbest jokes.

“Need any help before school?” Jeremy comes up behind her in the shower, wrapping his arms around her waist, hands dipping dangerously low.

“Not that kind of help, that’s for sure,” Catherine giggles while she turns around then moves his hands back to his side.

“You’ve already done enough with this,” she points to a mark where her collarbone meets her shoulder, “this is almost ‘have an awkward conversation with my students’ visible.”

“Consider it payback for you putting off the Alaska talk again.”

Catherine clenches her jaw.

“You thought I haven’t noticed, but the trip is in 10 days and you keep ignoring me every time I bring it up.”

“Yeah, cause you’re gonna talk me into exploring the Alaskan bush or something crazy, when I can explore an Alaskan bush any time I want,” she playfully gropes Jeremy.

He lets out an involuntary groan, before backing away, “See! You’re doing it again! Although great joke, babe.”

Catherine steps back into the spray, rinsing out her conditioner, “Fine. I’ll stay late to finish all my grading and stuff and then we can talk after.”

“Thank you,” he gives Catherine a peck, “And afterwards feel free to explore the bush if you want.”

Catherine rolls her eyes and gets out of the shower.

She gets dressed, thankfully the outfit she packed covers the hickey even with her hair up.

Jeremy is waiting for her with a towel around his waist, a bowl of yogurt and fruit waiting for her and a to-go thermos of coffee.

“Want me to drive you in? So, you don’t have to bike there and back.”

“Sure, but you’ll have to drop me off a few blocks away. Cause if my students see me with you, I’ll never get them to focus, and they’re squirrely enough this time of year.”

◊◊◊

Catherine finishes her grading sooner than she thinks, even enters all the grades online. Now there’s two things to not look forward to; planning with Jeremy and annoying emails from parents about final grades.

She checks the weather on her phone, the heat doesn’t seem to be breaking and won’t until the sun sets a couple hours from now.

She debates her options for a few minutes before deciding to ask Jeremy for a ride home. The deciding factor being she’d rather have an uncomfortable talk without first having a sweaty bike ride. The less time out of the comfort of AC, the better.

“And this isn’t embarrassing for me to pick you up out front?” Jeremy snarks when he pulls up to the curb.

Catherine rolls her eyes and starts to load the bike in the back, “I should have just dealt with the heat.”

When she slides into the passenger seat, Jeremy grabs her hand intertwining their fingers and giving it a squeeze.

“I’m just buttering you up before I tell you about all the Alaskan adventures I have planned for us.”

“I’m already exhausted.”

Jeremy squeezes her hand again, then points an air vent more towards Catherine.

When they get back to the apartment Catherine flops onto the couch, “Okay lay it on me.”

Of course, Jeremy takes that as an invitation to drop right on top of her, barely catching himself before his whole weight lands on her.

He leans in to kiss her. Once, twice… he pauses like he’s trying to figure out if he can get away with more. Instead, he decides to sit up and pull Catherine up with him.  

“Why are you so anxious about this trip? You’ve met most of family and friends, and you’ve agreed to move in with me so I don’t think this is a commitment thing…”

She throws back her head and takes in a deep breath, “No, but it’s gonna sound stupid and miniscule in comparison.”

“But I like the sound of small rather than something more fundamental to our relationship.”

Catherine takes a moment, trying put the words the right way in her head.

“I’m worried that you have not spent a lot of summer time with me so you have not seen how much I wilt in the sun and heat and generally want to die. It’s a very ugly side of me both because of my sweat and my attitude and I spend a lot of energy trying to avoid it.”

Catherine feels like she has to avoid eye contact while she gets this off her chest. Mostly because she can feel herself flush with embarrassment about her confession.

“And then you’ll want to climb a mountain or something and you’ll see that we are not on the same outdoorsy level and realize we just aren’t compatible,” she looks down at her lap in shame.

“Oh sweetheart,” Jeremy cups her face, “that is stupid. Alaska rarely gets over 70 degrees.”

Catherine lets out a surprised laugh.

“I already know you’re a bit of an indoor cat,” he smirks at the play on her name.

“I’m being vulnerable here and you’re making fun of me!” She doesn’t mean for it to come out so whiny.

“And if you had talked to me before this, you would know I’ve already thought about all these things.”

She cocks her head in response.

 “I would never make you face your least favorite thing, temperatures over 80 degrees, if there was something I could do to stop that.”

“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said.”

“And that’s just the start,” Jeremy can’t help but grin.

“I’d love to show you the top of a mountain but everything there is so beautiful we don’t need to climb thousands of feet of elevation to see something great. I have so many options you can choose from, I made you a spreadsheet.”

“This is might sound sarcastic, but that weirdly turns me on.”

Jeremy pulls her into his chest, “If I really needed to do some crazy, difficult hike, I know people who like that. I’m going on this trip to spend time with you and if that means a flat, short hike, I’m going to love it.”

“Most importantly,” Jeremey untangles himself and leaves the room.

He comes back with a suitcase, “I bought you a suitcase just for books you want to bring. So, when we go out on the boat you can just read and look pretty if you don’t want to fish.”

“Oh my god, I love you.”

She gets up and jumps into his arm.

“So, you’re excited for our trip now?”

Catherine smiles and decides to show him with actions rather than words.

◊◊◊

Catherine has never been happier to be proven wrong, Alaska is honestly her ideal summer vacation. Not too hot, too gorgeous to describe with words, and the almost never-ending daylight made it seem all seem like some kind of dreamland.

The view right now is proof.

Book in her lap, Jeremy looking hot driving the boat in the foreground, and a glacier in the background.

The boat slowly comes to a stop.

“See something you like?” Jeremy smirks from the captain’s seat.

She shrugs, “this book is kind of dragging and I was thinking, you know I’ve never had sex on a boat?”

Jeremy raises his eyebrows.

“And we happen to be on a boat… in this very scenic… fairly romantic location,” she tries to use her best innocent, doe eyes.

In a flash, her book is on the ground and Jeremy is on top of her.

It’s something Catherine can see becoming a summer tradition.

[peterrefur]

Chirirenge spoon ⅏ ARG!Wilbur Soot x GN!Reader

Summary: Experience the raw beauty of love and communication as Wilbur navigates his honest struggle to express his feelings.  A tender, overnight journey that celebrates the authenticity and true essence of the relationship between Reader and Argbur.  Notes:  Hey Mate!!!  I’m Peter and I say right away that English is not my first language.  I’m curious to hear your opinion about this work in the comments!  Enjoy! 

𝕋he room's ambiance felt like a quiet sanctuary, the soft clicks of the keyboard punctuating the silence until Wilbur's soft-spoken words cut through. "I'm cold," he murmured, a hint of discomfort in his voice, followed by the rustle of him adding another layer to stave off the chill. 

𝕄y attention swivelled away from the computer screen, drawn to Will. There he sat, adorned in a mishmash of clothing - a T-shirt layered under a jumper and a sweatshirt, now cocooned further under an additional blanket. 

"Cold?" I echoed, surprise lacing my words as I regarded him. "Hmm... We don't have the ingredients for soup ... How about we embark on a late-night walk for some comforting ramen or romantic curry?" I suggested, glancing at the clock that taunted us with its approaching midnight digits. Our penchant for late-night dining outings was no secret, testament to our shared nocturnal rhythms that often wrecked conventional bedtime schedules. 

𝕃ocking eyes with Wilbur, I observed his immediate turn of the head, a silent gesture laden with unspoken nuances. His hand reached for his glasses, hesitating midway as if seeking permission, before he sighed and met my gaze, the unspoken language between us painting a poignant picture. 

In that moment, I felt a pang of empathy wash over me. "You alright?" I inquired gently, sensing there was more beneath the surface. 

Wilbur's reply, delivered in his characteristic monotone yet friendly voice, carried a subtle warmth that transcended his usual tone. "I'd love to... ramen sounds good," he murmured, his curls swaying slightly in unison with his nod, lending a quiet affirmation to his words. 

𝔸 smile curved across my lips at his response, and I cocked my head to the side, a gesture of silent understanding and appreciation. Watching him gradually shed the blanket and extend his hand towards me, offering companionship in our journey to the front of the room, filled me with a tender sense of connection. 

Accepting his hand, I felt a surge of gratitude for the unspoken bond between us. Together, we commenced our preparations to venture out into the night, each movement carrying an unspoken agreement, a shared understanding that transcended mere words. 

𝔸s Wilbur reached for his gloves and scarf, a sense of concern nudged me, prompting my hand to instinctively rest atop his. "Won't you feel too warm once we're at the restaurant? You're already bundled up in four layers. You might overheat," I ventured cautiously, treading the fine line between observation and comment. 

Wilbur's response was subtle yet telling. He released the extra layers, his gaze briefly falling to his shoes, a contemplative air surrounding him. Finally, he draped a scarf around his neck, a silent compromise between comfort and necessity, before opening the door and setting off up the stairwell. 

Suppressing any trace of exasperation or further comments, I gathered my belongings and followed suit, catching up to Wilbur and intertwining our hands as we descended from the second floor. 

The unspoken exchange lingered between us, an uncharted territory of emotions and unexpressed thoughts. 

𝕊tepping out into the embrace of the night air, a gentle wintry chill greeted us, sending a tingling sensation down our spines and a pleasant nip to our noses. 

"A very pleasant night," I remarked, acknowledging the serene ambiance that enveloped us. 

𝕋he air seemed to hang still, a touch of the sea's breeze delicately caressing our surroundings. Despite the lingering freshness, our neighbourhoods exuded an unexpected warmth, a curious amalgamation of factors creating an inviting atmosphere. 

It was a juxtaposition—the distant hum of the local sewage system, slightly audible after recent rains, intermingled with the comforting warmth radiating from the tall figure of my brunette boyfriend beside me. 

𝕋he sensation was peculiar yet oddly comforting, as though the night itself had conspired to cocoon us in its contrasting elements, weaving together a tapestry of sensations that heightened the experience of our late-night excursion. 

Underneath the streetlights, the night embraced us, the silence between our steps filled with a symphony of thoughts and emotions. Wilbur's hand in mine felt familiar, a reassurance against the cold while simultaneously warming my heart. The streets, usually bustling with daytime activities, now wore a serene guise, creating an intimate space for us to traverse. 

I stole a glance at Wilbur, catching the faint reflection of the streetlights in his eyes. His profile exuded a blend of contemplation and tranquility, the occasional twitch of his lips indicating thoughts wandering somewhere beyond the realm of our nocturnal stroll. 

𝔸s we walked, the city's soundscape became our backdrop—a distant car engine, the occasional shuffle of leaves, and the soft chatter echoing from a nearby café, a testament to the city that never truly slept. 

"Is something bothering you?" I ventured, the words slipping out softly, fearing they might break the delicate bubble of comfort we seemed cocooned within. 

Wilbur's response was a hesitant nod, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly. "It's just... things have been a bit overwhelming lately," he admitted, his voice a whisper, almost lost amidst the night's. 

“I guess I've been feeling a bit lost," he continued, his tone laden with a vulnerability that I rarely witnessed. 

A surge of empathy washed over me. "You've been doing so much lately, it's okay to feel overwhelmed," I reassured him, trying to infuse my words with as much comfort as possible. 

He muttered quietly; annoyance was evident in his voice “No.” He wrinkles his nose and frowns hostilely at the ground. “You don’t get it.” 

"I can...- Can you explain to me, then, what is in your head that makes you feel the way you feel?" I ask gently, trying not to put pressure on the stressed young man. 

All I get in response is a shake of the head. 

𝔼ntering the cozy embrace of the night restaurant, we were greeted by a comforting warmth that enveloped us like a familiar hug. The air was infused with the tantalizing fragrance of spices and the simmering aroma of savoury broths, an olfactory symphony that tantalized our senses. 

Locating a secluded spot in the corner, we settled into our seats, the soft murmur of conversations from other diners acting as a gentle accompaniment to the ambiance. The hustle and bustle of the eatery wrapped around us, creating a sense of intimacy within the bustling environment. 

𝔸midst savouring the steamy, flavourful noodles and exchanging occasional glances, a weight seemed to settle upon Wilbur's shoulders. It was as though the weight of unspoken thoughts and emotions bore down on him, casting a shadow over the otherwise relaxed atmosphere of the evening. 

I noticed the subtle shift in Wilbur's demeanour—the slight furrow of his brow, the hesitant pauses between spoonful of ramen. It was as if a cloud hovered over his usual composure, dimming his vibrant presence. 

Setting my utensils down, I leaned in closer, my voice soft with concern. "How can I help, Will?" I inquired, choosing my words carefully to convey both my care and respect for his thoughts. 

Wilbur glanced up, his eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions—apprehension, hesitation, and a glimmer of gratitude for the invitation to share his thoughts. With a deep breath, he began to unravel the tangle of thoughts that had been weighing on him. 

𝔸s he gingerly set down his half-eaten soup, his gaze fell to the tabletop, as if seeking refuge or solace. 

“𝕀 don't like it. I don't like it when you show me that you care. I don't know how to give it back. I don't... I care about you, I really do, but I don't know how to show you or tell you. I hate it... I feel bad about it," his voice quivered, the weight of his emotions palpable in the tremor. 

"It's like I'm drowning in the unknown nature of my emotions towards you. I don't know if I'm supposed to like, love, or hate you," he confessed with a gut-wrenching honesty, his face etched with a blend of pain and sorrow. 

His words echoed in the silence that followed, casting a poignant hue over our surroundings. It was as though the weight of his uncertainty, a turmoil that gnawed at his heart, now lay bare, a profound ache etched on his face, yearning for understanding and resolution. 

𝔽or a moment, the bustling ambiance of the restaurant faded into insignificance, leaving only the raw honesty of Wilbur's emotions. 

Reaching across the table, I gently took his hand in mine, a silent gesture of support and understanding. "Wilbur, it's okay," I began softly, trying to infuse my words with reassurance and tenderness. "If you want to see us as friends who sometimes have sex, I'm okay with that. If you want to see us as a couple, that's okay with me too. If you want us to end-" 

"NO!" Wilbur raises his voice interrupting me. “no.” he adds after a moment with quiet voice. 

𝕎ilbur's sudden outburst echoed through the hushed ambience of the restaurant, drawing a few curious glances from nearby diners. His voice, usually soft-spoken, now carried a tinge of desperation, the sheer intensity of his emotions piercing through the air. 

"Please, I don't want it to end," he continued, his voice trembling with a mix of anguish and urgency. His gaze bore into mine, pleading for comprehension, for an assurance that my mention of an end was merely a hypothetical scenario. 

“𝕀'm sorry," I murmured, my voice barely audible amidst the intensity of the moment. "I didn't mean to suggest that." 

Wilbur's grip on my hand tightened, almost as if he feared losing the connection between us. His eyes, wide with vulnerability, searched for reassurance, a silent plea for validation that our bond meant more than mere definitions or labels. 

"We don't have to label it or fit it into a rule," I offered softly, trying to ease the tension that had enveloped us. "If you feel good with that - we can just be."  I whispered, my words carrying a promise of unwavering support, a silent commitment to navigate the intricacies of our relationship at a pace comfortable for both of us. 

ℍis struggle to articulate his feelings simmered beneath his solemn expression, a struggle to bridge the gap between his affection and his inability to express it. 

"No... I don't know how to... How to communicate to you how I feel about you. I like you and want you next to me. Living with you is pleasant, and only a few things about you are annoying. Acceptable," he began, his words a tentative attempt at unravelling the tangled web of his emotions. 

ℍis candidness was striking, his struggle palpable. He delved deeper, admitting, "But I don't know what to do to show you that I like you... Holding your hand or nice words are not able to show what I feel, giving you gifts or pebbles is not enough either. I don't know if sex is a good to prove love but... I don't know what... I don't know how to be a good boyfriend to you." he confesses his emotions, making him finally open to me in full. 

𝕀 reassured him gently, my voice carrying a warmth laced with understanding. "It's okay not to know exactly how to express your feelings. What matters is that you're honest and that you're here, trying." 

His struggle to find tangible ways to express his affection was evident, his sincerity shining through the layers of uncertainty. 

“𝕋he way you care, the way you're here with me—those things matter," I continued, hoping to alleviate some of the weight that burdened him. "Being a good boyfriend isn't about grand gestures or finding the perfect way to show your love. It's about being present, being yourself, and sharing moments, even the imperfect ones." 

A flicker of relief crossed his features, a glimmer of hope amidst the maze of confusion. His honesty was a bridge between us, a connection that transcended the need for elaborate demonstrations of affection 

“𝕁ust be me?" he asks. 

"Yes, just be you," I affirmed gently, meeting Wilbur's gaze with a reassuring smile. 

I could sense his relief, a slight relaxation in his posture as my words seemed to resonate with him. His earnestness in wanting to understand and contribute to our relationship was evident, and it was a comfort to witness him gradually embrace the simplicity of just being himself. 

"You're funny you always know what to say." Wilbur says and goes back to eating his soup. 

I lightly kick Wilbur under the table and we both smile when he accidentally spills the soup from his spoon. "I don't always know, but I try." 

[serpentinearchitect17]

I figured it was time to do another rewatch of ATLA, and I’m so glad I did! Going through all the episodes re-ignited my love for the series and sparked my interest in writing again. Zutara always has, and always will, hold all of my heart. They have me in a chokehold like no other. But, can we take a moment to appreciate Zuko and Jet’s little moment of friendship? We were ROBBED of more scenes of the two of them 😭

Anyway, I went back to one of my unfinished fanfics on my computer. It’s a Zutara adaptation based on the Netflix show, Dash & Lily (with Zuko taking the role of Dash and Katara taking the role of Lily). Maybe I’ll continue it someday. I’d like to, since I think it has the potential to be a cute and fun story to write. Let me know if this is something you’d like to read in the future.

There’s one scene that I partially completed. It’s between Zuko, who’s a grad student at Ba Sing Se University, and Jet, his best friend and roommate, who’s a bartender in a restaurant. It’s a modern AU fic with no bending.

I thought I’d share the scene here, just for fun. Otherwise, it’ll keep gathering dust 😅 Enjoy this platonic Jetko banter!

*****

Pushing open the set of double doors to the restaurant, Zuko shivered from the sudden blast of warm air. As soon he stepped inside, he stamped his feet against the mat, dislodging any remnants of the snow and ice from his boots.

Looking up from the ground, he found the place practically empty, except for a few stray customers who were either finishing up their dinners or were lingering, chatting with their dining partners. Considering that it was about an hour until closing on a Tuesday, he wasn’t surprised to see the slow pace of the restaurant. Still, a blend of spices – cardamom, coriander, and curry, if he had to guess – wafted around him, signaling that the kitchen hadn’t stopped making dishes for the night. He breathed in deeply, hoping the comforting aroma would center him as he made his way towards the bar.

From his vantage point, there was only one person in that area – the lone figure in a black t-shirt behind the bar. Thank Agni it was just him tonight. Zuko shuddered at the thought of having to share the space with other patrons when he was in such an awful mood.

Inching closer, Zuko could hear Jet whistling a jaunty tune, as he hung glasses on the rack above his head. Once Jet’s eyes landed on the bedraggled grad student, he flashed a bright grin. 

Before Zuko could open his mouth to greet the bartender, Jet raised an eyebrow and drawled, “You look like you could use a drink.”

Sighing, Zuko nodded. “More like five,” he muttered, slumping into one of the large bar stools.

Chuckling lowly, Jet pointed a finger at Zuko. “I’m cutting you off after two. As your roommate and best friend, I say this with all the care in the world –” He paused dramatically before bluntly announcing, “You’re a fucking nightmare when you’ve had too much to drink, especially when you’re in public. At least I could have some fun if you were a handsy drunk or a reckless one. But, no, you just have to be the rudest, meanest drunk I’ve met in my entire life.” He shook his head, his lips curling into a smirk. “I mean, you’re always rude, but alcohol makes it twenty times worse.”

Narrowing his eyes, Zuko snarled through his teeth, “Fuck you.”

Unperturbed by his friend’s mood, Jet simply winked. “Maybe later, gorgeous.”

Instantly flushing at his words, Zuko crossed his arms and growled, “Just fix me a fucking drink. I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s strong and makes me forget about the day I’ve had.”

Jet raised both hands in surrender. “Fine. Here’s the deal, though – you’re gonna drink the whole damn thing without threatening to maim or murder me.”

A loud groan escaped Zuko, but he relented with a wave of his hand. “Whatever. If I were sane right now, I’d punch you and tell you to fuck off. But, I’m not, so just go for it.”

Jet pumped a victory fist in the air before rubbing his hands together, almost maniacally. “Bro, you’re in for a treat.”

Making an impatient gesture, Zuko shot a sharp glare at Jet. “Hurry it up, will you?”

Turning his back, Jet got to work. He grabbed two bottles of liquor and a handful of other ingredients, purposely shielding his actions from Zuko’s view, which in and of itself was highly disturbing. Of course, Zuko trusted his friend not to drug or poison him, but at the same time, his level of concern steadily increased as he watched Jet throw item after item into a cocktail shaker.

A minute later, the drink was poured, and a glass slid across the bar. Zuko caught it easily with his right hand, thankful for his quick reflexes.

“Drink up, Z.”

“Cheers.” Zuko knocked back a good portion of the concoction, which apparently was a huge mistake. His face immediately screwed into a look of utter disgust, as he coughed out violently, “What the fuck did you just give me, Jet?!”

Doubling over with laughter, Jet slapped the bar counter. “That’s my ‘Get Zuko to talk’ drink! I just made it up on the spot! Isn’t it awesome?”

Shoving the offending drink away, Zuko wheezed, “That, right there, is the foulest thing I’ve ever tasted. And that includes all the horrible drinks and foods Azula has made me try over the years just to torture me!”

After righting himself and taking a breath, Jet turned to Zuko with a snort. “Oh, lighten up. It’s not that bad.”

“You’re not the one who tasted it, you jackass!” Zuko argued, finally settling down from his coughing fit. “Seriously, what did you put in there?”

Shrugging, Jet listed the ingredients as if he were talking about something as mundane as the weather. “A blend of Maotai and the Earth Kingdom’s strongest whiskey, crushed ginger, crushed lychee, a few sliced Thai chili peppers, freshly squeezed mandarin juice, and carbonated coconut water.”

[happyinjection]

♠️♥️High Card Short Story 2 “A Perfect Day for Vijay’s Curry” (1/2)♦️♣️

An appetizing scent arising from the other room filled the air as Finn clocked in at work. Inside, the enigmatic Vijay stood in an apron.

Original: https://twitter.com/highcard_pj/status/1531833299622014976?s=20&t=Tbp-YxbArYCzZFHe56-QRw

Author: https://twitter.com/poipheno

Artist: https://twitter.com/ebimoji3

Still buzzed from excess adrenaline from last night’s mission, I woke up too early in the morning, so I left for work at Old Maid branch office ahead of my regular schedule. Although there were no customers on holidays such as today, I was supposed to be doing some paperwork. Nevertheless, I planned on lazing around on the couch until opening hours, but once I stepped into the showroom, I found that the air was permeated with a savory scent which instantly sent my stomach growling.

“Oh, what’s this!?!? It smells amazing!”

At the back of the office, there existed a kitchen space. I took off and tossed my suit jacket on the couch before bursting through the door.

“Jii-chan! I haven’t had my breakfast—”

“I’m not Bernard-san, Finn.”

A man with a purplish, medium length hair stood in kitchen, wearing an apron. Since the collar of his white dress shirt had been deprived of a necktie and was let hanging loose, his collarbones clearly stood out.

“What are you doing?”

--Vijay Kumar Singh, another member of High Card. It seemed that he joined High Card on the recommendation of the president before I did.

“As you can see, I am cooking. We’re not expecting any clients today, so I’m preparing lunch for everyone.”

Accordingly, Vijay slowly stirred the pot using a ladle. I took a peek.

“Wow, it’s curry! Hey, hey, can I try a sip?”

“It has not finished boiling, so no, not yet.”

Right before my eyes, with his sleeves rolled up, Vijay moved to hold something up against my mouth. In his hand was a golden brown, crepe-like bread.

“Open up.”

“Back off, I’m not a kid, y’know.”

“It’s your breakfast. Please have a taste.”

His deep black eyes gazed at me. This man was someone whose emotions were hardly apparent on his face.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and his silence put me under a strange pressure. Reluctantly, I took a bite out of the bread and popped it in.

“...Tasty!”

“That’s good to hear.”

I thought he might be smiling, but his expression was still difficult to read.

“What’s this? It’s sticky and delicious!”

“It’s a kind of roti called chapati. In where I originally came from, it’s a common dish.”

“I don’t really get what you’re saying, but it tastes good anyway. May I ask for another bite... or better yet, another piece?”

“Sure, but you won’t have anything left for lunch.”

“Isn’t it possible to cut out a part of Leo’s share? He’s just a kid, afterall.”

“That won’t do. Growing children should eat a lot. This was supposed to be my breakfast, but, here you go. I’ll just bake some more.”

“Say, is there anything I can eat it with?”

“There’s some chicken, but... I’m saving them for lunch. Please make do with these in the meantime. It’s the garnish.”

A small plate of chopped tomatoes and onions was brought out.

“Blech, don’t want them. I hate veggies.”

As soon as I spoke, Vijay glared at me with large, round eyes. “Y-you don’t like veggies? Are you out of your mind?”

His entire body shook to the point it interfered with his stirring, which caused the ladle to clash against the pot, resulting in a loud noise. He looked as though he was furious.

“I-I mean, I just can’t bring myself to enjoy them.”

“All kinds of of veggies?!?! Not even a single one?!”

“Well, I’ve never really thought about it that far, but, you’ve got the general idea...”

“For goodness’ sake...... Chris is supposed to be your mentor, right? Then has he taught you anything at all...?”

“My eating habits have nothing to do with work! Besides, it is Chris himself, who devours a lot of sweets, you should be more concerned about!”

“Since it’s closely related to his powers, there’s nothing we can do about his diet. But you are an entirely different case. You simply choose to not eat them.”

It got me wondering. “Speaking of powers, you have the ability to talk to plants, don’t you?”

Come to think of it, have Vijay and I spoken to each other in private before, just the two of us? He wasn’t a man of many words. He was in charge of the systems at the branch office, but he also helped out with administrative and clerical work whenever Bernard was short-staffed. In short, he was our go-to guy at the office. At the same time, he appeared to be doing some sort of research at uni. He was an intellectual, so he was completely out of my league.

“As a matter of fact, I can’t establish a clear conversation with them. I can only communicate a little.”

I didn’t actually understand what he meant, but I couldn’t be bothered with technicalities. Though, it was all coming together.

“I see! So that’s why you sometimes mumble at your desk! With the plants on your desk, you’re—”

“Justin, isn’t it.”

“Huh? Who’s that?”

“That’s him. He was the one on my desk today. You also have a name, don’t you, Finn?”

“…..Do the plants on your desk change regularly?”

“By the same logic, don’t you also notice when people enter and leave the office?”

For the longest time, I’ve always thought that we were a little out of sync, but when it came to one-on-one conversation such as this, the discrepancy between us couldn’t be any more obvious.

“But, our powers are only activated during ‘play’.” Meanwhile, you talk to… Justin and the others all the time. So is that also a part of your powers?”

“Alright, here we go. This should match your taste.” He moved the scrambled eggs that he had been frying from the pan to a plate in one fluid motion.

“We’re not done talking here, y’know.”

“Please eat it while it’s hot. As per my homeland’s cooking style, I used a lot of butter. Don’t you want to have a try?”

“No yeah, I do. My mouth waters from the sight alone.”

“Here’s some tomatoes as a side dish.”

“None of that!”

Suddenly, I heard noises coming from the showroom.

“Someone else has clocked in, it seems. Finish your food quickly and then get back to work. Have you sorted out that insurance policy that Wendy asked?”

“Dang, I haven’t—! It was nice talking to you~”

Snatching my plate of makeshift breakfast, I stumbled away in haste.

♠️♥️♦️♣️

TL notes: I’m in no way a professional translator so if you find any mistakes, please do not hesitate to inform me right away. I love the High Card gang and I found it very unfortunate that while it is meant to be a multimedia project, I can’t seem to find the translated versions of any materials (beside the anime) anywhere (if this is against copyright, I will take it down). Hopefully this small TL would help international viewers gain better understanding of HC universe and characters. The author of these SS himself said that he hoped fans would have their “so that’s what it is!” moments when they watch the anime after reading his short stories. So with that in mind, let’s enjoy High Card together~

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression Vol 18 - Making teru teru bōzu (2023/05/29)

(*Long post including:

•Kaoru's mixed feelings regarding Hanshin's winning streak.

•Making fun of Tasai

•Kaoru pulling a prank on Joe

•Kaoru's limited sewing and Home Economics ability*)

K: Hi, we are here with The Freedom of Expression, I'm Kaoru from Dir en grey.

J: And I'm Joe Yokomizo.

T: I'm Tasai from Tokyo Sports.

J: Ok, we're off!

K: Haha, you're suddenly full of energy. (*To Tasai*) Before coming on air he was almost sleeping, right?

J: No, I was just conserving my energy for the main show.

K: Weren't you just sleepy after eating too much?

J: Haha, no, but wasn't that bento curry incredible?!

K: Yeah, it was good.

T: It was.

J: According to you Tasai, it was some kind of luxury curry, right?

T: Yeah, I've heard about it.

J: I'd like it if we have that every time.

T, K: Haha

J: That would up the excitement.

T: You'd just get sleepy, Joe.

K: He's suddenly full of energy, until just now he was nodding off.

J: Haha, its my age, I cant help it! What about Tasai, changing his clothes before coming on air?!

T: I'm Link from The Legend of Zelda.

K: Hahaha

J: No, you look like some kind of assembly member trying to get elected or something. We just recorded the members only video, and he took it off after that. He just had a regular black t shirt on instead, so I thought he would wear that for the live broadcast. But then before we came on air, he was like, 'Right, time to get changed!'

T: Haha, what's wrong with it??

J: I really don't get why you would wear that. Anyway, here we are, live again after 2 months. Leader, do you remember where we were last time?

K: Fussa!

J: That's right, we were in Fussa having a walk down Base Side Street. Tell us again what you thought of it.

K: It was fun. Its been a while since we were last on location.

J: Was that actually our first time on location for Niconama?

K: Uh, didn't we go to Kagurazaka?

J: Oh, did we?

T: Yeh, we went for a walk there...

Oh, that was for Youtube?

J: Right.

K: I don't think we went anywhere since then.

J: I was right! haha

T: But the blue sky in Fussa was great, right?

J: Oh yeh. Leader, did you end up buying anything?

K: Yeah, I bought some cargo pants.

J: Right, yeh. Have you been wearing them?

K: Yes, I have been.

J: Ohh. After we finished filming, me and Tasai ended up going for gyoza and beer near Fussa station.

K: Yeah, I had other business so I had to leave.

T: Yeah, I thought you would envy us, haha.

J: You sent him a photo!

K: Yeah, but I thought 'Chinese??' haha

J: Not American at all, right? We put so much emphasis on being next to the American base, but ended up eating Chinese food, haha.

K: It looked good though.

J: Yeah, it was. So, while we were in Fussa, we bought 5 cups to give away as presents to viewers. To enter the lottery to win one of them, please check out the show's blog, the deadline is 5/31 (Wed). There's the link. Oh, someone said they already entered!

T: Ah, thank you!

J: You still have time, so don't miss out. Ah, someone wrote, 'I hope I win!'. Oh, and 'Kaoru suits khaki with his brown hair'.

T: Yes, I thought he looks very cool like this.

K: No, I think this is cooler. (*Tasai's shirt*)

T: Haha, stop messing with me.

J: Leader, do you wanna wear that shirt?!

K: Hahaha

T: Come on, stop teasing me!

J: Would you dare wear that shirt?!

T: I'm gonna get mad in a minute!

K: Hahaha

J: I don't think I'd have the courage to wear that! Actually, lets ask the viewers, should we give this shirt away as a present?

T: Haha, I'll give it to them! If anyone wants it, they can have it!

J: 'Its refreshing on Tasai, its good'

T: Hey, see! The viewers are kind, its only you making fun of me, Joe.

J: Nahh...'Kaoru's hair colour looks brighter than at the lives'...'Kaoru suits khaki', look khaki is popular on Leader...'I w..w..want it!' Can we not do a last min survey on how many want it?

K: (*seeing a comment*) Ah yeh, its the colour of zunda! (*mashed soy beans*).

J: Of course it is! Should we put a survey out to see who wants it? If more people want it than dont want it, we could give it away as a present. Haha, 'Its like grass', 'Tasai san, melon juice', and someone said its like a frog. Ok, we will do a survey. Do you want Tasai's zunda shirt? It'll be unwashed. We'll send it complete with Tasai's smell.

T: This is embarrassing.

J: By the way, how much did you pay for that, Tasai?

T: I don't know I just bought it with one click.

J: Oh, on Amazon? You should at least shop on Zozotown.

T: Why?

J: I don't know, haha. Its more stylish. Ok, here's the survey. If we use Tasai's tshirt as a present would you like it, or dont you need it? 'Tasai's fragrance', 'Will Tasai sign it?'

T: No, I wil not, haha.

J: I wonder what the answer will be....

Ohhh! 56.2% don't need it. They are all still normal people!

T: Yeah, but 43.8% wanted it!

J: No, this result means the viewers are still normal, thank goodness. Imagine if more had wanted it. Thats a relief. Anyway, the cups are still up for grabs, so check out the blog before 5/31. So, today we are not here to talk about Tasai's shirt, or melons. Lets move onto baseball.

T: Hanshin are strong, right?

J: Aren't they winning too much?

K: Ahhh, its tough.

J: Why??

K: Its tough..

T: Yeh, why??

K: I've never experienced them winning this much!

J, T: Hahaha

K: I don't know how to respond to this. They've never had this many wins!

J: It feels wrong, right?

K: Yeah, but I don't know why.

T: Ohh, thats how it feels to win now?

K: Cause I end up thinking this is gonna be their peak.

J: For fans of a team who are in the habit of losing, its not a good sign.

K: Yeah, I get sad thinking about how it wont last.

T: You should be happy!

J: You can't enjoy it?

K: Yeh, well, everyday Im like 'Yess!' when they win, but then I think about it, and Im like, 'Oh no, they already peaked'.

T: But Hanshin have good pitchers this year, they are a good, strong team.

J: I usually know nothing about it, but I was staying in a hotel the other day for an event, and I got to the hotel, put the tv on, and this first thing that came on was the sports news. I saw that Hanshin were in the top spot with a 6 game difference, and I thought, wow!

T: What is it? 8 consecutive wins currently?

K: Yes, 8. Before this 8 consecutive wins they lost one game, but they had another 7 consecutive wins before that.

J: Omg

T: Isn't is an exciting month?!

K: Oh yeh, its been great. You know Die is a Giants fan, he was like, 'Tch, shit!!', and I'm like 'Good good', haha.

J: In the dressing room, right? Die' going 'Tch!' and you're going 'Yesss'!

K: Yeah, if he's like 'Aghh, no!', I'm like 'Niceee', hahaha.

T: Hanshin have won three games against the Giants, they showed just enough strength to win, especially with those pitchers.

J: Which Hanshin players are you rooting for?

K: Hmm, probably numbers 1 and 2, Tsukamoto and Nakano.

T: Then there is Murakami, and then the guy from Softbank...

K: Ōtake.

T: Yeh, Ōtake. His ERA is 0, with 6 wins and no losses.

K: Yeh, and recently, in the 7th innings of the game, a chance came while the score was even...

T: Yeh, it was 0-0.

K: Yeh, so a chance came and Ōtake was sent to the bench, because he wasn't breaking the tie. The next pitcher broke the tie, and Ōtake was spotted crying on the bench!

T: He was overjoyed.

J: It was that dramatic?!

T: Yeh, it made headlines. Overjoyed!

J: Well, Leader, since you are on tour, you won't have been going to the stadiums, right?

K: No, I havnt.

J: Ah, just on TV. Ah, comments saying 'It was cute', 'Crying!'...Please keep sending us your comments, and we may even have more random surveys too. For now the viewers don't seem to want Tasai's shirt.

T: No, but 43% did!

J: Haha, they were probably just being kind.

T: Haha, yeh.

J: Please send us your thoughts and questions in the comments, and if you are using twitter, you can use the tag TFOE. So, you already know, but the first part of this show is free, and the second part is for members only. If you join, you can watch this in the archives for a year, and you can also enjoy extra members only videos, so please use the link at the top of the screen, Leader, point to it! Thank you - to join, and enjoy the show to the end. Now, some people may be worried that we are going to spend the whole hour talking about baseball, but don't worry. That is not the case. We may touch on it occasionally, but its June soon and the rainy season is starting. Not quite yet in Kanto, but I think it might be there already in Okinawa and Kyushu. But since Hanshin are in great shape at the moment, you don't want it to rain, right, Leader?

K: Yeah, well there are a lot of interleage games...the dome stadiums are...huh? How many are domes?

T: Uhh, Softbank, Ham, Orixs...about 4.

K: Yeh, so I think it'll be ok even if it rains.

J: Do we need to change the plan for today's show then?? Can't you just pretend that the rain is gonna cause trouble? haha

K: Haha, Koshien isn't a dome though.

J: Right?! You don't want the team's flow to be broken by games postponed due to rain, right? Don't dampen our idea, Kaoru! Anyway, the plan for this week is us making Teru teru bōzus in the style of TFOE!! So that means, not the regular white type that everyone knows, but ones with a little more character, fitting with this show. We have some materials here in front of us, and Tasai, you have string, right? So the first half will be making characteristic teru teru bōzus, and in the second part we will do some psychopath quizzes. Its not only baseball today, we have loads. So as we have the goods here, we can continue talking while we are crafting.

T: Oh, someone just commented, 'There were Dir Teru teru bōzus before too, right?'

K: I think there were, yeh.

J: Well, this will be something to look forward to, as well as the psychopath quizzes. About that, of course we are each going to take a quiz to see which one of us is the biggest psychopath, but viewers can join in too, and test yourselves. I mean, I know a lot of you sad you didn't want Tasai's shirt, so you may not score too badly..

K: Haha, he's not gonna let this go.

T: Joe, Im gonna make you wear this.

J: No no, after the show, please. Hey, Leader should try it on!

T: No no no, you! haha

J: Ah, seriously? haha. Hey, but Leader, who do you think is the biggest psychopath?

K: Definitely Tasai.

J: Yeah.

T: Eh?! Why?!

J: You're a Tasaicopath.

T: I would say its you, Joe.

K: He is the type of guy who...*???*

K: Thats right!

T: Isnt that interesting, though?

K: Its something!

J: But based on these live broadcasts that we do, even the staff think there is something about you, Tasai.

T: Why?? haha

J: Maybe thats where the psychopath idea came from.

T: Haha, when I looked at the script, it says 'Talk about how wierd Tasai is'. Its all due to me!

K: Hahahaha

T: They didn't even write 'Tasai san', just 'Tasai'? They were commenting on how strange you are after filming last time.

K: This task is for Tasai then, really.

T: Ah, great.

J: Yes, it will reveal more of Tasai's uniqueness.

K: He needs time to think about his answers though.

J: Yes, so we will get these teru teru bōzus out of the way first. We can talk while we make, Hanshin talk or such.

K: Yes.

J: Leader, which materials will you choose?

K: I choose one of these?

J: Yeah, this is another good way of expressing personality. Ah, but yeh, no alcohol today.

T: I wanna have a drink while watching the baseball again on the show.

K: Yeah, I wanna do that again.

T: It'll be fun this year, at Koshien and such.

J: You know, if they win ...(*something about calling players over*) Will that happen this year?

T: Hmm

J: And with Tokyo Sports' connections...

you are a sports newspaper after all! Can't you do that?

T: Well, we do sometimes...but..

J: Ah, the fee?

T: Well, im not sure.

J: Send some of your chu-hi as a favour.

K: Tokyo Sports has its own chu-hi??

J: Yeh, they just released it.

T: Yeah, and its 13%

K: Oh, great!

J: Chu-hi from hell!

K: Bring some for me to try next time!

T: Well, there's none left in the office!

K: Its selling too well??

J: Or everyone at work is just stealing it?

T: Haha, yeh. Hiranabe had the lot!

J: No no, im sure it must be selling well. Hey, but 13% is impressive, right?

T: Only for serious drinkers, haha.

J: For sure. Are you trying to sell it as a set with the gyōza?

T: Yeah.

J: Ahh. Hey Leader, you chose some cute fabric.

K: Well, I don't know about that.

T: Joe, what will you go for?

J: Well, its me so I'll probably go for black. But it doesn't have to be just one colour. We can combine colours.

K: Yeah.

J: I'll have the yellow too. But as for Hanshin, they are not just winning by fluke are they?

K: No, they are a really strong team.

T: They are keeping it really cool. They are not just putting pedal to the metal and going all out. They are going quite steadily.

K: Yeah.

T: They do still have days where they lose, but their wins are steadily taking them higher.

J: You are not worried then, Leader?

K: Agh, well they are too strong! It wouldn't be so bad if they were just a little bit strong, but at this rate, they are gonna plummet eventually.

J: They are doing too well?

T: This year their pitchers are too good.

J: Plus if they have few injuries, that helps.

K: Yeah, but it is a bit scary.

J: Its scary seeing the team so strong?

T: Yeah, cause they are used to losing.

J: Its not impossible for them to continue this winning streak though?

K: No, its not.

J: And the players are young, right?

K: Yeah. They are the youngest team out of the 12 main teams.

J: Oh so they wont tire out as easily? Or is that not the case? The older players dont tire out more quickly?

K: Well, I expect they do, but they know how to play to their strengths.

J: Ah, yeah, they have the experience.

K: We cant really know how they do it.

J: Yeah. You know, I can't even remember how to make teru teru bōzus.

K: Me neither.

J: The staff made some earlier, oh those look good. These really show your personality. Ah, I think I'll use some of that foil too. We also have these sticky-on eyes here too....So the team are young...but hey, a team in good condition will be noticed, right?

K: Yeah

J: So the other teams will....Oh Leader, you are approaching this task really freely again. *looking at Kaoru making a triangle shape*

T: I think Yokohama and the Giants are the teams to be wary of.

J: Ah, rival teams, yeh?

T: Yeah. Yakult has a lot of injured players.

J: Oh! Yakult are no competition.

K: They lost 10 games in a row.

J: Really? Wow. What about the Pacific League?

T: Lotte are winning there.

J: Really??

T: Yeah, Yoshii san is their new manager.

J: Yoshii of the Kintetsu Buffalos?

K: Yeh yeh yeh.

T: He was with Kintetsu, Yakult, Mets...

J: Oh yeh, he used to be with Mets too!...Leader, you do know we are supposed to be making teru teru bōzu, right? That's an interesting shape, haha.

T: *holding up bright green string* I'm not letting anyone have this. This is mine.

K: Hahaha.

J: Yeh, don't worry, we don't need it.

T: Haha

J: We really don't, haha.

T: Oh, that hurts, haha.

J: I wonder if the viewers know how to make these.

T: Shall we do a survey?

J: Yeah, have you ever made a teru teru bōzu? A simple question like that?

T: Yeah, we don't want to make it too hard for the staff.

J: What if we annoy them too much? haha. Ahh, this is difficult.

T: Yeah.

J: I've only ever thought about making these with paper. Ok, please answer the survey, 'Have you ever made a teru teru bōzu?' Yes, or no. Surely most people have, right?

T: I don't think I ever have.

J: Really?? Leader, have you?

K: I have at school.

J: What did you hope for when you made it?

K: Well, it was just part of a lesson at school.

J: Oh, like as an art project? Ok, lets look at the result of this survey. Oh, 96.4% have made one before.

T: Oh, that's quite a lot.

J: 3.6% haven't so there are still some who haven't. I see.... Are teru teru bōzus only in Japan, do other countries have them? I've never seen them overseas.

T: I think we need some more questions or comments. This is getting too serious. Ask some simple things to Kaoru.

J: Yep, we'll pick them up. Ah, we are already over 20mins....'What is teru teru bōzu in English?' Hm, what is it?

T: Isn't it Sunny Sunny Boy?

J: Ah, that sounds about right! Haha, Sunny Sunny Boy.

T: It sounds like a song lyric, haha. 'Are you good at sewing?'

K: Uh, no, i don't sew.

J: Oh, apparently teru teru bōzus came from China originally.... 'Kaoru, what were your grades like for Home Economics at school?'

K: I don't remember Home Economics.

J: We did do that at school though, right?....'Have you ever made your own clothes?'

K: Made on my own? No, I don't think I have.

T: 'Can you sew on a button yourself?'

K: Have I ever sewed on a button?

T: Yeah, like these on your sleeve.

K: Ohhh, I actually have done that before, at school!

J: In Home Economics?

K: Yes.

T: But not since becoming an adult?

K: No.

J: 'Didn't you used to go to Yuzawaya a lot?'

K: What's Yuzawaya? Oh, that store that sells fabric rolls and stuff? Yeh, I used to go with the costume designer to choose fabric.

T: 'You used to make costumes too, right?'

K: No, I don't think I did.

J: Did you say that in an interview once? Ok, so we are still taking questions... Agh!!! What was that?! An elastic band?? That gave me a shock!! (*Kaoru deliberately twisted up some elastic bands and rubbed them on Joe's arm, pulling the hairs, I guess*)

T: This one (Kaoru) is the psychopath!

J: Right?!

K: Hahaha (*does it again*)

J: Agh, that stings! I thought it was *??????*

K: Hahaha

J: That gave me a shock! What a total prankster!

T: Yeah, haha.

J: 'Prankster Kaoru', right?! Ah, that was a shock, I gotta watch out from now on....'Cute', haha.

T: *reading a comment* Have you eaten Tenmusu on tour, Kaoru?

K: Yeah, I'm gradually able to tolerate shrimp.

T: Even though you hated it so much?

K: Yeh, but actually, after that tenmusu I tried ebichiri (shrimp in chilli sauce) in a bento or something, and I couldn't tolerate that.

J: Ahh, I see. It depends what you have it with.

K: I don't know what it is really.

J: But you are slowly getting used to it? Hey, we should do an episode trying different shrimp foods sometime.

K: Noo, if we are gonna do that we might as well do it with food that actually tastes good.

T: Someone asked, 'Did you both go to the Zepp Haneda shows?' We did!

J: Yep. Tasai, you went on the first of the two days, didn't you? I went on Tuesday.

T: Well, we can't really say anything about it since the tour isn't finished yet.

K: Haha, he said you went on the first day, and he went on Tuesday. What does that mean?? haha.

J: Two days being the first day and Tuesday, haha. I mean I went on the second day.

T: It was good though.

J:....Tasai, what are you doing?

T: Making a teru teru bōzu.

J: Ehh?

T: Someone wrote 'scribbling noise', haha. You already made the body, Kaoru? That's quick!

J: These are like works of art we're making. Someone asked, 'Are you using the green string?'

T: Yeh, this string is mine.

J: Haha, don't worry. You can take it home if you want....'A curse ritual', haha, right...'zubōteruteru', 'Tasaicopath is showing'. Leader, yours is looking great.

T: Yeah.

J: Its really artistic. You guys are doing well, I'm struggling.

T: Is it ok if we finish these in the first part?

J: Yeh, its fine. Cause we have the psychopath tests in the second part.

T: We made that Christmas Tree together before too, didn't we?

J: Yeah, that was great. I think that was a pretty unique creation.

K: Yeah.

J: As usual I can't remember anything specific about it though.

K: Hahaha

J: Yeh, I bet you don't remember either!

K: I do remember! We used it for the karuta too.

J: Ah, I'm forgetting everything these days. Well, we are still making these, but its just about at the 30min mark, so we will have to end the first part of the show. We will move on to the members only content next, where you can enjoy seeing us taking psychopath tests. Here's how you can watch the second part. The first part of this show is free for anyone to watch, but the second part is for members only. So you have to be a member if you want to watch to the end. If you become a member, you can watch the live broadcasts in the archive as much as you like for one year, and we will also release another members only video in a few days. We always try out interesting things in these videos, the one we recorded today is really funny, right? One staff member said their stomach hurt from laughing.

T: Really?

J: Yeah, so please check that out. Ok, here's how to join. There should be a blue link at the top of your screen now. Leader, point to it! Thank you, even while holding the glue, haha. If you click this link, you will get this page asking you to choose your payment method. Choose, your method, click proceed, enter your details, and then you are good to go. If you haven't yet joined, please do so to enjoy the show fully. Ok, Leader, do you have any announcements?

K: Uh, we have lives in Osaka and Nagoya next week, no this week. Nagoya is fan club only, but I think there might still be some tickets left for Osaka, so please come along if you can.

J: Ok, time to end this part. The screen will change for a minute, but the members part will start soon, so just wait there. Ok, see you soon for more TFOE! Bye!

[pin-crusher2000]

Character files 010: Hunter Trevor

Kid Sparta is a young superhero who is the son of Wonder Women. (That’s it lol)

Appearance: a young white man with short black hair & blue eyes.

Outfit: a boy version of the Wonder Woman outfit. (with long sleeves & long pants) he also wears a black t-shirt with a yellow wonder women logo on it with a red capitalized B right underneath it, & leather jacket & jeans.

Personality: kind, laidback, funny, courageous, smart.

Powers: same as his mother, “cousin,” & aunts, he has super strength, durability, & speed, he also has the power of the gods to help him in combat. (See Robert Longs file for more details)

Trivia/FunFact

He loves dinosaurs, the T-Rex is his favorite.

He likes planes, wants to join the Air Force when he gets older, just like his dad Steve Trevor.

He’s best friends with Arthur Curry Jr.

His favorite movie is 300.

(Greek) History dork.

[maffickingcowplantssubsidiary]

A Haunting in Willow Creek Legacy

Generation Zero: The Haunted Historian

The Eerie Dawn of My First Investigation; Spring, day 5 & 6 of 7.

The morning sun barely touched the horizon when I was plunged into a nightmare so vivid I could almost feel the sting of the sparks, the burn of the fire. Every appliance in my dilapidated manor rebelled against me, belching flames and spraying water. The scene crescendoed in a macabre symphony of chaos as I endeavored to mend the unyielding stove. Electrocution came swift, a brutal reminder of my own mortality, and as I lay on the soaked floor, I sensed a presence — robes swishing, chains clinking, the ominous whisper of a scythe slicing through the air.

I awoke drenched in sweat, heart pounding in rhythm with the echoes of the dream. Relief washed over me as I realized the appliances were untouched, mocking me with their functionality. I chose the coward’s breakfast, a slice of cold pizza, too apprehensive to trust the stove.

Mid-bite, a green, floating mass materialized before me—a Specter. It was eerily cute, almost endearing in its translucence. I tried to communicate, but the Specter’s intentions were as unclear as its form. Nonetheless, its presence was a peculiar comfort amidst the lingering dread.

The day's oddities continued as I prepared for my first paranormal investigation. The bathroom became a battleground as a swarm of bees launched an unprovoked assault. I fled, nursing a few stings and vowing to summon an exterminator. The bees, undoubtedly, had taken residence within the manor’s walls.

As I gingerly applied ointment to my wounds, a voice behind me shattered the tenuous calm. I spun around to see a translucent figure — Guidry, he introduced himself, a ghostly expert offering his services. Before I could process his existence, let alone his offer, the clock reminded me of my impending appointment. With a hurried apology, I dashed out, the specter’s bemused expression lingering in my mind.

San Myshuno awaited, and so did my first client, Salim Benali. He greeted me with a mix of relief and skepticism, recounting his recent supernatural encounters. As we entered his apartment, a loud clatter announced the presence of a spirit — an angry, glowing-red apparition. She bellowed her displeasure, but I managed with difficulty to coax her into leaving.

In her place appeared a Specter like the one at my manor. I offered it a gift, which it accepted, leaving behind a smoking golden chalice. I sipped hesitantly, and an unexpected talent bloomed within me — a sudden, inexplicable mastery of the violin.

Salim’s voice drew me back to the task at hand. Another green Specter hovered in the hallway, and another gift exchange ensued, this time resulting in a collection of black-flamed candles. As we lit them, the oppressive fear lifted slightly. The source of the haunting soon revealed itself—a sinister rag doll with button eyes, exuding malevolence. Destroying it brought a palpable sense of relief, but another, benign doll remained. This one, I decided, would accompany me back home.

The apartment’s malevolent energies dissipated, and my first investigation was successfully concluded. I returned to my own haunted domain, placing the doll on a side table—a small trophy of my nascent career.

The sixth day of Spring beckoned with unexpected levity. Home at last, I set up my chessboard and ordered a violin, eager to test my newfound skill. As I waited for its delivery, a message from Mortimer brought news of the Spice Festival.

Mortimer Goth invited me to the Spice Festival. We tackled the Curry Challenge, and I emerged victorious, crowned a Curry Champion. My reward, a red shirt emblazoned with the festival’s chili logo, was a whimsical reminder of simpler joys. We sampled an array of dishes and I procured spices — Curry, Chili, Wasabi, and Saffron — from a vendor, my mind abuzz with culinary possibilities. I returned home with a full belly and a buoyant spirit, riding a wave of good fortune.

Tomorrow, the manor’s secrets will await once more, but tonight, I savor the fleeting peace. The future feels brighter, though shadows still lurk. And I, Ivy Blackwood, am ready to face whatever the spectral world throws my way.

[shade-without-color]

I wish that I knew what I know now (Haikyuu Short fic)

A/N: So lately for this short story, I am inspired by @mheerdraws Papa Miya drawing and my own experience on moving on to a different path, to some extent Osamu Miya is my comfort character and to write his voice on doubt of choosing a different path is a good way to let this out.

Osamu came back after school, feet dragging from practice, it is not that he hated volleyball, his mind is writhed by the ever-so-hungry second year volleyball player- the mystical No. 10 that blew away the finals in the Spring High school, and this year- Inarizaki High- the crafty foxes now have that real bite from the foxes, under the leadership of Atsumu, his hungry brother to pass through the finals.

Osamu cannot help but to stare at no 10’s anger- he still remains so hungry- like he wanted to pass through that round, but they are formidable in that round.

So is Atsumu.

Osamu excused himself early from practice, as his heart slowly drift away from doing endless tosses and spikes with the ravenous monsters, and he lack that ‘hunger’ that Atsumu and the rest of his team mates held. Perhaps his fangs are slowly blunted by that reality that he never possessed that love.

“I’m…home…”

A taller man-Kashiwawake glanced at Osamu’s glum expression. “Welcome back…” He still held the same thick eyebrows as them, and at meetings in a small izakaya which he knew another friend Isohiro-ojii-san that they complimented his father, for his sons to possess his handsome looks and joked that Atsumu will soon be a lady-killer in his older years.

His son’s amateurish grey is slowly blending out with his black roots, unlike his brother who insist continuously bleaching his hair over and over again. “Dad….you are back home early….”, noticing how he slowly peel the potatoes in the sink, and how the rice cooker slowly erupt bubbles of water “I thought you have…”

“Yeah….” Kashiwawake gave a small grin. “Got myself lucky, because the boss is impressed with my reports, Samu-kun, why not you take a shower and help me make dinner….”

“Yes….”

Osamu lingered his eyes over the neatly framed pictures of their family life, when his father with baggy eyes- smiling sheepishly with their mother holding the twins proudly in his arms, a graduation picture of Atsumu in kindergarten holding his scroll and scholar’s gown, with tears welling in his eyes and himself, the opposite looking at the camera with deadpan eyes, another at summer holiday which they caught a fish in their hands, and that last picture that reached to his and Atsumu’s room, is a younger version of his father standing firmly, holding his high school diploma.

Osamu cracked a small smile.

These memories though insignificant, proves to be the foundation to the siblings. ///// After being refreshed from the shower, and changed in to his loose cotton t-shirts and shorts, Osamu slowly ran down the stairs to see Kashiwawake humming an old Japanese tune in his head. “Samu-kun, do you feel better after that shower….” He spoke in a gentle timbre which eased Osamu’s easing muscles, observing him cleaning his ears with a worn-out towel which he now draped it around his neck

“Mhmm….”

He somehow remind him of his friend- Suzaku wearing it to absorb the sweat at smoky izakayas.

Kashiwawake cracked a cheeky grin. “Samu-kun, lighten a little- can you help me get the curry packets….” Osamu nodded a little, searching over the larder for it. “You know what, Samu-kun, you are a good baby, unlike your rambunctious brother Atsu-kun who keep screaming his head off because I cannot hold him- but you cried when your mum brings your friends, which weirdly I can soothe you by bringing you to the kitchen…..”, grinning at Osamu as he managed to find that said item.

“Dad….”

A pregnant pause filled the air.

“How should I tell Atsumu that my heart no longer hunger for volleyball…” Osamu took small breaths to calm himself. “Well I stick him through and through, and yet, it is not my calling…..”, distracting himself to sneak some ice from the freezer, sucking the ice cubes back and forth in his mouth to calm his nerves. Kashiwawake gave a small laugh. “Samu-kun….”, whilst peeling off the plastic layer from the curry roux, dropping them on the cutting board which he gave a rhythmic chopping back and forth. “It is not the end, that we change paths Samu- I am proud that you tried, and yes you are more capable than Atsu…” Kashiwawake gave a whisper in his ear. “I believe that, you jumped way much higher than him….”

“However, stepping out can be a good thing….like when you tried to cook a recipe many times, and yet you still falter, remember you are begging me to make that pudding Samu-kun, maybe you are 6 years old…”

Shit my dad remembers the most embarrassing things ever, Osamu thought to himself, forcing himself to busy himself, by taking the peeled carrots and potatoes, listening to that anecdote of him trying to make that pudding to see his smile brighten, and taking a pot to put in the carrots and peeled potatoes, to parboil them.

“Paths and methods can be different, I did not force you to stick to that path of ‘volleyball’ Samu-kun, you enjoyed it while it last….maybe after you graduate… you have plans for college, you have plans for university….you may like it, you may hate it, but listen Samu-kun, in the end….” Kashiwawake quickly take out the discounted packet of meat, slowly slicing the pieces of chicken meditatively. “You will find that piece that fits you nicely, like the layer of caramel sticking to the custard…..”

Osamu quickly take over the cutting duties, when hearing the screams of Atsumu- grinning from joy from practice. “OSAMU WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST LEFT PRACTICE, NOW I HAVE….” Osamu gave a mischievous grin, noticing Atsumu walking over the step with his sports shoes on. “Welcome home Atsu-kun….please do not stomp the house without taking off your shoes…”

“Sorry dad…” Atsumu pouted as he haphazardly toss the smelly socks at the side of the floor. Osamu gave a cold stare at Atsumu. “Hey…put them at the laundry, otherwise mum would kill you, remember she screamed that you throw your smelly uniform at the bed…..”

Atsumu gave a gulp, which resulted in the laugh between father and son. “While your brother clear his dirty laundry, just as I am saying, you will be fine Samu- and I think you did the kitchen than I do…..”

Somehow Osamu smiled at him. “Anything I can do, old man….”, looking over the fridge like a treasure trove of food. Kashiwawake frowned a little. “Hmmm, do you want to make some Negi-tama, perhaps you will do a better job than Atsu-kun burning the kitchen previously when I was not well…”

“Yes dad….” Osamu’s heart somehow feel lighter at that talk. “Thanks…I need it….”

Someday, like his father’s advice- he will soon find a path that would fit him.

[gettatranslations]

Me 149 Days Ago！Yumigeta Ako (23.09.29)

Good evening 🌝

I'm Yumigeta Ako🛑

Thank you very much for your comments yesterday！

You all understood my buffet story〜 That made me happy😂

You all related to me〜！！！I was thrilledー！

Not just buffets but also shabu shabu all you can eat places and steak shops I always start by eating too many 「Make your own waffles」 so by the time my main meat course comes out I'm too full to eat much… I have very poor planning skills。

But it's super fun to make your own waffles right？！？！

Strawberry waffles🧇🍓 and chocolate banana waffles🧇🍫🍌 and blueberry waffles🧇🫐 and my ultimate favourite normal waffles❤️🧇

Swirling your own soft serve ice cream is fun too〜！！！

I've noticed that I often swirl some ice cream on the side of my waffle plate、and then decorate it with cereal flakes and stuff…🤣

Apparently I add too many toppings to the extent I surprised my friends when we went to an all you can eat place recently、yaーy��️

Maybe I should show you my method sometime！I want to members to try it too💕

Also tomorrow is finally 17ki's opening day…

Time really passes so fastー。

A photo from their Shizuoka Performance！My first time posting it！

My best friend who I went to the LIVE with took this photo for me❗️

We had so much fun〜

I was scared the Oda-san T-shirt would be sold out so I was so nervous while standing in line for goods^_^

The LIVE itself made me emotional、Sakurai-san was like a goddess who appeared to me in a vision、Nonaka-san's impersonation of Tama-chan in the MC、Ishida-san's solo dance on Utakata Saturday Night、Okamura-san's beautiful figure、Makino-san's cool face in Are you Happy？、hearing Oda-san's ｢ko〜ko〜ro〜jya〜i〜i〜tsu〜mo〜sa〜kende〜iruno〜ni〜｣ in person、Kitagawa-san's beauty during Hana ga Saku Taiyou Abite、hearing Ikuta-san's dialect slip out while she was talking、seeing Haga-san's beautiful dancing that even included her hair、Yokoyama-san grinning and shining all through The☆Peace!、Yamazaki-san's voice being even prettier and cuter in person compared to hearing it in videos、Fukumura-san was like a true goddess、I genuinely have no other words to describe her、seeing Fukumura-san in real life was just so overwhelming… etc etc…

I remember eveーrything so clearly！

I watched all the member-sans intently through my binoculars so when the concert was over I remember just having this dreamy look on my face for ages😂

We also are delicious curry on our way home😋

There were some people in the street carrying Nonaka-san banners o I was thinking｢If I pass the audition I want to do a concert in Shizuoka too someday｣！

Now having passed、while not everything is fun I learn new things every single day and I have so many productive days！

During rehearsals I caused a lot of bother to the member-sans and I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight and even though I have even more worries too tomorrow will still come！I want to make sure I'm in peak physical condition so that tomorrow's show goes well！

I'll try and purely enjoy the performance without thinking about it too deeply🎶 I hope that you all enjoy watching us more than eveーr！

I won't forget my own emotions from that Shizuoka Performance、and I'll treasure each and every performance💕

I won't forget the fact that I was chosen from so many people to be here、I won't forget my initial excitement and also my new responsibilities！

I won't forget that this is a new start for me、and I'll do my best‼️

I'm so excited♡

⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆

Well then it's time for today's 【Gettaa Life】✨

Today I

Lookieー！！！

I wore a hoodie for the first time this year❗️

Does this hoodie seem familiar、、、？

That's right、it's the hoodie from the Up To Boy shoot I did in a Morning Coffee-esque outfit！

They gave it to me after the shoot ended…🥹 I'm so happy because I love hoodies🥹

Today when I arrived at work Fukumura-san noticed、and said 「You're already wearing it〜｣✨ ✨I'm wearing it straight away💕

At this time of year a lot of cafés and places still have their air con running so I get cold if I'm wearing short sleeves so I end up ordering a hot drink even when I really want a cold one… This type of thing happens quite often to me、so today I wore a hoodie and managed to have an iced drink！Yayー

When I had long hair I used to tuck it into my hoodie as extra protection against the cold！It really kept me warm〜❗️

It feels like actual autumn has begun！

Sweet potato desserts have also started being sold！

Everyone what's your favourite sweet potato dessert？？

By the way mine is plain sweet potatoes🍠

Mama sometiーmes makes them for me during autumn〜 I wanna eat them again〜

I Getted ｢Autumn Vibes｣✨️

Maybe I should try making them myself…？

That's all！This has been 【Gettaa Life】！

⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆

T/N News and information has not been translated

⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆

Today、I listened to music on the train this morning〜🚃𓈒𓂂𓏸

The song I listened to was from the anime ｢Angel Beats!｣

Called ｢My Soul,Your Beats!｣🎹

I love this song、all of the songs from Angel Beats! are such good songs… I love them❤️‍🔥

Please give them a listen during your commuting time tomorrow✨

We have our LIVE tomorrow、and I'll do my best‼️‼️‼️

Well then I'll see you tomorrow！

This has been YumiGettaa Ako！Good night🐰🐰🐰

[japanesedoramaandanimelover91]

On today's episode of The Yakai, airing tonight at 22.00 p.m on japanese time and 15.00 p.m on european time on "TBS". A challenge of twenty #everydaycasino events, which is a competition of things in everyday life. ‼ Team #ariyoshi vs. team #sakurai in a serious Pride Battle. ‼💪🏻

Can #ariyoshi eat curry udon soup without getting it splattered on his white t-shirt? 🍛👕. Will #sakurai be able to use his lung capacity to drink juice using a three metre long "monster straw"? 🍹. Also, #hamada -san from #WEST vs #eikokano: will they be able to get more food out of the fridge in the usual way before the "warning signal" goes off, and #hiromi tries his hand at "pressure shooting" where he'll be blown to bits if he misses his target. ‼🔫 Who will win...? Enjoy the challenges from our stellar guests!

𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

[ailtrahq]

Come Tuesday, our eyes will be trained on the Manhattan Federal Court for the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur accused of orchestrating “one of the biggest financial frauds in American history”: the multi-billion-dollar collapse of FTX, the crypto exchange he founded and led. SBF, as he’s known, has pleaded not-guilty to some seven charges of fraud and conspiracy. But, as we wait to hear both his version and the government’s version of what happened, there will be another tale recounting how things played out: a book by Michael Lewis chronicling the rise and fall of SBF, is set to debut on the first day of the trial. The germination of sounds as unlikely as the story of SBF himself. In an interview broadcast yesterday on 60 Minutes, Lewis, the famed chronicler of financial adventure misadventure — his books include , and — said that he didn’t set out to write a book about SBF. Rather, Lewis claims he was introduced to him in early 2021 by a friend who wanted to back FTX. Before any financial commitment, that friend asked Lewis to meet the young billionaire — both lived in Berkeley — to “evaluate his character.” No, we don’t find out who that friend is, nor do we find out if that particular investment was ever made — SBF did raise some $2 billion, including $1 billion in 2021, from backers that included Sequoia, Temasek, Tiger Global, and dozens more. But we do find out that another investment, of sorts, was made on that day: Lewis himself was so taken with the idea of SBF and his apparent brilliance that he came away with the decision to write about him. “18 months earlier, he had nothing. Now he had $22.5 billion. He was the richest person in the world under 30 [and] he was going to spend it to save humanity from extinction,” he said. “My jaw was on the floor.” SBF’s meteoric rise The two proceeded to meet more than 100 times over the next two years. As SBF’s fame and his company’s bank account both grew in parallel, 60 Minutes itself even got involved. The program shot (and it shows here) one segment with SBF talking as he shuffles cards with his leg twitching nervously behind his desk (why? we don’t find this out, either) as Lewis, with a flourish of his pen and a look of concentration on his face, dashes off notes on his yellow legal pad. Later in the show, you get other behind-the-scenes, unnerving glimpses of how the wizard operated behind the curtain. For instance, Lewis recounts how he was in the room when SBF made his first television appearance. “If you watch the clip, you’ll see his eyes going back and forth,” he said. “It’s because he’s trying to win his video game at the same time he’s on the air.” “If you watch the clip, you’ll see his eyes going back and forth. It’s because he’s trying to win his video game at the same time he’s on the air” Michael Lewis Friendships and lucrative marketing deals followed, with sports icons like Tom Brady (who was paid $55 million) and Steph Curry ($35 million) to “lend FTX legitimacy and edge”. Even Anna Wintour, the icy fashion , was in contact: she reached out, over what must have been a hell of a Zoom meeting, to ask SBF — whose preferred get-up is/was wildly curly hair, t-shirts and cargo shorts — to sponsor her very fancy Met Costume Ball. Desperate times! As trades on FTX climbed up to $15 billion/day, SBF, of course, also got tied up in the corridors of political power. Lewis said that he met with the young crypto king ahead of him seeing Mitch McConnell to discuss how he could fund political candidates who were looking to offset Trump’s influence in the Republican Party. We find out that the gravitational pull of cargo shorts was a tough one to pull away from: the suit SBF brought to wear to the McConnell meeting was tightly balled up under his arm with his dress shoes falling out of the middle of the bundle. We’ve all been there, Sam. (Well, perhaps not Anna.) Lewis also claimed that SBF had concocted a plan to buy off Trump, to get him not to run again for President.

“Like how much would it take to get an answer?” Lewis recounted. “There was a number that was kicking around… this was $5 billion.” He said that Sam was never sure whether that figure came directly from Trump. And no, we don’t find out if he ever did wire anything to camp Trump. That would be a wonderful detail to get teased out in the trial, though. And lest you think Biden and the Democrats have their hands clean of SBF… think again. All of that activity, of course, came to a crashing end: the value of cryptocurrencies on FTX was not banked to much more than speculation and the promise of higher value, and so when those valuations fell, they fell very, very hard. From the media theatre to the courtroom It’s hard to say whether SBF is getting a kicking or a coat of polish in this interview — let alone how he might come off in the book itself, and what impact all that might have on the actual trial, not the trial in the media theatre but the actual courtroom. “He doesn’t come off good at all here. You can tell he had no experience in management or handling such big undertakings. I think he was in way over his head,” Ayelet Noff, the CEO and founder of public relations firm Sliced Brand, which represents a number of cryptocurrency businesses, told TechCrunch. “I think he does a disservice to the whole community. He pushed back crypto adoption by at least a year or two. Each time one of these things happens it brings back the whole market. It’s two steps forward and one step back.” But she also believes crypto is no worse than the stock market, which can also be manipulated and mishandled. “Even when you identify corruption, I don’t think that means we don’t believe in the system in question.” You could say that confused message is very apt for cryptocurrency, where the process by which it works is forever murky and often misrepresented, at least to most people. If SBF didn’t intentionally aim to cynically defraud a bunch of people, in the long run he became one of the many who disastrously failed to manage the risk inherent in crypto speculation — which ultimately is what happened with FTX, as financial discrepancies racked up between the exchange and its sister company Alameda Research (a trader itself on the platform). That failure is indisputable: the jury will have to decide how far his intentions were around it.

[thathusenfulhu]

relaxin' on the patio

i'm running to the hulhumale ferry terminal. the ferry leaves on the hour and i had thought a ten minute window was more than enough. but apparently not at my speed.

@shaari_ had bought my ticket for me, being the kind man he is.

'in the dick of time,' he grins.

right.

we get on the ferry. it's air conditioned, which must have happened fairly recently because the last time that i went on this ferry, which was around april, it was still being cooled by the wind.

i'm telling this to shaari and he nods and looks around.

'it's just us, some expatriates [read bangladeshis] and a white terrorist,' he observes.

'yeah, migrant workers mostly, and sometimes white backpackers take the ferry,' i tell him.

'we're backpackers in our own country,' shaari says. he's wearing a denim blue t-shirt and jeans. if you know shaari you'd obviously know the shirt says something. this time it's 'free shrugs.'

i try to shrug off the joke.

--

at patio, it's much too hot to stay outdoors so we venture in and take a seat at the far end.

we know what we want, the slow cooked ribs - on the recommendation of a reader (you know who you are). but it isn't to be.

so we have to go for substitutes - i choose the beef stew and garlic rice, shaari the sri lankan curry with bread.

'this happened the last time i came here, too,' says shaari. 'something's up with their supplier.'

'something's missin'' i say.

soon the meals arrive and by god, the stew is mind-meltingly good. the meat falls apart in my mouth, it has absorbed the rich spice-filled gravy but has its own deep, meaty taste, stronger when i eat the chunks of fat (a bad but delicious habit). shaari's meal, he says, is no less beautiful, reminding him of the curries in lanka but also eid keun.

all in all, we spend an hour on lunch and, paying a bill that's less than 400MVR, we walk out into the day to take the ferry back.

'i'll get your ticket,' i tell shaari when we arrive at the counter. but it turns out a ticket costs 10 and not 5 MVR.

when we're in our seats shaari says: 'so, this proves you haven't been on the ferry like you've been implying.'

oh yes i have, i've just been paying with bigger notes, and not checking the balance,' i tell him quickly.

'right.'

'i mean, what are we trying to prove here?' i say. 'that we're a couple of working class stiffs? we just ate from PATIO dammit.'

shaari laughs.

'next time, we're going to the indian place in hm to check out the dosas,' he says.

'we're taking the ferry again?'

'yes.'

a comforting thought.