#February can't come fast enough

[alex-goes-brrr]

The Mansuang Mug🐅🦚

A few weeks ago me and my friends decided to paint mugs as a christmas activity. I was ambitious so I came prepared with sketches and transfer paper. My idea was to transfer the symbols from the Mansuang design from the casetify cases to the mug. Initially, I wanted to buy a case but didn't do it in the end because they were so expensive. Long story short: If the merch is to expensive or out of reach, make it yourself✨ I actually love how it turned out.

Here is also a little analysis of my mug (I haven't seen the movie yet) : The three main colors of the design are blue, white and gold. The mug was already white so I decided to paint the candle holder, the knife, the leaves, the clouds, the moons, the document, the tiger and the peacock blue. The title of the movie is written in gold, as are Khem's headdress (I think it's called Makuta) hidden behind the peacock and Chat's Taphon hidden behind the tiger because I see these two objects as the main attributes of the main characters. The mug handle has leaves on it just because I can and hidden on the underside of the mug is the parchment roll. The plot of the movie apparently is the search for a document, so in order to find the document you need to take a look under the mug to see and find it.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Vincent! I love you!

Also glad to see all those rumors about Cait Sith never being playable in Remake were wrong. LOL Reeve, I love you.

Tifa, Aerith, and Yuffie having so much fun at the Gold Saucer was too pure. Too pure! Oh, man. I can't wait for that segment of the game again; and all the new (and old, but revamped) things they're going to do with it. The mini-games looked fun!

[ladykibutsuji]

If you can't, who will?

Obanai Iguro x Reader

Angst: Unrequited love with a twist~

Normal Timeline

I don't own the pictures used!

February 14th

I'm not a big fan of February.

'Day of Romance' they say but for me it's a day of torture.

Watching other people love each other as I stare enviously.

How unfair is that?

“Y/N~ The chocolates are ready”

You snapped out your thoughts as shinobu called out for you, she and Aoi helped you with making Valentine's chocolate since you informed shinobu about wanting to give someone a chocolate for valentine's

You walked towards her and Aoi staring at the chocolates that the 3 of you made together, although shinobu was a very busy person she decided to make time for valentine's.

Shinobu took a piece of chocolate and placed it Infront of your mouth "Say ahh~", You opened your mouth as shinobu gently put the chocolate in your mouth. The chocolate slowly melted in your tongue and you could taste how delicious it was, "This is so good and delicious thank you for helping me Shinobu and Aoi" you hummed.

Aoi gave you a smile while shinobu patted your head "My, my there's no need to thank me..Friends are always there for each other aren't they?" Shinobu paused for a while until something a random question in her thoughts "Now come to think of it you never told us about the person you will give it to I wonder who is it? Mind telling us Y/N?"

The moment you heard shinobu's question you immediately froze on spot while Aoi temporarily stopped baking since she was also curious about the answer you will provide, They stared at you with curiousity and you are just continuously sweating deciding whether you should tell them or not.

The room was too quiet because you are refusing to answer so shinobu jumped to conclusions as she gasped "Don't Tell me it's Tomioka!" You just shook your head denying her assumption as you grabbed a box full of chocolate and excusing yourself to leave "Sorry Shinobu! I'll be back soon I- uh I'm not feeling well"

"If you are not feeling well I could always he-"

"NO THANKS!"

You dashed out the door leaving both shinobu and Aoi stunned, "Wait Ms. Y/N!" Aoi tried to call you but you are already running away and far. To them you are a pretty calm person so they are shocked and surprised to see you acting that way. Shinobu and Aoi just stared at each other laughing the situation off "Y/N is really a mysterious person isn't she? I'm still wondering who's the lucky guy though.."

STOMP STOMP

You kept on running and running until the butterfly mansion is out of view, you are too embarrassed to face them nor even answer the question shinobu asked

After all, they knew about Iguro's love for mitsuri

Some things are better to be kept.

BUMP

You accidentally bumped into someone and was about to fall down to the floor until someone caught your arms on time

"I'm sorry! I wasn't looking! A-" you were about to say something until you suddenly realized who it was

It was no other than the guy who stole your heart

But never being able to return it.

"Iguro!" You quickly got on your feet as you slightly bowed to him apologizing for accidentally running into him, "Keep your head up Y/N, It's fine."

You slightly blushed just by hearing his Voice, who wouldn't? he's hot

You then thought about the box of chocolate resting in your hand and since he was already here you might aswell just give him the chocolate and confess your feelings for him that is bottled up for years.

Though it was clear to you that he likes someone else

But taking the risk is not bad is it?

"It's been a while Iguro..I-" You are so lost in your thoughts that you didn't notice him walking away "eh?" You are a bit confused at first since he was fast then you shook your head and raised your voice loud enough for him to hear you "Wait Iguro!", Iguro continued walking as if you didn't called out for him "I'm busy."

"But it's important!" After hearing the word 'Important' he stopped walking. as much as he doesn't want to waste his time because he have a date with mitsuri He decided to hear you out "Make it quick, I still have to go to Kocho's mansion to retrieve my forgotten item and a schedule to attend."

You then took out a letter from your pockets and placed it on top of the box of chocolate that you are going to give him and slowly walked towards him

"This is for you.." You said shyly as you handed him the box of chocolate with the letter, he stared at you with disgust before taking the chocolate and letter you gave him

"What's this for?" He asked as kaburamaru tried to get closer to the chocolate, you gave kaburamaru a head pat that he seems to have enjoy "For valentine's" you responded.

"Get your filthy hands off kaburamaru." You were a bit taken aback by his words since before he really didn't mind you petting kaburamaru infact he even lets you have kaburamaru on your neck for days "Oh I'm sorry.." After you stopped petting kaburamaru he was upset and hissed at Iguro

"and about the letter... it's about what I feel for you for these past fe-"

"I don't have time to listen to your non-sense."

He dropped the chocolate box as he ripped the letter apart leaving you flabbergasted, "Weakness disgust me in other words YOU disgust me. You are just a kinoe so stop talking to me so casually." Even kaburamaru was shock that he had had wide eyes

But why? I was there for you when you had nothing

"I see... I'm sorry for bothering you."

"You should be, I'm only accepting letters and chocolate from mitsuri so if you don't mind I'll be taking my leave." You gave him a slight nod with a smile and before Iguro was about to leave he gave you his final rejection words "I can't love someone who's as weak as you." He then disappeared while you are still standing at the same spot where the man you love and admired for years rejected you worse is that he even bad mouthed you.

You are holding back tears while a million thoughts raced in your head

Was I ever enough?

But why I was there??

I was the one who helped you escape

FLASHBACK:

"this flower reminds me of you! It's so pretty"

"You think I'm Pretty?" You asked as he nodded happily, he placed the flowers in your hair as you return him a gentle smile, Iguro sticking his arms out of his cage is easier due to the fact of how big the gap is and he was skinny at the time

"give him that food"

You and Iguro could hear distance noises which mean someone is about to come at Iguro's cage so you quickly had to leave before the both of you get caught

"I'm sorry Iguro, I'll be back I promise.."

"Wait before you go!" He held your hand tightly from the behind his cage as he looked at you looking a little shy

"If we ever get out of this hell... Promise me that we will get married someday"

"I promise"

"Hello Y/N, how are you?"

Hearing a familiar voice you snapped out of your own thoughts from the past and stared at the man who is now in front of you

The man Infront of you is Giyuu tomioka, The water hashira himself.

"Oh Tomioka!" You slightly bowed greeting him "Are you going to Shinobu?"

"Yes but since you are also here, I have something for you"

He then pulled out a small bouquet of flowers from the bag he is holding and handed them to you, at first you are shock that he would give you something like that so you had your hand on your mouth

"is this really okay?" You asked before taking the flowers, "Yes, it's for you"

With your delusional brain you thought that he had a crush on you or this was his way of saying "I like you" so you slightly blushed at the thought and was happy that after all these years someone is able to love you

Oh boy how wrong you are

"Tanjiro told me I should give these to the other hashira to make friends"

Oh.

"But I'm a kinoe?" You tilted your head in confusion while holding the flowers he just gave you, Giyuu stared at you for a while before answering "I know but I acknowledge your strength so I'm giving you one." He gently patted your head before walking away not noticing the smile he had on his face

However his words aren't useful

You still thought to yourself that you are nothing but a weak human being

After all if you are really strong you could of have been a hashira yeah? But you are just a kinoe.

A useless one

Would anyone really love such a weak person like you?

Can anyone love someone like you?

Back at your estate, you are just in your garden sulking even your crow is concerned

Earlier, Kyojuro came to visit you to greet you a "happy valentine's" and gave you delicious desserts but you ignored him so he was sad and he left your estate with a broken heart

Poor kyojuro:(

"Y/N! Y/N! Are you dead?"

You have been sulking for hours and not moving a muscle that your crow assumed you died on spot

KNOCK KNOCK

"Y/N! Someone is at the door!"

You Ignored the noises and continued sulking so your crow had no other choice but to get the door itself "If this continued you might as well get eaten by a demon!" The crow hurried to the door

You pulled your knees to your chest as you buried your own face onto it tears started to form.

"I was there, I was the one who accepted him ever since we were kids.." you said to yourself as millions of thoughts continued raging in your head

"if he can't love me..who will?"

"I will"

You flinched at the response you weren't expecting and turned around only to find mitsuri with a bouquet of flowers, chocolate, and a wrapped gift with your crow on her shoulder

"Mitsuri! I didn't expect you to visit all of the sudden" you wiped off the tears in your eyes and fixed your hair that is a bit messy because of the wind "I'm sorry if you have to see me like this"

"she won't stop sulking for hours! I told you she's crazy I'm leaving her to you!" The crow then flied far away from both you and mitsuri

"see you like what? I don't get what you are talking about your face is still shining as bright" she approached you closer and sat Infront of you after she sat Infront of you she tucked your hair behind your ears as her eyes stared deeply into yours "Your beauty is really incomparable"

What's the meaning of this?

Flattered by her words you couldn't find the right words to say "a-aren't you supposed to be on a date with aguro? I mean oguro? No.. Obama!" You are too much of a mess to say Iguro's name right

Mitsuri let out a light hearted laugh upon seeing your reaction that she thinks it's adorable "Well..I didn't really think that it was a date I thought we were only hanging out as friends until he told me confessed about his feelings for me..." She paused for a little smiling at you "But of course I rejected him because I want you!"

This isn't right

"Aren't we both women?" You asked nervously, mitsuri put her finger on your lips as a signal of 'Shush' "So what now if we are both women? It's not a crime to love each other"

"but what about Iguro?" A question after a question though mitsuri doesn't mind answering all of your questions even if it seems like there is no end to your questions "He doesn't matter now does he?"

She said that as if it was a normal thing, "Anyways! I'm excited for you to open this gift of mine! Open it" mitsuri handed you her gift and this made you curious of what's inside so you unwrapped it slowly trying not to damage what's inside.

After unwrapping it you found a tulip hairpin inside of it and it was stunning "This is really pretty mitsuri! Thank you" you gave her a warm smile while hugging her which made mitsuri die in happiness

Mitsuri was delighted that you appreciated her gift so she returned the hug by embracing you more tightly! She almost crushed you to death btw

After pulling away from the hug mitsuri asked you if she could put the hairpin on your hair to which you agreed to, she then gently placed the hairpin on your preferred spot

"do you wanna know why I choosed a tulip hairpin?" She asked while she's still fixing your hair, "why?"

"it's to represent my deep love for you!" She stated with a big smile on her face, to be honest you really don't know what to feel because you didn't expect for a Woman (Especially mitsuri) to take a liking to you but then again you decided to give mitsuri a chance because like she said 'Gender doesn't matter as long as the both of you truly love each other'

"I know you are confused right now Y/N but my love for you is real and I'm not expecting you to reciprocate it I just wanted you to know" her words caught you off guard "I also want you to know that if nobody can settle down with you I will!"

After iguro's harsh words you no longer feel bad about yourself thanks to mitsuri, you are about to say something until she spoke first

"I have a question for you Y/N"

"Yes?"

"Can I court you?"

The choice is yours Reader.

Happy pride month everybody!

• I'm aware that in this fanfiction the events occurred on February but in the real world it's June which is pride month!

• since it's pride month I'll reveal my sexuality to my lovely followers

• I'm actually bisexual though I mostly date women rather than men.

• Thank you so much for the people who reads my fanfictions! No words can express on how thankful I am for those who supports me<3

[wettestnjaay]

“SUCCESFUL MISSION”

DAD!HENRY CAVILL x FAMOUS!PHOTOGRAPHER!BLACK!READER BASE OFF OF THE POLL I POSTED MOSTLY EVERYTHING IS ABOUT HALF OF 50% BUT DAD!HENRY HAS THE MOST, IDK FOR SURE BUT ILL TRY TO AT LEAST, STILL DO ALL OF THEM BUT LETS SEE HOW IT GOES :). (POLL DOESN'T END UNTIL FEBRUARY 12TH) FLUFF

4 OF HENRY AUTUMN AND CALLIE JUST REQUEST W/ A PLOT AND WITH "DAD!HENRY AND THE TWINS"

-----

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SUMMARY;

picture you a busy working woman, who travels most of the time, you better famous, and popular but not as popular as the family you met on the airplane,, and not just that the pretty faces you get to speak to and numbers you've given to the little ones.

WARNING !

nothing I think, small talk, children (toddlers)?, airplane, mentions of being famous and stuff, hookup(not rlly) flirting, the little girls being adorable :) blonde haired baby = Callie and Brown haired baby = Autumn.

_________

YOUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN FLOWING HEAVENLY GOOD, you been traveling around a lot, keeping your fans updated on instagrams and twitter, going to meet and greets and other famous stuff the people go to.

You were in California right now, and in the airport to fly to New York to attend some business, but lucky enough you didn't even notice a curly headed male and two toddlers coming along on the same airplane as yourself.

It were so busy, and trying to take focus you didn't notice them at all, but hey work needed to get done.

You sat by the open walkway while you allowed the other person sat by the window.

You'd been on about five different phone calls, three different papers you had written on and about 7 different times you opening up your laptop and connecting your camera to it and viewing, sending and saving photos from the camera.

You were so focus, wanting and having to get this work done you didn't even notice the whispering right across from you and the looks you were given on the other side of the plane.

"That right there is a famous photographer named, Y/N Y/L/N.., isn't she pretty?" Henry whispered to the two little ones siting next to her.

The blonde headed one turned her head fast as hell to get a good look like the pretty lady her father was talking about.

The brown haired one laughed as she pointed at you and said "Th-tat won..? da-addy.. th..tat won!?"

Henry's face full of embarrassment as he choo'd at the young girl for her to stop being loud, "Oooo daddy got a b-big fawt cruwsh on a jiiirl"

Henry looked at the blonde pointing a finger at her to shush as they laughed a giggle even more which caught her attention.

You made eye contact with the brown haired girl as she smiled and giggle at you which exposed a big sweet looking smile from you towards her.

She motioned her hands to you, a heart and pointed at her father which made you pay more attention as her dad brushed her off, "Stop that Autumn.. you going to freak her out."

You just laughed at the girl not even noticing her father just as you turned you head away.

You finally finished more of your work as you were hearing the two little ones babbling around about something,

You figured out to ignore it and mind your business as you used the tv on the seat and picked out a movie, finding dory which was you new favorite Disney show.

Before you could press play, the blonde haired toddler was in the walkway right by your knee..

You smiled at her as you questioned and asked, "Hello there princess, can I help you..?"

She just started up at you for a while before looking back at her sister and then at you.

"Daddy's innn-the t-t-toilet and.. mwe and swissy can-wt!" she complained, dragging her works before stomping her feet as she was embarrassed but trying her best.

You figured she was only about 1or close to 3, still needing speak lessons but was trying her best, you just talked to her as she was a normal child oldest to speak proper, ignoring all the mispronounces and the stuttering.

"You can't what sweetheart?" you said in a smoothing voice wanting to calm her down a bit.

She looked down at you lap for a moment seeing the route for the tv seat, but didn't say a word just pointed at the screen and back at you.

You smiled at you and question, "You and your sissy can watch finding dory?"

She nodded with a adorable pouty lips as you hand out to see if she'll let you carry her, which she gladly accepted snuggling into your embrace and laying her head on your shoulder.

You got to their original seats as you were introduced to the brown haired baby who looked quiet familiar,

You ended brushing it off and greeting the child, "Hi there sweet pea.. your sitting over here all alone like angel, could me and princess.." you paused looking at the toddler in your arms

"Mmm-my nawe iws caw-collie" she says in small pauses, which makes you proud.

"Right, Ms. Y/L/N, and Princess Callie has request to sit with you, madam." you cheered to the chubby toddler,

As she clapped her hands and nodded, "C-callie.., Aw-Autummmn!" she slurred as she point at the toddler in your hands and then at herself.

You sat in their fathers sit with Callie between your legs with the brown headed girl, Autumn was in her own seat.

Not for long tho, you quickly got on Disney plus, searching for something to put on for the both of them just as you heard babbling and cries coming from them both.

"Stawp!.. no! Stawpppp ii..it!" one called out, "nooooo youuuu stAWP!" the other yelled out right after louder

You looked down at both seeing the blonde pushing her sister off of you, trying to keep you all for herself.

You chuckled which caught their attention as they pouted loudly.

The chubby toddler had wet tears coming from out her eyes, a silent sob coming him her as you watched her puffy cheeks turn a bright red,

You put your hands out for her to grab ahold of you as you choo'd at her to not cry, "Oh no.. no need to cry sweet girl,"

"They're enough of me to go around to both of you, okay?" They both just stared at you for a while before you smiled and tickled them both.

"That's the lesson for today, sharing is caring, okay we're on the same level right?" they finally got it with the small giggles that were still coming out of their mouth, they nodded their heads at your question,

You settled Callie back between your lap again, and Autumn on your thigh as she laid her head on your breast relaxing herself.

You were surprise on there attachment on you, which caused you to wonder did they a female figure or even a motherly figure in their life to provide them.

You got your answer quickly as you felt how clingy they were if you only moved a little inch, it was as if they thought you were going to be leaving them very soon,

They ended up calming down, stop whining, clinging on to you as if you were their own mother for them to keep, but you didn't mind.

You guys problem were watching the movie for about a half of 30 minutes when you figured that their father was maybe busy with a phone call.

That thought left you mind as you felt a device slap across your thigh and stopped the young girl from trying to do a password for a phone,

You laughed, "Can I see that Callie.. I'll give it back-I promise."

She gave you the phone just as you opened it you were presented to the lock screen which was a picture of a celebrity.. but not any celebrity the celebrity whose attention you've been wanting for a while, the CELEBRITY YOU WERE CRUSHING ON FOR A WHILE NOW.

You see the picture of Henry Cavill, with Callie clinging to his chess as he held her, and Autumn's legs hanging on his shoulders as she had her head laid on top of his,

They all looked identical by the face, Henry and Autumn looking alike the most by them both having that brown curly texture hair while Callie stood out a little with her dirty-blonde but curly hair.

You were particularly drooling over the picture.. he was such a dilf, like some kind of geek god.

before you knew it, and before you tried,,

You opened your mouth to ask the girls a question just as the brown haired twin called out, "Daddy! hewwooooo daddy!"

The shock-ness written all over you face as you quickly turned your head meeting Henry's eyes as he is staring at you.

"I foo-found cruwsh dada.. see!" You eyes were turning toward him and then the children in you lap, you were all shaken and nervous.

You were trying to from sentences but nothing was working at all, you were so embarrassed-"Sorry.. fuck- this is a mistake.. uhh., I didn't even know they were yours!" you bit your lip,

The girls in your lap were laughing and giggling with those adorable toddler voices and giggles, you could feel your heart racing and your brain melting in seconds.

"It's fine, Y/N.. we seen you when we first arrived on the plane you know, I told them about you." He said as he walked more towards the seat exposing what he had in his hand, "Snawk!!"

You looked down at his hand seeing a bag of Cheetos puffs and two of the baby food puffs.

Just as you felt something missing on you lap, Autumn was about to fall as she was sliding down you lap and pass he sister.

You quickly grabbed her cradling her in your arms as you started to feel a increase in your breath, "Jesus Christ, you almost scared me princess, you got to be careful."

Autumn nodded and apologized, "Sowwy,"

Just as you felt a body slide in next to yours it was Henry, he was so close to you, most likely could even hear his breathing.

"You really good with kids."

You smiled at his words and hummed as you turned the hand with his phone to him, "Callie was close to disabling it.. so I took it."

He claimed it was fine before he unlocked his phone and gave it to the young girl who smiled and mumbled a small "Thank you daddy!"

Which made you and him smile as Autumn pouted a little puffing out her cheeks as she looked back up at you guys.

"Hi Auttie, would you like to play on my phone?" you asked move her hair before her ear as Henry punch her cheek making her move a little as she looks back up at you and nods.

You smile at her before pulling you phone out and doing you password and giving her the phone on YouTube.

You intend to look around and the two kids in your lap, you adore them, just as a voice broke your thoughts, "So, how have you been?"

You looked up at Henry who was already staring at you, smiling as you looked back into his eyes with fiery cheeks.

"I've been okay you know, this whole famous stuff is new to me but I'm working my way though you know." you replied back removing you eyes from and looking out the window.

Henry cleared out his throat before mumbling, "You very pretty."

Which snapped you right out of your thoughts, "Huh,?"

You both turned, facing each other as he tried to avoid your eyes as they were staring down at him, "I said.., your very beautiful and pretty.."

You let out a small laugh and blinked at him before smiling even harder, "Im sorry, sorry-Your an attractive man as well.. all big and strong-which!, Which is a good thing of course!"

Before he could reply back, the babies on your lap were tapping your thigh and hip like crazy to get your attention.

"Y..Y/N, looka!" one started shoving the phone in your face so you can get a better look, "You-cawn have daddy's nwumber!" Autumn called out as she showed you,

your phone on the contacts app..

Callie giggled up a storm as she showed her daddies phone with a random contact and a picture that was really recently.

A picture of the 4 of you, Callie and Autumn in your lap and Henry looking at you loveably and you looking at the Children with a very kind heart.

"Oh Jesus!", you called out as you spotted the phone, "Cal, Auttie.. that isn't Y/N's number girls."

You called to them as Henry watched you, transform into a parental figure for his sweet girls.

"There that's my number okay, you guys are going to call me whenever you can right?" you smiled at the girls in your lap.

They quickly nodded and cheered, "suwccesful mi..mmisson!" they said in sync

"Sorry about that, you can delete my number later."

"No, no it's fine, I'll keep it for whenever they want to be near you, honey." Henry said quickly as you were in shock as he kissed your cheek and let you kiss his daughters forehead.

Before you knew it the plane was landing, you left from their seat shortly after the announcement, and grabbed your lounge which you were helped by Henry as he came in right behind you.

He even helped you find a cab, and place your bags in the trunk, him and his girls were all to sweet and kind to you,

you were most definitely going to miss it, and hoped they'd call you soon.

Once you got home and gotten settled in, you notifications went off on your phone, a message from 'Dada-Henry' you smiled at the contact name before opening the message,

^ ‘the girls said they miss you already, I miss you also.’

You smiled at the message before falling onto your bed and hitting the FaceTime button.

_________

ANY MISTAKES/MISSPELLS TELL ME.

[joelswritingmistress]

You Scare Me, Professor: Chapter 21

Summary: The reader is taking graduate classes at a local university in the wooded upstate New York. She is drawn to her professor, Dr. Joel Miller, though she is also inherently aware that he has something dark about him that she can't quite put her finger on. As the reader's attraction grows deeper, she has to decide whether to endure the danger or run away as fast as possible. 

Pairing: Professor Joel Miller x f!reader 

“I want you to come somewhere with me in a few weekends.” Dr. Miller ducked under the water beside me and emerged a few seconds later.

I dragged my toes along the small tiles on the bottom of the pool. “Where?”

“It's a surprise.” He scrunched his nose and squinted his eyes as he grinned. Despite our age gap there were times he looked so boyish - like right now.

I made a face back at him. “Everything’s a secret. You gotta give me this one.” I raised my eyebrows and swished my arms around.

Dr. Miller reached for my hands and pulled me toward the deep end like we did in the past. When my hands rested on his shoulders and I began to kick my feet, he gave in.

“Over the long weekend in February my sister is getting married. Come with me. Be my.. plus one.”

“Her wedding.” I smiled and then laughed. “She doesn't even know me.”

“We can change that.”

“What if she doesn't like me?”

Dr. Miller grinned. “My sister likes everyone who I like. She trusts my judge of character.”

“I’d love to go. I just.. that's a big night for your sister. I don't want to ruin it.”

He chuckled again. “How could you ruin it? Just don't drink too much and vomit on her dress and I think she'll be just fine.”

I snickered and took a deep breath, continuing to kick. “Are you sure?”

“If you don't want to go, I understand. I just-”

“I do.” I cut him off before he could continue. “I want to go.”

“Good.” He pecked my lips and continued to swim backwards until we reached the other side. “Then it's a date.”

“Where is it?”

“At the Stowe Ski Resort in Vermont.”

“I can't ski,” I said with a chuckle.

Dr. Miller smiled wide. “Well, you can't swim either, yet here we are.” He let his eyebrows rise and fall and I chuckled.

“Good point.” I slicked back his hair and planted a kiss on his lips. “Okay.. as long as it's okay with your sister.. I'll go.”

..

Two weekends later, Dr. Miller and I were walking hand-in-hand up the pebbly walkway of Red Maple Vineyard. I was nervous. Dr. Miller’s sister seemed to mean the world to him. Meeting her for the first time had me on pins and needles.

What if she doesn't like me? I kept asking myself that question over and over. Would our age gap bother her?

The two of us passed by the main doors to the establishment and headed to a back patio. It was littered with firepits, each one surrounded by a fake, see-through igloo.  Patrons dressed in winter hats and scarves, all toting wine glasses and talking with smiles inside of them.

When Dr. Miller grinned and gave a wave, my stomach knotted up. At the far, left corner of the patio a woman rose to her feet with the same friendly wave. She was a beautiful woman, with shortly cropped brown hair and high cheekbones. Jamie Lee Curtis in the flesh. The salt-and-pepper haired man who was seated beside her rose to his feet in preparation to greet us.

Moment of truth. I knew I needed to make a good impression.

“My favorite brother,” Carol greeted, pulling Dr. Miller I'm for a hug.

“Your only brother,” he added with a laugh, kissing her on the cheek.

“Still my favorite.” She nudged him and looked to me.

“Hi.” I smiled wide and extended a hand in Carol's direction. “I'm (Y/N). It's so nice to meet you.”

“Carol Miller,” she smiled and side-glanced her beau. “Soon to be Brennan.”

“Not soon enough.” The man exchanged a friendly handshake with Joel, and then switched his gaze to me. “Will Brennan.”

“Nice to meet you.” I then added, “Congratulations, by the way.” My eyes danced from Carol to Will and back to Carol.

“Thank you,” they said in unison, before inviting us to sit around the firepit with them.

Dr. Miller placed a hand on my lower back and extended his arm to allow me into the igloo a step ahead of him. I ducked under and sat down between him and his sister.

“We picked up a bottle of Chardonnay and Merlot,” Carol explained. “Preference?” She looked at me and reached for an empty glass. “Or we could grab a bottle of something else.”

“Oh, thank you. Um.. I’m more of a white wine girl.”

“Me, too.” Carol reached for the Chardonnay and poured me a glass before offering the same to her brother, who went with the Merlot.

“So,” Carol eyed the two of us, “How did you two meet?”

The question that made me freeze. I had only been asked one another time, and that by Tori. I assumed Dr. Miller would be giving his sister the same one because we hadn't talked about another faux-scenario.

“We met at the university,” Dr. Miller said.

“Oh,” Carol glanced to meet as she brought the glass of Chardonnay to her lips. “Do you work there, too?”

“I work at the board of education in Windham,” I explained, feeling my cheeks redden. “I’m actually just taking two courses at night. Chipping away at my Masters.”

“Oh, so this is a forbidden romance.” Carol said, motioning between the two of us with the hand she held her wine glass with. “Got it.” Her delivery was so dry I wasn't sure if she was kidding, disapproving or otherwise. I wondered what she would think of me actually being in his class.

Dr. Miller grinned at his sister who finally cracked a smile and gave a wink.

“I'm teasing,” she added. “You're both grown adults.”

Phew.

“I mean, she can't be one to judge,” Will leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “She fell for her boss.”

Carol glanced over at him and they shared a smile-turned-laugh.

“And yet, I still haven't gotten a raise.”

“I thought the diamond ring might've evened that out.”

I smiled to myself at their playful interaction. “How long have you been together?”

Carol rested a hand on his knee. “Almost three years.”

“Carol is the Dean of students at a private high school not far from here,” Dr. Miller informed me.

“Hillcrest Academy,” Carol explained. “And Will is the headmaster.”

“Nepotism,” Dr. Miller mumbled into his wine glass before taking a sip, making Will laugh and Carol roll her eyes.

“Fortunately for us, private schools don't have the same rules as most public schools do. One of us would probably have to leave to teach in another building, but Hillcrest doesn't have a strong nepotism policy. I just can't be the one to directly evaluate her performance.”

“Okay, enough work stuff,” Carol shushed him and leaned back in her chair to cross one leg over the other. “Let's get a little drunk and get to know each other.” She glanced at me with a look like, ‘what do you say'?

“Here, here.” Will raised his glass.

“Sounds good to me.” I brought my glass to the middle and then Dr. Miller and Carol did the same. We alternated tapping our glasses together and got the evening underway.

I was secretly hoping the truth would come out about Dr. Miller’s castle and the money. I was tempted to ask after a few glasses of wine, but I kept my mouth shut. The night ended up full of laughs and old, embarrassing stories. The mood was light, and talking to Carol and Will felt so organic that I certainly wasn't about to spoil it with intrusive questions.

“So,” Carol cleared her throat, swirling the wine that neared the bottom of the glass. The men were having their own conversation so her question was directed at me. “Do you want kids in the future?” Her question drew a quick glance from Dr. Miller and I knew he was fully paying attention despite his interaction with Will.

“Oh, well, eventually.. probably.” I chuckled and sipped from my own glass of wine. “I'm not totally there yet.”

“You've got time.” She tapped my knee and then fanned herself. “These igloos get warm.”

“That's the wine, honey.” Will placed a hand on the back of her neck and gave a squeeze.

Carol removed a white scarf she had on over a blue sweater. “So, Joel says you'll be attending our wedding next month.”

I raised my eyebrows and looked to Dr. Miller, then back to Carol. “If it's okay with you. I mean..”

“She's coming.” He draped an arm around my shoulders and winked, making me look down with a smile and back up.

I looked at Carol. “I'll be there.”

“Well, upon first impressions,” Carol glanced at Dr. Miller and then to me. “I'd love to have you as my brother’s plus one.”

“Congratulations,” Dr. Miller looked at me. “You passed the Carol test.”

“Even I flunked the first time,” Will added, making everyone laugh.

I felt like I was flying when we left the vineyard that night. Things had gone so well. When we exchanged hugs and finally went to our separate cars, I turned to Dr. Miller and kissed him on the cheek.

“Carol likes you,” he said, smiling back.

“She's great,” I gushed, “And Will seems really nice. They seem happy.”

Dr. Miller put his first two fingers beneath my chin. I loved when he did that. He stared at me for a few seconds before leaning in and touching his lips to mine. “Let's go home.”

Home.

I sighed contently, eager to snuggle under the fluffy down comforter in Dr. Miller's bed. I felt completely at ease after being worried about the evening prior to going out. I agreed. “Let's go home.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

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[redgoldsparks]

January 2024 reading and Reviews by Maia Kobabe

I post my reviews throughout the month on Storygraph and Goodreads, and do roundups here and on patreon. Reviews below the cut.

Electric Bones volume 1 by Hazel and Bell 

Lucian is the son of a minor nobleman and the CEO of the galaxy's biggest AI company, but he's not so rich that he can't get in trouble. After being fired as a programmer from Echo Station he joined a startup with a couple friends and is now fishing for funding at an elite tech expo on board an expensive and exclusive space vessel. There he sees someone he thinks he recognizes- Ezra, a grey robot, an fully sentient AI who worked on Echo Station as a researcher and partially cost Lucian his job. So why is Ezra now working on the space vessel as an escort? Unless it's not Ezra, but just a look-alike robot model? These questions drag Lucian into the beginnings of tangled web of intrigue which include kidnapping, AI-hacking, and murder. I've been reading this story online as a webcomic for years; you can still read all of volume one here: https://electricbonescomic.com/index.... But last year I also backed the kickstarter, and just sat down to re-read the whole story in print form, including a sexy little bonus comic. I love these characters, I love the rich colors, the lovely sense of flow and design of the pages. I can't wait for volume two!

The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha

Action packed and exciting, this family drama is full of unexpected twists and turns. I loved the focus on female characters: passionate Kai, whose love of martial arts and sense of justice cannot be contained by the normal rules of Joseon society; her mother, Meorhu, a fragile woman with a surprising past; Sura, a thief turned mercenary; and the Gumiho herself, the deadly but alluring fox spirit who impacts the lives of all the others with her magic and charisma. The art is rich with historical details, beautiful nature scenes, and fast paced fight scenes. Lovers of ghost stories, kdramas, and queer re-tellings of fairy tales will find much to enjoy here. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book! Pre-order it now, or look for it in bookstores in mid-February 2024.

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles read by Martyn Swain

What a delightful return to Romney marsh! This book picks up 13 years after the dramatic conclusion of the previous installment. Luke Doomsday is now a secretary, looking for a new position in a large house were he can keep books and solve his master's problems. Rufus, the recently minted Earl of Oxney, formerly a major in the army and son of a draper, has problems. For one, he never expected to inherit and his uncle is doing everything he can to prove Rufus illegitimate in court. For another, the previous Earl of Oxney was a selfish old bastard who let the estates fall into terrible disrepair, while Rufus' timid cousin kept poor account of the estate's money in a chicken scratch handwriting. Rufus struggles to read at the best of times, and he can barely make sense of his newly inherited account books. When Luke shows up on his door, it feels like a godsend. The men are immediately attracted to each other, though both have reason to be wary. And Luke, in seems, may have come to Stone Manor looking for more than a job. This series is such a fun mix of spicy romance, action, mystery, and danger. I'm really enjoying the setting and time period, which is just after the end of the Napoleonic wars. I really hope there will be more books to come!

Translation State by Ann Leckie

No one is doing it like Ann Leckie! This sci-fi novel uses six different pronoun sets (actually kind of seven, except one is the same set just used culturally very differently by different groups of people). It’s fantastic. We’ve got they/them, e/em/eir, sie/hir, it/its, he/him, she/her, and she/her again except used as a universal pronoun regardless of gender (which works great inside the Radch Empire and badly outside of it). I'm on the fence about whether this book can be read as a stand alone, or if it would only really make sense after having read at the Imperial Radch trilogy and Providence. I suppose it depends on what level of baffling alien customs and politics you are willing to tolerate. This book opens with Enae attending hir grandmaman's funeral, only to learn that the seemingly wealthy old woman had sold her entire estate to a stranger before her death. For the first time in her life, Enae leaves home with a Foreign Affairs job: to see out a fugitive who left Presger space some 200 years prior. Enae isn't expecting to succeed, but sie gives it hir best shot- and in doing so completely upends the lives of a widening circle of bystanders including Reet, a man of unknown parentage, and Qven, a juvenile Presger. This book finally begins to explain this inhuman and terrifying species, and the reason why the Presger-Radachii Treaty defines the rules of so much of this universe. I deeply enjoyed this installment; it makes me want to go back and re-read the original trilogy.

Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo Duvall 

Set in an alternate 1930s, Mississippi, this story follows a group of friends and found family who have to hide their magic from the restrictive and racist government. They survive at the margins, but they don't let the fear of prosecution stop them from doing what they love: racing together as a team. Deep in the woods seers and witches host carnival like events where racers on brooms compete for prize money and glory. Each of them has reasons why they need to win; lives and futures depend on it. This book is deeply queer with a diverse and magical cast. If you're looking for historical fiction where the trans and lesbian brown witches win, this one's for you.

Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky

Sammie is a recently out nonbinary transfemm but their college friend group has not picked up on that fact yet. When Sammie is invited to be the "best man" at their friend Adam's wedding and attend a bachelor weekend at a high-tech, no-laws resort built on top of the Pacific Garbage Patch they decide to go in stealth mode. The resort is a pyramid scheme mutated with a strip club, business conference, all you can drink brunch bar, pro-gamer, most-dangerous-game corporate nightmare. Also, the waters around it are infested with terrifying flesh-eating monsters and someone is trying to raise an eldritch god. It takes every bit of queer resistance Sammie possesses to survive this bleak, hilarious, and surprisingly moving tale. In both their fiction and nonfiction comics, Lubchansky continues to hold up the black mirror to our own dystopian times.

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa 

A very queer high school rom-com comic with a satisfying message about growing into yourself and seeing others truly for who they are. It opens with a love triangle, but subverts that form into a more complicated shape by the end of the tale. Strong character designs and very effective limited color palette.

The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill 

In a desert village, a group of folks choose to live a nocturnal life to keep the moon company, and to care for a small group of magical moths, the only creatures who can pollinate a magical tree which helps sustain the whole ecosystem. One youngster, Anya, volunteers for the important but lonely job of Moth Keeper. She yearns to be of service to others, and feels she must earn her place in the village. In reality, help and friendship are only an ask away, and in this space everyone is cared for. This is a very beautifully illustrated and brief tale of responsibility, community, and resilience.

Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls

What an accomplishment! I savored every page of Feeding Ghosts, absolutely floored by the labor and courage that went into the writing of this book. The inking is gorgeous, the history is clear, digestible, and devastating. This book threads the line between honesty and compassion in a way that I appreciate so much in any memoir, but especially one dealing with family. Hulls lays out the story of three generations of women starting with her grandmother, Sun Yi, a Shanghai journalist who faced intense persecution during the rise of Communism in China, who penned a popular and scandalous memoir and then suffered a mental breakdown. This left her only daughter, Rose, a student at an elite boarding school with no parental figures and no other family to lean on. Eventually Rose earned a scholarship to an American university and in the end moved her mother into her California home. Sun Yi haunted that home during the author's own childhood. The unexamined trauma and codependency of Sun Yi and Rose drove the author to the extreme edges of the Earth, seeking freedom from their ghosts. But in the end, she stopped running from her family history and turned, instead, to face it. Shelve this book with Maus, Fun Home, Persepolis and The Best We Could Do.

I Keep My Exoskeletons To Myself by Marisa Crane read by Bailey Carr 

I really struggled with this book. I almost DNFed at 25%. Ultimately, I did finish it, and I am glad I did because I think the final act was my favorite part of the story. However, I think the title and cover set me up with expectations of what this book would be which were very different than what the book actually delivered. This is not science fiction- despite the fact it was nominated in the science fiction category in the Goodreads Choice Awards. It is only barely speculative. This is a book about grief, depression, and parenting a baby and then a young child as a single mom struggling with loss and borderline alcoholism. There were passages of the book which struck hard, individual observations and lines which rang like bells. There is also nearly no plot and I was frustrated by the lack of world building. I wanted to know more about the laws governing extra shadows- were Shadesters allowed to vote, hold passports, travel across state lines? Had anyone experimented with the removal of Shadows? When and how did cameras get installed in apparently every home in American, and how did the government hire and pay for a workforce of seemingly 1:1 surveillance agents to citizens? Also, how on earth did Kris manage to pay for a whole apartment on a single salary working a call center job, especially when as a Shadester she had to pay extra taxes? I understand that this is literary fiction, and these questions are obviously not the ones the book was interested in answering. But it felt strange to me that a book so focused on parenting would not include a single passage about struggling to pay for or arrange childcare. The "pop quizzes" that break up the text did not work well in audio, and did not add anything to my experience of this book. Ultimately, I would only recommend this novel to a vary narrow audience of readers who enjoy lit fic, and are willing to spend a lot of time in the POV of a character teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown through much of the story.

Atana and The Firebird by Vivian Zhou

Atana is a mermaid, but she was banished from her home to live alone on island for a reason she doesn't understand. One night a curious young firebird leaves her flock in space to come down and visit Earth, and she convinces Atana to go an adventure. They are soon pursed by magic hunters, but they also make friends, and end up as invited guests in the Witch Queen's palace. She makes them welcome in her massive library and gardens, but she also has ulterior motives. This is a fast paced story of magic, friendship, and young people slowly learning about the forces larger than themselves that shape their world and their lives. I really enjoyed the art, it has a very active, energetic line which serves the action scenes particularly well. I can tell the author came from an animation background! I am glad that the ending set up potential future installments in this world.

Portrait of a Body by Julie Delporte  

I really loved the colored pencil illustrations of this book, especially the botanical drawings, and the kind of abstract relation of the text and images. I thought the drawings paired extremely well with the hand lettering even if at times I struggled with some of the cursive capitals. This is a candid memoir of recovering from sexual assault and a dysfunctional relationship to ones body and sexuality, of stepping into queerness and self-acceptance. I couldn't really relate to the author's journey, but I appreciated the honestly and thoughtfulness with which the more challenging themes were handled.

Fool’s Fate by Robin Hobb read by Nick Taylor 

This book, and this series, has earned Robin Hobb a permanent place in my list of favorite authors. This story goes so hard, weaving together threads that are 9 volumes and 30 plus years of in-story history in the making. The final confrontations, reunions, and farewells at the end of this story were hard earned and so well written. This very much felt like it could have been a final volume of the Realm of Elderlings series, but I know that there are 7 more books to come and I can't wait to see what else this series has in store for me!

System Collapse by Martha Wells read by Kevin R Free 

This book picks up right after the end of the previous volume and I had, unfortunately, completely forgotten most of the previous plot. Once I got myself oriented I still had a great time with it. Wow, I just love watching Murderbot learn and grow and solve problems in unique and interesting ways! I kind of want to go back and re-listen to the whole series.

The Chromatic Fantasy by H.A. 

This comic blew me away. One of the most beautiful, strange, artistically ambitious and deeply trans books I've read in a while. Aesthetically, its as rich as a stained glass window or illuminated manuscript. Its narrative is psychedelic but emotionally it rings so tender and true. The story opens with Jules, a transman trapped in a nunnery who accepts a deal with a devil who promises to help him live as a man. Possessed and impervious to physical harm, Jules turns to a life of debauchery and crime. Then he meets another trans criminal, the poetic thief and thespian Casper, and they begin to fall for each other. They see each other as no one else ever has, they validate and treasure one another, but Jules' devil is a jealous master. The devil would rather see Jules burn than thrive. This is one of those books that made me want to draw, made me want to write, made me want to be bolder, weirder, freer, wilder in my story telling. An instant favorite, I expect I'll return to this over and over.

Mall Goth by Kate Leth

Liv's parents are on the verge of divorce; they've just moved to a new town and Liv will be starting at a new high school. At her last school, Liv was bullied for being openly queer and an unapologetic mall goth, and she is understandably hesitant to accept friendship overtures at the new school. However, a supportive male English teacher and a fellow goth gamer boy start to make Liv feel welcome. The goth introduces her to an MMORPG and the English teacher praises her essays and gives her Lolita. Both of them start regularly DMing Liv late into the night, more than is appropriate for the relationships they have. This book is in large part about a teen navigating confusing advances and how and when to disclose things that make her uncomfortable but feel hard to speak about or define. I thought that aspect of the story was handled very well. Some of the pacing in the friendship plot lines surrounding it felt a bit rushed, a few sections underdeveloped, but ultimately I think this book tackled an important issue not often seen in YA comics. It is also steeped in early 2000s Hot Topic/emo music/pop culture references- if you were there, you'll know.

What’s Wrong? Personal Histories of Chronic Pain and Bad Medicine by Erin Williams 

Williams illuminates, through memoir, interviews, and mixed media illustrations the extreme failures of the US healthcare system to address chronic pain. These failures are especially common for patients of color, patients who struggle with addictions, patients who are queer or survivors of assault and trauma. If you had any illusions that the systems of medical care are working in this country, shed them now. This book is half cathartic, half infuriating to read. I really appreciated the honesty and vulnerability of the interviewees and the trans and nonbinary inclusiveness of the language surrounding pain tied to the reproductive system.

[the-cat-and-the-birdie]

Not sure if you're actually interested in talking more about this, but I'm jumping in anyway because I relate so hard to being confused about the spiderverse timeline. Not only did everything about the society and Miguel happen fast, but a bunch of other stuff don't add up either? Like.

The first film takes place in early December 2018 according to Miles' test (if we can trust that? It does snow several times) and Peter's headstone, and Across takes place less than a year and a half later... or in July 2023 according to the bodega's security cameras?

Also, the news anchor says Peter was 26 when he died, but the headstone says 1991-2018. Then his birthday was in mid to late December? And he died right before it? That's sad. Oh! Speaking of birthdays: Miles asks why he can't go back to Brooklyn middle school. Soo... he's 13 (which the art book claimed, I think??) and skipped a grade? Is his birthday also late in the year? It has to be imminent if he can be 15 in a year and four months.

And Mayday! Babies typically start crawling at 7-10 months. 9 months of pregnancy + 7 months of living baby = 16 months, or a year and four months! MJ must've gotten pregnant immediately after she and Peter B reconciled. That's effecient of them, but I guess she'd waited long enough.

If we disregard the security cams, it's actually April-ish 2020. How long has Gwen been with the society? She says "a few months", yeah? If that's the truth, it must be between two and five months, because Jess' belly was noticeably big in the prologue, but she's yet to give birth by the end. So! Gwen joined in December or January? Maybe February? That's winter. Is it common to be dressed in shorts, tights, and sweater but no coat in New York during winter? Because that's how she's dressed. And the people around her are wearing t-shirts.

Gwen and Hobie has been on "a couple dozen" missions together. That's at least 24, if he meant that literally. Nearly one every day for one month. But it can't have been continuous because he's got shit to deal with in his own dimension in between. How do they manage their time? Do they have a schedule? And this has less to do with the timeline and is really something that just hit me:

Did Miguel deliberately gather all those spider-people to intimidate Miles with? Because HQ is teeming with spider-people doing mostly nothing (and that's only in the lobby). Don't they have villains to catch at home? I'm picturing Miguel sending a mass dm to everyone about how he needs them to come in and act natural – they have a 15 year old that has to be put in his place!

All this to say: I don't think you're dense about this. I think it's the writers that can't math.

BRUH ACTUALLY DEADASS

HOW LONG HAS JESSICA BEEN PREGNANT??????

Because her pregnancy and Gwen's time there PLUS pavitr joining in under six months is SO JARRING AND CONFUSING.

I assumed Gwen was with them for like 6 months, but that seems way too long so maybe 3? And we can (generously) say Jess was maybe 5-6 months pregnant? So okay, she's about to give birth.

And as someone who lives in NY, nah Winter here is a good 40F(4C) here or lower - even spring you have to wear a hoodie and it's like 60F(15C) until July so I don't know when they recruited her tbh

But for some reason I always assumed that Gwen joined before Pavi did, but I guess not?? But Pavi had only been Spider-man for six months? So did they recruit him right away or was HE the 'new guy' before Miles???? And why would they recruit him right away?

Yeah and with Hobie's work schedule - like I'm assuming they don't go on missions only together because she knows Pavi and LOTS of the other Peters, so either shes going on other missions with other people too- meaning Gwen has done a couple dozen with Hobie and THEN some, or she has a lot of time between missions to meet a lot of Peters around campus.

But then that adds up to like 50 something missions. Unless anamolies are happening every single day, that's still 10 weeks, five days a week - at the least.

And they have training rooms!! So i'm assuming Gwen didn't start going on missions right away with the way Miguel was treating her - so what the hell?????

It's like....

If MJ got pregnant right away, at the same time Miguel got the watch - how long did it take him to meet Peter B.??? Was Peter B the first one he met? And how long did he know Peter B before he lost his daughter? Mind you - all in under a year or so. How long was he with his daughter?????

This makes NO SENSE. NO SENSE WHATSOEVER

And also to answer your last point:

Personally I think, yes Miguel actually made a concentrated effort to do that.

I wrote about it in my Hobie dialogue break-down - but the entire Spider Society scene was propaganda meant to intimidate Miles. Hobie even points this out, telling Miles 'propaganda bro'.

Their watches can take them anywhere - Jess goes to the bridge in Mumbattan. But when they need to see Miguel, they make Miles look at the all (trained) Spider-people. Then they take him to the prison area, then the go home machine. They could've just teleported into Miguel's lair, but instead Miguel made them do this whole tour (things Hobie and Gwen have seen), before meeting Miguel.

In my opinion Miguel absolutely planned that, theres no other reason for them to have been there and for the three of them to have to walk through all of that.

They even make them go to the food court for Miguels empanada like how petty can Miguel be lol He literally just wanted to scare Miles

[hellishattempt]

angst superache songs as relationships with the batboys

hear me out though

superache songs as batboy relationships ! gender neutral reader / no pronouns used <3

movies - dick grayson. your relationship with the oldest batson is a complicated one. you know he loves you, at least, you hope and pray he does, but sometimes you just don't know. you know you love him. hell, you worship him. if he is the diamond, then you are the ring. you live and breathe dick grayson, and all that he is. when you first started dating, all eyes were on you two. the press loved you, his family adored you, your friends were jealous of you. it was everything you could've asked for. but things started going downhill, and you didn't know how to stop it. you began to fight more and more, over the stupidest of things. dick started hiding things from you. you'd go through his texts, seeing kori and barbara's at the top. you're screaming your damn head off "how do you still love your ex?" he swears it's over with them, he doesn't have any feelings for either. so "why do they call you at three am and four am? that's a funny way of staying friends, dick." your voice cracked, tears falling down. the rest of the car ride was silent as you cleaned yourself up. the two of you entered the party with his friends, smiling and holding hands, acting like everything was fine. it seemed like all you were doing was pretending whenever you were with him. eventually, you had enough. your perfect, romcom movie romance had come to a bitter end. "we've lost all the love that we had, and i can't pretend like that it'll never come back. i think you're seeing right through me, but, baby, this ain't like the movies." and that was the last you saw of dick grayson.

the exit - jason todd. before jason had died, the two of you were so engulfed and enraptured by your love for each other. you shared everything, holding nothing back. young love never lasts, they told you, but neither of you believed them. your teenage selves were so distracted by the other, that you thought nothing could separate you two. but neither you nor jason could take the idea of death into account. i know i said that you kept no secrets, but jason held back one thing from you, simply to protect you. never once did he tell you that he was robin, apprentice and sidekick to the menacing vigilante that was the batman. so when he disappeared, you got worried. soon two days turned into two weeks, turned into two months. then bruce was at your door. your father answered, stepping out onto the porch while bruce gave him the horrific news of jason's death. bruce asked to see you, and your father let him. you were up in your room, cuddled in your bed, reading jason's copy of pride and prejudice. your favorite black hoodie of his smothered your frail body. someone lightly knocked on your door. "come in," your voice called out. bruce stepped into the room, a grim look on his face. somehow you knew before bruce even said a word. it ruined you. his death destroyed you. you stayed in your room and barely graduated the next year. when you were twenty, your parents had forced you out of the house to spend some time with your older sister. the two of you went to the library. then you met someone. it was february, and the flowers hadn't even wilted, it's crazy how fast they tilted the world that you'd been busy building. they consumed your every thought. they fixed you, picked up the pieces of your broken heart and mended you. little did you know jason was alive. now it's mid-november, and jason's sipping on a half cold coffee, staring at someone who's not him, on your arm there was a carbon copy. to him, it felt like you had matching wounds, but his are still black and bruised while yours are perfectly fine. to him, it feels like you buried alive something that never really died. god, did it hurt him when he found out. but it's not like jason could just walk up to you and act like he hadn't been dead for two years. you love them now, it's over. you already found someone to miss, while jason is still standing at the exit.

part two for damian and tim ???

[coeluvr]

Oh, February 6 can't come fast enough. 😂

It's tomorrow which means you won't see me after I release it because I'll be doing my little paint by numbers thing and probably crying 😊👍

[lpsotd]

hopefully this isn't too weird to say but - i read the tags on your last post, and you said you were on your last year of childhood – don't worry about that!

im currently 25 and im starting to collect lps again, and ill tell you, even though there's more responsibilities, you still get to be a kid! no one ever truly grows up! my 67 year old grandma keeps one of her ragdolls from when she was a kid and always sews it new dresses. one of her favorite hobbies is watching anime with me! my 46 year old mother loves tv too, but one of the things she's crazy about is boardgames! we have a big collection and we all always play together. (she's got crazy competitive spirit btw. i never win). my 28 year old sister goes out with her friends just to wander around town and eat fast food like she did back when she was a teenager. you're never too old to have fun :) you just gotta let yourself have it. <3

thank you for this !! tbh it's kinda hard to let myself be a teenager when i seemingly have so much to do kgjdnbkjgb, and it doesn't help that i have less-than-supportive around me (not friends. i mean family) who are quick to belittle me or dismiss the things i'm interested in. i just can't stop thinking about the time my aunt saw my lps collection and started laughing, it hurt a lot especially since she's (usually) the more understanding one, and it may have been a "woah??" kind of surprised laugh instead of a "i'm making fun of you" laugh, but it felt that way kjgsnbkjgsfbn

i did have friends who actively made fun of me for what i was into (i no longer associate with them, so phew), and they're one of the main reasons i'm always so hesitant to share and infodump about the stuff i like kjgnbkjdbnkdfgjb

i feel like kids shouldn't be pressured to grow up fast. like, once you reach a certain age, you shouldn't have to stop playing with dolls or watching cartoons. you can stop doing those things when you aren't interested in them anymore, not when people tell you that you should stop, because they don't know anything.

in february i'm gonna be 18 and it's a tough concept for me to grab. i've always been told that i am ""mature for my age"" (i am not, by the way.), and i think that also kinda warped my perception of myself, because i've always felt like i Had to act a certain way, or else people are gonna see me as childish instead of this serious and mature person, but i was only like, what, 14, 15 ?? i should not have felt that way !! i should've been doing what young teenagers usually do, not feeling the need to impress middle aged adults.

it's only now that i feel like i have a sense of self because i'm trying to distance myself from certain people (ahem. family) who made me feel that way, and i'm trying to embrace who i really am: i am not mature or serious at all. i'm 17 years old who enjoys toys, cartoons, coloring, and playing video games with my friends. but i'm also ready to embrace my up and coming adulthood, and i'm serious when i need to be. i'm me and i think that's good enough.

very sorry i went on a bit of a mini tangent there. your ask made me very happy, so thank you !!

[onlygenxhere]

OOoh, some Letters From Rose please?

Letters from Rose is as advertised. It's letters from Rose Molina, or rather before she was a Molina mostly to Victoria when she leaves home to go to LA to make it as a rock star. I have most of this outlined and quite a few letters written but then the supernatural au took over my brain and I haven't gone back to this. So after rereading over some letters here's a new one. It's the fifth letter, about 7 months after she moves.

February 14, 1993

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I know it’ll be well after when you get this but I had some time today so I thought I should write. Can’t believe it’s been almost two months since I was home for Christmas. I miss you sis! Those four days went by way too fast.

I can't thank you enough for going with me to Kat’s house to deliver her presents. I think I would have gotten more than the fourth degree I did get because you were there.

And I just wanna say how good it was to see your “friend” Marco again. Interesting that he bought you that stuffed bear for Christmas. I’m making a prediction right now that you two will be dating by the end of the school year at the latest.

He better ask you to prom sobrina!  

So I have a little bit of news about my own love life.  

You know how we have the rule about not dating people in the band? Well, Travis and I kinda broke that when I got back from Arizona. Apparently he missed me and well, one thing has lead to another and without sharing more than mami needs to read. We’re dating now.

I hope you can come visit me this summer when you’re out of school so you can meet him. I know you said you liked meeting Maria, so I know you’ll like Travis too. I think he’d good for me. Helps me get out of my head when I’m thinking too hard or get so lost in the music I forget to eat or sleep.

We’ve been so busy here! But busy in a good way. Lots of gigs. Mr. Williamson has us booked every weekend till April! I’m working on new music too! I got inspired when I was home.

Guess that goes to show I need to come home more often. Or at least see my favorite sister more.

I love you and I miss you.

Write back soon!

Rose

[fe-fictions]

I can't believe I have to post about this a second time in a year, but I have another sick kitty...

We lost our senior cat Henry in February, it was just time for him to go. He was a handsome and wonderful 14 years old, and had been with us since we were children.

And not long after we lost him, my sibling and I (we live together) decided the apartment was just too empty without him...we were missing the warmth and the joy that a sweet kitty cat brought with him.

So we each adopted our very own cats; a handsome long-haired 3 month old boy named Gojo, and a beautiful short-haired 5 month old girl named Luisa.

Luisa is my baby girl. She was born in September, the same month as me, and she's my whole world. But the last few days, she's been eating less, playing less, and getting more and more docile and lethargic.

I took her to the emergency vet today because she wasn't eating at all and was hiding since yesterday morning. He told me that she had an auto immune disorder, and was extremely anemic.

He gave me three options; try steroids and antibiotics, see if she responds to them, or they could hospitalize her and give her a blood transfusion, which was way, way too expensive...if I had the money I would've done it in a heartbeat, and it breaks my heart to think that I could've done more for her if I had a better job and could provide for my baby more. And the third option was to put her to sleep there, because her odds were slim.

I chose the option to get her medication, which was a quarter the cost of a hospitalization, and he assured me typically saw really good results, but that sometimes it would take a few days or a week or two before seeing improvement.

I gave her the first dose as soon as we got home, got her set up in my room, but she's still not eating, won't go to the bathroom, and I'm just really, really worried that I'm gonna have to say goodbye to her, before she's even a year old.

I'm just not ready to say goodbye again. Twice in the same year, two of my sweet babies. I am not ready to do that again. It happened so fast. The shelter I got her at likely had no idea she was sick; she showed no signs of it until just a few days ago. I hate that she's so fragile, and that I can't do enough for her. It's just crushing.

I want to try and focus on the positive, and hope that she's gonna pull through in the next few days. I'm just so sad, because it wasn't that long ago I saw this behavior in a dying cat. I know what it looks like, I felt it, I could see it. And I'm not ready to do that again.

I was supposed to have at least ten years with this slinky little baby. I don't want to believe that I'm gonna have to say goodbye to her. I won't know for at least a few days; but if she stops eating and she can't go to the bathroom, I don't know where to go from there.

I just wanted to vent, I wanted to let you all know that's what I'm dealing with right now. I hope you'll continue to have patience with me, and to those who commissioned art from me, I'm gonna work hard to get it done ASAP since it's already been a while, and I just need to do something to keep my mind off of what's going on right now.

But yeah. That's what's going on at this moment, and so if I sort of disappear for a little while or my posts go a while without anything, that's why.

Thanks for being so sweet, you guys are such a wonderful group of fellow FE enthusiasts and I love writing for you all. It's without a doubt the group of the friendliest and sweetest people I've ever run into; whenever awful things were going on, IRL or online, I would always come here because the drama or the stressful mess would never reach it; this place is my little safe haven haha

So thank you for being here, and thank you for listening and for your patience! I'll do everything I can to keep up.

- chiyo

[summmeister]

A Look Over the Art I Made in 2023

2023 has come and gone, with a sizeable improvement on my art skills. Once again, I am VERY proud of the work I managed to accomplish this year. I'll be going over some of the highlights month by month in this post, being sure to point out anything of note.

JANUARY

Starting off the year, I made some new artwork of Skweeb! I consider this fairly outdated now, but it did start a few trends with the character, mainly how I draw shine on him. His eyes bulge outwards, they're not holes! I also drew @akfamilyhome's character, Leddy.

FEBRUARY

This was a BIG month for me! I tried a lot of new things, and most of them worked out! This month also contains what I consider to be one of my best drawings this year, a celebration of Hollow Knight's 6th anniversary. Other highlights include a dashing tribute to Dangeresque and an entirely new reference sheet for Skweeb!

MARCH

March was not a particularly noteworthy month. These are the only two drawings from it! That said, I am quite happy getting any drawings out this month at all! As you'll see later on, this wasn't actually my most dry month.

APRIL

A VERY full month! I can't even fit everything I wanted to! Lots of Skweeb here, some Lucy too! Also a fitting send-off to Courtney (very sad Dead End got cancelled). Tried some big things here, like with the parody Album art, but for the most part I was just doing what I was good at: simple character full-bodies.

MAY

VERY dry month for art. This is the only piece from May! I participated in @some-fool-fp's aRtPG collab this month. Skweeb joins the party!!!!! Made my own custom logo for him, too.

I had a LOT of college work this month. I was working on a game!!! I got the highest grade possible on it, very proud of that. If you would like to play it, you can do so here. Just a warning though, it's very short and VERY jank at times.

JUNE

Another big month!! Some proper reference of Winslow, another Jevil drawing, and my FAVORITE piece of Skweeb art to date!!! The pose and the shading is just so good on it, I love it.

JULY

...Well this is awkward.

Art Fight was this month, and with all of my effort going towards that, I kinda... didn't draw any of my own art this month. Whoops.

Let's press fast forward, shall we?

AUGUST

A NEW OC WAS CREATED THIS MONTH!!!! Meet Chao. He helps out at the circus. He babby. I put a TON of effort into getting his design just right and ensuring he had the proper referencing before working on anything else. I love this 'lil guy.

Also some of my favorite art from this year!!! Inspired by Lemon Demon's "One Weird Tip", I made some art that takes place on a ficticous desktop! Getting the shapes and text right was hard, but I am so glad I put the time and effort in.

SEPTEMBER

Always Watching.

WOW, I am so so proud of what I accomplished with this CoTL piece. Everything from the pose to the composition and the use of colour is just PERFECT. This is up there in my favourite pieces of art from this year.

Skweeb and Jack Frost are here too... wait, it's not December yet!

OCTOBER

A certain someone turned 2 this month! My baby boy, now 2 years old... how time flies...

It was halloween this month too... but Skweeb isn't dressing up this year. It's Lucy in his place! Got some nice Jax art here too, I love that asshole.

NOVEMBER

I was never the most content with my previous Jevil artwork. I never felt like I was giving it my all, which is why I'm happy to say that this month, I did!

I also took a second shot at drawing Jax; this time, featuring Pomni! I used thinner lines and taught myself how to draw hands a whole lot better, I think it helped, haha.

Lastly, (part of) my piece for @hillelart's 10th Anniversary FNAF collab! The full thing is staying secret for now. Keep an eye out for January 15th!

DECEMBER

Finally, we arrive at December.

Funnily enough, I didn't actually draw for half the month. But when I got back into it, I got BACK in. I'm very proud of both of these pieces, and the shading and blending I used in them! This certainly feels like a new era of my art, and I'm looking forward to continuing it!

And that's it. You made it to the end! Most people just together a simple image for their art recap, and while that certainly works just fine, I like to go into the nitty gritty, write down my entire year in art, y'know?

I'm not sure if this year contains as much progress as 2022, but it certainly contains a BOATLOAD of progress! Look back at the start of the post and compare it to the end of the post, the difference is insane!

Lastly, I've got just one more thing to show, once again, redrawing my first ever piece to mark off yet another year. I hope you like it, you'll only have to wait another 365 days for the next one!

Bring on 2024!

[iamthecomet]

Hey Comet! ❤️‍🔥

I'm humbly here to ask you for the sauciest, most delectable, wlw fic for Femslash February. (ASK #27, BABEY)

Here's some prompt ideas to get that brain a turnin'!

How do you feel about dirty dancing, cumming in pants, choking, dirty talk, sprinkle of degradation, commenting about how wet someone is, forced orgasms and, uhhh, that good good aftercare? Any of the above? Please?

Dealer's choice for pairing (or just all ghoulettes let's be real). OkAY, LOVE YA BYE ❤️‍🔥

Cirrus has lost count of how many times she's cum on Cumulus' thigh. She knows she's supposed to know, she was supposed to keep track. But thoughts are slipping through her brain like water, and she barely remembers her own name. They're all still clothed, and she's already gone, fucked out, floating. She can only focus on the insistent pleasure climbing up her spine, coiling in her gut. Unbearable and unrelenting and irresistible in equal measure. Cumulus drags Cirrus' hips forward and back, controlling each shaking movement of the taller ghoulette's body. Cirrus would be limp, useless, if not for Sunshine pressed right up against her back, letting Cirrus rest her torso against Sunshine's as Cumulus controls the rhythm. "How many is that, Lus?" Sunshine asks, like she knows Cirrus doesn't, and it's ok. Cirrus is glad for it, can't imagine trying to come up with a number, or deal with the punishment for not knowing. Cirrus stopped talking a while ago anyway, the only noises that leave her now are choked moans. The burn of overstimulation rises and falls, she shakes uncontrollably, legs turned to jelly. Her body twitches with each pass, she thinks she can feel her organs vibrating. She tries to breathe, to focus on anything except the building pleasure in her gut. Cumulus runs her hands up Cirrus' sides, dragging her shirt up as she goes to ghost cool fingers over her overheated skin. Goosebumps break out over Cirrus' body. She shudders under the touch. "Twelve." Cirrus licks her lips, her mouth is dry. Her head is resting on Sunshine's collarbone, she rolls it to the side to press her lips to Sunshine's pulse. She smells like peaches, perpetually sun-warmed skin, and the bite of Sunshine's arousal. She wants to take a bite, but can't seem to move her jaw enough to do it. "What's the record?" Silence follows. It takes Cirrus too long to realize that Sunshine is talking to her. It takes a sharp tug on her hair, and the curl of Cumulus' fingers around her throat in a gentle squeeze before she realizes she's meant to answer.

"Fifteen," she croaks out. Her voice weak, flagging, it breaks on the last syllable. She's not sure where the number comes from, but she's sure it's right. As if it's branded

Cumulus and Sunshine entwine their fingers on her hips. They work out a push and pull that has Cirrus bowing forward, her body collapsing in on itself, dark sweaty hair falling into her eyes. As the pleasure builds and builds. After the last one she thought she'd probably never cum again, but now she thinks it might actually be possible. Cumulus' pants are wet where Cirrus has been grinding her thigh. Her own sleep shorts are soaked through. There's slick on her thighs. She can't even think enough to be embarrassed about it. The only thing she can think about is the way each pass drags her clit over Cumulus' plush thigh and sends sparks up her spine digging into her brain.

She wants something to hold onto, but her fingers shake in Cumulus' shirt. They're not strong enough to ground her anymore. Her body is unreliable, sending her a litany of mixed signals that she doesn't know how to translate.

It all happens so fast. One minute she's being leisurely shifted over Cumulus' thigh and the next she's cumming with a soundless cry, her body going taught and shuddering, clenching around nothing. She feels herself get impossibly wetter.

Sunshine has to catch her when it fades so she doesn't fall forward and impale herself on Cumulus' horns. Cumulus chuckles at her, reaching up to drag her fingers along Cirrus' cheek her jaw, it's reverent. But the movement of her hips never ceases. They're insistent, unwavering. The overstimulation this time is more painful than pleasurable. She keens with it. Digging her fingers into Cumulus' shirt, and then deeper, into her skin until she knows it hurts.

Cumulus only moans in response.

Cirrus feels like she's going to catch on fire. "Thirteen," Cumulus says.

Cirrus shakes her head. "I can't."

Sunshine laughs as she pulls the taller Ghoulette back to lie against her again. "You can."

"Not like this," Cirrus shakes her head.

She wants out of these soaked clothes. She wants less. She wants more. She wants to bury her face between Cumulus' thighs and exact her revenge for this. She wants Sunshine to pin her to the bed and--

She's being moved. She registers it like it's happening to someone else. Sunshine is shifting her off of Cumulus' lap and over into a nest of pillows. Cumulus brushes dark hair off of her brow.

"Look at the mess you made," Cumulus breathes, lips ghosting over Cirrus'.

The spot on her jeans isn't just damp, it's soaked. Cirrus feels heat rush to her cheeks. But she doesn't get a chance to settle into it before Sunshine is dragging her shorts down her thighs and tossing Cirrus' legs over her shoulders. She latches onto Cirrus' swollen clit, flicking her tongue over it and sucking until Cirrus bows off the bed, digging her claws into the bed beneath her. "You'd think you were a water ghoul with how wet you get for us, Cir." Cumulus lays down against her side, pressing her body against Cirrus'. Cirrus turns her head to look at her. She tries to keep her eyes focused, but Sunshine does something with her tongue that has her eyes rolling up.

Cumulus smiles at her, it's fond, easy. And then Cumulus is kissing her, licking into her mouth, holding her in place with a firm hand in her hair. "You can give us three more," Sunshine whispers, dragging her tongue through Cirrus' folds. "Can't you? Gotta break the record."

"Four," Cirrus says when Cumulus releases her mouth. "I can do four."

Cumulus kisses her on the nose, her face breaking into a giddy grin. "That's our good girl."

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Some Thoughts About How the BRF is Approaching this Debacle by u/C-La-Canth

Some Thoughts About How the BRF is Approaching this Debacle I hope that someday Prince William is recognized for the restraint and patience he is exhibiting now. Every day, I see fellow sinners who are angry that the monarchy isn't moving fast enough in delivering a few blows back at H&M. I see comments that demand King Charles sever all ties with Haz, that they expose MeMe's sordid past, that the children be removed from the LoS, that titles be stripped, blah blah blah. This isn't the 16th century. We can't scream "off with his head!" and decide the punishment for perceived slights. A fair and just ruler (or court system) will process all of the facts, go by existing protocol, and measure out appropriate consequences. In the states, we applaud parents who march down to their child's classroom and scream at the teacher before they listen to the teacher's viewpoint. We love to seek immediate retribution the moment we think someone has offended us. We have far too many shootings, impulsive crimes, and random violence because too many people lack the skills for critical thinking and the ability to perceive their own contribution to a problem. I've said this here before: we are not privy to all of the facts. Period. All we know comes from heavily biased, filtered media. Because of this, we are neither qualified nor entitled to direct the actions of the BRF. All we can do is ask questions, speculate, share opinions and observations, and hope for the best. Yes, of course, I am outraged at what seems to be two grifters getting away with criminal behavior. But this weird saga is enormous and complex, and it will take a lot of time to be resolved wisely. Meanwhile, I admire the quiet, mature, methodical way Prince William and his beautiful wife have conducted themselves. post link: https://ift.tt/rLw8H31 author: C-La-Canth submitted: February 26, 2024 at 11:50PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

[thexspiral]

I really need to be open about something. I can't post this on instagram because it's too long, but I know some of my wider audience sees this. I've been hiding it for a long long time. From the internet, from my friends, from my family, from my partner, from everyone.

I have an eating disorder.

I don't know what kind, probably bulimia or EDNOS. And it's gotten bad recently.

It mostly just started when I was younger. A bit of restriction, trying to purge, exercise purging, etc etc. As I grew into a teenager, it worsened until one day when I was 15 I hit rock bottom. I woke up one morning just... exhausted. I had no energy because I didn't eat. And I was miserable. And I wanted to get better. When I got to my junior year, I entered my current relationship and it genuinely helped me so much.

I actually gained weight in this relationship because I was so happy that I didn't really care about my weight. I just cared about him. I was pretty much recovered at that point. There were thoughts of restriction, but it never led to actions, it was just thoughts.

And then finally, after close to a year, the euphoria of that relationship wore off and settled into normal again. Soon enough my depression came back, my old habits came back, and most of it was worse than ever. In November of 2023, I relapsed hard into my disordered eating habits. I did intermittent fasting as much as I could, skipped as many meals as possible, and body checked all the time. I was constantly hungry and always miserable, but I kept going because I genuinely hated the way my body looked.

It got a bit better through January, but not much. But February of 2024 is when I started spiraling out of control. I figured out how to purge. And it was the most addictive thing I have ever done. It started with one time, then it was once a day, then once a day but longer, and then it was every meal except breakfast (I take meds, I can't purge for a few hours after I take them).

I've talked to my therapist about this, but I keep flip flopping back and forth between wanting recovery and wanting to get worse. There's this part of me that says "keep going because as long as you purge, you can eat whatever you want and never gain weight." and this thought makes me miserable. I want to get better. I want to stop being sick all the time. I don't want to be ruled by food my whole life.

But I am terrified of my own body.

I have no idea what I look like most of the time. Every time I see myself in the mirror, it looks like my face is warping and changing in real time. I always look like a stranger. The only way to recognize anything is the extremes. Extreme makeup, extreme features, extreme everything.

And I feel so out of control too. My life is out of my hands. My partner is depressed and I can't help him. I'm going to be living with my parents for another year and I can't do anything to stop it. I don't have a job and I can't drive, and I can't fix that without help from others. My health is worsening and I can't do anything about it because no one believes me. This is the only thing I can control. The only thing I can control is when I binge and when I purge. I can control what food comes into my body and when it goes out. This is all I have.

I want it to stop, but I have nothing else to hold onto.

If you read all of this, thank you. I really don't know where I was going with it but I just had to get it out there.