#I took this picture to share but also to save because I keep looking at it while the game reboots and laughing

[seventeenreasonswhy]

Super Shy ~ A JWW School-Life Romance Pt. 3

Star Athlete!Wonwoo x Shy Wallflower!Reader

Jeon Wonwoo... THE Jeon Wonwoo is... paying attention to you!?

~1.5k words

Read Part 1 + Part 2

Series content: fluff, first crush plot line, school-life anime vibes, slow burn/yearning, some light angst, classmates to friends to lovers, fem reader, reader is ~*super shy*~ and has low self-esteem, reader is kind of bullied (?), sweetie pie Wonwoo, appearances by Choi Hansol and more!, all characters are in high school so no explicit content (but probably kissing eventually).

My Masterlist

Author’s note: Thank you to everyone who has read, reblogged, and liked this little series so far! This part reveals more about Y/N’s interests and talents, which she’s afraid to share because she is insecure! But not for long with sweet Jeon Wonwoo around. Also she has a fictional younger sister named Daehee (not after anyone in particular, I just like that name). 😉 These two are so innocent and cute, I’m having such fun writing them! Enjoy!!

Taglist: @clownprincehoeshi @soffiyuhh  @wonwoos-wineparty @hamji-hae @junniesoleilkth @seokqt @haniinah @yangtyunhannie @cherrylovescheol @lukeys-giggle @cookiearmy @sojuxxi  @vixensss @lixisoul99 @mjpark15 @lelsforlino  @neivivenaj  @blvkkeddcc (lmk if you want to be tagged!)

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+

“Whoa you’re going all out on that, Y/N—”

Your younger sister, Daehee, had come down for breakfast with her bangs still in curlers, wearing her school uniform shirt over her Hello Kitty pajama pants. She was watching you as you concentrated on preparing various dishes at the stove. A thin omelet, grilled shishito peppers, vegetable tempura; it was pretty simple stuff, but you’d developed an urge to create aesthetically pleasing lunches these days.

You couldn’t really explain it, although somewhere in your heart you knew it probably had something to do with Jeon Wonwoo.

For the past week, Jean Wonwoo had been spending lunch on the roof alone with you.

The two of you barely exchanged words, really. Your longest conversation probably lasted only a few minutes. But not for Wonwoo’s lack of trying! You still wondered why he was spending his lunchtime up there at all—even more so why would he keep trying to strike up conversations with you? You guessed he really was just that nice. But every time you were around him you couldn’t help clamming up somehow.

“Are you in any clubs, Y/N?” he’d asked you the other day, between bites of his kimbap.

“Uh, no...” you answered quietly, your nerves frazzled from your total lack of conversational skills.

“None of them appeal to you?”

“Uh, not really that...” you didn’t know how to answer him. You’d ended up just looking at him blankly, like a fool. However, nothing in his facial expression or his tone made you feel like you had to necessarily come up with an answer... But his gaze was intent, and you found it hard to hold onto for more than about three seconds.

“What do you do for fun? To relax?” he followed up breezily, “You’re the class mystery.”

“Um,” the odd self-consciousness you felt at being called ‘the class mystery’ aside, you couldn’t really think of anything to say to him.

Actually, there was one thing that came to mind... but it wasn’t something you’d ever shared with anyone. Your one ‘hobby.’ Though to you it felt more like... squeezing a stress ball. It was what you did when you needed to turn your brain off.

He wants to know what I do to relax?

You couldn’t say what compelled you, but you pulled out your phone and found the photo album you had saved of your miniature paintings.

You worked with acrylic paint on very small canvasses, using very fine, small brushes to create miniature floral designs, portraits, landscapes... Your style was incredibly detailed. You had hundreds of tiny canvasses in little boxes and frames all over your room. You took pictures of most of these tiny paintings when you finished. You had even recorded a couple of time-lapse videos, showing you creating them in fast motion. You’d never felt compelled to create a social media account to display or monetize them, though. You painted because it was what you had done since you were a preteen—the careful, methodical process of dabbing tiny paintbrushes into your carefully mixed colors, getting the tone and shading of a poppy flower’s petal on a tiny scale just right... For you, creating these paintings was like a meditative practice.

By some stroke of inspiration—or insanity—you handed your phone to Wonwoo. His face became visibly more curious as he took your phone carefully in his hands.

“Wowwww,” Wonwoo said, holding the screen closer to his face. He seemed absorbed in your phone—you even caught him zoom in on a few pictures. You could tell he was looking carefully through the album.

“You’re crazy talented!” he said after a while. He sounded genuinely impressed.

“No, haha,” you somehow laughed, coughed, and gasped at the same time, your heart accelerating out of embarrassment from his compliment.

“No, seriously—Y/N, these are really incredible!” he said. “They’re so detailed, and they’re so small! How do you even do that!?” His eyes were glued to your phone screen. A part of you was screaming inside, why on earth you would show these to him!? and urging you to snatch your phone right out of his hand, throw it over the side of the building even. You couldn’t believe that Wonwoo was seeing this, this... habit. And YOU had been the one to show him, of all things!

“I wouldn’t say they’re ‘incredible,’” you said, filling up with more and more anxiety over coming off as bragging or crossing some social boundary that you shouldn’t have crossed.

Wonwoo finally looked up from the screen, looking directly at you instead. You still couldn’t bring yourself to meet his gaze, but you felt his eyes on you. After a long pause, you dared to glance up at him...

But he quickly looked away from you.

Ugh, I’m probably making him feel like he has to be super nice or something...

“Oh, whoa—a time-lapse?” He said, quickly recovering from the somewhat awkward moment when your eyes had met. But his stumbling across the most recent time-lapse video that you’d made prompted you to snap out of your reverie and bolt to grab your phone out of Wonwoo’s hands.

“Ah, don’t watch that!” you lunged for your phone, but Wonwoo reflexively pulled his hand away, surprised by your reaction but still effortlessly dodging your attempt. He smirked down at you, and your heart almost stopped.

“Why not?” he said, and the deep resonance of his voice made you realize how close your bodies were—you were practically sprawled over him after reaching for your phone, his face just inches from yours...

Your whole body seemed to flush a deep shade of red before you catapulted backward away from him. You could have sworn that you saw that Wonwoo smiling to himself, but you were so flustered and anxious about the way you’d completely invaded his personal space that you couldn’t think straight.

“I won’t watch it,” he said light-heartedly, smiling at you as he tossed your phone back to you. “But you are super talented, Y/N. Painting is such a unique skill, too.”

And just like that, he went back to eating his kimbap like nothing had happened. His relaxed, friendly tone mercifully neutralized the atmosphere, but you just stood there clutching your phone to your chest.

“It’s not that I’m embarrassed,” you started, even though you couldn’t look Wonwoo in the eye, “It’s just—I’ve never shared these paintings with anyone except my family...” Your heart kind of ached for some reason as you said this to Wonwoo, who just continued to look at you in silence. What on earth had compelled you to share that with him?

Agh, say something! You willed for this pause in conversation pass, but it didn’t seem to be budging.

“Thank you for showing me,” Wonwoo said at last. His low, gentle voice seemed to shoot directly into your bloodstream, flushing you an even deeper shade of red than you thought was humanly possible. You looked at him briefly, and something about the way he was looking back at you...  

The moment had played over and over again like a movie in your head for the past few days. The directness of his gaze. The rich, sincere quality of his voice. The way he’d smiled to himself... you couldn’t stop thinking of that particular lunch hour.

Standing at the kitchen counter, Daehee watched you dip veggies in tempura batter and toss them in the pot of hot oil on the stove. You let your mind run through the questions it had been asking all week: why was he spending time with you like this? Did he lose a bet? Is there some kind of hidden camera prank you should be wary of? More than that, why was he being so nice?

“Hellooo, earth to Y/N! I said you’re really going to town on your lunches these days,” Daehee tried again to get a rise out of you.

“Oh,” you said, taking the last piece of tempura squash out of the oil. “I just like experimenting.” You weren’t lying, exactly—you did like exploring all kinds of different food and dishes. Cooking was fun to you, different from the calm of painting.

You would be lying if you said that an added bonus wasn’t Wonwoo noticing and complimenting your work.

You liked it when he praised you. It felt like he meant it.

No one could be that good at faking sincerity, could they?

You couldn’t help but hear that small voice in the back of your head, doubting Wonwoo’s intentions.

But he hadn’t done anything other than come up to the roof during lunch this week, mostly just eating in silence with you—the two of you simply looking out at the sky...

But after you had shown him your paintings...

Maybe it was since then that you had started to put more effort into your lunches.

[asterdeer]

my idiot warlock and her wizard boyfriend both got pushed out of different windows on different floors of the same building. but at least they’re together. this is the day after they decided not to pursue the power of the gods themselves btw

[wonwoosstuff]

Mr Muscle | Seungcheol x fem.reader (smut 18+)

Synopsis: Seungcheol wants to flaunt his strength again but this time….. in bed.

Original ver of this drabble: https://www.tumblr.com/wonwoosstuff/737816735398428672/seungcheol-x-femreader-synopsis-your-boyfriend

A/N: Here’s the long awaited smut! I recommend you to read the link first since this is kind of an extension to the original.

Genre: smut 18+, mdni, mean dom scoups, protected sex (so so important!),manhandling, reader thirsting over her man, fingering, breast play, manhandling, reader is also a bit shy, oh and did I also mention manhandling?

This work is a piece of fiction! The characters are not related to any particular person in real life!

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"Deal. I'll save the strength for opening stubborn jars and protecting your heart.”

You giggled at his affectionate words.

Seungcheol checked you out slowly from head to toe and licked his lips right after.

“What’s with this reaction?” You asked crossing your arms over your chest. “Nothing, you’re just sexy as fuck.” He smirked at his answer.

“Woah Cheol, calm down.”

“Oh baby, how can I resist when you’re right in front of me looking so fine.” You blushed at his comment. Your boyfriend approached you and came dangerously close to your face just to seductively whisper these words into your ear:

“You know, I can show my strength in many different ways and sex is one of them.”

The direct eye contact and the sexual tension between you and Seungcheol made you really shy, so you quickly looked away while he took the chance to grab both of your wrists to lean your hands flat against his chest.

“Baby, listen to my heart pounding. It is just as excited as my friend down there.” He pointed at his dick which already was erected from the ongoing tension between the two of you.

You would be lying if you said that Seungcheol’s seduction hadn’t impacted your arousal in anyway.

In fact it affected you terribly.

Usually Cheol would lead the foreplay but this time you decided to kiss him first. Grabbing his jaw you connected his lips with yours gaining a shocked expression from your boyfriend. He automatically grabbed your waist turning the delicate kiss into a messy and greedy make out session.

Seungcheol kissing you always made you feel like heaven. His tongue was exploring your mouth resulting in you moaning into his mouth. After Seungcheol broke the kiss he grabbed your jaw harshly which made you tear up. However Cheol knew that you liked his rough attitude so he didn’t care about it at the moment.

“Already messed up, hm? Should I mess up that pussy of yours as well, slut?”

That was your last straw. Now you just had to beg him to fuck you.

“Mhm, Cheol- please.” You moaned while looking at him directly into his eyes. “What, baby?You need to speak in full sentences. I can’t understand you.” He exclaimed while undressing you. Now you were completely naked in front of Seungcheol.

“Fuck me until I can’t walk. Choke me, use me. Do everything to me until I can’t speak.” you responded almost whispering your words because you were kind of embarrassed.

The filthy words that just came out of your mouth made his dick twitch in his boxers. His reaction was super fast. Seungcheol picked you up in bridal style carrying you to your shared bedroom.

“I didn’t know you were such a dirty mouthed girl.” He said while throwing you on the king sized bed. You didn’t respond to his comment. Instead you approached your boyfriend on your fours tugging on his shirt.

“Cheolie, it’s your turn.” You cutely added while keeping the eye contact.

He raised one eyebrow— gosh how you hated that— putting a finger under your chin to raise it. “Okay princess. I will.”

Why did the smallest gestures make him look so attractive, you thought while he was undressing in front of you. You practically drooled over his buff build. It felt like you haven’t seen his naked body in years.

“Do you wanna take a picture, princess?” He smirked at you while walking to the night stand.

“No, I want you to fuck me right now.” You didn’t hesitate while saying that.

“Eager, aren’t we?” Seungcheol added while putting a condom over his so called “friend”.

Ah right— his friend was a bit bigger than average and that made you gulp. A nervous feeling appeared on your face. Seungcheol noticed your expression and reacted accordingly.

“Are we alright?” He chuckled. “Cheol—“ now you hesitated for a moment.

“Yea, darling?”

“Will it fit?” And that was a genuine question.

“I’ll make it fit, don’t worry about it. I’ll also take that as a compliment.” He stated, his voice in a more relaxed and husky tone.

You slowly leaned onto your back while Seungcheol hovered over you. Your cheeks were already flushed red by the atmosphere and your boyfriend’s sexiness.

And as if he couldn’t make it worse he attacked your nipple hungrily sucking it literally off. You were quick to grab onto his black hair, arching your body against his.

“Cheol, oh my god. You’re so good to me.” You moaned while receiving a slap on the other breast.

“Hm, am I?” He asked after letting go of your nipple leaving his saliva and a red mark on it.

“Then tell me, princess—” Gosh his eyes were so intimidating and sexy, you thought not noticing that his fingers had made their way to your arousal. “— how can I make you feel—“ one finger was in, making your body arch for Seungcheol just to reach your high deeper. “—even better than this?”

“Ugh, deeper Cheol!” You almost screamed for pleasure. “Huh? What?” I can’t hear you, baby.”

“Please me with your dick, right now!”

You exclaimed being almost out of breath.

Seungcheol grabbed you by your waist to get near to your body. He gave you a quick peck on your lips followed by him stroking his dick. Of course, there was no warning, so he entered you shamelessly rough. Now his strength was displayed in his thrusting skills. Your boyfriend groaned between the thrusts.

“Why are you still tight, princess? I thought you’d be wet enough already.” Seungcheol smirked while putting your legs on his shoulders to get more access to your g-spot. His arms were steadily put next to your head.

“Oh— Cheol— too hard!” You barely could speak because of the pleasure he was giving to you. You naturally grabbed his veiny underarms to support yourself.

Seungcheol had an unrealistic stamina which turned you on even more but made it hard to keep up with him.

“Oh yeah, that’s right princess, just like that.” He groaned with his already deep tone of voice.

“You like it when I show off my strength, don’t you?” His thrusts becoming more slow and romantic.

You honestly passed out since his pace kept increasing. So you dizzily responded while looking at him blushing: “I do, baby.”

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” You asked, genuinely curious.

“Your ‘fuck me more’ look. It makes me wanna ruin you even more but you’re already messed up.”

“But I d—“ all of the sudden his strong arms turned your body around. Now you were standing on all fours. Seungcheol made sure to keep your head in your pillow while your ass was up in the air.

“That’s how I like my girl more.” He said while slapping your ass cheek roughly. You twitched at his action wanting to rub the painful smack.

“Keep your hands to yourself or otherwise I’ll make you suffer, slut.”

“But Cheol” you couldn’t argue against your horny and stubborn man so you pouted into your pillow.

“No buts, stop arguing with me while I’m still being nice to you.” Your boyfriend definitely aimed for ruining you completely tonight and he wasn’t afraid to say it out loud.

Now his hands were exploring your upper body.

“Stop making me wait, honey. I want you.” You teased making his cock twitch for a second time.

“You keep on saying shameless stuff, you dirty girl.” He said while bringing your body up against his chest.

Oh how you loved this position. It was so intimate to both of you.

Seungcheol placed light kissed on your shoulders and nape making you not only arch your back against him but also lean your head back against his shoulder.

The princess treatment and dominance of your man was pure luxury and you couldn’t complain.

While his mouth was busy decorating your shoulder with red marks and love bites, his right hand found his way to your breast, massaging it gently. The left hand was torturing your swollen folds. Seungcheol showed no mercy and shoved two of his thick fingers into your pussy.

“Oh, you look like a goddess, hun.” He complimented you and honestly you could explode because of your boyfriend’s behavior.

“Right there, Cheol, deeper!” And quickly after that you reached your orgasm soaking your man’s fingers wet with your fluids. You weakly fell back into your pillow thinking that your pleasure time was over.

“Oh you taste lovely, princess.” Seungcheol licked his wet fingers entering you once again with his dick. This time a little bit gentler. You moaned at the thickness of his length.

“So you think we can just call it a day pleasuring you but not me? Where is the fun in that? Do you think that’s fair, baby?” You couldn’t answer your boyfriend since you were practically overwhelmed by his thickness.

His pace was increasing with every thrust making you drool into your pillow. Although you couldn’t see his face you could tell that he was enjoying himself. After the last rough thrust Seungcheol reached his orgasm as well and passed out onto the mattress next to you.

“Baby, you did great.” He proudly mumbled, too tired from using all of his energy for the sex. You hugged his waist sideways leaning your head on his chest.

“Let’s get us washed up.” He suggested.

“Mhm, five more minutes.” You lazily voiced while slowly closing your eye lids. Seungcheol pecked your eyelash responding with a chuckle:

“Cute.”

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This was my first ever written smut- help. Sorry for making you guys wait. Hope you enjoyed it!!hihi.

©️ wonwoosstuff do not copy or translate!

[tokuvivor]

Let’s talk about Huey.

He’s the responsible triplet. He tries to keep his brothers in order. That’s the weight that comes with being the oldest brother.

But let’s face it. Even he needs someone to look up to. Not necessarily as a parent or guardian, like he would Donald, Della, or Scrooge, but as more of an older sibling.

Which brings me to the main point of this post: Today, I will be discussing three characters that have acted like an older sibling towards Huey at one point or another in the show (and in the case of one, has signs pointing to that happening more consistently post-canon).

Let’s start with Lena.

In the first two seasons, we didn’t really see Huey and Lena interact one-on-one much. Then we get to The Split Sword of Swanstantine! (which we saw yesterday for Movie Night, and inspired me to make this post at all), and these two paired off together to find the blade of the Sword of Swanstantine.

I cannot say enough good things about who the writers chose for each pair in the episode (them, Dewey and Webby, and Louie and Violet), and just how well they all played off each other.

Back to Huey and Lena, though. Their main adversary in this episode is Steelbeak, who resolves to take the blade with brute force, which Lena wants to match him with, but Huey would rather take a logical approach to it. So they enter Huey’s mindscape, and after repeated attempts to outsmart Steelbeak fail, Lena discovers a mysterious door to…The Duke of Making a Mess.

It’s this wild, feral creature that lives inside Huey’s mind, and Lena sees it as a way for Huey to get an edge on Steelbeak. But Huey doesn’t want to use it, as he’s uncomfortable with that side of him. But Lena gives him some advice as the former shadow of Magica De Spell: that he can’t ignore parts of himself he doesn’t like. He’s gotta own them.

So, after embracing both the madness of the Duke and his usual, logical self to thoroughly hand Steelbeak’s ass to him to get the blade, Lena called it the most beautiful butt-kicking she had ever seen.

Just look at how proud she is of him! She really didn’t think much of anyone besides Webby in Season 1, but now, she’s not only owning her past trauma, she’s using it to help Huey with his own demons (well, demon).

Sure, she took pictures of his various disguise fails versus Steelbeak, but that doesn’t change or diminish how much she helped him out in the episode. With all of that encompassed, Lena definitely gives off big sister vibes towards Huey in this episode (and I definitely feel like moments like the Duke one between the two of them would carry on down the road). Also, they have the connection of both being oldest siblings in general.

Next up: Fenton.

Of the three dynamics I’m covering here, Huey and Fenton’s gets the most coverage over the course of the series. After their first encounter in Who is Gizmoduck?!, Huey became enthralled with Gizmoduck after he saved his life, then disillusioned by him after he essentially sold out and became WaddleDuck, but in the end, it was Huey who realized that the perfect core processor for the suit was Fenton’s own mind, because Fenton is Gizmoduck.

In The Dangerous Chemistry of Gandra Dee!, Huey (along with Webby) helped Fenton with his date with Gandra at the lab (“It’s a Date!” intensifies). Even though this episode more establishes the beginning of the relationship between Fenton and Gandra, Huey’s support for his friend throughout is rather admirable.

In Astro B.O.Y.D.!, even though they didn’t really share a main storyline here, Fenton was willing to help Huey out regarding Boyd, and he was also the one that suggested that Boyd be used to fight crime in Tokyolk. This really shows that Fenton and Huey’s dynamic goes both ways in regard to one having a problem, and the other finding a way to help them out.

In The Trickening!, even though Fenton himself does not appear in the episode, Huey dressed up as Gizmoduck for Halloween, and he really went the extra mile with his costume. He even imitated Fenton’s Gizmoduck voice really well (“Halt, citizen!”).

In Beaks in the Shell!, after finding out that Fenton and Gandra are indeed together, Huey helps the two keep their relationship a secret, even going so far as having Louie dress up as him so as to not crack under the pressure of M’ma Cabrera’s interrogation. And, of course, Huey, along with M’ma and Gyro, help Fenton and Gandra take down Mark Beaks in the Gizmocloud. Even though Fenton kept their relationship secret from even Huey for so long, the fact that Huey was still willing to help cover it up just a little longer shows just how much trust the two have in each other.

Huey and Fenton are really two peas in a pod. With Fenton as an only child, and Huey as the oldest triplet, the brotherly dynamic is perfect for the two of them. It makes sense to me that as life goes on for the both of them, they’ll still show up for each other, no matter what.

And finally, Gandra.

This is a tougher one to go strictly by canon on, because Huey didn’t share any scenes with just Gandra in the show.

In The Dangerous Chemistry of Gandra Dee!, Gandra was probably confused by the whole romantic setup in the lab, and thought that Huey and Webby were mostly just in the way in regards to her getting close enough to Fenton to swipe the Gizmotech for Beaks (even though the partnership was temporary). Nothing direct between the two of them in this episode, so hard to say here.

Regarding their dynamic in Beaks in the Shell!, besides the above GIF where Gandra put a weighted blanket on Huey because he was freaking out, you can also piggyback the whole “keeping-the-relationship-a-secret” thing with Fenton onto Gandra, too, since it’s also her relationship. Plus the “taking-down-Beaks” thing.

They also had a couple brief interactions in The Last Adventure!, but beyond that, it’s up to interpretation. I think that with Gandra free from F.O.W.L., whether she sticks to her own projects, works with Team Science in some way, or both (again, up to interpretation), with Fenton’s existing friendship with Huey, it’s completely reasonable to suggest that Gandra ends up forging a friendship with him, too. And Huey would definitely like finally getting to work with her.

For as much as I love fanon’s takes on Fenton and Gandra’s relationship, in the past, Gandra didn’t usually get much else in the way of stories where she connects with other characters. Huey is absolutely a missed opportunity on that front; they’d definitely have a cool dynamic. Huey just has a way of worming into people’s hearts, and I think after some time, Gandra realizes how much she genuinely cares about him. This is not meant to be a buildup to shamelessly plugging my Gandra and Huey story, Bridging the Gap, but then again, it kinda is. If you want to read it, click here.

So there you have it. Huey’s a great big brother, but if you really, really think about it, he’s also a great little brother.

[tomicscomics]

05/31/2024

Continuing from the previous cartoon, St. Joan of Arc's sleepover reaches its THRILLING CONCLUSION?! (Yes, this is based on an actual true story.)

___

JOKE-OGRAPHY:

1. Source: After all this time, we finally see the full picture. Now witness the full source from which this ridiculous-but-more-or-less-authentic story arc was spawned -- a portion of St. Joan's trial (translated by W. S. Scott): "Asked if she knew Catherine de la Rochelle, or had seen her, [Jeanne] said yes, at Jargeau; and at Montfaucon-en-Berry. Asked whether [Catherine] had shown her a woman dressed in white, who she said sometimes appeared to her, [Jeanne] answered no. Asked what she said to her, [Jeanne] answered that this Catherine said to her that a woman appeared, a white lady, dressed in cloth of gold, who told her to go through the good towns, and that the king would give her heralds and trumpets to proclaim that whoever had gold, silver, or treasure should at once bring it forth; and that she would know those who did not and those who had hidden it; and would know where to find the treasure; and it would serve to pay Jeanne's men-at-arms. To which she had answered that she should return to her husband, and look after her household and children. And, in order to be certain of the truth, she had spoken to Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret, who told her that this Catherine was mad and a liar. So she wrote to her king that she would tell him what ought to be done. And when she arrived, she informed him that Catherine was only a fool and a liar. However, Brother Richard wanted them to set her to work, which she [Jeanne] would not permit, wherefore Brother Richard and Catherine were displeased with her. Asked if she had spoken to Catherine de la Rochelle concerning going to La Charité, [Jeanne] replied that Catherine did not advise her to go there; saying that it was too cold, and she ought not to go. She said also to Catherine, who wished to go to the Duke of Burgundy to make peace, that it was her opinion that they would find no peace save at the lance's point. She also asked Catherine if this Lady appeared every night; and if so, she would sleep with her. And she did so, but kept awake till midnight; saw nothing, and then went to sleep. And when morning came, she asked if the Lady had appeared. And [Catherine] answered that she had come, but [Jeanne] was asleep, and she had not been able to wake her. So [Jeanne] asked her if the Lady would come the next night. And Catherine said yes. On this account Jeanne slept during the day in order that she might keep awake at night. And she shared Catherine's bed again the following night, and kept awake throughout the night. But she saw no-one, although she often asked, Will she come soon? To which Catherine answered, Yes, soon."

2. Explanation: In short, Joan met Catherine, and while the two might have gotten along at first, their visions eventually told them very different things, and Joan started to distrust Catherine. Eventually, Joan asked Catherine if her visions were visible to everyone and if they would appear every night. Catherine said yes, so Joan stayed over to see the vision. After falling asleep at midnight the first night, she managed to stay away the whole second night, but saw nothing. She took this to mean Catherine was a liar and a madwoman, and that was that.

3. Pun: In the fourth panel, the second narration says that Catherine was "lying" beside Joan. There are two kinds of "lying": one means "resting on a surface," and the other means "deliberately saying something untrue." Because Catherine is lying (resting) on a bed, but also lying (untruthing) to Joan about the White Lady, both definitions are valid AND grammatically correct. Hence, this is a perfect pun, and I demand all due compensation.

[jamiebluewind]

Eclipse the kitten update

(please don't glitch tumblr it's the tenth time I've tried!!!)

Previous post

Welp! Winter's boy has a respiratory infection. It was causing him to wheeze so to the vet we went! Luckily it wasn't a diaphram issue (which had us worried because of his umbilical hernia). His hernia also came up normal on his x-rays.

(X-rays left out because might bother people, but I can send them on request)

He's on meds several times a day and taking them like a champ, but had to be put in a pen with limited free playtime (because nothing will stop Mr Indestructible from running around the house with all the grace of a car with no breaks). We DID get a reply after just a week from a really nice person who was going to give us one (shocked us let me tell ya because it was BIG dog sized). Unfortunately, they left it outside for us to pick up and someone else just... took it. Right out of their yard. And since all we had was a small cat carrier to keep him in (which was kinda cruel for more than a day or two tops), we ordered a cat playpen that we got for a decent price. We kept looking until it got here, but no luck. Still! It's a nice playpen and we have it set up so he doesn't have to jump if he doesn't want to (plus more vertical to enjoy later on). Sarah's mom also let us borrow her water fountain!

We went to a new vet as ours was booked up (and he had already been wheezing a day). Everyone basically fell in love with him instantly. He left with a little toy from the tech, they gave Winter a jar of honey (one of the people in the office has bees and they wanted to give her something for caring about a kitten that most wouldn't have despite him having a treatable condition), and they've been checking in on how he is recovering (very well since I first typed this actually). He's basically got an entire vet office wrapped around his little paw.

Also, the non-profit we're taking him to for his surgery had a cancelation and his got moved up to the 12th! Counting down the days yall.

Because I gotta kinda mention it, this hit us where it hurts. Between the vet visit and testing, the pen, and the estimated cost for the surgery and followup, it's gonna cost us more than $2k (as long as nothing ELSE goes wrong). We're lucky that we're all super careful with our money, but there's only so much we can save up with three people below the poverty line. Still worth it though. I mean, look at this doofus

He is so stubborn that we can't leave scratch posts upright because he keeps doing THIS! XD

I'm linking Winter's paypal, but I 1000% understand if you can't help out. Still, a reblog and a word or three mean a LOT to all of us so if you got a minute, I'd love some new post additions to show Winter.

(Truth be told, the only reason all the updates are posted on my tumblr is because I'm the longest winded out of the three of us and I take like 5 billion pictures. XD )

Speaking of, there WOULD be a bonus pic of him and his sister (Melanite, aka Miel) playing under my chair as my cat (Danny) looks on from a safe place, but tumblr kept glitching when I added it.

Edit: surgery update

[punkzines]

Quiet night, quiet life, quiet monster beside his ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ quiet human.

“all the stars are closer.”

a/n: i wrote this in 30 minutes don’t judge. if you do, i’ll make sure you regret it/j. There are brief mentions to part 1 // part 3

summary: godzilla and reader hang out

Click.

The sound fills the silence of the quiet night. You were on a small cliff (away from the loud cities you really despised somewhere close to New Zealand), but not too close to the edge. You didn’t want an accident to accidentally happen, now did you?

Beautiful, you thought. You didn’t have a camera, yet- all because they were too expensive but your phone camera still seemed to work fine. It could be better though, it never really fully captures the bright light of the stars- never their true essence.

“I can’t wait till I can afford a real camera.” You said, swiping away at the pictures you took. The pictures always looked good, you’re sure that if you posted it you’d hear compliments about it, not to be overly confident of course. “Or better yet, a camera and a telescope. These pictures are…” Again, they could be better. You save the ones you specifically like in a photo album.

Your comment doesn’t go unheard, as there is a little huff followed by a rumble behind you.

You chuckle, turning around meeting Godzilla's eyes. They looked at you gently, calmly. Godzilla looked tired, his eyes opened and closed slowly at you. It is as if he would fall asleep at any second.

This bond you share with Godzilla- you never really know how it came to be. Yes, he saved you from drowning but— although, you didn’t remember that up until, what? A few months ago? It makes the encounter at the beach make much more sense. It wasn’t any less weird, what did you have to give? Godzilla was incredible! And you? You were just… a human.

Still, it was nice. You liked hanging around Godzilla, actually it was one of the things you always looked forward to. Anytime you went to the beach or honestly anywhere close to where Godzilla was, which was often because it was hard to avoid the other (not that you would ever do that purposely) he would rest close to you but to avoid any conflict with others, you would let him pick you up and take you both to some secluded island. This annoyingly brought the attention of the Monarch, but they always stayed back— Godzilla always made sure of that.

It didn’t take long till you felt like, slowly, you understood him. Sure, you didn’t know everything about him, like his favorite cake- if he even had one, could he have one? Even if he did or didn’t, you still felt some type of connection. Like, you could understand his feelings and intentions. In some way, at least. Godzilla was powerful, yes, but he wasn’t immune to loneliness, grief and pain. He has so much responsibility to bear.

Everyone always asks what Godzilla is doing, never how Godzilla is doing.

That was something you could relate to, in more ways than one. It was sad, you felt like the least you could was, you don’t know, keep him company and let him know you’re always a safe space. A safe person to be around.

And it wasn’t like you were also beginning to understand his feelings, but also what he said! At the beginning, you heavily relied on body language or intuition to kind of understand what message he was trying to send your way. But now? Now you could understand almost all he said, his speech was different though. Much shorter, cut off. Probably because English wasn’t his language.

“You know it’s true!” You replied, sitting closely beside him in a way he could comfortably see you. The grass felt slightly wet and a little bit itchy, you could handle it though. Turning off your phone, you turn to him once again. “Could I lean on you?”

Godzilla blinks at you. Yes.

You nod. As you lean on him, he wags his tail a little bit closer to you, careful to keep the dorsal plates away from your body, in order to not harm it. His skin feels prickly, rough. Not that you minded, it was strangely soothing. The texture felt nice. Your ear is pressed to his side, letting you hear his steady breathing much louder. You could pick up the faint sound of a heart too, well it wasn’t faint, but then again his breath was really loud. That was normal.

“Are we sleeping here tonight?”

We are. If you wish to.

“You know I want to.” You replied, putting you hard against his skin and caressing it. The first time you tried that was out of instinct, but it quickly became a habit since Godzilla never protested against it. You hear a small chirp set deep within him and his tail snuggles closer to you.

I will wake you up. Early. We will swim back home.

You groan at the comment. “Ahhhh, why early? Could we sleep until I wake up?” You weren’t worried about any bugs, there never were any close to Godzilla, you were glad for that.

If we do that, we will stay here for another night. That isn’t good.

“You wake up as soon as you feel the smallest ray of sunshine.”

I wake up earlier. I just wait for you. Never again. Godzilla makes a deep sound, suddenly opening his mouth and yawning. And you find yourself yawning too.

“That’s totally not fair.” You said, but finally stop complaining. Arguing with Godzilla never was something you could ever win, not at all. Especially when you’re also feeling pretty tired. No, really tired.

“This is nice.” You manage to mumble out before you drift to sleep against Godzilla, who slept peacefully as well.

────────────

a/n: As you both sleep, Godzilla says something that deeply resonates with you.

I like poker face.

[onceuponaoneshotfanfic]

Call It What You Want (Superstar Chapter 2)

'Cause my baby's fit like a daydream

Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to 

 Sequel to Superstar where the Reader and Roy Kent have their first date.

Roy Kent x Reader

5.7k words

Warnings: language (because Roy Kent), adults drinking adult drinks

Note: We’re in a parallel universe where Roy & Keeley never date and Keeley is in a healthy relationship with Jamie. Also, this came out a bit longer than I expected but dang it was fun to write!

The tension came to a head during lunch that Friday, our office door closed as we both sat at my desk, eating falafel out of the foil containers Roy had smuggled in past Ted and Beard. As I took a bite, I snuck a glance at Roy, who was gazing at the orange sticky note he’d stuck above my computer the day before:

~

It had been a week since Roy Kent had discovered the shrine to himself in my childhood bedroom. The following days had been sprinkled with autographs left on any papers that didn’t look too important, teasing pleas for no pictures during work hours, and one particularly mocking offer to save his beard trimmings the next time he shaved. But it was also filled with lingering stares in the hall, chocolate muffins left on my desk each morning, lunches shared in our tiny office, and the occasional smile and wink on the pitch when no one else was looking. A few times, Roy even brushed his fingers against mine when we squeezed by each other in doorways. With each small touch or moment of longing eye contact, I felt myself wondering how long it would take for one of us to break.

To my biggest fan

XOXO Roy Kent

“When’s your mum’s birthday?”

God, would I ever get used to his out of nowhere questions? “Why, d’you want to crash her birthday dinner too?”

A snort flew out of his nose as he turned his attention back to his lunch. “No. Just wanted to make sure you’re not busy tonight before I ask you out.”

Look up the signs of a heart attack when you get home, you might be having one. “Oh, really?” I tried to keep my breathing steady. “You think I’m the kind of girl who has no plans on a Friday night?”

Roy rolled his eyes and stuffed another bit of falafel into his mouth. “I think,” he said between bites, “you’re the kind of girl who’s gonna be really fucking annoying on our date tonight.” He paused to meet my gaze. “Unless you’ve already got plans with David Beckham? Or Lionel Messi?”

Another one of his recurring jokes that week was asking about my interest in other football players. I narrowed my eyes. “Unfortunately Becks was busy tonight,” I played along. “So, I guess I’m all yours.”

“I like the sound of that.”

A heat filled the air as Roy used his foot to roll my chair towards him, opening his knees slightly so I could come close to him. My knees hit the inside of his thighs and our noses practically touched; the back of my neck prickled. This was the closest contact we’d had since our kiss upstairs at my parents’ house. His eyes searched mine, thick eyebrows raised. My heart hammered as I leaned forward-

“Roy? Hey Roy?”

My chair was swiftly kicked back into place before Ted opened the office door, his head bent over his phone. We both quickly turned our attention back to our lunches, as if eating falafel took a lot of effort. By the time Ted looked up, Roy and I looked like we’d just been eating in silence- which was actually completely believable.

Ted’s face lit up when he saw me. “Oh, there you are. Was wondering where you’d gotten to.” He turned his attention to Roy, then paused when he saw the food in our hands. “Aw, you’re already eating.” He snapped his fingers. “I was gonna invite y’all go get some fish ‘n’ chips with me ‘n’ Beard.” He shrugged. “Well, enjoy your…” He studied the bowls a moment. “Meat? Whatever it is, looks tasty.” With an oblivious wave he turned on his heel and left, calling out for Coach Beard to follow him.

After a moment of listening to the sound of their receding footprints, followed by blessed silence, Roy finally looked back at me. “Well, he fucking ruined that moment. So, I’ll get you at seven?”

“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll text you my address.”

“No need.” Roy grinned. “Don’t forget, you’re an easy stalking target.”

I stuck my tongue out at him, amazed at how comfortable I had grown with Roy “he’s here, he’s there, he’s every fucking where” Kent over the past week. “I turned off my Snapchat location, thanks to you. So be nice or else no address.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Fine. Then you can just meet me at the restaurant, and we can miss out on the whole ‘you open the door and my jaw drops when I see you’ moment.”

We narrowed our eyes at each other for a moment before breaking out into matching grins.

“Pick you up at seven,” he repeated.

~

From the moment I got home from work until the moment I heard a knock on my door, my hands shook and my heart hammered. I was incredibly grateful that Roy had used the word “date” in our conversation that afternoon; if he hadn’t, I probably would have spent hours agonizing over what the evening ahead meant. Even with the confirmation that this was indeed a date, I was a mess as I agonized over the perfect outfit and fought with my hair, desperate to look special compared with what Roy saw each day at work. When the sound of knocking reached my ears at 6:59, the tremble in my hands spread to my whole body.

Relax. You know he likes you. He wouldn’t have kissed you and asked you out and tried to kiss you again if he didn’t.

An involuntary gulp escaped when I opened the door and saw Roy standing in front of me. He looked really good in his fitted black slacks and black button-down shirt. He looked even better when he smiled at me, his brown eyes traveling down my frame slowly.

“Fuck,” he whispered, eyebrows raised. “You look great. Really fucking great.” He held his hand out to me, his eyes sparkling. “Are you ready then?”

We walked out to his car, neither of us saying a word. When we got to the car, he opened the door and helped me in before climbing in on his side. I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat.

“So, what’s the plan, Kent?”

“Figured we’d go sit in our office and eat takeaway,” he answered as he started the car. “Y’know, same shit we do every day.”

“Romantic,” I snarked.

Keeping one hand on the wheel, he took my hand, interlocking our fingers. “Fine, nix that plan then. How about drinks and then a late dinner? Just no fucking work talk please.”

I stared at our hands, wondering if he could feel my pounding pulse through my fingertips. “Sounds great,” I agreed, giving his hand a squeeze.

It was a somewhat quiet drive, but a comfortable one. I’d turned on the radio to some pop station, and Roy drummed out the beat with his fingers, tapping the back of my hand rhythmically. With his attention on the road, I allowed myself the opportunity to unabashedly stare at him. He was still Roy Kent: grizzled, dark, something of a brooding aura surrounding him. But he looked different that he normally did in the office, more like he had that evening at my parents’ house. His shoulders were relaxed against the driver’s seat, and his mouth was curved ever-so-slightly upwards, a shadow of a smile. As if he could feel the heat of my gaze, his eyes shifted off the road and towards me, causing his mouth to curve even further upwards.

“Admiring something?” he asked, clearly amused.

A bit embarrassed to be caught staring, I turned my eyes back to the road. “Just… taking in the sights.”

“The sights,” he repeated, nodding his head. “I’d say to take a picture since it’ll last longer, but I think you’ve got enough fucking pictures hanging at your mum’s house, wouldn’t you agree?”

My embarrassment deepened. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Roy gave my hand a squeeze. “Nope. Only because I like seeing you blush so much.”

We finally arrived at the pub, with me refusing to look at Roy’s smug face for the rest of the car ride. He quickly got out of the car and jogged to my side, opening my door, and holding my hand to help me down.

“D’you really need such a massive car?” I teased as his hand settled in the small of my back.

A playful huff came out of Roy’s mouth. “Oi, don’t make fun of a man’s car. Otherwise, you’ll be walking home.”

“Aww, but how will you walk me to my door and kiss me at the end of the night?” I asked with a pretend pout, crossing my arms to give the full bratty effect.

Roy gave a hearty chuckle as we entered the dark pub. “You’re a presumptuous thing, you think you’re getting a kiss on the first date?”

I rolled my eyes as Roy guided me to a secluded corner booth, letting me slide in before following me into the seat. “Oh, I’m sorry, can you only kiss a girl when you’re surrounded pictures by yourself? Because I stopped carrying your photo in my wallet ages ago. Might still have a couple saved on my mobile though, would you like me to check?”

Roy stared at me hard for a moment, his dark eyes practically drilling holes into my brain. “You talk way too fucking much, anyone ever tell you that?”

Before I could come up with some clever response, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. I could only squeak weakly in response as my eyes fluttered closed. This kiss was a bit rougher than the one we’d shared a week ago, with my lips parting to mirror Roy’s own slightly open mouth. It ended entirely too soon, with Roy smirking at me.

“That ought to shut you up for a fucking minute,” he chuckled as an older woman in an apron approached, a knowing smile on her face.

“How’re you Roy?” the woman asked casually, although her eyes were on me.

Roy grunted in response, suddenly reverting to his usual monosyllabic self. “Fine. Usual, please.”

The woman hummed and raised her eyebrows at me. “And you sweetheart?”

I quickly ordered my drink, offering up a couple of pleases and thank yous. With drink orders out of the way, I finally let myself look around the pub. It was dimly lit, with a couple televisions above the bar. There was a mostly older crowd, with most other customers having at least a decade on my parents. There were darts on a far wall and a foosball table near another wall. A jukebox in one corner played a Vann Morrison song that I vaguely recognized. The place was a far cry from the loud, crowded, sweaty clubs my mates usually tried to drag me to. If I had to pick between the two, I’d take this pub any day of the week- especially with Roy Kent by my side.

When I turned my attention back to Roy, he was already staring at me, his mouth in a straight line for the first time all night. “Is this alright?” he asked bluntly. “You weren’t expecting champagne and caviar, were you?”

Behind the hard expression on his face, I could see anxiety in his eyes. My mind wandered to the women I’d seen him with in magazines and online… models, influencers, a couple B-list actresses, none sticking around for more than a couple months. I’d even read one blog post about a woman who stole his watch before ending the relationship. It dawned on me that most of the women he dated would probably not be okay with a place like this. Despite the almost-scowl on Roy’s face, I felt myself melt at the realization that he was nervous about what I thought of the place.

“I think,” I said after a moment, “that this place is great.” I laid my hand on his, feeling him relax instantly beneath my touch. “You must come here a lot if you have a usual?”

“Couple of times a month,” he admitted, his facial expression softening. “The old geezers know who I am, but they leave me alone for the most part, sometimes give me shit about Richmond when the team fucks up. Never have to worry about them posting pictures of me on Twitter or some shit. And the barkeep, Rose, she doesn’t always tally up all my beers correctly and undercharges me all the fuckin’ time.” His smile returned. “So at Christmas I like to clear a tab or two, to make up for the free shit I get.” He nodded to himself. “It’s nice to just come here and have a beer, not have to worry about being Roy Kent, y’know?” He squinted at me for a moment. “Alright, now you kiss me, because I’m talking way too fucking much.”

I laughed as the older woman- Rose- returned with our drinks. She smiled at me as she set down my glass. “He must like you,” she mused, her eyes darting to Roy. “Never brings his dates here. ’less you count that pretty-boy soccer player. Went on that bloody reality show. The one they sing that stupid shark song about?”

“Jamie Tartt?” I offered, eyebrows raised. I turned to Roy, whose eyes were practically behind his head. “Do I have competition? Because Jamie Tartt is definitely hotter than me.”

Roy dramatically threw his head back and let out a massive, growling sigh as Rose walked away, her chuckles echoing behind her. “Don’t ever call Tartt hot, I swear I’ll cut my ears off.”

“Relax, van Gogh,” I scoffed. “I won’t get jealous of Jamie if you don’t.”

“Hmmf.” Roy eyed me carefully, taking a sip of his beer. “Who’s hotter, me or Tartt?” he challenged. The tiny upturn at the corner of his mouth assured me that he was teasing.

“Definitely Jamie,” I deadpanned, taking a sip from my own glass. “I’m only here because he and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t call me back.”

Roy shook his head and smiled, sliding his hand out from under mine and placing his on top. “Just so you know,” he murmured, leaning in close. “Ronaldo’s a fuckin’ prick.”

Before I could laugh, he pressed his lips to mine, mirroring the kiss from earlier, but gentler, slower now, full of affection. My eyes fluttered closed as I kissed him back, the little voice in my head unable to form a coherent sentence.

Roy Kent kissing me it’s Roy Kent he’s here he’s there he’s kissing me Roy Kent

~

“Fuck.” Roy gazed at his phone. “We were supposed to be at the restaurant a fucking hour ago.” He grimaced as his eyes met mine. “Had a reservation and everything.”

My fingers traced the rim of the glass in front of me as I shook my head. “Roy, it’s fine,” I laughed.

We had spent the last couple of hours- and rounds of drinks- cuddled in our booth, cracking jokes and sharing stories. Roy told me about his sister and his little niece and reluctantly explained his workout routine with Jamie Tartt, while I shared stories about my ridiculous brothers and gave a detailed ranking of Jane Austen’s leading men. The way his arm wrapped around the back of the booth and his hand grazed my shoulder made missing the reservation worth it.

Roy wrinkled his nose. “I should feed you,” he argued. “’d be a shit date if I didn’t.” He glanced at his phone again. “D’you like pizza?”

Twenty minutes later, we were sitting across from each other, sodas in front of us, Roy’s pensive expression tinted red by the neon glow advertising Fresh Pizza.

“Can I tell you somethin’?”

I nodded, sipping my Coke through a straw. “Hmm?”

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a date,” he murmured. “And the first time I feel like I’m with someone who’s interested in being with me, not just being seen out some fucking footballer.” He gave a small nod. “So, thanks. Really, thanks.”

Heat rose in my cheeks as his eyes bore into mine. “Honestly, Roy,” I breathed. “Sharing an office with you is the best part of my workday.”

A grin flashed on his face. “Oi, we said no work talk.”

“Oh, shove off,” I mumbled, giving him a soft kick under the table as a young man in a red polo shirt brought us our pizza. I grabbed a slice and began to nibble on it as the teen employee did a double take at Roy before going back behind the counter. “Take a compliment, Kent.”

“Compliment,” he repeated gruffly, grabbing his own slice. “Is that something I’ll have to get used to? Being complimented?”

I tilted my head and swallowed a bite. “What d’you mean?”

He shrugged and took a sip of his Coke. “Gotta know what dating you involves. Spoiler alert, after tomorrow’s game I’m going to ask you if you’d like to go out again sometime.” His eyes darted away. “Hope that’s alright,” he grumbled, that nervous look in his behind his expression again.

I gave another kick under the table, much gentler this time. “You better ask me out again,” I teased. “Because this is the best date I’ve had in a long time.”

“You must’ve been on some fucking shit dates,” he joked, his eyes meeting mine. “Guess I’ve got to make up for that.”

For a moment, we just sat there, smiling at each other under the buzz of the neon light, slices of pizza in our hands. If two months ago someone had told me I would be on a date with Roy Kent, sipping drinks in a small pub, eating pizza in a hole-in-the-wall shop, I would have never believed it. But there I was, unable to look away from the brown eyes I’d spent years dreaming about, making him laugh and smile. And honestly, having the best time I’d had in a while.

The sudden preoccupied look on Roy’s face brought me out of my dreamy bubble. “Oi, there is something we should talk about.” The air suddenly felt heavy.

“Hmm?” Good, stay cool, don’t act nervous.

He took a deep breath, exhaling with a tiny growl. “Don’t take this the wrong way- I feel like a fucking prick saying this out loud-” He groaned, shrugging in defeat. “Would you be okay with, I dunno, not telling anyone about this-” He gestured between us. “-just for a bit?” A grimace now completely covered his bearded face. “It’s not like I’m embarrassed, or like I want to date anyone else-”

“That’s a relief,” I teased. My cheeks turned warm seeing him so flustered; it was endearing. “I thought you were completely ashamed to be seen with me and wanted to see if you had a shot with Jamie Tartt.”

That smile finally returned. “Come on, I’m being fucking serious.” He reached across the table and grasped my free hand. “Look, I really like being with you. I feel less pissed off at work when you’re around. And I want to see you outside of our fucking office. But you’ve seen the muppets we work with. They’ll never leave us the fuck alone once they find out we’re seeing each other. And I’d like to be in, I dunno, a little fucking bubble or something for a bit. Just while we’re getting to know each other and seeing where this goes.” His thumb stroked my hand. “Is that okay?”

The earnestness in his eyes nearly stopped my heart. “Of course,” I assured him, nudging his foot with mine. “I like the idea of being in a bubble with you.”

~

It was nearly midnight when Roy walked me up to my flat, his arm wrapped around my waist. After pizza we had gone walking around aimlessly, neither of us quite willing to say goodnight to the other. But my gentle reminder to Roy that Richmond had a game the next day was enough for him to sigh dramatically and agree to call it a night.

We paused in front of my door, turning to face each other as I fiddled with my keys nervously. Despite all the hand holding and flirting and shared kisses, I still felt a flutter in my stomach when I saw the fondness in his eyes as he gazed down at me. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw such warmth aimed in my direction; the fact that it was Roy Kent was just a bonus.

“Think I could give you a ride to work tomorrow?” he asked softly, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

I grinned up at him. “What happened to keeping things quiet at work?”

He shrugged, his hand still lingering beside my face. “Do I sound like a fucking prat if I say I just can’t wait to see you again?”

“Just a little,” I teased, leaning my cheek into the palm of his hand, not caring that he could feel the warmth of my face. “But I like it. Pick me up at 10?”

“How about 9? I’ll buy you tea and a muffin.”

I laughed and pressed myself a smidge closer to him. “Bribery works wonders on me. I’m in.”

A small kiss landed on my forehead. “I love that you’re easily bought.” Another kiss on my cheek. “Guess I should let you head inside before some nosy fucking neighbor sees us.”

“We’d be trending on Twitter within the hour. Roy Kent and Random seen outside flat the night before Richmond game.”

“The fucking press’d definitely blame you if we lost tomorrow.” A kiss on my other cheek. “So, we better say goodnight.”

I nodded, not bothering to hide my smile. “Guess we should.”

His mouth found mine for the millionth time that night, assuring me that this would not be the last time he’d be walking me home. A wide smile filled his face when he finally pulled away. “Good night then.”

“Goodnight, Roy,” I answered, planting one last peck on his lips.

~

Roy’s car now felt familiar as we rode to the Dog Track. I leaned my chair into a comfortable position and fiddled with the radio until I found a station playing an hour of 90s hits. I ripped off a bit of the giant chocolate muffin that sat on my lap and tossed it into my mouth, reveling in the brief domestic bliss before we had to act professionally in front of everyone.

“Gimme a bite,” Roy mumbled, eyes on the road. I ripped of another piece and popped it into his open mouth. “Thanks,” was his muffled reply as we pulled into the still empty parking lot. “And thanks for riding here with me,” he muttered, clearing his throat. “It was nice.”

A smile crept across my face. “Thanks for offering,” I answered. “We should probably head on in, I’ve got some things to do in the office before everyone comes in.”

The halls were eerily quiet, only a few cleaning crew milling about, offering nods and soft “good mornings”. I flipped on the lights in the changing room and coaching offices, quickly setting to work as Roy leaned on Beard’s desk, watching me with that thoughtful look on his face.

I started my Game Day routine: leaving our report on the opposing team neatly on Ted’s desk, right next to the playbook that I pulled off his bookshelf, updating the league standings on the whiteboard next to Beard’s desk, noting the possible rank changes based on game outcomes, setting up the coffee maker to their specifications so all they had to do was hit the Start button when they walked into the office. Between tasks I paused for the newest addition to my routine: stealing kisses from Roy, taking full advantage of the empty building.

He followed me into our office so I could organize my things; Game Day had quickly become my favorite part of my job. During games, I would stand by the coaches with my tablet, keeping track of different statistics: goals, passes, saves, anything and everything the coaches could analyze later to improve their plans. Ted kept repeating something about me “putting the Excel in excellent” when I first presented my detailed spreadsheet to the coaches, so I knew this was valuable data to them. It was the part of my job I took most seriously.

And I loved that it allowed me to be on the sidelines with Roy all game long.

“Are you going to be able to focus out there today?” Roy teased softly, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me.

“Are you?” I shot back, leaning into him as I tapped away on my tablet, setting up my new spreadsheet. “I’m working, all you’ve been doing is staring at me.”

He laughed and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Trust me, as soon as those pricks show up, I’ll be my usual grumpy self.”

As if on cue, the sound of Coach Lasso’s voice echoed from down the hall. Roy immediately released me and threw himself into his chair, planting his feet on his desk and pulling out his cell phone; to anyone who just happened in, it looked as though he had been completely ignoring my existence, rather than holding me close. I shook my head and grinned to myself as Ted and Beard entered their office.

“Mornin’!” Ted called, poking his head through our shared door. “Look at you early birds. Y’all are just a couple of peas in a pod.” He pointed at me, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Thanks again for figuring out the Keurig. You’re a k-cup K-Pop star.”

I smiled and nodded, still unsure about what to do when the man complimented me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Roy smirking behind his phone.

Ted noticed too. “You’re looking downright chipper this morning, Roy. Anything special you wanna share with the class?”

Roy’s smirk faded, his eyes still on his phone. “No.”

“No worries, I’m just happy you’re happy.” Ted was completely unphased; the guy was truly remarkable. He turned back to me. “Say, could I bother you to run some papers up to Rebecca’s office? Get some steps in before we head to the field.”

“Sure,” I agreed, setting down my tablet. “And it’s ‘pitch’, Coach.”

Ted nodded. “Right, right. ‘Pitch’.”

After a few more Lasso-isms, I was on my up to Rebecca’s office, carrying a folder filled with papers. I had shot Roy a wink before I left our office and was awarded the smallest of smiles, which was enough to make me practically skip down the hall, past the players making their way to the changing room. I smiled and waved at each of them, feeling excited to have a small role in this special team.

“Come in,” Rebecca called when I knocked on her door. She and Keeley Jones were sitting on her couch, Keeley adorable as ever in pigtails and a fluffy sweater, Rebecca the picture of class in her dress and heels. The women smiled and waved me in.

“Hey!” Keeley called, jumping up to give me a small hug. “How’re you doing? I tried to call you last night, but you didn’t pick up.” Within two days of me starting work at Richmond, Keeley had decided that we were meant to be friends, an offer I was more than happy to accept. She pouted at me playfully. “Were you out getting some?”

My ears burned. “Yeah, right,” I scoffed. “My phone’s been acting up lately, sorry about that.” I reached around to hand Rebecca the folder. “From Ted,” I told her, trying desperately to avoid the topic Keeley had brought up.

Rebecca opened the folder and glanced at it. “Shit, I should look at this,” she muttered to herself. She nodded towards Keeley. “Why don’t you head to our seats to watch warm up? Just don’t wolf-whistle at the boys too much, hmm? Save some for the game.”

Keeley gave a salute to Rebecca and linked her arm with mine. “Shall we?”

We strolled down the hall, Keeley talking a mile a minute about the party she had tried to invite me to the night before. “There were lots of real fit guys there,” she gushed, knocking her hip into mine. “Some of them were even worth talking to. Come on, what’s your type? I need to know what to look out for.”

I cleared my throat. “I don’t really have a-”

“Oi. You forgot this.”

Roy appeared out of nowhere, holding up my tablet, its case covered in Richmond stickers I’d bought the day I had gotten this job. My cheeks were warm as I accepted it, careful not to touch his hand. I could feel Keeley eyeing me curiously.

“Thanks,” I murmured, avoiding Roy’s eyes; I knew that any contact would tempt me to kiss the man.

He seemed to understand completely. “Keeley,” he greeted, giving a short nod to the blonde. He nodded to me now. “See you out there.” He turned and walked towards the doors that led to the pitch.

Once he turned the corner and was out of view, Keeley squealed and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Fuck, you should ask out Roy!”

My eyes widened. “What?”

She nodded, her pigtails bouncing. “Come on. He’s fit, he has a good job, and if anyone ever messed with you, they’d never find the body.” She wiggled my shoulders, waggling her eyebrows. “And the man looks good shirtless,” she added.

As if there wasn’t a shirtless picture of him tapped inside the closet of my old bedroom. I made a quick mental note to take it down and hide it- maybe burn it- before the next time he came over. Surely, he’d be coming over to my parents’ place again sometime? Maybe not anytime soon, but eventually, right?

Whoa there, relax. Don’t get so ahead of yourself.

“Come off it, Keels,” I scoffed. “I’m not asking out Roy Kent.” Well, you’re not lying. He asked you out, after all. “We work together. We share an office for God’s sake. And besides, he’s Roy fucking Kent.” I laughed and shook my head, trying to be really convincing. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m not his usual type.”

A smile spread across Keeley’s face. “Well, all I know is that last time he and Jamie were working out, he told Jamie he was sick of dating just to date. He’s sick of models and shit. He told Jamie he wanted something real.” She shrugged. “I dunno. You seem like the kind of girl who could be something real.”

I did my best to hide the pleasure on my face as Keeley confirmed what Roy had told me last night. Instead, I cleared my throat and turned my attention to my tablet. “Well, good for Roy. But I should be going, I’ve got to get to the pitch.”

“Yeah, gotta go stand next to Roy for the next few hours.” Keeley winked at me. “Don’t think I don’t notice the blush on your face whenever he’s around. You’re not as clever as you think. I’ll get you two together eventually.”

Little does she know, the little voice in my head chucked. “Sure, Keeley,” I humored. “I’ll see you later.” I planted a kiss on her cheek, reminding myself to try to match the affection she brought to a friendship, and waved as I walked away in the direction Roy had disappeared in.

I should have been more surprised when I turned a corner and found him leaning against the wall, scrolling on his phone. He smirked when he saw me.

“Did you wait to me?” I asked, not bothering to hide the smile on my face.

He shrugged, tucking his phone into his pocket. “Maybe.”

“Very sweet of you,” I hummed, shoving his shoulder with mine as he fell into step beside me. “But you should probably be a little bit less obvious at work. Keeley was just telling me about her new goal.”

“And what would that be?”

“To play matchmaker for us,” I answered casually. “Which means our chemistry is obvious.”

Roy let out a scoff of a laugh just before we reached the pitch entrance. “Let her try. I’d kind of love to see what kind of scheme she cooks up.” He sobered up as we walked onto the green, where the Greyhounds were beginning their warmup. From the stands closet to the pitch, I could already hear Keeley whooping and hollering. She’d definitely have something to say about seeing me and Roy walking to the dugout together, but I’d come up with my excuses later.

I took my position between Ted and Beard, showing them the stats from our previous match and reminding them about the adjustments they’d discussed based on it. Ted said something about me being just like Q from James Bond, a reference I actually understood. I smiled at the praise and took a seat, not needing to do much now until the match started. Instead, I took advantage of the cover around the dugout to brazenly stare at Roy, grinning to myself every time he yelled “Whistle!” at the top of his lungs.

As if he could feel my gaze, he turned his head subtly, a half smirk on his face when our eyes met. He shook his head at me and pulled out his phone. A moment later, my own mobile vibrated. I glanced at the glowing screen.

You’re going to make hiding this really fucking difficult, aren’t you?

Of course. Making your life harder is half the fun.

My phone vibrated again. Fine. Whatever. Grab a bite after the game?

My grin widened as I began to type back.

Only if I can get an autograph.

Roy turned his head again, that upturn of his mouth barely visible. I relaxed into my seat, tapping away at my tablet. For the first time in my life, I could hardly wait for a Richmond game to be over.

[notsohappynotsosad]

Emperor, Stelmane and Gargauth

Sorry I haven't been posting, I got hyperfixated on this theory. Drawings will resume from now

If you’ve completed the game, there’s a chance you know of the reveal that Emperor’s previous associate, Duke Stelmane, has been in fact his thrall. Upon further inspection you may gain some seemingly contradicting information and lots of questions with no answers. This post will be long, but I promise that at the end, most of these questions will be answered. Also, there are pictures.

TLDR: Emperor and Stelmane used to be besties before he enthralled her, but they couldn't defeat Gargauth with their power of friendship.

So, for the uninitiated, what are these questions?

Firstly, when the party enters Rivington and Dream Visitor is revealed to be the Emperor, he will tell us about his life, including that he was partners with Stelmane, though he doesn’t say anything about the thrall bit of course. At this point neither he nor the party knows the Duke is dead. As far as the Emperor is concerned, what he shared might greatly compromise him and he never shares such information when he simply could’ve concealed it.

If you poke around, other questions may arise, such as why was Stelmane’s condition improving after the Emperor's visits? Why was she asking for him? Why was she excitedly talking about him at the Tavern? Why did they hug? Why was she at Elfsong, where he could find her the most easily? Why did she drink wine, which he used to force her to do? Why didn’t she warn anyone about him? Why was she looking through people before the stroke? Why would the Emperor mind control her? Why does he keep her portrait next to his desk? Is he stupid?

Now that I have you hooked (probably), let's introduce our cast.

Emperor – The one and only, our favorite topic for daily arguments. Sluttiest waist in game.

Duke Belynne Stelmane – Gods’ most perfect princess. We all agree to fuck the Emperor for what he did to her (some of us literally). She used to be a member of the Council of Four[1] as well as leader of Baldur’s Gate branch of Knights of the Shield[2]. Had ties to Hhune patriar family, possibly even related. Low levels of waist sluttiness.

Gargauth – better known as the Hidden Lord, a powerful pit fiend imprisoned in the Shield of the Hidden Lord. His portfolio includes betrayal, cruelty, political corruption and power brokers[3]. The Shield has been kept underneath Baldur’s Gate for over a century, spreading corruption in the city due to his presence alone. Such is his influence, that on the condition he’s taken away from the city, the crime rate might drastically drop[1]. He is known to have been communicating through the Shield with a past leader of the Knights, providing him with valuable information and helping the order grow in power while trying to gain worship[3]. Only some of the Hhune family and the highest rank members of the Knights knew about his existence, though in the present day no one is aware of his infernal identity[2]. Gargauth will try to steer his current owner towards acts of cruelty and domination in hopes of condemning their soul to the Nine Hells[1]. In the “Descent into Avernus” ttrpg one of the baddies wants to use the Shield to drag Baldur’s Gate into Avernus in the same fashion it happened for Elturel, but a party of adventurers takes it away before this evil plan is realized[1]. No information on waist sluttiness due to being imprisoned in a shield.

Now that I established myself as a squid fucker and Stelmane as a leader of a devil-worshipping organization, I know what you’re thinking – I’m gonna say that the Emperor had to enthrall this evil cult leader to save the city. Haha, no. Keep reading. Here, have a meme so I don’t lose your attention.

I must begin by clearing some misconceptions. It’s easy to assume that because of the Stelmane scene, all the Emperor told us about her up to that point was a lie. It wasn’t. They had a functional relationship before the mind control took place. (If you already know this, feel free to skip to the next meme.) There are two notes in the game pointing us to that conclusion: a journal found in Hhune mausoleum commonly attributed to Stelmane and a transcribed conversation heard in Elfsong tavern.

This existence of a past relationship also explains the portrait of Stelmane that the Emperor keeps next to his desk and one of his dialogue options when the PC hugs him in act 2.

Later, in act 3, he also has some lines painting a vague picture of the relationship’s nature.

So she was beginning to trust him before he caused the stroke. This makes things so much more messed up.

There’s still one written document, which doesn’t make sense, namely Patient Log:

This is clearly written after the Emperor took mental possession of her and caused a stroke. Why then does he help her and why does she keep asking for him?

Have you ever gone into the Hhune mausoleum and saw this note?

After giving up on solving the puzzle and looking it up online have you wondered who is “HE”?

It’s Gargauth, the Hidden Lord.

In “Descent into Avernus” module the party may encounter an NPC who is a member of the Knights; she is kept by Vanathampur family as a leverage in case it transpires that Vanathampurs stole the Shield of the Hidden Lord from the Hhune crypt [1] – the very same mausoleum present in game. And it just so happens that the key to this very mausoleum is in the Elfsong Tavern’s Knights of the Shield headquarters, where Stelmane and the Emperor had their rooms.

That’s not all. When you solve the Hhune mausoleum puzzle, a secret wall will open, revealing a small room full of the Knights’ symbols. If the Shield hasn’t been stolen, the Hidden Lord would be revealed too, just like the note says.

And what is that on the table? It’s Stelmane’s journal I was referring to earlier.

Stelmane had access to the Shield. And if she did, the Emperor had too.

(Kudos, if you already know where I’m going with this.) Here’s my proposed order of events.

Stelmane and the Emperor meet. At the time she isn’t yet a Duke nor the leader of the Knights. Like any normal person she’s terrified at first, but unlike any normal person she’s willing to collaborate for the sake of the Knights and her own ambition.

Due to having an illithid ally she quickly climbs ranks of the Knights. She grows to trust him and vice-versa. Things are as good as they can be for a determined politician working her way up in a corrupt organization and a renegade illithid helping with this task.

They finally advance to the seats of power. Stelmane becomes a Duke and leader of the Knights of the Shield. Perhaps thanks to this position or due to Emperor prying into minds of the members, they become aware of the Shield of the Hidden Lord kept in Hhune mausoleum.

They begin speaking with the Shield. Neither of them knows the true identity of the entity within it and the Hidden Lord does everything to keep it that way. His information and advice is always good, so turning to it for guidance becomes a habit.

Gargauth being Gargauth makes every effort to corrupt them; it’s not particularly hard. Keep in mind they’re not good people to begin with. She’s someone willing to collaborate with a mind flayer for the sake of taking over an evil organization and he’s one DC 20 persuasion check away from enslaving the city. The devil causes their worst traits to flare up and pitties them against each other.

This results in a power struggle which culminates in the Emperor dominating Stelmane and causing her seizure.

The Shield gets stolen and soon after taken away from the city.

Without Gargauth’s direct influence they (especially the Emperor) realize the fuckup, but the damage has been done.

They recognize the fiend’s influence in this transgression. Emperor starts treating Stelmane, maybe they try to make their relationship how it once was, though it might not be possible.

Emperor gets taken by Gortash and soon after is sent on the Astral Prism heist. Events of Baldur’s Gate 3 happen.

That’s all! Have a meme!

Here’s an extra bit for the interested.

The see-through people gaze is most likely caused by Gargauth’s influence. And before that Wyll says:

Sounds familiar? And from one letter in the game we can learn that Stelmane has a mansion in the Upper City, where the patriar families such as Hhunes reside[2]. Could she be related to Thione-Hhune?

Huge thanks for reading it all! What do you think? Did Larian originally plan to have this side-story of an aftermath of Gargauth’s corruption?

Sources in order of referencing (sorry, I don’t have a better system)

[1] “Descent into Avernus”: p.162, p.174, p.225, p.5, p.40

[2] “Murder in Baldur’s Gate”: p.36, p.51, p.39

[3] “Lords of Darkness”: p.151 (all the info)

[aphroditelovesu]

would you be interested in writing a jake peralta angsts kinda like jake saves reader form something maybe??? if not possibly a yandere? please and thank youuuu

❝👮‍♂️— lady l: it took a while but it came out! I don't have much practice with angst, but I tried it and I hope you like it. Forgive me for mistakes!

❝tw: anxiety, panic attacks, mention of murder, my poor attempt at angst.

❝👮‍♂️pairing: yandere!jake peralta x female!reader

❝—👮‍♂️word count: +1,6k ❝👮‍♂️tag: @flowercrowns-goodvibes

You were in danger. You were in danger. You were in danger.

Jake's mind was just that, you were in danger and it scared the shit out of him. What had gone wrong? It was supposed to be just a simple undercover mission to catch a powerful drug dealer, but it all ended up going wrong.

What had happened to you?

Jake nearly passed out in panic when Captain Holt told him he'd lost communication with you, a big sign of trouble. You were supposed to be in contact with them all the time, but you stopped communicating and… Now none of them knew what happened to you. Were you alive? Hurt? By God, Jake will kill whoever hurt you, he was sure of it.

''Jakey'' Boyle's voice called to him, Jake looked at his friend and saw the concern on Charles's face. ''We will find her.'' He tried to reassure him, but even Boyle wasn't sure. The chances that you were murdered were high, although you were a well trained detective, there was always the chance, but he would never say that to his best friend. No one would say, everyone knew how obsessed Peralta was with you and knew how he reacted when it came to you.

''We will.'' Jake's voice was serious and full of hate. He was going to find you and he was going to punish the damned criminal who dared to try to hurt you.

Charles nodded and hugged Jake gently who returned the hug, but soon pulled away. ''Holt is trying to locate her and so is Terry. Soon (Y/N) will be with us again.''

Jake nodded calmly and something about that calmness startled Boyle. Why was Jake so calm? He knew his friend and he was scared to ask. Charles was never afraid of his friend, he revered and adored him, but something in Jake's eyes made him afraid. Almost like he was planning something and it wasn't something good.

''I will continue to work on the case. I'm going to visit the crime scene where she disappeared. I need to focus on finding her, because if I don't I am going to freak out.'' Jake finally said more than three words and sat down at his desk, the desk he shared with you. He mumbled something and smiled as he looked at the picture of the two of you together that he had placed next to his computer. You looked so happy.

He tried, he really tried, but he couldn't concentrate. Worry and fear seemed to eat him alive, his heart racing in panic and his mind conjuring up images of what could have happened to you or what you could be having to put up with right now.

Jake cringed as he remembered the gunshots that had echoed through the microphone you had in your ear to keep in touch with the 99.

[..]

You had to come back soon.

Everyone had agreed to that. Jake was freaking out and everyone around him. Nothing seemed to calm him down and the entire police station seemed to be affected by it, hampering the searches.

They all loved you. They were a family and you were a part of it and everyone was worried too.

Captain Holt and Rosa were the calmest ones, or at least they tried to remain calm, but he was also out of their mind with worry. Amy, Terry and Boyle just didn't freak out because they knew it wouldn't help anything, but Jake… Jake looked so distraught that he couldn't eat, drink and couldn't take his face away from the evidence they had found.

After searching the crime scene, they were able to find a few things that could lead to you. Or at least that's what they hoped, but Jake wasn't going to sit around waiting for the lab results.

Time was crucial and he wasn't going to waste it. Not when your life was in danger.

So he made a decision. A decision he knew he could regret for the rest of his life, but it wouldn't matter, not when he had you safe and sound in his arms again.

Jake sighed at the thought of the phone call he had received an hour ago and he felt trapped. The deal he had accepted was dangerous, but that was all for you.

''Jake was sitting at his desk, hunched over it, repeatedly reading the files on the drug dealer who had you. His name was Maximus Rodriguez, a notorious drug lord who had his petty dealers act for him and he had you. Jake clenched his fist in anger at the thought. Fuck.

Maximus was dead and so was his entire operation.

He grabbed his cell phone when it started to ring, an unknown number popping up on the screen. He frowned but accepted the call and a high pitched voice began to speak.

''Detective Peralta. What a pleasure.'' The voice said bored. ''Looking for your sweetheart?''

''Who is it?'' Jake asked irritably.

''You don't need to know my name. Yet. But you can call me Maury. I have information that I believe may be of interest to you.''

''Information?'' Jake was attentive. It was obvious this was about you and he was so desperate he would do anything to get you back.

''I know where your precious (Y/N) is being held and I know who her captors are.'' Maury said and Jake was sure the man was smiling.

''… What do you want in return?''

''Straight to the point? I liked. No big deal, I want you to agree to do a simple job for me in exchange for getting your (Y/N) back. Sounds fair to me.''

''What kind of work?'' Jake questioned suspiciously.

''You'll find out when the time comes. Do you accept?'' Jake mumbled a drawling ''yes''. ''Very good. Now pay attention…''

Jake knew where you were and had informed Holt that he had started to prepare to break in. He was asked how he got to know where you were, but Jake lied saying that the drug dealer's criminal record had hidden and useful information.

Nobody questioned him. They didn't believe it, of course, but Jake's look of despair and hatred was so great that they didn't dare question it further.

The focus was on bringing (Y/N) back. All that mattered now was her and he was willing to do anything to get her back.

[…]

The cops were in place and the SWAT team was preparing to break into the warehouse where (Y/N) was apparently being held. They were preparing for an ambush. It's always good to be prepared for anything and Holt had his detectives ready in case something goes wrong. It was a dangerous rescue mission, but everyone would do their best to retrieve (Y/N).

''We're going to count to 10 and go inside. Get ready.'' Holt said, getting into position.

''Right. Let's get on with it.'' Rosa grumbled and grabbed her gun, bracing herself for the chaos that could ensue.

''1, 2, 3…'' Holt started counting and everyone got into their agreed positions. Jake was by the door with one of the SWAT guys and he was shaking with anxiety and rage. ''…9, 10!''

The door was broken down and the police entered the warehouse. They were prepared for a firefight or something, but none of it came. They looked around and Jake sobbed when he saw you. You were tied to a chair, gagged and looking at them in fear and relief.

''Take a look around.'' Holt commanded and the others obeyed. Jake and he came running to you, pulling the ropes and gag out of your mouth.

As soon as you were released, you found yourself hugged tightly by Jake, who began to shed tears of relief onto your shoulder. ''You're alive…'' He sobbed and looked at your bruised face. Yours lip was a little swollen and there were small cuts on your cheek. Jake kissed your cheek gently, not wanting to aggravate any injuries.

Jake didn't let go of you for the next few minutes, clinging to you and whimpering. You didn't let go either. Finally relieved to see him again. Not when you feared you might never see him again and just the thought of it made you grip tighter.

A team of paramedics arrived to assess you and you were taken to the ambulance, where they treated you. Jake, of course, didn't leave your side, eyeing the paramedics suspiciously. You squeezed his hand gently and he kissed your head.

''I was so scared…'' Jake muttered, squeezing her hand tightly.

''Me too…'' You said, lightly stroking Jake's hand with your loose fingers.

''I'm never going to let you out of my sight again, understand?'' He was scared, very afraid that something like that would happen again and he wouldn't let it. He would hunt down your captors and kill them one by one. You would never be taken from him again.

''I love you.'' He uttered and you smiled, he bent down and placed a light kiss on your lips, very carefully to not hurt you.

''I love you too, you idiot.'' You laughed and laid your head against his shoulder as Jake sat down next to you.

Jake finally felt calm, you were where you belonged, beside him. He would find the bastards who hurt you and they would regret ever being born. He kissed your forehead gently. You were everything to him.

He knew he had to keep his end of the bargain, but he'd think about that later. You were more important and he would deal with the consequences later.

''I won't let anyone hurt you again.'' Jake swore, looking into your eyes deeply and you knew he wasn't lying.

It was a promise. An oath.

[tina-mairin-goldstein]

Hannibal Dash Simulator Season 2

🔍iwishididn'thaveatwin reblogged

🐈‍⬛team-sassy-science

Me and @ autopsyguy going to get some drinks after work.

@ teamsassyscience Why wasn't I invited? And who took that picture?

13 notes

#friends #who i will forgive for not inviting me drinking this one time

🌸flowers-in-bloom reblogged

I know this is a stretch, but has anyone seen my dog? He keeps running away and I haven't gotten the chance to microchip him because of this. If you see him, he answers to Winston, and my address is on his collar (he's the one on the upper left, this is the only picture I have).

🌸flowers-in-bloom

Never mind. I found him. Thank you to everyone who tried to help. He is now microchipped.

🌸flowers-in-bloom

Winston ran away again. The microchip is not 100% accurate, so please, if you see him, let me know. I'm afraid he might get hit by a car or attacked by a wild animal.

821 notes

#dogs #dog #missing dog

🔍iwishididn'thaveatwin

Okay, something happened at work, and I am currently OBSESSED. Just have to share this with you guys. This article is the best. I set up the link, so just click the picture.

174 notes

#bees #apiary #honey production

🔥Sponsored

_________Verger Meat Packaging

Fresh, high-quality meat. Perfect for any occasion. Pork, beef, and chicken from a variety of breeds, available for all budgets. Professionally raised on one of the oldest farms in the state.

------------------------------Learn More

0 notes

🍷are-we-not-made-in-his-image

Petition to save local songbird habit from complete destruction

Local Baltimore City Council Sheldon Isley brokered a deal several years ago to turn the habit of endangered songbirds into a parking lot. Recently, there have been discussions going on further developing what little remains of these birds' home. More information and links below the cut.

_______________________Keep Reading

7,843 notes

#birds #petition #songbirds #wildlife #baltimore

🐎animal-lover12233

4 notes

🦅lonesome-hawk reblogged lonesome-hawk

Just LOOK at him.

🦅lonesome-hawk

Yes, I know he's on trial for murder. But if you had been following the trial like I have, you would know he's being framed. Now shut up and leave me alone. I'm disabling comments.

843 notes

🌸flowers-in-bloom

😶‍🌫️Anonymous asked:

Aren't those @ dogsandflyfishing's dogs?

Yes, they are. I am taking care of them for him while he is unable to.

2 notes

#ask answered

📸tattlecrime-official

Coming soon!

The REAL story of Will Graham and how his peculiar mind works, and how he was tragically framed to be the infamous Chesapeake Ripper.

Click on the links below to subscribe to TattleCrime.com for official updates and exclusive snippets.

-------------------------------Keep Reading

365 notes

#tattlecrime #official story #will graham

🐻prehistoric-predator

I'm partial to the Cave Bear myself, but a Dire Wolf is also a good choice. Before you vote, I've got some studies and info in the link below and some general information so you can make informed decision.

I'm curious to see what you guys think; I'm having to make a really tough decision right now.

Reblog for larger sample size

_______________________Keep Reading

69 notes

#cave bear #dire wolf #poll #polls #my poll

🐕dogsandflyfishing reblogged

🍷are-we-not-made-in-his-image

Lomo Saltado

Recipe below cut.

_______________________Keep Reading

37 notes

#recipe #cooking #lomo saltado

🐕dogsandflyingfishing

Everyone who is asking about Buster in the last picture I put up, he is okay. He got on the wrong side of a wild animal, which happens from to time when you live in a rural area. He needed stitches, but he will be fine. Stop accusing me of mistreating my dogs.

12 notes

#ask answered

😷autopsyguy

I've been going through a hard time lately. A friend of mine recently passed, @ teamsassyscience, and I've been thinking about her a lot. Two other friends of mine, @ dogsandflyfishing and @ flowers-in-bloom, along with my boss, are currently in the hospital and things don't look good. I'm really worried

Not what any of you wanted to hear, but I just needed to vent and didn't know where else to do it.

Here's to Beverly, and hoping that Will, Alana, and Jack pull through.

73 notes

📸tattlecrime-official

EXCLUSIVE!

A Red Dinner

Today, the entire city of Baltimore was rocked by the shocking revelation that renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, is indeed the true Chesapeake Ripper. According to sources, Lecter very nearly took the lives of three people, and killed a third. Will Graham, once accused himself of being the Ripper. Dr. Alana Bloom, his lover. And Special Agent Jack Crawford of the FBI, a man Lecter has worked with closely in recent months. The one victim who was DOA is reportedly none other than Abigail Hobbs, who has been assumed murdered for months now, previously by none other than Will Graham. And what's more, it turns out he isn't just a serial killer, he is a cannibal as well.

Click Here for the rest of the story on TattleCrime.com

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[laurentidal]

Ice Core Report ❄️ August 2024

Decided to do a little editorial check in at the end of each month. Most of you probably don't know that, while Lauren is my real first name, that my blog is actually named for a massive ice sheet that once lay over the place where I live (the Laurentide Ice Sheet). Thus, this is a report from my ice core.

#1 Story: Suggestion Box

This one was a huge surprise for me. It took off immediately, and I had not seen that coming. I'd had this image saved in my "had potential" folder for probably three weeks before I decided on how to tell the story. It went through an iteration where this was an ice skating rink, then it was a sandwich shop. I think one draft had a "five dollar footlong" joke in it. But ultimately I liked "arcade" the best.

#2 Story: Enjoy Your Stay

This was based on fun joking conversation I had with @hypno-potion and as the scaffolding we were joking about kept getting more elaborate I was like "No there is definitely something here." I'm glad you all agreed.

#3 Story: Kitty Pet Saga

I saw this picture and immediately knew what the story was going to be. Sometimes I see an image and think "There's something here if I look hard enough" and sometimes I see an image and a fully formed idea just jumps right out of it.

#4 Story: Oh My

This is a story I actually wrote quite some time ago for an old defunct website that never really got any foot traffic. I'm glad I brought it over, because it's one of my personal favorites. The only fauxcest story in the top five this month. That's one of those kinks I think I'm just going to have to accept that you guys aren't as into as I am (and I have the data to validate that claim).

#5 Story: Daughters and Suns

The only true repost from my old blog and the only part of a series in the top five this month. This series is my favorite thing I'm writing right now (though this entry isn't my favorite in the series). There's a lot more coming so I hope you're enjoying as much as I am.

Sunda Systems

We're half way through Season 1 of my Sunda Systems investigative mind control conspiracy story. Our investigator has made several contacts and visited the campus first-hand. She also might be starting to feel some effects from her various encounters, and her keen eye for detail is missing a few clues that are staring her right in the face. But I'm sure the date she's got lined up will give her some much needed relaxation.

Please please please share this story and feel free to get interactive with it! I've put some real effort into it and I've never written such a slow burn before. I'm enjoying the ride, and I've got some GOOD (I think) twists and turns coming. I think this format could be fun to play around with as an audience. Post your theories! I love seeing that folks are engaging with more than just the like button.

Update of Magics & Mesmerism

Some of you are aware that I'm working on an erotic mind control TTRPG called Magics & Mesmerism. I'm still plugging away. As we speak, I'm writing skills for the Innovator character class. As a treat, I'd like to share with you an except from the page on Hypnotic Foci:

General Thoughts

Every story in the top five this month is a FEMALE SUB story. Noted. I tend to favor that in my writing, too, which is interesting because I think Female Over Male stories are hotter, probably because of the subversion of expectations. I'm a slut for subversion of expectations.

I think that's everything. Love you all and I'm very excited for you to see what's coming in September. One of my favorites that I wrote comes out tomorrow, and on the 13th you'll be introduced to your first Force of Nature.

Till then, keep reading, keep messaging, keep asking, and if you're feeling generous, keep donating.

[red-water-dragon]

Raren demonstrating a suspicious spell in front of the royal court.

visual storytelling notes:

The bg was left blank until I started painting and the elements added to the bg were designed around the character. I didn't go into this with a little synopsis of what I wanted to convey. Only an abstract idea that Raren was going to be talking to someone, figure it out later. I decided he'd be presenting a new spell in front of a political chamber because he wears a crown and a blue crystal. So he has to be of some form of nobility and magical prowess. He also has blue eyes meaning he is an ice dragon and thus its a blue spell wow. The monarchs he's addressing are left dark and disapproving in the corner while Raren powers a statue beneath them. He could be demonstrating how the spell effects the world around them, maybe it freezes the stone? maybe it brings the statue to life? Either way its primed to eat Raren's opposition. Two of the bg guys are red one is blue maybe he's an arch nemesis who knows.

Art process and wips under the cut

I'm trying and failing to get better at visual story telling while keeping things simple. My long term goal is to have a frequent and consistent posting schedule. Most of the art would be stylized and simple like this and the rest could be fully rendered.

Art has been more of a "draw what's in you head and make it look pretty/ cool to hang up later" thing to me w/ the benefit of being a good source of self reflection as I create. Writing has more so been my go to for expressing that meditation. Writing I don't share because im unnecessarily cagy abt my emotions and my harshest critic lol. I want to tell stories with my art , convey tone, feeling, etc. and right now my paintings don't do that. I don't have the technical skill yet. This painting is the first of many to come that will hopefully change this.

The texture in this is chaotic and the line work is rough. Raren is the only part of this with a full sketch. All other line art was added to create the illusion of detail. There is less attention on rendering each section and more being put into the placement of characters and props. I had hoped this would make the painting go faster and...it has the potential to do so in the future. Sooo a piece that could have taken a couple hours took a whole day.

While im not overly thrilled with the final image im still happy about the process. Normally the dragon would be the only real focal point in my painting with the bg being a gradient, or a simple theme added last second. Conveying a message is more work but it gives more cool things for the eye to look at and the mind to ponder. So in theory even if the final result is aesthetically unappealing the theme can still salvage the work a bit.

what this taught me:

sketchy line work is passable in the final image

it can even add character to the art

plants are a great way of filling space without actually doing so

(hence the wip of the room looking empty af with out them)

the more clothing and eye candy you put on your character the more clutter you have to add to the bg to balance it out

the main oc was sketched the bg was painted on the fly

doing so saved time but harmed the natural flow of the piece

all of the storytelling is happening in quarters and it is almost abrasive to look at

what ill try in the next piece:

perspective guides

less shading and rendering

find a color palette to stick to

or work in greyscale first

write a little picture synopsis

or pick a theme

just find something that acts as a story guide

sketch out bg elements

toy around with the sketch more before moving to painting

[helpfandom]

Platonic! Yandere! 2012 Kraang x platonic reader HCs + bonus.

Tribute to @yanderes-galore . They did this first and better! Read their's first!!

Hc's under the cut.

[By the by, I will try my best to keep with the kraang speech. And these HCs run under the assumption you are a friend of the turtles with low - moderate fighting skills. Oh! and April has the favoritism from the turtles. Honestly, I'm sorry but I kinda slander Donnie.]

Tw: Dehumanizing.

What even made them want to keep you as a little pet? You didn't have main character powers like April, but you also didn't care. You didn't care that they all looked alike, it probably happened because you were chill and Kraang Prime took notice and went: "That one." While pointing at you. You found no problems with them as long as they weren't bad people, up until the Turtles tell you about them.

Now, would they mutate you? No. Likely not, I have a feeling that Kraang like you better human. Besides, keeping a full intact human means that they can monitor and track your behaviors to become more human-like, as well as keep said human under constant vigilance! "This is what a phrase known by those we call the humans is said: killing two birds with one stone."

Once Donnie figures out the Kraang have taken a liking to you AND April, and he tells the rest of the team, Splinter askes both of you to stay in the sewers, but neither of you do. Because April being kidnapped would cause the Earth to end, the turtles [mostly Donnie though, because he doesn't care for you as much. Sorry.] decide to watch over April, instead of you.

This is likely when the Kraang kidnap you and bring you back, since the turtles are too busy watching April, the Kraang are free to kidnap you. Of course, the turtles care, but sadly not enough to save you first instead of April.

If the turtles fail to save you, but they save April, they'll retreat back and while Raph and Mikey desperately want to go back and save you because you're stuck there, Donnie and Leo stop them by saying that the time isn't right. Leo cares, Donnie not so much.

The turtles saving April first and then you would be a point of manipulation from the Kraang. "Those that are called the turtles have abandoned the one we call [Your name but in leet speak]. (Like how April = 4PR1L.)The ones called the turtles have been shown to be in favour of the one called April. Why not let the Kraang show you what the humans call "love?"

They definitely forget to feed you and give you water a little bit. I'm sorry, but they don't know how to take care of their own experiments, much less someone they see as a pet. Although once they found out they were starving their little pet / kid, they felt bad and put at least one Kraang in charge of keeping you well-fed and watered.

Oh, the Kraang see you as a little pet, just a nice little human pet that they need to take care of [order from Kraang Prime and their own Yandere instincts tell them to take care of you.] Since Reader can't do much or fight well, this definitely causes the Kraang to see them as weak and frail. Because of this, reader is dehumanized and belittled without the Kraang realizing since... they don't know better, they don't know that this makes you hate them more.

The fact that they have a hive mind makes them actually scarier, because you'll start realizing, what you tell one Kraang, gets shared with all of them. They all 'love' you, and so when you interact with one, it's like you interact with all of Kraang!

Think of it kind of like the Truman show, except you [Truman, in this scenario] know and can't escape.

The Kraang love watching you and always watch you no matter what, partially because they don't understand that you feel uncomfortable being watched, and because of their odd fascination with you.

I feel like at least one of them would start collecting things about you, and then the rest of them would start doing the same, like Kraang 3 will have a picture of you sleeping, and so then one day... you wake up to at least 10 of them taking photos of you sleeping.

If you ever give one Kraang a nickname, the other Kraang will be jealous. They will also want a nickname, and when it's their turn to take care of the human, they will do a lot to get your attention and call them something. Even if it's a curse word that they don't understand; it's something you called them personally.

BONUS!:

You woke up one day, still stuck in the stupid Kraang prison cell with nothing but a stuffed animal they gave you one month after you were brought here as a 'celebration for you coming home.' Like this place could be home.

You flipped over onto your other side to be meet with a shock. There was Kraang designation 314133KurezenAlpha. Or as you nicknamed him because of the 'humanoid' body they chose: Steve.

You sighed, then massaged your nose slightly before greeting him. "Heya Steve." The Kraang Droid stepped back from in front of you to a few feet in front of where you laid on the floor. "Kraang 626Alpha is not the one you have designated 'Steve.'" You squinted slightly at him. "My bad, you looked like him." The droid stood a little stiffer at your response. "Kraang 626Alpha accepts the human apology. Kraang is here to give what is called 'food.'"

You looked at what the Kraang Droid was offering you. It didn't look appetizing and looked more like a big slop of mess than anything else, but it was food. Well... pretty much food. "Thanks, I guess. You going to be the watcher for a while?" You asked the Kraang Droid, although it was already standing stiff, it seems to stand straighter when you talk to it, as if trying to be the biggest, or trying to show off.

"Yes, human. Kraang 626Alpha will be what you call the 'Watcher.'" You ate the food, deciding what to call it in order to find a semblance of happiness. "Do you mind if I call you.... Kevin?" With that, the little brain in the middle of the torso smiled. "Kraang 626Alpha doesn't mind being called Kevin by you. That would be known as 'awesome.-"

A few months later, you woke up one day, still stuck in the stupid Kraang prison cell with nothing but a stuffed animal they gave you one month after you were brought here as a 'celebration for you coming home.'

You flipped over onto your other side to be meet with a shock. There was Kraang designation 626Alpha. Or as you nicknamed him because of the 'humanoid' body they chose: Kevin.

"Good Morning Kevin." You smiled at him. Kevin was actually pretty entertaining, and you liked him the most out of the watchers in the past.

"The one you have nicknamed as Kevin has been reassigned. I am Kraang 31417888930."

Well, as you started talking to the new Kraang Droid that was now your watcher, you wondered where Kevin went.

Little did you know, Kevin was being decommissioned, and shoved in the trash disposal to make a new Kraang Droid.

He pulled out a picture as they took him out of his body, it was you. The last thing he saw was you.

[scaramew]

BEST PART. multi

you took the best part of me, when you left. you took my heart with you. ( or, the aftermath of a breakup. )

ft. diluc, albedo, childe, xiao, zhongli, kazuha x genderneutral reader

warnings : angst with a capital A !!! Angst !! post-breakup, lovers to exes to HMM?? HUH???, ooc characters HUHU, THIS IS SUPER LONG, i haven't written in awhile hihi sorry

sticky note : i got a lot of inspiration from quotes !! i cant link every quote i got inspiration from but please just send me an ask for a specific character like "whats ur inspo for zhongli?" and i will happily try and find it !! ALSO I HAD SONGS IN MIND FOR EACH CHARACTER PLEAAASEE ASK ME ABOUT THEM

DILUC RAGNVINDR. noctua

the day things fell apart was the day diluc lost every bit of light in his life — every bit of you. the day you left was the same day diluc realized how big the house truly was. pictures of you and him line the walls, and no matter how much it hurts to look at them, diluc can't bring himself to take any of them down. diluc can't bring himself to even come home. can't even stand to be in such an empty house.

the day the burning embers had gotten out of control, the flames enough to swallow him whole, diluc realized you weren't there to snuff them out anymore. to soothe the burn, to wash everything away.

you see him and speak of fire as if it's the softest thing in the world. speak of fire as if it hadn't burned you before, as if you could start fires with the feelings you have.

like a candle that has been lit for far too long, his love burns quietly, yet it burns all the same. his love for you was quiet, but yours? your love was loud. brighter than any flame he's created from the vision that dangles along his waist. your love lit suns into his heart and diluc ragnvindr fears that he will never be able to repay it.

he stands in the doorway of his room, silently watching as you slip through his grasp, as you pack your things and despite how much he wants to stop you, he makes no move to do so. he isn't good for you, and despite how endlessly he will miss your presence, your laugh, your smile, the habits he's worked his daily life around just so he could have more of you in it, if it meant he could save you from himself — diluc is willing to burn alone.

you were leaving and there was nothing else he could do. diluc ragnvindr could do nothing but sit in the silence, his house—his world was too quiet without you in it. diluc ragnvindr thought he was fluent in silence, until he locked eyes with you and his throat runs dry. until he's run out of things to say with you, of all people. you were leaving and everything diluc wants to say remains. you leave some of your things behind and you leave him behind too.

restless in his own bed, diluc would rather sleep on the floor than have to inhale another whiff of your cologne. he says he can't rest because of his work, but the truth is diluc ragnvindr can't — won't rest until he has you next to him. he knows better than to ask you to sleep next to him just so he knows he isn't alone, so instead he compromises with the fact he will never rest.

even now, as pieces and remnants of you and the history you both share litter his house, diluc is restless, yet he leaves it all alone. he leaves everything right where you left it, too scared to move it, lest he breaks what you left behind, what reminds him it was all real. he refuses to get rid of it, despite adelinde's countless offers of handling it for him, he can't. he can't bring himself to, because then, you'd really be gone from diluc's life. and he refuses to fill in the space you left, he refuses to take up the space in this house that's way too big for him, just as he refuses to fill in the gaping hole in his heart with anyone else. with anyone but you.

diluc finds you again when the burns start to heal, when all that's left is a scar on his heart. diluc finds you again holding the things he couldn't keep, the things he knew you'd need. you see him and, pained and still in love, still so in love, he sees you.

"i haven't forgotten about you — if that's what you were thinking. i am never . . . not thinking about you." he sighs, "i didn't say it then, but . . i love you."

"did you mean loved?"

"love. i still love you. i think . . . i always will."

ALBEDO. princeps cretaceous

in your absence, you'd taken albedo's comfort in the stars. the everlasting winter of dragonspine does not falter, albedo does not falter, and on the surface, it seems like everything is okay. if it were anybody else, everything would seem just fine. but you're not everybody else, and he hates it. albedo hates how the absence of a single person could affect him so deeply. he hates how often you run through his mind, sketches that were supposed to be rough diagrams turning into portraits of you, accidentally ending sentences in your name because that's all he can think about.

to the rest of the world, there is nothing wrong with the chief alchemist, but to him? — he feels sick. there must be something wrong with him, to see pieces of you in everything he does, in everything he reads, in every breath of life — in every star in the sky.

your eyes were so bright, he thinks, your smile even brighter, looking at the stars, at every constellation you remember. he didn't even notice, or maybe he just didn't care when you get the names wrong. it felt surreal, then. breathtaking, to look at the stars he sees every night. nothing in the sky had changed, but to have you next to him — it felt magical. you made everything feel magical. albedo can't even remember if he was looking at the stars or if he was just looking at you.

that's why it feels so wrong, to look at the stars without you next to him. it's unexplainable, the feeling of being without you. the feeling of having someone fade out of your life and having no way to stop it. having to wonder if anything was real, because if it was real it shouldn't have been so easy to drift apart. after all, the only stars you see in the night sky are the ones that've already died, their light the only sign that they were real, once. they were alive and they were burning so bright . . . were we real?

maybe it just wasn't meant to work, maybe there was nothing you both could've done. albedo had convinced himself that he was just never fit for the relationship he craved so dearly, he knew that. even if it hurt to know. even if it was one of the most painful things he's had to learn. he wasn't fit for human relationships, but at the same time, it felt—it feels like loving you was the only thing he was ever made for.

so even as he watches you walk away, even as he feels the ache in his mind and his chest that he could never quite explain grow stronger — albedo isn't sure of anything. of the time you've spent together — if any of this was worth the pain.

albedo isn't sure of anything, and yet there is one thing he'll always be sure of. until every last star dies, he will always, always, love you the exact same.

CHILDE. monoceros caeli

childe had lost the bits of peace that remained in war when he left. his breath is warm against your shoulder, hushed sobs as the strongest person you knew fell apart in your arms. the days leading up to his departure filled with the grief of losing someone who was right in front of you — childe had lost the peace in your embrace when he started counting down the hours. when he started thinking of when he would have to leave. when childe — ajax, your ajax, was torn from the times he was allowed to be more than destruction, more than a weapon, when he was allowed to just be yours. when you were allowed to be his.

it was night when he left, the sky so dark he hoped his family couldn't see how how red his eyes and cheeks had become. he had to be strong, he always had to be strong. if not for himself, for them, for his family, for you. it was night when you childe kissed you for the first time, when you both had to pretend nothing happened so it wouldn't hurt as much when he left, his pinky tucked under yours, you'd made a promise. you had to wait — please, wait for him.

his visits home were few and far between, there were times you'd rarely see him, but he made sure. he always made sure to come home to you. even when his body would nearly collapse out of sheer exhaustion, childe would always try to come home with a smile on his face.

no matter how tired he was, childe made sure to fill every memory he had with you with sheer happiness.he wouldn't be able to handle it — if the few times he'd get to see you were filled with the emotions that came with missing you.

so he'd come home and say his hellos that sounded too much like early goodbyes. he'd come home and crawl into your arms with the exhaustion of someone with the world on his shoulders, just to hide from that very world in your embrace — even if just for a day or two. childe will come home not to a house, but to a person, and he will try desperately to ignore the way everything's changed. he's not a teenager anymore, and neither are you. but while he can, childe will pretend you're both just kids, and he will take the few days of peace in your arms before he is forced to face the world outside.

XIAO. alatus nemeseos

you have changed the meaning of "forever" the moment you stepped into xiao's life, and the moment he decided it was too much to stay. the word had little significance to the yaksha, forever just another word stuck in the back of his mind, forever just another empty promise. for no one could promise forever and truly mean it. it was warm the day you first said it, warm being almost all he could remember about that day. how warm it was to have your hand resting atop his, how warm it was to bask in sunlight and you — how warm it could feel to be wanted.

you changed forever on days where xiao would find himself staring down from the roof of wangshu inn, expecting your footsteps, expecting you — he has to slap himself before it becomes too much. you changed forever the day xiao asked why someone like you would ever stay with someone like him. why someone so perfect in his eyes would want anything to do with the mess he is. what did he do to deserve it?

your touch was so gentle on his skin. so gentle it was terrifying. your arms would wrap around his torso and he'd never hug you back because he destroys everything he touches and he wouldn't know what to do if he ruined one of the greatest things he's known in this lifetime.

xiao had always wondered what it felt like, love. he'd never admit it, but it's always lingered in his mind. and if anyone ever asked, it would be your name on his mind. because if anything, if anyone was love then it had to be you. it had to be you. it had to be you and he hated it, because for the first time, he wishes he'd never known. xiao wishes he'd never known the answer to that question, if it meant he'd never have to say it; "i love you."

and maybe forever started to change when he met you, maybe forever changed when he had to utter words he didn't even believe himself, when xiao had to rid himself of what he thinks is the one good thing in his life. when he cut you out and desperately tried not to make you cry because he'd take it all back if you did and he couldn't. he couldn't take any of it back — that's exactly why he was saying goodbye in the first place. "i can't have you in my life." when all he really wants to say is he shouldn't have you. when you could have so much more.

and he prays that there will come a day where forever won't have to mean the life you both could've had, where forever won't mean something lost. where forever won't be filled with longing for something unattainable. where forever is nothing but the promise of finding eachother. in this lifetime. in every lifetime.

if it meant sorry, goodbye, i love you, everything he wishes he could say — every doubt, every regret he could ever have, he's not sure. "i don't regret it." his voice comes out choked, barely above a whisper. you stare at him and he keeps going even though he so desperately wants to stop talking. "meeting you, it was — "

"it was everything. you . . . were everything."

ZHONGLI. lapis dei

the day you parted ways was the day zhongli knew he would always, always remember you. the day you left you'd taken his peace of mind with you. countless nights spent wondering, because to wonder is to set your soul free, but to wonder and to never find out is prison. a prison zhongli has willingly trapped himself in for years, a prison he will continue to trap himself in for thousands of years to come.

zhongli isn't one to lie to himself, so when he passes you in the street, when he locks eyes with you in the crowds of people, when he sees you again, not as a god, but as a mortal man, zhongli makes no move to lie and say that he's fallen out of love with you.

memories will flood back with every stolen glance, memories of love and of loss. for that's all these memories really felt like; loss. but even then, zhongli didn't have it in himself to think of your memories as just loss — when he knew there was so much more to the memories you shared.

he had a new life now — you did too. and maybe that's why it felt so different. maybe that's why he felt so stiff saying hello. maybe that's why he had to catch himself before he stared into your eyes for too long. you always respected his decisions, he had to respect yours. even if he ached to hold your hand as you walked next to him for the first time in a thousand years.

you'd done this all before, lifetimes ago. when it felt like the two of you were on top of the world, when it felt like time was on your side, when you hadn't known the feeling of loss yet. zhongli just wasn't sure if you were willing to do it all again. if he was willing to do it all again.

he doesn't ask, so neither do you.

so as he sits next to you in the theater, exchanging simple pleasantries in the dark, for once, he lets the play fade into the background, stories he's heard a million times all of a sudden brand new as he watches you stare in amazement. a million questions playing on his lips as the play comes to a close. he wants to ask how you're doing, what you've been up to, if you even remember — he wants to ask if you've fallen in love. but as the two of you get up to leave, the only thing he can say is "take care of yourself." because he no longer has the right to ask these questions. he no longer has the right to know about you — to know you. and with that, he no longer has the right to peace of mind.

KAEDEHARA KAZUHA. acer palmatum

it feels as if you took the color from kaedehara kazuha's life the moment he walked away, the moment he left and you didn't chase after him. the moment he left and you didn't beg him to stay. you couldn't, not when he needed to leave, so you stay in the same place. you stay right there, smiling through the tears, and kazuha can feel his breath catching in his throat as he steps on that ship.

at times, he finds that his mind wanders to you everytime he sees the breathtaking scenery, the leaves that rush through the wind, the skies right before sunset, because archons, it cannot compare to the sight that is you. soft flowers fall from the branches as red as his puffy eyes and, despite the overwhelming amounts of color that paint the landscapes, he sighs at how dull, how colorless—lifeless his world seems when you're not in it.

ink stains the sides of his hand, poems he didn't even intend to write about you always tying back to you anyway. it makes him feel seasick, at times, the ache in his gut at the thought of how he left.

kazuha's heart weighs on him like an anchor, tides crashing against it as he is forced to stand still; lest he drift away into the depths of his emotions. blood stains his clothes, it stains the bandages that wrap around his body, the bandages that do nothing to mend his heart.

kazuha runs his fingers across the paper, the indentations of words on paper for letters he knows he will never send. the words aren't romantic, or as poetic as he wanted, instead filled with the guilt, the unresolved grief of being the one to leave — there is so much he wants to say. there is so much he wants to tell you and none of it can come out in words. pages littered with ellipses and crossed out sentences because there is absolutely nothing poetic or romantic he can write about missing you.

the ink smudges on his finger and he can't bring himself to rewrite the same letter again — so he doesn't. he packs everything he wishes he could say into a single envelope, and amongst the smudged ink he can only hope you can't make out the last sentence. i wish you were here to kiss my scars.

© scaramew — do not repost, translate, copy, etc.

[brilla-brilla-estrellita]

WIP Wednesday Wing Update!

Thank you to @blackberrysummerblog @ileadacharmedlife and @monbons for the tags today, and to pretty much everyone else I know for tagging me over the last few weeks!

I finally have something to share this week! Actually two somethings, but I guess I'll save the final reveal for Sunday because I can only add 10 pictures (rude).

In my last update, I had purchased and washed the fabric for my Simon-inspired Ren Faire wings. Now, they are COMPLETE!

But to get to that point, I first had to do my absolute least favorite step: cut the fabric.

On the fist set of wings, I cut each of the 4 pieces separately. This time, I folded the fabric so I was cutting 2 at a time. As usual, I still somehow ended up with the wings not quite lining up, even though I cut them together. But whatever, they were close enough.

Next, I added buttonholes where the straps for the backplate come through. I tried very hard to make sure that I put them on the correct sides of each set of wings. Spoiler alert: I did not.

Pictured above: Finished buttonholes on each wing, on of which is on the wrong side of the wing. It's supposed to be on the inside of each wing, but I managed to do it on the outside of one of them. It wasn't really noticable in the end, so it's fiiiiiiine.

The buttonhole seams were also really tight pulled on the fabric too much. They were pretty fragile, and by the time I finished fitting these wing covers over the frames, one of the buttonhole seams had entirely ripped out. There's still a hole there, so it's ultimately fine, just an unfinished buttonhole.

Next, I had to pin and sew each side of the wings together for both wings. Remember how I said they didn't exactly line up, but they were close enough?

Yeah, there was some seam ripping and re-sewing involved. It's hard to see in the bottom right pic, but there are two seams that are... not very close together. Evidence of my misaligned pieces (and honeslty shoddy sewing. Look at that wobbly seam!)

By the time I finished sewing and ripping and resewing, I noticed the edges were unravelling quite a bit, so I took my pinking shears to them to keep it from unravelling too much.

Finally, the wings were together and I could move onto the last step: boning channels. Last time, I traced them directly onto the right side of the fabric with my frixion pens because I could just erase the lines with the iron afterward, buuuuuut they don't work well on this silky material. Then I thought, wait, why don't I just sew around the paper pattern?

Y'all. GAME CHANGER. Why didn't I try this before??? It wasn't perfect. I ended up again needing to seam rip and re-sew, but only a couple of small chunks. Overall, it took far less time to do that than it took to trace it all and then go back and sew it all on the last pair. I will be doing this again (if I ever make yet another pair of wings). (I do not have plans for more wings.) (Yet.)

I fed the same heckin thicc gardening wire through the boning channels and TA-DA! COMPLETE!

They are just as gorgeous as my first pair, and better in a lot of ways, too. I'll post the final full ren faire outfit reveal on Sunday this week! Maybe... I guess I'll be out of town, then at a concert so... it might actually technically be Monday. But it's coming.

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