#I will have to rethink how I approach it this year...

[chocodile]

Made a ref sheet of this specific Hyden flavor since I've been really into him lately.

[doedipus]

adobe illustrator is obviously a really good utility, like, it's the standard for vector graphics for a reason

but even so, whenever I'm using it I have the thought "I wish I was using autocad right now" about once every 20 minutes

[aparticularbandit]

Thing today will probably be very late.

....

Or pulling something unfinished from the archives to finish.

....

Or pulling something old and unposted from the archives.

We'll see.

[teaboot]

Things you can do as a security guard instead of acting like a dickhead: a vent post disguised as advice

Offer alternatives: IE, “Sorry, nobody’s allowed to hang out over there, but we have seats over here you’re welcome to use”. I recommend getting familiar with local parks, public seating, free food programs, outreach, mobile aid, etc., just in case those are needed.

Be polite: IE, “Excuse me, sir”, “I beg your pardon, miss”. This should go without saying but everyone deserves dignity.

Avoid phrasing requests as orders: IE, “Don’t stand in front of that” VS “Excuse me, could you move a bit to the side?”. This works best with an explanation, like, “There’s a sign behind you”, or, “you might get clipped by someone”. This helps communicate that you are asking for a reason, not just throwing your weight around. If you don’t have a reason, rethink whether or not you need to be doing anything.

Avoid directing blame or fault. Don’t say, “The owner says you gotta go” when you could say, “I’m not supposed to let people be here for X period” or “do X thing”. Again, try to have alternatives ready so people can use other resources or do something else instead of just abruptly changing plans.

Come from a place of compassion whenever you can. People are gonna tell you to get rid of the crazy screaming guy. They say that because they’re frightened and don’t know what to do. Your best approach is, “Hello sir”, followed by, “How are you today?”, “how’s it going?”, “are you doing alright?”, etc., depending on what the person is ACTUALLY doing / saying when you get there. You can offer help from there if needed, or leave them alone if they’re not in danger or a risk to anyone.

Remember you’re not a cop. This can mean whatever you need it to mean. For me personally, that means that with incredibly rare exception (like trying to sell to kids, contaminating other’s food or drink) I won’t report you for drugs. If I find you doing drugs on my site I’ll tell you a different place where you can do them instead and ask you to do them there. I have interrupted drug deals to ask the client and the salesman to both kindly move 15 feet to the left, I’m not kidding, I do not care.

Know who you can throw under the bus. Sometimes you gotta enforce rules and be the bad guy and if that’s the fault of some dipshit in a suit 200 miles away, you can say that. Sorry man, I can’t let you park your car on the lawn. I know you’re not hurting anyone and frankly I think lawn culture is stupid but there’s other parking stalls and if my boss sees you I’ll get a write-up for not doing my job. Shit sucks sometimes but if it wasn’t me telling you it’d be the new guy, and between you and me he’s an idiot and he’ll probably just report you to bylaw.

Don’t just act like you’re their friend, genuinely try to be a good friend. If you know that someone is doing something that will only result in a bystander phoning police, don’t let them go down like that. Let them know, “hey man, you seem like you’re having a shit time and I get it, I’ll do what I can, but we gotta have this conversation somewhere else ‘cause we’re freaking out the old ladies.”

Swallow your tongue. You can’t fix the world. People are gonna bitch at you about communists and 5G and gangster rap ruining the neighbourhood, that’s just part of the deal. Nod along, remain neutral, shut down any hate speech, redirect if you can, and keep a limit in mind where you’ll have to shut things down.

Accept that sometimes there are no solutions. Yes, that angry guy who blasts music will be back tomorrow. That homeless woman who asks you to help her find her dog that she hasn’t had in 30 years will ask again, and yes, you’re still going to take a description and promise to keep an eye out. That kid who smokes crack behind the building has been clean for a few weeks and still stops by to say hi, and you hope he’ll get his life together and be happy, but he also might relapse and OD before he hits 25. Sometimes you just have to do the best you can, even if nothing is guaranteed.

Be kind to teenagers. Being a kid is hard, and everyone’s on their ass all the damn time for everything.

Remember that the vast majority of bad people aren’t bad, just unhappy. The guy who keeps showing up drunk and puking on the carpet is unhappy. The lady who bitches about the service every single time and keeps coming back anyway is unhappy. The guy who leaves trash everywhere is probably unhappy. If they were happy, maybe they’d do better, but they’re not, and that’s kinda sad. You don’t have to let them get away with their shit, but they probably aren’t actually a worthless human being either.

It doesn’t matter if 12 is true or not. You need to believe it or you will become a harsh and bitter person. Look for evidence that people are not terrible and invent it if you have to

Don’t let yourself become a bastard

[omgfangirlland]

The Shadows That Nurture 6

Enjoy Chapter 6! Ch8 will be a look into what has been happening in Ghotam and Ch9 will probably follow the first episode of Invincible.

We're slowly approaching the main timeline age, so if ya'll want a specific character to make an appearance or would like to see a specific plot line this is your time to speak now or forever remain silent /j

Masterlist || First || previous<< Chapter 6 >>next

He is crazy- he can’t just- He-!

You couldn’t even know where to begin telling what happened. One moment you were relaxing, enjoying the sun, living the dream- and then this old, 6 feet and 2 inches of pure muscle, alien-man thing just up and kidnaps you. Omni-Man kidnapped you with a simple “Hello, kid. Let’s go home.” You were more shocked than angry, to be honest, the man was just spewing nonsense as he flew you across the states.

Now, Nolan wouldn’t call it kidnapping- why, he’d never! He was just- cleaning up the streets, helping a homeless kid, even though he knew where she lived- it was adopting without all the other steps!

He was meticulous in his watching, not stalking, but watching, observing. When Cecil first called him, bringing to his attention a mysterious flying person coming and going from NYC, he was ready for a villain, an alien preparing to overtake NYC, anything but a tween kid shakily flying, almost hitting buildings and nearly being taken down by other flying heroes.

He knew she was no threat; he told Cecil as much- but he kept coming back. Something kept making him come back, just to look, to make sure she didn’t hurt herself or others- he kept telling himself. He knew deep inside why he came back every day for a year, it was the same reason why he married Debbie, it was the same reason why he couldn’t bring himself to hate his son.

Sure, she was living well, but the food she ate, if she remembered to, wasn’t sustainable, she needed home-cooked food, she needed socializing and training, she needed- she needed a family and stability. Nolan took the initiative to pack her bags and everything in her little apartment and move her into his and Debbie’s house, in the room next to Mark’s. And then, he took her.

You didn’t put up much of a fight if one at all, but really what could you say or do when Omi-Man has deemed you his and his wife’s kid, the man spoke of her highly, his son too, but still- He kidnapped you, you wouldn’t just stay- “And Debbie is making this roast beef with baked potatoes-“…

Some would call you weak, others would say you can be easily bought, but this was the greatest roast beef you had tasted in a long while. “This is amazing food, Mrs. Grayson.” You could play along for a while. The woman just smiled and thanked you, insisting on you calling her Debbie. The offer of ice cream made you sure you could play along for a long while.

She wasn’t initially happy with Nolan coming with a random kid under his arm, but one look at your disheveled appearance and wide eyes made her rethink everything. A daughter wouldn’t hurt, two kids would make the house happier, and you reminded her of those scuffed up little kittens, she didn’t have it in her to let you go without a meal at least.

Over dinner, you answered every question they threw at you, from your name to Mark asking if you like comics, but when they asked your age, you just shrugged. “Around 13-14? Can’t quite remember, I haven’t celebrated my birthday ever, mom just told me how old I was and then-“ Your body went rigid.

You were telling too much, getting too comfortable- but, maybe this was your chance at a true family. Can’t back down now, you could always just leave if you really wanted. The two adults understood as soon as you tensed up, Debbie immediately acting as her hand soothingly rubbed at your shoulder and back while they let you decide whether to continue or change the subject. “She died when I was five.”

She smiled at you softly, apologizing for prying and giving their condolences, something not even Alfred did. All Nolan saw was an opportunity to grab you and never let go, to give you what the father that clearly wasn’t in the picture never gave.

Mark just grabbed your wrist, a sad frown on his face. “I can share my parent with you. I know I’d be sad if mom or dad were gone. We can be siblings!” His bright smile was contagious, making you smile just as bright before your hopeful eyes met Debbie’s. She was sold a while back, as soon as you called her pretty while calling Nolan a bum and asking how she had the misfortune of marrying a brute, making the man grumble as he sat you on the couch, your hopeful glance just set it in stone.

Despite having a room all to yourself, you wanted to push. They were different to the Waynes, that was clear. They were warmer, talked to you, and it all felt so much better. So, you wanted to test the water by asking Mark if he’d be willing to share his bedroom with you tonight, not wanting to be alone. Not when you had the opportunity to soak in any attention they give you.

The boy was excited to have a sleepover in his room, eager to show you all the comics and toys he had- and neither Debbie nor Nolan could say no. Not to two pairs of puppy eyes. The adults were sure this weakness to saying no wouldn’t last… Hopefully.

Spending the night with Mark was amazing, it was everything you thought Dick and the other would give you. He showed you all his comics, letting you read all of them, and as the night settled and the stars were high in the sky you taught him about them. In the end, you both fell asleep in the pillow fort you made, comic books lying open around you. Your plans of escape quickly went out the window, this family thing with them felt like it was worth trying. You liked NYC, but maybe Chicago is where you belonged. And if the adults heard you two giggle and fuss around all night, they didn’t say anything.

By next week you were a Grayson, thanks to Cecil’s string-pulling. Looks like Nolan knew exactly what to say to make the man agree.

Tag list: @bat1212 @trashlanternfish360 @shycreatorreview @syrooo @a-lurking-fae @alittletiredcry @kittzu @plsfckmedxddy @blackhood1229 @nxdxworld @leeiasure @dandelion-delusion @lovebug-apple

my greatest fear is misspelling a name and tagging someone who has never seen this 🫠

[songbirdseung]

pinky ring / sim jaeyun

synopsis: jake made you a promise to marry you when you two were toddlers. he would fake propose until he really did get down on one knee.

pairing: childhood besties jake x reader

wc: 1.1k

To your parents, it was all good fun. Seeing their child being proposed to by their childhood best friend at their favorite beach. Documentation was highly important to them, filming little you and little jake holding a candy ring pop in his hand, asking your hand in marriage. To them, it was adorable.

For young child you, you were petrified. At the time, your dad just gave a small talk on how to stay away from boys and you're definitely too young to get into a relationship. This happened when you called the actor on scene handsome when you were having a family movie night.

"We are too young Jake" pouting your lips, feeling bad for rejecting his proposal. Jake shrugs and hands you the ring pop anyway. "Fine, I'll just wait and get you a real ring".

That didn't last long because fast forward to the next year, he does it again. He has done it so much that for the next few following years, it had become an inside joke to everyone in your immediate family.

"You have rejected me for 4 years now" crossing his arms in a fit, Jake looks at you disappointed. "Maybe because we are only 12 years old?"

At this point, you aren't sure if he's doing this because he really wants to marry you or just to tease you and lead any guy interested in you far far away. Remembering all the instances where a boy would approach you during lunch and sit next to you and confess and say that they think you' re cute. There then comes Jake, wearing a smug smirk and says something along the lines of "I'm actually her future husband, please go away".

It makes you think about how you could never get away from Jake and his antics.

Even when you guys reached your teenage years, almost reaching adulthood, Jake never dropped the fake proposal joke. Like on your 19th birthday, at the restaurant he took you both to, he claims how he's your boyfriend and he's planning to propose soon, the waiter thought he was weird for saying that he wanted to propose soon with you sitting right there but nonetheless, he gave you both free desserts.

You thought at by the age of 14, he'd stop since you both are going through puberty, his feelings would change and he'd drop it due to his own pride and embarrassment, but no.

Now you both were 20, if you had to count how many fake proposals Jake has done over the years, it would reach 100.

"You can't say that we are too young, we're both legal adults and we basically known each other our whole lives." You turn over to him and flick his forehead, causing him wince in pain and shoo you away from him. "You're mean"

"You're the one that wants to marry me, so get used to it"

"Oh, so you're playing along now" He removes his hand from his head and pokes your side. "After years, you're finally warming up to the idea"

"Keep that up, I won't be anymore" Once you said that you realize how you didn't even deny it. Looking back at Jake who went back to playing video games, you take in his appearance and guide your eyes to follow the lines that make his side profile.

Jake was good looking, you knew that. He's always been the apple of your eye since you two were kids, then as you got to know him, his humor, personality, and behavior kind of sealed the deal for you.

"If you keep staring at me, I might disintegrate."

"Then, who is going to marry me?"

"We're still on that? I thought you didn't want to?"

"Make me your girlfriend and I'll rethink it" Now it was your turn to cause a ruckus in Jake's mind. He pauses the game and looks over to you, reading your expression wondering if you were serious or not.

That night, Jake stayed over. Unlike the other past sleepovers that you two had, this one was different because the way you cuddle into him now, it felt different. He was always yours and until now, just a different kind. He was now your boyfriend, not boy-friend.

With your dynamic and bond with Jake, it felt like sunshine and rainbows most of the times, being around each other all the time and knowing each other too well, you always found ways to fix things or any miscommunication that would come along.

Transitioning to relationship from friendship was surprisingly easy from the outside perspective but the thing with you and Jake was he was always a gentleman and treated you right and how you deserved to be treated, and of course vice versa.

When you told your mom the news, she did not show any surprised reaction, simply telling you how she saw it coming and was just waiting for this moment to happen, you dad shared a similar reaction, happy that it was Jake to be the one you were dating.

Fast forward to a whole year of dating Jake. People would say that you two were like a fairytale love, match made in heaven, meant for each other, all that. "Hey yn, maybe you should do that trend where you call Jake your husband"

"I'm pretty sure he's already seen that on tiktok, no?"

Still, even if he did, you were going to do it just to see his reaction. That same day, you two meet up after your last class ended. Waiting for you somewhere in the university's campus, you run up to him and give him a hug. "Someone missed me?"

In the car ride home, you guys both agreed to stop by your favorite restaurant and get some take out. Which was a perfect time to put your little prank in action. Just like everyone else, after placing your order, you ask Jake what he wants and tell the waiter. "Then my husband would like ___"

Once the waiter leaves, you finally take notice of Jake who is wide eyed, staring at you in awe. "There's no way you just called me that" To say he was a lovesick puppy after that was an understatement.

But now since you called him that, you have to keep calling him that. Because if you call him or introduce him as your boyfriend, he'll act surprised and startled. "Are you asking for a divorce?" "Do you not love me anymore?" "I thought I was your husband?" to name a few.

"I'm gonna have to propose now, for real this time"

[icrytearsofsadness]

Steve could think of a lot of things to call Billy Hargrove. Bully. Asshole. Arrogant. Gross. Unfortunately, the only thing Steve was allowed to call him was —

“Captain.”

Delivered through gritted teeth, mostly, or yelled across the court. Said in a drawl with an eye roll for added effect.

It wasn’t fucking fair. Billy had been a year under Steve in high school. And yet he’d managed to get to uni first, so now Steve was stuck calling Billy what Billy used to call him.

“Ass in gear, Harrington!”

At least some things never changed.

Billy was smart, apparently. Like — really smart. He’d bounced out of high school and immediately fucked off to uni, full ride and everything. Steve had to take two whole years to get himself in order, and even then his parents were paying for the degree. Steve was a whole year older than Billy and a whole year behind.

It fucking sucked.

Especially because no one here knew Billy in high school. It was just Steve who remembered what he used to be like. He hadn’t changed that much, but it was clear leaving Hawkins had a huge effect on the guy. Here in California, he was so much less angry.

He still yelled at the team plenty, but more to motivate than to abuse. Was still rough, but out of play, not violence. Still gross. Still hot. Still charmed the pants off any girl he wanted, still gave Steve that horrid smirk any time Billy got one up on him.

And after three years, Steve wasn’t really frustrated about Billy being a grade up, being better. Steve knew Billy would end up captain for his senior year. Now what Steve was frustrated about was how Billy had suddenly gotten worse. And no one else seemed to notice.

Maybe he just picked on Steve in particular. But it fucking sucked. The rest of the team worshipped Captain Hargrove, and Billy hated Steve.

Basketball was the only thing Steve knew he was good at. He wanted to be captain next year. So badly. But there was no way in hell Billy would hand the reigns to him, and he’d made that increasingly clear in the past few months.

Graduation was fast approaching. Finals were screwing everyone. Steve was high strung with the stress of it all, and Billy’s bullshit wasn’t helping.

Knocking him down just to pick him up and do it all over again. Passing to Steve just to yell at him for a ‘bad play’. Putting Steve on the opposite team and guarding him on purpose.

Steve was pissed off and he’d had enough.

“Alright, Captain,” he’d hissed the moment the gym doors had closed behind Billy, shoving the stockier boy up against the wall by the water fountain. “You really gonna hold a high school grudge all the way until graduation or what?”

Billy, asshole that he was, just grinned at him. “Why so touchy, Harrington? If this is about that girl at the party last well, it’s not your fault she wanted a younger guy.” He wiggled his brows.

“No — what?” Steve grimaced. Billy never stopped being gross. “Fuck off, dude. You know what I’m talking about. Everyone knows you target me like hell.”

Billy glanced away, all shifty, but when he looked back the grin was plastered into place. “Dunno what you’re talking about, Harrington. Look, I know you’re used to the princess treatment — ”

“Don’t give me that,” Steve snapped, pushing Billy’s shoulder, shoved harshly into the wall again, feeling only a tiny bit bad when Billy winced. “You treat me like shit. I know you wouldn’t give it to me to save your life but let’s face it your next best option is fucking Daniel and he’s not exactly a team player.”

Billy squinted at him. “You think next best is Daniel? Shit, maybe I should reconsider this whole thing.”

Steve gaped a little. “What whole — you weren’t gonna give it to him?”

“No, asshole,” Billy drawled, like Steve was slow. “I was gonna give it to you, but fuckin Daniel is such a shit take that maybe I gotta rethink my plan, you get what I’m sayin? Can’t have you picking shit new players.”

Steve stared at him.

Tried to find the lie, the joke, the taunt in Billy’s blazing eyes but Billy wasn’t a liar, never had been, not like Steve was.

Billy’s lips twitched. “The fuck you lookin at?”

Steve blinked, and stumbled back from Billy, releasing him. “You were gonna make me captain?”

“Well shit, not yet,” Billy replied. Asshole. “Still got another month left in me.”

“Jesus Christ, you know what I mean. Why were you being such a dick, then, Hargrove?”

Billy’s eyebrows climbed. “Try that again, Harrington.”

Steve narrowed his eyes at Billy, who just looked back at him expectantly.

Gritting his teeth, Steve replied in his flattest tone, “Why were you being such a dick, Captain.”

A flash of pearly whites for his trouble, and a pat to the shoulder. “Couldn’t let you have my team before I knew you could handle it, now could I?”

“So what, all of this was just some sort of fucked up test?”

“Sure, if it helps you sleep at night.”

“You’re — I hate you.”

“No you don’t.” Billy grinned at him again. Wolfish, just like it had been in high school, ready to close around Steve’s throat. “You want me to like you so bad.”

“Yeah because I want to be Captain, you ass—”

Those teeth that were designed to destroy Steve’s windpipe were suddenly digging into Steve’s bottom lip, which made it rather difficult to speak. It also fucking hurt. And was incredibly surprising. So if Steve made a completely undignified yelping sort of sound, it had nothing to do with Billy kissing him and everything to do with shock and pain.

Kissing back wasn’t quite so easily explained.

Honestly, Steve didn’t know why he did it. Billy really did piss him off. Maybe it was just the thrill of knowing it wasn’t all for nothing, the high of knowing he’d be captain next year. Maybe it was knowing Billy approved of him — not that Steve gave a shit about that. Maybe it was just that Billy was hot and Steve hadn’t slept with that girl at last week’s party because Billy had been better. Maybe Steve had wanted him since high school and just buried it under a thick layer of what an ass.

And truly, what an ass, as Billy tried to make Steve’s mouth bleed or something with how agressive he was being, and god finally getting to sink his fingers into the dense meat of Billy was beyond satisfying. There was something to be said for his gym rat behavior, since Steve’s hands could wrap and squeeze and dig into Billy’s biceps and ass and thighs like he could him right open.

Steve had just wrapped his hand up in Billy’s stupid hair and Billy had just dragged his tongue between Steve’s teeth when a door slammed somewhere in the gym.

Steve startled and jerked away, suddenly incredibly aware of their easily accessible location, not to mention the burning feeling in his face, the sting of his bitten mouth, the fingers that gone numb from wrapping Billy’s hair too tight around them. The aching straining tightening coiling way too fucking obvious in his basketball shorts, the matching mouthwatering visual in Billy’s and goddamn, Steve hated the idea of getting on his knees for someone like Billy Hargrove but he might just be able to do it for Billy Hargrove himself.

Billy was grinning again. Panting between his teeth.

“Well? Captain.”

And — that made Steve feel.

Something.

“Shut up,” Steve managed. Not sure what else to say.

Billy’s grin cracked impossibly wider. “What, you want me to tell you to make me? Cause even I’m not that cliche, Harrington, and – ”

And Jesus Christ, Steve just wanted him to stop fucking talking, so he grabbed him by the face and crushed their mouths back together. The quickest way to shut Billy Hargrove up, as it turned out, was to stick one’s tongue down his throat.

Their teeth clicked together, which was painful, as most things with Billy were. Billy hissed and shoved back a little, and they stumbled grasping and yanking into the shower room.

Steve gave a breathless sort of laugh when they finally bumped to a stop, Billy shoved up against him and his back to a wall. Billy might as well have been feral, prowling up on Steve as he was, clawing his shirt off and gnawing on him, cornering and hunting him.

“Like to — fuck — play with your food, Captain?”

Billy groaned in response, shoving Steve harder against the wall, making him wince as his now-bare shoulders scraped against the shitty paint. “Forgot how to mouth off, Harrington?”

Steve laughed again, that same hysterical breathless definitely-not-a-giggle kind of laugh. “Gonna fuck some respect into me or what?”

“Jesus Christ, Harrington,” Billy replied, a low grating syrupy quality to his voice that went straight through Steve’s bloodstream like a hit. “If telling you you’re gonna be captain is all it took, I shoulda told you sooner.”

Steve huffed a little. “Yeah, right.”

“No, serious.” Billy pushed his shoulder again. Rough. Playful. “Already had it in my head it was gonna be you. Knew it months ago. Had to put on a good show, you know, really make sure so no one could say I was just playin old high school favorites. And maybe I liked pushin you around a little. But I’m serious. It’s been you, Harrington.”

And that made something uncomfortably warm swirl in Steve’s chest. Warmth wasn’t a feeling Steve wanted to associate with Billy Hargrove. Burning heat was good, scalding, melting flesh off bone. But something warm, cozy, blanket around his shoulders coffee in the rain — Steve couldn’t take that.

“Yeah, right,” he said again, quieter this time. Not defiant, just soft. Acceptance. Having Billy’s gorgeous blue eyes boring into his own made it hard to disagree. “Right.”

Billy must have felt it too, then — this warm curling thing between them — because he plastered the sharp grin back on, slicing through whatever fragile just slipped through the cracks. “Where were we?”

A slow smile crept back across Steve’s mouth in return.

“Wherever you want, Captain.”

[starfxkrinc]

first fuck with bsfdad!jj

comin over tonight?

three words had your heart thumping against your chest. ever since the night jj kissed you things have gotten more intense, he would catch you alone in different corners of the house to kiss you and touch you--all the while making it abundantly clear your shorts were the cause of his raging hard on.

in all honesty it made you rethink past interactions with him. every smile, every pat on the shoulder, every time he brushed against you on the way to the fridge. it made you wonder if your crush wasn't completely one sided. god can you even call what he has a crush? it feels so juvenile. a 46 year old man crushing on you. but he was nicer to you than the rest of reed's friends, and it can't totally be because you've been around the longest.

it took everything in you to control your smile as you read the text over and over, as if 'coming over' meant leaving your house for a late night fuck and not just you walking down the call so jj could eat you out. regardless it made your head spin as you texted yes :3, scrolling through past messages of a hard, throbbing dick and splatters of cum on the camera, ignoring reed as she blathered on about her new boy of the week.

"i dunno i told him we can hang out but really i just wanna get around his friend i can't believe i let the third hottest in the group fuck me it's so--are you listening to me?"

your head snaps up, eyes wide as you stammer, "yeah-uh, which guy is this?"

"ugh, don't be a bitch just because nobody approaches you and you closed yourself to guys it doesn't mean you can act like i'm slut of the year."

"i wasn't--"

she huffs, "i don't care, i'm going to sleep."

you love your friend, truly. but her ego can't stand not being the center of your universe even if it's just a second. you go to lay next to her in the bed, waiting as her breathing slows and evens out, then waiting an hour more so you know she's deep in sleep.

when you're sure you're in the clear, you crawl out of the bed, thankful that she's such a deep sleeper as you expertly navigate the creaky old floors of the maybank house.

for some odd reason you feel nervous, as if you haven't been doing this for weeks. but when you crack open the door and see jj laying there shirtless--broad and tanned and rough with age--you feel your cunt pulse with heat. so much so he can't help but notice you shove your palm against your crotch.

"stop all that sneakin, get in here." jjs voice rumbles throughout the room is a slight whisper, jolting you forward and tumbling into his bed.

he wastes no time getting on top of you, prying your lips open with his and you let out a soft noise at the increasingly familiar taste of beer on his tongue.

jj pulls back, peppering kisses against your full cheek, "took you a while tonight."

"she wouldn't stop talking. i think she's mad at me."

he sighs and traces a finger around your bellybutton and you can't see his face but you sense something lingering in the air, "she'll get over it. let's watch a movie."

normally this is code for something else and jj tucks you against his chest so he can slide his cock between your thighs, but this time he really does put on a movie. between the warmth of his body and the gentle thumb swiping your nipple you're almost lulled to sleep.

until you feel his breath on your neck, his facial hair causing goosebumps to prickle on your skin as he mumbles, "let's get this off."

off. jj's never done that before, not really. even when he eats you off he tucks your shorts to the side and the idea of him seeing all of you makes you nervous. what if you're too chubby? too hairy? he'll see the dimples on your ass and the stretch marks on your tits instead of smooth plains of taut skin and you protest.

"n-no. i don't--i'm not--"

"cmon kiddo, just let me see ya. let me see how pretty y'are."

you're shaking as he turns you on your back, peeling your shorts off your round hips with a soft smirk, "there she is, look at you. could just take a bite right now."

so that's what he does, sinking his teeth into the sensitive skin on the crease of your hip making you moan unexpectedly. that doesn't stop him, just makes him ball up your panties and shove them in your mouth, "just stay quiet."

then he's on you, but he's lacking his normal fervor. instead he takes his time, spreading your lips and sucking your clit into his mouth until its swollen and throbbing, like he's indulging himself on he taste and smell of you. and he might as well be with the way his lips smack and soft grunts build from his chest. each drip of arousal is quickly lapped up with his tongue as he kisses your cunt nice and slow. you had to be drowning him with how wet you were, but neither of you cared as you buried your fingers in his blonde hair, digits cramping as he sucked you into an orgasm.

your cunt's still twitching as he pulls off, leaving closed mouth kisses against your hot flesh as you calm, but just as your breathing even he slides two fingers into you, scissoring them open to watch you stretch.

"s'gonna be a tight fit but...well i'll make it fit." jj pulls his fingers out, sucking them clean so he can push your shirt over your tits with that hand as he shoves his boxers down with another.

and jesus christ the size of him. it's one thing to see it on your phone and to feel it slipping between your thighs but it's another to see it. thick, uncut with a tangle of hair at the base. his balls hanging low and heavy. you're paralyzed as he grabs himself and lays it across your stomach, stopping a couple inches short of your belly button.

"jj--is that--you know i never--oh my god is it even gonna fit?" you were panicked despite how your hole was clenching at the thought of it, whimpering to cup your pussy but he shooed your hand away to spread you open.

in efforts to soothe you he rubbed the head up and and your slit, mixing your arousal with his pre cum to get the tip slit, "you're a big girl kiddo. just a little pinch, a little stretch. me n you are good to go. just trust me aight?"

trembling you nod, "can i have a kiss?"

jj gives you a real smile, as strained as it is, and kisses you deep. you can taste yourself lingering on his lips but the weight of him comforts you. because he's strong and hot and solid and he wants you. you're in his bed, not the other girls. he talks to you and compliments your dress and says you're the sweetest girl he knows just because you ask how his day's been.

so you let him in, with his hands gripping your pudgy hips as you pant into each other's mouths.

"fuck, easy honey you're alright just a little more."

the slight burn of the stretch travels up the base of your spine and you moan into his shoulder, "oh my god, keep going please."

all jj can do is nod, pulling his hips back until just the tip rested in the dewy pout of your cunt before slamming back into you.

you'd never felt so full, and you lifted your head to watch him split you open, and he laughs.

"you're takin me so good honey, feel that?" he fucks into you harder, grounding his hips against yours so his tip smushes against your cervix.

"uh-huh, too--much, it's too much!" you speak in a hushed shout, hands pressed against his stomach as you futilely attempt to slow him down. but he's so heavy all you can do is squirm beneath him as he wrecks you completely, leaving you trembling.

"not yet." spoken as if it's a promise, he spreads your lips with two fingers before stroking your sensitive clit, pushing a squeak form your chest so loud he has no choice but to shove a hand over your mouth.

how much good that does you don't know, because jj's grunting in your ear and the beds squeaking so loud you're hoping reed tendency to be a heavy sleeper doesn't fail you.

you're over stimulated, between the fingers on your clit and his cock stretching you in ways you've never felt before, all you could do was hold on, raking your nails down his chest as you fluttered around him. it started in your gut, spreading in hot pulses through your body as you creamed down his balls until it dripped onto the sheets below--back arched with a moan muffled behind his calloused hand.

jj presses his face into your neck, breathing in the smell of your sweat and your sweet floral lotion as he fucks his load into you thick and hot.

his palm drops, both of you panting like you've lost a fight as he pulls out as gently as he can, one hand on your tummy as he sees you wince. he runs his hands down your body, his cock giving a half hearted twitch as he sees the pink tinge to the creamy ring of cum at the base of his dick.

"shit kid, m'sorry lemme clean you up."

you lay there, limp and exhausted as he cleans the mess between your thighs, pressing a kiss to the bite mark he left on your waist.

"can i stay for a little bit?"

jj looks at the clock. 4:35am

"yeah, lets get some sleep."

thank god reed is a heavy sleeper.

[kaivenom]

sanji x reader but hes in denial reader loves him and we have to assure him😞(MAKE IT FLUFF THOUGH I DONT HANDLE ANGST) my angel😞 thank u!!!!

The best prove of true love i can give you

Summary: you have been feeling that Sanji is a little sad recently, you don't really know why and he is not going to tell you, but you are more than determined to make him feel better.

Pairing: Sanji x reader

Warnings: fluff, comfort, arguing, low self esteem Sanji, a little angst but ends good.

Masterlist

You were on the verge of having an anxiety crisis, Sanji was sad like in a very depressed mood... no laughing, no heart eyes, no jiggling around, not even around Nami and Robin.

And you know he doesn't want to bother you so he is not going to tell you even if you push him out of the ship. That's why planned on surrounding Sanji with the things he likes the most.

You wake up before him and put the breakfast for him, do his favourite dishes, leave him a little origami duck (he loves it) and a heart shaped paper, you do chores, kiss him on the cheek everytime you can, etc, etc, etc... but he seemed to get sadder as the day passes by.

By the time dinner ended and everyone went to sleep, you were going to approach Sanji but he didn't even look at you.

"You can go to bed, (Y/N), you don't have to wait awake for me."

"But i want... " you were going to wrap your arms around his neck.

"No" he moved you away "you should go to sleep."

You muttered an ok really low and now really sad. You got to the bedroom and tried to sleep but you couldn't. You were really hurt and couldn't stop thinking about it, what have you done?

The door oppened and you got up on the bed, looking directly at Sanji.

"What is wrong with you?" his eyebrows met up, he looked hungry.

"What is wrong with YOU?!" he never talked to you like that, and you felt really bad for a second, "You've been all day doing stuff for me cause you feel pity about me and my mood. I feel pity enough by myself knowing that i am not worthy of love, of being on this crew and having you.

You had to leave your angryness to the side for a moment and rethink his words. Everything went out of the window, your new mission is going to make Sanji know that you are on his side.

"Sanji, i love you."

"No you don't, you feel sorry for me, sorry for the little blonde boy experiment with weird eyebrows that spent two years on a island full of okamas and doesn't know how to be around woman."

He was walking up and down the room with a frustrated look. You wanted to yell at him that everything is wrong but you had to breathe and try to make him see his errors.

"Sanji... you spent two years in there cause Kuma sent you not cause you wanted, you know how to be around woman cause everywoman would feel blessed to be treated like you treat me," you start to get out of the bed and walk towards him, "you didn't want to be your fathers experiment and i really like your eyebrows."

You cupped his cheeks with your hands and his hard cold look started to change slowly. You kissed his cheeks in a slow motion.

"I like you, even if you don't see it i still like you and i am not scared nor ashamed to say it, " his harsh look was getting softer every second, "And i did all those things today cause i care about you and i wanted to see you happy. I didn't know why you were sad and you didn't tell me so i had to do everything i could to make you feel good."

His eyes began to be teary and big tears came down his cheeks, his breath became shaky and his knees failed.

"I love you..." you said it once slowly and repeated it over and over again until Sanji couldn't stop himself from crying out loud.

"I don't deserve you."

"I choose what you deserve from me, and you deserve all of myself... and i am more than willing to give it to you, like i've been doing since we are dating."

"I am so sorry for not..."

"I know... you passed a really hard time to make people like you and you still don't believe it's true, i get it but, i am saying it to you... i am showing it to you and i am going to repeat it until it gets on your blonde head."

He hugged you and tried to muffle his cries. That night he slept on your chest surrounded by your arms and was the little spoon. He really needed someone to tell him that he was worthy of love, and no one better than the love of his life.

[laurfilijames]

Breathe

Part 12

Pairing: Will "Ironhead" Miller x female reader

Words: 9.3k

Warnings: Rated E, 18+. Swearing. Alcohol consumption. Unprotected intercourse. Masturbation (M).

Summary: You and Will elope to a northern getaway for an intimate wedding, where “wedded bliss” doesn’t even begin to describe your time together. Surrounded by the quiet promise of your new beginning, Will reconsiders his career path and imagines a future rooted in you.

A/N: It's hard to fathom summarizing my feelings about finishing this story. This series was my introduction to writing for Charlie and brought me into a world I can't imagine stepping away from. It challenged me as a writer, brought me so much joy (and the odd headache and heartache), and ultimately introduced me to many people who I have become so blessed to know and now call friends. I know to some 12 chapters isn't much, and that two years is a long time to complete a work so small compared to what other authors do, but just know that my whole heart went into this story, no matter how minimal it may seem, and I'm extremely proud of it. Thank you to anyone who has read this and supported me in all the different ways. This is dedicated to all of you 💗

Series Masterlist

---

It was worth every second of the long day of traveling to get to this view.

The lake was completely still and made a perfect reflection of the full treeline and coloured sky as the sun sunk down behind the tops of the trees, and Will took a deep inhale of the fresh, northern air as he leaned against the railing of the balcony looking out at it all.

It was completely private, the whole lake and surrounding area so remote and essentially all yours to enjoy together, and he knew that a week and a half here wouldn’t ever feel like enough.

Will already expected he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, and not because of the reasons that normally kept him awake, his excitement for tomorrow bigger than anything he’d ever waited for in his entire life.

Good changes were coming, and they were all starting off with marrying you. A rare sense of hope was gracing him as the consideration of leaving active duty as a Delta Force Captain was quickly becoming a reality, having been approached by his previous Colonel requesting he give talks to other soldiers and captains about rethinking their pursuit of a career in the Special Forces and to stay serving in the Army instead. The thought of never going on an op again felt like he had won the lottery even though he hadn’t officially retired yet, but never having to deploy or leave you for the dangers of his job felt like a dream that he was actually close to living. You were obviously in favour of the idea when he told you, and he smiled thinking back to watching you attempt to contain your excitement about it and remain neutral, telling him you would support him in whatever he chose to do despite looking like you were about to burst with joy at the prospect of him never deploying again.

He wasn’t sure if he was cut out for something like that, feeling inadequate at being able to coerce strong-willed men and women into turning down higher pay and progressing their careers, but if he was honest about his own experiences with it and the negative effects of performing at such an elite level of combat, maybe he would find success in it.

Will sighed as he straightened himself, rubbing his hand roughly through his hair before stretching out his arms, feeling the hours spent traveling settling in his muscles.

He walked back into the cabin, feeling the warmth from the fire contrasting to the cooling temperature outside, and he left the huge sliding door open to let in the fresh, crisp air.

“There you are,” he beamed, seeing you come out of the spare room where you closed the door behind you.

“I was steaming my dress,” you explained, biting your lip to try to stifle your grin.

Will shook his head, his own smile spreading on his face. “I can’t wait to see you in it.”

You stepped toward each other, meeting in the middle, his hands landing on your waist while yours smoothed up his biceps, and you found it impossible to believe that you were going to be married in just a matter of hours.

Will continued to smirk even as he leaned down to meet you, capturing your lips in a slow kiss that gradually grew deeper where you lost yourselves for a few moments.

You hummed when you unhurriedly broke apart just enough that your lips were still hovering against each other, your heart beating furiously in your chest that had your blood pumping heat all throughout you.

“We should get some sleep, big day tomorrow,” you whispered, meeting his loving gaze.

Will tilted his head curiously, “What’s tomorrow?”

You laughed and smacked his chest playfully, making him burst out as well as he grabbed your bum and attacked you in a fury of more kisses across your neck until you were squirming helplessly in his arms.

“I'm ready for bed but I'm not tired yet, sweetheart,” he admitted, his nose skimming up along your neck to your hair where he inhaled deeply.

“That’s fine with me, Mr. Miller,” you whispered, your eyes closing while your head tipped back, feeling goosebumps crawl up your arms where they spread out everywhere else on your body.

“After you, Mrs. Miller.”

The look he gave you as he extended his hand toward the master bedroom was loaded with everything from love to lust to a possessiveness that made you tingle from head to toe, and you knew that even though you weren’t officially Mrs. Captain William Miller until tomorrow, you were already more his than you ever could be.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the sky was beginning to shed its dark blanket and wake up with each minute that passed, the burnt orange gradually streaking through to break apart the deepest shades of blue.

Will’s lungs burned a bit with each inhale of the cold air, his exhales visible in plumes of white, and as he ran down the road surrounded by the quiet forest, he appreciated the drastic change in scenery and climate he had become accustomed to in Florida.

A brighter sky was quickly revealed with every second, the sun determined to break through what darkness was left, allowing Will to see his surroundings better as he continued on his early morning run that doubled as another errand to check off his list.

He slowed as he approached another area just off the road that was littered with wild flowers, plucking a couple of blue cornflowers and something yellow he wasn’t familiar with to add to the others he already held carefully in his hand, the bouquet he was making looking fuller and more beautiful each time he came across something different. It would never turn out to be anything like those professional bouquets that cost hundreds of dollars from a florist that most brides carried down the aisle, but he knew you would love it even more than those ones and never cared to waste money on something so frivolous.

His shoes crunched on the gravel as he started to make his way toward the cabin again, a smile tugging at his lips as he picked up his pace so he could get back to you while you were still wrapped up in the sheets. The thought of crawling into bed to hold your warm body and smell your sleepy skin was all the drive he needed to push himself to make it there even faster, feeling desperate to prolong every moment of today.

The morning passed slowly into the afternoon, and Will was more than okay with that, basking in doing nothing with you that truly meant everything to him, his muscles feeling wonderfully tired from both his run and making love to you so much.

The strong scent of coffee wafted into the room from the kitchen where he had made a pot of it before collapsing back into bed, and he pressed a kiss to your hair, smiling when you hummed in response.

“Do you want some coffee?”

“Hmm, yes please,” you spoke sleepily, turning over slightly so you could see him and smiling as he peppered your bare shoulder with light kisses.

“I guess we should shower and start getting ready, huh?”

“Only if you join me in there,” you grinned, reaching your hand up to stroke his bearded cheek.

“I like that you think you were going to be given a choice,” Will drawled, winking at you as he propped his torso up to start pulling himself out of bed.

“How long do we have before the officiant is set to arrive?” you asked, shifting into his spot that you couldn’t help but rub your naked body on, the sheets impossibly warm from him.

Will grabbed his watch off the bedside table after he stood, his nude form strong and proud in all its glory.

“About three hours.”

“About?” you teased, knowing he rounded the number to keep it simple despite knowing the exact amount of time you had.

He smirked and tilted his head slightly, nodding as he spoke, pretending to be offended in his tone.

“Three hours and seventeen minutes.”

You smiled fondly at him. “Well, that gives us plenty of time, doesn’t it?”

“Depends what you have in mind, sweetheart,” he purred, his eyes heavy with lust as he looked you up and down after you joined him beside the bed.

You hooked your eyebrow as you wrapped your hands around his waist, pulling him close to feel the smoothness of his skin against yours, and peered up at him with a wanton look that matched his.

“I think we should wait until we’re married.”

His stomach pressed into yours as he let out a laugh, his grin making his cheeks press up toward his eyes where every crinkle that you loved to see appeared.

“I think we've already messed that up, haven't we?”

You began walking toward the bathroom, turning to step backwards in order to keep looking at him, your bottom lip tucked between your teeth.

“What happened this morning doesn't count,” you shrugged, trying to hide your excitement as he started to slowly stalk you.

“No?” he questioned, his eyebrows rising on his forehead.

You shook your head exaggeratedly as you reached the bathroom, your arm finding the tap to turn the shower on, and you saw Will leaning against the doorway out of the corner of your eye.

He was behind you now, unable to resist after trying to for a mere few seconds, his large hand splaying over your stomach where he slowly carded it up to your chest, his long fingers teasing your nipples while his mouth grazed against your neck that you angled to the side to expose to him.

“And what about now?”

“Mmm,” you whined, squirming against him as you indulged in his touch, feeling his cock beginning to swell against your bum. “Doesn't count either.”

Will growled against your skin and walked forward to force you both into the shower, shutting the glass door behind him before spinning you around, his lips crashing against yours as the water began to rain down on both your heads.

He grabbed your face, his fingers digging into your jawline slightly to angle your head closer to his while his thumb smoothed your cheek gently, the contrast making you as dizzy as his tongue delving deep into your mouth to twist with yours was.

You moaned in a mix of pleasure and pain when he wedged his thigh between your legs, pressing his firm quad up against your sore sex, but despite having been thoroughly fucked multiple times already, you couldn’t resist grinding yourself on him.

It was uncertain if you would even be able to handle another round, the thought of his thick cock stretching you out seeming impossible right now but also something you wouldn’t say no to.

Your hands roamed his wet features, sliding up and down his muscular back and his toned arms until you explored lower, feeling his lower abs twitch to your light touch as you skimmed down through his golden trail of hairs and landed on his cock.

You massaged him slowly and carefully, working his half-hard erection mindfully to coax it to its full potential, the intensity of his kiss growing as you did.

“Fuck, baby,” he groaned, parting from your lips slightly to look down at you pumping his semi-firm shaft while you humped his leg in languid rolls of your hips.

You looked so good, your eyes closed and features relaxed as you relished in the pleasure you were providing yourself, the water cascading over your breasts and all down your perfect body. Will wanted more than anything than to bury himself deep inside you again, and he growled almost frustratedly that he wasn’t and dove back to your parted, swollen lips as he bucked his hips against your hand.

Everything you were doing felt so good yet was doing nothing to help his cause, his body clearly spent from all the energy he’d output earlier, and after a couple more minutes of indulging in the attempt, Will pulled away from you with a crooked smile.

“Looks like we’ll be waiting until we're married after all,” he huffed, chuckling softly, his head tilting to the side along with a shrug of his shoulder in nonchalance.

You hummed, not disappointed or remotely unsatisfied, admiring his acceptance of his body’s slight betrayal, the way he stood there proud as ever and owning his mortal faults equally as sexy to you as his usual godly prowess.

“That’s more than okay, Will,” you reassured him. “I could use a rest too.”

“It’s not a lack of wanting to,” he laughed again, leaning toward you to rub his nose back and forth on yours.

You smiled against his lips and felt him do the same, his hands sliding up your back to hold you close to him, kissing you softly and tenderly before breaking apart again.

“I love you,” he spoke seriously, looking at you with the same conviction, his hair dark and flat on his head while water poured off his nose.

“I love you, too, Will.”

The crinkles around his eyes made another appearance as he smiled again, his long, blond lashes looking even more so from being saturated with water, and he reached for the bottle of shampoo and squeezed some out in his palm before rubbing it roughly through his hair until it stuck up wildly in the suds.

You grabbed the body wash and worked it between your hands for a few seconds before spreading the lather out over his broad chest, watching his sated smile appear and his eyelids close as he relaxed to your touch, and you knew you could easily let every minute you needed to get ready tick away in favour of this.

In true military fashion, Will had finished getting clean after another minute, and with one last passionate kiss to your lips, opened the shower door and stepped one foot out.

“I’ll leave you to get ready, gorgeous,” he smiled, watching you beam at him. “I’ll meet you at the altar.”

With a wink that made your heart pound furiously in addition to his words making butterflies explode in your stomach, he exited the shower, leaving you to finish your routine and watch as he dried himself off with a towel, your disbelief that you were marrying him in a matter of hours setting in more than it ever had before.

Will exhaled slowly as he looked in the mirror at himself, finishing fastening the buttons on his blue, flannel shirt, and made one last second-guess about his choice in attire for the ceremony only to have your previous reassurances echo in his mind.

“You can wear whatever you want. I love you all the same, whatever you’re in.”

He smiled and swallowed hard, his reflection appearing slightly blurry as he was reminded once again that you loved him so thoroughly and whole-heartedly it was surreal, and puffed out his cheeks in another forced exhale as he steadied himself to go do the one thing he wanted more than anything.

Abandoning his watch and any other accessories in exchange for wanting the ring you would slide on his finger to be the only piece he wore, he glanced one last time at the hands slowly ticking around the face of it and set it back on the dresser.

Eighteen minutes.

Another deep breath, and he picked up the delicate, gold band he couldn’t wait to see shine beside your engagement ring, placing it in the pocket of his shirt and securing it by resting his hand on his chest where it sat over his heart. He let his hand linger there, liking the heaviness of it pressing on his palm and knowing his heart was beating against it, and he hoped every ounce of love he had for you would be transferred into the token for you to always feel.

You were still tucked away in the second bedroom getting ready, and with nothing else left to do but wait, Will walked outside to retrieve the hand-picked bouquet he had set in a glass of water on the deck to keep as a surprise, and placed it on the floor outside your door.

He did another once-over of the display he’d made up in front of the fireplace; a cozy, makeshift bed compiled of multiple blankets and pillows set atop the mattress he pulled off the frame in the bedroom. Candles were set out in what seemed like every available space from the hearth to the tables and all around, and a full stack of freshly chopped wood sat nearby that was ready to burn for the rest of the night.

Satisfied that everything was perfect, he made his way out the door again and began his walk down the flagstone path toward the lake, the crisp air feeling welcome on his heated face.

The officiant was already there waiting, much to Will’s appreciation, and he gave the man a smile and wave as he approached, and shook his hand gratefully when he met him on the shoreline.

“It’s nice to meet you, Will,” he offered. “Are you all set?”

“Yeah, yeah I am,” Will smiled as he nodded enthusiastically.

“And you’ll still be exchanging your own vows in private?”

“That’s right.”

“Wonderful. Short and sweet then?” he confirmed, looking at Will over the rim of his glasses as he opened his book of notes.

“Yes, please, Sir.”

Will stood straight with his hands clasped behind his back, then moved them forward where he rested one on his belt and let the other hang idly at his side, only to start fidgeting again in his impatience and lifted his right hand up to double check the ring was still in his breast pocket.

He knew the officiant could sense his nerves, but kept quiet which Will was grateful for, and after another minute and right on time, he could see you making your way down the stairs from the deck through the trees.

Breathe, Will told himself, seeing you come into full view in a simple, yet stunning white gown with the flowers he’d picked for you clasped in your hand, your smile capturing his attention more than anything else.

Unable to wait or stop himself, Will’s feet seemed to move on their own, walking in confident strides until they brought him to meet you halfway.

“Hi,” you whispered, looking at him with a gleam in your eyes.

“Hey,” he returned, feeling his cheeks hurting from how big he was smiling. “You look…” he paused, exhaling in awe, “so incredibly stunning.”

“Thank you. And thank you for these,” you said softly, your eyes full of gratitude for his sweet gesture as you held your bouquet up a bit higher. “They’re so beautiful, Will. This was the best surprise.”

If it was even possible, he smiled even bigger and nodded. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Before Will could say anything else, he caught the slight shiver you made, his joy switching quickly to concern, reaching up to smooth his hand over your bare upper arm that was littered in goosebumps.

“You’re going to freeze,” he warned, registering that if he was feeling the nip in the air now that the sun was beginning to set, you would be feeling it tenfold.

You shook your head, still beaming at him. “I’ll be fine, I swear. I can’t feel much right now, I’m too excited.”

He chuckled when you let out a small laugh and took your hand in his, tilting his head in the direction of where the officiant stood waiting for you.

“Well, let’s go get married then.”

“And Will, do you take her to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish from this day forward?”

Will smiled, the wet settling in the corners of his eyes seeping out when he did.

“I do.”

You slid the black, tungsten ring onto his finger, thankful that you had said those two words first now that you were doing your best to choke back a sob, a couple of rogue tears falling down your cheeks in streams.

Now that both of your rings were fixed on your left hands, Will gripped your hands securely in his, his thumb smoothing over your knuckles as he held your gaze, listening to the final words that officially deemed you husband and wife.

“Is there anything either of you would like to add before you go off to share your vows privately?”

Will cocked his head slightly, his smile tugging up the corners of his lips.

“All-in, sweetheart!” he spoke through his grin.

Your laugh puffed out with your breath, and you squeezed his hand as you nodded in agreement.

“All-in!”

The officiant smiled warmly and continued on, “In respect of keeping this short and to the point, it is my honour to formally announce you as husband and wife! Will, you may now kiss your bride.”

Both of your smiles grew even larger as you met for your kiss, breathing each other in as you melted into the moment you didn't realize you had waited your whole life for.

You were now on your own as the officiant left you where you stood, savouring your first moments of being a wedded couple, the only other person witness to your union the photographer who was discreetly off to the side capturing the moment; a gift insisted upon by Benny and Jess who knew as much as you wanted an intimate wedding, you would be grateful for photos of it to look back on.

“Can you believe this?” you beamed, smiling up at Will and awestruck for yet another time since knowing him at how the blue of his shirt and the sky could never match that of his eyes.

He shook his head slowly, his smile growing more with his movement. “No,” he laughed, leaning toward you to rest his forehead on yours.

“This has to be a dream,” he whispered.

You hummed, “I promise you it’s real, Will.”

A soft chuckle came off his breath, and you took a slow, deep breath of your own as you lingered there, eventually parting to make your way back to the cabin as the sun had now dropped behind the trees that belted the lake.

With your dress shed and left on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, you carefully walked over into the living room, wanting to be as stealthy as possible in order to not disturb the scene before you.

Will was kneeling before the hearth, expertly adding logs to the existing fire, stoking it meticulously with the same laser-sharp focus he had whenever he did anything.

His shirt was unbuttoned and hung open, giving you glimpses of his bare chest and toned stomach whenever his arm moved, and your heart swelled at how the firelight danced on his features and highlighted all the parts of him you could never tire of staring at. Long, blond eyelashes blinked like they were strung with lights of their own, the perfect profile of his nose casting a shadow onto his cheeks where a permanent line sat beside his mouth, the light emphasizing the plush of his lips and making the fairest hairs on his goatee and beard appear almost white.

Never missing a thing, you saw the corner of his mouth turn up, giving you a sideways glance to acknowledge your presence as he sensed you watching.

He stood and turned to you, his flaming-blue eyes looking your naked form up and down with so much love you couldn’t dare feel shy or exposed.

A knowing smile dressed his lips as he began to undress himself, ridding his open shirt and then jeans quickly until he stood in only his boxers which he slowly peeled down his long legs, the sight making your mouth water and heart swell.

His left hand extended out to call you over, and you didn’t miss the significance of it being the hand that held his ring, the black contrasting boldly on his pale skin.

You took his hand and let him pull you into him, his other landing on the small of your back so your body automatically arched toward him more, and the closeness of him and the heat from the fire on your bare skin made your eyes close.

His lips pressed against your forehead and then rested there, the gentle sound of his heart thrumming in his chest reverberating in your ear that lay beside it, and knowing you had the rest of your lives to enjoy small moments like this made you smile, feeling purely happy and content.

After another moment of standing still with each other aside from Will’s hand soothingly running up and down your back, he spoke softly into your hair.

“Ready?”

“Mhm,” you hummed, peeling your cheek off of his warm chest to meet his eyes.

He made his way to the floor, sitting amongst the blankets and pillows that would be your bed for the night, looking up at you as you followed, his eyes locked with yours as he helped guide you onto his lap.

Will met your cheek with his lips, moving over to the other, then landed a kiss onto the tip of your nose before brushing them over your lips, rubbing his nose back and forth against yours.

Your kisses started off slow and careful, warming up to each other as if there was such a thing, indulging in each second that felt like a blissful eternity to build up to the moment you had both been waiting for.

You sighed into his mouth, feeling his cock grow rigid beneath you, pressing up against your bare sex that ached to have him penetrate and fill you.

Will increased the pressure of his mouth on yours when you ground on his length, breathing into you as his hands traveled down from their place on your back to your bum, helping to lift you up so you were able to take him inside you.

Sinking down on his thick girth, your body molding to fit him, you accepted every inch of him gratefully, your brows knitting together as his mouth swallowed your small cry, your fingers gripping into his shoulders until you were fully seated on him.

Parting your lips from each other, you let your foreheads rest together, breathing deeply as one as your fingers relaxed on his flesh and you felt his tenderly ghost over your hips and up your back again.

“Do you want to go first?” he asked, his voice quiet, but sturdy.

You nodded, swallowing the lump that was growing in your throat, praying you could get through all of what you had practiced in your head over and over again without breaking.

You breathed out slowly and opened your eyes, seeing him smiling sweetly at you, his hand coming up to sweep a stray piece of hair away from your face.

“Breathe, sweetheart,” he urged, his comfort instantly spreading through you and giving you strength.

You did, drawing in a deep inhale and blowing it out slowly, and with your next breath, you started your vows.

“It was a dream to think I could ever be loved like this. Every day with you feels like one, and I pray I never wake up to find it isn’t real.”

You took another deep breath, your fingers playing with the hair at the base of his neck, returning the soft smile he was giving you.

“I didn’t know love until I knew you. You make me whole. My missing piece.”

You blinked quickly, trying to fight the tears that were quickly accumulating.

“You have my whole heart forever, Will, and whatever you have to face, I will always be here to face it with you. I love you.”

You traced the line around his mouth as he smiled, matching it with your own, feeling so full of love and hope, your connection stronger than ever.

Will kissed you, stealing your next breath, and you felt the tears you had been holding back run down your cheeks. You moaned into him when he flexed inside you, the grip you had on the side of his face tightening as you pulled yourself even closer to him, but forced yourself to break your kiss out of fear you soon wouldn’t be able to stop.

Will smiled at you, his thumb brushing a streak of wet away from your flushed skin, and his eyes reflected all the love and kindness in his heart as they danced over your features.

He inhaled slowly, his chest filling up before letting it go, his expression turning serious as he looked down between your joined bodies and back up to you.

“I was drowning, suffocating,” he began, his tone strong, but reticent. “You taught me how to breathe again, helped me find who I am after being lost for so long.”

He grabbed your hand and held it in his, his thumb moving back and forth over the ring he’d slid on your finger earlier as if it was reminding him to be brave as he spoke.

“You are my home,” he continued, his voice starting to betray him, but he maintained eye contact even through the tears that started to well up in them. “The light in my darkness, the air that fills my lungs when I can't find it on my own. I have more love for you in my heart than I know what to do with, and I will love you as fiercely as I can for the rest of our lives.”

He paused for a moment, taking the opportunity to kiss you again, desperate and haste, his hand clutching the side of your face with as much conviction as his words.

Breaking the seal of your lips, he searched your eyes with his, his honesty and truth showing in the bright blue of them as he continued.

“You’re someone I knew I needed but never thought I would find, and I will spend my entire life trying to deserve you. I love you completely and with everything that I am, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, Will.”

A small laugh blew out of his mouth when he smiled, a mix of relief and utter joy contrasting with the tears that made his eyes sparkle, all of the emotions he was experiencing exposed to you without shame.

His hands smoothed up your back as he buried his face in your neck, kissing you and breathing you in, every caress and touch full of intent to display how much he loved you and an attempt to get even closer to you.

Your fingers raked through his hair, your chin resting on his head, closing your eyes to focus on the feel of him against you as your bodies slowly began to move.

The heat from the fire berated the side of you that faced it, your hands able to easily glide across Will’s form already, his warm muscles flexing under your palms as he thrusted slowly up into you.

His lips seemed to write poems on your skin, smearing kisses that ranged from gentle to firm, careful to sloppy, all in a way of saying ‘I love you’ without speaking the words.

His hands followed the sway of your body, gripping your flesh and mimicking each ebb and flow as you rolled against him, losing yourselves in pleasure with every second that passed all while finding yourselves falling even more in love.

The more you rocked against him the more you found yourself desperate for him, needing him in a way you never had before, your hands moving to hold either side of his face to turn his head out of your neck, kissing him with fervor.

Your fingers gripped the scruffy hairs that covered his cheeks, breathing him in so forcefully as your tongues wove together, feeling as if you could never get enough of him or air or anything else vital to your existence.

A broken moan exchanged from your mouth to his as the coarse hairs on his lower belly struck the perfect spot on your clit, making you clench around him tightly, prompting him to drive up into you a little harder to help you find your climax.

It felt like your soul was leaving your body, your orgasm blissful and intense and drawn out perfectly by your husband working with you to have you experience it for as long as possible, your lips still locked together where he swallowed your cries, his hands holding you down against him so not to have you shy away from any of it.

When Will felt you relax and slow your actions, he immediately laid you down, one arm wrapped around your back to gently bring you back into the blankets, his other braced on the floor to support himself overtop of you, only slipping from you briefly. You gasped when he pushed back in, your folds tingly and your walls squeezing around his girth again, your body jolting when his body ground against your sensitive clit.

He smoothed his hand over your forehead, looking down at you to check that you were okay, you angling your head up to kiss him the only answer he needed to continue.

His thrusts were long and deep, powerful and deliberate, driving into you again and again until he felt himself growing closer to his end with each one.

Your bodies slid against each other blissfully, your sweat-coated skin warm and melding into each other even more, your moans growing as Will’s began to echo louder and reverberate through you.

His hand slipped under your thigh and lifted it higher on his hip, reaching a different angle where he was able to fuck you deeper while still keeping his slow, meticulous pace, a low growl coming off his tongue as he relished in the new sensation.

You met his movements naturally, the languid roll of your hips taking him as far inside you as you could, the tempo of your motion one with his, your hand skimming up and down his back until he began to ram harder into you, your fingers grabbing a handful of the thick flesh on his ass in response.

You let go of all control, knowing he would be following you as you succumbed for a second time, your head digging back into the pillows under your head while his mouth trailed lazily from yours and across your jawline until he found your neck, sucking and grazing his teeth along your pulse as he allowed your body to drag him with you to a point of no return.

He growled against your damp skin as he stuttered into you, his rhythm breaking and faltering, but his power only increased, pumping his leaking cock in and out of you until your cries filled the air and he swelled and emptied his load deep in your walls.

Will never stopped even after he had finished, continuing to thrust into you until his cum was spilling from your stretched hole, his lips finding yours again where he kissed you tenderly and carefully.

He eventually stilled, each movement slower than the one before, his only focus now on kissing you and winding down as you both regulated your breathing and relished in the afterglow of your love.

Your eyes opened when you felt his lips leave yours, hovering just over them, and you smiled in seeing an almost inebriated one dressing his plump, kiss-bruised lips.

Will nudged his nose against yours, rubbing it back and forth a couple of times before capturing you in another kiss, his hands slipping under your body to hold you closer to him as he let his weight relax onto you.

The bed beside the fireplace had become your preferred space to occupy since you first rested there to exchange your vows, not having left it for hours and happy to be completely ignorant to the time that was passing, the knowledge of seconds and minutes that grew into more significant numbers no longer a construct you were abiding to.

You assumed it was sometime in the afternoon now, the rainstorm that had blown in overnight blocking the sun from giving any light, the gloomy, grey skies feeling almost welcoming and like they were supporting your decision to hide away together without guilt and excusing you from paying attention to anything outside the cabin.

The view of the wide windows that faced the lake was perfect from your spot on Will’s chest, but a thick blanket of fog disguised the water and rain was streaking down the glass in heavy streams that was becoming mesmerizing to look at, and despite the picturesque scenery being hidden from you, it was still something you wanted to commit to memory.

It was quiet aside from the intermittent crackle of the fire, able to hear the haunting call of the loons that waded in the cool water even through the tapping of the rain on the roof, and Will’s steady breathing and constant heartbeat filled the silent moments between.

Continuing to choose sex and sleep over little else, you had left your bed only briefly to make breakfast together that you ate for dinner, your growling bellies and need for energy forcing you to finally eat, knowing it would only allow you to return to your activities with more hunger than ever.

You sauntered out from the bathroom, the steam from the shower trailing behind you as the heat clung to your skin, smiling at Will as you watched him in the kitchen searching through different cupboards until he found the glasses he was looking for.

His towel hung low on his hips, showcasing the dimples that decorated his lower back, the way his muscles flexed so marvelling even while making the simplest movements.

He glanced over his shoulder at you with a grin of his own, having sensed your stare, and opened the fridge where he retrieved a bottle of champagne.

“I almost forgot about this,” he explained, setting it on the counter where he began to peel off the foil and twist open the cage that encased the cork. “It’s a gift from Pope.”

“Well that’s awfully generous of him,” you chirped, knowing it would be one of the most expensive bottles available and taste divine, but your mouth was watering more at the sight of the towel lingering at the connection of Will’s legs to his torso, the deeply accentuated cuts on his hips drawing your eye where it tapered to the part of him you seemed unable to get enough of.

The pop of the cork releasing from the bottle brought you out of your thoughts, and you walked around the island to meet your husband where he handed you a glass after filling them, and clinked his own against it.

“Cheers, Mrs. Miller,” he purred, choosing to lean in and kiss you rather than take a drink.

Promising to keep your hands off each other long enough to put some clothes on, make and eat a proper meal, and clean up after was proving more difficult than you thought.

Music was playing softly as you both worked at your respective tasks, feeling completely content with the silence that filled the kitchen between random comments and small conversations, Will taking occasional sips of a beer while you enjoyed a glass of wine.

You wondered if this ‘newlywed’ stage of being insatiable would last for years through your marriage, and smiled to yourself that there was no doubt it would as that excited feeling that had been there since the start burst and fluttered in your stomach every time Will stepped near you.

“What?” he smirked, having caught the expression on your face when he passed you.

“Nothing,” you lied, giggling as you did your best to keep chopping the mushrooms for the pasta you were making.

His eyebrow raised as he silently called your bullshit and stirred the garlic and onions that were simmering in the pan, and you loved and cursed all at the same time that he was always able to read you like a book.

“You can toss those in any time,” he muttered, his voice low as he stood behind you, close enough you could feel the heat of his body but far enough that he remained untouching, his self-control always outshining yours.

You let your hands pause in their duty, resting the knife on the cutting board as you closed your eyes when Will’s fingers lightly skimmed up your arm, his mouth landing on your shoulder.

“Okay,” you answered in a whisper, finding your voice and reopening your eyes when you felt him retreat from you.

Finishing slicing the last of the mushrooms, you turned and swept them off the wood board with your hand into the frying pan, watching them meld into the other ingredients as Will stirred it around with a spoon.

“Are you willing to sacrifice some of your wine to go in this?” he asked, a crooked smirk on his lips when you glanced at him.

You let out an exaggerated sigh. “If I have to!”

He chuckled and reached for the bottle that sat on the island, the loud sizzle of it hitting the hot pan alluring before simmering out after a couple seconds.

“God, it smells so good already,” you complimented, your stomach rumbling when you leaned closer to the pan and breathed it in.

Will smiled in response, continuing to stir before he tapped the spoon on the side of the pan and moved to the fridge.

“What else needs to be done?” you asked.

He returned to you, setting down a bunch of fresh parsley and a carton of cream, tilting his head as he looked you up and down.

“Parsley needs to be chopped, the cheese needs to be grated, cream needs to be added…” he listed off slowly, stepping closer to you with each word until he loomed over you.

Instead of touching him, you let your fingers dance along your own skin, knowing not to trust them otherwise, your hand rubbing the side of your neck and then falling to your chest.

Your breath hitched in your throat when Will’s fingers landed on you, tracing the same path down your neck that yours had, and finally meeting your hand where he rubbed his index finger back and forth along the back of it.

“You’re breaking the rules,” you uttered, your voice lusty.

“Yeah, well, they’re my rules to break.”

You laughed through a weak smile. “We’re gonna starve at this rate.”

Will let out a low growl as he exhaled deeply, his jaw clenching as he mustered more restraint.

“I’ll be good, I promise.”

By some miracle you both stayed true to your word and made it through dinner and the clean-up with little distraction and were finally back beside the fire.

You sat with your back against the sofa with Will between your legs, your hands idly playing in his hair, his muscles relaxed but his breathing starting to grow ragged.

He was still wearing his track pants that he had put on earlier, but nothing else, and his pale skin was starting to blush from the heat of the fire and your touch, and even though he was facing away from you, you knew the pleasured expression that dressed his features.

You let your fingers dig a little harder into his scalp, bringing out a low groan from him, the noise going straight to your core and making a wave of heat flush through you despite only wearing one of his t-shirts and your panties.

“Does that feel good, baby?” you cooed, continuing to massage his head with the same pressure.

“Fuck…yeah…” he moaned, his chest rising and falling with deeper breaths, shifting slightly against you where you noticed his cock flinch between his legs through the thin material.

You kissed his hair, your hands travelling down onto his chest where you slowly carded them over his flesh, alternating between gentle squeezes and drawing feather-light patterns with your fingertips, writing invisible love notes on him.

He captured your left hand in his as it lingered over his heart, his fingers toying with your rings that glimmered in the orange light from the flames, the sight of them on your hand still something that made your heart flip in your chest.

Your hand slipped from his as your other continued to scratch through his hair, the sensation making him give up any control and simply submit to feeling this relaxed, and his moans started up again when both of your hands returned to his head to work their magic.

A satisfied smile tugged at your lips when you saw how hard he was from this alone, and although you had no intentions to stop anytime soon, this gave you every reason to keep going and send your husband into bliss.

Arousal shot through you like electricity when you watched Will paw at his cock through his pants before lifting his hips enough to pull the waist down his thighs, his dick springing out before he took it in his hand and languidly stroked it.

You didn’t stop touching him, continuously weaving your fingers through his hair, tugging at it and lightly scratching at his scalp, listening to his heaving breaths while your eyes were fixed on him steadily jerking himself off.

He lazily pumped up and down, the head of his cock engorged and starting to leak, and you wanted nothing more than to take him in your mouth or sink down onto it, feeling him inside you in some way, but this wasn’t about you.

“That’s it, Will, keep going,” you encouraged, your words breathy and full of arousal.

The opposing look of his black ring against his ivory skin made your belly swoop, and you wondered if the feel of it moving up and down against his veiny flesh added to the addicting sensation. It was almost possessive, the sight of your token adorning his long finger that was wrapped around his cock that filled you up every day making your cunt ache unbearably, and you found you couldn't stop praising him.

“You look so good, Will,” you uttered, so much blood rushing in your head you barely heard yourself. “I love watching you like this...”

You heard him blow air out of his mouth with the puff of his cheeks, giving a simple and quick nod while he continued to jerk himself off, and the longer you watched the scene in front of you unfold, the more enthralled you became.

“What are you thinking about?” you asked, your curiosity spiking.

A curt laugh huffed out as an answer, quickly followed by a moan as you raked your nails a little harder through his hair.

“Hmm?” you nudged. “Are you thinking about being buried in my wet pussy? Fucking me hard and deep until I'm screaming?”

“Fuck,” he hissed, his head leaning back against your shoulder while the motion of his hand worked faster.

You leaned closer to him, capturing the lobe of his ear in your teeth, your breath teasing his sweaty skin to make him groan.

“You're close aren't you, baby? Gonna make a mess all over yourself thinking about my tight cunt…”

His head shook up and down once, unable to form anything that resembled a spoken ‘yes’, his bottom lip pulled between his teeth as he squirmed against you.

Having you talk him through it seemed to put him further into the grips of euphoria, his moans interchanging with whimpers and whiny curses, his movements erratic as he grew closer to falling apart completely.

“Fuck…come here, sweetheart,” he panted. “I need inside you–Fuck! I need to fill you up.”

He sat up slightly to allow you to move out from behind him, still touching himself as vigorously as possible without any lube, his free hand landing on your hip to guide you onto his lap while his other stilled on his cock and steadied it for you to sit on.

“Come on. Hurry,” he warned.

You pulled your panties to the side as much as you could, the desperation of knowing he was seconds away from blowing his load making you shiver, not wanting to waste any time in being used.

Your hands automatically returned to his hair as you lined up to him, encasing him fully as he forced you down on his length, not giving you any time to adjust before he rutted up into you and immediately started to cum.

His open mouth smeared against your shoulder, wetting the cotton of his shirt that covered you, his hands desperately clawing at your back as he spasmed and stuttered until you were full of his hot, thick release.

Unbridled grunts rumbled against you, the muscles in his back and shoulders tight as you let your hands fall from his hair, your hips still moving on him to help him live out every second of his climax.

“Jesus Christ,” he said through a smile, looking at you in utter amazement, a soft chuckle stumbling off his lips.

His eyes were bright, full of a rare sort of levity that made the blue of his irises even more striking, the sight of him like this making your heart do somersaults in your chest.

“That good, huh?” you giggled, cupping his scruffy cheeks as you continued to admire him.

He nodded and hummed before planting his lips on yours, kissing you with enough gratitude that a voiced ‘thank you’ could never convey.

His hands were all over you, rubbing up your sides and around to your back, the friction from his palms making your shirt shift upward until he was actively lifting it over your head.

You instinctively moved closer into him once you were bare, the feel of his skin against yours warmer and more welcoming than the heat from the fire beside you, both of you smiling at each other for a moment before he kissed you again.

Having more of you exposed to him, his lips trailed down your neck to your collarbone, taking advantage of being able to taste more parts of you, his fingers dancing all over your skin gently and lovingly.

“I love you so damn much,” he murmured, his mouth barely leaving you. His head shook slightly when he spoke, the stress in the tone of his words indicating just how badly he needed you to believe it, and you found it funny to think you knew exactly how much he did without him even having to say it.

You kissed his forehead, letting your lips linger there, smiling against it as you inhaled deeply and let your fingers play with the hair at the base of his neck.

“I love you too, Will.”

A low groan resounded against your chest as his cock slipped out of you, but Will wasted no time in grabbing your hips to adjust your position on him, sitting you slightly higher so you were pressed against his lower abs.

You whined, the sensation of his cum spilling out of you to soak your panties making you squirm, testing to see if it felt just as good as you thought it would.

Grinding your hips, Will continued to guide you with his hands, holding you firmly on him until you found a rhythm that already was making you see stars.

Your thong was still shifted to the side, the friction on your clit coming from rubbing against his pubes and your underwear being wedged between your lips, his cum the best lubricant you could imagine and allowing you to glide easily against him as it pooled and leaked from your cunt.

Your eyes closed as you continued to ride him, your head falling back in ecstasy when you felt his mouth cover your breast, wetting your stiff nipple and rolling it with his tongue.

He released it and took hold of it with his fingers instead, glaring at you with equal ardor and hunger.

“Your turn, sweetheart,” he encouraged roughly, the amusement in his words making you tingle from head to toe.

All sense of time was lost since being at the cabin, the freedom and carelessness so foreign but so welcome to Will.

No restraints or agenda to follow, free from the prison of his own mind that constantly kept count of all the things he refused to let go of, his burdens set to the side where he was allowed to simply be.

He ran his hand over his hair to try to get some of the water out of it, then wiped his palm down his face to do the same, and reached for a towel hanging on the back of the door that he wrapped around his waist.

The bathroom window faced the lake, the fresh breeze mixing in with the steam from the shower, and Will swore every time he looked at this view that it was one he would never tire of.

It wasn’t the first time he considered extending your stay here, the possibility growing more and more probable as each day went on, neither of you wanting to give up on this honeymoon bliss just yet, and right now the urge to never go back home was stronger than ever.

A bit of anxiety bubbled in his stomach, thinking of making the choice between retiring or continuing on as a Captain, the uncertainty and unsteadiness and thought of dealing with it all when he got home making him want to avoid it and hide away here even more.

But facing these things felt different now.

In all the times he tried to ground himself, find something good to focus on while in the throes of hell and always came up short, he now had you.

You were his person. His reason. His purpose. Everything good to hold onto when the things he did came back to haunt him.

Will took a deep breath, pausing in his racing thoughts, feeling such an overwhelming sense of joy that he had to focus and count each one in, and each one out.

He walked through the cabin, eyeing the mess of blankets you had just crawled out of not long ago and the glow of coals still burning hot in the hearth, his hand resting on the fold of material that kept the towel hanging low on his hips.

A smile tugged at his lips, still unable to believe this was his life and you were his to love forever.

Another breath in.

One, two, three.

His eyes immediately found you, seeing you standing on the deck in nothing but his blue, flannel shirt looking out on the lake, lost in your own world.

You were his peace. His calm. Every intake of air that filled his lungs and kept him going.

Because of you he could breathe.

Leaning against the open patio door, Will crossed his arms over his bare chest, taking a minute to admire you as you stood undisturbed.

You were the view he needed every day, these beautiful surroundings pale in comparison, his smile growing so big it hurt his cheeks while the swell of his heart felt like it would burst through the cage that kept it in his chest.

Having sensed him, you turned to face him, your beaming smile a greeting he needed to witness every day of his life.

He tilted his chin upward in a nod, pushing off the doorframe with his shoulder as you walked toward him, the happiness and serenity that filled him clear in his voice.

“There's my beautiful wife.”

---

Taglist:

@dailydragon08 @sunnys-day @thedreadandthefugitivemind @glassgulls

@littlenosoul @glitterypirateduck @momia2910 @maggotzombie @rmwarn90

@paintlavillered @casa-boiardi @stealfromthedevil @kmc1989 @justreblogginfics

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@christinhunnam @hp-hogwartsexpress @enretrogue @staley83

[northopalshore]

Northopalshore's 24/25

Solar Return Observations

It's my birthday! (21 dec), I thought about writing predictions for myself based on my SRC every year just as a marker that the year is ending & a new one will commence shortly. Are you finally the person you've been striving to be?

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑

𝄞 Capricorn rising (17°)

I'll be busy this year, focused on my work and goals. I'll aim to be very productive this year! To be more responsible & act more mature. Taking in a lot of responsibilities. Though, with that Leo degree I may be gaining a lot of attention for my work or competence. An "examplary" character.

𝄞 Pluto (0°) & venus (15°) in 1st H aquarius

Another glow up! I could lose a lot of visible weight this year, and I could refine my aesthetics or perfect my makeup as well. Since they're in aquarius, it's likely I'll be standing out with the way I look or dress this year. I've been really itching to get a tattoo too. I don't give a fuck that we aren't supposed to lol.

𝄞 Aquarius 2nd H, Saturn in 2nd H/Uranus in 4th H

Venus aquarius (gemini) square uranus Taurus (aquarius °)

• unusual spending habits (i.e being very stingy with something yet spending a lot on other stuff)

• finances could be quite unpredictable this year i.e I won't be able to expect when I need to use money/ unexpected events. I'll could earn a lot of money for something unexpected, or just work odd jobs/online, by doing something I don't usually do or have never expected to do

• stable or restrained income

• dressing differently than others around me

• people talking about how I look very 'unique'

𝄞 Venus 1st house square uranus in 5th house

An unexpected relationship? Or an unexpected love interest. I could be attracting a lot of borderline unwanted romantic attention. (Venus in aquarius squaring uranus in taurus)

𝄞 Fama (10° Capricorn), saturn (13° Aries) in 2nd H pisces

• gain more attention through aesthetics

• getting attention for care in expenses

• being frugal/ disciplined with finances

• spending/earning money on/from esoteric stuff

• hard time controlling money ʕ⁠´⁠•⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠•̥⁠`⁠ʔ

• if I start offering my services, I might get a lot of traction/clients, but it might be more than I can handle if I don't put up any limits/restrictions

𝄞 Neptune (27° gemini) in 3rd H pisces

• talking on social media

• speaking with a dreamy gentle tone

• I might lose my train of thought quite often TT

• talking about esoteric knowledge/ metaphysical

• bursts of creative writing

𝄞 Neptune (27° gemini) trine mars in 7th house

Working on or creating art, music, writing with a partner. Could also mean learning or talking about the occult with someone closely. Could be creative projects with partners/coworkers/friends. Working well in collaborative projects.

𝄞 North node (2°taurus), chiron (19°) in 3rd H aries

• focus on communication/learning

• communication & mental fatigue

• feeling burdened by the amount of work that has to done

• feels like I have to juggle my intellect between a lot of events

•. feeling rushed with projects or events concerning writing or speaking

• having a lot of ideas, offering a service related to writing, thinking, communicating (literally signaling that I'll be starting private readings lmaoo)

𝄞 4th H in aries, mars (r) in 7th H

• living situation feels rushed, combative, competitive

• independent home life, living alone, switching housemates

• arguments amongst the people I live with, being outside more often

• visits to a significant person (?), constant moving around

• visiting people I work with /clubs/organizations a lot & being at home less

• reflecting approach to relationships

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ .₊๋‧₊

𝄞 Uranus retrograde (23° Aquarius) in 5th H taurus

• rethinking what brings excitement to me

• thinking of picking up strange hobbies

• unexpected love interests

𝄞 Jupiter retrograde (14°taurus) in 5th H gemini

• reshaping what truly brings value and joy especially in love life, being more careful with love interests

• getting a lot of new experiences

𝄞 6th H gemini, mercury in 11th H:

• making a lot of new friends online

• popularity amongst coworkers

• gaining a lot of diverse friends

• doing daily activities w friends

• talking a lot during work

• creative collaborations

• working online more, posting more

𝄞 Groom (4° cancer) retrograde in 6th H cancer

Working with future spouse but it also counts if I'm doing something related to him on a daily basis. In my case, I think I'll be writing about him but also longing for him (hah!). Longing to be next to him. Even if I meet him this year, I don't think we'll be able to spend much time face to face with eachother because of distance or work. Our routines may clash.

𝄞 Descendant in cancer (17° leo), moon in 8th H

• feeling safe & comfort within relationships

• harmonious relationships

• changes in relationships

• possible crushes, secret relationships

𝄞 Briede (8° Scorpio) in Sagittarius 11th house squaring moon (8° Scorpio) in Virgo 8th house

I could learn (realize) something quite hard about my love life (more specifically life as a wife). Perhaps it will be harder than I thought it would be. I might have to sacrifice a lot for it.

𝄞 Briede (8° scorpio) conjunct mercury in 11th house

I could be learning more about myself as a wife online, or through purchasing esoteric services. People could also gossip about me or my relationship this year. Could be online, could be my social circle as well. However, it's likely I'll just be the one yapping about the Briede (19029) asteroid/persona chart a lot next year.

𝄞 Mars (4° cancer) retrograde in 7th H leo

Getting secret admirers, my love life could be quite difficult. Perhaps my future spouse and I will be butting heads or have a few arguments. However, since it's retrograde I think rather than being mad at eachother we'll be frustrated with our situation. That is, if we do "meet".

On the other hand, it also means indirect confessions, or having to take the leadership role/compromise a lot in joint collaborative work i.e assignments.

𝄞 Mars opposite pluto in 1st house

If this concerns my FS, we could have disagreements on whether our relationship should be public or not, our relationship could also effect our images greatly whether good or bad, or both.

If not, then this means I'll be taking on more work than I'm supposed to this year, finding it difficult to let things go as is, or some group members may be rather negligent of their tasks, forcing me to decide what to do.

𝄞 7th house ruler in 8th house

A secret relationship? Something scandalous could be happening in my love life. Since it's Cancer/moon, I could be keeping a lot of my feelings about this person a secret. Our relationship could be kept a secret as well. Could be a karmic relationship.

𝄞 8th H in leo, sun in 12th H (29°leo)

• nightmares could be possible perhaps due to exhaustion

• deep introspection of self

• reshaping how I attract attention

• choosing to be alone, do my own thing

• having to keep a lot of secrets

• I might travel on my own this year

𝄞 Moon (8° Scorpio), vertex (15° gemini) in 8th H virgo

• the way I think & process emotions will be transformed

• fated transformation/death/rebirth

• feelings are more intense this year

• lots of fast, sudden, "unexpected" new beginnings

𝄞 9th H in virgo, mercury in 11th H

• travelling with friends

• travelling for studies

• documenting travels

• planning travels

• working with friends

𝄞 POF (26°Taurus) in 9th H virgo

Perhaps I'll have good luck with my assignments. I'll be very focused and lucky when it comes to my studies. I'll be very hard working, and that hard work will be paid off.

𝄞 Lilith (19° Libra) 9th H in libra

There may be some issues with traveling alone. I might have to be moving around alone a lot even if I'm not comfortable with it. There might be some disagreements or slight dissatisfaction when it comes to studies or friendships.

𝄞 10th H in libra (23°aquarius ), venus in 1st H

• harmonious work

• popularity in work

• self focused work

• attracting more attention in general

• something about my relationship/love life could be highlighted or very prominent, a relationship could be revealed as well

• being an "IT" girl

• working on social media? Doing something I've never done before, getting attention for it

𝄞 Union (24° pisces) & Juno (15° gemini) Scorpio in 10th house:

Working with future spouse. Meeting through my work..? Meeting through my blog? Lmao. Honey are you reading this?! I don't see myself working with him on his career (at least not yet), perhaps he'll be reading my posts (writing) online and not notice it's me at first. This makes the most sense to me at the moment but it's just a theory though.

Note: SRC union conjuncts my natal union, SRC Pluto conjunct natal Juno, SRC Uranus conjunct natal Briede in the 3rd house, SRC Chiron (retrograde ) conjunct natal Boda.

There seems to be something significant about my love life but it looks like I'll also be rather weary of it at first. Perhaps I'll be contemplating on what I truly need or believe about my FS, things may feel rather rushed, and I might start having second thoughts about how things will progress. I think so especially because both SRC Chiron & natal Boda are in Aries. A lot of second-guessing may occur. A lot of procrastinating for some reason.

𝄞 Vesta (24° pisces) Libra 10th house:

I'll be making a lot of new connections, friends and relationships. Most of my new friends/acquaintances are ( and will be) from different states & even countries. Our relationship will likely be very harmonious or mostly harmonious. We will share the same goal or drive. Meeting new acquaintances through my blog perhaps?

𝄞 11th house in scorio, pluto in 1st house

• posting more online

• being more popular online

• transforming online identity

• transformation social circles

Something shocking about me could be revealed to my close circles, or even on my blog. The blog might come under scrutiny this year as well, with people suddenly flocking in to either disagree with my posts or just people looking into my blog more (usually with an intent to dig some dirt or information about me). This could also cause a lot of discomfort or discourse trying to continue something I've been doing or even cause a shift in the way I approach something.

• could be related to my face reveal hoho

𝄞 12th H in Sagittarius, jupiter retrograde in 5th H

Education being draining or tiring. I could be rather burdened by school work or assignments, perhaps I'll be doing most of my work alone or may not truly feel connected to my work. Uni life will grant me a lot of opportunities to do things I wouldn't normally do. Perhaps I'll have a lot of fun doing assignments & learn to love my life here.

I'm also really close to the capital city of my country so I'll be able to go to many, manyy events in & out of uni on my own. Since it's in retrograde it's still going to be quite overwhelming. A little bit of a culture shock for me as well.

𝄞 Boda (24° ) conjunct Eros (26°) in 12th H Sagittarius

• thinking/dreaming of marriage feeling more connected to the future, being more laid back about love, marriage, and connections, going with the flow

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ ⭑

Thank you for reading ily!! ♡

@northopalshore

@northopalshore SRC 2024 all rights reserved.

[copperbadge]

So the ADHD Handbook post struck a chord with a lot of people...

I don't think I have it in me to write the book I suggested, mainly because most of what I want to write about is variable by situation. I can't actually offer a magic formula for getting a good assessment, all I would be able to do is say "Here are the warning signs, here's my personal story, shit's just rough". Which I could do but it'd be basically an entire book of "shrug emoji". The best possible way would probably be to offer it as a workbook, like "Here is a page for you to record every communication with the clinic doing your testing. Here is a page for you to write down possible other approaches to getting your medication if the pharmacy is out." etc.

I do think I might write it as a novel of some kind. Possibly even a novel about someone writing a handbook, I haven't decided. I had a dream last night about the book, in which I saw a woman watching a revolution taking place in the distance, thinking, "This is not what I intended when I set out to write a self-help book." Baller way to start a novel, honestly.

Anyway there were several suggestions for books in the notes, so I thought I'd compile those here. I have read none of these, so I can't vouch for their contents, but I'm including what my readers said about them.

@blogquantumreality linked to How To ADHD by Jessica McCabe, who is a well-known ADHD youtuber (I haven't found her videos super helpful but they're also not aimed at me). @knitsinweirdplaces added "The last section of the How to ADHD book is literally called 'how to change the world' and exactly points out we can advocate for a more disability friendly world that traumatizes ADHDer less in the first place. It's the only book I've read that hits the balance of 'your brain has immutable challenges' and 'these strats may help' right. Bonus, it is inclusive of people who use adhd meds and those who don't/can't."

@theindefinitearticle mentioned "I read how to keep house while drowning recently and it's been much more practical for me in terms of actual usable advice." This book has also come up numerous times during National Clean Your Home Month as a helpful guide to cleaning.

@buginateacup said "The year I met my brain is the only one I've read that actually felt like it was making useful suggestions for living with ADHD."

@cabloom said "iampayingattention on Instagram wrote How Not To Fit In."

@grison-in-space said "Do you have any idea how over the top excited I was when I found I Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder?"

@doubleminorforroughing wrote "Please read Devon Price. He wants to tear it all down and I love it." I will add that I don't think I've read Laziness Does Not Exist but I have read Price's shortform work extensively and I think he's been very influential in rethinking how we frame laziness and productivity in relation to both work and neurodivergence, so I can second the recommendation.

[beardedmrbean]

Transgender advocates are pushing back on activists who resort to “unreasonable” tactics, with some admitting they “cannot vilify” critics — as support among Americans for their biggest issues plunges.

Transgender rights came in dead last in a Gallup poll that asked 2024 voters to rank the 22 issues that factored into their ballot decision, with 36% of survey respondents rating them “not important.”

Drilling down into polling on specific issues — such as transgender bathroom policy, trans athletes competing in female sports and laws allowing gender-questioning youth to procure medical sex change treatment — reveals support from many Americans is waning.

Some LGBTQ activists recently told the New York Times they believe the worrying dip in support is attributable to the zealotry of the movement, which emphasizes shame and forced compliance while discouraging any critical debate.

“We have to make it OK for someone to change their minds,” Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of Advocates for Transgender Equality, told the outlet.

“We cannot vilify them for not being on our side. No one wants to join that team.”

Advocates cited tactics — such as stripping distinctions of “male” or “female” from abortion and childbirth topics, being fanatical about pronoun use and likening even unintentional misidentification of a trans person to an act of violence — has not helped grow their coalition of allies.

“No one wants to feel stupid or condescended to,” Heng-Lehtinen acknowledged.

Rethinking how the issue is advocated has also become a part of the Democrats’ ideological reckoning following their decisive loss in this year’s election.

The Trump campaign seized on Vice President Kamala Harris’ past support for taxpayer-funded sex change operations for prisoners, and turned her pushing of LGBTQ issues into one of the most effective campaign ad slogans of the election: “Kamala is for they/them. I am for you.”

Even a small group of Democratic members of Congress have started testing the waters in defiance of the trans lobby.

“Here we are calling Republicans weird, and we’re the party that makes people put pronouns in their email signature,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).

His office was protested by trans activists after he suggested transgender athletes competing against biological females could have an advantage or even injure other competitors — which has happened and continues to happen.

Tufts University’s science department chair purportedly claimed that the school would be cut off internships with Moulton’s office over his concerns, but the Boston institution quickly clarified that was not the case.

Mara Keisling, founder of the National Center for Transgender Equality, pointed the finger at activists for devoting so much energy to debating losing issues.

Among them, she told the Times, were the demonization of “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling for her stance against the encroachment of biological males into female spaces, and pretending that any objections to transgender women in sports are invalid and rooted in discrimination.

The issue of sports, in particular, Keisling noted, was an instance where Americans moved away from sympathizing with trans activists.

“We looked unreasonable,” she told the outlet. “We should be talking about the 7-year-old who just wants to play soccer with her friends.”

[entitled-fangirl]

Adjustment.

Pelle x American!reader

Summary: Three summers ago, Y/n became a part of the Harga. With Pelle returning for midsummer with American friends, she begins to rethink her life here.

Warnings: MANIPULATION TO THE MAX Y'ALL!!! But if you've seen Midsommar then you already knew that I guess. This is a dark one so discretion is advised.

A/n: To the anon that asked for this- I HAVE DELIVERED! This is the first fic since like June that hasn't been GoT related, so it was a nice change of pace, despite that it's just Pelle manipulating the reader

Masterlist

..................................................

She watched Pelle approach, a radiant smile coming over her face. "Pelle!"

The man's head shot up, and his eyes brightened, his arms opening wide. She ran to him. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, one around her waist, the other in her hair. "Oh, how I have missed you."

"I promise I've missed you more. You've gotten to explore, and I've been stuck here without you."

"I trust you have adjusted well," He mentioned as he pulled away, his hands coming to cradle her face. 

"As much as I can. You've brought others?"

Only then did he remember the others. "Ah, right." He turned and pulled her to his side, gesturing to each person. "These are my friends. Josh, Mark, Christian, and uh, Dani." His thumb rubbed at her waist, "Everyone, this is Y/n. She is uh, my spouse, of sorts."

Mark's brows came together. "Like, you're married?"

Josh chipped in. "You didn't mention that."

"No, no," Pelle assured. "Here, we do not believe in the typical marriage that others do. She is my one. But we are all of one family, so legal marriage seems unneeded."

"I see," Josh nodded.

"It is lovely to meet you all," she chimed. "You are American, no?"

"Yeah," Christian agreed. "You're uh, you are too?"

She grinned. "Yes. A dear friend of mine was from here, and she brought me along for midsummer a few years ago. I met Pelle, and the rest is but chance."

"More than chance," Pelle beamed. "She is a beauty, is she not?"

"This friend of yours that brought you," Josh mentioned, "Is she here?"

Her face fell a bit. "No. No, uh. She has died."

Pelle was quick to comfort her. "Her pain is our pain. And you know her life was well lived. There is no death in life, huh?"

"No," she agreed. She quickly fixed her upset features. "Ingmar has made a tea, if you wish for it."

Pelle hummed. "That is quite the idea." He turned to the others. "That would help relax us, yes?"

She pulled from his arms and moved to Dani. "Perhaps us women may speak of finer things. I would enjoy the company."

Dani's eyes pulled into a worried expression that she tried to hide. "Oh. That… That would be nice. I've been in a car with four guys for hours. I'd like the change of pace."

Y/n smiled. "Then it is settled. Pelle?" She asked, turning to him.

His head tilted in an admiring way. "Of course. My company is lovely, but I'm sure Dani would appreciate that."

They watched the men walked off, no doubt going to get high and stare at the grass for the next couple hours. 

"I miss it, you know," Y/n admitted.

"What?"

"America." She looked out over the mostly empty field. "The sun shines differently here. And… I miss the color."

"It's beautiful here," Dani tried to ease.

"Yes, but I meant," she trailed off, gesturing at Dani. "The clothes. I miss my shirts and the pants I had."

"Is that all you wear? The white?"

"Hm?" She looked down at her dress. "Yes. But I have the stitching in both blue and red."

Dani chuckles lightly. "I don't think I could live without sweatpants."

"It gets easier after a while. Pelle promised to bring back books for me. I have not adjusted as well as he was hoping. I know it worries him."

Dani nodded. "He did bring some books. I admit, I didn't want to pry him about why, but that makes sense now."

"He really did? Oh, what kind? And… and how many? Are they popular ones? In America, I mean?"

Dani's eyes widened. "Oh, uh. I don't know. I didn't really look."

She forced her excitement down. "Right. Right. Well, enough of me. Please. I want to know about you," she smiled as she began to lead them down the path to the Harga.

Dani shrugged and put her hands in her pockets as she walked. "Um, let me think. There's not that much to know, really."

"You're in college, aren't you?"

"Yeah. But I'm not in anthropology like the guys-"

"-hmmm. That's odd," she mused. "I studied anthropology as well. For a year or two, anyway."

"Oh," Dani remarked, trying to smile at that. "That is kinda strange. Small world, I guess."

"Yeah. Strange…"

…

Quite a few hours later, the boys stumbled their way into the Harga, Pelle slightly more conscious than the others. He immediately crossed the field, hugging his relatives along the way as he went.

Upon seeing them again, Y/n ushered Dani back over to them.

The more Dani had talked, the more Y/n was beginning to grow concerned about the Harga. 

Like maybe she should have trusted her mind in the first place all those summers ago.

"So many thoughts in your mind," Pelle chimed as he approached her. "I could feel them across the field."

"Dani told me you've brought books," she immediately admitted, not bothering to try to do small talk with him.

Pelle gave a soft chuckle at her eagerness. His hands cupped her cheeks. "I did. Just a few. I know it is not quite everything you want, but I could not bring an entire library. Not when there is so much here for you to still understand."

She couldn't hide the light disappointment in her eyes. It had been such a long year without Pelle. The people of the Harga were comforting and understanding, but there still were the few that stared at her during dinners, like they could read the growing fight in her heart.

She missed home so much. And everyone knew it.

It worried Pelle to no end. 

That's why he brought small things to help her adjust. Books, magazines, art, each summer visit back to the Harga included Pelle's way of reminding her that the rest of the world existed.

Just outside of her reach.

Last summer had been the worst when her friend had offered herself as a sacrifice. Y/n begged Pelle to let her join his travel back to the States.

"I'll be good! I can… I'll do anything! Just don't leave me," she pleaded, her hands in tight fists that gripped his clothing. "I can't do this again."

Pelle gave her a pitying look. It pained him so much to do this to her, but he knew the moment she made it back in the States, he'd lose her. It was not something he was willing to bargain.

"It is only for a few months," he tried to ease. His voice always managed to sooth her. "I am almost done with all of my classes, then I'll return back home. Forever. You just have to be patient." He tilted her head up, ignoring the ugly tear streaks across her cheeks. "Can you do that? Be patient for me?"

"I… I'm feeling sick," she admitted to him. Her mind was so flooded with conflicting thoughts that a headache had began to form.

"How awful," he cooed, his hand rubbing at the back of her head. "Surely they can manage without you for the day. I will walk you to bed."

"No," she covered. "I'm rather hungry-"

That sparked his need to provide for her. "I will go and get you something. I'll bring it to your bed." He kissed her forehead. "Go on."

"Can Dani walk me?" She asked.

Pelle's brows pulled together as he looked from her to Dani. He wanted to say no, but he couldn't understand why exactly. "Okay."

Once the two women got away from the group and into the large building, Y/n grabbed Dani by her biceps. "You have to leave," she warned lowly.

"W-What?" 

"If you stay, you'll stay forever," she cried. "I can't- I can't go home. I've begged. And they'll kill me if they find out I've told you. Please. You have to leave."

"Y/n-"

"-Please!" She cried again. "You must trust me!"

"But Pelle understands we're just visiting."

"I was just visiting," she pointed out. "Until I wasn't. Pelle is a small silver lining in a dumpster of shit. Promise me you'll try."

Dani ran a hand through her hair. "H-How?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "And you can't let them know what you're thinking. They're smarter than they look."

"Alright. Let's just get you in bed for now. We'll talk when you feel better."

"Dani, I'm not crazy. Please-"

"I know." Dani tried to ease. "Let's just get you in bed."

Dani tucked the woman in, making sure all was right before promising to return later to check on her. As she left, she almost ran into one of the older members of the Harga. "Oh. Excuse me."

"She's sick, that one," the older woman, Irma, mused. "We've tried to help her. But her mind is quite plagued. You understand, yes?"

"I…" Dani hesitated. Everything was still so new that she didn't know who to trust, and it was clear that this woman didn't trust her. "Yeah," she lied. "We all say things when we're sick."

…

Pelle came in not long after, Irma catching him on his path and speaking to him in a low voice and handing him a small pouch. Pelle's face dropped at whatever the lady said before nodding and going on with his mission, the skip in his step now gone.

"I've brought you some stew," he chirped when he stepped to Y/n's bed. "Ulla tells me that has been your favorite as of late."

She sat up with a groan, watching Pelle set it at her bedside. She moved to speak, but he beat her to it.

"The elders… they don't think you should speak to Dani anymore." He sat on the side of her bed with his body facing her, though his head was down to avoid eye contact with her. "And after hearing what you said, I have to agree."

Ice poured down her veins, pausing the headache. "Pelle-"

"I think I have been too lenient with you," he admitted in a whisper, like even he didn't want to say it.

"No, listen to me-"

"I know adjusting has been difficult, but have we not been a home for you? Have I not been enough?"

She reached out to his sleeve, tugging on it. "You've been wonderful, I'm the one with the problems."

How easily she was manipulated.

"I think," he muttered, finally looking up at her. "I should stop connecting you with… outside influences."

"No!" She begged. "No, Pelle, you can't! Please!"

"The books, the art, I'll have someone come collect them tomorrow." He sighed and watched himself pick at his nails. "I knew it was a poor idea the moment I started it."

Hot tears fell down her cheeks as she continued tugging on his sleeve in a desperate attempt to make him reconsider. "I need connection, Pelle-"

"That is what they are talking about," he pointed out. "Connecting you to all of these things, making you feel like you are missing out, it is harmful to your little mind." He ran a hand over her hair as he said so. "It has made you dislike your home here." He stood. "And maybe I am the one to blame. I let you hang on to your old life. I should not have." He rubbed at his forehead in thought. "So I must apologize for this."

"What do y-" her sentence stopped in the middle as her eyes widened. "Don't take me away!"

"My American friends need to sleep here, and since we cannot have both you and them here at night, it is easier to relocate you. Perhaps a talk with Siv and a private room for a while will help this."

"No," she begged. "No, Pelle! NO! Not Siv, don't make me!" She cried in a desperate tone.

He sat again, sighing deeply and running a hand over her cheek in a calm manner. In a caring way. Like maybe he truly wouldn't make her. Like he may go back on his word. "It pains me to do so," he sighed. "So very much." His eyes searched hers, the deep blue irises studying her from the inside out, trying to find a way to be merciful yet firm. "Only until you have learned better."

He reached down to the small pouch he was given by Irma earlier, taking a pinch of the powder in it and holding it out in his hand in front of her. 

She tried to move away, but Pelle's blow was quick enough to send the powder into her face. She coughed immediately, prompting a large breath in and her eyes glazed over. 

Pelle caught her head gently, taking extra care when laying her down. 

…

When Y/n didn't show the next day, Dani finally got the nerve to ask Pelle where she was.

Pelle turned with a reassuring smile. "She had other matters. She will return soon, I'm sure." 

Dani nodded and pretending to forget about it. But the girl's words ran clearly in her head. 

They needed to leave.

.......................................................

[nemisuki]

You Finally Noticed

Synopsis || A girl and the events leading up to her falling for her grumpy classmate. Only this time, she gains the courage to confess the secret she’s kept all these years.. on Valentine's day!?

᧔o᧓ || katsuki bakugo x f!reader, she/her pronouns, fluff, no smut or angst, physical touch & words of affirmation, mini flashbacks, crush au, confessions, first kisses, mutual feelings, starts as first years + ends as seniors, mainly reader pov but bkgs at the end, long fluffy oneshot, GREEN FLAG BKG, happy ending, he’s just a lil guy, 3.7k word count

The idea of falling in love was something she had always hoped for.

As depicted in the movies, the beauty of finding your forever partner – one who will unconditionally care for you till the end of time –  is simply one of the greatest gifts you can achieve while walking on this earth.

She just didn't expect to find him so soon.

You would assume the girl would fall for the other candidates in her class. All of them showing qualities to be perfect for whoever they choose to spend their future with.

Though she loved them all, it wasn't the type that made y/n have butterflies in her stomach – one that made her rethink every interaction they've ever had – it wasn't how she felt like with him.

She wasn't aware of when this all began.

At first it was the adrenaline, the thrill of being acknowledged by the notorious blonde, her overpowered classmate who spouted harsh words to anyone in the beginning of their first year.

Many months have passed and yet she could never forget their first normal interaction.... well as normal as it can get.

During the UA sports festival – more specifically the team choosing for the cavalry battle – she approached him just like everyone else.

Internally hoping she could be on his team, secretly admiring his strive for victory, though still intimidated by his frightening exterior.

"Wait, remind me what your quirks are again... and your names!"

Everyone stares dumbfounded but nonetheless go one by one to reintroduce themselves.

When it's her turn, she hesitantly meets his gaze – his eyes so intense and calculating that it alarms her – but she holds it, not wanting to look weak in front of him.

"um im y/n l/n and my quirk is... [ur choice!]"

She goes to further explain the abilities in her arsenal and why it'll benefit him in battle, though there's a small part of her that wants to look elsewhere, his red orbs are just so... expressive.

He stays silent for a moment, analyzing the different options he could choose from, then finally makes his decision.

"Alright.... you, you and you."

The blonde states, pointing towards his three picks, and the shock on her face is evident as she miraculously gets selected.

He ignores the others' whines and begins walking to an isolated corner without another word, her legs quickly moving to follow him a second later.

The boy seems to take notice and turns around, shouting at the other two, who are standing there obviously relishing in the glory, "Follow me like her, you idiots!"

The duo quickly rushes to catch up as you both keep walking.

Bakugo simply rolls his eyes at the comical scene, sneaking a peek in her direction, making y/n tense up at the realization of their temporary time alone.

Her heart rapidly accelerates at the possibility of being the target of his anger.

"And don't be too excited nerd, I almost didn't pick you."

The swirling thoughts in her mind only multiply at his blunt tone, her curiosity getting the better of her as she hesitantly replies, unsure if she'd even want to hear his answer.

"May I ask why?"

"You're not confident I can tell."

She takes notice of his blank expression, contradicting the harsh tone of his words, her eyes slightly widening as he continues on.

How did he-

"You're never gonna make it to be a pro if you're not confident in your own abilities."

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ 

As she's unable to come up with a response, he simply sighs with annoyance, watching the other two steadily approach, "Just don't hold me back, got it? Your quirk is useful to me so use it."

"uh- got it!"

Regardless of the stern warning and glare, the awe in her eyes returns with full force. Although this is their first time communicating one on one, he already read her like a book.

Bakugo truly is a force to be reckoned with.

Instead of taking it in a malicious light, a small smile appears on her face at his words : 'Your quirk is useful'

It's the first time anyone has ever said that to her, and she'd be lying if she said it didn't make her feel good.

That means he's relying on her right?

A determined look slowly emerges as she nods along, listening intently as the blonde goes over their battle strategy, they can win this!

Looking back at that moment, it was probably then when her eyes slowly started drifting to him unconsciously, the days going on as her interest in him slowly rose.

Their first year went by in a flash – the chaotic events making time speed up for a second – making their moments as second years all the more precious.

The two weren't super close at first by any means, but after everything... his anger seemed to mellow out, though he was still the same prickly blonde everyone knew and loved.

It was when life unexpectedly kept bringing them together that they slowly found reasons to make small conversations.

The vibration of footsteps beneath her shoes causes her to look over her shoulder, her gaze zeroing in on the blonde – who seems to be on the verge of an explosion – as he walks down the aisle of the crowded bus.

Which was provided by UA for their annual school trip.

"Cmon bakubro! Where are you going?!"

"Fuck off shitty hair!"

"We aren't being THAT loud-"

"Shut it! I'm changing my damn seat!"

He grumbles curses under his breath as he heads to the front of the bus, looking around for an empty seat, the only available one being next to herself but currently occupied by her book bag.

Their gazes meet for a moment, and she seems to understand, quickly reaching over to pull her bag off and plopping it on the floor underneath her.

He slowly approaches and sits down beside her, mumbling an explanation to the girl as he takes out his earbuds.

"Too damn noisy in the back."

A small smile appears on her face as she nods along, understanding his troubles. I mean she was sitting at the front for the same reason as well.

"They're just excited for the overnight trip at the cabins."

"Tch, acting like damn idiots more like it."

He proceeds to take out his phone, scrolling down his Spotify to click on a certain album to listen to.

She didn't mean to look, she really didn't, but her eyes caught the recognizable design of the cover.

Her eyes doing a double take to make sure she wasn't going insane, small sparks of excitement making her attempt a conversation with her new seat partner.

"You listen to them as well Bakugo?!"

His body tenses just barely as he turns his head to her, opening his mouth to speak, but she quickly shakes her hands dismissively.

"I wasn't peeking at your phone I promise! I just saw the cover from the corner of my eye and it looked familiar so..."

A wave of embarrassment shines over her and she shuts herself up, internally cringing at her attempts for small talk, looking away from him with warm cheeks.

It was only after a moment of silence, when he quietly mumbles, "It's a good album but nothing beats the first one."

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ 

She slowly looks back at him, meeting his eyes once more – feeling as if he's analyzing every minor movement of hers – though he looks oddly calm now.

"Ah that's my favorite one too, I really like the drum solo in the first song!"

"That so..."

"Mhm!"

Noticing his half lidded eyes, she cuts it short to leave him alone for now, letting the blonde rest for the remaining amount of time.

Though an hour later, life seems to throw another curve ball at the poor girl.

At a small speed bump, she suddenly feels a weight on her shoulder, her heart dangerously halting at the foreign feeling.

She looks to her side – taking in the odd sight of his head resting against her – the usual frown now replaced with a peaceful expression.

The scent of his cologne slowly invades her nostrils, making her more bashful at the turn of events, her heartbeat now a bit irregular as she sits completely still to not wake him up.

Her eyes move on their own as she takes a peek at his face, noticing the delicate features that make up his perfect facial structure, her hand itching to caress the smooth ivory skin.

What's with her?

Her mind goes on auto pilot to come up with an explanation for her intrusive thoughts yet the conclusion is always the same.

So for the rest of the bus drive there, the only thing taking up her mind is the inevitable realization, she likes him.... y/n likes bakugo.

The remaining months of the year went by in a flash – with the girl keeping this secret to herself – unable to fathom the hold her classmate has over her heart.

The worst part is he didn't even know it.

He didn't know how pretty he was when focusing on an assignment.

He was unaware at how flattering the uniform made him stand out – despite it being what everyone else wears – he simply wore it better.

His attractiveness when working out during training sessions needed to be studied, because who else could make a push up look that appealing?

Even worse if he did it with one hand, she can only hope he didn't catch her tripping over her own two feet, just because his exercises got her all distracted.

But most of all, the worst part was how oblivious he is – to how much she disliked the newfound attention on him.

It was the last Valentine's Day they'll celebrate at UA. Their senior year to be more specific.

The months quickly pass by as if it urges them to head off to the real world of hero agencies and internships awaiting them.

Yet the only thing that was on her mind, was the impending time limit she put on herself.

Her last chance to confess her feelings.

Only problem is his popularity, frankly speaking... she expected this, his status seemed to only increase after their first year.

Last time his locker was filled with a stash of love letters and written confessions.

And this year... seems like it only got worse.

"You've gotta be kidding me..."

The blonde groans with pure annoyance as he opens his locker, piles of envelopes falling down on the floor as he runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

"Damn bakubro, lucky you! Seems like the ladies like you~"

Kirishima playfully whistles at him, earning a glare from his grumpy friend.

"Tch, I don't know any of these extras in the damn first place! Help me pick this shit up!"

"Pfft okay okay! One sec!" 

She watches from afar as he opens a trash bag – clearly more prepared than last year – putting all the letters inside one by one with an irritated sigh.

Her heart clenches at the sight, seems his admirers have only increased as they've grown up, causing her thoughts to scramble with hesitation.

The aching sensation in her chest being more noticeable to y/n as some girls approach the blonde, chocolates in their hand as they blush when he turns to face them.

She didn't have the guts to watch any longer, spinning on her heels to walk back to the dorms, clutching the red gift bag in her hand – reminding herself to not freak out – the days not over yet.

Her eyes stare at the ticking clock above her dresser.

The palm of her hand grows a bit clammy as she reapplies her chapstick, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.

She has to do this.

Before she can chicken out, her legs quickly rush out of her dorm, wandering up a floor to reach the end of the hall.

And standing before her is none other than his room – it's almost midnight – she doesn't even know if he's awake at this point but she's stalled long enough.

With a shaky hand, she gently knocks on the door, frankly a bit nervous one of their classmates will spot her red handed.

Though much to her shock, it doesn't even take him more than 15 seconds to open the door – his face surprisingly wide awake – calmly staring down at her.

But she could've sworn the previous tension in his shoulders relaxed as soon as their gazes met.

Or maybe that was hope clouding her judgement.

"y/n..."

The conversation hasn't even started yet and she can already feel the intense warmth on her cheeks. Her eyes darted away for a moment to recollect herself.

"sorry i know it's late but it's important-"

"come inside."

"huh-"

She didn't have the time to process his words, not when his hand reached out to her waist, gently maneuvering her inside the room to shut the door behind her.

The close proximity only gives her the ability to hear the fastening heart rate within her. So loud in fact, that she begins to wonder if he can hear it too.

His hand doesn't move away from her hip, as if leaving a mark on her that she'll no doubt remember many years from now.

And she doesn't pull away either – wondering how she's lived up to this moment without feeling his intimate touch – but also questioning the purpose of his actions.

If it was to make her flustered... he sure as hell achieved it.

His eyes glance down at the red gift bag in her hands – white tissue paper concealing its contents – then looks back to her face.

"this is..."

Her grip on the bag slightly tightens, attempting to hide the anxious bundle of nerves as she stares back at him.

The blonde tilts his head, suddenly using his other hand to grab the gift, almost expectantly as he quietly mumbles, "for me yeah?"

The eye contact was beyond excruciating.

"um yes but... open it later please."

He slowly nods and places it on a nearby table, but her mind is fixated on the fact that he hasn't let go yet.

His touch was gentle yet so so warm.

"You didn't write a card."

Huh?

"-i looked through the pile of junk... and not one of those letters we're from you."

Her eyes slightly widened with disbelief at his words, the image of him checking every single one of those envelopes, made everything clear to her.

She tries her best – but the hidden meaning behind his words was too much – the realization making her break down, previous anxiety being replaced with pure relief and joy.

A glossy coat of tears begins to form at the silent confirmation she so desperately needed to hear.

His empty hand lifting up to cradle her cheek, a little hesitant, as if scared his touch will be too rough.

She immediately denies such thoughts, leaning more into his palm for comfort.

Those red irises soften at her vulnerable state, his thumb wiping away any stray droplets that trickle down her face as he softly whispers.

"Don't you remember what I said before, idiot? Be confident."

The moonlight peeking through the glass panels of the window only adds to the cozy atmosphere – illuminating everything in its path – including them, giving him a glow that was definitely not needed.

It was as if she was in a dream.

"I like you."

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ 

Time seemed to slow down as the confession exited her mouth, finally letting out the secret she's been keeping to herself all these years.

Y/N could've sworn she already felt the weight being lifted off her shoulders.

At his silence, she takes it as a green light to continue, the only reaction from him being a twitch of a smug smile.

"I-I liked you before anyone else did, before you got popular! And I think I understand you pretty well! Like um... I know you're an excellent cook who specializes in spicy food, you hate winter because it makes your quirk act up, secretly enjoy petting kittens-"

"Oi, alright alright I get it! You're starting to sound like the damn nerd."

Although his words were rough, the pink hue on his cheeks was unmistakably there, barely visible but definitely present.

He slowly leans down, his lips hovering over her own as he whispers, "you sure took your time."

Her breath hitches and it takes everything in her to not lean in closer – she felt like a moth being lured into the flame – that is him, "you already knew?"

The blonde scoffs with fake annoyance, almost like he's offended at her clueless nature, "doesn't take a genius when you're always staring."

"oh..."

It felt as if she was on fire, the warmth in her heart now spreading to every inch of her body, heating up places she didn't know was possible.

His gaze bores into hers before slowly traveling down to her lips, his thumb moving to trace the outline of her mouth as he speaks.

"Can I kiss you now? Or you're gonna make me wait another 3 years, nerd?"

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ 

A small laugh escapes her at his grumpy attitude, smiling brightly as she nods, not quite believing this is real and needing some sort of confirmation, "Only if you'll be my valentine-"

She's unable to finish her question before his lips are on hers, with a sense of longing and affection, a perfect mix that makes her eyes flutter close at the feeling.

Time seemed to pause as they lost themselves in the loving exchange, not wanting to let the other go as their hearts finally conjoined to one.

You would expect someone with his personality to match his actions, but anyone would be wrong.

Bakugo is unbelievably gentle.

He slowly pulls away, giving her bottom lip a teasing nip as he mumbles, "I prefer boyfriend, dumbass."

In a spur of a moment with minimal effort, he lifts her up from where she stood, proceeding to carry her over to his bed and gently setting her down.

Not once does the smile leave her face – relishing in the change of their newfound relationship – she hasn't been this happy in weeks.

".....thanks or whatever."

"hm? for what?"

"for loving me."

Her eyes soften as he lays down beside her, draping the covers over the two as she hums, "don't thank me.... you're easy to fall in love with."

She shimmies over to wrap her arms around him, influencing him to do the same – caging her in as he hides the cheesy expression – burying his face in the crook of the neck.

Their bodies cling to each other like magnets, refusing to break apart.

"I love you too."

"awww i didn't know you were a sap-"

"shuddup."

It was a peaceful silence – one where no more words needed to be exchanged – though she still had one lingering question in her mind, one that needed answers.

"hey bakugo-"

"katsuki."

A small giggle escapes her as his correction, she nods and scoots closer, if even possible.

"Katsuki, I still have a question."

His first name on her tongue makes it more official to her, reminding herself that this is in fact... not a dream.

"yeah?"

"when did you find out... that I liked you?"

She can see the way he lifts his head up, staring to the side as he ponders, his mind going back in time for the answer.

When he remembers, a smug grin goes on his face as he reaches an arm to the bedside table, grabbing his phone and opening it up to look through his gallery.

"On a school trip during our second year, shitty hair showed me this photo when we were unpacking at the cabins."

"huh- what photo?"

He turns his phone in her direction and there in all its glory... is a photo of her and bakugo.

The old memory of him falling asleep on y/n's shoulder, and her admiring gaze on him – with a soft smile she didn't even realize she was doing – as the sunlight hits both of them perfectly.

Kirishima must've somehow snagged a photo before she could notice!

"you've known for that long?" y/n whines, completely embarrassed as she recounts all the times she admired him from afar, thinking he wasn't aware but now clearly being proven wrong.

A genuine laugh erupted from his mouth, as he clicks some buttons and to her horror, makes it his lock screen.

"oh god, please no!"

She tries reaching for it but his fast reflexes catch on, casually throwing his phone far from her reach and squeezing the daylights out of her.

"shush it and go to bed now, nerd."

A small pout forms on her face but slowly fades away as he pecks her forehead, mumbling snarky teases at how 'down bad' she is for him.

But what he doesn't tell her is how much he's noticed her too, without her knowledge.

The blonde stays silent on the fact that during the sports festival, he chose her NOT because of her quirk but because he couldn't ignore the look of awe in her eyes.

It was the first time any girl saw him in such a way.

He doesn't tell her how he learned that drum solo she mentioned on that exact bus ride – once he'll muster up the courage to play for her tomorrow – hoping his nerves won't cause a mistake or two.

A secret bouquet of flowers and a gift bag was hidden behind the door, placed there by accident when he saw her through the peephole earlier.

If she didn't show in the next 30 seconds, she would've been met with the sight of him outside her dorm. Suppose he'll give them to her in the morning, not wanting to leave the comfort of her arms just yet.

And Bakugo hopes she'll forget about his earlier slip up of mentioning how he looked at every single valentine card he got.. in hopes to find hers. Remembering how he scolded Kirishima to look through the pile another time just in case he missed it.

Alas, he can finally drift off to sleep... knowing he'll never have to stay up past his bedtime for another valentines day again, waiting for a specific someone to show.

Because she'll be beside him, just like right now.

A random thought crosses his mind and he chuckles, causing her to look up at him with a curious expression, broken out of her little daydream before bed.

"What's so funny?"

Saving her the embarrassment, he simply shakes his head and pushes her head back down to his chest, "nothing just sleep would ya? It's late."

"...okay, night katsuki."

"yeah night."

His hand caresses the back of her head, feeling the soft sensation of her hair beneath his fingers, and smiling to himself at his previous thought.

She put on cherry chapstick huh... knowing it's his favorite fruit.

Who's the dork now?

✦ ⎯⎯⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨ masterlist || taglist || intro || socials ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⎯⎯ ✦

a/n ||| happy valentines day everyone! spread the love all around whether it be family, friends or your lover – and if you don't have anyone then just LOVE YOURSELF today! buy a coffee, go out on a solo date, do whatever ur heart desires bc u deserve it for just waking up! to all my followers, anyone who comments, those who like and repost my work... i love u all from the bottom of my heart! remember that u matter, u are loved, u are seen ❤️ *mwah* tags ||| @leleyro @zaiban2989 ໒꒰ྀི ´๑  ̫๑`  ꒱ྀིა

[nights-at-crystarium]

Fragments - episodes 47-52 author notes

You can find similar breakdown posts on older episodes in my pinned!

Time to recap the first proper wolgraha miniarc. See what you might’ve missed, or simply enjoy the extra content in form of my rambling.

47 stands out as a bit disconnected, floaty, introspective episode fully focusing on Exarch’s pov. I’ve scattered some breadcrumbs for him throughout the entire comic, time to pick those up. He may be an oblivious fool in certain moments, but I believe he wouldn’t keep insisting on staying deaf and blind when evidence’s shoved in his face. So, this moment of recollection and rethinking marks the start of the canon divergence, all of his future actions are colored by this.

Vivi has a dire effect on some people even without trying to manipulate them.

The composition forms a star here :3c

This panel should make their likeness even more obvious, they’re mirror reflections, albeit deliciously twisted ones. Also, the V sign is literally something that Vivi. Just. Does.

Exarch's heard from Vivi himself that they might be the same, Urianger literally tells him to go to a mirror and ponder, but when he does, and tries to look a bit more like he imagines Vivi, he can't stand what he sees in the mirror. They still aren't the same in his heart of hearts, even if reality itself tries to prove otherwise.

Hidden Angst Time! I can only hope that most readers are familiar with the flashback bubbles by now, and that this panel reads as it should: Feo Ul embraces Exarch while pointing out that they’re also being ostracized by their kind. Though the ultimate fae wisdom lies in accepting something the way it is, and just not caring too much.

More under the cut~ 

*rewinds all the way back to episode 1* hehe

“Does a hero have to be happy about his job” is one of my personal fav lines so far, I think it hits hard, pointing not only at Vivi, but at Exarch as well, and the visual supports it. I think this encapsulates Exarch’s ideology.

Exarch’s GASP could be interpreted as saying GASP out loud, which only makes it funnier.

Vivi carefully plans his entrance in order to make the atmosphere less formal. Approaching normally just wouldn’t do it. Also he just feels relaxed and safe to be silly. Remember how lowkey he was since his arrival to the First? His behavior all but contradicted what I said and showed about him in the ARR arc and outside of the comic.

Well, that’s in the past now. He’s finished assessing the situation and concluded that it’s okay to be more himself.

Feo Ul's upset that Exarch used his “radar” to detect Vivi’s ambush while they’d just used a similar ability to make sure that no emet-selchs are around.

If you catch a flirty vibe from Vivi in this episode, you're correct.

Vivi when he's remotely interested in a man:

My flavor of lampshading the obvious exposition dump. Oh Exarch, you asked for this, no take-backsies.

Another few hard-hitting questions from Exarch. It's easy to gloss over these, but if you slow down and think, it's decent angst material. Has anyone ever been concerned about Vivi's feelings, or was it more convenient to look away, even if intently, even if both sides knew they're better off not talking about that, for there's indeed no wol replacement. What good does acknowledging the situation if you can’t change it.

This's Vivi's memory, thus he appears small against the looming forms of the world leaders. Rigid, formal, impersonal. Raha's memories of the Ironworks seem to have a different vibe, despite all the parallels of the duty imposed by the world on one special guy. Also yeah I do wanna make my own version of the 8UC timeline and characters someday, for now these are just random characters that I consider as placeholders. And the dunmeshi cameo x’D

Yes, he mocks the people that he's saved. He's VERY frustrated with his job.

I offer you a fun game: spot all the mannerisms that make Vivi and Emet so alike. I genuinely never thought about this until this year, while this scene's pretty damn old, i.e. Vivi's always been like this, it precedes my Emet brainrot.

I swear that this line also was there before my Emet brainrot, but now it makes for a hilarious kind of foreshadowing.

You could already tell how "fit" he is for solving trolley problems.

This’s his “oops I talked too much shit” face.

The way Exarch just quietly TURNS and LOOKS at Vivi cracks me up. Don't undermine the tone with random jokes, dammit. But is this random? I’ve already analyzed this moment somewhere but for the sake of keeping important things in one place: they wrestle for control here. Exarch winds up for something serious, while Vivi wants to steer the convo towards more casual. It does somewhat lower the tension, though Exarch doesn’t relinquish his lead in the convo.

This doesn’t save him from becoming Frank forever from here on.

This miniarc’s rich with raw, hard-hitting words, so I’ll bring this up again.

We’re finally getting the explanation and context for a lot of previous episodes:

And the following episodes only help driving this point home. Vivi already sees the First as a viable escape from the Source with all of its shitty people and endless problems.

"This's why I... enjoy my time away from the Source": even at this seemingly high level of trust between them Vivi won't openly tell Exarch about his plans to stay here, a variable he doesn't want to become a risk.

Yes, he does an entirely calculated and strategic flop. A literal thirst trap.

Meme provided by my discord server:

Vivi casts provoke, it's..... not effective

^ This’s one of my personal fav exarchs I’ve ever drawn DADDY PLS

A panel that everyone loved to bits :>

I pair angst with other flavors to make it fun and non-repetitive. It's not "boohoo I can never kiss my hero, the world will end if I do, I'm so aggravated with myself", it's the hooded Exarch (duty) being mad at the unhooded Exarch (human), and delivering the same notion in a fun exchange. You can't help but laugh at the comical chibi violence, at the same time you acknowledge that it's a pretty fucked up act of suppressing one's innate human desires.

It's not a date, they just sit and talk <- the water in which Exarch is being slowly boiled.

I rarely talk about the visuals, but here I intended to make it look like a magical moment frozen in time. It's immersive, whimsical, full of color and movement. Despite the perceived warmth, the composition splits them apart, they're alone together. It’s still Raha’s pov, Vivi doesn’t seem to have any fond memories of the Source at all, we only hear about the past from his current jaded self.

An in-universe acknowledgment of the ARR arc lasting only 11 episodes x’D Though it’s all by design, it was meaningful only to Raha, while being a forgettable blip in time for Vivi.

Episode 52 opens with.... *drumroll*

NIP SLIP

I lovingly rendered that nip and I’ll make you look at it.

Ibuprofen meme would be the first thing that comes to mind, but consider the better/worse caption: "come to daddy". In all seriousness though, it’s a cool panel that I wanted to appreciate again. This IS Vivi’s pov.

The grimy beaten up Vivi creates questions that are answered in episode 53, which is yet to be released publicly at the moment of writing this. Some episodes, like 52-53 and 42-43, come in pairs that only make sense together due to the non-linear storytelling.

Yes this’s Aymeric, no I won’t say anything else :’> One thing that’s worth noting is the face Vivi makes here. And the distant, emotionless tone with which he recalls the moment of his own near-death.

Lemme spell it out even more plainly: Vivi romanticizes the moment he almost died. Exarch just happened to be present in that moment, and Vivi latched on to him as someone who would grant him escape, freedom, peace.

“A kindly wizard from fairytales”. I regret to inform you that we have two delusional fucks on our hands. Both see each other as some kinda dreamt up, idealized, mythical figures.

This miniarc isn’t over yet, but I’m wrapping up the recap here. Thanks for reading till the end~