#Check Pease

[madlovenovelist]

The Perfect Storm

How a number of unplanned events derailed my start to 2024 An April (or should I say Jan-Apr) Wrap-up Despite my forward planning, it did not help when I was faced with a number of personal issues that presented themselves in the start of 2024. Sick and hospitalised family, a death, and some legal drama. It was hard to keep focused and stay level headed with a strong emotional toll… so the…

[bryce-711]

ur art taste s like coolaid 🫶 💛 (I LOVE YOUR AR) T???

samantha maggs.......

one, two

skip a few

[velaazuretail]

𖠿    ‣    ⧉  ﹙ 𝐹 ﹚ 𓂃 vote on poll pease!

𓏴⠀⠀༝༝ Graphics 𓌔+𓌔 discord layout

𓏴⠀��⠀𓊆ྀི⠀RB + LIKE⠀ 𓊇ྀི

𓏴⠀⠀ ۫ ◟  ͜ ᳝᳜᳝　ᶜᵒ⠀𓂂⠀to USE.

𐔌　　𓏏𓏏　　˙　　Daily　🇵🇸 　Clicks

note : check this person out! Click for Profile , they make AMAZING outfits for commissions I love their work sm and they need recognition, so pls go look!

guysss I’m planning to retheme someday who do I choose?

[lustlovehart]

uhm uhm uhm maybe,, SOMETHINF angsty Y/n x Twst Character because I’m craving angst :33

prompt; Y/n adores [TWST Character], and [TC] ignores it. Ignores all of Y/n’a affections. As time passes Y/n slowly loses all of those feelings and then [TC] starts gaining feelings for Y/n. They know, they know it’s too late. But they need You, they can’t let go of you.

Characters?? ;; Riddle, Azul, Kalim OR one of them! I know ur suuper busy so I don’t wanna pressure you that much. It’s okay if you make the story short, I don’t care! I’m just happy you took the time to read this! Take caaareee 🫶🫶

—🐍anon (the first one to comment on ur recent post wink wink)

Jellyfish Flow to Tide, Never to Heart

A/n: I won’t lie, One of my favorite angst prompts has always been the “Noticed too late” plot device, the idea of what could’ve been had you seen it earlier is so heart-wrenching to me (ಡ‸ಡ) Also, thank you for the take care comments!! You guys are so sweet <3

Pairing: Azul Ashengrotto x Reader, Ft. Jade Leech

Warnings: Angst,You fall in love with someone else when he realizes his feelings, Jade’s a cuck, Jealousy, Attempted Kissing, Azuls very pathetic in this one, Spelling errors

You’re sat in front of Azul as he diligently counts this months expenses and gains. It looks mostly like complicated math, but… you’ve been looking into accounting in hopes of Azul looking at you the same way you do to him.

You were the first one to check up on Azul after his overblot, the twins a close second. Nonetheless, you were still first. You’re the one who attempts to genuinely talk to the real Azul, not the suave “benevolent” businessman he presents himself as.

Yet you’re attempts to pursue fall flat each time.

“Would you like to schedule a meeting? Is that why you’re here?” his cerulean eyes gaze over his glasses to take a glance at you, his eyes searching for a reason to your presence, thought he doesn’t find one, as you don’t have one.

Except to see him.

“I… I want…!”

“Pease make it quick Jellyfish, I have other attendants to meet.” Jellyfish, a name he assigned to you at the detail of your deamenour. Venomous, yet pretty to look at.

It makes you heart float like one.

But there’s not time for that. In your desperation, you make a choice you should never resort to, but in your defense, it’s what came to mind first.

“I…! I wanna make a contract with you…!”

The business man in him perks up at the suggestion, but falls back down to earth when he remembers you don’t have much to offer. But, there is one thing.

“My benevolence has left me besseeched, tell me what you want, and i’ll tell you my exchange.”

“Go on a da… hangout.” you quickly save yourself from a straightforward confession, only narrowly doging through the little piece of anxiety with fear.

“… That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

His cautious reply reminds you of when you first visited him in the infirmary. You were rooted to the side next to his bed, insistent on seeing him to the end of his treatment.

It was admittedly a pain to him, having you spout endless positivity his way, placing your hands on his skin to help ease any injuries he catered from his overblot. You touch was soft, gentle, a stark contrast to the dark ink that cradled him deep within. It’s unsettling how very out of touch you are to the group of students at Night Raven College.

When he awoke from his long sleep, the feeling of a warm palm enveloping his own made him quirk an eyebrow, his vision squinting to look down at your face nuzzled into his skin, only being strirred by the touch of a single finger flicking you awake.

“You’ll have to pay me a good fortune in order to use me as your pillow.”

“Too bad i’m broke.” you already know he’s gonna offer you to grace him with a different reward, but your expectations are proven false when he only sighs, sinking into the plush pillow under him.

He hasn’t let you go yet. His warm limb, typically adorned with a leather glove, is bare, naked possibly. Holding hands with him could even be scandalous. This sense of vulnerability made you wonder, just what is the true Azul like? You’ve seen a glimpse behind that counterfeit display of his, but not enough to truly gauge him.

“Azul, we should go out.”

“… How direct.” He thinks you’re joking. “We can do that when you wish to form another contract with me.” But you’re not.

“Aww, and I thought you’d change…” You weren’t kidding, but you play off of him as if you were. “Are you sure you’re as benevolent as you say?” The door behind you quietly creaks open, neither you nor the aquatic patient notice the sound.

“My, it’s rude to be mean to a recovering patient you know.”

“This recovering patient seems well enough to start scamming though huh?”

“Not scamming, just business.” Those four words, were the second moment that stirred your interest in Azul. It was then, you vowed to become closer to the man you hold hands with in that room.

You’re ready for whatever piece of skepticism he’ll trade you. He only pays you a sigh before snapping his fingers, the familar golden scroll coming into view.

“For 3 months, i’ll accompany you in these outings, providing for the funds necesary, though, with my benevloence, this deal can only be broken when you’re satisfied with my service. In return, I want the plant Crowley has been secretly cultivating within your dorm.”

“… Those…? Aren’t those used in love potions…? What do you need that for?”

“Someone’s been paying attention in class— kind of. It’s more so enamor rather than love.” His gloved hand airs the scroll forwards, the thin slip falling into place, your eyes scanning for any sign of vague wording. You may have a deeply festered infatuation for him, but that doesn’t mean you’re foolish enough to dive in without warning.

“Same thing. Still doesn’t answer why you need it.”

“We’ll save it, for a rainy day of course!”

You’re not sure if he means for himself, or for a client. Either way, you got what you wanted.

“Y’know… I know I asked to hangout, but I wasn’t expecting you to go all out…” your bottom awkwardly shifts on the cushioned chair beneath you, the leather squeaking at your movement.

“Nonsense, I only provide the best.” Yes, because the best, is the Mostro Lounge all empty.

It’s deserted, but you can see the effort he went through for it. The lights are dimmed, and the table you’re both sat at is covered with a pretty tablecloth, readily made food adorning the surface. Even the man on the other side of the table is dressed in a fancy suit, different from his typical cafe uniform.

You thought it was just gonna be talking about regular mundane things, not an expensive dinner for heavens sake. You feel so out of place inside, still adorning your loose fitting pajamas.

“The best…? I’m not sure, would’ve been the best if I dressed for the occasion…”

“Why? I want you to be comfortable, besides, you look quite nice all the time.” You don’t want his words to fluster you, yet you can’t stop the creeping warmth that invades your face at his statement.

“Then, I think you should change out of that suit and join me.” It’s his turn to track back, his eyes slightly widening before flaling back into their usual shape.

“That would be improper.” His hands stiffen when you reach out towards him, your warm palm now rubbing circles into his skin, slowly bringing the limb to your face.

“Than lets be improper together.”

In this moment, Azuls not sure feeling what rushes through his hearts. All he knows, is that it tightens in his chest so hard he might as well stop breathing. The logical part of him though shoves such a heart wrenching pain away, locking it deep down so its ugly head isn’t allowed to rear back at him.

It’s vulnerable, too close. He won’t fall for such a foolish trap. He won’t stuff himself into that octopot anymore.

“I don’t think we should.” Your soft hands are quick to let go of him, your body sinking into your chair at his words. He’s about to chase after the heat from your palms before remembering it was him who chased you away.

“You’re right, sorry…” He wishes he had worn his glasses, maybe then he wouldn’t see the way you look so hurt right across from him. It’s quick, but you seem to recover fast from his rejection, smiling as you clap your hands together. “I should get to know the real Azul before he allows himself to be so informal around me!”

“You jump back quickly don’t you…”

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have stayed with you the entire time you were in the infirmary would I?” You’re right. He wasn’t exactly the most welcoming when receiving your attention, yet you stayed until he began softening up and finally letting you help tend to him. It reminds him of right now, even though he just bluntly shot your attempt of befriending him down, you’re still being so happy. Your smile falters for a moment, eyes looking down at him before speaking. “I wasn’t lying. I want to know the real Azul.”

He’s silent. Why would you want to know the him that’s… Just utterly pathetic….?

“I wish you good luck on your endeavors—”

“But, you don’t believe in luck.”

“Ah, so you remembered that?” He’s taken a back for a second time of the night.

“I told you I wanted to know you, it makes sense I would, wouldn’t it?”

“I suppose it does.”

“It does.” You parrot his words, as if they’re your favorite flavor and you’re attempting to savor the taste. Azul secretly wishes you would stop smiling already. It’s making his hearts hurt.

“You’ve made me curious Jellyfish, why do you want to know me so bad?” He watches as your expression contorts, first in shock, next in confusion, and finally in defeat.

“I… I’m not sure… Well maybe because…?” I liked you before you even overblotted? No way, too direct. “Ah! Because I just wanna!”

“… You’re much too broad in your answers,” he pours you a glass of sparkling water into your glass cup. “If you wish to know a method of elongating the truth, I happen to know quite a few.” Of course he does…

“Let me hear them then, Cephalo.”

“Ah, well if you ask so kindly I’m inclined to agree. “ he scoots his chair in as he instructs you through his ways of scam.

A few minutes pass before you take a chance at his lesson of spinning the truth, inhaling before speaking.

“I think this opportunity would be great so I can confess to the guy I like.”

“My and who could the mystery man be?”

… You didn’t think this far ahead.

But maybe, this could work in your favor.

“I like y—“

A loud clang is sounded on the table as a covered tray is practically slammed onto the wooden surface.

“Jade…! You…! If this table has a scratch on it I hope you realize that’s coming out of your next check…!”

“Ah, forgive me Azul, I seemed to have tripped” Did he really? That seemed way too hard to have been on accident… Jade resumes to his full height, his smile lacking the usually conniving it usually does when he looks at you before turning back to Azul. “You told me to intervene when the clock strikes midnight.”

You’re ready to reach for your phone to check the time, slyly being stopped by Jades gloved hand gripping you wrist, his free finger pointing towards the clock on the wall.

Has it really been that long already…?

“So it seems… Unfortunately, we’ll have to call this hangout off. I wish you a safe travel back—“

“There’s no need, I shall accompany them back home.”

…

You and Azul are both silent at the proposition.

“Uhm, I’m okay Jade. It’s late; you should probably go to sleep—“

“I insist.” It’s not like you wouldn’t enjoy company… You’re just, a bit afraid of Jade… You look back at Azul, his countenance not giving you any sort of hint on whether or not you should take his offer. Without realizing, your hand is slowly lifted up towards Jades face, his form slightly bowing as a promise is spoken on his lips. “Do not worry, I just wish to stand by your side.”

You have a gnawing suspicion those spoken words mean much more than he lets on.

It isn’t until you’re in the comfort of your bed you check your phone.

It’s 11:27 pm.

Why was the clock ahead of time?

The lights of your dorm shine bright on your skin, further displaying your beauty to Azuls eyes. Your soft breaths carefully enevlop the room, each one sounding like a music note.

His elbow props his head up from the pillow, your body never leaving his visage. He carefully allows his fingers to ghost of the skin of your arm, smiling when your eyes begin to flutter open.

“... You... Let me sleep...“ quiet laughs escape him when you turn over and lift the sheets to shield yourself from the man next to you.

“Only 5 minutes, we did plan this entire day, can’t let it go to waste right?” Your hand emerges from beneath the blanket, waving him off before retreating back into your cocoon. Azul sighs before letting his arms wrap around you, enveloping your body as he rests his head on yours. His voice is soft, sweet, like he’s attempting to coo you out of your protective layer and back into reality. “Would you prefer spending our entire day in bed? I don’t mind but that would mean we don’t get to go out to eat like we penned.”

He watches as you flip over the covers and practically fall off the mattress, his arms reflexively reaching out to catch you.

“Well come on! You’re a busy businessman it doesn’t do you any good to stay in bed!” His smile reaches his lips for once, not the typical cunning smile he trades when making deals, a true genuine smile of joy.

Wait, when did he become so enamored with you?

He’s frozen in place, only watching you get ready in a hurry, clothes flying in the air as they stray across your shared bedroom floor.

Shared?

“… Why are you gawking at me like that? Surely my husband has seen me get ready enough times to not be so entranced.” Your clothes are loosely fit to your body, not yet fully on your skin.

Husband?

“I don’t think so, it’ll have to be at least your last day on twisted wonderland before that happens. By then, I’ll be too focused on all of you.” You’re sat on the floor, watching him slowly walk over to you, his hand caging your cheek as he leans down into you.

Your lips are mere centimeters apart, your mouth slightly parted when soft lips ghost over your own.

“… Am I really that interesting to you?” Your words are hushed. If you weren’t in the comfort of your room, he would’ve never heard those syllables. Yet, that’s not the case, because it’s you two, only you two.

“You always have been.” He closes the distance, his eyes fluttering shut when he leans into the warmth of your lips, only stopping when a quick jolt of energy shoots up his spine.

He never got the chance to feel you.

…

Azul wakes up to the sight of his empty desk.

“Oh my, I was just about to wake you up from such a sweet dream.” Jade is stood in front of the table, his gloved hand placed over his heart. “You seemed to be calling so sweetly for [Name].” That smile of his makes Azuls eye twitch.

“Ignoring your brazen care for privacy, what do you need Jade?” His once unkempt appearance is back to its natural state, his glasses corrected and his hair no longer disheveled.

“Coincidentally, it’s about your dear dream lover.”

…

“What about them?”

“Has [Name] ever mentioned an Ideal Date?” This endearment makes Azul finally take notice of the bouquet of flowers Jade has hidden in his concealed hand. Coincidentally, both your favorite kind, and your favorite color. Since when did he have the knowledge to such info.

“… If they did, I wouldn’t tell you.” His reply doesn’t stir anything in Jade, and if it did, it certainly is concealed well enough to not peak through any part of him. That slick smile doesn’t leave the eels mouth, his head only tilting to signal any sign of disappointment.

“How unfortunate.” He takes a bow before turning heel, the bouquet now on full display to Azul. There’s a letter neatly wrapped to the floral, addressed to you.

My dear, Jellyfish.

…

Azul thinks it’s foolish. That name was made by him, so why is it coming from Jade too?

Eventually, your summons begin to happen less and less, no more outings for the two of you left to seize. Azul sits in his office, his chin places on his clasped hands as he stares at the door. Papers are no longer neatly piled like they used to be, only scattered around the desk with messed scribbles of what used to be Azul's neat handwriting.

He’s waiting. He’s been doing such a thing for a week, simply because, you’ve yet to summon him to your side.

You’ve yet to want him, like you did before.

He’s not sure why he’s so fixated on your attention. Before it was just for the business he required from you, each weekly date— no, you never did call it a date, neither did he… when exactly did he start calling it such an intimate occurrence?

Either way, this arrangement started as a way for you to build up courage for the one you wished to confess to, he started suave, distant, trying his best to embody the mystery man you wished to romance.

Then, at some point, he started filling in the empty placement he left for your suitor, with himself. Instead of trying to be anyone else, he gave you answers to your questions filled with his own character, his favorite foods, his favorite hobbies, his feelings, him, all him.

He gave you all of him, every fragment, every single piece of him he wouldn’t even trust himself with, just for a temporary arrangement. He was a fool, a stupid pathetic cepahlo, how could he just sell out all his cards for this…! It reminds him of his pathetic octo pot, the one he would crawl into in piques of shame.

He’s sure, he’d crawl into it right now had it followed him on land.

You… When he looks at the selfie you took on his phone, a pang sores through the blue blood in his veins. Not his hearts, never those, because you took all three of them when you left him.

He was a fool to not have noticed your affections earlier, had he done so, maybe he wouldn’t need to be locked up in his office, burying his head in his hands at the mere thought of you—

“I insist, it would be improper to let you freeze as I walk perfectly warm next to you.”

“I’m gonna regret this later aren’t I…”

Azuls quick to push himself off his desk, peeking through the crack of the door, his blue eyes spying an all to familar eel peer back at him, with one of the most fiendish smiles he’s ever seen on him.

Truthfully, there isn’t malice behind his smile, if anything, the smile on his lips is the courteous respectful one he always trades people. At the moment though, Azul’s current visage skews his expression, turning a respectful act into that of spite.

He’s ready to storm out and dump as much work as possible onto him, he’s preparing to do it before halting when he sees you again. You’re still just as beautiful as you were last week, and the week before. No, you must’ve started glowing more.

Just like a jellyfish.

“Jade are we gonna go? If you don’t want to anymore I can just walk alone.” your hands wraps around his arm, gently pulling him your direction. Enough for him to move, but not enough to force him your way.

“Yes, do not worry i’m coming—”

“Jade, there you are. I’ve been looking for you, our expenses for supplies have remained unaccounted for, that has always been your job has it not?” The frames of his glasses suffer from the glare of lunge lights, it works in his favor though, without it you would’ve noticed the sense of hurt in his eyes when he stares at you.

“Ah, that is unfortunate timing, I was meant to walk [Name] home—“

“Than it seems I should accompany them in your place, as you will be busy, very busy, correct?” Jades thin-lined smile doesn’t give much away for his current countenance, before he takes his leave, he turns towards you and bows, a gently farewell leaving his lips.

“Wait…! I should give you back your jacket shouldn’t I?”

He didn’t even notice you were garnering the eels wear. In fact, when did you start smelling like Jade? The soft smell of herbal tea Azul had rubbed off on you has basically dissipated off your body. It’s like, all traces of him have disappeared from you.

“It��s okay, keep it.”

Azul watches the way you open your mouth to retort Jade, knowing you, he’s sure you would’ve told him “and risk being in debt to you?” But then your lips close in on themselves and you tug the blazer ever so close to your warmth.

When did Jade become the center of your attention?

Azul beckons you out the door, his hand ready to lay itself on your waist like it once did in the past, but the limb restrains itself without him even commanding to do so.

The walk is silent, save for the footsteps of your shoes clanking against the flooring of their dorm. But, Azuls fine with it, as long as you don’t request for him to do the thing he’s been dreading for the past few weeks. He hopes, he prays you won’t do it. If you don’t, he’ll consider such a thing his lucky day.

But then again, when has Azul ever believed in something like luck?

“I’m satisfied with the deal we made. I’ll give you those flowers and… we can end this contract—”

“You’re ready to confess to your mystery love than? Forgive me, but I took to inspecting flowers. Has Crowley forgotten them? It seems they’re wilted… What poor unfortunate plants.”

“Wha…? When were you in my dorm Azul?”

“Floyd enjoys wandering into places that aren't his to be in.” Azuls fits his glove to his hand, the material stretching over his skin. It seems to you like an act of prim elegance, to him, it’s a subtle way of calming his aching, trembling nerves. “You should know by now the great deal of effort it takes to get him to listen...“

“Well even then, last time I checked they looked completely healthy!”

“And when was that?”

“… 4 days ago… In my defense they’re Crowleys responsibility not mine!”

“Yet there’s still some fault to be found in you…” He’s not wrong, unfortunately… You put them in as collateral for the contract yet you never took any effort to keep them in prim shape. You stop in your tracks, almost tripping over yourself. Your eyes watch Azul pull a box of tea bags out from his pocket, gently shaking the cube as the bags inside hit the interior. “When we get back, do we mind having the discussion over tea?”

You should be suspicious, but, after all the time spent with him, even if you no longer harbor the feeling you once did for him, you trust him.

“Fine, but this better not be some elaborate trick of yours!” He laughs to it, but provides no further comments.

“So, about the contract—“ you’re ready to lift the tea cups rim to your lips, the golden liquid shining with the light.

“Are you in love with Jade?” You sputter out the liquid that hadn’t even made its way into your mouth.

“Wha—? Nahh… Well…! Uhmm….” Your reaction is way too obvious. If you had a cliff anywhere near you, there’s no doubt you would’ve jumped off in pure embarrassment. “Love is… surely a strong word, let’s describe it as more like… A growing infatuation!” You bury your head in your hands after ruminating on that rewording. If anything, it’s sounds more intimate than love….

“I see. So then, were you imagining me as him?” You’re struck out of your embarrassment, looking back up at the dull blue of his irises.

“No. I never did.” You don’t see nor hear it, but the leather of his clothes crunches loudly with the increasing pressure of his fist, slowly tightening.

“Are you sure? This contract is coming to an end, you do not need to hide such details anymore—“

“On those dates,” the word date was already enough to make his posture straighten, the words you later speak only furthering this case.”I imagined you to be you.”

“… What do you mean?”

“I liked you back then, Azul.”

Azul is practically biting his cheek at this revelation, the inside of his mouth salivating with blue blood. You… You must be joking, it can’t no…

“Wh… When did you… you stop…?” He thinks he sounds pathetic. No… he must sound pathetic. His perfectly curated voice is beginning to crack as small slips of voice squeaks escape into his speech.

“When it seemed like you didn’t want anyone to see the real you.” That…! that was just because he didn’t want you finding the sad pitiful octomer behind this suave persona…! He wanted you to fall in love with the version he wanted to be! Not the forlorn octopus he truthfully is and always has been…! “I tried, I really did, to finally have you set free of that wall. I wanted… I wanted to fall in love with the man behind the business. But at some point, it’s like, there was no man, only business.” Your hands scoot over the table, one last time, the lovely feeling of your palms encaging his is felt.

For the last time…

Before you can speak your next sentence, Azul lets words that are far to late to tell you escape him.

“I love you.”

…

There’s silence only. You don’t reciprocate the words you longed to hear him say so far ago in the past.

“And I loved you, Azul.” The emphasize on the past tense practically threatens him to spill over on the table and eat himself limb from limb. The sorrowful yet happy smile from you is enough to stop him, but not enough to cease the thought.

He takes a deep breath in before smiling, his once stiff posture melting into the chair.

“Well then, we should finish this tea, I wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”

“Oh…! You’re right.” The upward turn on your lips as you lift the cup reminds him of your dates. His head turns to the side to finally make a comment on the poor fully curated flowers on the windowsill, the ones that were offered up on your contract.

“They’re wilted, yet they still look pretty. Much more, they’re shaped like jellyfish, aren’t they, Jellyfish?” You wait for the pink liquid to travel down your throat before replying.

“They are. That reminds me, why wouldn’t you want them if they’re wilted?”

“In their natural state they provide the effect of admiration and gentle love with the first party they see,” you quaff the rest of the pink liquid into your stomach, the fruity aftertaste stuck in your mouth. “When wilted, the effect is… differnt”

“Huh, interesting.” You tug Jades overcoat closer into your body, his cologne invading your nose. You glance to the window just as Azul is, your eyes tracing over each plant. “Huh… There’s 9. There used to be 10…”

“How peculiar… Perhaps a ghost took it for a rainy day.” He’s not wrong, they have a tendency to steal snacks, so it’s entirely plausible.

“Yeah maybe.” Your phone rings, your fingers slipping the device out of your pocket as you glance at the notification. “Jade’s asking me if I want to go on his next mountain hike… Like, right now…”

“You should probably go then.” You didn’t realize it, but since when has your hand been intertwined with Azuls? But even then, why is this blazer the sweetest-smelling thing you’ve ever worn? “You have a growing infatuation.”

“You’re right… I should…”

You don’t know what it is, but your body feels light, hollow even. When you drag yourself up out the door, it’s as if your body is simply flowing through a tide.

“There you are [Name].” you look up the spot on the floor you were staring at, being met with the pretty sight of Jade in front of you. Yet despite it, you look back at Azul, waving a kind goodbye before setting foot.

You miss the look of fondness he trades you, and in turn, you miss the pure sorrow that tears into his eyes.

When the door shuts, Azuls left at the table, his head turning down into the wood as the smile he dealt you is no longer to be seen, the darkness seemingly surrounding him. Just like it did when he overblotted, except…

You won’t be there to comfort him, when he’s left in that wretched white bed,

All alone.

A/n: To be honest, I was so conflcited on who should be Azuls love rival in this fic. If I chose Riddle, It would make the fic have two of your requested characters, also Azuls one sides rivarly would’ve been delicious to write. On the other hand, Jamil who he consistently praises, stealing the one thing he genuinely wanted would’ve been good. Then I realized, Jade is right there. Azul doesn’t consider Jade above him, if anything they’re on equal footing, he just tends to take charge more. Which is exactly what confuddles him more, are Jade and him… basicallly not the same person? (they’re not similar, but Azuls just blinded with grief).

Also, This ended up being way longer than expected (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

[crabussy]

you know what? whatever man!!! (unmasks your godpoke)

loosely inspired by my lovely lovely mutualfriend @molabuddy's godpoke design!!! go check its art out pretty pease [: you can reupload this but PLLLEEEEEEAAAAAAASE credit me! the last image is some pokey casualwear since the outfit they wear in the game is canonically a cosplay of king

great god grove is a game by yugo limbo and day lane, and truly deserves all the love it can get!! go check it out! this is a sprite edit, the first image is the original from the game.

[balloonsandguacamole]

Even your poetic prose reminds me of this specific sadness…

Of a feeling not yet lost, but hidden.

Still remembered, yet weak.

Of a beauty that lingers in your heart, yet refuses to make itself known in your brain.

Whoops accidentally tripped and made a bunch of Pikmin wallpapers haha how did that happen

Optimised for Galaxy A51, but you should be able to mess around with them to get them to fit any phone

[goldencherryskies]

You roll like thunder when you come crashing in | Luke Castellan

Pairing: Luke Castellan x female zeus!reader.

Summary: Luke gets injured during capture the flag and you go crazy, it forces you to confront your feelings (Angst+fluff).

Word count: 2.7k

Warnings: injury, loss of blood, use of y/n, female pronouns used to describe reader, ig this is ooc Luke, pre-tlt. Not beta'd we die like men, english isn't my first language, etc.

A/N: This is my first ever time publishing anything I've written so pease tell me what you think!

Luke feels like he’s been struck by lightning the first time he sees you. He is sitting down beside Thalia’s tree, talking to her absentmindedly, when he hears the most gut-wrenching scream he has ever heard. He sees you stumbling up the hill, covered in blood and dirt. You are holding up the body of your satyr protector, who struggles to walk. Catching up to you alarmingly quickly is one of the most terrifying monsters Luke has seen in a long time. You seem determined to keep running, even as your protector attempts desperately to get you to leave her behind. Luke knows he shouldn’t, but as he watches you give up trying to run away and prepare to fight, he wants to step outside of camp limits and help you. It seems like you don’t need his help, though, as you pull out a dagger from the back of your cargo pants and charge against the monster. Luke unfreezes then, calling out for the campers who can hear him to go “find Chiron!” When he looks back at you, you’re finishing the monster off. He forgets every protocol and safety rule when he sees you stumbling, sprinting towards you and catching you just in time before you pass out on his arms.

The first thing you notice when you wake up is that you are not in your room, or anywhere you recognize. You’re also not outside, the view of the sky that had become usual to you covered by a wooden ceiling. You sit up and look around, no one seems to be there, and when you look out the window you realize that it is probably because it is already dark outside. This must be the camp your protector was talking about, you realize. They are not very good at welcoming newcomers, it seems. Once you find a mirror to check that you don’t look crazy you decide to go outside to try to find someone who can confirm where you are, and hopefully help you settle in. When the wind hits your skin for the first time, you feel a chill run down your spine, you wonder how long you were unconscious for. You follow the voices you can hear singing to a plain terrain. A huge campfire lights up the place, teenagers and kids of all ages congregate around it singing, talking, laughing and eating s’mores. They are all wearing matching orange t-shirts. They look like a cult, you think, and the thought makes you giggle. That seems to pull somebody’s attention, and before you can realize what’s happening, there is a quiet murmur going around and everyone is looking at you. You freeze, suddenly feeling like you are crashing a party you were not invited to. You’re about to turn around and run when a boy with dark brown curly hair and a mischievous smile runs up to you. He couldn’t be older than sixteen, but something about him makes him look as if he is in charge.

“You’re finally awake” He whispers with a sigh.

“Sorry, I really don’t mean to be rude but do I know you? Also, where am I? And Why is everyone staring at me? It’s a little creepy”

He laughs openly, turning around to stare the rest of the kids down.

“Everyone, go back to your own conversations, there is nothing to see here” It’s a little crazy that he thinks it’s gonna work, but it’s even more crazy that it works, and everyone turns around within seconds. He extends his right hand towards you “I’m Luke Castellan, welcome to Camp Half-Blood.”

“y/n” you say, still shocked by his obvious power and shaking his hand. “So, this is the place Leela was talking about.”

You look around, Luke’s eyes fixated on you. Leela was your satyr protector, you met her only a couple weeks before arriving at camp. He is still looking at you when your eyes finally find him again.

“It is. The safe haven for demigods. How much do you know about Greek mythology?”

“A fair bit, the same about Camp Half-Blood, is that how you called it? I’m curious and there’s a lot of awkward silences when you’re traveling across the country” she jokes. “I know about the idea of camp, and about the cabins, the godly parent… When will I get claimed? Leela never told me that.”

The smile immediately drops off his face, an awkward grimace taking its place. He looks around, as if trying to find an excuse to run away. He comes back to the conversation empty handed.

It has been a year since you had arrived at Camp Half-Blood. You had found your place, in more ways than one. You were surprisingly good at sword-fighting, archery and Greek, and you had made many wonderful friends. But still, something was missing. You hadn’t been claimed. And because you had never met either of your parents, you couldn’t even rule out half of the options. You had tried everything, from becoming the best at every activity, to giving the most generous offers, but nothing seemed to work. Luke, who had become your best friend, was pulling his hair out in frustration. In your behalf, because how dare the gods ignore someone as wonderful and kind as you, but also in his because no matter how much he knew he loved you and wanted to be with you, he could not make a move without the fear that Hermes might claim you someday. His dad was not the most reliable of fathers. So he went about his life pretending he wasn’t dying inside to be able to kiss the sadness away from your face. The same sadness that was overwhelmingly present as you got yourselves and your team ready for capture the flag.

“Okay” he said as he clapped his hands to get the attention of the rest of the kids, knowing expanding your winning streak would be the easiest way to make you feel at least a little bit better. “Everyone knows what they’re doing? Good, if you don’t, go see Annabeth right now. Blue team, this victory is ours!”

The kids scatter as he walks back up to you. You’re fiddling with your armor, visibly frustrated. He lets you continue to try on your own until you groan in desperation. He takes the strap from you and buckles it himself.

“What’s wrong?” he asks next, his voice soft.

“Today’s the anniversary of when I first got to camp” you whisper. “And I know, I know that people wait for longer, that some never get to know who it is but I can’t help feeling this way. I’ve tried everything, it’s not fair.”

Luke’s heart breaks hearing you talk about your godly parent, the one person who is supposed to take care of you. But that is how the Gods work, they only care about themselves. He promises then, that he’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. For now, he pulls you close to him, wrapping his arms around your body and placing his chin on your head. You pull apart as the bell that signals the start of the game rings through the forest. 

“I’ll see you after our win?”

“Definitely.” The smile on his face stays as he picks up his shield, running away from you.

He turns around right before you lose sight of him, giving you a military salute with his sword, pulling a giggle out of your mouth. You have been tasked with watch-out duty. You are a decoy, pretending to guard the flag so the kids in the other team come after you. You’re a good enough sword fighter to keep them entertained for a while on your own. You are bored for a while, until a group of three young Ares kids surrounds you. They are inexperienced and eager to prove themselves which makes them reckless. You could fight them off easily, and get them on their way, but you know that part of your mission is to stall them so you do your best to not give them your best moves. You’ve been sparring for a little bit when something throws you off. Someone is screaming your name. Through the forest you can see a little girl running towards you. Annabeth looks like she’s crying, which is enough to worry you, Annabeth never cries. The Ares kids try to use the distraction to attack, but you dodge their hits, quickly disarming them before running towards the girl screaming your name.

“Y/n! Come quickly! It’s Luke!”

He is the first thing your eyes lay on when you get to the clear Annabeth has led you to. He is on the floor, unconscious, his face covered in blood. You fall to your knees next to his body. Your hands are shaking, aching to do something, anything. There is not much you can do. You haven’t prayed in a while, having given up, but now, as you tear apart your t-shirt to cover the wound and stop the bleeding, and yell at the younger kids to “go find Chiron!” you beg any God that will listen to not let you lose your best friend. Someone touches your shoulder, whispering that you should move away. You’ve never felt this much rage. How dare someone tell you to walk away, to leave Luke’s side in this moment.

“Get off me!” You don't recognize your own voice as the scream leaves your mouth.

You realize slightly too late that the voice telling you to move was Chiron, but as you turn to apologize you are left speechless. The floor where Chiron had been standing just seconds before was completely burnt. When you look up, you realize why. There, shining above your head, was a lightning bolt.

“Zeus” Chiron said, his voice solemn, as the campers who had gathered to see what had happened, kneeled. “Energymaker, King of Gods, Father of Men. Hail, Y/n Y/l/n, Daughter of the Sky God.

You sit outside the back door of the infirmary for three days, unwilling to talk to anyone. For almost all campers, you’ve disappeared. They won’t let you see Luke, the Apollo kids take turns trying to convince you to go to your Cabin and get some sleep. You refuse. That's a new development, you have a Cabin now. A place where you belong, forever, not a temporary solution, or a rest stop, a place of your own. But the thought of walking into an empty, eerily silent mock of a home has you wanting to crawl out of your skin. You’ve become so used to sleeping through the noise of the Hermes Cabin’s campers you doubt you’ll be able to sleep on your own. And what are you going to do without being able to walk two steps and lay in Luke’s bed? Luke, who is currently unconscious inside the infirmary. Luke, who for some stupid reason you are not allowed to see. Luke, who is the reason why you haven’t even processed that you have been claimed. You have been claimed by Zeus no less. The king of the Gods, one of the Big Three. You can’t think of the implications, not when your best friend is battling between life and death so close to you, yet out of reach. You play with the food Annabeth had brought you, trying to forget the worry in her face as she tried to get you to say something. You know that Luke would have wanted you to move, take care of her and all the other campers, but you can't. He can’t be disappointed when he is unconscious. Still, you try your best, nodding at her words so she knows you’re listening. The door opens as you give up eating for the night. Mark, the Head Counselor of the Apollo Cabin looks down at you. He motions you to follow him with his head and you do so wordlessly. You don’t know what to think, and then you see him. He is sitting down, his back propped up with a pillow. He has bandages covering his reopened scar, and he gives you a sad smile when he finally spots you. You freeze for a second, unable to believe your eyes, before running and launching yourself towards him.

“I’m going to kill you” you say through the tears streaming down your face, hiding in the crook of his neck. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

You try to pull away but his arms stop you. You feel him shake his head.

“Don’t you dare, I’m fine.”

“I thought you were dead. I thought…”

“I’m ok… I’m ok now.”

“I got claimed.” You spit out suddenly, which makes Luke pull back, looking at you with wide eyes, a silent question in his face. “Zeus”

You can see his expression turn mournful as he remembers his old best friend. You’ve heard about Thalia, the quiet resentment you held for the girl who had undoubtedly held Luke’s heart had once made you feel terribly guilty. Now, you feel a sort of kin with her you had never felt before. You wish she was still here. You can see in Luke’s eyes he feels the same way.

“Daughter of the king of the Gods” he says finally, trying to be upbeat. “What a power trip. Hope it doesn’t get to your head. How’s the empty cabin? Much easier to sleep I hope?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t been there yet” you breathe in and out. “I couldn’t leave you. The thought of anything happening to you…”

“Y/n…”

“No, let me finish. I need to get this off my chest.” 

Alone with yourself for the past three days, you had had a lot of time to think. That is all you had done. Think about yourself, and your dad and your friends and the danger all of you were under just for being born. But mostly, you thought about Luke. And how he was the only person you felt truly comfortable with. And how you had this weird, guilt-inducing dislike of Thalia, not because she wasn’t good, you had never met her, but because she had Luke before you ever did, and you couldn’t stand it.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these past few days,” you finally breathe out. “And I have come to a couple realizations. Luke, I'm in love with you.”

It comes out of your mouth like a shot, unplanned and unbridled. You don’t know how you had planned to say it, but it was not like this.

“You’re what?” too embarrassed to look him in the eye, you shift your gaze to your lap.

“I’m in love with you. I don’t know how it happened, and I honestly don't know why I’m telling you. I guess watching you almost die made me realize life’s too short to keep secrets. You don’t have to say anything at all, but I love you.”

He’s already looking at you when you finally look up, his eyes wide, his mouth open. Nobody says anything for a couple of seconds. You search your brain for a joke, something to say to dispel the tension. You shouldn’t have said anything. You should’ve just kept it to yourself. Before you can continue further down your spiral he finally breaks his trance, pulling you towards him from the front of your ripped t-shirt and kissing you. Your lips move against his almost instinctively, and you can’t think of anything that’s not the taste of his tongue when it finally makes its way to your mouth, or the weight of his hands that have now shifted to your waist. You pull away when both of you need to breathe, but he doesn’t let you get very far.

“I love you too. I’ve loved you from the first day I met you. I’ve always known, you are it for me. I love you.”

At a loss for what to say, you kiss him again. Your hands cradle his face before moving to his curls. You kiss each other as if trying to convey the magnitude, the finality, of your feelings for each other. Luke is right. This is it, for both of you, You have finally found your person. Everything else is background noise from that point forward. You don’t care that the Gods are unfair and neglectful, or that you were born to a world destined to kill you. As long as you have Luke, you know it’ll be alright.

[billiesgoodgirll]

Hiii! I absolutely love your fic School Regression<3 if you’re comfortable, could you write a fic where fem!little regresses and throws a tantrum when Billie has to leave her to do sound check/get ready for a show/ go on stage (whatever you decide) and Finneas tries to comfort her backstage/ in the green room, maybe she falls asleep on him. I would really appreciate it<3

of course i can angel! i hope you enjoy <3

this is as age regression chapter, don’t like it simply don’t read !

upset

“wan mama!” you cry making grabby hands up to billie, who’s panicking greatly as she needs to be on stage in 20 minutes.

“i know you do baby, i know,” she bends down and picks you up, holding you closely in her arms.

you let out a loud cry gripping onto her shirt tightly, terrified she’s gonna let go.

“oh my love, hey hey hey it’s okay mamas here,” billie desperately tries to calm you down, she can’t go on stage with you like this.

“okay sweetheart, i need you to be a big girl and listen to mama can you do that?” billie very gently says, to the crying y/n.

“u..uh huh,” a broken whine, billie barely registering it as a word.

“oh good girl, well done,” billie kisses your forehead,

“mama needs to go on stage in 15 minutes, so i need you to be my best girl and go hang out with finneas in the green room for a little while whilst mama sings,” billie very carefully explain to you, as your face falls into one of horror.

“no! no! mama no go, pease.. need mama!” you shriek, a death grip on billie’s show outfit.

you let out heartbreaking sobs, choking on your sobs and kicking your tiny feet on the side of billie.

“baby no kicking,” she gently reminds which only makes y/n cry even harder.

“sh sh sh, you’re okay angel mamas right here,” billie tries and soothes her.

it’s only 10 minutes until she has to go on stage.

“honey mama really, really needs to go,” billie pleads to the very upset girl.

“don’t you want to go play with finneas?” she asks gently, hoping anything will calm her down.

“no! n..need- mama,” she cries out, her sobs breaking billie’s heart.

“okay i need you to take some really big deep breaths for me my love, can you do that?” billie coos softly, placing y/ns hand on her chest so she can feel billie’s slow breathes.

y/n nods her head unsure, taking in a big very shaky deep breath.

“oh sweetheart mamas so proud of you! that’s it keep going,” billie encourages, proud at her baby for calming down slightly.

after y/n is breathing normally and her cries are reduced to small sniffles billie sees she only has 3 minutes till she has to be on stage.

she walks into the green room quickly but calming to not bother y/n, who was resting on her chest in her arms babbling away to herself.

she walks in to see finneas on the couch they have inside,

“hey fin, i’m so sorry to spring this all on you and i know you have to be on stage in a minute too but please can you look after y/n i need to be on stage in 2 minutes,” billie rambled out quickly.

finneas immediately stands up, “of course i can billie, don’t worry about it at all here give her to me get on stage i’ve got her,” he replies, as billie hands y/n over to him.

she whines at the loss of contact with her mama, making grabby hands back too her.

this action completely shatters billie’s heart as she knows she needs to leave, she leans down and kisses y/ns forehead.

“bye baby, mama will be back so so so soon, i love you,” she coos before walking out of the room and shutting the door behind her.

y/n instantly is brought back to tears as she watches the back of her mamas long black hair walk away, she sets out a sob as she squirms around finneas’s arms.

“it’s okay y/n/n, mama will be back so soon,” finneas tries his best to reassure her.

it’s no use as y/n just wants billie, she needs her mama.

she lets out another heartbreaking cry, kicking and squirming to get out of his arms and run towards wherever billie went.

“oh kiddo, you’re okay i’m not letting you down until your calm,” finneas says gently, holding y/n just a little tighter.

“need mama!” she gives up trying to get away and just melts into his arms, shoving her face in his chest desperately trying to seek comfort.

“that’s it kid, breathe you’re okay, you’re safe,” finneas coos, bouncing her up and down trying to calm her.

“w-wan.. binky an’ b..bunny pease,” y/n hiccups in between her words, her crying stopping slowly but tears still roll down her face.

finneas nods and moves across the room to her little space bag, inside its full of everything she needs and multiple notes from billie about what to do in certain situations.

he retrieves y/ns pacifier and her beloved stuffed bunny, he hands them to her and she immediately stuffs the pacifier in her mouth trying to soothe herself.

she hugs her bunny tightly and cuddles into finneas more, a tell tale sign she’s getting tired.

“i think someone’s sleepy hm?” finneas smiles at y/n, making his way over to the couch he gets out his laptop.

“seepy, wan seep pease finny,” she babbles her eyes getting heavier and heavier.

“that’s okay kiddo we can sleep, would you like a bottle?” finneas bounces y/n up and down again gently.

“has baba?” she smiles a toothy grin, finneas mirrors her smile and walks over to her little space bag grabbing a bottle.

he walks over to the little kitchen they have in the green room, opening the fridge he takes out the milk and pours some into the bottle.

he then puts it in the microwave, y/n watching with wide eyes and waiting patiently for her beloved baba.

once the microwave pings! finneas takes it out and checks the temperature,

“baba pease,” y/n makes grabby hands to the bottle.

“okay silly, let’s go sit down first,” finneas laughs heading back over to the couch, settling with y/n comfortably in his lap.

he hands her the bottle and she eagerly takes it, making little sucking noises and gulping noises as she drinks.

“do you wanna watch something kid?” finneas asks, y/n nods her head,

“ ‘es pease finny,” she babbles still fully fixated on her bottle, he chuckles and opens up his laptop putting one of y/ns favourite cartoons on.

after watching for a while finneas looks over to y/n, seeing her eyes drooping and the grip on her bottle falling loose.

he slips over her bunny stuffed animal and replaces the nearly empty bottle with a pacifier, he rocks her slightly helping her fully fall asleep.

it’s only a matter of time before billie walks through the green room doors, sweating and very worn out from the show.

“hey fin,” she says quietly, seeing your asleep in his arms she smiles fondly.

“hey bil, good show?” he asks genuinely, part of him guiltily he couldn’t be up there with her.

“yeah it really was tonight, how was she?” billie asks, the question she has been dying to ask the whole time.

“she was overall so good, she was very upset and distraught when you left but once i calmed her down i made her a bottle and we watched some cartoons she fell asleep,”

“oh thank god, she really is an angel,” billie smiles gently at the sleeping y/n.

“here bil, take her,” finneas gently manurers himself, so billie can very carefully take her out of his arms and into hers.

y/n stirs slightly, whining quietly.

“sh sh sh mamas here baby,” billie whispers fondly.

y/n briefly opens her eyes to look at her mama, along hearing her voice and lets out a sleepy smile cuddling into her chest her little arms wrapped around billie’s waist.

“good girl, you can sleep you’re okay angel,” at her words y/n falls back into a peaceful slumber, in her mamas arms.

where she’ll forever be safe.

[emmaxdelicate]

i was wondering if you could make fanfic on the same universe as the Taylor x football player one.

Taylor could be attending one of your games and during the middle of the first Half of the game (I don't know that much about it) one of the players from the other team runs into you fully knocking you down hard and everyone in the arena quites including Taylor who stands shocked and worried. After a few moments you don't get up and everyone gets Taylor decides to run down there incredibly worried wanting check on you and be with you.

Can you show what happens when Taylor gets down and when they take you away to take care of the injury (Taylor goes with you when they take you away). Can you kind of like show Taylor reaction to all this especially when they are taking care of the injury.

Thank you so much for hearing me out

FROM THE SIDELINES | ts x reader

summary: you get injured during a match and taylor Is there to support you.

pairing(s): taylor swift x footballplayer!reader

warnings: injuries (not serious ones), mention of painkillers, mild angst (??), intentional lowercase. (if i missed any pease lmk!!)

word count: 1k

a/n: finally posted!! this is from the same AU as this fic but can be read as a standalone. i love the concept of this au so if anyone wants more please tell me!!

the stadium was alive with chants coming from the fans. the crowd was buzzing as the lionesses moved forward the victory.

meanwhile, taylor was seated in the VIP section, eyeing you everywhere you went.

she wasn't a sporting expert, not by any means. and maybe she didn't even like any sport. but seeing you playing filled her with so much pride. every time you took possession of the ball, her earth filled with awe

and then it happened.

one moment, you were darting past an opponent, the next one a player form the other team collided with you, the impact making you fall to the ground.

the stadium erupted, the british fans booing the other team for the infraction. everybody thought you were going to be okay, that you would stand up and keep playing like you usually would.

but this time was different. you curled on the ground, not moving at all, and after some moments, the stadium went eerily silent.

taylor's breath itched, her hand over her mouth. "oh my god," she whispered to herself. the people around her mumbled in concern, but she couldn't hear them over the pounding in her chest.

and you still didn't move.

taylor knows she probably shouldn't, but she's determined to go down and see you.

she stood up from her seat, excused herself to pass through the crowd of people, and went down the alleyways of the stadium. by the time she was stopped by security in front of the field, the paramedics had already surrounded you.

"let me through," she pleaded, her usual calm demeanor nowhere to be found. "please, i need to see her!"

the security guard gave her a brief glance but didn't argue, letting her pass.

she got closer to the medics tending you, and once some of them went away to get some supplies, she crouched down to talk to you.

"hey baby," she said, trying to keep her voice steady but failing. her eyes glistened as she took in the scene— your pale face, your hurt expression. "it's okay, i'm here now, okay?"

you tried to respond, but the sharp pain in your side even made that hard, so you could just bring yourself to nodding weakly.

"they're going to take care of you, it's going to be okay," the words seemed more to comfort her than you, but just having her by your side made it better.

she turned to the paramedics, "how bad is it? is she going to be okay?" she needed answers, she needed to know if you could handle this right now.

"we need to take her away to make sure she's fine," one of them told her.

"but what happened?"

"her rib probably broke, that makes breathing difficult. she's strong, she can make it"

although the outcome wasn't really great, the reassurance that you would get through it made taylor sigh in relief a bit.

the paramedics picked you up, placed you on the stretcher, and took you out of the field, taylor following from a distance.

---

the medical room was silent, no one dared to say anything.

after he finished checking you up, the doctor gave you some painkillers.

"her rib is broken. she's got some injuries on her knee and ankle. she'll be okay, but no football for a bit"

taylor let out a sigh of relief now knowing that the injuries weren't that serious.

"thank you, can i stay with her now?"

the doctor nodded and left you two alone.

"hey," she said sitting down beside you on the medical bed.

you smiled at the sight of her, "hi,"

"how are you feeling?" she said cupping your cheek.

"good," you grinned "now that you're here"

taylor couldn't help but blush at your words and hugged you.

"i'm so glad your okay. you made me so worried"

you leaned into her embrace, the warmth of her arms making the ache in your side a little easier to bear. taylor’s grip was firm, like she was afraid you might slip away if she let go.

“i'm sorry for scaring you,” you murmured against her shoulder.

she pulled back just enough to look at you, her brows furrowed. “don’t apologize, you didn’t do anything wrong. i just—” her voice faltered for a moment as she brushed a loose strand of hair from your face, “—i hate seeing you hurt.”

your heart swelled at the tenderness in her words. even though the pain was still there, having her so close made it feel distant—like it couldn’t touch you when she was around.

“I’m okay, tay. Promise.” you laced your fingers with hers, giving her hand a soft squeeze. “you know i’m tough.”

a breathy laugh escaped her lips, but her eyes were still glossy, like the fear hadn’t completely left her. “yeah, you’re tough,” she whispered, “but you don’t have to be with me.”

Tthe weight of her words settled over you, soft and warm. with her, you didn’t have to be the fearless athlete or the competitor you were on the field. you could just be you.

“can i get a kiss or is that against doctor’s orders?” you teased, tilting your head up with a playful smile.

taylor rolled her eyes, but the blush creeping up her neck gave her away. “you’re impossible,” she muttered, leaning down to press a feather-light kiss against your lips. it was slow and sweet— like she was trying to reassure herself that you were really there, safe in her arms.

when she pulled back, you grinned. “i should get injured more often if it means getting kissed like that.”

“don’t even joke about that!” she swatted your arm lightly, but her smile had finally returned in full. “i swear, you’re going to give me gray hair.”

you laughed softly, squeezing her hand again.

“you’re lucky i love you.”her voice was soft, like a confession she’d never get tired of making.

“i know,” you replied, your voice quieter now—sincere. “and i love you too.”

for a moment, the world outside the medical room didn’t exist. It was just you and taylor, her thumb brushing against the back of your hand like she couldn’t stop touching you.

“i’m gonna be at every match from now on,” she declared suddenly, like it was a vow. “i don’t care if i don’t understand a thing—if you’re on that field, i’ll be there.”

you felt your heart stutter in your chest. “even if I make you sit through a whole season?”

“every. single. game.” her expression softened as she leaned in again, her lips brushing your forehead. “i’m not going anywhere.”

and as you sat there—sore but safe—you knew that no matter how many times you got knocked down, taylor would always be there to pick you back up.

[runningwiththemarvels]

Teddy's and tantrum's-

Summary: you want, no need that turtle. But what happens when your daddy says no. Mega meltdown in 5, 4, 3...

Pairing: daddy!bucky x little!femreader

Warnings: age regression, punishment (spanking), angst, fluff.

A/N: don worry is a happy ending hehe

Your daddy never had to shout or yell, you were a good girl for daddy buck. However you had your moments and today was a big tantrum, a mega meltdown. Your attention span was short lived in a store. As soon as you discovered the toy aisle, you had a habit of letting your little legs wander to the collection of stuffies.

You’d ogle at the many layers of cuddly toys reaching with all your might to just cuddle one. Your uncle Loki had a few tricks up his sleeve that he had taught you, much to Bucky's dismay, like hiding in the small shelves of the shop hidden from the world.

Once buck found you hidden in the jumbo football crate, you just smiled back at him comfortably.

Today You practically sucked all the air out of the store, Bucky ran over to you instantly listening to your string of babbles.“What's wrong doll!” he asked his eyes checking you over to see if you were hurt.

You were in a momentary trance. you just pointed at the stuffed turtle which was staring happily. “Hab- i hab pease?” you batted your eyelashes pleadingly and then promptly bounced around, eager to take your green friend home.

But his response made you halt in your tracks. “We got stuffies at home love bugs” he cooed, nodding his head towards the checkout. Your lower lip jutted out, a power move which usually made Bucky yield, but not today. “But but wan dis one” you sniffled tugging at his plush foot.

“The answer is no baby, now come on let’s go home” he spoke firmly but was still very relaxed, he gave a soft smile.

You frowned and dug your heels in. “Baby. let’s. go.” He scowled and turned away. You paused, you were on the verge of obeying but…

“No!” You squeaked, Bucky halted and turned to see you with folded arms and an admittedly cute scowl.

“Excuse me little girl, what did you say” he hissed coldly, looking at your big frowning face.

Buck knew you were just grumpy from missing your afternoon nap, but he couldn’t let the behaviour slide.“N-no!” you stuttered angrily, folding your arms, you hesitated but remained firm. “I wanted it I good!” You yelled balling your fists, tears of frustration waiting to fall.

Within an instant he was right in front of you, his nostrils were flared and pupils dilated. “Yn I am this close to pulling you over my knee, move your ass” he whispered.

By now people started to stare, at this point you were tired, the artificial lights hurt your eyes and your dress was feeling awful itchy and frilly.

You meanie daddy! m-me no like you” you cried stomping and sticking your tongue out. you fell to the floor wriggling and sobbing, briefly recognising you were now in the air.

Were you flying? Your sobs cease momentarily to find yourself in the arms of your daddy. The car ride home was silent, well… you clawed at your car seat and cried bloody murder, but buck concentrated on the road.

By the time your daddy carried you to your room he was furious, you were toggled around like a rag doll onto his lap.

Your head hung limply and your ass was on display, “oh doll you blushin just imagine how red your ass is going to be” he growled, You whimpered and tried to stand, but bucks vibranium arm was behind your back keeping you still.

you sniff and wine showing one last show of defiance.“why are you being punished doll” he asked calmly.

You frowned and paused. You wore a heavy pout, your eyes glassy, you went to speak but were cut off by a firm hand landing heavily down on your bottom. You yipped and felt like the skin of your bottom had been stripped red raw.

As your ass bloomed a nice pink shade your daddy spoke again, with more conviction this time. “why” he repeated, you cried out in hopes of your release. you squirmed around trying to hit him with your small fists, but he managed to pin them down.

You were flooded with shame, the sound ricocheted through the air, you bit your lip muffling your sobs.

You were utterly humiliated now limp, crying you mutter a meak answer “what was that peaches I can't hear you?” he asked while leaning over to meet your tear stained face and red nose.

his heart clenched but he knew he was doing the right thing. “b-Cuz cuz i was ‘ude to dad-dy, an no listen whe- he say no” you sniffed, the tears running down your face began to tickle your nose. There was silence, you stayed still with your tears blurring your vision, you expected another blow and ready for impact.

You were lifted up easily by your daddy's strong arms turned over. You squeak as you straddle your daddy, You lowered your head in shame, hiding your tears and sheepish expression. “y/n calm down, your punishments over now its okay you did so well” all the anger dissipated his voice now soft and soothing.

Your thrashing eventually stopped and you just let your head fall crying quietly against him rubbing your sore bottom.“Baby girl, you need to understand that when I say no, I mean it. there's no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ okay. I'm not trying to be the bad guy doll, but you can't always have what you want. We got lots of stuffies here that love you very much okay? I know you wanted the toy, I do. But the way you behave is not how we act."

He lifted your chin to meet your gaze, The bubble burst and you wept, the realisation of your actions hit you like a punch to the gut “i sowwy- sowwy!” you repeated your little fists making wrinkles in his shirt. “I know doll its okay i forgive you” he whispered and cuddled you close.

you give a large sigh of relief, finally feeling the comfort of your daddy's arms around you. Your cheek leans against his shoulder, you admired his arm and watched it shine in the dark, your fingers eagerly fiddle with his vibranium arm. 

He smiled and wiggled his fingers, as you playfully grabbed them. you soon brought your hands to your mouth, self soothing.Your red eyed tearily blinked up, to see your daddy's eyes looking calmly over you.

You were suddenly washed with a tired feeling, blinking slowly trying to fight the feeling of your eyes closing, sitting in your daddy's lap.

You whine in pain shifting around until you fully feel comfortable. You felt bucky's hand cradle your back rubbing it in soothing motions. “Sleep little one it's okay” he soothed his chest rumbling as he spoke.

“Night baby, i love you” he whispered, “wuv oo daddy” you mumbled burying your face into his arms. not long after you were completely asleep to the world, safe in the arms of your daddy.

[babydolls-writing-space]

“Alright my little rockstar”

   (this is a gender-neutral story but the reader is on their period.)

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧

It had already been a rough morning. You had been woken up at 5 am this morning by a bad headache and a severe case of cramps, it took all your power just to turn over and reach your phone on a nearby table. You thought that today couldn't get any worse but when you went on a app to have some breakfast delivered it said your favorite place was currently out of the one thing you wanted, just great. 

You were honestly already having a bad morning and just wanted to lay down and rest with your cartoons, however that thought would soon be interrupted as there was a knock at the door. You gathered all the strength you could as you went and opened the door to look up and see your caregiver Hobie.   

“Hey there little rockstar, how ya doin?” he asked as he slowly walked inside. You hadn’t said anything before making grabby hands for him. “You doin alright, sweetheart?” he asked as he carefully picked you up and held you. “Shark week...” you whined as he gently swayed you in his arms. 

“Aw, I'm sorry love” he said as he carried you with him into the kitchen  

“Have you had breakfast yet?”  

“No..” you say softly as you felt your tummy rumble  

“Ok love what do you wanna have?”  

“mm..pancakes” you say softly  

“alright, anythin else?” 

“apple an peanut butter..”  

“Alright little one, ill turn on some cartoons for you while bubba cooks, is that alright? He asked  

As you nodded softly again he walked you over to the living room as he got a pillow and gently laid you down, soon reaching over to grab a blanket and put it on you as he turned on one of your favorite shows, then walking to the kitchen to make you your breakfast.  

Twenty minutes later hobie comes back with a plate of pancakes just the way you like them with a side of apples and peanut butter.  

“Do you want a sippy or a bottle?” hobie asked as he walked over to the cabinet  

“mmm.. Sippy pease”  

“alright, and what do u want to drink?” he asked as he grabbed one of your sippy cups  

“mmmm.. Strawbwerry milks pease”  

“alright my little rockstar” he said as he made you your sippy and brought it over to you.  

You smiled softly as you held the sippy cup in your lap as you started to eat your breakfast. Once you were done Hobie took your stuff to the sink and went back over to you “how are you feeling little one? Is there anything i can get you?” he asked. You thought about it as you nodded softly “warmy blanky and colors” you say. He smiled as he nodded and went and got you a heading pad and your coloring stuff.  

He plugged the heating pad into the wall and went over to you as he gently put it on your tummy with a blanket over top and sat your coloring stuff down on your lap. “papa wan color wif mes?” you asked as he sat down beside you. “Sure kiddo” Hobie said as you handed him a coloring page from your coloring book  

An hour passes by as you and Hobie finished coloring and were not watching a Disney movie while snuggling on the couch together. Hobie checked the time as he looked down at you “Hey sweetheart its naptime” he said. You pouted and shook your head no not wanting to stop watching your movie.  

“Come on love we can finish the movie later, but a little one like you needs to get some rest” he says. And with that being said he paused the movie and gently picked you up and started to carry you back to your room. You whined in protest as he carried you and gently laid you down “Sweetheart do u want to wear a dip?” he asked. You nodded softly as he went and got you your favorite pare of jammys and changed u.  

When he was finished he gently held  u in  your arms as he gently swayed and rocked you until you fell asleep. He laid u down as he gently put a stuffie in your arms as he covered u with a blanket to let u rest.. 

When u awoke up later he went and got you mcdonalds for dinner and the rest of the night you and him played games, watch movies, and he even showed u something new he learned to play on his guitar! He loved helping u when u were tiny, even if u didnt feel well he promised u he would always be there for you.

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧

[tpwkwriter]

pease do where Harry took her v card last night and the morning after like when shes bleeding and harry being really caring and protective

Warnings: mentions of the deed, cursing, fluff<3

—————————The morning after————————

Y/n sat up in the empty bed, the bed where her Innocence had been taken the night prior, her T-shirt and his boxers where the only things clad on her body, her hair felt scruffy, and her bones definitely had an ache.

Flashbacks to evening before y/n wasn’t sure she’s felt so many butterflies and flutters in her stomach in one night.

Her mind kept going back to the way his hands roamed her body, they way his forearms would be either side of her head, he was just so Devine.

“What’s on your pretty mind?” Said a voice throwing her out of thought.

Harry entered the room placing a cup of water on her bedside table and a kiss to the top of her head.

“Y’alrigh?” He asks plopping down next to her.

“Mmm” she smiled, taking a sip of her water

She leaned her head on his bicep which further elevated her comfort, he pressed another kiss in return.

“Want me to run y’bath” he asked

“Yes please, and can y’add some of that lavender stuff, will help with my legs” she bashfully admitted.

“Y’legs?, y’in pain?” He asks, eyebrows furrowing and now moving to look at her.

“Just a Bit achy, just how is is H, don’t panic”

“M’sorry love, was as slow and gentle as I could be” he muttered into her hair

“You were amazing” he added

A red colour stained her cheeks as he continued to utter these words and pressing kisses to her like there’s no tomorrow.

“Want that bath?” He offered again.

“Yes please”

—————————

Y/n slowly made her way towards the bathroom, though standing up was definitely a challenge.

“Shit” she winced standing up from the bed.

“Slowly love” Harry said, gently putting a hand on the low of her back to guide her.

Once y/n got into the tub Harry thought this was an ideal time to properly clean the bed and change the sheets.

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t overthinking last night, was he too rough? Was she okay? Did he check on her enough?

Y/n sat in the tub and seeing her red raw inner thighs made her let out a small chuckle at the memory of the night before, it somewhat felt surreal that her virginity was taken by someone who she adored so much, Harry shew her so much love and attention that it made her heart race 10x much.

“Y’okay beauty” Harry called from the bedroom, knocking y/n from her reminiscing.

“Yes love, come sit with me” she answered.

Normally y/n was a very private and shy individual, but there was something Harry carried with him that radiates safety and comfort and after the previous night his words made her feel so beautiful.

Without a word he presses a kiss to her forehead and proceeds to sit on the closed toilet Sid which sat next to the tub.

Y/n loved admiring the beauty that was her boyfriend, her eyes drunk him all in and enjoyed it thoroughly.

“Thank you for last night” Harry admits knocking the train out of her mind.

“Harry” she began

“Thank you, you treated me lovely” she stressed wanting it to get through his head.

“S’jus, such a vulnerable moment and you shared y’first with me” he smiles.

“And there’s no one else I would’ve rathered” she said looking directly at him.

“Love”

“S’true” she sighed.

“Y’gonna make blush n shit” he chortled.

“That’s because your just a big sap” y/n teased

A moment of comfortable silence washed over them enjoying the bliss of simply just each others company.

“Love?” Harry asked.

“Hmm”

“Was last night painful?” He asked his green eyes filling with slight concern

“Harry-“ she started.

“Y/n” he answered a slight more serious and deeper tone.

“Baby, only a teeny bit it’s normal, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t bleed slightly in the bathroom after but it’s so normal Harry-“

But he wouldn’t take that.

“What?” He asked eyes pinching closed and tighter as each word rolled off her tongue

“Baby stop beating yourself up-“

“I made you fucking bleed?”

“Harry listen to me”

Clearly lost in his own brain overthinking the worst things ever.

“It’s normal, before you I was a virgin it’s fine, harry it’s not your fault you didn’t cause anything, hell it didn’t even hurt, m’used to periods and much worse love so stop letting your brain win”

Harry looked up at her, her beautiful eyes and face were the death of him.

“Fuck love” he said quick to move off of the toilet lid and kneel beside the tub to level with her face.

“I love you so much Harry, your the best boyfriend, I felt so safe, so loved in your arms last night, as sickly as that sounds” she quietly said while studying his features.

“I love you y/n, I never want to hurt you, cause ya pain ever ever ever” he rambled.

“I know silly, now gimme a kiss you big sap” y/n requested.

A kiss she received.

——————————————————————————

[cacartoon]

Hello!!! I just wanted to say I really like your art work and your art style is the best thing I’ve ever seen! Your castaway au is really good, and I can’t wait to see the next part (which I check for basically hourly, it’s always the highlight of my day/week when I see the next part). I wanted to ask if it would be okay for me to maybe make some fanart or fanfics based off your castaway au for the Octonauts.

thank you so much and have a nice day/week/month/year/life

:3

Pease go right ahead. Get creative and have fun

[georgeweasleyslostearhq]

FRED AND GEORGE - HC

-THEM IN BED-

FRED

he's rough most of the time and soft when he wants to be

he's def a dom but LOVES seeing you on top

I feel like he would be into bondage, he loves to tie you up and just tease you for hours before actually doing anything

he doesn't mind doing it in public places, the idea of getting caught turns him on, unless it's one of his family members😬

^whether that's a broom closet, the quidditch changing rooms or an empty classroom. you done it on the common room couch once, very late at night because why not

he's call you things like:

Slut, my little whore, doll, bitch, love

he'd praise you when your orgasm, other than that you'd probably get downgraded, he doesn't mean it and he makes sure you know that after

his favourite position is probably cowgirl or just doing it standing up

he's into hair pulling, him or you, he loves.

his foreplay goes on forever

he doesn't mind eating you out, but he prefers other things.

that being said, he LIVES for you giving him head.

he's not that vocal in bed, i feel like you'd hear the occasional grunt or groan but other than that it's him just saying dirty things in your ear

he's amazing at what he does and never fails to please you in any way.

his aftercare is average, he'd get you in the shower to clean up and you would end up shagging in there

would sleep before you.

10/10

GEORGE

he's soft in the bedroom, he only ever goes rough when he's really angry or you ask

he prefers being the top but he loves it when you decide to top him

he's open to whatever you want to try but one thing he makes very clear is no ana/. he finds it disgusting and never wants to try it

he likes to do it in the safety of your beds, but you occasionally do it in an empty classroom when neither of you can wait. and you do like the thrill

he'd call you things like:

Love, sweetheart, baby, princess and when he's mad, slut

he praises you for everything, he makes sure you know you're making him feel good and he loves knowing he's making you feel good.

he whispers loving things into your ear, encouraging you in every little thing you do.

checks up on you quite a bit and would stop immediately if you said so

he's very passionate and it would be classified as making love, not shagging.

his favourite position is missionary, plain and simple, but it's all you two need really, close second is cowgirl, because he knows you enjoy it.

like Fred, he's in to hair pulling. simple as that.

his foreplay goes for as long as you need or want, he's just here to make you feel good✋

he loved eating you out, especially if you're in the mood and he's a bit tired, he'll just rest his head on your thigh and just pease you the way you ask. and he doesn't mind you giving him head, he likes looking down at you, smiling at the amount of him you can't fit in your mouth

he's pretty vocal, he definitely whimpers and moans when you do exactly what he likes, I wouldn't say he's overly vocal, but he's enough.

he is fucming amazing in bed, he would leave you wanting a LOT more. he's just so good and his monster penetrator would leave your legs shaking

his aftercare is elite, he bathes you and then cuddles you, pampering you with kisses all over while he rubs your body, massaging you.

would wait for you to fall asleep

11/10

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

[petermorwood]

This is a fun watch.

J. Draper gets SERIOUSLY nit-picky about "The Muppet Christmas Carol", and as a nit-picker myself, I enjoy seeing how others do it.

I can also see why some of her nit-picks were subordinate to the requirements of a different medium, though I second her curiosity as to why the development of Scrooge's youthful character was changed between book and screen.

It would have been easy to retain the original book character (Scrooge didn't always hate Christmas, but a succession of Bad Things happened at the holiday season and soured him on it). The change is as mysterious as that decision to delete one song ("When Love Is Gone") while leaving its complementary book-end song ("When Love Is Found") in place.

That at least has been corrected on Disney +, though AFAIK it's still not the Official Version and the corrected movie needs selected down among Extra Features.

*****

Funny thing, a large proportion of the YouTube comments are about Christmas Pudding and US ignorance of same. If Christmas Pud is mysterious, wait till they start finding out about Yorkshire Pudding, Pease Pudding and Black Pudding... :->

Check "pudding" in my tags And Learn More...

[haysplumjam]

you can hear it in the silence

part 8

an: part 8! short one (sorry) but it's necessary i promise! please pease PLEASE comment/message me suggestions/critiques i can take it and it will make this better!!!

tw: normal hunger games stuff, torture, violence, gun violence, gore, suicide/suicidal thoughts and actions, prostitution, substance abuse

______________________________________________________________

I pace the train for what must be hours after everyone retreats to their own cars. The train ride to Twelve is long, but looking out of the window as the country flies by helps to pass the time. I think about visiting Finnick’s compartment and asking for tips to kill more time, but I know he’s long asleep. 

Instead I settle in the car covered in windows, allowing a near complete view of whatever district we’re passing through. I think it’s Five or Two, but there’s no way to be sure when it’s so dark. I wrap my arms around myself and lean against one of the plush purple couches, just watching as land flies by. This is one of the only times on the tour I’ll be able to sleep, I’m sure, so of course I won’t. I’ve tried to prepare myself for how awful it will truly be, but being tired will only make it worse. I only brought five of the green pills and two of the pink in an ill-fated attempt to try to get myself to actually sleep, as if that’s something I’ve done without pills or nightmares in the past six months.

Wherever I am, it’s a pretty district, but I just watch the stars. They’re the same as at home, but different from the ones in the arena. They were all wrong– the constellations in different places and patterns and no directional guides. These are my stars, even if they belong to Five or Two or whatever in-between we’re practically flying through. 

A capitol attendant comes in to check on me, clearly startled by my presence, but I just wave him away. 

I see a group of lights in the distance that must be a district, but which I can’t tell. I return to my staring at the stars once the squinting starts to hurt my head. They’re so steady. So unmoving. 

“Are you okay?” Finnick’s voice startles me. 

“Of course,” I answer, looking at him rather than the stars. 

“You should at least try to sleep,” Finnick settles on the ground beside be, looking up at the sky. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.” 

I just shake my head, “the nightmares aren’t worth it.” 

His face falls, “you have to at least close your eyes for a while.” 

I shake my head again and return my focus to the stars. 

“Annie,” he sighs. “Please at least try.” 

“Do you not get them?” 

“Of course I do,” he sighs. 

“Every time you close your eyes?” I look down from the stars and meet his eyes. 

He shakes his head, “not anymore, but it won’t stop without sleep, Annie. How do you get on?” 

“Coffee,” I lie. I want desperately to take the pills and rest, but I know I can’t waste them now. Especially not now that he knows I’m still awake. 

“Nothing helps?” 

I rack my brain for any memory of a time I’ve been able to sleep without nightmares or pills since the arena. Once, when I fell asleep at my kitchen table immediately after visiting the orphanage, and once more when I fell asleep while Finnick tried to explain strategy just before the tour. “It has to sneak up on me,” I answer, attempting not to laugh at how silly it sounds. 

He nods, but he’s more concerned than amused. 

“I’ll be okay, Finnick,” I attempt to reassure him. “Do you know what district?” I point to the cluster of lights far in the distance. 

“Five,” he almost cracks a smile. 

“Do you know any of the victors from there?” I ask him, desperate to get away from the topic of my sleeplessness. 

“Not well,” he shakes his head, “there’s a woman named Porter. She’s kind, but quiet. A few others, too, but they never come to anything.” 

“What districts are you closest to?” I ask him. It’s a strange question, given the imminent death of twenty-three of their mentees. 

He pauses for a moment, “there’s siblings from One that won right before I did and another who won pretty soon after.” 

Of course, Jewel was the mentee of one of his closest friends. 

“A few from Two as well. Mags is close with a woman from Three, but she’s a bit hard to talk to,” he looks puzzled for a moment, but quickly moves on. “Everyone from home, of course. All of the victors are cordial, but most of them aren’t exactly friends. It’s a… challenging dynamic.” 

I nod, squinting at the blurry lights of Five in the distance. 

“There’s a dam there that’s really a sight to see. They’re the only other district that really has water.” He goes on and on about a visit he paid to the dam once. He knows exactly how much electricity it produces and how many workers it requires and how much water flows through it each day and somehow, his words that mean next to nothing lull me to sleep. 

When I wake, the sun is far too high in the sky for my liking, and my head is on Finnick’s shoulder.

 “The very end of two,” he points out at a distant city. 

“You should’ve woken me,” I quickly move my head from his shoulder, desperate to keep my embarrassment from showing. 

“You needed the rest,” he counters. 

“I’m fine, Finnick,” I sigh. “I’ve disrupted enough of your sleep.”

“I slept well,” he shrugs. 

“I promise I’ll do my best to keep myself alive, Finnick. You don’t have to take care of me.” 

He hesitates for a moment before standing, taking my hands and pulling me up from the plush carpeted floor, “I’m not going to leave you alone, Annie. The sooner you accept it the better for both of us.” He lets go of my hands, “breakfast. Come on.” 

I huff, but I follow him anyway. 

Glarius and my prep team are chatting excitedly and drinking pink liquid with bubbles out of long stemmed glasses when we enter the dining car. Of course, they immediately soften their voices when we join them. 

“Tired today, are we?” Glarius asks, earning giggles from the rest of them. 

I just nod, placing the simplest-looking pastry from the tray in front of me on my plate. 

They resume their regular volume quickly, paying no mind to Finnick and I as he attempts to prepare me for District Twelve, despite the fact that we won’t arrive until tomorrow. Their mayor is kind and quiet, and he has a young daughter who enjoys playing the piano. 

“It’s one of the worst you’ll see. You have to know that,” Finnick says, putting another pastry on my plate beside the untouched one. 

“What do you mean?” 

“People starve to death there. Often. Everything is covered in dust, it’s… it’s scary.” 

I nod my head, thinking of the tiny District Twelve tributes. They were older, if I remember correctly, and not too short, but they were skin and bone. 

“Eight, and Six are like that, too. Sometimes Three, Five, Seven, and Eleven, but it depends.” 

“Everyone who doesn’t have a way to sneak Capitol food,” it takes me longer than I’d like to put it together. 

“Yeah,” he nods. 

“Why Eleven?” 

“Their peacekeepers are brutal,” he shakes his head. 

Ours are bad, of course. Disrupting work and beating and sometimes even hanging people who take enough from their catch for the officers to notice, but they let things slide. Especially when it comes to those who work the docks or fish for their dinner after working hours. 

I nod, suddenly feeling even less inclined to eat the pastry than I did before. I can’t help but think about the packages the Capitol has sent everyone in Four monthly since I won. Grain, oil, canned vegetables. There are certainly people who need it, but people starving in other districts need it more than those of us who have plenty of food in our backyard. Districts that rarely win. No one from Eight or Six in my lifetime, and definitely not Eleven or Twelve. The sheer number of victors from One and Two, districts that always have enough food to fill their bellies. They don’t need the parcels, either. 

My stomach churns at the thought of children starving to death while the colorfully-dressed people across from me take one bite of something and throw it away. While they starve themselves by choice out of sheer vanity. While my own cabinets are full of food. While I’ll spend the next two weeks being presented with meals in the same districts people are dying in because they don’t have enough to eat. 

“I’m not hungry,” I say to Finnick, excusing myself from the too-full table and retreating to my own car.