#Code Beautifier

[tinytveit]

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆛 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆛 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆛 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

[thegirlwholivesin-delusion]

Annabeth: Any idiot would know that.

Percy: I knew that!

Annabeth: See?

[jils-things]

its so funny to realize that jaide stone is surrounded by the flashiest people alive /affectionate

[mymoongirlreadings]

THE ASTROLOGICAL 12 FREQUENCIES OF ABUNDANCE ✨ 💸 🏡 ☮️ 🏎️ ✈️ 💍

Each of the 12 zodiac signs holds a distinct energetic frequency. A sacred code you can attune to in order to unlock your personal channel of abundance. By aligning with your personal Par of Fortune archetypal energies, you activate your unique abundance-flow state, allowing prosperity, ease, and soul-aligned receiving to move through you with grace.

Check your Par of Fortune sign/house: This will let you know what area of life (house) to focus on through the energy (sign).

Aries | 1st house (Instincts | Physical Body | Embodiment | New Beginnings): moving from instinct, letting your desires lead without apology, bold self-trust, claiming space without shrinking, showing up before you feel “ready,” being okay with being seen in your rawness, initiating without needing permission, letting your body take the lead, courage as a lifestyle, saying yes before the world catches up, acting on your inner knowing, channeling energy into movement, presence over perfection, letting anger clarify what needs to shift, embodying your fire, embracing your aliveness, taking the first step even if it’s messy

Taurus | 2nd house (Finances, Values, Habits, Security): stillness, a calm nervous system, keeping things simple, practical & realistic pace/flow, not exerting more than you have to, do what you are comfortable with, strong boundaries, slow living, enjoyment of the moment, enjoying your meal, bath, sunset, the sound of music, believing your deserving of luxurious experiences & items, self-care, leaving things more beautiful than you found them, beautifying yourself and your life, romanticizing daily life, exercising your skills and spending time doing what you like to do, exercising consistency, strong values and knowing your worth, accepting what you believe you are worth and what you deserve

Gemini | 3rd house (Curiosity | Environment | Mental Abilities & Powers | Communication): curiosity as your compass, letting questions lead you into connection, expressing without over-editing, trusting your voice, engaging with your surroundings, speaking to be understood and also to understand, learning something new for the joy of it, lightness in conversation, sharing what’s on your mind without overthinking it, changing your mind when needed, letting play be a form of intelligence, enjoying banter, movement, and stimulation, staying mentally agile, writing down the downloads, surrounding yourself with those who get you, letting words create openings

Cancer | 4th house (Inner-Security | Relaxing | Family | Home): coming home to yourself, letting comfort be a priority, letting your emotions guide you with gentleness, being soft with yourself and those you love, cooking meals that feel like safety, resting often, tending to your space with care, honoring your inner child’s needs, being emotionally present, letting love be quiet but real, slowing down enough to feel it all, nurturing your people deeply, caring without losing yourself, letting tears be sacred, choosing what makes you feel safe, treating your body like a sanctuary, building a home within and around you, receiving love in simple, quiet ways, choosing safety over survival

Leo | 5th house (Creativity, Hobbies, Pleasure, Romance): true expression, having fun, to not care what people think, lightheartedness, not taking things so seriously, being courageous in honoring your heart, strong boundaries, fiercely claiming what your heart wants, majorly loving yourself, being the love in the world you wish to see, acknowledging your light, exploring your talents, creating in any way, exploring sexual liberation & embodiment, the joy of dating/courting/romantic displays of interest, flirting with love & life, prioritizing your inner child, confidently saying no and yes to what you want, deep confidence to the point where we don't overthink it

Virgo | 6th house (Rituals | Wellness | Work | Productivity): organizing your energy, simplifying what feels chaotic, sacred routines, holistic care, showing up with integrity, paying attention to what your body is asking for, wellness as devotion—not perfection, finding beauty in details, honoring your daily rhythm, being of service with boundaries, grounding through tasks that anchor you, refining your craft, moving with clarity and discernment, trusting yourself to tend to what matters, healing through systems and structure, prioritizing alignment over hustle, asking: does this support who I’m becoming?, tending to your inner world like a garden

Libra | 7th house (Personal Success/Happiness | Relationships): approaching life in a peaceful, balancing & forgiving way often, having manners, diffusing arguments, inviting more beauty into your life, self-care, lots of sensuality, leaving things and people more beautiful than you found them, letting your heart enjoy the people, moments & things around you, playfulness, flirtiness, enjoying exploring the common ground between you & others, enjoying quality time with those you love, pouring into what is sacred to you, pursuing & embodying your personal version of success & happiness, well-mannered, feeling the beauty in laughing, in flirting, in being

Scorpio | 8th house (Power | Depth | Intimacy of all Forms | Private Matters): embracing depth over surface, intimacy that transforms, shedding what no longer fits, letting yourself be fully seen, power that comes from self-trust—not control, trusting your emotional rebirths, sacred sexuality, merging without losing yourself, knowing when to surrender and when to protect, alchemizing pain into wisdom, embracing endings as beginnings, letting the shadows speak, revealing the truth behind the eyes, energetic boundaries, healing what’s hidden, choosing to be reborn, allowing intimacy to be a mirror for your own wholeness

Sagittarius | 9th house (Adventure | Spirituality | Belief | Expansion): believing you CAN, expanding your beliefs beyond past what you ever thought was possible, tap into the higher knowing of your own truth, exploring new knowledge, nature, land, places, people so we expand our consciousness, believing you are lucky, taking the leap again & again, learning by doing (you'll never know if you never jump), being curious about what is foreign to you or different from you, reflecting on knowledge gained from experiences that shaped our path to our becoming, going into deep rabbit holes gaining more power from knowledge, anchoring our higher ethics into our truth, being adventurous, embracing being a wanderer, humor as wisdom

Capricorn | 10th house: (Personal Legacy | Career | Purpose | Structure): following your vision, building what lasts, moving with quiet discipline, being the one who shows up, trusting your inner authority, devotion over distraction, purpose as a guiding light, steady progress that’s rooted in clarity, embodying your highest standard, honoring your soul’s ambition, holding structure with grace, leading with integrity, knowing your work matters, releasing external validation, committing to the climb because your future self is waiting, creating impact through presence, letting your legacy be built one sacred step at a time

Aquarius | 11th house (Self-Evolution | Innovation | Future Visions | Like Minded Soul-Family Members): being the blueprint, daring to do it differently, breaking the rules to honor the truth, future-focused with your feet still grounded, loving people from a place of wholeness, community as chosen soul family, releasing the need to fit in, honoring your uniqueness as a gift, speaking the truth that liberates, vision as prophecy, authenticity as activism, receiving downloads in quiet moments, letting your weird be wonderful, inviting others into your evolution, uplifting the collective through your presence, belonging by being yourself, wildly becoming your hopes & wishes through aligning with timelines that satisfy your current authenticity, letting you're inner genius play around

Pisces | 12th house (Divine Endings | Power of Self-Reflection | Spiritual Body | Solitude): surrendering control, choosing trust, softening into divine timing, dreaming as a form of receiving, rest as we meet resistance, dissolving timelines and letting the truth reveal itself, healing quietly and deeply, allowing tears to carry what words can’t, intuition as your compass, creative expression as soul medicine, slipping into a dream and listening for the answers, solitude without loneliness, divine connection through music, water, and sleep, letting life be poetic, releasing outcomes and floating with faith, remembering you are never alone, becoming whole through softness

[rhadamanthes]

your new favorite Connie Springer x reader

warnings : meet cute, alcohol consumption, tongue kissing, tongue sucking, mention of public sex, fingering, nipple play, hair pulling, dry humping, light chocking, doggy style, missionary, breeding kink.

author's note : title inspired by west side from ariana grande <3 this fic was so fun to write omg + I almost fell in love with the version of Connie i wrote... Also I wasn't sure about the spanish pet names but let's embrace this. Ty for reading let me know what you think!!

word count : 5,2k

You're drunk, not embarrassing yourself type drunk, just quiet, laughing at your friends conversation drunk. It's bottomless brunch after all so who cares whether you are wasted at noon or not. Another margarita is coding your way and an idea sparks in your head.

"Who's got a cigarette ?" you talk over your friend's voices. They grunt in unisson scolding your name. 

"You need to stop mixing poison like that" Marco scolds from your right side, taking the drink from your hands. You roll your eyes, an easy smile playing on your lips.

"Well ladies I need to pee so behave while I'm away" you joke, stradling Jean's toned thigh so you can get out of the table. His hands caress your naked back as you stand up. 

Your comment earns you disapproving stares and laughs from the table. 

"Need me to come with ? Doesn't really look like you can stand on your own" Annie remarked from her seat.

"I'll be just fine don't worry" you chirp making your way to the smoking area. 

Something about being drunk always makes you crave a nice cold cigarette. You're not a regular smoker that's why you allow yourself one from time to time.  

The smell of nicotine floods your senses and you close your eyes in delight, surely a kind soul is going to let you borrow one. Who would deny a pretty girl like you? 

This part of the restaurant is equally pretty as the rest. Marco picked it for you guys and he always had good taste. It is an outdoor type of place, lawned grass, colorful flowers and exotic trees. A white circular gazebo is the centerpiece of the area, vines are wrapped around the forged steel, and the sun rays beautify  it. 

Why does the smoking area look like a wedding venue ? Drunk you think it is really funny, walking faster and giggling. The other smokers scattered on the lawn giving you curious looks. 

The inside of the white structure has equally white benches disposed in circles. A man about your age is sitting there, the object of your desire burning in his right hand. 

"Hey, do you have a cigarette ?" you inquire with the most charming smile you can muster, not sure about what it ends up looking like though. 

Said boy lifts his head up, meeting your eyes, He is cute with his overgrown grey buzz cut and hazel eyes. 

"Sure" he says, handing you the marlboro pack, you take a stick from it, sitting on the left side of the handsome stranger. You thank him again as he hands you a lighter as well.

"Don't you think this place is overkill for a smoking area ?" you comment, lighting up the cigarette as you look around still in drunk disbelief.

A chuckle comes from your right "Well it is always better than a shady back alley right ?, the wok down the street  made me wash my shoes before i got back in" 

"Well, cheers to that" you giggle, finally bringing the cigarette to your glossy lips. "What's your name by the way ?" You ask, fully looking at him. 

"The name's Connie " you give your name to him and a smile forms on his face "It is nice to meet you" turning his head to the side you only notice now that he has a pink flower colored in his hair. You giggle, bringing your fingers to trace it. 

"I know it's all crooked but my siblings did it, they're 4 and 6 for the records"  he laughs, stubbing the end of his cigarette on the sole of his shoes.

"Can I see the other side ? " you demand, now raking your nails against his skull. 

Another thing you crave when you are drunk is physical contact... Unfortunately Connie is receptive to it, leaning in your hand to show you the other side of his head.

"Nothing here, just piercings" Double helix, rook and triple lobe, oh that man is a whore. And gold suits him well.

"Look at mine" you say, extending your neck for him to take a look. Warm fingers push stray hair behind your ear and he whistles looking at the gold rings going from your lobe up to the top of your ear.  His reaction makes you giggle and you nod your head.

"Yup, that cost me four month of sleep, and I don't even regret it" you take another drag from the nicotine stick. 

Your hand is still in his hair, you pull lightly and he yelps

"Ouch!" 

"Sorry! It's just that they are the perfect length to pull, and i don't think I ever met someone with short hair like that" You apologize, instinctively taking your hand out of his head  The words fly out of your mouth before you can even stop them, you must sound like an idiot, what is so special about short hair ? 

"What are you a cat ?" he jokes, running a hand over the spot you pulled. You laugh with him and relax that he's not mad, after all you guys are still strangers. 

"I mean, I would purr for you" you laugh again but this time he doesn't follow you. 

Why do you keep talking ?

His eyebrows shot up and his head turns to the side, "Yeah ? You would ? " a cheshire grin seizes his face as you close your eyes in embarrassment. 

"I don't know what's in these cigarettes but it is strong"  you try to gain your dignity back, but being honest with yourself, you know that you meant what you said. 

A whole heartedly laugh comes from Connie's chest and you don't mind anymore. The conversation with him goes smoothly, you didn't mean to stay this long but he offered another cigarette and then another as the conversation digressed to various subjects. 

Your legs are now horizontally on top of his thighs, one of his hands resting on it drawing abstract shapes. 

"Do you want to kiss?" you ask after a beat of silence. Connie gives you a lopsided smile.

"It is not in my nature to refuse anything to a pretty girl, but you are drunk muñequita" he scolds, pinching your thigh.

"Ow" you jump at the stinging sensation. 

"Another time, I promise" pushing your legs off him he stands up, extending his hand to you. "Let me walk you back to your table, yeah ?" you nod, grabbing his hand to stand, after a few steps, you link your arm to his. 

Getting close to your table, you noticed that Jean has taken your previous spot, leaned against Marco, his eyes sparkles listening intently to whatever he's saying. These two should hurry up and get with each other, you think taking one more step in their direction. You squeeze Connie's biceps signaling him that you have arrived at your destination. 

" I was going to ask where the hell you've been but I got my answer now" Reiner mocks taking another sip from his drink. "It's nice to see you Springer" he greets, holding his palm to Connie. 

"Good to see you too Braun, and Hoover, Leonhart Bott, Kirschtein" he lists your friend, offering them a smile, except for Jean, who stands up and the two of them give each other a quick hug. Wait what ? 

"You guys know each other ?" you ask dumbfounded

"What do you think ?" you hear Jean say with his usual sassiness, sitting back down

"Oh shut up" you groan, taking back your place next to him. 

"Who are you here with ?" Jean asks 

"Sasha, Eren and the lesbians" he laughs, running a hand through his hair. The whole table laugh as well. "I better go before they fill a missing person report, enjoy your lunch guys" he adds waving to the table, his gaze lingers on you and you hold back a smile, waving back, once he's on his way, you turn to Jean with pulled eyebrows. 

"Why did you never tell me you have fine ass friends like that ? " you start, brow pinched. As an answer Jean kicks you under the table, pinching your eyebrows even further you kick him back harder, when Connie's voice reaches your ear. You freeze,oops. 

"You got my lighter ?" kicking Jean one more time for good measure you turn around meeting Connie's eyes 

"Uh yeah, I do" Looking down at the table, you remember not taking your purse for your "Toilet break", fishing it from the confines of your breasts you push it into his hand. "Here, kept it warm for you" you smile looking up at him. 

"Appreciate it"  He returns your smile squeezing the lighter. before taking his final leave. 

You watch his form disappear, letting out a long sigh, you want him so bad. 

"You don't even try to be subtle about it" Annie snickers. 

"Subtle about what ?" you shrug your shoulders, cutting a slice of your pancake with the same proud grin on your face.

"I got to say the lighter trick was impressive" Bertholdt admitted, giving you a thumbs up.

Another fit of laughter around the table and you stuff your face with the fluffy crepe. 

ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎

 Realising that Connie was gravititating in the same friend's group as you made you think that you would meet him again sooner. You have found his instagram, twitter and even spotify.

 It was easily found through Jean's following, you couldn't help but think that he could've been looking for you too. Feeling down every time the new follower notification didn't end up being him. You don't want to follow him first since you remember quite making a fool of yourself last time you saw him. Maybe he wasn't interested at all and you just threw yourself at him like some desperate drunkyard.

 Until one day, Niccolo and Sasha invited the group over to inaugurate their new shared apartment, especially the kitchen since Niccolo will be cooking for you all . As you take off your coat and shoes, you can see a familiar buzzcut in the living room.

 "Fuck" you murmur, face dipped into the coat you just hung.

��"What ?" Jean asks, fixing his mullet.

 "Connie's here" you murmur

 "With the show you put on last time I thought you'd be more happy" he laughs tapping your back.

 "I was drunk and now I'm sober, so this is very embarrassing"

 "Yeah, what did you do ?"

 "I'm not telling you! You will make fun of me until the day I die"

 "I will regardless, better ask Connie directly, he'll be happy about it"

 You scold his name but he's already greeting the ones already there with his loud usual obnoxiousness. You brace yourself, taking a deep breath before following his lead.

 Dinner goes well, the food is delicious. Their large dinner table made you sit five and five in front of each other. Jean, Eren, Armin Reiner and Sasha on one side You ,Annie Mikasa Bertholdt Connie on the other.Niccolo sat at the end of the table not to bother anyone when making his back and forth to the kitchen.

 You're grateful not to have Connie in your line of sight, but every time your eyes met Jean he would wiggle his eyebrows or make a kissy face. Asshole, at some point you stop lifting your gaze from the plate all at once "Are you grounded ? " Annie asked, sipping on her wine. You elbowed her and the dinner went on.

 After a hearty meal, the friend group is scattered over the living room, some on the floor, others on the couch. Bertholdt is sleeping, head resting on Annie's knees, Niccolo and Sasha are snuggled up, chatting with Armin and Jean, Eren is busy pulling at Mikasa's space bun every time she turns her head away from him. You and Reiner are slumped against each other, not having it in you to have the slight conversation.

 And Connie, well Connie sat opposite of you, his gaze followed you at all times, you stole a few glances at him when he was engaged in conversations with the others, he would quickly turn his attention on you but you shied away looking elsewhere.

 "I could do another glass of water," Reiner says, swirling around the few drops left in his current glass.

 "I got you" you urge snatching it from his hand as you rush towards the kitchen, not able to bear the weight of Connie's gaze anymore.

Hands parted on the side of the sink you let a long exhale out, closing your eyes. Part of you feels bad, you were all over him at brunch and now you can't even look his way without  squirming. 

"Are you avoiding me ?" you hear from behind you.

Turning around, no other than Connie stands there, arm propped up on the doorframe. You're getting a full look at him for the first time tonight and god he is fine, the short sleeve shirt he's wearing reveals his well defined arms and tattoos. You feel a heartbeat in your pussy. Shameful you divert your gaze elsewhere, one more time. 

"No, n-not at all" you stutter filling Reiner's glass.

Connie approaches you, turning your body to face his. 

"Yeah? Why can't you look me in the eyes then ?"  he asks, caging your body as he places his hand on the counter behind you. 

"You know why" you chortle, eyes slowly traveling up his chest until you meet his hazel eyes. 

"There she is" a smile spread on his face showing off all white teeth. 

"It's just I remember some of the things I've said and done at brunch and... well that was quite embarrassing for a first encounter" you admit 

"I remember seeing you around before that " Your head tilts to the side at his word, surely you would have remembered a man like him "At Reiners after party to celebrate his new positions ? I don't blame you for not placing it, you were with someone else, blond guy ?" 

The friend group doesn't lack blong men but there's only a few you have dated "Colt ? Yeah we're not a thing anymore"

"May I ask why ?"

"Hmm, no particular reason. He was a good boy, maybe too much ?" you conclude scrunching your face.

"You don't like good boys ?" Connie inquires, pressing his hips into yours.

"On the contrary, but he needs to have other things to offer" 

"I see, I see, were you purring for him ?" he adds with a shit eating grin. Mortification washes over you closing your eyes, head hanging low, as your forehead knocks against his chest. You feel it vibrating with laughter. 

This is one of the few things you remember telling him when you were drunk.

"Come on, you know I had to say it" he laughs patting the top of your hair. "Let's play a game, I'll give you a sentence and you tell me if that was you or the tequila speaking"

"Another plan to humiliate me further " you ask playfully, resting your elbows on the counter, still framed by his hands. Your skins touches, another heartbeat in your pussy.

"So when you said you would purr for me ?"

"Me, tequila just made sure everyone has to know"

"I'll thank her for that"

The more questions he asks the more confident you get, allowing your knee to go up his thigh, slowly travelling to his crotch as the questions goes on. It is your turn to ask something now.

"If I remember correctly, you said you'd kiss me when I'm sober so ? What are you waiting for ?"

"I'm a man of my word, come here" One of his hands comes to the back of your neck as his soft lips take over yours. The kiss is slow, torturously slow, you like that,it gives you the time to taste him, or his last drink,cherry cola. 

His hand squeezes your neck, you moan into the kiss giving him access to your tongue,as he gently caresses it with slow motions. Your body moves on its own, bucking against him, your knee pressing into his growing bulge. Connie inserts one of his thighs between yours so every single motion makes you grind against it. The groan he let out makes your whole body shiver, no doubt he felt the way you are already wet for him. The grip on your neck intensifies.

 Mimicking him, you let one of your hands fly to his hair, pulling at the short strands.He groans again,but you don't stop until the kiss is broken, head tilted back. Connie's lips are parted, breath heavy as he looks down at you with hooded eyes.

 "Tongue" you say, gaze fixated on his mouth. Connie obliges, sticking the pink muscle out. A smile crosses your face from his obedience. Approaching your face you suck his tongue into your mouth, still holding firmly his hair. A mix of your saliva is dripping down your chin but you couldn't care less. Placing your other hand on his butt you squeeze him impossibly closer to you.

 "You two horndogs are really going at it in the kitchen ?"  Jean's voice startles you, as you part from Connie. 

 You let out an exasperated sigh when you see him standing next to the fridge. 

 "Oh don't look at me like that you let Reiner parched in the living room" he grins looking at Connie being pressed against you. 

 Oh, right, that is why you came to the kitchen in the first place. 

 "We're not in the desert he'll be fine" you grumble, wiping your chin. 

 "Probably but I'm not sure Sasha and Niccolo would be too happy with you two inaugurating their kitchen before they had the chance." His sentence makes the two of you part physically. The sight of the tent in Connie's pants makes you smile, you could feel bad knowing he'll have to go back to the living room like that, but you're proud of yourself. 

 "Well I better get big boy his water" Grabbing the glass from the counter you make your way to the exit, shooting Connie a wink, he flashes you a smile. 

 Reiner gives you a curious look when you sit back handing him his water. After a moment Jean and Connie reappear in the living room, this time he sits right next to you. Your shoulders are touching. 

 When Sasha starts to fall asleep the group decides to call it a night. When you came home that evening you had a new message from an unknown number. 

   ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎

 Jean : Are you and Connie in a relationship ? I swear he can't stop talking about you. 

That is what you like to hear, you type back, smile growing on your face.

You: Like everyone else !  And no we're not a thing.

 A bold faced lie when you're currently ubering to his place (he paid) and you spent your free time from the last few weeks exclusively with him. 

Jean : So full of yourself as usual... But just be careful ok ? 

You: Yes we will be wearing condoms dw 

 No you don't plan to. 

Jean : Just tacky and classless ew 

 You laugh reading that, Jean is definitely not a prude but whatever rocks his boat. The car pulls up to the familiar sidewalk and you thank the driver, exiting the car. Connie lives in a nice duplex near the city center. Entering the digicode, you quickly make your way to the elevator. requesting the fifth floor.

Looking at yourself in the mirror you adjust your outfit one last time, it's nothing eccentric. A black mini skirt (easy access) and an oversize dress shirt (hot if he tears it apart) Tonight is the night. 

You and Connie have been dancing around each other ever since the dinner at the lovebird's. He would kiss your lips to greet you, and bring you new flowers every time. The first time he did they were similar to those of the smoking area where you first met. Apparently, drunk you were fawning about them. The attention melted your heart. 

The kiss he would give you every time was the farthest you went for physical contact, sure you jerked him off at the cinema, he fingered you at the restaurant but  you guys never went all the way through and you have decided that tonight was the right time. 

After you knock on the door it only takes a few seconds for him to unlock it, all goofy grin and wet hair. His hand comes to the small of your back, pulling you in as he kisses you nibbling on your bottom lips.

"Come in, sorry I couldn't pick you up  myself, Reiner wanted my help for practice and I wanted to smell nice for you"  he comments running off deeper in his appartements, you toe off your heeled boots as you hear his footsteps approach. "Here, no bouquet today but there were these  flowers on the corner of the field" he grins, handing you three hand picked daisies. You can't contain your smile looking at how small they are in his hands. You gladly accept them looking at him in the eyes. 

"Awww, committing felony for me Connie ?" you coo planting a soft kiss on his lips. "I love them, thank you." your heart flutters in your chest he is so perfect.... Leading you to the couch Connie rambles about what you guys could do tonight, the ps5 is on as he scrolls through the different streaming platform he has.

"Connie," you interrupt him, your serious tone makes his shoulder tense, eyes round as marbles." Why the scared face" you chuckle standing between his parted thigh. His hands come to your hips, as he rests the bottom of his face on your belly, looking up at you.

"Just tell me" 

"I didn't come here to watch a movie" you murmur in a sultry voice, raking your nails through his short hair. His eyes close and you can visibly see his shoulder relaxing. "What, you thought I was gonna end things with you?"

"Yeah something like that" your heart clenches in your chest at the thought. Even though his goofy personality makes him seem careless you can tell it really isn't the case. "Come here" he whispers, pressing down kisses on your clothed belly. 

"Nu-uh I want a real bed"

"As you wish" the console is long forgotten as he drags you up the stairs that leads to his bedroom. 

It isn't tidy, it isn't a mess either, taking matters in your hands, you let yourself plop down on his king size bed. feet under your ass as you wait for him to join, he mimics your position, kissing you softly, hands travelling to your tits he groans into the kiss fumbling with the buttons of your shirt. You wiggle your breast under his palm to frustrate him some more and he tears the tissue apart. 

"I'll get you another one" his voice his deeper than usual, you bite your lips feeling excitation rise in every fiber of your body 

Admiring your bare chest he places his large palms under each , making them jiggle like jello.

"Been dreaming about this ever since you hid my lighter in there" 

"Hmm ? What did you wanted to do ? Show me" 

Crossing his arms behind your back Connie mouth latches to your right teat, suckling it into his warm mouth. His tongue circles your nipple Your head falls back in delight, eyes closing as you press his face further into your skin.

"Aaaah fuck yes" you've been craving more of his touch for the longest time now. One of his calloused hands snakes down to your crotch, your pussy buzzes in anticipation, you know he is skilled with his fingers and you want their expert touch as he sucks on your tits like the good boy he is. 

Sliding your panties to the side Connie swipes his finger through your entrance a few times collecting the arousal he's going to use on your clitoris. His middle finger finds your sensitive bud, circling it in heavy motion. 

"You're feeling good angel ? " he rasps, hovering your drool covered boob. 

"Yes Connie" you mewled, eyes still closed. 

"Let's even you out" he murmurs, attacking your other side.

Like the horny person you are, your hips buck on their own searching for even more friction dragging you closer and closer to an edge. 

"Connie I'm gonna cum " you warn feeling your body tensing up. 

"Don't hold back baby, I want you all over my fingers" his voice drips into your ear. And you do, back arching and stiffening as your body slump against his. Your cries fill the room as he keeps his assault on your overly sensitive clitoris.

"S-stop" you beg hiding your face in his neck. His motion dies down, as he taps your slick covered cunt repeatedly.  

"Open your mouth" Connie demands.  You obey, after uncovering your head from his musky skin. 

His finger fills your mouth and you moan around them, tasting your own arousal. Connie's pupils are blown wide looking at you.  Once they're clean, you release them with a loud 'pop'. Quickly getting rid of the skirt that was bunched up around your belly, you lay face down on his pillow. 

"Don't make me wait any longer." you implore swishing your ass left to right. 

The lips of your vagina are puffy with excitement,  due to your first orgasm. easily parting around the tip of his cock. Connie swipe it a few times between them, before slowly pumping it inside. Your eyes are fixated on his cock when he enters your cavity, lips caught between your teeth, it is finally happening. 

"You're ready y/n ?" he asks for good measure but he's already thrusting inside of you. 

You nod your head gripping the sheets under you. The deeper he goes the louder the both of you get, you don't know why you didn't expect him to be that vocal but you're glad he is, a nice change from the man that expects you to do all the moaning. 

"Shit that pussy hugging me so tight." he raps, gathering your hair in one of his hands the other flies to your throat, lifting your head from the pillow. "Feeling good too ?" You  only nod your head knowing that your words will be mushed.  "You understand why I didn't wanted to do anything while you were drunk hm ? I needed you to really feel it" And you do, he's fucking you at a slow pace but his thrust are so strong the air in your lungs get knowked out  every time, emitting pathetic sounds. "Say 'yes Connie I understand' " he says hoarsely, kissing your ear. 

"U-uh, Connie I-I understand"  you stammer, it takes all your willpower to form a somewhat proper sentence. Your hand searches for his neck, ushering him toward you. "Kiss me" you beg as the tears start to well up in your eyes.

His lips are on yours in an instant, he is smiling into the kiss, grunting as his thrust never stops. You're no longer satisfied with this position, you want him closer, you need him closer. "Want to see your face please" you mutter against his plump lips. 

"Anything for my girl" he pulled out his cock momentarily to flip you around. You're so eager to feel it again inside that you grab his base leading it to your entrance. Connie chuckles but you know he feels the same. His cheeks are rosy, his gaze full of lust.  Your legs lock themselves around his hips, heels digging in his butt for him to start moving. 

"Easy now" he warns, placing each of his forearms around your head. The gold chain Connie wears dangle in your face with each snap of his hips against yours. "Can I be your boyfriend ? " Your pussy clenches at his question. There's nothing else you want more, the fooling around was fun but now you know exactly what you want, who you want and he's fucking into you like he's trying to bruise your cervix.  The tears threaten to fall under the mix of emotions you feel, it's pleasure, it's love it's overwhelming.  "Yes baby, yes" your voice is chirpier, you can't control it.

"Thank you" he utters, burying his face in the crook of your neck. "I'm going to treat you so good" His cock drives faster into your cavity, letting you no time to adjust to his new pace. "Mi gatita, you're going to purr for me". It doesn't take a genius to understand which nickname he gave you. "Connie!" you're trying to scold him but with the way he's pistoning inside you cunt it only sounds like a moan. 

The perspiration you feel on your lower back, the electricity you feel in your toes gives you all the signs that your treacherous body is nearing his climax. The tears break free from your orbs you're getting fucked so good you almost want to tell Connie you love him. Deciding against it you bite your lips, hard. 

"Baby i'm close" you croak. "Me too, cum with me let's make a mess querida" he urges, thrusting sloppier in your gummy walls. "Hmm you can't finish inside of me Connie I'm not under the pill" you say,  locking your legs tighter around him having no intention to let him go. "I know, I'm going to pull out." he answers without making any effort to break free from your hold. 

You and Connie are as sick as each other, the thought brings you over the edge, legs shaking around his body. You call his name again and again as the filthy sounds fill the room. His teeth sink in your neck as he rams into you until his semen is shot deep inside of you. The weight of Connie's body is crushing you, and you like it. You caress his damp back, slowly coming back to earth.  After a moment his golden eyes meet yours, a lazy grin stuck on his face. Your hands escalate to his head, scratching it and he mimics you.  The two of you stay in the comfortable silence for a while until he speaks up. 

"I was serious when I asked about being your boyfriend"

"I was serious when I said yes," you giggle. "Does it look like I was joking ?" 

"It looked like you were too busy purring to make sense," he joked, pursing his lips.  Connie's laugh fills your ears. You roll your eyes pulling at his hair, internally cursing your drunk self for her lack of filter :  he's never going to let you live this down. 

[a-d-nox]

how can you glow up: your 6h - daily habits, health, and self-discipline.

seems like everyone started 75 days hard, medium, or soft as soon as the new year hit on my social media feeds... so here's the next hypothesis of how you can glow up using your venus persona. take a close look at your 6h!

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6h libra (7°, 19°), 6h venus, and/or venus aspecting 6h ruler

daily habits

curate a routine: use aesthetically pleasing tools like a cute planner, matching workout gear, etc.

prioritize work-life balance: libra thrives on harmony, so create clear boundaries between work and relaxation.

partner up: work with an accountability buddy or engage in social routines like walking with a friend or coworker.

mindful decision-making: your indecisive tendencies may slow you down. use tools like a pros-and-cons list or time limits/blocking to streamline daily choices.

health

gentle fitness: choose workouts that emphasize balance and flow, like yoga, pilates, and/or barre.

balanced diet: focus on a diet that incorporates variety and moderation. think colorful, well-plated meals that appeal to both the eyes and the palate.

skin & body care: libra’s beauty-conscious vibe thrives with self-care rituals. pamper yourself with skincare routines and/or regular relaxing massages.

avoid extremes: libra energy prefers moderation. skip overly intense regimens and opt for sustainable, enjoyable routines instead (HITT and 75 hard would not be for these people).

self-discipline

create beauty in discipline: you need something functional but aesthetically pleasing. for instance, a thoughtful made habit tracker and/or color-coded calendars.

balance hard work with reward: keep yourself motivated by celebrating small wins with little indulgences - a favorite snack or a self-care day.

social accountability: let friends or groups hold you accountable for fitness, projects, and/or self-improvement goals.

glow-up activities

beautify your workspace: add plants, art, or calming colors to create a productive yet serene environment.

join a wellness class: try group pilates and/or yoga for a social and balanced approach to fitness.

revamp your closet: create a capsule wardrobe and/or organize your clothing to reflect the polished libra vibe.

relaxing evening routine: end the day with candlelight, soothing music, and/or a luxurious skincare ritual.

6h sagittarius (9��, 21°), 6h jupiter, and/or jupiter aspecting 6h ruler

daily habits

growth-oriented routines: you thrive when your habits are designed for personal expansion. focus on routines that encourage learning, travel, and/or exploring new perspectives.

positive productivity: you have a sense of optimism where daily tasks are concerned, making it easier to stay motivated. infuse fun into your day - listen to uplifting podcasts and/or explore creative approaches to mundane chores.

consistency through belief: jupiter’s influence inspires faith in your ability to improve. use affirmations or gratitude journaling to reinforce your positive mindset.

health

holistic wellness: approaches to health that integrate body, mind, and spirit. practices like yoga, meditation, and/or exploring global wellness traditions are ideal.

moderation matters: while jupiter brings abundance, it can also lead to overindulgence. focus on balance in diet and exercise to avoid extremes.

fitness with freedom: jupiter encourages movement and exploration - choose outdoor activities, group classes, and/or fitness routines that feel expansive and exciting.

self-discipline

long-term vision: jupiter encourages you to see the big picture. tie your daily routines to a larger goal and/or purpose, like personal growth or job advancement, to stay motivated.

positive reinforcement: this aspect makes self-discipline easier when you focus on what you gain rather than what you restrict. celebrate milestones to maintain enthusiasm.

glow-up activities

expand your knowledge: dedicate time daily to learning, whether through books, podcasts, and/or courses. growth fuels your glow-up.

practice gratitude: a daily gratitude practice strengthens your positive mindset and attracts even more opportunities for success.

travel for wellness: plan a retreat or adventure centered on self-care, like hiking in a new location or joining a wellness retreat.

abundant self-care: invest in inspiring, luxurious self-care practices that make you feel expansive - think spa treatments, aromatherapy, and/or beautifully curated meal prep.

6h pisces (12°, 24°), 6h neptune, and/or neptune aspecting 6h ruler

habits

keep a flexible routine: allow your day to flow rather than sticking to a rigid schedule (challenges like the examples i gave above are unlikely to stick for - if anything 75 soft would be the extent). create loose frameworks that prioritizes how you feel over having a rigid to-do lists.

mindful mornings: begin your day with introspection - try morning journaling, meditation, and/or pulling a tarot card for insight.

artistic productivity: incorporate creative outlets into your day, like doodling, painting, or writing, to keep your imagination active.

acts of service: integrate kindness into your habits, such as volunteering, caring for a pet, and/or small acts of service for others, as they bring you fulfillment.

health

holistic wellness: experiment with yoga, energy healing (like reiki), and/or sound baths.

hydration & water therapy: water signs should prioritize drinking plenty of water and explore water-based activities like swimming, water aerobics, and/or baths with epsom salts.

gentle fitness: opt for activities that connect your body and soul, like tai chi, restorative yoga, and/or even dancing (pin point on ballet) to release pent-up emotions.

boundaries & emotional detox: you can absorb emotions easily. protect your mental health with grounding techniques like breath work or journaling to process feelings.

self-discipline

embrace compassionate self-discipline: treat yourself with kindness when working on new habits. you thrives with gentle, supportive approaches rather than self-criticism.

work with intuition: let your intuition guide your priorities for the day. trust yourself (and your body) to know what needs attention rather than over-planning.

visualize success: use visualization techniques to imagine the outcomes you want to achieve, helping you stay aligned with your dreams.

glow-up activities

spiritual self-care: create rituals that connect you to your higher self, such as lighting candles or practicing gratitude during moon phases.

creative cooking: experiment with nourishing recipes inspired by your mood. incorporate calming herbs like chamomile or lavender.

start a dream journal: keep a journal to explore patterns or creative inspiration.

declutter with intention: you can feel scattered with too much “stuff.” declutter your space; imbue it with meaning - donate items with a small thank-you ritual (kon mari method moment).

6h ruler in 1h and/or aspecting asc

daily habits

habits reflect identity: your routines easily align with your self-image. you’re drawn to habits that make you feel like your best self and naturally express your personality.

ease in routine building: you find it relatively easy to incorporate healthy practices into your life because they naturally support your sense of self and purpose.

public accountability: your habits impact how others perceive you, you might enjoy sharing your journey (documenting fitness progress or sharing meal prep ideas on social media).

health

health as confidence: feeling healthy and balanced boosts your self-esteem and how you show up in the world. prioritizing self-care becomes a natural extension of your personal growth.

fitness for presence: activities like yoga, strength training, and/or posture-focused exercises can improve not just your health but also the way you physically carry yourself.

self-discipline

natural motivation: you’re disciplined when routines reinforce who you want to be. so choose habits that align with your personal goals and values.

self-expression through action: your productivity and organization reflect your identity. for example, creating a workspace or routine that feels uniquely you enhances your efficiency.

authenticity in structure: avoid overly rigid plans - opt for routines that feel natural and authentic to your lifestyle.

glow-up activities

morning rituals: start your day with habits that energize and align you with your desired identity (skincare, affirmations, or a power breakfast).

fitness for confidence: focus on activities that enhance your posture, strength, and presence. pilates or dance could be great options.

style your routine: create a lifestyle that feels polished and reflective of your personality. whether it’s stylish activewear or a bullet journal, let your habits express your unique energy.

public progress: share your self-discipline journey if it feels aligned - whether through social media, conversations, or mentorship of others.

6h ruler in 4h

daily habits

home-centered routines: your most effective habits begin and thrive at home. create structured, calming rituals like morning journaling, home cooked meals, and/or home workouts to build consistency.

comfort and productivity: design a home space that supports both relaxation and focus. dedicated, cozy workspaces and/or exercise corners can encourage discipline. stepisodes might be your thing - invest in a walk pad or stepper!

family-inspired practices: if you can make it happen, routines that involve or are inspired by family, ancestry, and/or tradition (e.g., cooking family recipes or practicing shared wellness habits) will often feel the most fulfilling.

health

emotional health comes first: your physical health is tied to your emotional state. make time for self-reflection and grounding practices like breathwork or gratitude journaling to stabilize your mood.

restorative practices: focus on health routines that feel nurturing, such as gentle stretching, restorative yoga, and/or relaxing baths.

nutritious comfort food: preparing home-cooked meals with fresh, wholesome ingredients ties in both physical and emotional care.

self-discipline

consistency through comfort: you work best when routines feel safe and familiar. create systems that integrate naturally into your environment rather than forcing external structures.

emotional accountability: self-discipline improves when you feel emotionally supported. lean into family, close friends, or personal affirmations to motivate yourself.

balance work & rest: avoid overloading yourself. create rhythms in your day that balances effort and rejuvenation - like rewarding productive periods with cozy downtime.

glow-up activities

declutter your space: a tidy, peaceful home supports clear thinking and productivity.

home fitness: explore at-home workouts that feel grounding and enjoyable.

emotional check-ins: incorporate a nightly reflection routine to release stress and process the day.

6h ruler in 9h

daily habits

incorporate learning: your routines thrive when they involve intellectual or spiritual growth. start your day with reading, journaling, or studying something meaningful to you.

seek variety: break up monotony by incorporating new activities into your routine, like trying different workouts or exploring diverse cuisines in meal prep.

travel-inspired practices: bring elements of travel or culture into your habits, such as practicing yoga from another tradition, using mindfulness techniques, or exploring global wellness trends.

health

holistic health: look into ayurveda, meditation, and/or breathwork.

outdoor activities: you benefit from outdoor workouts, hikes, and/or activities that connect you to nature and broaden your horizons.

mind-body connection: physical health is tied to mental and spiritual alignment. journaling or practicing gratitude can help release stress and keep you grounded.

self-discipline

purpose-driven routines: you’re more disciplined when your habits align with your goals or ideals. anchor your daily tasks to a “why” that feels meaningful.

long-term perspective: focus on how daily consistency contributes to larger aspirations like personal growth and/or job to career development.

educational structure: incorporate study or skill-building into your routine, such as learning a new language, taking online courses, and/or reading topics of interest.

glow-up activities

morning philosophy practice: start your day with a mantra, affirmation, or inspirational reading.

explore wellness abroad: try fitness or health practices inspired by different cultures, like tai chi, capoeira, and/or mediterranean-inspired cooking. watch the show down to earth with zac efron to catch the vibe.

expand through movement: take your fitness outside - hiking, running, or yoga in open spaces align with this placement’s expansive energy.

set vision-oriented goals: create a vision board or journal about how your daily habits bring you closer to your dreams.

have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button! 

return to nox’s guide to metaphysics

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© a-d-nox 2025 all rights reserved

[melancholicstation]

You heard my baby's back in town now! — controversially young!gf bobby kennedy one-shot

imagine... you are bobby kennedy's controversially young girlfriend who he met at a an oregon mall during his brother's campaign for president in 1959. fast forward a few months and you're finally taking the next step in your relationship: meeting the family.

taglist: @obsessedwithjohnjr @rocker-chick-7 @ultr4v1ol3nt @violetharmonsfavgf @strip-weather-forecast @darcyspirits @fortheloveofjos @h-l-v-kennedy-blog @h-l-vlovesvintage @bluelancergirl @snowsgames @salvatoresablondie @dulcegal @kennedyism @bloxholden35 @kimcrystal123 @astro-vibes-bro @absurdlyvintage @jackiesgirl @unmarlou @joansiesbeloved @jackiesgirl @acrowdedstreetin1944 @miumiumoods @yeuxdenina @its-esdras @jacobseresin @yspix7y @violetharmonsfavgf @vampyiricris @harajukub4rb1e @ironcowboycopnickel @valleyxdoll @angelitawings @monturi @starsprangledgirl

inspired by @unmarlou's age gap!bobby kennedy, go give this blog some ♥️ .

warnings: heavy mention of age-gap, multiple flashbacks, uses lyrics from Taco Truck x VB, use of terms of endearment, period typical sexism (not bobby)

words: 2,862

Most of the time you wouldn't say holding down a 9 to 5 at one of the biggest breakfast chains in middle America was an exciting career endeavour for a 22 year old woman but here you were. That was until you met him: your boyfriend of six months who'd shown himself to be a great lover and an even better giver, always draping you in the finest of mulberry silk and yellow diamond. You weren't shallow though, you would've loved him the same if all he had were the clothes on his back and that floppy hair of his.

However you wouldn't have to because he had the ultimate privilege or curse, many would go on to say, of being born into one of the richest families in America, and was the brother of the Democratic Party pick for president in 1960. Oh, and his name was Bobby Kennedy.

*Flashback to December 5th, 1959*

After working your job at Waffle house for about 2 weeks you knew it was hell, filled with grimy men hitting on you with their dirty pickup lines their dad probably taught them at age 15, that bitch of a co-worker, and a drab work attire that your boss, Susan, seemed to have affinity for catching any slight deviations of. Superficially it was mostly the outfit requirements that bothered you: I mean how were you ever supposed to leave this damned place if your own uniform made sure that no person, regardless of gender, would ever humanly find you attractive.

Despite this, you persevered and tried to work around it. If your boss told you to wear a plain blue top: you wore a lightly stripped blue button-up with featuring an embroidered, ruffled star motif on the chest. If your boss told you to wear heather grey bottoms: you wore an extremely short dark navy skort with built in shorts for the so called modesty striven for in the dress code. I mean for christ sakes this wasn't the White House now was it?

You often pared the dreary outfit with a pair of suede ballerina's in navy: a bit of an oxymoron where your mother was concerned due to the nearly perpetual state of wetness synonymous with Oregon lately. Adorning your neck with the one staple in your jewellery escapes: an antique scapular on black silk cord.

Slinging your bag over your shoulder defiantly: a bag so filled to the brim that it didn't look so much like a bag anymore and more like a rather large and rather worn sack. However you did attempt to beautify its exterior by applying randomised trinkets to it's complexion such as: a statement cross pendant held together with leather twine, a religious pocket book passed down from your grandmother on your Spanish side, and a stone rosary.

Departing from the trinkets adoring the handles of your bag, the once smooth leather of the bag was now covered in tiny hole marks from the pins of the buttons you so religiously adorned your bag with. Many—who were you kidding, all were of John F. Kennedy and his running mate Lyndon B. Johnson. Now you weren't so much of a fan of Johnson as you were of Kennedy but you were seldom able to find ones of Jack by himself. That's why the ones of jack stayed front and centre, with the ones of Johnson meandering in the background, wrapping around the sides of the leather.

It had been a couple hours of your shift before you granted yourself the masochistic reflex of checking the time: counting down the length of time until you were free.

Checking the clock you realise it had not in fact been hours, in reality it had only been an hour and three minutes. Boy time really just flies by when you're serving up cheesesteak melt has brown bowls at five-thirty in the morning: I mean seriously what kind of sicko does that?, and getting hit on by men who look like they could've been your father.

That was until you hear that disntict clink of the door chin: alerting you to a new customer. Exasperated with, well—life, you look up already annoyed. Annoyed until you meet the hilarious sight of a strange man crouched under a comically small umbrella, surrounding by some very self-important all dressed in suit and tie: a stark contrast to the typical male style expected of in Oregon.

Before you can catch a glimpse of the man he's herded into a booth far out of your range of sight. Despite being interested your attention is called for when a woman orders a hot coffee to-go. Y'know, it did always suck when you had to do your actual job and not just people watch for a living.

Out of nowhere two voices come within your earshot,

"No, Tim—I can do it myself. God damn it! You people treat me like a child, I can order my own food." a voice expressed that somehow towed that line between being intrinsically feminine and masculine at the same time.

The other voice begrudgingly backs off but continues,

"I know you're not a child Bob, but I'm trying to help you. Y'know that's kind of my job as advisor, to advise you on shit."

"Fine. You go do it, i'll wait over here like a dog." ,the voice says expressing a particular strain of annoyance you had yet to hear vocalised until that moment.

This man has an advisor? What the he—

"Hey-Uh, could I get a pecan waffle and a dark roast coffee."

Surprised for a moment, you compose yourself and reply "Sure, coming right up."

Shuffling into the back with the intention to tell the cook the order, and then maybe take a cheeky smoke from your bag in the meantime. Maybe.

After telling the cook, you find yourself b-lining for your bag. Getting to your bag, you start fiddling for a lighter that was until you hear a peculiar set of shuffling feet suspiciously close to you.

That's when you realise that you completely missed, on your mission for your bag, a real human man leaning his back against the bag rack.

"Oh-Mary and Joseph—you nearly gave me a heart attack."

The figure, and the face comes into your range of sight and your semi totally mortified. The president-to-be's brother had just seen you try to go for a smoke.

"Oh I'm sorry I just don't like the noises. Forks scraping on plates gives me the chills." the man chuckles.

In politeness you chuckle back, in order to get the elephant out of the room you say,

"Now you're Robert Kennedy aren't you?"

"In the flesh" he says with a quite sassy display of his hands, patting himself on the chest in an act to display his human quality.

"Well I have to say I'm enamoured by your brother's campaign, he's doing so wonderfully."

"Thank you, well I happen to think so too. But I'm a bit biased—y'know it's kind of in my job description. I pegged you for a jack supporter."

"How so?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe the pins on that bag of yours gave me a bit of a clue."

Mortified you look away that was, until, he redirects your head movements with his hand turning your chin back to his with the divine authority of a man much older than you. Though you're not repulsed by that fact, in all reality it's quite the opposite.

"Hey-Hey hey don't be embarrassed. I think it's awfully cute of you, though I wish you didn't have so many of that Johnson and maybe one of me." ,he says in a tone that carries the passion of a thousand un-spoken grievances, peeking your curiosity.

Lifting his hand off your chin, he lightly pets your hair: much like you assume he would do to perhaps a Boston terrier or a bengal kitten. With that same tenderness.

"I better let you get back to work. I'm sure you don't want some old man like me keeping you from your job"

Bashfully you smile, subtly shaking your head in retort. However he does raise a good point, such a good point in fact that it has you turning your heels back in the direction of the front counter. But not before turning your head slightly back—subtly saying goodbye with a smile and a slight wave of the fingertips, to which he mirrors with a sheepish, smug grin.

By the time your shift ends your exhausted and love sick over that man, whom you had only had in your presence for a bijou length of time but had been pondering about for hours.

Reaching for your bag before officially clocking out, you notice a new edition to your bag. A bright white and navy blue pin labelled 'Robert F. Kennedy for Vice President' surprised enough already, you're positively baffled to find a small engraving of a number etched into the backside of the pin.

What was on it, you may ask? Well, Robert F. Kennedy's phone number no less,

And that's how it started.

*End of flashback*

There were moments when you were faced with the awkward societal magnifying glass put on your relationship, and increased ten fold because of your scandalous age gap. I mean come on, it was only twelve years. It wasn't that bad. Though there were times you were reminded every now and then of the twelve year generational divide between you two, like in the instance of when he found that pesky little shoe-box underneath your bed.

*Start of flashback*

"Look at me"

"No I simply cannot bear it, Bobby!" you muffle out, the sound muddled due to your mousy blonde curls interference.

"C'mon, sweetie. It's nothing to be ashamed about, you're a grown young woman. I expected this from you, I'd be weirded out if you didn't partake in this sort of stuff. It's endearing, I promise." ,bobby teases, making a big show of his "promise" by dramatically holding out his arms in a prayer motion.

An action you find less than funny: ending with Bobby getting a pillow through straight towards his head, to which he dodges with ease.

What had caused this whole mess was that you'd tasked Bobby with the mission of finding that cotton camisole he'd so recklessly strewn across your bedroom in the throws of your shared passion. It was your belief that if he did it he should fix it.

However that adventure had led to bobby finding a particularly embarrassing set of erotic books hidden in a shoebox. Each with a more embarrassingly brazen title than it's former.

You had never seen him laugh so much than that day.

"Honey, I'm not laughing at you. It's just-y'know back in my day we never had this. We had to use our imagination, oh how times are changing. It's exciting really" he says adopting a semi sarcastic tone that borders on mocking.

His comments cause you to sulk even more, retreating into yourself perched at the foot of the bed, "Bobby don't be mad, I don't even read that stuff now! not with you. I was so in-experienced back then , I had no idea about anything."

"Oh baby, c'mere" he motions you to him, eventually gathering you up into a bundle and takes you into his lap.

Combing through your hair he explains "Baby of course I'm not made at you. How could I be? with such a pretty face like this. Y'know I'm glad you had those books, though I do like keeping you all to my self. And I certainly don't want to share you with any fictional man." he says in an order to lighten up the room, while dabbing slightly at your cheeks

"Don't cry pretty girl, I hate to see you cry, it hurts me, hurts me real bad. I know you don't wanna hurt me now do ya? Huh?"

Nodding, you compose yourself slightly and lay your head timidly on his chest: slightly hairy and stunk of an addictive sort of musk.

Your slightly moved when he moves his body trying to get something out of his pocket

"Princess, look what I found!"

And there it was your favourite cotton camisole, back in your possession. Sometimes you didn't know how he did it, he just did.

*End of flashback*

And that's how your relationship went for six months. Though it was hard to maintain a relationship being that he was in such a different life stage than you, and coupled with the fact that he was on a gruelling campaign trail with his brother. To be honest most days he would come and see you, you'd just lay in bed soaking up each other's presence. On the days you would venture outside as a couple you got more than a couple looks, and you had your fair share of unfavourable coverage in the media being that you were the controversially young girlfriend by the side of the man who's brother was on track to become president of the United States. But you both brush it off, you knew your truths.

You hadn't seen bobby in two whole weeks and you were beginning to get desperate. Though it wasn't like he was depriving you, he stuck to a strict schedule of calling you every day at seven in the evening: no matter rain or shine. Some times he would catch you eating a late dinner, for which he would scold you about adopting the tone he used in those senate meetings. And others where he would catch you in bed early, and one thing would lead to another. Thank god that you both had been smart enough to check for wiretapping, or else it would've made you two more of social piranhas than you already were...

And sure enough at seven pm, your phone rang off the hook,

"Hey baby, how are ya? Tell me all about what a sweet girl like you was doing all day? I wanna hear it all, leave no detail out." he says in a tone that reveals his true earnest nature that you've come to so cherish in your relationship.

So, you indulge him, "Honey, I got up so early, and then, I got into the shower"

He hums attentively down the line, encouraging you to tell him what you did next: to which you inform him that you took a nap mid-day, "I was just able to go back to sleep for a hour and a half. So that rocked, um, anyway."

"Did ya dream of anything special?" he says while shifting in his leather chaise seat: you assumed he was halted up in his hotel in some nameless city along the trail.

"I had this dream where, um, I don't know-" you trail off sharing some half-baked dream that you weren't sure you comprehend yourself. Apologising you ask about his day,

"Oh sweetie, don't apologise I asked, I wanted to know. I did want to talk about something with you though. Y'know how Jack is coming back to Oregon before the primary. Well, I thought what better a time to introduce you to my family. They'll just adore you baby, I promise just like I do."

Blushing and taken by surprise you bashfully reply, of course agreeing.

"That's great, you'll do amazing. Though, I do have to warn you about their line of questioning. They have a penchant for sort of quizzing girls that I take home about world events, it's like a sport to them-my parents I mean, my siblings will be just fine to handle. I just want you to be prepared."

"Okay, well what kind of events. Like events in your times?" you say sarcastically.

"Okay, Miss Attitude. I'm not from the 1890s, y'know we're only a decade apart. But I'll quiz you when I visit you in a couple days. I'll make it real easy for you, put in some recent events that you know: though you're a smart cookie you'll get it in no time baby."

"Bob, you're making me very nervous. They're not going to go too hard on me right?"

"Oh my sweet, you'll get used to them. They make a big fuss but they're relatively harmless, they'll see how happy you make me and that'll be the end of it. Promise."

After his assurances, you were left unbridled with happiness after you hung up the phone. I mean how hard could it be to charm a family like the Kennedys, they seemed nice enough? You charmed one of their sons so how troublesome could it really be? Jackie looked warm and open in the newspaper, Joan looked a delight and Jack well I'm sure you could bate your eye at him and he would be sufficiently pleased at your presence. Though that left out the parents, which were often the hardest of the bunch when fulfilling the daunting duty of meeting the family, you were sure it would be Bobby assured you so.

And why would he ever need to lie to you?

signing off: bang, bang xx

[alternate-triforce]

I promised you all a map, so here is a map of Castle Town (for now)

Some descriptions of areas and an overview under the cut.

CASTLE TOWN

The largest city in all of Hyrule, and the only one not significantly damaged by the Mage War. It is separated into five color-coded "corners," each with their own function. Hyrule Castle is, of course, at the center. It has a rivalry with the second-largest city, Loomington, located in southwestern Hyrule.

Adventurer's Emporium: A one-stop shop for potions, shields, weapons, and anything one might need on a long trek through the Hyrulean wilds. Though most of its goods are of fine quality, they tend to be on the expensive side…maybe try one of those other stores first.

Mystic Violet Market: More of an event than an actual place of interest, but by most tourists it’s treated like one anyway. Merchants from all over Hyrule come here to buy and sell exotic wares, from enchanted stones to strange meats to rushroom oil and anything in between. Entertainers will squeeze in between stalls looking for a generous person to give them some rupees for their time. There are even some special games to play, like bombchu bowling and digging for treasure. After you get past all that glamour, wagons of fresh food from local farms, prepared food and snacks from bakeries and candy shops all across town are usually towards the back. Make sure to watch your purse, though: pickpockets love to sneak into crowds here.

Rogue Soldier Plaque: A large, decorated plaque commemorating the capture of Castle Town's first enemy after Rebirth, a renegade soldier that sacked buildings and burned them with his group of vagabonds.

Flowering Square: Some like to call this the prettiest part of Castle Town. Several years ago a well-respected member of town made it her mission to beautify the Red Corner with flowers cultivated from the nearby mountains, and this is the result of her efforts.

National Library: A large, ornate building with most of the records and knowledge to be had before Rebirth. It has large swaths of resources concerning magic, history, biology, architecture, engineering, and everything in between. Some of the greatest minds in Hyrule linger for long hours here studying, as well as printers transcribing some of the more popular tomes to be printed and sold. The library doesn't allow books to be taken out of its walls, and damaging or destroying an original copy is considered a great crime.

Old Prison: A dingy-looking collection of cells and a connected guardhouse with a small armory, one floor above-ground and the other below. Despite its humble appearance it's contained some of Hyrule's most dangerous criminals. Contrary to the name, this is actually a jail: ALT!Hyrule does not have prisons or a proper prison system.

Old Barracks: If soldiers from the nearby training camp don't have a place to stay, they can cheaply reside here, if they choose. After Rebirth, this was the place where the last remaining soldiers from the Mage War were found.

Magic College: A place of great learning for those interested in becoming mages! Students from all across Hyrule come here to study both magic and how to use it responsibly. The professors here are on the cutting edge of magic, always developing novel ways to apply it to everyday life.

Hyrule Castle: The epicenter of Castle Town, this mysterious building was attacked by Ganon twelve years ago, and it's where he was sealed away yet again by Zelda and the True Mages (or so they say.) Some of its many towers and nooks still remain hidden from the public eye.

Reformatory: To keep people off the streets and give them work to do, the True Mages have developed a system of rounding up the poor and sending them here until they have another place to stay. Despite the apparent good intentions of the project, it's rumored that the Reformatory doesn't treat its residents well.

[esper-game]

Monthly Update (7th April 2024)

Helllllo everyone!!! I didn't do as much work as I would have like last month, but I've been chipping away at it and recently had some more time to actually sit down and write.

WHAT I DID:

Chapter Two's word count is now at 10.6k!

The characters page is actually finished,,,, I just need to beautify it :)

GOALS FOR THIS MONTH:

Hopefully finish off the first half of chapter two

And get editing started on it

NOTES:

Here's a little screenshot of some particularly horrendous coding :')

(VERY minor spoilers maybe)

And there's more underneath!

Sometimes I ask myself why I do these things, but I seriously think it's worth it to ensure an immersive experience :)

And this isn't exactly complicated, more just time consuming lol

[aggroindustrial]

this is a small glossary with all the terminology i used in my newest shauna fic. if you haven't read it yet you can check it out here <33

Icarus: The wealthiest district in the city. Reality overlays are used to hide the lower-class zones—residents of Icarus can't see the city’s decay unless they disable the filters. Clean skies, artificial sun, and shiny chrome everywhere. The illusion is expensive—and tightly controlled. The best cyberdocs work in this zone.

Devine: The “in-between” district of the city. A dense, grimy sector where most mercs, scavengers, and tech dealers live. Not exactly lawless, but too chaotic for corporate comfort. Street markets and second-hand cyberware vendors are common in this zone.

Eden: The lowest and most dangerous district. Black-market weapons and surgeries—which are performed with cyberware stolen from clinics and corpses, most of the time infected with viruses—outlaw AIs, and ruined buildings.

Cog: A derogatory term for people who are augmented. Implies they're no longer human, just replaceable parts in a machine.

Daedalus Paramedics: Premium medical care. They charge a subscription in exchange for rescue and treatment, no questions asked. Fast and efficient. Pretty much like the Trauma Team from Cyberpunk 2077.

Cyberdocs: Medics who install cyberware implants. Only the ones who work in Icarus are officially licensed, but all of them know what they're doing—most of the time, at least. Basically the same as Ripperdocs.

Asclepius: A multinational corporation that specializes in pharmaceuticals, bioengineering, and nanotechnology. Officially, they create miracles for the less fortunate. Unofficially, they create dependencies on cyber implants.

Reality overlays (ROs): Augmented reality filters used to “beautify” grim reality. Rust turns into gold, ruins become skyscrapers, and poverty vanishes with just a flicker of code.

Double-X: Stimulants that enhance senses, boost cognitive abilities, and push the body past its limits. The legal way to acquire them is to buy them in Icarus from an official retailer. They're sold a lot cheaper—and dirtier—on the black market. Comes in blue tabs, marked with two white Xs on them.

Eclipse: A small sub-district between Devine and Eden. Home to cheap junk dealers, dingy underground bars and unregulated cyberdocs who can patch you up for free, but risk a data infection, or worse.

Sahara: Sub-district in the outskirts of Eden, where illegal drift racing, gambling, and drug dealing is more common than one might imagine. The police don't bother stopping them anymore.

Clean-Skin: Slang for someone with no cyberware.

Infinite Purity: Radical anti-augmentation group. Most of the group's members are edgy kids and orphans turned rebels who hate augmented people. They are responsible for multiple acts of vandalism and assault. Similar to Purity First from Deus Ex.

Soul Burn: A common side effect of stimulants. Manifests as memory fragments bleeding into real-time vision.

EMP ammo: Bullets that can cause serious physical damage, but are mainly designed to disrupt electronic devices and systems, in this case, cyberware.

Loop: A luxury narcotic, similar to morphine. Fabricated in Sahara.

Red Sun: Sub-district in Devine. One of the safest neighborhoods.

[ohyouluckysaint]

(black coded) 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𐂂 ╰ ✸ 𝒢𑄺﹒

𓂅 support my other work .ᐣ =͟͟͞♡ ℓ ₎ 𓆱 fall fawn!reader’s playlist

𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 is a mori girl. She loves cooler months like fall and winter because of all the layers but she gravitates toward fall.

Even though 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 dons a fawn’s pattern—she’s more simply a doe! Most think of them as these sweet, feeble creatures that need saving, but she’s no damsel. She doesn’t mind being saved by her girlfriend from time to time though.

Furthest from socially inept. fall fawn!reader’s known for being very social, sweet, and sincere. Her curious nature may lead to her being seen as naïve or nonsensical but others find it more endearing.

A brown skinned girl with the personality of a fawn and she embraces it to the fullest. 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 embodies the fall/autumn equinox. She has sporadic hypopigmentation beautifying her skin. Her doe chocolate brown optics are more defined by her eye makeup and her latest hairstyle. Beauty and Brains—stunning countenance and admirable intelligence. A notably very quiet and gentle speaker no matter the situation. 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 enjoys the scent of cinnamon and warm cashmere. She baked cinnamon rolls for Tashi when her crush had developed. 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 indulges in bitter yet sweet drinks, and loves documenting moments on her digi cam for memories. She even draws some of the photos by hand in her journal. 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 wears a cowgirl boot and horseshoe golden necklace that Tashi gifted her and she almost never takes it off.

𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐰𝐧!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 unsurprisingly smells of warm caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Anyone would mistake her for having literal stars for pupils as she talks to them and don’t get them started on her sweet pearly smile.

SAINT SAYS.ᐟ 𐙚 𓂃 I have hypopigmentation so I thought it’d be nice little mini detail to add to her + it made so much sense. ╱ want to be added to an upcoming tag list for when I write for tashi or anything challengers related? comment below! 𑁤∿

[achillessulks]

can i ask how many languages you know? u mentioned enjoying han kang's the vegetarian in korean and not the translation so i was wondering if u could read korean.

Hi, thanks for asking! I get this question a lot, haha. Usually I say I’m functionally bilingual (French + English) with a dozen-odd languages and dialects rotating in the background. My experience in the fields of linguistics and translation studies means that I can understand a lot more about how languages work, and intuit meanings, without having to specifically study each individual language. This is pretty much the only “cheat code” when it comes to learning languages. Also, I studied Latin and Ancient Greek for many years, which helped a lot with the descendants thereof.

I can read Korean pretty well (I studied it formally for about two years and have been steadily amassing a collection of literature ever since) but always keep a dictionary on hand just in case. 한강 is one of my favourite contemporary Korean writers, in no small part because I love her dreamy, unsettling, surrealist prose style, so naturally I was disappointed in the English translation of ‘채식주의자,’ which “beautified” the text to make it more palatable to a Western audience. Personally, I will always prefer a literal translation over a loftier interpretation, even if that means the resulting product isn’t as “pretty” or even as popular.

My original review of “The Vegetarian” (tr. Deborah Smith) was preserved on my blog.

[horizon-verizon]

I don’t understand the fuss. Not long ago, people were complaining that it didn’t make sense for Rhaenyra to carry a sword, completely ignoring its symbolic meaning. Yet, just a week later, Audrey Benjaminsen’s artwork for the new Fire and Blood edition by The Folio Society shows Rhaenyra holding a sword. Seriously, it feels like people are just hating for the sake of it.

Anon is responding to this post, where I reblog many things that are in response to S2 Rhaenyra holding out a sword before S2 aired. My personal thoughts, I had way more issue with Rhaenyra a sword around like she either had intention to use it or she knew how to fight with it more than her holding a sword at all. And bc it's these writers and I trust none of them, I thought they they might try to make Rhaenyra into a swordswoman like Visenya when she was nothing like that. And thus, in the writers' eyes and after the producers have:

seemingly decided to both have Emma say the "power" the blacks/she should have will not be in jewels and clothes and appearance when canon Rhaenyra very much both just loved these things/"beautifying" herself and used these things to signify her status (femme-coded things) to make their Rhaenyra more "serious" as if canon!Rhaenyra was not a fierce woman and "girliness" means "not strong" bc the idea is you lean into "femmness" and "femininity" is socially coded as inherently "weak"

remade older!Rhaenyra into a much more people-pleasing person than she originally was, her in hotD seemed like it'd stay on track of her being too eager for approval from men instead of feeling entitled to support and loyalty as she was

(Yes, Emma waving the sword around could also be interpreted as just Rhaenyra trying to practice feeling powerful or pondering her own limitations or learning to defend herself enough; the issue is that bc it's these writers who remain...weird about how to write their female characters, well you know?)

All in a bid to make her more "likeable" or to get already sexist-based audiences to think she is a better leader simply because she (show!her) refuses to recognize a danger when it apears and properly prepare for it. Is it commendable and necessary to try to neotiate your way out of possible violence, yeah...that's not what show!Rhaenyra did, though. She was ready to totally capitualte, whic NOT good in of inteself for anyone, esp her and her kids (Otto and hostages). And it makes as if the book was not showcasing an imperfect victim-turned to victmizer was still only usurped bc she was a woman.

It's very important in how Rhaenyra was not as compassionate as Daenerys or even Alysanne, but it is important to not react to the gender violence and injustice of the entire war being predicated on upholding male entitlement (regardless of a woman's true character). The slander done against her. Her being NOT a swordswoman, leaning more into the femme-coded aspects of womanhood as understood in Westeros--and thus NOT being closer to the Westerosi/Western ideal of a "nongirly" woman--lends to the idea of a "girly" irl being "strong", even with GRRM not allowing her to participate a bit more in the non-fighting aspects of war when he's writing so much about war and its effects. One cannot and should not expect a person, man or woman, to repress their grief and also do a fabulous "job" in order to prove they are definitively a good leader...Rhaenyra lost sons successively, the same ones she worked for years to protect from the court and the greens after having had little choice to marry a man who no one would ever believe fathered her heirs.

Which is why I do not care for the "show is different from the canon" argument, bc the show has been doing a horrendous disservice to a huge element and point of the Dance from the very beginning of S1. A show's characters can deviate, but HOW do they do so, that's the real question that matters!

So, it appears that people are misunderstanding each other or misunderstanding the PRES2 priemere comments of Rhaenyra with a sword. The fuss is what exactly Rhaenyra's seen with a sword means as her being a woman trying to defend her lawfully-given rights towards leadership. And people are ignorant of how women in history has and continue today to impress others and esp men that they should and can be a leader or occuoy a previously male-dominated position OR create and enforce performances of leadership to affirm their power traditionally outlawed, excluded, or proibited to them. And some people are just hating to hate, but some are trying to bring a level of nuance.

[ghoulelegy]

Ghostshire Valley - Chapter 10 - Late Stage Capitalism in a Tracksuit

You just wanted to get kitten food. Instead, you stumble into a rising tide of corporate necromancy, haunt-tech startups, and the soul-marketing menace known as ClosureMart. Read here on on Ao3

Morning in the Hollow was a slow, golden kind of soft. Light filtered down through the trees like spilled tea, birds trilled half-formed sonnets, and the moss yawned under your boots. Everything smelled faintly of toast and transformation.

Clove, your kitten (feline, chaotic goodl), had eaten the last of her food last night with a look that clearly said, This is beneath me, peasant . So you were heading to Haze, whose cottage always smelled like hay and cinnamon and who could identify any pawprint on sight, even emotional ones.

The walk to their place wound through the softer side of Ghostshire, where bees hummed beneath the hedgerows and the trees leaned in protectively. You were halfway to the gates when you heard it.

“Dying just got easier! Try our new Forever™ Plus plan and get access to exclusive afterlife previews, curated grief playlists, and legacy filters to beautify your ghost for social media!”

You stopped.

There, in the middle of the path, Phil stood behind a folding table covered in unsettling brochures. He was wearing a full tracksuit with the ClosureMart logo in glittery vinyl across the back. His nametag now read “Phil (Soul Consultant)” in Comic Sans. The table had a bowl of hard candies and a small speaker playing motivational synth.

A banner behind him read:

“SUBSCRIBE TO DEATH! First Trial Visit is FREE.”

You squinted. One brochure was titled “Eternity in Easy Payments” . Another featured a smiling family of ghosts under the slogan “Leave Life Beautifully™” .

Phil caught your eye and lit up like a sponsored candle . “Hey there! Would you be interested in a fully customizable mortality plan? Includes three haunt styles, eternal cloud storage, and a deluxe haunting starter kit!”

“I’m just trying to buy cat food,” you said, walking faster.

“Cats love our Ancestral Spirit Add-On! Free with code: PHILWASRIGHT.”

You had nearly escaped when—

“ PHIL. ”

Mayor Nihil materialized behind you with the quiet, powerful exhaustion of someone who’s had to file too many cease-and-desist letters in crayon. He looked vaguely like he hadn’t slept since the Moon Festival and was currently held together by spite and lukewarm tea.

Phil perked up. “Mayor! Interested in bundling existential crisis insurance with your ghost tax?”

Nihil didn’t even blink. “Phil, we talked about this. You can’t just sell metaphysical subscriptions in municipal space without a permit.”

Phil beamed. “Oh, but I have a SoulShare™ Vendor License now! Clause 17b says I can operate within any town boundary not actively protected by arcane moss.”

Nihil’s voice dropped an octave. “This is Ghostshire. Everything is protected by arcane moss. We have an entire council of sentient lichen. Their minutes are in iambic pentameter.”

Phil opened his mouth to argue—then sneezed violently as a clump of enchanted pollen flew directly into his face. A squirrel threw a pinecone at him. The speaker shorted out.

You watched him trudge off, brochures trailing like wilted petals.

“Is that going to be a problem?” you asked.

Nihil sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Phil’s not the problem. The thing behind Phil is.”

You raised an eyebrow.

Nihil glanced sideways, making sure no trees were eavesdropping too closely. “ClosureMart thinks death is inefficient. That grief should be productive. They’re trying to patent the soul. The real trouble is—they’re getting better at packaging it.”

He paused, his gaze drifting somewhere far-off and hollow.

“I’ve buried people who thought they could outrun mourning. Bargained with ghosts who’d taken out subscriptions to haunt themselves. This—” he gestured at the glittery banner, now sagging—“is just a slicker version of an ancient mistake.”

You were quiet for a moment.

“I just wanted to get cat food.”

Nihil gave a tired smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That’s the better choice. Trust me. There’s no algorithm for that purring warmth when you get it right.”

He turned to go, then stopped.

“Oh. If ClosureMart offers you a ‘limited-time trial haunting’—don’t. Last time someone signed up, they couldn’t stop crying every time a toaster popped.”

You watched him disappear into the trees with the slow inevitability of someone who’d seen too many weird things before breakfast and expected at least three more by noon.

The air felt heavier now. Not dangerous. Just…like something older had stirred beneath the glossy surface of Phil’s sales pitch.

You shook it off and kept walking. Clove would be hungry.

The walk to Haze’s place took you past the clover field where butterflies held board meetings, past the stone that sometimes hummed when sad people sat on it, and finally up the winding, pet-printed path toward the cottage with a roof made of moss and affection.

You’d barely made it to the gate when a woolly creature bleated at you like a disappointed uncle. A squirrel in a sweater dashed past, carrying what looked suspiciously like a love letter.

Haze’s cottage was where lost animals wandered to find themselves, and sometimes stayed just because the tea was good.

The front sign read:

Haze Animal Keeper | Creature Counselor | Chronic Softie (They/She. Please don’t feed the raccoons poetry.)

You stepped onto the porch and knocked, only to be immediately met with the door swinging open and a ferret trying to hand you a clipboard.

“Hey hey!” Haze called from inside, wiping her hands on a towel that had definitely been used to hold a hedgehog recently. “Did Clove run out again? Or is she just pretending to starve for attention?”

“She’s out of food,” you said, stepping inside and being immediately welcomed by the comforting scent of hay, lavender, and various kinds of fur. “And gently gnawed my shoelace this morning in protest. She’s growing.”

“She’s perfect,” Haze said with conviction, already rummaging through a bin marked Baby Felidae (Sweet Type) . “That little gremlin melted Snip’s heart last week. You know how hard that is? Snip hates everything. Especially feelings.”

She gestured toward Snip, a large tuxedo cat perched lazily on a sun-warmed windowsill, his sharp green eyes half-closed in a look that somehow managed to be both regal and perpetually unimpressed.

She handed you a small, lovingly labeled sack that read:

“Kitten Blend – for small souls with Very Big Paws.”

It had cartoon pawprints and smelled faintly of chamomile and sardine.

“I threw in the calming herbs,” she added. “She gets the zoomies so hard I’m starting to think she’s part meteor.”

You smiled. “She fell asleep in her food dish yesterday. I think it was a protest nap.”

“Excellent. Her rebellion phase is blossoming.”

You were about to thank her and go when something tugged at your memory—Phil, the tracksuit, the cursedly cheerful pitch for postmortem subscriptions.

“Hey, uh,” you said, shifting the bag under your arm. “Do you know anything about ClosureMart?”

Haze’s hands paused mid-sort. Her smile stayed, but something behind her eyes flickered like an instinct bristling its fur.

“Why?”

“I ran into Phil near the square. He was pitching... dying. Like, as a subscription. And Mayor Nihil kind of just sighed and told him to go sell existential dread somewhere else.”

Haze leaned against the counter. One of her many cat companions—a long-legged void with too many toes—leapt gracefully into her arms.

“They’ve been sniffing around for a while now,” she said, voice soft. “Trying to rebrand mortality. Package it. Sell it. ‘Optimize your passing experience.’ That kind of trash.”

The cat in her arms gave a slow, solemn blink.

“They want to turn grief into an app,” she added. “And it’s always the small towns they creep toward first. Quiet places. Magical ones. Where we still let grief be messy. Where we sit with loss instead of swiping past it.”

You felt something cold and familiar settle under your ribs. Not fear. Just… knowing. The kind you don’t want.

“They’re calling it progress,” she said. “But really, it’s just avoidance with better lighting.”

“Phil said something about legacy filters,” you muttered.

“Ugh,” Haze said. “Yeah. AI-generated eulogies. Personalized fade-outs. They want to make dying ‘a vibe.’”

She scratched the cat under its chin. “I’m not saying I want to punch Phil in the aura,” she added. “But I do think he should be legally banned from ghost towns. And maybe forests.”

You both stood in silence for a moment. Even the raccoons had stopped rearranging the spice rack.

Then Haze looked up and smiled again, gentler this time.

“Anyway,” she said, reaching into a drawer. “Here. Some goat milk chews for Clove. She’s growing fast. She’ll be a little goblin queen before you know it.”

You took the treats and nodded.

“Thanks,” you said.

Haze’s expression softened again. “Hey,” she added. “Hold the good stuff tight. The soft things. The messy parts. ClosureMart can’t sell what we refuse to let go of.”

Outside, the sky had turned that buttery shade of morning gold, and the meadow stretched like a sleeping cat in the sun.

You tucked the kitten food into your bag beside the glowing pear and walked home toward Clove, her tiny paws, and her enormous capacity for joy.

_

The barn still smelled like tea and soft rebellion, but now that you were looking , the ghoulishness shimmered through.

Mist wasn’t just a ghoul. She floated, yes—but beneath the translucent shawl and gentle voice, her horns curled like antique scissors, glinting faintly with every stitch. The shawl she hemmed tonight had your name in it. You hadn’t told her your name.

Alpha’s hoodie was even better up close—grey, oversized, stitched with feathers, and emblazoned with a running goose and the words: “PEACE WAS NEVER AN OPTION.”

Their horns peeked out through careful slits in the fabric, glinting nervously as they muttered to themselves and refused to make eye contact with the spellbound button jar.

Vesper, blind as ever, ran fingers over their embroidery with something deeper than sight. Their horns were elegant, curling like the ends of violin scrolls. They sang under their breath as they worked, and where they stitched, the fabric hummed back. You were starting to think they weren’t embroidering lullabies, but warnings dressed as lullabies.

Then the barn door creaked open.

And Omega arrived.

He stepped inside like fog spilling from a dream—tall, wrapped in velvet, antlered like a monarch of moonlight, his presence too still for comfort.

The stitching paused. Even the self-threading needles dropped gently to the floor.

Omega didn’t speak right away. He stood in the arch of warm candlelight, eyes shadowed, hair mussed like he hadn’t slept since the first grief . His horns were sharp and black, crowned with wax-dripped copper charms.

Then softly, to no one in particular, he whispered:

“He spoke to me again last night.”

Mist’s hands stilled mid-air.

“In the mirror. In the space between dreams and forgetting. He said his name.”

You felt the air grow thick, like mourning steeped in honey.

“My husband. My soul. He said he was trapped .”

Alpha dropped their patch. The thread unraveled on its own.

“He said ClosureMart is eating time sideways. That he’s stuck in a version of a memory that’s been purchased . That his grief has been repackaged. I heard an ad playing over his voice.”

Omega looked at you for the first time.

“Do you believe in ghosts?”

Then, quieter:

“Do you believe in unghosting someone?”

The silence that followed wasn’t fear. It was recognition. This wasn’t new to them. This had happened before .

Vesper spoke, soft as an old prayer:

“He’s not the only one. ClosureMart’s been—cataloguing. Memory. Spirit. Even love , if it glows hard enough.”

Mist nodded. “They collect people like we collect thread.”

Omega stepped forward, setting a bundle on the table. It unwrapped itself.

Inside: one of ClosureMart’s cursed receipts. But this one pulsed.

“REDEEMED: 1 Promise. No Refunds.”

You stared at it. It stared back.

The candlelight flared. Your patch glowed, and you saw the shape of a doorway stitched in its center. Not metaphorical.

Real.

Vesper’s needle danced. Mist reached for more memory-thread. Omega’s voice returned to its whisper, reverent and dangerous:

“We’re not just a stitching circle anymore.”