#I'll only search in the Present to steal more from it.

[luxsky]

Kicking out

Rhysand x reader

Summary: Reader tries to have a peaceful day without their partner hovering with overprotection, but destiny has other plans.

Warnings: Pregnancy, mentions of body aches, Rhysand being an overly protective rooster. Ignore any biological errors; I've never been pregnant and have no background in any health-related field, so everything here is either from my imagination or a quick Google search.

Autor's Note: This is my first time posting here, and I'm anxious and very, very nervous (especially because it's the first time I've written in a long time). I don't know if I like this or not, but this idea has been lingering in my head for days. Maybe I'll do a part two, but I'm not sure. Please, I welcome any kind of feedback here! (but be careful with how you say it). I apologize if the grammar is... bad? English is not my first language, and I'm not fluent (much of this had help from AI for translation, so if something doesn't make sense or is placed incorrectly, please let me know so I can correct it).

It's the beginning of fall, all you wanted to do was sit on the expensive and cozy sofa decorating the House of Wind and read a soft and cliché romance book while sipping on a cup of hot coffee. Except, you couldn't consume caffeine for the sake of the baby growing in your belly. Still, you had the option to sit and read a book, but your large and exuberant belly prevented you from sitting comfortably for too long. Well, nothing a few pillows and a blanket couldn't solve. Okay then, you didn't have coffee or a comfortable position, but you could still read your book, right?

Well, no, you've been trying to do that since the early afternoon when you sent Rhysand to his office, asking him to work a bit in his own court instead of watching over you. In fact, he had been a mother hen since the beginning of the pregnancy, and that was just one of the excuses you gave to get rid of his overprotectiveness. But it was becoming a challenging mission to concentrate on reading. You're nearing the end of your pregnancy, which is exciting in part, with the anticipation of meeting your little one consuming you, but the discomfort of carrying a baby constantly kicking your ribs has proven quite persistent.

It's been more than five minutes since you were stuck on the same page, reading and rereading but unable to focus on the book, back pain and intermittent cramps stealing all your concentration. You were used to a slight discomfort in your back since the beginning of the second trimester, but today, in particular, it was more of a significant and noticeable discomfort. You sighed in frustration and decided that maybe eating something would help. Putting the book aside, you remove the blanket from over you and swing your legs out of the sofa, prepared for the struggle it would be to get up. Normally, Rhys would help you, but if he left the office long enough to realize something was bothering you, he would spend the rest of the day hovering over you, worried and concerned.

Breathless and almost sweating, you managed to get up. At this point, the only clothes that fit you were light fabric dresses, or what you were currently wearing: one of Rhys's sweatpants and a sweater stolen from his closet. Your partner started sharing half of his wardrobe when your beautiful, stylish, and beloved clothes no longer fit you—you cried for a whole hour after trying to put on one of your favorite pants, and Rhys almost cried too, not knowing how to comfort you.

Walking towards the kitchen, you almost laughed, remembering the various times when hormones provided you with uncontrollable tears and frightened your partner. In those moments, you felt slightly vindicated by his insistence on being present for every breath you took. It's not that you didn't love your partner and appreciate his concern; it's just that he didn't know how to balance it at certain times. As soon as you told him you were pregnant, he became an overprotective mother hen full-time, and it suffocated you a bit. Of course, you talked about it, and he promised to control himself, but if you made a different move, he was already on top of you, asking what was wrong and insisting that you needed to stay in bed.

Reaching the kitchen, you pause for a moment to catch your breath and lean your hands on your back while deciding what to eat. God, this belly was weighing more than usual. Deciding to make a big, hearty sandwich, you start gathering all the necessary ingredients from the cabinets and placing them on the counter.

You feel your partner gently pulling that thread connecting you two, and the next moment, he's entering the kitchen, a furrow between his eyebrows indicating that he's thinking, and the slight contraction in his mouth tells you he's worried. "Darling, you should be resting."

You roll your eyes and let a faint smile form on your lips as you reply, "I was resting, but then I got bored." You lean against the counter for a minute, then turn to grab a knife to cut the tomatoes. When you turn again, Rhys is in front of you, reaching out towards you and taking the knife. "If you wanted something to eat, you just had to ask." You pout at him, but he ignores it and turns to the counter, starting to cut the tomatoes. "I just wanted to do something for myself; you don't let me touch anything since you found out I'm pregnant."

You're beside him, staring at the tomatoes he cut, waiting for a response. He turns his face to you and plants a quick kiss on your forehead, grabbing the bread and saying, "Because the only thing I'll let my partner do while she's pregnant is to make this baby. That's consuming enough energy, and I don't want you to tire yourself out."

"Well, your partner may be making a baby, but she assures you she has enough energy to make her own sandwich."

He raises an eyebrow, and a shit-eating grin forms on his lips. Like she had enough energy to organize the baby's clothes last night? His voice fills your mind, the thread connecting you two vibrating with his amusement. Bastard.

I only slept because you decided to intervene and didn't let me do anything else.

"Darling, I only intervened because you were asleep." He starts putting each ingredient on the bread, and you decide to sit — not because you're tired, obviously — in front of him. You go around the counter as you respond, "Well, I don't remember... Argh." The sudden pain reverberating in your back and cramping that comes and goes cut your speech in half. Damn, you really hoped it wouldn't happen now.

Rhys is in front of you before you can even move, one hand on your belly and the other gently placed on your face, guiding your eyes to meet his. "What's wrong? Is it you? The baby? Panic fills his voice and shines in his beloved violet eyes. His mouth has that contraction again.

The only response you give is a negative nod, trying to catch your breath as the pain passes. He continues with his hands on you and doesn't seem satisfied with your non-verbal answer. I'm fine, the baby is fine. It must have been just another kick in my rib.

His right hand holds the one he placed on your face, and his lips try to form a reassuring smile, which is probably just a funny grimace at the moment. He kisses your forehead, and there's still concern on his face when he pulls away just enough to put both hands on your belly. His gaze alternates between your face and your belly; he still seems reluctant, so he asks again, "Are you sure? I can call Madja just to check, and..."

''Shh." You interrupt him, placing a finger on his lips. Your gaze softened, and now you're the one placing both hands on your partner's face, your thumb stroking his cheek." I said we're fine; it's nothing serious. The baby has been restless all day."

That seems to convince him enough because he agrees and holds your hands, bringing his face closer to yours and planting a gentle kiss on your lips. You pull away after a moment, this time with a complete smile when you playfully say, "Now, go finish my sandwich, or else this baby will start kicking for food." Rhysand laughs with your remark and turns to the counter, finishing your sandwich.

He starts putting away the ingredients again after placing the plate in front of you. "Why didn't you tell me you were in pain? We could have asked Madja for something." He finishes putting away the last ingredient and turns to you again, only the counter separating him as he watches you take the first bite of the sandwich.

"Oh God, this is so good." You ignore his statement, too focused on savoring what might be the best sandwich of your life. He accepts your lack of response with a soft laugh and turns to the cabinets to grab a glass. "Do you want some juice?" you mumble a yes, with your mouth full of the sandwich, and wait for him to fill the glass. He has his back to you while rummaging through the cabinets.

Splash.

"What kind of juice do you want, dear? Because I think we only have orange or grape, but I can ask the House to make some other flavor." He turns to you, waiting for a response, but his face transforms when he sees your expression. "What? Is something wrong?"

Oh, well, this is going to be funny. You finish swallowing the sandwich, trying to formulate a word. He stays where he is, waiting for your response, frozen. But it's your next words that make him run towards you.

"I think my water just broke."

Another pang erupts in your back, and you realize that maybe it wasn't the baby that was restless. It was contractions.

And this baby is about to kick its way out of your belly.

[d34dlysinner]

Just found your blog a few days ago and have had a blast reading through everything! Really had me blushing and kicking my feet a few times. 😂 Saw that you were still taking requests and wanted to place one. 💜 I don’t think anyone has requested this yet, so can I please get the Kings + A devil of your choosing reacting to MC wearing something that belongs to them? Like MC just casually chilling in one of Satan’s jackets. Couples sharing clothes and stuff is just so cute and domestic to me. Thank you in advance! 🫶

A cute ask! Sorry for late answer- Thanks for the request!!

Satan would often look around, searching for one of his tank tops. Sometimes he'd get annoyed when he instantly can't find it. Then he sees you wearing his tank top and his anger or annoyance transformed into admiration and at times even lust. He would allow you to wear his shirts. He wouldn't care walking bare chested. It's just that he's used to wearing it when he's going around Gehenna and thus searches for his tank top to wear it.

He also at times would allow you to wear his entire outfit. He just thinks that it's cute on you. He could also lend one of his sweaters, jackets or oversized shirts incase you want to wear something more baggy.

"Just take the clothes if you want more... but I need to see you wear them."

Beelzebub coat looks comfortable at times. He also knew that you'd like to wear his coat sometimes. He has no problems giving it to you, after a little struggle. He wants to have fun. If you want his coat you got to work for it one way or another. It may range from pulling, stealing or even begging for the coat.

"I'll only give this to you if you can give me a kiss.", he'll say to make you blush. And by a kiss he means more than just a peck.

Just keep him entertained and he'll have a reason to give you the coat. It's funny for him to see you wear his coat with a victorious smile present on you face.

He'll at times also covers you with his coat when he sees you sleeping.

Leviathan is very hard to convince when you want to wear something of his. It's also hard to just take it since he cleans his room well and keep everything neatly sorted.

There are going to be times where he'll either think it's weird that you want to wear something of his. There are also moments where he feels somewhat victorious, as if he won something, when he sees you wear something as simple as one of his shirts.

He'll allow you to wear some of his clothes, but after a short time will ask it back. Unless he becomes jealous at you wearing someone else's shirt and not your own or his.

"You shouldn't wear that trash... Wear this instead.", he says as he gives you one of his shirts.

Mammon would easily give you his clothes. All of it if you asked. He has no trouble giving you his rings, trousers, shirts. It didn't matter to him. He did say that he was a benevolent king. So if you requested it he'll give it to you.

He would think it's cute to see you drown in his clothes. He may be tall, but he's also very broad. So wearing his clothes might at times be a challenge.

His clothes are comfy to use as pyjamas. It may look tough but once you get used to it and once you are engulfed in the warm fabric that smells of him, you could feel yourself drifting off to sleep

"Sleeping in my clothes, huh...", he mumbles to himself as he pulls you into his chest to make you rest against him.

Marbas has big clothes. If you want to wear his clothes he might think your weird at times. He'll give it to you anyway.

At times he wonders if you also would like to be restraint to get his full look.

"I promise to not tie you up too hard if you want those too...", he says as he points at some of the restraints he owns.

He thinks it's cute to see you wear one of his oversized shirts. He also loves to embrace you while you're wearing his clothes.

[loveisanimaginarydagger3000]

Enemies With Benefits (2)

Admit It

Wanda Maximoff X Reader 18+

Summary: Enemies. That was what you were. She was an Avenger, you were a criminal. You should hate her, she should hate you. So why do you love the feeling of her skin pressed against yours? Moans spilling from her lips? The taste of her on your tongue?

Casual, rough sex. That was all it was supposed to be but soon feelings start to get involved. Would something so scandalous be able to last?

Warnings/Tags: Smut 18+ MDNI, Strap on, Jealousy, Enemies, Rough sex, Dirty talk, Angry Sex, Multiple Orgasms, Wanda's Power's during Sex

General Masterlist | Enemies with Benefits Masterlist

Chapter 2- Admit It

---

Panic and anger flooded through Wanda as she frantically searched for the USB in her dress. The fear of letting Steve down another time for not completing a mission weighed heavily on her mind, the Captain trusting her with this mission and letting her do it instead of waiting for Natasha, who would normally have done a mission like that, to come back from her two week stake out with Clint.

Frustration with you also clouded her mind, this the third time you had stolen intel from her during a mission and at least the seventh time you caused her to not complete a mission. It had always ended in hot, rough sex (not that she was complaining) but that caused her to be unaware of your sneaky actions.

Clenching her jaw, she walked back into the club, her eyes scanning the dance floor to see if you were still there. She saw the blonde from earlier making out with some man, the kiss sloppy making her look away with a grimace. After a few moments of searching, she realised you must have left and quickly made her way out of the club, one place set on her mind.

***

Your body moved with the music, your hand holding a glass of whiskey while the other unbuttoned your shirt as you were getting warm. You briefly looked over at your laptop, the files from the USB almost downloaded so you quickly moved to grab the small box and tag. You neatly wrote ‘To My Little Witch’ on the tag, knowing how mad Wanda would get once the Avengers received your little present and downed the rest of your drink. The liquid burnt the back of your throat but you didn't care as you watched the files finish downloading and took out the device and placed it in the box.

Just as you were tying the bow on the box (yes the bow on the box, you had to be dramatic) a loud knocking sound was heard on your door. You turned off the music, now able to hear how loud the pounding on the door was and chuckled at the knowledge of who it was.

“Hello my little witch,” you say as the door opens, her eyes glowing red as she looks at you in anger. She didn't respond to you, only pushing you into your apartment and slamming the door shut. Her hand found your neck and she swiftly pinned you to the door, her magic holding your hands against the wooden door. “Anything I can do for you?” you tease, her grip tightening around your throat making you shut up.

“You,” her finger roughly slammed against your chest, “Need to stop fucking my missions up.”

“The only thing I’m fucking is you little witch,” Wanda tilts her head at you, a daring look in her eye to make you continue, “It’s not my fault you’re easy to steal from.”

“Give it back. Now. ” Her voice is laced with anger but you can’t help but annoy her more.

“Or what? Gonna send your friends after me?” She remained silent for a moment, thinking to herself and looking around. Her eyes soon met your unbuttoned shirt, your toned body on show for her along with your black lace bra. You caught what she was staring at and chuckled, her gaze snapping to your smug face. “I’ll make you a deal. Admit that you were jealous earlier, and I'll give you whatever you want.”

Wanda had to stop the trail of thoughts that filled her mind with the promise of whatever she wanted and focussed on fixing her mistake, even if that meant ignoring the throbbing heat building between her legs

“Just give me the USB,” she pleaded, her voice no longer angry.

“Just admit it then,” you rasped out while her body moved closer to yours subconsciously. Wanda clenched her jaw, her pride not worth failing the team again so she moved to whisper in your ear, trying to have the same effect as you have on her.

“I was jealous of her,” she purred, her magic slowly releasing your hands.

“More,” you whispered, still trapped against the door.

“I was jealous of how she had your hands on her, your mouth whispering words only I should hear,” you moved your leg forward so it slotted between her thighs, a breathy sigh escaping her. “It should have been me in your arms, not her.”

“Good girl,” you whispered back, your hands now free to move, immediately going to her hips, “Now what do you want?” Wanda thought for a moment before smirking at you.

“I want to ride you, hard,” you groaned at her words and the feeling of her hand moving from your neck to trail her fingers over your jaw. “Then, you can do what you do best and fuck me,” her thumb glides over your bottom lip, dragging it down and letting go. “And finally, you can give me the USB.”

“So greedy,” you whisper before kissing her, hands threading through your hair as yours went to the back of her thighs to lift her up. You carried her to the bedroom, placing her down and immediately unzipping the dress so you could pull it down. Her hands pushed off your shirt, scratching down your back causing you to hiss into the kiss. “You know, I should be punishing you for being so careless,” you murmur as you kiss along her jaw, “Losing such a valuable item.” You find yourself quickly on your back with her on top, strong, powerful legs straddling your waist as she glared down at you.

“And I should punish you for taking it from me, maybe I should tie you to the bed and use you as much as I want to in return for your actions,” she purrs, her hands unclasping her bra to show off her perfect breasts.

“You already said what you wanted, no take backs,” you murmur, her eyes rolling at you before you take a perk nipple into your mouth. Her mouth parts to moan while her hands clutch at your shoulders, your tongue swirling around her nipple before letting it go to do the same with the other. You only stop your actions when she climbs off your lap, swiftly pulling your trousers down and walking over to the drawer to pull out the strap on. You put it on as quickly as possible as the witch pulls down her drenched panties and returns to your lap.

“Fuck,” she groans out as she lowers herself down on the toy, your hands going to guide her hips but are restrained by her magic. She gives you a mischievous smirk that swiftly changes to an open mouth, moans tumbling out as you thrust your hips up to bury the toy into her. Her hands grip onto your thighs as she leans back slightly, her hips moving up and down the large plastic cock. You watch mesmerised as the toy is swallowed by her pussy, her arousal coating it and dripping onto your skin.

Soon, she’s bouncing on your lap like it’s the last time, the whole bed shaking as she brings her hips down onto yours. Pants and moans spill from her lips while she rides you into oblivion, her hips moving frantically as she nears her orgasm. With fervour, she moves her body upwards before slamming back down on the toy before sticking to rolling her hips hurriedly and clenching around you. Her hands dig into your thighs, leaving crescent shapes to mark you of your time together.

“I’m so close,” she moans out, releasing your hands so one can travel to her clit. You oblige her silent demand and circle the sensitive bud, her hips twitching in your lap as she gets even closer. Her hands move to grope at her own chest, pinching and pulling at her nipples.

“Come for me,” you husk out, her replying by screaming your name and tensing on top of you. Gradually, her hips slow, riding out the aftershocks, her body moving forwards and leaning down to kiss you. The kiss is messy, her too out of breath to properly make out with you. You take this as the sign to roll you two over, a whimper coming from her at the action while her hands go to grip at your back. “Still want me to fuck you?”

“What a stupid question,” she teases, pulling you down for another heated kiss. You quickly pull back, pulling out till only the tip is in before slamming your hips forwards. She moans into your mouth as you pound her into the mattress, her hands clutching at the sheets near her while you kiss at her neck when she can’t keep the kiss going. You snap your hips into her, panting against her neck as you feel the base of the toy hitting your clit. “Shit, you’re making me feel so good,” she sighs out, back arching as you thrust in harder.

“You look so pretty stretched out for me,” you mutter, moving back to ghost your mouth against her lips. You swallow her moans, her hands moving down to your back, scratching down making you hiss, then to your ass as you drill the toy into her. She pulls back from the kiss when you hit a spot deep inside her, head thrown back into the pillow showing off her neck and sharp jawline.

“Harder,” she begs and you want to scoff at her, is making the whole bed shake not hard enough? You grip at her thigh as she wraps her legs around you, pressing hard enough to leave a bruise that she’ll enjoy looking at another time, and change to slower but harder and even deeper thrusts. Sokovian curse words spill from her lips while you fuck her mercilessly, the sound sending another wave of arousal down to your core.

“I’m close,” you murmur, the friction against your clit having you so close. Her mouth reaches yours and with one final thrust, you climax, her following straight after. Your hips stutter as you experience the aftershocks, her body twitching under yours as her legs shake slightly.

You pull out when she is ready, discarding the toy and making a mental note to clean it later and leave the room to grab her a glass of water. Just because you’re supposed to hate her doesn’t mean you can’t be nice to her, right? When you return, she takes the glass with a quizzical look before exhaustion decides to take over her. You’re not sure what to do when she quickly drifts off to sleep, curled up against your pillow so you place the box with the USB on the other pillow and quietly retreat.

“Goodnight, my little witch,” you murmur, leaving your apartment with your laptop, ready to go through all the files while Wanda sleeps peacefully in your bed.

[ponderingmoonlight]

Since I was bombarded with anon statements about me using AI again, I'll say it here on last time: I see and understand where artist come from, I get the frustration over "artists" claiming AI work as their own, selling those pics and getting quite some fame for it.

But accusing me of stealing because I let an AI software turn me and readers into jjk or demon slayer style pictures is a little insane, don't you think? Especially advicing me to just use pictures on Pinterest or out of the manga. I don't want to hurt or trigger someone, but isn't that exactly what stealing is out of your context as well? Isn't using screenshots of jjk anime or manga "stealing" as well? And don't get me started on using random pics on Pinterest where you simply can't find out who's the original artist anymore. The argument that AI gets feeded countless pics on the internet and consumes artists hard work in the process sounds absolutely depressing and I'd be pissed as well.

But when I thought about it more...When putting your stuff on the internet, you deliver it to basically the whole earth. Damn, even my fics were found on some Russian site translated and without stating I was the one writing it. I get the frustration, I get the hate! But at the same time I feel like you aren't im charge for what happens on the internet anymore. As soon as you publish your stuff on literally ANY site (since all of them are collecting your data like Thanos anyway), it will get feeded into that system. Who knows how many of my countless essays already landed in there and are a part of someone's work? Who knows how many phrases of my fics I would be able to find when searching with ChatGPT? This isn't talking your concerns down or explaining myself, but rather showing that it's literally ANY artist out there getting affected by AI. You could just search for a fic with Gojo and boom, ChatGPT delivers way faster than me.

But why are you still here, then? Because NOTHING compares to original art!

Like I said over and over, I'd love to collab with artists. But much to my understanding, a lot of them work for MONEY and since my content is FREE, I'm simply not able to pay for the sheer presentation. Also, when looking at my blog, you'll see that I'm using like 70% of anime screenshots by now.

Let me take this opportunity to ask: are you even familar with how generating pictures with the help of AI even works? To make it short, the ML algorithms get "trained" with a huge ammount of training data (we are talking about like 1 billion pics here, depending on the AI). Yes, that data is sourced from the internet. Yes, that data will most likely include the content of artists on the internet without consent (which isn't fair). BUT that art doesn't find direct use in the later generated pics. It rather helps training the algorithms in order to "learn" aspects and characteristics of the imagine in correlation to the picture you want to translate into a certrain art style (like in my chase) or based on the described properties that the image should have (e.g. Bing AI). To translate that: You don't type in "blonde girl with blue eyes" and the AI just shows you a stolen picture online that fits into that description but generates its own version of it based on the pictures it got trained with before. Of course, it surely depends on the AI you're using and it is your responsibility as a consumer to think about ethical correctness here. But same goes for the people simply hating on me over the fact that I'm using AI and accusing me of stealing while this is definetely not the chase.

I won't change my blog because of you, I will continue putting a pic here and there into a fic because not only I find it cute from time to time, but the people who request are thankful more than once because I'm able to make "their" fic feel a little more personal. I get this is controversial and that some people won't feel comfortable on this blog because of it, which is sad but life. I can't even count how many times I've got rude messages because the jjk screenshots I've took myself out of the anime are someone else's artwork, because the manga panels are also artwork and I'm stealing them for my own content. I feel like I'm always in the wrong here, so I'll continue what I'm doing and what makes me happy.

Also, let me get this straight: I'm a writer who uses AI generated pics from time to time in order to spice up a cover and you're able to see that in the very first entry on my blog. It's really not that deep over here.

Have a nice day everyone

[asherloki]

Hi love, I love your writing! and saw that requests are open so I am taking this opportunity to send one in 😊😊

Sherlock x reader where reader always tells Sherlock "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?" And Sherlock just responds to it with either a yes,or he might be preoccupied with a case, in reality, reader, read a book by Sosuke Natsume where instead of saying I love you, he says, the moon is beautiful,hence she used this way to say to him that she loves him,until Sherlock encounters the translated book version of this and eventually comes to a conclusion that reader has been confessing her love for him which he then realizes he does too

Thank you in advance! ❤️❤️❤️

You're my moonlight

Bbc sherlock

A/n:- hope you like it! Really enjoyed writing this request.

"the moon is beautiful isn't it" I said looking towards the night sky, the crystal clear night sky, dark yet sparkling with starts, uncountable in numbers. And yet apparently the moon accompanying them, the queen of the night sky.

"hmm it is I believe" he said turning to me. I believe he's far too busy drowning inside his case files and Twitter than stealing a glance at the beautiful sight outside of the window. Mr Sherlock Holmes is a busy man after all.

"would you mind taking a look and then decide if you should agree with me" I replied turning towards him.

"that won't be necessary as I quite understand your obsession with nature and if you say it's beautiful outside I can hardly deny" answered my beloved flatmate, the cold detective and also the most wisest man in the country.

"hmmm perhaps you're not wrong." said I walking towards the sofa accross his.

"didn't you take picture of the moon, you always do". he said looking at me, observes everything doesn't he.

"it's not cresent Mr detective " I replied, ofcourse the cresent moon is my favourite after all. The mysterious form of it, the most artistic form of it. I've always believed I'm a waning moon. And I thought Mr Sherlock Holmes might look rude and arrogant but he's actually waxing crescent moon. since I've found out about this moon soulmate stuff I've searched mine and yes, the waning cresent is mine. I couldn't stop myself from searching for his as well and his is indeed waxing crescent. Full filling mine. Oh and one might thing the mere sentence "the moon is beautiful isn't it?" means nothing but a praise to moon. So did my dear flatmate. but the secret is, I say it quite often, in the presence of Mr Sherlock Holmes especially. it's a secret of mine, waiting for the wise detective to understand some day.

A few days went by and the full was half, and rather cresent again. Yes the most fascinating phase of it. it was barely a question if I'll stand by the window and stare at the Cresent with wide eyes. this time I did take a photo, another feather to my photo album. The camera folder contained more such photos of moon.

"the moon is beautiful isn't it?" Indeed I said again, I knew my cheeks turned pink everytime I said it while Sherlock is present. luckily I'm always facing the window, otherwise it would take a second for the detective to realise I'm blushing. but by the mere beauty of a moon? certainly not all for the moon wise man, why don't you try find it.

"might be so, your Cresent after all" said he keeping his book down. Apparently a book on anatomy, do read some classics, or perhaps fiction detective. "how so wonderful indeed" .

this time his voice was closest to me, it was like a whisper to my ear. His breath touching my skin. He came to the window placing his hands beside both of mine, standing behind me. His frame as if wrapped me like a shield like an armour. The only time I was thankful for being 5'2" or something is this moment, so my pink cheeks are hidden until I wasn't blushing, but the smile and feeling of warmth was still there in me.

Days went by and moon completely disappeared, then reappearing bit by bit. The quarter phase seemed rather basic to me, until the day it turned out to the most beautiful sight to have during the most wonderful moment of the evening. No wonder I stood by the window, while Sherlock was talking to detective inspector lestrade on phone over some cases. His name is greg by the way, not gavin or George or whatever the smart detective thinks it is, ans says so on phone,

"even yesterday I can recall I asked for the details Gavin" he yelled at him over phone.

"it's greg" came the reply loud enough for me to hear. Perhaps he was dealing with a frustrating case he just put down his phone and I heard him sigh. I didn't dared to say how beautiful the moon is, he needs to relax perhaps or get into his mind palace. Yet he did neither of those, to my surprise he again came to the window, this time standing beside me.

"the moon is beautiful isn't it?"

those words coming out of his mouth, the mesmerizing voice speaking such sentence that wasn't just a mere appreciation to the nature, or atleast to me. I can hardly describe the swirling storm of delightful feelings that was inside me at that moment. delightful indeed but also doubtful. Did he really just praised the moon? or Mr Sherlock Holmes knew it all these days.

"won't you agree? would you just stay quiet thinking hundreds of thoughts and letting the moon wait to hear your most used words to it?"

He surely knew it, of not all then some, otherwise why would he insist me. "I... oh it's..." I hesitated, the reason was obvious, that mere sentance held a special meaning for me.

"say it, oh how wonderful tonight's sky is" he kept on insisting softly, with soft smile spreading accross his lips. "I have observed this phase of moon is not your most favourite, but you may not be aware of it's significance, the first quarter phase of it signifies no hesitation, a decision should be made. Would you still hesitate? when a man like myself didn't?" he continued.

"you grew to like nature or you always knew such facts?" I enquired, I totally enjoyed his slight interest.

"I knew some, some about nature but planets and stars never fascinated me much."

"I wonder why Sherlock, I've always found such things extremely wonderful ".

"that's why, after meeting you and seeing your obsession over nature, especially how you get fascinated with moon and sun, how you feel happy on the days the sun shines at it's brightest, I may have started to find all this not so unamusing afterall, infact quite enchanting."

Oh have you heard my dear friend's explanation? even though it indicates he was fascinated by the moon or sun or rather the nature, he doesn't know the secret meaning of the sentence.

"sosuke natsume huh?" the name from his lips could make the thoughts in my head run. He knows his name, which means...

"I may have read a bit of that book and..." He trailed off, expressing emotions, rather properly is not something he prefers to do but then "I have come to find out your secret, the moon is beautiful isn't it? means I love you".

yes indeed the wisest, the most intelligent person in the country, I wouldn't be surprised if he's the smartest in the world.

"so it is" I said, "you know now Sherlock".

"I said so" he replied and it struck me, indeed he said it by himself, does that mean?

"It seems to me you may know but incase you don't know let me tell you, you are a waning cresent, a phase for selft improvement, relax and stuff, what I feel is I've always kept on running my whole life, a moment without work meant me losing my mind or cocaine. but with you, a moment of quietness holds tranquility, for you I've wanted to improve myself, learn something new, like this."

I'm sure one can imagine the way I was smiling, this side of him, different, calm, vulnerable yet not leaving the rational side of Mr Sherlock Holmes.

"and you may have also searched you're waxing crescent haven't you?" I enquired.

"quite so". he replied and his smile at this said he knows the significance, his eyes, as soothing as the moon looking into mine, as he says, my eyes are like bright sun.

"it means ambition, joy something new, just like you are to me, remember the sad me entering through the door to your flat for the first time, when I moved to London, haven't over the course of time and your company made me atleast more joyous?".

"exactly so, I'm rather glad" he replied.

"so you fulfill me"

"just like you fullfill me" these words from his mouth was all I needed to embrace him. He too wrapped me with his arms and then cupping my face his moon like eyes looked into my sunlike ones.

"I love you" his mesmerizing voice said.

"me too" the reply that I should give him. And the moon shone borrowing the light of sun above us as we stared at it while we were embracing eachother.

[mygwenchan]

Just some random Playboyy thoughts after rewatching ep8:

The folder in which Nuth saved Nant's casting and suicide clip was named "Research". Judging by other folders and stuff on his desktop, it's all related to the movie Nuth is planning to film. In the first clip, Nant also recited parts of the script. Maybe both Nant clips are part of the movie? I'd love to get my hands on that script tbh... And also on the diary entry Nuth wrote on the twins bday. I bet there is a lot of useful information to be found!

They said Nant filmed the suicide video in a hotel room, but it's literally the same building in which Soong used to live... I think it's a production error, but it still bothers me a little.

So we were all wondering why the baddy bunch's kitchen looks different right? Well... Since First decided to live with his friends and Teena pretty much moved in with Zouey, meaning First couldn't bunk with his bestie anymore, they needed a new house with more rooms! I think that rooftop party was basically their housewarming party. They simply forgot to mention any of this in the series lol

That dog mask... I think Nuth must've asked Keen to hide it for him. But I also think Nuth himself is hiding it for someone else... It's pretty obvious that Nuth and the doggo guy aren't the same person and I still think our culprit is Prom. Which somewhat leads me to the suspicion that Prom is also our drug provider! Maybe that's his actual job and being the Playboyy manager is just a side gig? Or maybe Prom is dealing drugs behind Jason Lee's back. I mean, Prom already stole a large amount of money from his "daddy" (probably stole it from the club's cash register and the Playboyys). It wouldn't surprise me if he's also stealing drugs or doing other shady business.

If the post credit scene of ep8 isn't just a dream, then Nant is very much dead 😥 Thing is though, if that is happening in present times and not in the past, Nant has died only very recently. His eyes have turned white, but his skin isn't pale and patchy. There are also no signs of insects and other stuff... So unless they got the makeup wrong, Nant hasn't been dead for more than 2 hours. Plus, I didn't see any severe strangulation signs and Nant is wearing only his undies. The clothes he wore in the suicide clip are gone. And well, someone obviously placed him in the middle of the woods. But who? That is the question!

If Nant has indeed died recently, after Nont already came pretty close to finding the dog mask and the doggo guy... someone must've gotten cold feet! I don't think it's anyone from the baddie bunch. Nont had a whole breakdown in front of them and very convincingly told them he'd give up his search for Nant. Which pretty much only leaves Nuth, Phop (yes, also my cutie Phop!) and Prom... I went back to the convo Nuth had with Phop and it does sound kind of open for interpretation:

Nuth: Aren't you mad at me about Nant? Phop: You already told me about it. Why would I be mad?. I just want you to tell me everything. Then I'll be fine."

Now Phop is the very same person who stayed strangely calm while being held at gunpoint. Same when Nuth held a knife against his throat. So either my boy is dense as fuck, or he's got nerves of steel. Add some questionable morals and a pinch of insanity to the mix and you've got the perfect psycho boyfriend who'd be more than willing to commit crimes with you! On the other hand there is Prom, who tried to find out where Nont is planning to search for Nant, but instead was told that Nont would search for the doggo guy and not his twin brother. Now if Prom is Mr doggo, he might want to get rid of all the evidence... Might as well discard of the boring twin while he's at it, since he's got a new one now?

[animehouse-moe]

The Ancient Magus' Bride S2 Episode 9: Conscience Does Make Coward Of Us All I.

This episode frustrated me so much, because I was just completely ignoring any set up and foreshadowing from the earlier episodes this season. It snuck up on me, and I hate how much sense it makes when you can put it all together. Of course, that frustration means it's a good episode, if that wasn't clear. Alongside the story though, it's probably one of the prettiest ones to date, so certainly a lot to talk about!

What a massive blunder on my part. Elias wants to cure Chise of her curse/ailments, that was well established. I just didn't connect the dots with him going to the college and reading that book at the start of the season. Nor did I connect the fact that it was a book that appeared before Lucy while on the camping trip in the prior episode. Never did I think they would be one in the same, and I feel like I failed. I looked right past all the obvious information just to have it sprung on me in this episode when Elias reveals what's in the book.

It's so plain to see. Elias was looking through that book to search for a cure for Chise, but he didn't find what he was looking for. Even without the information of the book, it should have been easy to put two and two together from Lucy's interaction with it but I looked right past it. Similarly, the book also speaks to Elias' desire to rid Chise of Joseph, which I thought was interesting.

Anyways, humor me on presenting a certain theory. We know Philomela and the Sargent family is up to no good, and that Philomela has been tailing someone. I won't go as far as saying Lucy since we have no way to confirm, but I also know it's not Chise because she's the only one that can "find" Philomela. Anyways, Philomela has been tailing someone, and her ability to hide her presence is awfully convenient. A spider's thread was found in the box containing the codex. Now, it could have been part of the codex, or it could have been involved in the theft of it. If it's the latter, it means the people that killed the Webster family and stole their spiders are the same people after that codex. If there's spider's being used, taking the only (real) member of the Webster family out of the equation makes the most sense so that they can't interfere in any way.

So, we arrive at the notion that Philomela and the Sargent family are who murdered the Webster family and stole their spiders, and that Philomela (or perhaps Lizbeth) is in possession of the codex, which they used to sap Lucy of her magic so that she would not pose a risk when stealing the codex. What follows though, is why they went as far as using the codex on Simeon, and why Seth is being hunted. The former, it's possible that it's because they didn't want Elias anywhere near the situation due to his power, but the latter is a bit more odd. We know Seth can't really control magic well, so you'd think he's not a real part of the equation, but the setup with making it seem like those Lycanthropes are paying Seth back for his previous job has me second guessing his significance.

Alright! Crackpot theorycrafting over, here's some cool and fun shots from the episode to break up the monotony. I'll explain the direction and what piques my interest later on.

Okay, onto actual episode stuff now. We'll start with Chise. I really like how we're beginning to address the Dragon's curse and Joseph swirling around inside her. It's very nice to see it treated as a threat that has integrated with Chise, rather than a beast that exists within her. Because of that, the fear and issues surrounding it feel far more reasonable. Also, because of that outburst in the prior episode, she went to visit Joseph, and I really like seeing how she continues to mirror him more and more, whether in jest or in actuality.

Similarly, I really love the use of first person perspective in this cut, alongside the dialogue. We're using Chise's eye that resides in Joseph to look at Chise. Sort of a "in the mirror" moment as we're looking at Chise through her own eye, which adds a certain value to Joseph's words. He doesn't say "something within you", but just "within you", explicitly stating that the piece of him and the curse of the Dragon are Chise. That her fears and aggression and aversion are all one homogenous aspect of herself that she can't simply isolate because she doesn't like it.

Alongside Chise though there's Elias, who I really enjoyed once more this episode. I quite love how well his struggle with grasping emotions is depicted. He doesn't get them at the drop of a hat, but neither is he completely clueless forever. He's shown to have the very basics down, and can apply that to the more complex feelings, but is unable to really take that next step forward just yet. And I think that's really well shown through his questioning of what 'worrying' is. He correctly gets the piece about being scared, but is unsure/incorrect in how to apply it.

Also, with this first image I really like the head tilt. It addresses the innocence with how Elias approaches and questions emotions while also showing his understanding of how expressions shape said emotions. So it effectively doubles down as him expressing his curiosity as well.

And now, just doubling back to Chise one last time. I really liked this piece in how she's effectively absorbed some of the ability of the dragons. She's able to enter Lucy's inner world through contact with her dragon hand, which I thought was very interesting.

With that, the story of the episode is about finished. It's a very methodic and slow pace, as is usual for MahoYome, and I do quite enjoy it.

But I'm not done yet! There's still the direction to talk about, but I can make it quick.

Terasawa's penchant for overhead, long, and skewed layouts stays strong through the episode and remains enjoyable. It feels more constrained now that we're back indoors, and I feel like because of that they do a better job overall with delivering on it.

There's a lot more I'd love to share, but I think the point is made. The storyboarding and execution on space in this episode is far better than the prior thanks to its constraints.

Though I'd absolutely say the highlight of the episode is how they play with that evening sun as lighting. You can see it in that last image of Simeon there, but it's just so beautiful throughout that latter half of the episode with how detailed the light shafts are, and how they exist in a 3-dimensional space. It's really impressive, you get the feel of depth throughout the episode in general, but the lighting just adds a whole different degree to it.

So, there you have it. Bringing the episode back towards a confined space has brought out the best in the production, and they've woven together a violent mystery from pieces they've been casually dropping throughout the season. I'm very excited to see what we get shown next episode, seeing as there's so many questions and potential roads for the story to take.

[flightlesskaz]

Hear me out DL drabble: this is just for my own babble

Warning for grammar errors, shipping, and gore (specifically cannibalism)

It's not actually a secret soul mate. That is to say, Big B knows, Grian knows, and most importantly Scar knows.

It's nothing romantic. On the first day when everyone was looking for that string connection and running around, there was a joke made between two friends eating a bit of food before they continued looking. Grian ate some soft bread, he always seemed to make the best and quickest bread to his own ire. Big B managed to get some pork and quickly cooked it up just before they ran into each other. Now they sat on a small hill eating and chatting as they made a joke, if they didn't fine their soul mates by nightfall they'd try to steal each other from their soul. It's a joke, strictly platonic and only this season. Grian bit his lip in an exaggerated way and said some cheesy pick up line that made Big B ugly laugh and the deal was made.

Unbeknownst to the two, there was a third nearby. Scar was scrounging around when he came across the two at the beginning of their little lunch date. Giggling as their commentary made him want to listen in secretly, as if the espionage of the death game had already started but in an innocent fashion. He smiled along, nodding at good jokes and bitting his lip to not burst out laughing, and subsequently falling out of the tree he's in, at Grians purposeful bad flirting. He thought their little deal was silly but he approved, he was in on the secret even if they didn't know, and it wouldn't effect him either way. Until the next day, when Grian dragged him from the cute stray cats and forced him to stand under a tree.

He still knew the joke and didn't mind, but a part of his heart warmed later that night. Next to a fire, Scar gathered the wood for it and Grian had a flint, his soul told him. Something along the lines of, "I'll never mention this outright again," and, "it'll never really mean anything but I do love him... as a friend." Scar swallowed around a lump in his throat, touched that Grian would tell him and blaming the flutter in his chest on the soul ties.

A different issue is raised later. Scar's taking care of the cats when Big B sneaks over and Scar pretends not to see. That dosen't stop him from leaning on the wall around the corner from them to listen in from where they can't see. Big B decides not to tell Ren, to play it up for fun in the season and that's his decision. He asks if Grian is doing the same and Scar wants nothing more then to walk over and flop over Grians back and join them but he holds off. He's a good partner and respects Grians original decision to not address the elephant in the room. Grian shrugs and tells Big B he mentioned it but would respect Big B's part in this too.

That's why when people tell Scar that Grian is cheating he gasps dramatically and looks around as if searching for God. He laughs once he's out of earshot. They don't see the soft domestic nights with Grian. They don't see Grian sneaking extra cat treats, that take as much time to make that could have been used sharpening weapons, into Scars bag. They don't spy on cozy afternoons of two friends giggling together as they plan ways to pretend being in love. That's why Scar ignores the looks from Scott, he trust Grian 100% more then people think he should in the couple counseling. He scoops up poppies and flowers on their way home and hides them in his pocket to present to Grian later. As they walk it's golden hour and the mischievous smile on Grians face like he's getting away with something silly is worth it. Giving cookies later, and watching the two share them in a secret meet up as Grian looks soft talking about Scar and Big B is attentive and supportive. Scar thinks he can have some secrets too. They don't need to know that Scar knows the secret, I mean, his own mischievous smile just happens to match Grians after all.

When Ren learns and subsequently tries to demand answers, Scar's there. He's holding Grians hand as Ren stands at the wall gate talking at them but not actually trying to get answers. They all know it's something more akin to Ren just getting it off his chest to get his head straight before he confronts Big B at the counseling. Still, Scar holds Grian just a little tighter as if he can swallow him whole and keep him safe. After Ren leaves and Grian looks up to Scar with soft eyes and a hopeless expression as if he can't even begin to form words, Scar just shakes his head. A soft squeeze and a kiss to Grians temple, Scar escorts them inside to make their armor just a little bit better.

Later when their both red and high on bloodlust, trusting their partner after a history like their's is second nature. Scar's canines ache a little but it's easy to ignore as they run around laugh, warm and full of vicious life. It isn't until later when Grian is screaming and giggling madly and beautiful. Scar's quick hands that can pickpocket like it's breathing are holding a knife before he knows it. Taking a second standing above both bodies before he runs after his soul laughing and praising him. Later he'll console his crying soul, remembering the image of two friends sharing cookies. He offer something horrible, but now in a red haze, it's the kindest thing Grian could ever want. Scar pulls out a lump of fabric that's wrapped around something. Even as it drips blood a little too vivid, showing what type of body they were taken from. Grian bites his lip but smiles great fully up to Scar. They lock arms as they each eat a heart in a small hole in a hill deep in the night. A fire is the only witness as the two cuddle a little closer together while eating mouthfuls, two ghost now tied to watch over the two.

The ghost giggle as clarity is restored after escaping the pressure of the death game, now cheering on their secret counterparts. Later, when they loose each other and die separately, one with ringing ears and the other in dead silence, the ghost counterparts will great them and lead them back together. Now the group of four laugh and reminiscent as they watch the last few survivors and wait for a winner.

[rheiple]

Baby Steps Freddy, baby steps

OneShot

▪︎SUMMARY↦ A few weeks of him practicing his culinary skills, Freddy's finally able to make his dear children some decent food.

▪︎CHARACTER/s↦ Glamrock Freddy, Gregory

▪︎WORD COUNT↦ 1075 [Minus the dots for timeskips] ▪︎WARNING/s↦ Again it might be ooc but that's it, also this is not edited, cussing but its literally only one word

▪︎AUTHOR'S NOTE↦ THIS IS STRICTLY PLATONIC. I was gonna make this into a drabble but go so into it I didn't realized it turned into a oneshot. Looking at the word count at the first part of this Fic that I made, it made me motivated. Also f/f means favorite fruit.

Part I, Part II [Here]

"Woah..."

Before you there are two plates. Each plate has 1 flavor of tart, one is orange flavored, and the other is f/f flavored.

You and Gregory stared at the Dessert in amazement. The fruity scent of those tarts made you drool from hunger.

"Freddy this is..."

He chuckled. "It Looks delicious, does it not? I have strictly followed the recipe from the cook book you have bought me, to which I still cannot thank you enough for, Superstar."

You let out a giggle. "Don't mention it Freddy, atleast you're not searching on Bing anymore, hehe."

"Ah, of course." He looks away, embarrassed. "I may had, but I learned not to anymore."

"And let us not talk about that, instead we should focus on the present now." Way to change the subject Freddy.

But he's right though, why focus on the pass when you could focus on how delicious those tarts Freddy made? The sweet smelling, fruity looking, soft looking, hunger feeling, the cause of drooling, delicious, delicate fruit tarts.

"Superstars, by the looks of it, you two seem to want to taste the desserts." Freddy proudly smiled.

"Can we Freddy?" The brunette asked.

"Why of course Supersta-" It looks like that was all they needed to hear to gobble down the fresh homemade tarts.

Freddy smiled, patiently waiting for the two of you to finish your food.

.

.

.

.

"Oh my god." You burped, immediately excusing yourself after. "Freddy, your tarts taste so good!"

"Yea Freddy, it was really good. It's too bad that someone here decided to immediately devour it, and not savor it like it should be." Gregory, the mischievous child that he is, decided to make a silly comment on the way you eat.

You know he meant that in a lighthearted way, you've been living with him for 3 months now, you know he just wants to start an argument with you. So you decided to humor him by playing along. "Hah? You're saying that as if you didn't started eating like a pig by the time Freddy gave us the ok to eat."

He narrowed his eyes, grin widening ever so slightly. "Hah? Me? Eat like a pig? At least I wasn't drooling at the sight of the food like some kind of dog!"

"Hah?! What the hell do you mean drooling like some kind of dog?! I don't drool, that's disgusting!"

Freddy watched the playful banter unfold in front of him. Sighing, he mentally takes a note to scold you both after your silly argument.

But now, with your desserts done, he could finally give you both the new drinks he had also made!

Deciding to now break the fight, he suddenly announced, "Ah, I almost forgot! I have also made a drink, along with fruit tarts!"

"You have more?!" As he expected, they dropped the fighting and started to focus on the new dish instead.

He hummed. "Wait here so I could go get it, it will be quick!" He said as he went to get the drinks.

"Geez, I wonder what it would be." Gregory excitedly mumbled.

"I think it's like, either a fruit juice, or a smoothie! I'm betting 5 dollars it's the fruit juice." You turned to him, challenging him.

"Hmm...Make that 10 and I'll bet 15 dollars it's the smoothie."

"Deal!" You smirked, but then gave him a glare. "And you better not steal my money again you rascal."

He only snickered.

.

.

.

.

"Here it is!" Freddy put the fruit juice on the table.

You smugly smiled, looking at Gregory with the look that says "I told you so" But you only said one word. "Heh."

Gregory clicked his tongue, reaching out for his pocket to get the 15 dollars, and gave it to you under the table.

With the bet already done, you and Gregory now focused on the drinks infront of you...

The drinks are both color purple, you assumed that it must be grape flavored.

Turning to Freddy, you smiled up at him. "Those look really nice Freddy! I-" You got harshly nudged by the arm "-We cant wait to try it!"  You gave him the middle finger under the table.

"Yea Freddy... Wait.. I didn't know we had grapes, where did you get them?"

"Grapes?"

...

You look at Gregory with wide eyes, and he did same gesture. You both only had one question in mind; What the fuck?

You broke away from staring at each other to examine the fruit juice. If that isn't grapes then what the hell is it?

You thought of all the violet fruits you've bought before, but nothing came into your mind. That should be a reminder to buy more different kinds of fruits to stay healthy, but you're too focused on trying to find out if Freddy made a forbidden drink.

Forbidden drink. It made you thought of the first time he cooked food...now that you think about it, the color of the forbidden food looks exactly like the drink now.

Thinking of it made your stomach churn.

"Well, what is there to stop you from drinking, Superstars? There is no need to hold back!"

You and Gregory winced.

...

You and the child stared at each other...

You played rock-papper-scissors.

You both got chosed rock.

You played another round.

You both chosed scissors.

You played again...

...You both chosed paper.

The other one sighed in defeat, and ther one groaned. Oh well, there's no turning back now...

"...Thank you Freddy.." You both said in unison.

...

"So.. How does it taste like?"

...

'TOO SALTY!' You, and the brunette could only think of, how too much salt was added in the drink, they're sure they will have kidney stones.

And oh god, you could actually feel it happening. Your kidneys are actually hurting.

You and Gregory don't know when it happened, but you both found yourselves crouched, gripping on where the pain was, desperately trying to lessen it.

"Superstars! You are both hurt! I- I will immediately call the ambulance! Please, fight for a little longer!" The mechanic bear frantically went to get your phone to call for help. "Oh, what have I done wrong this time?"

"You... added salt Freddy... too much..." You weakly replied to his answer.

"Salt?... I...I have mistaken the salt for... sugar.."

"..."

"Why... the hell would you need sugar for... if you're making a fruit juice....Freddy..." Was the last thing you said before you passed out.

[ggomos-maribat]

Proximal Universe Chapter 3 | Stargaze

Instead of the usual blue sky in their dreamscape, Marinette saw darkness littered with stars. An eternal night had replaced the eternal morning, stealing her breath away. Marinette stared up at the sight, taking a few steps back in awe. 

What happened? Why is the place different now?  

Her surroundings, however, weren't engulfed in total darkness. Fireflies wandered about, bouncing across the dahlias. They illuminated the field in front of her, as well as the figure of the boy far in front of her.  

The boy didn't have his back turned.  

He was looking at her. Marinette knew this with full certainty.  

"Jon," she whispered. Her whole body froze at the realization as her eyes glazed over. Finally, she knew the name of the boy she spent her life with.  

But the distance was still present. She saw his mouth moving, but heard no sound come out of it. And when she tried to walk towards him, their dreamscape shifted to make the sight of him move farther away.  

"Jon! Can you hear me?" She yelled out, only to receive a helpless expression from him as he seemingly grew frustrated at the forced boundaries.  

It was almost like their dreamscape had granted limitations, and was saying: Be grateful that he can see you now. How can you ask for more? Marinette chewed on her lip, slumping.  

She looked down at her open palms. But what changed? Was it because we met each other?  

She noticed him gazing at her, head tilted at a small angle. Marinette blushed under his scrutiny, remembering his kind gestures earlier that day and lighthearted tone whenever he conversed with her. The moment their eyes met, he broke out into the fondest of smiles.  

The heat on her skin intensified.  

Marinette managed to smile of her own, waving meekly. He waved back more enthusiastically before trying to sign with his hands.  

"I don't know sign language," she mumbled forlornly. She gave him a loose shrug and a shake of her head.  

He stopped and frowned, looking around him in search of something. But no matter what kind of communication they attempted, they couldn't perfectly comprehend what the other meant, like it was a game of charades. If they spelled out words with the flowers, the fireflies barely illuminated the whole area.  

They settled with sitting down facing each other, exchanging smiles with each other as they savored the view of the night sky. Marinette resorted to speaking out loud even if she was inaudible to him, hoping that the stars could deliver her messages instead.  

"I had a feeling it was you," she admitted, "I hoped it was you and I'm glad I turned out to be right."  

She sighed. "I think I should've asked but I was too scared you won't know me. But you dropped hints, didn't you? Do you also see me in your dreams?" 

She plucked a petal from a flower and he mirrored her actions. Marinette tried to blow it in his direction, but it fell to the ground before even reaching halfway. He laughed and did the same. Like hers, the petal didn't reach too far.  

"Even if we can't talk now, we can still meet each other at work. When we wake up," she said. "I'll remember you." 

Even if she should at least be able to remember the fact that Jon was the one in her dreams.  

She wrapped her arms around herself, drowning in the cool night, the frolicking fireflies, and his presence.  

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On AO3

Taglist: @tinybrie@the-coffee-fandom@trippingovermyfeet

[mysecretlittlelibrary]

The Promise Of A King Pt. 8

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: none

Genre: fluff

Summary: When your parents surprise you with the news that you are going to marry one of Asgard's princes you're not exactly thrilled. It's not made any better by said prince giving you the cold shoulder from the very moment you arrive. Now, not only do you have to worry about acclimating to an unfamiliar place but you must do so while preparing to marry someone who seems to absolutely detest you before you've said five words to him. You know you're duty-bound but why does it have to be so difficult?

***

You hum quietly to yourself as you walk through the palace halls. You're proud to admit you've learned much more about getting around the palace since you arrived.

"Lady y/n!" Thor shouts as you round another corner.

"Hi Thor, what's up?"

"Are you busy?"

"Not presently." You smile.

"Then, can I borrow you for a moment?"

"Sure! Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine! Let's go to the gardens." Thor places your hand on his arm and leads you down the corridors until you reach the gardens.

"What is it Thor?" You giggle as he pulls you through the maze of plants.

"I brought you out here in case Loki was lurking somewhere. I've learned from my mistakes- courtesy of Lady Sif."

"Courtesy of Lady Sif?"

"She noticed Loki's lurking habits before I did, so I needed you away from is common lurking spots."

"Why? Do you want me to break a law or something?"

"No! Why would I want you to break a law you could be imprisoned for that, and you're my sister now." He frowns.

"It was a joke Thor. Though if this is something you don't want Loki to find out about I suggest we make it quick, Loki will be looking for me in the library soon and if he doesn't find me there he'll search the entire palace for me."

"Yes well, that's what this is about."

"Loki searching the palace for me?"

"No, the fact that you two seem to be getting closer! You smile at each other during dinner, you spend hours in the library together, you're getting along now."

"Yes I suppose we are getting closer."

"So- your union is shaping up to be a happy one!"

"It's too soon to tell." You shake your head.

"Too soon to tell? You've been married for a couple of weeks now and you're getting along great it seems."

"A few weeks of friendly banter is not enough to know what the future holds. He's kind to me now but- what if he reverts back? I mean I'm still not sure why he decided to pivot to invested partner." You frown.

"Loki is- a complex one for sure. Although, if Loki was planning to continue being cold towards you there's no reason to be kind to you now."

"He's the god of mischief and lies. Maybe there's no reason to be kind, but when he's known as the trickster god it's easy to worry that he's being disingenuous."

"I wish I could offer more comfort honestly, but- for being the god of mischief and lies- mom says he's a terrible liar. I think he's good at it but mom has always paid more attention to things than I do. If you're observant, perhaps you'll be able to tell when he's lying the way our mother can." Thor shrugs.

"I honestly worry that his change is motivated by his desire to solve the mystery surrounding my personality. When he learns all he wants to learn- what if he returns to being harsh towards me?"

"Well- neither of us can predict the future but I'll do everything I can to help you- protect you if need be."

"Thank you Thor." You smile.

"There you are!" Loki's voice shocks you a bit and you cast your gaze over your shoulder at him.

"Here I am. Were you looking for me?" You ask, turning fully to face him.

"I was, you weren't in the library."

"I was walking around the palace when Thor asked me to join him in the gardens. I thought it'd be a while before you came to the library today."

"Did I miss anything interesting?" Loki asks.

"Nope." You shake your head.

"Well then, if you don't mind, I'd like to steal you from Thor." He looks at you.

"Thor, are we finished?" You ask.

"Yes, of course. Keep what I told you in mind." Thor nods, walking off- probably back towards the palace.

"Keep in mind what he told you huh?"

"It's nothing you'd find interesting. We were just talking." You shrug, deciding to continue strolling through the gardens. Loki falls into step beside you, pulling your arm to loop through his.

"What about?" He asks.

"Well he briefly brought up Lady Sif-"

"Ah, one of the few women in his life that he's not tried to sleep with."

"Loki." You tsk.

"Besides you of course my love." He smiles at you.

"Of course." You muse.

"What? Did Thor try to make a move on you?" He frowns.

"No of course not! Stars no. Thor is- quite the cheerleader when it comes to our relationship. I don't think he would ever do something to jeopardize it."

"Thor is a cheerleader for our relationship?"

"Yes actually. He tells me so often."

"Did he tell you that today?"

"It came up."

"And you said you were talking of nothing I'd find interesting." Loki hums.

"He just pointed out that he's noticed the change in our interactions, which, I'm sure most of the palace has noticed at this point if Thor is talking to me about it."

"How do you mean?"

"Thor is- wonderful of course but observation is not one of his stronger talents. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes I suppose your right. Interesting that it's drawn so much attention."

"Of course it would. The whole palace witnessed your initial coldness. You weren't exactly secretive about it."

"No, I guess I wasn't. I'm sorry."

"You've apologized already."

"And I will continue to do so until we both feel I've made up for it." He kisses your hand.

"You're being dramatic." You tell him.

"So you've said before. Anyway Y/n, I have a question for you."

"Alright, what is it?"

"It's about that day in the garden some weeks ago. Our first date."

"Don't call it that." You roll your eyes but there's a smile on your face.

"Why? That's what it is." Loki smiles back, teasing in his voice.

"Orchestrated and forced by your parents. You didn't even enjoy it."

"Still- it's a first date nonetheless. Most arranged marriages don't even get that. Count your lucky stars my parents didn't rush to the alter as soon as you arrived."

"Yeah, sure."

"I wonder why that is actually."

"What?"

"Why didn't my parents rush you to the alter upon arrival? If the plan was always for us to wed and that's why they sent for you, what was the reason for the delay? You were here months before we got married."

"I'm not sure. Perhaps they knew of your reservations and didn't want our marriage to be one with anger at its core."

"You're so contemplative. An answer for everything." He muses.

"Not everything. It's only a guess. I'm good at taking educated guesses. That wasn't your question though, was it?"

"No. My question was about the flower."

"The flower?" Your eyebrows crease in confusion.

"Yes, there was a flower, it- practically came to life when you- well I didn't see what you did exactly but when you walked away from the flower it was definitely in considerably better condition than five minutes prior." Loki explains.

"Oh that flower. Yes, I saw it wilting and I helped it." You nod.

"Helped it?" Loki asks.

"Ask me what you want to know Loki." You smile.

"Was it magic?"

"It was."

"How?"

"I've been a magic practitioner for as long as I can remember."

"I didn't know that."

"Of course not. That's the only time I've ever used it around you. I didn't realize you even saw that." You shrug. "Well actually I used it twice that day."

"Twice? What was the other time?"

"The teapot." You smile slightly. Loki frowns for a moment before realization crosses his face.

"The teapot. You let me think I was losing my mind over the tea being hot after more than half an hour. You reheated it?"

"I did. I would've told you but I thought it was funnier to let you freak out over it. I honestly thought you might figure it out yourself." You chuckle.

"Why didn't you tell me you practice magic?"

"You never asked and we're only just getting to know each other."

"Does anyone else know? Thor? My mother perhaps?"

"Your mother does, she figured it out early on and sometimes she teaches me things. I haven't told Thor or anyone else here for that matter. People back home know obviously but- no one here. Oh except one of the guards who saw the flower thing that day and asked."

"You are just full of surprises." Loki hums looking at you. 

"So you've mentioned." You say turning away from him. Loki stops and turns you to face him, holding both of your hands in his.

"What's wrong?" He frowns, eyes searching your face.

"You're so curious about me all of a sudden. What happens when you run out of things to discover?"

"I don't think that's possible. Every day you experience things that affect who you are. You're ever-changing and evergrowing, as am I. We'll be learning about each other for as long as we have together. I'm sure of it."

"And you say I have an answer for everything."

"Perhaps we only have answers to the things the other person needs answers to." He shrugs.

"As if our knowledge is two halves of the same whole?" You continue walking, this time in the direction of the palace and Loki is quick to follow your lead.

"Something like that yes. That's a great way to put it actually." Loki nods. "Do you plan to spend all afternoon in the gardens?"

"No, I don't think so. I just figured we'd take a walk since we were already out here. I think I'm going to spend some time at the piano in a bit." 

"How long have you played?"

"Many years, my parents emphasized the importance of being well-rounded when educating me. I'm pretty sure that had to do with them expecting me to be a princess one day but, it means I'm versed in many things." You shrug.

"Can I hear you play? I've really only had the pleasure of watching you read."

"You're such a weirdo." You laugh. "You're supposed to be reading, not watching me." You roll your eyes.

"I can't help it, you're enchanting when you do anything. It's distracting."

"Well perhaps you should plan your trips to the library when I'm not there."

"Nonsense. Will you let me hear you play the piano today?"

"If you have the time to spare."

"I always have time to spare for you."

"It's like you're two different people." You muse.

"What do you mean?"

"It's hard to believe that the god before me now, saying things like 'you're enchanting when you do anything' and 'I always have time for you' is the same one who was ignoring me at meals and grumbling at me to go home because he didn't want to marry me a couple of months ago." You explain. "I don't hold it against you, I'm merely being comparative." You add.

"I can't blame you if you do hold it against me. I've- given you more than enough reason to doubt my intentions. I was an asshole because it was the only way I felt like I could remain in control but that wasn't fair to you and I want to make it up to you, somehow." Loki says softly.

"You don't have to prove your devotion you know. I don't need you to love me Loki, but I do hope you'll always be honest with me. It's the one condition I have for our union."

"I can do both. I want to do both, love you and be honest."

"I only need the latter." You shake your head gently.

"Does that mean that if I do love you, you will not accept?"

"I don't know. I'd like to but truthfully Loki you are very confusing."

"I'm hard to trust I know. I hope one day you will."

"Trust you or love you?"

"Honestly both, but I meant trust me."

"I hope so too. I think we're on the right track for it."

"For trust or love?"

"I consider them interwoven so, both technically I suppose." You offer Loki a smile.

"As long as you continue to smile at me that way, and I can hear you laugh every once in a while, I think I can accept whatever our union holds, present and future."

"Are you always such a sap or is it just part of your attempt to win me over?" You ask.

"Well- is it working?"

"I'm not telling you that." You shake your head with a laugh. 

"Prince Loki!" A servant almost runs right into both of you, exiting towards the gardens as the two of you have reached the doors leading into the palace.

"Sorry about that." You tell the servant.

"Oh no, don't apologize princess, I wasn't paying attention. I heard the prince was in the gardens and had to find him. I had no idea you'd be at the doors." He rushes out.

"You were looking for me?" Loki asks.

"Yes your highness. The king requests your presence."

"Is everything alright?" Loki frowns.

"As far as I know, yes. Though the king just told me to fetch you."

"We'll have to raincheck your piano concert for me then." Loki turns to you.

"That's alright, you have prince things to attend to. Go." You smile.

"I'll see you at dinner, my love." Loki says, kissing your hand before following the servant into the castle. You also head inside but turn right where they had gone straight, deciding you'll still spend time at the piano like planned until it's time for dinner.

***

Part 8/???

Tagged Users: @moonlightreader649 @crimson25 @kaogasm @just-someone11

[monstrumpuella]

Who made the Portal?

(No seriously, who made it?)

The portal door has always fascinated me because its purpose and creation is such a mystery. (I love backstories what can I say?) But for me specifically, it's the catalyst of everything: the past, the present, and the future it is literally the beginning of how the story began.

Luz is introduce to the Boiling Isles and to all of the magic, wonder, and danger it surrounds itself in. There she meets the infamous witch criminal Eda Clawthorne or simply known as the The Owl Lady and her egotistical but very cute monster like roommate King. Through many shenanigans and problems, Luz eventually begins to make a name and most importantly a home for herself in the Boiling Isles. That is until Emperor Belos, the sinister villain of the story, sends in Lilith to arrest Eda and have her be forced to join a coven or else. But it turns out he only wants to take the portal of the human realm for his mysterious purpose and have Eda petrified as punishment regardless of his promise to Lilith to heal her sister

I wouldn't be surprised at all that the portal door is what Belos was after the entire time and not the Owl Lady herself since Eda had it during most of her entire time as a wild witch.

But where did it come from and why or how did it come to Eda's possession?

According to Eda herself, she had found the portal when she was young. She had ran away home and had accidentally found it in an abondoned home/garden behind the Clawthorne estate (and ever since then had been using it for the past 30 + years to escape the Emperor's Coven and her mother). But why was it hidden in the estate in the first place?

This is a point I'll return to, don't worry!

But then the next question is who built it?

Because the doorway itself is unique in how it is portable and can be opened anywhere in the demon realm but its entrance is fixed to an abandoned house in Gravesfield, Connecticut (behind the home of Luz Noceda) and neither Eda or Luz knows why.

It is only once Luz destroys the portal, so that Belos doesn't get his hands on it to use it for his plans on the "Day of Unity", that she begins to try searching for answers to how to return to the human realm and along the way figure out the mysterious origin of the portal door.

Luz then hears from Gwendalyn Clawthorne (who according to their great grandmother) that Titan's blood has the power capable enough to travel between realms though it is rare. Especially for a human. But mentioned there once was a human who lived in Bonesburough. One day he disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. The only thing the human left behind was his journal that he donated to the library sometime in the 1600's.

That human is Philip Wittebane and he is, without a doubt, the most dangerous monster the realms have ever known.

Philip Wittebane, at his initial introduction, was seen as a parallel to Luz as someone who found themselves in a strange land of magic and danger. Luz begins to identify herself to him as she looks through his journal to uncover how he created the portal door and return home herself. However as Luz learns more about Philip, the more she realizes that he is not at all that he claims to be.

It's soon revealed that Philip is actually Emperor Belos and is a Witch Hunter that wants to destroy all witches and demons to "protect" humanity.

But even before becoming the witch known as Belos, he was already a manipulative, dangerous individual who only sought to become the "hero" he believes he was destined to be. But most importantly, Philip is someone who constantly lies and hurts others to get his way no matter what.

He even lied to the fact he never even built the portal door. If Philip had truly created it then he wouldn't have needed to steal it from Eda in the beginning.

Then if not Eda or Philip, then who?

I believe it was a Titan Trapper.

When we were introduced to the Titan Trappers, it's shown that they live on the other side of the world. While it is not impossible to travel there by sea, the trappers were able to make transportation more feasible by using Titans Blood as a makeshift portal to travel instantly.

It makes sense once you think about the fact the Trappers are the only witches that truly know how to harness the power of a Titan. After all to be able to kill a beast, one needs to know everything about it including its weaknesses and strengths.

Then wait, why is it that the portal's entrance in the human realm is always in Gravesfield?

This is where it gets complicated. Because if Philip never created the portal door, then why is it's fixed entry point always at Gravesfield? Well that because we've assumed that Luz and Philip were the only humans to have gone to The Boiling Isles but in actuality there was another.

Caleb, Philip Wittebane's brother, is the other mysterious human that arrived in Bonesburough.

It's likely Caleb helped build the portal with a witch and had its entrance to the human realm be his home town. He most likely made it so that he could travel between realms whenever he wanted to. Being able to exist in both realms and live life happily to where the wind takes him.

But then why have we never heard of Caleb much less even know about his existence?

The reason why we never knew of Caleb's existence was because of Philip and this is where each of the brothers fate takes a tragic turn for the worst.

So far according to Philip's memories and Gravesfield history, Caleb and Philip grew up wanting to be witch hunters. One day they encountered a real witch and, while Philip was afraid of them, Caleb ended up accepting (and falling in love) with them. Caleb and Philip somehow got separated and both ended up in the Demon Realm. Caleb began to love and accept his new home while Philip wanted nothing more but to destroy and "save" his brother from the evil witch.

Philip upon finding his brother soon after discovers that Caleb had fallen in love with the witch and no longer wishes to hunt them.

Philip then killed Caleb for his "betrayal" and began a centuries long plan to rid the world of witches and demons. And once Philip succeeded on his plan, he could return home not just as the greatest witch hunter in the world but as a hero of humanity.

But how could he return home if there is no portal back to the human realm?

Because the portal door was missing! (Told you I'll come back to this!)

This is why the portal door was found abandoned in the Clawthorne estate; it was likely hidden away by the very same witch that helped Caleb build it. She may have been an ancestor of the Clawthornes given that the portal door was hidden away at their estate and did it as a preventative measure to keep it away from Philip who would use the portal door for his selfish and dangerous purpose.

That is until Edalyn Clawthorne found it again years later

Perhaps the witch was not only a Clawthorne but also in fact a former Titan Trapper who taught Caleb the secrets of magic and eventually led him to the Demon Realm where he finally found a place to belong.

(I'm sure we'll learn more about him and her in season 3.)

That would mean that Caleb and the Witch built the portal door together with the witch's knowledge of Titans Blood and Caleb's skills in carving would have helped in building a portal that would connect to a location that was personal to them.

Their Home

[invisibleraven]

Birthday Boy Blues

Happy Birthday @innytoes!

It's Reggie's birthday, and he doesn't exactly feel like celebrating.

Inny, sorry for the eleventh hour angsty fic, but I hope you enjoy it and have had an amazing day! ❤❤❤

On AO3!

The thing about being a ghost is that Reggie isn’t sure there’s much point in celebrating their birthdays any more. They haven’t aged in twenty five years, and even as Julie grows up, they don’t seem to change. Reggie’s not sure how okay he is with staying seventeen forever, but he doubts he’d be much happier as a forty something year old man, staring down middle age and mediocrity in the face.

So when it is close to the day that would mark Reggie’s eighteenth? Forty third? birthday, he decides not to mention it. Out of sight, out of mind kind of thing. It’s not like he can really celebrate anyways. They still can’t eat, so cake is out. Any money they earn from gigs goes to Julie, well to her dad, since the guys don’t need much, and Julie has actual, like bills to pay. Thus neither Alex or Luke would have the money to buy him a gift, and once Ray found out they were haunting the studio, no stealing became a rule. So no presents to open.

Sure, they could play games, or watch movies, but they do that every other weekend, and Reggie doesn’t feel like donning a stupid paper hat to make it feel more celebratory. Better just to… not bother. Reggie didn’t want the fuss when it just made him feel worse about not really ageing any more.

Luckily, Luke was at his parent’s house today, and that meant he wouldn’t be in the mood to do much else but sulk once he got back. Which Reggie always tried to help with, his heart taking flight every time he managed to coax a smile on those days. Plus, Luke was horrid about remembering things like birthdays. Alex usually had to remind him a few days in advance, and their afterlives had been so fraught with peril thus far that Reggie’s had thankfully slipped all of their minds.

Reggie went off in search of Alex though, curious as to what he was up to. Hey, just because he didn’t want to acknowledge what day it was didn’t mean he didn’t want to spend quality time with his friends alright? Except when he wandered into the studio, he found Alex asleep on the couch, Willie blanketed on top of him, long fingers tangled in his hair.

Alex snuffled, blinking his eyes open, peering at Reggie. “Hey Reg,” he whispered, then smiled fondly down at Willie as the ghost let out a soft snuffly sound.

“Hey Lexie, didn’t mean to wake you, go back to your nap,” Reggie said. Alex gave him a gracious smile, his eyes sliding closed once more, and though Reggie longed for that sweet sort of intimacy, the chance of him finding another ghost their age who didn’t work for Caleb seemed pretty slim. And the heartbreak of falling for a lifer…. He gave a tiny, melancholy sigh, then tossed the light blanket that lived in the studio over Alex and Willie before shutting the door quietly after him.

Reggie wondered what Julie might be up to, and began wandering up towards the house, hands in his pockets as he walked. Only to have Julie slam into his chest, the two of them groaning and then giggling as they righted themselves. "Hey little darlin', where's the fire?"

"Flynn and Carrie are at it again so I have to mediate before someone ends up in the hospital… or jail." Julie sighed, but then smiled up at Reggie. "I'll see you later cariño, have a good day!"

Reggie waved as Julie rushed off, valiantly trying to ignore the flush on his cheeks whenever she used a sweet Spanish nickname for him. He had no clue what it meant, because he had slept through more of high school Spanish than not. But he figured Julie wouldn't call him something mean so it had to be sweet. Which made it all the harder to ignore how his heart ached when she used it.

No, nope, not getting into that. Reggie shook those thoughts away, walking further up to the house. He knew Carlos was at baseball with his aunt, but maybe Ray was free.

However, when he got into the house, he saw Ray hunched over his computer, stress lines on his face as he talked into his phone about re-shoots. Reggie shimmered into invisibility before Ray could catch sight of him, not wanting to distract him from his work. Reggie still wasn't sure why or how the Molina's could see and touch them, but not anyone else unless they were playing.

But it meant that if he wanted to chat with Ray, he could. Or if he just wanted to vent without bothering the man, he could do that too.

"Hey Ray," Reggie said, hopping into the chair across from the man, letting his legs dangle over the side. He blew out a breath, gaze drifting to the ceiling. "It's my birthday today. Not that it counts for much since ya know…" he waved over himself, indicating his ghostly state. "I always dreaded turning eighteen you know? Funny how fate has a way of playing with you."

He gave a sideways glance to Ray once more, seeing his phone finally down, though the man still looked troubled by the call. "See, my folks always said… that once I was eighteen, I'd be on my own. Good luck, but I wouldn't be their responsibility any more. Not that they were overly responsible for me since I was like… twelve. And I was mostly living in the studio with Luke come that last year. Couldn't put up with the fighting. So this was a birthday I wasn't overly looking forward to."

Reggie twiddled his thumbs, musing. "I bet you threw great birthdays for Julie and Carlos. Balloons, cake, the whole works. I never had that. Sure, MeeMaw did all right back in Georgia, but once we moved here… the guys bought me pizza or we had a Star Wars marathon. Which I loved, don't get me wrong, but it never felt any different than any other day. Maybe they just thought I would do something special with my family like they did. Kind of too late to wonder about now."

"I guess," Reggie whispered, trying to ignore the burning wetness of his eyes, "what I always wanted was to feel like part of a family who would take this day to actually celebrate me being born."

Reggie sighed once more, then eased himself up off the chair. "I think I'm gonna head to the beach, maybe stay and watch the sunset. Thanks for listening Ray." With that he poofed out.

Ray looked up from his computer, priding himself on being a good actor, and Reggie's inability to know when he was actually invisible or not. Because now he knew just what to do for Reggie's present.

~

Reggie sat on the dunes, letting the sound of the surf and the warmth of the slowly setting sun calm him. Even though he grew up on a farm, thousands of miles from the nearest ocean, he always felt at home on the beach. He was a natural swimmer, letting the waves embrace him when he was alive, loving the salty tang and chill.

But now, it gave him little comfort, just a big vast emptiness reminding him of the nothingness that weighed down on him. A sudden displacement of air next to him drew him out of his melancholy.

"Hey babe," Luke said, his voice full of cheek. "We've been looking for you everywhere."

"I've been here."

Luke hummed as he leaned back, closing his eyes and Reggie watched as the flaming colours of the sky made him glow a golden hue. "Can't say I blame you, it's beautiful. You always did love the beach."

"One of my favourite places in the world after the farm, and the studio with the band," Reggie replied.

"Well that's where we're headed. Band is waiting, come on!" Luke said, jumping up and offering Reggie a hand. Reggie was hesitant, not sure he wanted his sour mood to affect his friends. But Luke was there, and Reggie was never able to deny him anything, so he slid his palm into Luke's and found himself pulled into his strong arms in a flash. Then one disorienting moment later, they were in front of the studio doors.

“Whoa, head rush,” Reggie moaned, and Luke just smirked before pushing open the doors.

“SURPRISE!”

Reggie jumped and saw his friends standing there grinning. The studio was filled with balloons and streamers, a large birthday banner hanging over the piano. “Y-you guys, what is all this?”

Luke slung an arm over his shoulder. “What, did you really think we’d forget your birthday babe?” He then pecked a small kiss to Reggie’s cheek, and whispered into his ear, “Alex totally had to remind me, and then Julie heard and well… now we’re having a party.”

Julie bounced over, her grin a mile wide. “Are you surprised? Do you like it? Luke told me you never had a big party, so I decided to go all out. Eighteen is a big one!” She then popped up and pressed a kiss to his other cheek, dragging him towards the couch, and plopping him down on it.

“You guys really didn’t have to…” Reggie said, overwhelmed by the display, eyes flitting from the decorations to the small pile of presents to… “Is that cake?”

Alex grinned. “Yeah, Willie smuggled the stuff from the club, turns out it’s the ingredients not the place, but we didn’t want to chance it for anything less than a special occasion. Flynn and I made it for you, so it is actually safe to eat.” He levelled a look at Luke.

“Hey!” Luke gave an indigent shout. “I can bake okay!”

“Dude you almost burned down your house making microwave soup, I do not trust you in a kitchen,” Alex retorted, and Willie giggled from where he was curled into Alex’s embrace.

“It’s also safe for lifers to eat,” Willie said. “No soul stealing or anything.”

“Well that’s good because it looks delicious and I would be miserable if I didn’t get to try a piece,” Ray said. “Now, I do have one gift to give Reggie before we eat, if that’s okay.”

“You got me a gift?” Reggie exclaimed.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I mijo? It’s your birthday. I always get my kids gifts for their birthdays.”

“K-kids?” Reggie asked, his voice quiet and reed thin.

Ray grinned, crouching down in front of Reggie. “Reggie, you know I see you boys as my kids. Technically I guess I’m your legal guardian, or I would be if not for the whole ghost thing. But… if you want to be a part of this family, my family, you know I would love that. In whatever way possible.” He shot a look at Julie at that, and she blushed, but Reggie couldn’t really question that.

“You mean I could be Reggie Molina?” he squeaked.

Ray smiled brightly, “I would love it if you were. Even if it’s not official, you can be a Molina from now on.”

Reggie grinned, but then felt hands slip into his, Luke on one side, Julie on the other. “We have a present too, if you want it, cariño.”

Reggie nodded, finding his head turned towards Luke. Luke, whose ears had a pinkish tinge to them as he lowered his face to Reggie’s. “Happy Birthday babe,” he whispered, then slid their lips together in a toe curling, mind melting kiss. Reggie sank into it, letting himself revel in the blissful feeling of a kiss that mattered, that felt so full of love and promise. He blinked his eyes open as Luke pulled back, and gave him a shy smile.

Julie then turned his face to hers, with a sweet, tender touch. “Feliz cumpleaños cariño,” she said, her voice quiet and sensual, then brought him down into an equally earth shattering kiss, and Reggie was sure he was dreaming. There was no way that this was happening right? He had fallen asleep back on the beach and the universe was teasing him with images of what he truly wanted. But when Julie pulled back, biting her lower lip, a faint flush on the apples of her cheeks, Reggie knew this was real.

“B-but Julie, you and Luke...”

“Love you too. I thought we were pretty obvious honestly,” Luke replied.

“But we’re ghosts!” Reggie exclaimed. “Like, rattle chains and go boo ghosts!”

“That’s a hurtful ghost stereotype actually,” Willie piped up, and Flynn was holding her hand over her mouth and giggling, though only Julie, who was glaring at her, seemed to know why.

“You guys are not typical ghosts though. You can be seen and touched by some people, who’s to say that won’t change in the next few weeks? I have no idea how our love for each other did what it did, but I think…” Julie stopped, then took a breath in. “I know that the more I love you, the more… unghost like you become.”

“My parents can see me now dude, it’s true,” Luke said. “We can talk about it later. Right now, what do you say? You, me, Julie, we make a pretty sweet trio.”

Reggie looked at them, their expectant faces, and let a smile break forth on his face. “I say I love you both very much, and maybe after we have cake, we could talk about a date?”

Julie grinned, and motioned for Carlos to bring the cake forward, and Ray swooped in to light the candles, and hit the lights. All of them together sang to Reggie, and while he still wasn’t a big fan of birthdays, this might go down as his best ever.

“Go ahead mijo, blow out your candles and make a wish,” Ray said.

Reggie once more looked around the room, taking in his friends, his new partners, his family, and grinned before blowing out the candles.

“What did you wish for babe?” Luke asked, snuggling into Reggie’s side.

“You’re not supposed to tell, they won’t come true if you do!” Julie admonished from his other side.

Reggie just let himself be tugged further into their embrace, and said with the biggest smile. “I didn’t make one. I have everything I could ever wish for right here.”

[dontjudgemeimawriter]

Terran's Interview

@puzzleddragon02 good enough for me

🍰 Describe your ideal birthday.

"Zachary never did anything that big for my birthday, but when Raymond and Mika moved in they did much more, usually went out to the park or something and got cake and other people came. I only went one year. But while they were here Zachary would at last get a cake or something. And I mean, he did always get me a present. I think, ideally, I would spend it away from Zachary, probably with Raymond. If it's a fantasy I'll have Mika there too... and I don't know, play a game and have a cake or something. My standards aren't very high for this."

🪂 What's your favorite method of transportation?

Answered

🔮 What's something you hope your future holds in store?

"Well I hope Raymond and I stay alive... Mika, too, and away from Zachary and the Syndicate and Calson City. Maybe to try being normal."

🧨 Are you impulsive? What's something impulsive you've done?

"No. Being impulsive is reckless, it's how you mess up. Even when I've made quick decisions I don't think they were impulsive. You could say that saving Raymond's life and Jesse's life was impulsive, but i don't really think that counts. I would say though, that when I saw Raymond at Dante and ran after him, that was impulsive. If I'd thought that through I would have dealt with it differently."

🧦What's your favorite article of clothing?

Answered

📺 What's your favorite movie?

"I don't go to movies."

(This time period does have movie but think like black and white and only in theaters. If Terran's at a movie theater it's not to watch."

🪦 How do you think you might die?

Answered

💔 Have you ever been heart broken? What happened?

"No, I don't think so."

(He has a bit. Raymond told him to stay away/ not to see each other again and Terran did not take it well.)

🥞 What's your favorite thing to have for breakfast?

"I always have coffee, usually for breakfast I have a bagel or something simple. But my favorite is an omelette."

😎 Have you changed your appearance often/recently/drastically? Would you?

"No, not really, I'll hide or obscure it, but that's more about blending in. I would though, if we ever escape the Syndicate, I'd be willing to change it."

🎆 Describe the ideal date (doesn't have to be romantic!)

Answered

🧩 What kinds of games do you like?

Answered

🚫 What's the most trouble you ever got in as a kid? Why?

"Look... this isn't something you want to hear, it's not a fun anecdote about stealing a cookie and getting time-out. I was in training to be an assassin, a perfect one who thought everything through. I'd get in trouble for sneaking out because I got caught, not because I was sneaking out. Everything was training, and Zachary used his magic to reinforce his lessons. Get it?"

🦝 What's your favorite animal? Why?

"When I was a kid I would find salamanders sometimes, I don't know if they were really my favorite but I liked searching for them and holding them. We never had any pets, but I'd like to get to know a cat, I think. Raymond once said he thought I'd like cats."

🧃 What's your favorite thing to drink?

Answered

🌄 Describe your morning routine.

"I don't really have much of a routine, it depends entirely on what's going on. Sometimes I have early-morning work and sometimes it's late-night, so it varies a lot. I guess the most consistent part is getting dressed in my room, brushing my teeth, getting coffee and come breakfast. Often I'll be downstairs after Zachary so the coffee is made, and normally I'll see if he has anything he needs me to do. Oh, and casting focus as soon as I leave my room I suppose is part of the routine."

❄️ What's your favorite kind of weather?

"Spring, no rain. A light breeze and a bit of sunshine, but I don't mind it overcast if it's not raining."

💥 Fight, flight, or freeze?

Answered

💕 What's something you love?

"Loving anything is a risk, and even more so to reveal it."

Terran loves Raymond. He actually also loves Mika. Unfortunately he loves Zachary. For inanimate things: Coffee, chocolate, nuts, his leather jacket, flowers.

🌡How do you handle being sick?

"I hate it, but Zachary hates being around sick people and sometimes there's something satisfying about that. It's also a good thing, because I'll get to exhausted to keep focus up. Normally when I feel myself starting to get sick I'll grab some things from the store that keep him from having to be around me-- like extra tissues or medicine or some soup."

🔪 What's something you can't stand?

"Being in wet clothes is the first that comes to mind. It rains too much in Calson, I can't wear my leather jacket, and it soaks me through, it's uncomfortable."

(I find it funny, I searched my WIP doc for "hate" and almost every instance is about Mika. Girl is angry.)

👀 What's something you feel guilty about?

"Every kill I've done, every body I've felt nothing for. Every time I'm still complicit in death. Lying to Mika."

💭 Describe a dream you've had.

"I have a lot of dreams where I'm planning something, it goes wrong for weird reasons, complicates randomly, and then it turns out to be something completely different than I started planning. That's what a lot of them look like."

💯 What's a good quality in a friend?

"I think Raymond's the only real friend I've had. And I think he's a good friend because he challenges me but also seems to accept me, he's honest with me and I can trust him."

🫐 Favorite fruit?

"Blueberries, peaches, pineapple."

🛣 City or country?

"I only know the city. I'm used to it, I know how it works, but if we left, the country might be safer."

👽 Share a secret (it doesn't have to be yours).

(This SO depends on who's asking, half the answers here have betrayed secrets. So, I'm gonna share a mild spoiler, cuz why not)

"This is Zachary's secret... He killed a few people working for the Judge. The ones who killed Ariel. I helped him."

👑 What would you say is your best feature (personality, appearance, etc)?

Answered

🚩What's your worst feature?

Answered

☄️ Make a wish!

"I don't believe anything can grant wishes, but even so I'd be trying to word it carefully. But if you're asking what I would wish for...I'd wish that Ariel hadn't died and Raymond and Mika never met Zachary."

It was very fun to do Terran's interview. I'll still take asks using my other characters (Raymond & Mika, I could answer for Chrys and Russell too).

From this

[swimmingbananacloud]

Day 0 (August 4, 2022)

 Pre-challenge reflection (Preparation)

Hello, my name is Arah Variacion. I am currently studying Practical Nurse at Red Deer Polytechnic. On August 4th, 2022, was my day 0 preparing to take on Welfare Food Challenge. I wanted to apologize for posting my reflections late here on Tumblr. In all honesty, I was not mentally ready to post my opinion publicly, mainly because I am terrified of being judged or seeing others' opinions that would trigger me. However, I saved them in my notes. While preparing my groceries when I went to Dollarama and Walmart. I struggled a lot with what I should put on my cart; perhaps one of the reasons is that I am a little indecisive. It took at least an hour of me looking at the shelves constantly and, at the same time, holding my phone with a calculator on it and looking at the price tag. Also, I think one of the security guards finds me suspicious. He must have thought I went there to steal something. I think it is because I was wearing the pants that I just got out of bed from, and Imagine my hair. I should go back to the topic; sorry, I am a very petite woman, and I do not usually eat a lot in a day, but this challenge made me a little scared and worried. I thought to myself, what if I passed out? or Failed the challenge? Nevertheless, I believe that is not the case. I believe that one of the reasons why we do this challenge is to know and understand the lesson behind it. How many people are starving and having trouble fitting their only money to last for days, weeks, and months? Before I start the challenge, I have questions what does Welfare Food Challenge for? Why are we being encouraged to? Participate in a challenge like this? With those questions, I began searching on the internet for relevant topics and up-to-date websites. I found a source that talks about the

"Income Support (IS) provides financial benefits to individuals and families in Alberta who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter." (Classification: Protected a Alberta Community and Social Services Open Data Income Support (IS) Program Overview, n.d.)

This source talk about the statistics from April 2010-May 2022 about the Income support case load. "The data presents households receiving support payments for a specific month and presents the average monthly caseload from May 2005 to the present. A household could consist of one or more members and the composition of the caseload is made up of single individuals, lone-parent families, couples with children and couples without children. Income Support caseloads are most commonly reported as the average volume for a specific period". (Classification: Protected a Alberta Community and Social Services Open Data Income Support (IS) Program Overview, n.d.)

Source:

I am very excited and scared for this challenge but I'll absolute do my very best!

[paradoxalhope]

paradoxalhope's pinned🚀🌍

Welcome to paradoxalhope AU Pokémon blog! This blog is a Futuristic, cyberpunk/sci-fi pokémon AU where corporations have taken over the Pokéregions, the future Paradox Pokémon have become a common occurrence and now there are more than ever. Turo, Eserine, and others have tasked themselves with a mission to somehow change the fate of their world…

[Gif by kviing, sourced from Tumblr's gif search].

The Lore Post for this Blog can be found here. Please note it may be updated or changed at any time; but I'll always post before that happens.

Here, you can find the Roleplay Rules & Guidelines post…Click Me!

OCs Attached to this blog🖖

Note: Please do not steal the ideas of my OCs or copy them and claim them as your own. The picrew images have credits underneath the image itself 🫶

Double Note: This list may be updated or changed at a later time. At some point, there will be a seperate post entirely with extended OCs and when that happens, you'll find the link in this section, here.

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🐍Eserine Glare: 20s, she/her pronouns. Lab assistant to Faller Turo, who came from the past. Specializes in fairy & poison types. Her team is consists of Toxicroak, Togekiss, Alolan Muk, Galarian Koffing, Dachsbun, and Rimbombee. 

Made by @/zr60v on picrew \(^-^)/

🧪Faller!Turo: Is the Turo of Scarlet & Violet that transported to another world. He has memories of his son and wife, but has no idea how long it has really been since he's been gone. All he remembers is programming his AI to protect his lab in his stead. He is not available to roleplay with directly, but he is available to interact with during Eserine’s roleplays when present, or you may request to speak with him, but keep in mind he is not a character I'm willing to have romantic or direct roleplays with. He's just a supporting character for Eserine's arc! He has a Metagross, Golurk, and Musharna as his usual team.

Official in-game art for professor Turo. I do not claim to own this image, turo as a character, etc. Just for roleplay purposes and to make this post more eye-easy, I just wanted to include a reference of Turo.

🗡Clyde Skyforge: In 20s, he/they pronouns. Goes by he/him when he's out during normal hours; essentially just going by who he is commonly known as. However, at night past curfew…they become the hooded vigilante that traverses all over Paldea with their beloved Greninja & Lotad, saving innocents from the tyranny of the corporations that rule over them. Clyde comes from a family of pokémon rangers, however since the outlaw of Rangers in the Pokéregions nationally, they resorted to saving people and pokémon alike from the oppressive claws of the corporations. The Skyforge family has a legend…but only he may tell it to those who are willing to listen. His team consists of a Chandelure, Greavard, Kingambit, Weavile, Thievul, and Venosaur. 

[I apologize, I do not know the language and therefore cannot reiterate their @; but if anyone knows the translation please let me know so I can place it here!]

🍯Melina Honeypot: Young Adult (18-21). they/them pronouns. Melina often goes by Mel, and is an activist that fights to stop the constant destruction of the pokémon natural environs that is leading to the endangerment & extinction of many pokémon, causing them to be replaced by robotic versions of themselves and no one knows how. However, Mel has their theories. They work alongside Eserine at times. Mel’s team consists of a Vespiqueen, Combee, Roserade, Muk, Alolan Raticate, & Mothim.

Picrew made by @/zr60v :>

📊Carlee Bailey: In late 30s. Is one of the main antagonists of the AU world. She is the president of the New Pokéregion Unity, the new founded government system that took the world by storm after the war. The corporation she owns and operates is known as Shardlife Corporated, often called ShardCo., which harvested Tera Crystals for recreational and conventional use and destroyed the Paldean Crater to do so. The crater is now a toxic wasteland, unable to be traversed into without proper PPE. Carlee is a mastermind and no doubt evil, and has absolutely no care about the world she's destroying. Climate Change, Holocene Extinctions, and more are her doing, and her allowing the destruction of the world to meet her greedy needs. Her team consists of Reuniclus, Noivern, Clefable, Dhelmise, Absol, & Mightyena. 

Picrew made by @/wawawa_0_0_

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