#Menace Caro

[seeminglydark]

Wipping along, made the mistake of making and overly detailed bg after the fact so uh... Someday I'll finish this

[htchnr]

Hi! Could I possibly request an Aaron x reader with jealous overprotective Aaron? It can be that they both work in the BAU and a local officer is too flirty for his liking or that they go out with the team/together and someone keeps trying to flirt with reader.

★ night like this ❥ A. HOTCHNER.

➻❥ masterlist. ➻❥ patreon.

CW ➥ drinking ⋆ Aaron can't keep his hands to himself ⋆ making out ⋆ smut insinuation ⋆ if i missed anything, lmk!

WC ➥ 1,4K. SONG ➥ a night like this, caro emerald.

AUTHORS NOTE ➥ does anyone want the smut part 2? please let me know and i'll finish it up! 😁

★ - © 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 HTCHNR. 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫! - ★

"awe man," you sigh with a defeated chuckle, finding that your glass is the last to be emptied. the whole team had decided to celebrate a successful case at a local bar — and last one to empty their glass would be the one paying for the next round.

you look down at your glass, chuckling as you reluctantly get up from the semi comfortable booth. you can feel the previous few drinks, not heavily but you've got a comfortable buzz going.

"the same for everyone then?" you look up, palms leaning on the table as you stand. everyone nods, cheering for more drinks.

you sigh, looking down at Hotchner beside you — you'd have to scoot past him now. you take a deep breath, carefully stepping between his legs with your back turned to him. your brows twitch ever so slightly as you feel one of his large warm hands gently guiding the side of your thigh as you pass him. oh lord, this would be a long night.

Aaron watched you leave, his eyes briefly flicking down to your ass as you manoeuvre past him. he's glad for the dim lights of the bar, knowing that the growing tent in his slacks would be painfully obvious if the lighting was better.

normally, he has a ridiculous amount of self control — but with the way your slacks hugged your thighs and ass, and the way you had been teasing him with your high heel against his leg, he was close to losing it.

he made sure not to stare too long, his eyes merely flicking across the back of your thighs as you walked to the bar to order more drinks before returning to the half open case file in front of him. he downed the rest of his drink, feeling it warm his throat — down to his stomach.

the only moment his eyes flick up from the file is when he hears your laugh — reaching his ears nearly immediately despite the loud and crowded bar. he'd be able to pull aside your laugh anywhere. so when he hears you laugh, nowhere near the team, he looks up.

and his eyes find you leaning against the bar, standing in one of his favourite looks on you, tight slacks and an even tighter dress shirt hugging all the right places — laughing, clearly in conversation with some guy he doesn't recognise. your hand also seems to have found purchase against the man's bicep, lightly holding onto him as you laugh at whatever he said.

he takes a deep breath, before standing up and closing the case file. the team seemed too busy with something funny on Morgan's phone anyway.

"that has to be the worst thing ever! how on earth did you recover from that?" you laugh, glancing to the side as you see that half of your drinks have been made.

the guy chuckles, shaking his head as he sips his beer. "oh, i didn't recover from it." he laughs, one hand going to his heart, "it left me battered and bruised." he dramatically acts.

another burst of laughter erupts from your lips as you lean forward a little. you barely caught your breath when you noticed the man's laughing dimmed down. "what's so funny?" you heard, in a humouring tone. oh..

you turn around, to find Hotch standing slightly behind and beside you, tall and menacing with his tie hanging a little loose and his sleeves rolled up, watching as one of his hands snake across your lower back — his large hand resting on the curve of your ass, fingers digging into the clothed flesh. "a story he was telling," nodding towards the man in front of you — who now, looked a little less eager to retell the story to the tall man beside you.

as if right on time, the bartender slides all the drinks onto the bar, along with a short whistle to indicate they were done. you turned, your side pressed lightly against Hotch's side — feeling his frustration hard against your hip — as you grab a few of the drinks.

you look up at him, with big fake innocent eyes as you bat them at him. "care to help me, honey?" you ask, looking up at him through your lashes. even though he was obviously already going to help, how could he ever say no when you look at him like that?

the hand resting on the curve of your ass gives it a tight squeeze, before grabbing the rest of the drinks. he nods towards the table, "go on then, sweetheart." he nudges you teasingly with his knee, urging you to walk in front of him. you try to hide your blush as you start walking back to the loud table. the random guy, completely forgotten.

⋆⊹✮⊹⋆

"finally, there's my Sugar!" Morgan calls once he sees you with the drinks, Aaron right behind you. Morgan eagerly helps distribute the drinks across the table, everyone grabbing their own.

and the moment Aaron and you sit down, the conversation continues — eyes back on whatever was so amusing on Morgan’s phone. leaving Aaron and you by yourselves.

you eagerly sip on your drink, thighs pressed together in a heat as you drink with your eyes closed. you only open them when you feel a large hand slide up your thigh. “what's got you so worked up tonight?” he speaks lowly, so only you could hear him. your thighs twitch, pressing together more.

you look up from your drink, finding Hotchner looking back at his file with one hand, while the other snakes it's way between your thighs. you huff, “one could ask the same of you, standing all tall and mad by the bar. holding me like that — are you insane? what if the team saw?” you shot back in a hushed voice.

you could see his brows twitch, whether it was in amusement, or distaste directed towards the man at the bar, you’ll never know. “i didn't like the way he was looking at you.” he says shortly.

your thighs twitch again around his hand. “as if you weren't looking at me the same way. you think you were being slick, huh? eyeing me up and down like that.” his eyes stop in their tracks on the paper.

you down the rest of your drink, parting you thighs enough for him to slide his hand up more — before tightly closing them again, denying him to move any further. “why don't we quite the act and get out of here? hm?” you mutter.

you down the rest of your drink, squeezing Aaron’s hand before pulling it from between your thighs and standing up with a deep breath. “well, i'm going to hit the hay, before i hit the hay in this booth.” you chuckle, palms leaning on the table. the team looks up at you, nodding and chuckling along.

“well, we’ll see you at the office tomorrow.” Morgan calls, without looking up from his phone — which you silently thank him for, as he isn't paying attention to the way Aaron is gripping your hips as you slide out of the booth in front of him. you nearly let out a sound as he pulls you flush against his lap for a split second, pressing his aching erecting against your core.

once you're free from the booth you look down at Hotchner, leaning against the table as you catch your breath a little. “hey, i think my bag is still in your car, can you unlock it for me?” you bat your lashes at him, good lord — if only you knew what that did to him.

he nods, taking a deep breath as he folds up the case file. “i’ll be right back.” he announces, sliding out from the booth. the three left in the booth barely acknowledge the words, waving the two of you off.

you chuckle to yourself, slowly walking out of the bar. a surprised squeak leaves you as you feel Aaron’s large hands grip your hips as he guides you out of the bar.

the cool air swirls along with the heat between the two of you, the cold metal of his car making you gasp against his lips as he presses you against the frame — eager hands trying to get a hold of every inch of your body.

you moan lowly against his lips, eagerly pulling his hips to roll against yours as he devours you. you lean away from the kiss for a second, catching your breath as you lean your head back against the car. Aaron let's you take a small break, his lips pressing urgent and bruising kisses against your throat — trailing to your collarbones that peak out from your dress shirt.

“shit - Aaron,” you pant, your hand tangled in his hair as he sucks rough bruises into the soft skin of your chest. he looks so unbelievably good — one hand gripping your hip as if his life depended on it, veins running up his hand — and the other resting beside your head as he leans against it, his sleeves rolled up, revealing those forearms you could stare at for days.

you gently tug on his hair, a low moan coming from him. he looks up from your chest, standing up fully as he captures your lips once more. an embarrassingly desperate sound leaves your lips, only to be swallowed down by his.

you desperately press a hand flat against his toned chest, tangling his tie with your fingers. he pulls away, ever so slightly, panting against your lips. “i'm going to lose it, if you don't take me home and fuck me so hard i forget his face.” you breathe against his lips — knowing exactly how much it’ll tick him off.

he grins against your lips, “get your ass in the car then,” a infuriating smirk on his lips. god, you wish you could fuck that smirk of his face for good..

TAGLIST ➥ @alexblakegf

[lucespeaks]

kk being a menace as always, aubrey was on live, caro joined it, my freshies were having fun, azzi posted on instagram, paige is in her active era

ITS A GOOD LIFE FOR UCONN FANS

[trashy-tries-writing]

Hii there's absolutely no pressure but I love your writing and thought: what about Ravine working with the 141 on a mission where drugs are related and they need to find them (or something of that sort, I'm no expert in military stuff) and they bring a k-9 with them that is known for being aggressive and attacking if not treated with utmost precision, only for it to warm up to Ravine and snuggle up to him even tho he's the scary and "mean" one?

Pictures: Cooper with Ravine VS Cooper with anyone else

Dear Anon, I love your magnificent brain for coming up with this scenario!!! And thank you so much!🤗 Also no worries I don’t know anything about the military either :’)) I hope I wrote this how you imagined, do let me know 🙌

Warning: Mentions of drugs, PTSD, amputation, transplant- Probably wrong military name usages and stuff. Maybe OOC?💧

Let me know if you want a part 2 of this, where they chase down the drugs with Cooper 😀

Drug mission with an aggressive K-9 who only turns putty for the "mean” Ravine. The boys are conflicted about who to feel jealous of- Cooper or Ravine, both who usually don't let themselves be touched.

Ravine, who just finished his massacre, was sent to 141’s base once their mission to get intel turned into a drug chase. Along with the confiscated information, they found a hidden stash of high class heroin on the boat, therefore they wanted the soldier to join them.

Laswell had tracked the owner later: Caro Edgar, a well known drug lord that has been long enough on the wanted list. Price decided it was time they get the man behind bars- or dead.

Someone from the DATR (Defence Animal Training Regiment) was delivering their best narcotic detection dog to the squad per Price’s request. Some of the boys were ecstatic to have a little furry friend with them…

Until the dog actually came into the base.

The K-9, Cooper was a menace to deal with.

He bared his fangs at the men in front of him once his cage was open. Gaz, who was excited to greet their four-legged friend, took a sudden step and Cooper was already in his face, mouth ajar to bite his head off, if it weren’t for the chain being pulled back by the dog handler.

Soap flinched back from the sudden hostility and that owned him a bunch of barkings while saliva flew from the K-9’s mouth.

Safe to say, both men backed off and used Ghost as a human shield. Said man glared at the canine, his shoulders tensed. Price on the other hand looked at the soldier with a questioned look, who lent them the aggressive canine.

“I apologize but he is the only one qualified with the mission, the others aren’t ready or already on duty.”

 For the past two days, they tried to get along with the aggressive K-9 but it wasn’t getting any better.

If they moved too fast, he barked.

Breathed wrong? He growled.

Too close and shifting wrong? Cooper jumped them if it weren’t for the chain stopping him. They had to fill his bowl and slide it over from a distance due to Ghost almost losing his hand the first time he tried to fill his plate.

Price was 100% certain that Soap was having nightmares of the dog ripping him to shreds while he slept. Gaz refused to come near the devil spawn and walked along the edge while pressing his back to the wall. His eyes never left the four-legged demon when he passed around it.

Ghost? He and Cooper had a glaring contest every single time the dog started barking and growling like a feral animal when they came across each other.

 On the third day, Ravine finally reached the base and the dog hadn't lessened his bullshit which made the Task Force slowly lose it. Cooper made noises throughout the night when he felt like they didn’t suffer enough trying to take care of him.

The dog trainer admitted that she was a little afraid of the Belgian Malinois herself. The previous owner died on the mission so the dog was passed down to her. Cooper was one of the best K-9 they had so they had to keep him even if he was being hostile to the other dogs. They had to separate him into solo training with a group of supervisors to get the K-9 under control.

They were all currently all out in the open, trying to make Cooper listen to their commands. They couldn’t keep waiting due to the risk of Caro Edgar shipping a whole warehouse of drugs underground.

“Steaming bloody Jesus!”

Soap jumps back, close to losing his footing when Cooper jumps up to meet the man face to face.

“This isn’t going anywhere! We need a new dog damn it!”

Price sighs and opens his mouth to agree but notices the collar ripping from the sideline.

“Get away from him, NOW!!”

*Snap*

Cooper wastes no time to attack, Gaz who he seems to be running to, screams in fear and throws his body to the side. Only to reveal Ravine appearing from behind him, the men panic at the soldier staring at the report in his hands.

“RAVINE DUCK!”

Their hearts skip a beat when the dog comes slamming down onto him from above. Papers flew through the air as Ravine couldn’t even finish registering what Ghost was screaming about until a blur of black and brown came into his sight.

They run towards the fallen soldier, expecting blood to pour from his shoulders or any part Cooper decided to bite into.

But Ravine laid on the ground unharmed with a hand holding the front legs and the other grabbing tightly on the dog’s mouth like a muzzle as he proceeded to get the K-9’s face further away from his.

“That was close. You good mate?” Soap warily inches closer but stops when Cooper starts growling again.

“Aye.”

Ravine sits on the dirt for a moment before casting the dog to the side. As if the squad felt the change in their newcomer, they huddled together on the sideline with the dog trainer holding a brand new collar in her hands.

Cooper shakes his fur, his fangs out, ready to pounce at the threat in front of him. Ravine on the other hand stood calmly on his feet, his height casting a shadow on the dog as it came flying towards him.

“Sit.”

The dog flinches at his voice, hesitates for a split second then prepares to pounce, his jaw open-

“Sit.”

What some humans didn’t know was the highly sensitivity of a dog to pheromones. Cooper feels it, the malice from the stranger standing before him seems to grow and expand to an immeasurable size, all pointed at him and him only. Cooper was lost inside, alone, hunted down like a prey. If he didn’t listen now- he knew he was actually going to perish.

So he sat down, lowering as far as his body allowed.

 Gaz glances between Ravine and the dog in worry. “He doesn’t actually think this is going to work, is it?” His hands feel sweaty as he wiped them down on his clothes, his eyes peeking at Ghost and Soap. “He wasn’t here to see how dangerous it is.”

“I don’t think he’s dumb to believe that.” replies L.T. with crossed arms, the thought of shooting the little menace crossing his mind if the mutt decided to take a bite out of him.

“Sit.”

They suddenly find themselves on the ground before they hear Price cackle loudly on the bench. Soap’s legs felt like jelly when Ravine ordered them- the dog with a tone he hadn’t heard him use before.

Ravine stared at the quartet on the ground and Price on the bench, curious what the Captain found so funny at him getting the dog to lay down. He might never know because they avoided looking into his general direction.

Soap laid on his back, his face in his palms, Gaz pushed his hat down to hide his expression and Ghost was lucky to have his mask on as he grabbed his arms while turning away, the dog trainer pushed her head into her knees that were pulled towards her chest.

And lucky Price, who was already sitting, continued to crack up towards the squad with the occasional whines being let out from Cooper in the background.

Ravine thought the Captain told a joke that made the others react so strongly and didn’t bother questioning it, to their relief. When everyone calmed their hearts, they mentally agreed to never talk about this situation ever again but they knew Price would never let them live this down.

 They decided the little demon was Ravine’s responsibility now.

And at first they were glad to not have to risk their limbs anymore.

Cooper listened to every word Ravine spoke and slowly throughout the day, the dog started to waddle around without having to be leashed although he would still snap at the other’s who weren't Ravine.

What started out as an aggressive attack dog, turned in half a day into a puppy longing for affection and attention.

 On the fourth day, 141 was slowly getting fed up.

At one point they were jealous that Ravine gets to be on the menaces' good side. He gets to ruffle the dogs fur, pet it while they get a face full of teeth and saliva. Along with Cooper sitting on his lap, his thighs making it look really cozy to touch, the K-9 performed tricks and wagged his tail like a love-sick puppy yearning for cuddles from the man.

As if the four-legged demon didn’t plan to give Gaz a nose transplant, a hand amputation for Ghost and PTSD for Soap.

Then they couldn’t approach Ravine without Cooper getting in between them.

They weren’t allowed to be near him and had to stay at least a good few feet away. They couldn’t even hand him things over without the damn dog scaring them, so Cooper could bring the stuff to Ravine like some newspaper.

At the meeting to track down Caro Edgar, Cooper decided to interrupt by going in between his legs and standing up to put his front legs on Ravine’s chest. He wouldn’t stop bouncing until his human put an arm around him, his hand laying on top of his head for scratchies.

Price’s content that Ravine was a help to get the dog under control. They couldn’t risk flunking the mission caused by a misbehaving K-9. He lets his eyes linger on the duo, a smile spreading on his lips when the faceless man doesn't repulse from the physical affection.

He wanted to go back to the report but noticed that no one was really paying attention anymore besides Ravine, who was looking at the documents on the desk.

Gaz is tempted to pull at its tail beneath the desk so the K-9 would stop bothering Ravine so much. He snaps his eyes away from it when Cooper looks directly at him. The menace threw his attention back to the man petting him when the smell of fear slowly radiated off of Gaz.

Beside Ravine sat Soap as he wondered if one day the slouching male would give him a hug too. For a while he stared at the demon disappearing and replaced by a puppy in Ravine’s embrace.

Ghost gawks at the mutt in irritation. He fed him and got his limp nearly bitten off and now the same mutt is squeezing his teammate’s chest like some paw toy. He knows that Cooper was given him side eyes and showing his sharp fangs to mock him. Ravine looks down to check on the K-9 and there it goes acting all innocent.

‘Cunt.’

 On the sixth day, the dog trainer already left while the team wanted to get the mission done and over with, so they could immediately return the K-9 back to her.

Soap’s mind wanders around until he thinks aloud, his eyes following the dog wagging his tail at the tall man trying to train in peace. He grimaces at it for stealing his chance to bond with Ravine all to itself.

“Do you think that brat sleeps in the same bed as him?”

“I’m sure it does-” Gaz sips loudly from his bottle, his eyes glaring down at Cooper when the K-9 gets to snuggle closer to his chest before being pushed to the side, “Look at it! The dog gets to hug him before I even get the chance for Ravine to let me touch his shoulder!”

“I don’t even get a high five from him.”

“Me neither.”

Both turn their heads towards Ghost, silently edging him to answer the question. He sighs under his breath. “Negative.”

They all turn back to watching their friend from afar, occasionally cursing the dog under their breaths when they see how physical Cooper was getting with the man who was known to back away from people who wanted to touch him.

Even Ghost wasn’t that stingy.

Hell breaks loose when Cooper starts to put his paws on the man’s ass.

“ThaT’S IT-”

“Wait Soap, don’t dO THAT-!”

“JOHNNY DON’T-”

Terrified screams could be heard through the base along with a string of curses and a dog’s vicious barking. It ended with Ravine ordering Cooper to back off from his friends with a slight edge to his voice which scared the dog into laying on the ground shamefully.

On the other hand Gaz and Soap grin victoriously and pull faces at the dog behind the safety of the soldier’s back. Ghost silently curses the mutt for acting inappropriately while Price is hiding in the back, recording the whole situation to send to some people.

[emeritus-fuckers]

I need headcannons about terzo being an absolute tease! In his flirty-pervy way. Expecially if your his assistant or something like that

So…you’re wanting some…spice? I got you. -Death

Terzo Teasing His Assistant

You were warned beforehand when you were chosen to be his assistant you could expect some flirting. It is simply who Terzo was.

For a while it was very tame, playful little one liners that made you giggle.

“I must say Sibling, if I was in charge of commissioning statues…I’d insist on you being the model.”

When you came into work, a rose would be waiting for you with a note of thanks for continuing to help them. Occasionally with the half black, half white lipstick kiss from his paints.

Though after a while things…heated up between you two.

He would press close to you, giving a little smirk as he leaned in.

“Is that a new perfume caro…? Or have you always smelled so sweet?”

It seems as if Terzo’s made it his personal mission to make you blush both from his words but also the thoughts those words invoke.

You once walked in on him practicing with the band ghouls…during Mummy Dust. He stared right at you smirking as he did the Mummy Thrusts.

Smirking more when you squeaked and rushed out of the room to…handle a newfound problem the thought of those hips working into you like that invoked.

When you returned to his office you nearly had a heart attack finding them in just a pink button up shirt and white dress pants. A filthy grin on his face.

“You’re just in time dolcezza…did you enjoy the show earlier a little too much?”

They made doubly sure to brush against you more often after that, touch lingering just above your ass or along your arm. Watching you shudder from it and blush.

Though one day he presses right up against your back, an obvious…problem greeting you.

“I have been thinking about you quite often…would you like a private show my darling? See your Papa’s moves…close up?”

Terzo’s office hours were cut very short that day. You weren’t letting that tease torture you anymore.

The cleaners didn’t enjoy the aftermath of your patience running out very much.

~

Written by Death.

Taglist: @charlie-is-a-menace @copias-fluffy-asscheeks @randodummy @tuttifuckinfruttifriday @calliedion-dungeon @randominstake @callmeicaro @dio-niisio @firefirevampire @mybotanicaldemise @emo-mess @natoncesaid @sirlsplayland @thatoddboy @lightbluuestars @strawberriiblossoms @dark-angel-is-back

[likesunsetorange]

bodyguard au snippet

this'll be the last one i post!! don't wanna spoil too much more haha so enjoy this last little bit!!

The aggressiveness of Caro’s barks fights for dominance over the cacophony of noises within his house, almost concealing the sound of knocks that trigger them in the first place. Eren hardly hears it over the roar of the blender, the music blaring through his speakers, and the sound of lawnmowers that can be heard through the too-thin walls of his house—the symphony of noises that takes place every Sunday.

Eren panics as he stumbles through the kitchen, trying to close bags of frozen fruit, looking for the cap of the milk carton, and fumbling with the blender—the direct result of seeking a semblance of normalcy after his previous night. The chaos within his house doesn’t stop as the music continues to play, and Caro’s barking doesn’t subside. Eren searches for the TV remotes while her barks persist, all in attempts at putting on a menacing façade which causes Eren to roll his eyes—for a dog who should be threatening, being a German Shepherd and all, she still gets scared of the vacuum.

“Caro, can you chill out?” He chides while turning off the TV, the house finally beginning to settle down. She looks at him with big eyes, finally stopping her barking before Eren motions her to go to his room, not in the mood for her to disturb whoever’s on the other side of the door. Obediently, she saunters down the hallway, turning into his bedroom, where she disappears.

Rolling his eyes, he unlocks the door, not bothering to check through the peephole, assuming it’s another one of the miscellaneous solicitors that stop by, always trying to sell him something. He mentally prepares his mundane “Sorry, not interested” speech as he opens the door but realizes it won’t be necessary once he sees who’s on the side of the door—what he recognizes as two of the Ackerman men from the casino.

They don’t give him any time to greet them, the shorter one immediately speaking as soon as he comes into view. “Mr. Jaeger, is it? I’m Levi Ackerman. We wanted to talk to you today,” he says promptly, wasting no time for pleasantries alike.

The man beside him, an older, taller man with a cowboy hat, gives Eren a curt nod, refraining from saying much of anything. He’s seen them in passing, but not enough to have ever had conversations with them—they aren’t regulars of the casino like some of the other men who work for the company—he assumes, at least.

“Uhh, yea sure? That’s fine—come in,” Eren says, opening the door wider, gesturing for them to come in. “Sit wherever,” he prompts, pointing towards the living room. “Can I get you anything to drink? Water? Uhh, tea?”

“A beer—this is gonna be a shit show; it’ll help,” the other man says, chuckling. 

Eren stares at him blankly, unsure of how to gauge the sincerity of his words, but Levi simply sighs, rolling his eyes, answering the question for him. “Kenny, please don’t start. It’s been a long weekend as is,” he says, pinching the bridge of his nose. Levi turns towards Eren, waving Kenny off, “Ignore him. But no, thank you—this should hopefully be fast.”

[backtotheo]

who: theo & @oflostdrcams (caro) where: theo's apartment!

theo didn't know why he'd agreed to this. for one thing, he was allergic to cats, so he'd had to take out a small investment in various allergy medications to keep the itchy eyes and sneezing at bay because the ginger monster caroline had adopted at the festival shed like a menace. and for another, he was orange, so he had one brain cell on the best days, leading to two a.m. zoomies, getting stuck on top of the fridge, and, once, getting caught in charley's bedroom blinds. theo was pretty sure his roommate was drawing up his eviction notice as he stood.

right now, he was disentangling the fluffy orange tabby from the sleeve of one of caroline's jackets, which she'd left over here yesterday. or had it been thursday? she'd been over there so much lately that he couldn't remember. cheeto, for his part, wasn't being very helpful. he kept thrashing and swinging his head back and forth, only resulting in getting him stuck further up the arm of the coat. "if you'd just hold still," theo told the cat, finally resorting to clamping shut the narrow end of the sleeve. cheeto yowled pathetically for a couple of moments before finally beginning to back up. when the door behind him scraped open (he'd given caro his spare key last week; it just...made sense for her to be able to stop by even if he or charley weren't home. so she could check on her cat, obviously), theo was crouched on one knee in front of the couch, the tabby cat gathered in his arms.

"hey. we were just- ow!" cheeto had finally broken free and when he sprang onto the kitchen counter, he used theo's shoulders for balance, claws digging in before he trotted over to caroline, purring all the while. "your son is a menace."

[jedi-hawkins]

Meet my OC, Bryn-Ayla Del Caro

Intro, Notes, & Headcannons

Her Story:

The Phantom Menace

Short Negotiations

The Planet Core

Tatooine

The Clone Wars

The Bad Batch

Khaos then Havoc

Orders

The Bad Batch

Coming Soon!

A/N: These are ongoing fics that can be read in order or individually by time era. I have no formal posting schedule yet, just looking to put my work out into the world when my brain decides to brain, so keep an eye out for new parts!

Other Head canons & Fics

The Bad Batch

Callsign: Omega (s3 spoilers)

Why Hunter is the leader of the Batch (funny, not serious at all)

Element Character Analyses by @echoxbuggs

Hunter

Tech

Echo

Crosshair

Wrecker

Omega

[kingdrawcse]

Horrible Solution, "Piranha Solution"

"Piranha Solution," a menacing chemical cocktail, is a 3:1 mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid (95-98%) and hydrogen peroxide solution (30%). Named for its ferocity, it generates Caro's acid, a superoxidizer, and fiercely reacts with organics, resembling a frenzy of piranhas hunting prey. It finds applications in microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

[ryuzatodraws-archive]

Since its the fourth of july and canonically the ministry is in the states, I have a blurb for you.

Copia sits back on the blanket he and terzo share, looking off into the night sky. The ministry has been preparing this big firework finale for weeks now, and they insisted he and Terzo stay and watch.

It's been a fun day, the kitchen staff had insisted on burgers and hot dogs, fries, baked beans, all the most American foods they could. Copia, being the Italian menace he was, settled to just have a hot dog (or two, gluttony is a celebrated sin, afterall!) And recline on this little blue and black blanket.

As he waits for Terzo to return, Copia thinks about how much fun he's had. Sure, he kept busy, but...this was the most relaxed he'd been since becoming Papa. Maybe it was because Terzo was beside him all day, or maybe its because he's just having a good time.

"Mio Caro, I hope I didn't leave you alone too long!" Terzo's soft purr of a voice spurrs him from his thoughts and he chuckles. "Eh, of course not, of course not." He takes the offered drink, something cold and fruity, and definitely going to fuck him up, and reclines a bit.

Just as the ghouls begin the fireworks, and soft oohs and aahs can be heard, Terzo scoots up and places a warm palm on Copia's thigh. Copia blushes under his paint and looks around cautiously. Everyone else's attention is on the sky, but Terzo has him fixed with a warm, sultry gaze thats hard to ignore.

"What if someone sees?" Copia's voice is quiet as Terzo moves his palm up to cover Copia's groin, and Copia's breath hitches. "Then maybe they get some ideas, mio caro!" Terzo purrs, pressing his lips to Copia's as he palms him gently.

It doesn't take long for Terzo to escalate from gentle palming to quick strokes and soft pets along Copia's heated flesh. Copia whimpers, covered by the boom of the fireworks, and he begins to stroke Terzo softly through his pants.

By the next round of fireworks, Copia is pressed impossibly close, lightly rutting his hips against Terzo's hand as they both work themselves out, soft whimpers, quiet mutters of praise as everything speeds up.

Terzo and Copia both pant breathlessly as the second to last set of fireworks starts. They don't have long, soon everyone else will be heading in, and as much as he loves Terzo and loves to show off, this is one instance where he'd rather not.

Terzo slips his tongue into Copia's mouth, not fighting for dominance, more to keep him in the moment, and he ruts his hips into Copia's hand, speeding up the strokes he uses on Copia, knowing Copia's not going to last long.

Finally, with the final boom of the last set of fireworks, Copia cums eith a cry thats eagerly swallowed by Terzo's soft, passionate kiss. Terzo follows close behind and the two badk in the moment.

Once Terzo notices people begining to move, he tucks himself and Copia back into their garments and gives Copia a quick kiss. "Lets, eh, finish our celebration in my quarters, yes?" Terzo purrs, as if Copia is going to give him an answer other than yes.

-spot/23

Anybody want a hotdog or two?

This has the eh classic “confessing I love you beneath the fireworks” anime troupe and I love it so much

[bobfloydsbabe]

motion sickness: next gen || kids of top gun

Rating: G

Summary: The kids of our favorite aviators take on high school. Jamie Lane-Seresin has a crush on Marcus Fitch. Dalia Garcia-Alvarez may have just gotten the two to go on a date, and poor David Floyd has no idea what's going on.

Motion Sickness is the shared universe featuring Jas Lane (Turning Tables) and @joaquinwhorres' Caro and Dalia Alvarez (Tailspin). This is a next generation fic in this universe.

Warning(s): Dalia being a menace, Jamie being done with her shit, confused David. A wild Jas appears.

Word count: ~2.0k

A/N: This fic is a gift for Anna (@joaquinwhorres) who is celebrating her half birthday tomorrow! I couldn't wait, so it's a day early. There is nothing I enjoy more than expanding this universe with you, so I present to you a little next gen fic for your reading pleasure that no one else will probably read. I appreciate you and your friendship more than you know. Enjoy, friends!

Likes are nice, but comments and reblogs are golden.

Dalia poked her side. “Look who just walked in.”

Jamie raised her head from her sketchbook to the entrance to the cafeteria, where Marcus Fitch sauntered in with the rest of the football team in tow.

It was like a scene out of the movies Jas and Caro always insisted they watch on sleepovers. Marcus moved in slow motion as he laughed over his shoulder at something his friend at said that probably wasn’t even that funny. Jamie swore there was even the faint sound of swelling music coming from somewhere.

Jamie tore her eyes away, looking at Dalia, whose smug smirk reminded her so much of Caro. They really were the spitting image of each other. 

“The football team?” Jamie said, shrugging, trying to play it cool. It’s what Jas would have done.

Dalia hummed, but Jamie didn’t love the devious grin on her friend’s face.

“Don’t–“

Dalia opened her mouth and shouted across the expanse of the cafeteria. “Marcus!”

Not only did the older boy’s head whip up, but so did the heads of nearly every kid in the room, as Dalia waved her hand wildly in the air, almost smacking Jamie’s temple in the process.

Marcus said something to his friends before weaving in and out of tables and bodies to make it to them. Jamie begged for the ground to swallow her whole at the sheer embarrassment of being looked at by everyone.

Dalia’s hand landed back on the tabletop unceremoniously. Jamie cursed under her breath.

“Hey, guys,” Marcus greeted, offering them a wide and confident smile that made Jamie’s insides feel funny. She muttered a hello, dreading whatever Dalia would say next.

“Jamie has an art show tomorrow,” she said, looking the picture of innocence, but Jamie scowled.

“You do?”

She raised her eyes to meet Marcus’ warm brown ones. “It’s not my art show,” she clarified. “It’s for Art Club. David is showing, too.”

At the sound of his name, he looked over his shoulder at his friends who were beckoning him to join them again. He looked back at his childhood friends, and Jamie felt smaller, acutely aware that Marcus was older and significantly cooler. “I’ll be there.”

Jamie frowned. “You don’t have to do that,” she said, shaking her head. 

The broad smile Marcus offered her made her heart pound and her palms sticky. “I want to,” he assured her and wandered back to the football team at the far end of the cafeteria.

Dalia’s grin was smug and self-satisfied. “I just got you a date.”

“It’s not a date,” Jamie argued. “Coming to an art club art show after school is not a date.”

“It’s definitely a date.”

Jamie groaned. “You’re insufferable.”

Dalia grinned and waved at David, who was making his way through the crowd, holding on to his backpack and lunch tray for dear life. “You love me.”

“Debatable.”

David slumped into the seat opposite Jamie and Dalia. “What’s debatable?”

“Whether I love Dalia,” Jamie said, sliding her chemistry notebook across the table to David so they could compare results of their latest lab.

“You do,” he said matter-of-factly.

A smug smile crept back on Dalia’s face. “See? David knows.”

“David is also failing chemistry.”

He frowned, opening Jamie’s notebook. “I’m not,” he reminded them. “I’m in AP Chem.”

“You can be in AP Chem and still fail.”

“But I’m not.”

“You sound more like Jas every day,” Dalia interrupted, cutting off their arguing. It wasn’t a new thing that Jamie and David argued over classes and test scores, and though there was never any malice to it, she knew it was irritating to listen to sometimes.

Jamie would have argued with Dalia if she wasn’t right. When she’d first been in foster care with her parents, Jamie had taken to Jake the fastest. They’d bonded over sports. He’d been patient with her, and he’d learned to do her hair. Jamie rarely let anyone touch her hair. The older Jamie got, the more she had picked up Jas’ mannerisms.

She had grown into herself with these people. She was just eight when she met them, but Dalia had decided they were best friends from the jump, and they’d spent countless nights at Caro’s place when Jake and Mickey were deployed. 

Their parents were all friends, but they felt more like family. A family Jamie never thought she would have, but Jake and Jas had opened their life to her. They had always treated Jamie like their own, even before they adopted her.

“Why were you debating if you love Dalia or not, anyway?”

“She’s insufferable,” Jamie said at the same time as Dalia mentioned the Marcus Debacle.

“Marcus is coming to the show?”

Dalia nodded furiously, beaming with pride. “All I had to do was mention Jamie, and he said he’d come.”

“That’s not true,” Jamie said with an incredulous look at her best friend before explaining what had actually transpired.

“It’s a date,” Dalia announced when Jamie had finished relaying the information.

David’s brows furrowed, and he delayed his answer by sipping his water bottle. “Marcus coming to the art show is a date? For who?”

“Jamie, of course,” Dalia answered, sounding like she thought he was dumb for not picking up on that very obvious conclusion.

David frowned. Jamie could practically see the wheels turning inside his brain as he tried to figure out how Dalia had gotten there. By the looks of it, he was having little luck.

“It’s an art club show after school,” David said slowly. Jamie saw a hint of Bob in his brows and mouth when he frowned again. “That doesn’t seem like a date.”

“Thank you,” Jamie exclaimed triumphantly, slamming her palm down on her sketch book, smearing the piece she was working on. She cursed under her breath before closing the book.

“He does like you, though,” David said nonchalantly, looking down at Jamie’s notes from AP Chem, not realizing his mistake until it was too late.

Dalia eyed him suspiciously. “You know something,” she said and pointed to him.

“I have eyes,” he said and shrugged for good measure. His mom hated when he shrugged.

Jamie looked between her friends, not understanding the silent conversation they tried to have through glances alone. 

“We will talk about this later,” Dalia said to David, sounding more like a threat than a suggestion. It was during moments like those where there was no doubt Dalia was Caro’s daughter.

Dalia turned her attention back to Jamie. “You’ve been in love with him since we were twelve. Is it so bad to just call it a date even if he doesn’t know it?”

Jamie groaned, a habit she had undoubtedly picked up from Jas over the years, and slammed her head against her arm resting on the closed sketchbook.

“You’re insufferable,” she murmured into the crook of her arm.

Jamie didn’t have to look at Dalia to know she was grinning triumphantly.

Caro picked them up from school that afternoon because Marcus had a late football practice, and couldn’t take them like he normally did. Jamie waved at the car over her shoulder, walking up the driveway to her front door. 

Jas and Jake had done a lot of work on the house after they moved in together. Mostly Jake. Jas had been tasked with painting the porch and barely managed that, getting paint all over herself, the grass, and the neighbor’s cat.

Jamie loved that story.

She let herself into the house, knowing Jas would be up and getting ready for the night shift. “Mom?”

“In here,” Jas spoke from the kitchen.

She dropped her backpack on the bench in the entryway and rounded the corner to the kitchen where Jas was preparing tea for Jamie and coffee for herself.

She was in scrubs, her hair tied into a tight bun that closely resembled the one she’d been forced to wear in the Navy. She slid the mug across the counter towards Jamie, who sat on one of the tall bar stools.

“How was school?”

Jamie shrugged. “It was alright,” she said, sipping her tea. “I think Mr. Simmons is planning a pop quiz for AP Chem. I compared notes with David at lunch.”

Jas offered Jamie a spoon to stir her tea with, which she accepted. “You feel okay about it?”

“Yeah,” she said, swirling the spoon around the tea, filling the air with the scent of chamomile.

“I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow,” Jas said and mirrored Jamie’s sip of her mug. “I managed to change shifts with someone, so I can come to your art show. I’m not sure if Jake can make it, so you’ll have to ask him when he gets home, but he wants to be there.”

Jamie smiled. Jas and Jake were practical people, and when she made the track team, she wasn’t surprised when they came to every race and tournament, but their support of her interest in art? That was a shock.

“Got any surgeries planned today?”

“Nothing scheduled,” Jas replied, taking another sip. “But emergency medicine is unpredictable, so who knows?”

“It’s like you then.”

Jas paused, the mug halfway to her mouth, and stared at Jamie.

“I know you did not just call me unpredictable,” Jas said in mock outrage, putting her coffee back on the counter and placing her hand over her chest.

“Didn’t you string dad along for weeks when you first met?”

Jas snorted. “He loved it, and if he ever tells you otherwise, he’s lying.”

Jamie chuckled, letting her eyes glide around the room at the pictures and memories scattered around the kitchen and living room. Besides a picture from their wedding that Jamie had recreated in Art Club for the show, her favorite was a picture Caro had snapped on the day Jas and Jake got together officially.

They were at the bar they all still went to. The Hard Deck. The picture was taken from the back with Jas and Jake resting their elbows on the bar top while Penny was getting them drinks. They were looking at each other, foreheads almost touching, and grinning widely like little kids. Jake liked to say that night was the first time he ever saw Jas truly relax in his presence.

“He liked it,” Jamie agreed. “You were still unpredictable, though.”

Jas chuckled. “I guess so.”

They spent the next ten minutes talking about school and homework, about the upcoming holiday season and whether they were going to Texas to stay with Jake’s parents or San Francisco to stay with Jas’ moms.

Jas checked her watch again. “I have to get going,” she said and swallowed the last bit of coffee, placing the mug in the sink. “Would you mind emptying the dishwasher? You know how your dad gets.”

“Of course,” Jamie agreed.

Jas came around the kitchen island and kissed Jamie’s temple. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow for your art show, okay?”

“Okay,” Jamie answered as the corners of her mouth ticked upwards, watching Jas throw her phone and wallet into her bag. Jamie leaned back in her seat so she could see the front door around the corner. 

“Drive safe,” Jamie yelled when Jas took her car key from the bowl by the front door.

“Yeah yeah,” Jas shouted back, probably rolling her eyes at the fact that even her daughter knew she was a terrible driver.

As the door slammed, Jamie’s phone pinged in her pocket with a text from Jake, letting her know he would be able to come to her art show tomorrow and did she want pizza for dinner.

She answered the man she considered her father that she did want pizza and asked if she could invite Dalia to join them.

❋❋❋

taglist (let me know if you want to be added): @arrthurpendragon, @ocappreciationtag, @chrissymunson, @cas-verse, @chickensarentcheap, @asirensrage, @misskatiewrites, @stanshollaand, @eddiemunscns, @raith-way, @wordspin-shares, @veetlegeuse

top gun taglist (let me know if you want to be added): @joaquinwhorres, @fantasias-creativebubble, @lostinwonderland314, @luckyladycreator2, @blue-aconite, @dempy, @alana4610, @littlebadariell, @cherrycola27, @whisperofsong, @another-tblr-fangirl, @flashyourgreeneyesatme, @seymour-cant-read, @wordspin-shares

[seeminglydark]

A moments pause from art and comics. She thinks if she pretends to be a shoe, I won't notice she tried to chew off my laces.

[wild-karrde]

For fandom friday I want to share this beautiful picture of sleeping Howzer I commissioned @kimageddon with. Everyone should see it. And her talent!

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH CARO. Something about Kima's style really lends itself to soft stuff like this piece. Despite the fact that you can't see his face, it feels so peaceful and relaxed (even though the scarring is absolutely gutting me). I'm choosing to believe Howzer is off somewhere napping and completely fine, right? RIGHT?

(And as a self-proclaimed menace, I feel the inherent urge to stick my cold feet/hands on him immediately hehe)

Participate in Fandom Friday to show your favorite creators from this week some love! :)

[lucespeaks]

surely considering that ice live there's something going on..

ice’s live will never fail to crack me up like the way caro and ice reacted y’all couldn’t have made it more obvious

im adding q to my menace list tho cause hg is doing tm

[plutosongs]

was tagged by @moonlit-aura to do this~ ehehh, thanks :D

rules: shuffle your ‘on repeat’ and post the first ten tracks, then tag people

1: To Be Human (MARINA)

2: Who Is She ? (I Monster)

3: Alarm Call (The Correspondents)

4: That Man (Caro Emerald)

5: Colorblind (Beach Bunny)

6: There’s A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered, Honey, You Just Don’t Know It Yet (Panic! At The Disco)

7: Mountain Sound (Of Monsters and Men)

8: Pools (Glass Animals)

9: Fuzzy (Waterparks)

10: Young and Menace (Fall Out Boy)

aaawaahh.. not sure who to tag, so if anyone wants to, go ahead, but hmm.. calling out at least @kouhadyne because i realized most of my friends.. do not use spotify </3

[mermaidsirennikita]

Caro's February 2023 Book Recs

February was supposedly romance month, but as always, that was... a skewed concept, lol. Nonetheless, I found a lot of books I did love--read my first Kleypas in over a year (and it was great), found new favorites like Jeannie Lin's The Dragon and The Pearl and Cat Sebastian's Unmasked by the Marquess, and hit several really, really good ARCs (one of which did in fact make me weep).

Anyway, check 'em out!

Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas. Lily Lawson is known as a scandalous virago--though nobody knows what drives her to distract herself with parties and flirting. When she discovers that her sister has been lovelessly betrothed to the cold Earl of Wolverton, Alex Raiford, Lily takes an instant dislike to the man and sets out to ruin the engagement. What she doesn't expect is that, for all that Alex hates her, he also wants her--and he'll do anything to have her.

I love Dreaming of You--and it's still my favorite Kleypas--but I'd never heard much about the preceding book. I've kept Then Came You on ice, waiting for a rainy day to read it. And Jesus, is it underrated. This is kind of a perfect enemies to lovers book of its era. She's wild; he's uptight; both of them are a lot more complicated than they initially seem; she has a good reason to want him out of her sister's life, least of all his clear lust for Lily herself. It's a bit wild, it's a bit outrageous, it did things that actually surprised me--and Alex and Lily's chemistry is priceless. I just love a book where a cold man is set on fire by a woman he absolutely despises. You can see the beginning foundations for Westcliff and Lillian over a decade later--and of course, you get Derek Craven: The Early Years. The ground was laid so well for Derek to fall in love in his own book. In many ways, these novels are kind of perfect companions? I love it, I love it, I love it. 90s-to early 2000s-era Kleypas just hits different.

The Wolf and The Wildflower by Stacy Reid. ARC; read the full review here.

Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin. Since her father unexpectedly ascended to the rank of Emperor, Ai Li's life has changed. But though she wishes to be obedient to her father, she can't marry the warlord Li Tao, who she suspects of treason--and of murdering her brother. Running from her wedding, she runs into trouble--and the mysterious foreigner, Ryam. Neither Ryam nor Ai Li are being completely honest with each other. Neither, however, has any choice but to continue...

This one was so well-written. I've always had a surface level interest in Tang Dynasty China, but I'm not, by any means, an expert--yet Lin transports you to the era. It's extremely rich, and frames a kind of old school, classic story about a rebellious princess and a traveling stranger. Ryam and Ai Li's romance is, in many ways, a lot purer than what I usually like (I mean, not sexually--to be clear, they are FUCKIN'). But they charmed me. And I mean. What a fantastic setup for the next book.

The Dragon and The Pearl by Jeannie Lin. After being rejected by the emperor's daughter, treacherous and powerful warlord Li Tao sets out to capture the previous emperor's most prized possession--famed courtesan Ling Suyin. Believing that Suyin has information he needs, Li Tao keeps her captive... but finds himself falling prey to her quiet, mysterious allure--and manipulations.

THIS SHIT WAS SO LIT. Villainous hero? Check--Li Tao has a clear menace and coldness about him. He's not over the top, but he's brutally efficient and ruthless. Heroine ready to wrap him around her little finger? Check. Suyin is innocent in some ways, but very much aware of the ways of the world in many others--and she's survived by becoming a master manipulator. The delicious thing about this dynamic is that he knows she's trying to play him--but he's too drawn to her to use his better judgment. This is one of those romances where both people clearly come to feel immense passion for each other, but are unable to say it aloud. They come together (and COME together) in bed, but they won't let themselves fully trust one another. Plus, there's the added bonus of them both being self-made legends in severely hierarchal systems. As renowned as he is, so is she. Because he's so rarely soft--the moments when he is fucking destroyed me. And she's just a wonderfully, quietly strong heroine. The plot is intricate and high stakes. It's just so good, y'all!

Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian. Alistair, the Marquess of Pembroke, is upright, proper, and very aware of his reputation in light of his scandalous father's death. So he's disarmed by how easily he's drawn to Robert Selby, a young man who needs Alistair's help in finding his sister a husband. Alistair and Robert become fast friends--with perhaps more simmering under the surface. What Alistair doesn't know? Robert is Charity Church, a housemaid who feels much more at home in a man's clothes than she ever has a woman's--and is attempting to make up for what she perceives as a wrong done to a friend long ago. Charity can't quite resist Alistair; but even if he knew the truth of her identity, how could he possibly accept who she really is?

Another "much recommended classic book is very good" moment. To clarify, Robert/Charity is nonbinary and Cat Sebastian says that they're comfortable with the uses of she/her pronouns (which are used throughout the book, except for when Alistair thinks they're a man). Cat also discusses them using they/them, which is what I will use, as well as their chosen name of Robin, which is how they and Alistair primarily refer to them.

With that said, this is one of the rare friends to lovers romances that works, and oH DOES IT. Alistair and Robin get each other on every level--platonically, romantically, sexually--and it doesn't take long for Alistair to discover (or rather, just be told because honestly he's a bit dense) Robin's true identity. This allows Sebastian to get into the meat of their conflict, which, aside from various secrets Robin's kept for quite some time, is in Robin's identity and their need to express themselves... While also wanting to be with Alistair. The fact is that Robin can, if they make certain moves, theoretically live as a woman and as a marchioness--but for all that they care about Alistair, is that right? Does Alistair fully get how important Robin's identity and expression is to them? These are issues the book tackles without it feeling like a Very Special Episode ever--it's just a part of the conflict in their romance. There's not really any body dysmorphia in this book, which I appreciate; if that's handled well, then great, but it's not a part of every nonbinary person's story, and it's not really something Robin struggles with. The book's queerness is just front and center (Alistair is bisexual, knows this before the book begins, and though he fears outing, doesn't dwell on it much). On a very basic level, it's also just a funny, sexy book; the sex scenes are REAL GOOD, and are exactly the kind of scenes I want from friends to lovers; hardcore fucking with a side of laughter and affection and like... tender fondness. Anyway, I loved it, would recommend.

The Hunter by Monica McCarty. Ewen Lamont is the tracker of the Highland Guard, burdened with familial responsibility. He's caught off guard by a beautiful nun, however--and guilty about a near-miss moment they share. Until he finds out that the nun is actually not a nun at all, but Scottish courier (and former sister-in-law of Robert the Bruce) Janet of Mar. Bruce has a task for Ewen: to bring Janet safely home so that she can make a strategic marriage for the cause. The only problem? Janet very much wants Ewen--and she doesn't believe that he's not attracted to her.

Another really solid Highland Guard book even if it doesn't quite live up to the heights of The Recruit. There isn't quite as much keeping Ewen and Janet apart aside from what is in his head, but honestly... it works. In part because Janet is just so determined to have him. She's a dogged pursuer of a heroine (a type I have a soft spot for) and she does everything she can to break Ewen--asking him to help her undress, parading around in breeches, flirting with his friends, stripping naked when he suggests it just to freak her out... In many ways, this is a medieval roadtrip romance, and their back and forth is super fun and certainly sexy, with just the right amount of angst.

Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum. The four Sinclair brothers were raised by their insane father to act as the four horsemen of the apocalypse--united to conquer weaker Scottish clans and unite them under their rule. Following his father's death, Cain Sinclair becomes Chief, and his first order of business is to marry Ella Sutherland, the Sutherland chief and the woman responsible for the loss of his father. Ella doesn't come willingly, but as she and Cain enter into a battle of wills, she finds herself drawn to the one man whose sense of pride and determination to win matches her own...

If you're someone who needs enemies to lovers to mean bloodshed? This is for you. Cain and Ella literally kill each other's fathers--he gets hers before the beginning of the book, and she gets his in the first few pages. While both of them have admittedly insane fathers who deserved it (Cain's very literally believed his four sons are the four horsemen, and boy do these men have complexes about it) they still take it personally.. at first. This is a fast-paced, over the top read that isn't perfect (I think it could've gone a bit harder in terms of drama at points) but IS fun. I had a great time. It didn't make me think over-much, but it did give me the feelings, and I am about these loony brothers.

The Knight by Monica McCarty. James Douglas--known as "the Black Douglas"--is feared across Scotland and England for his brutal warfare in service of Robert the Bruce and his own ambitions. But to Joanna, who's known him since childhood, he's just her love, and the man who took her virginity. When James returns from war, she intends to tell him she's carrying his child, assuming that he'll happily marry her. But before she can, James makes it clear that he has no intention of marrying Joanna--just in keeping her as his mistress, a fate she can't tolerate. When they separate with James still in their dark about her secret, he's forced to make tough decisions about who he wants to be--and how much he values Joanna.

This novella covered a lot of shit in a short amount of time... and it's pretty different! James Douglas, Lord of Douglas, was a real person. I did in fact picture Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who played him in Outlaw King, the entire time (it was a good choice). I assume that since his wife is not listed on his wikipedia page there is some murkiness there... And I'm good with the way Monica McCarty played with history here. This is basically a classic "man does a good woman wrong, must grovel big time" book. A lot of this novella is groveling--and it should be, because James fucked this girl over. But just as he has to get his shit together, she has to get a backbone and become less innocent... and I'm a bit of a sucker for all that. Some probably read this and think what he did was unforgivable, and like. Sure. If you please. I found their story kind of touching and real, for all its dramatic medieval Scotland shit. Again, a lot happens in a little time--but I was here for the angst.

Something Spectacular by Alexis Hall. ARC; review to come at a later date.

Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum. This book sees self-proclaimed Horsemen of War Joshua Sinclair in Orkney, where he's ready to leave violence behind after a traumatic experience. However, after a wild night with the widowed Kara, he's drawn into conflict again--she wants Joshua to help her defend her village, suffering under tyranny. He's much less eager; but for Kara, he might not be able to resist.

This series is very old school, very pulpy, and just... fun. There's a lot of camp in this one--faked deaths, faked third testicles (yes), our hero getting dragged into being a total stranger's birthing partner... But I was actually super invested in Joshua and Kara as a couple through it all. They hook up early (like, a couple chapters in early) and catch feelings later, and I enjoy that. I also liked the dynamic of a quietly strong woman basically running roughshod over this douchebag of a hero. He's a simp, Your Honor. There's a real Western vibe to this one--a stranger rides into town and gets roped into protecting the people while falling in love with a headstrong single mother (whose child, thankfully, is largely offscreen and mostly serves to show Kara that Joshua is made of 100% Father Material). It's just... fun.

The Arrow by Monica McCarty. Gregor MacGregor is known for two things: being the best archer in Scotland, and being the most handsome man in Scotland. The former has made him an invaluable part of the Highland Guard, while the latter has earned him many obsessed women... Among them his ward, the orphaned Cate. But Cate claims that her feelings for Gregor go beyond infatuation, and despite their age difference and his sense of responsibility for her, she'll do anything to prove it. And he might not be able to resist.

This is definitely one of the riskier outings in the Highland Guard--McCarty tries for a lot of things that romance readers often hate. The obsessed heroine (a trope I love, and I frankly found Cate quite endearing), the resistant hero, That One Thing. Most of it worked for me. The resolution was a little too quick, but I loved Gregor trying and failing to hold out against Cate's onslaught of flirtation, how dirty that made him feel, her determination, how horny they both were... The conflict towards the end did feel a bit--I don't want to say contrived, but I think that if McCarty had moved up a lot of the action in this one about fifty pages earlier, it would've felt smoother. Nonetheless, my quibbles really didn't overpower what I enjoyed.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan. Josiah and Yasmen had what many considered the perfect marriage--until they didn't. Now, two years after their divorced, they're co-parenting their two children and running a business together. But as big milestones--like moving on and coming to terms with their grief--bring them back into each other's orbit, both Josiah and Yasmen have to wonder if their feelings for each other are totally gone... and if they're brave enough to try again.

Look, this one is a lot. Kennedy Ryan is a beautiful writer, and she does angst wonderfully--and there's a lot of angst in this one. It's a rather realistic romance. None of Josiah and Yasmin's issues are easily fixed. Both of them have fucked up. They dealt with problems that are not their fault and happen to everyone (heads up: they lost a parental figure to both of them and experienced a stillbirth in rapid succession). This is not a light romance. But it is a hopeful one, and if you like second chances--you'll love this. You just want the best for these two, and the best is in fact each other.

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall. Valentine, the Duke of Malvern, is in a bind when the woman he's planned to marry since their fathers arranged it when they were children, Arabella Tarleton, goes on the run. Arabella has no desire to marry Valentine, but he's determined to do his duty, and is enlisted by her twin, the sunny and carefree Bonaventure "Bonny", to find her. As Valentine and Bonny go on a madcap race through the English countryside together, stiff Valentine finds himself confronted by Arabella's erstwhile admirers, a pair of protective sapphic women, and his own growing fascination with bee-loving, pleasure-seeking, totally-wrong-for-him... Bonny.

Alexis Hall has such a strong voice--whimsical, romantic, hilarious, witty as fuck. And I love it. While Something Spectacular is also funny, it has an air of past tragedy and a bit more angst, whereas this is more firmly a romcom. A romcom with its own dash of drama, but I did quite literally laugh out loud during the reading experience. Valentine and Bonny are the perfect grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and watching them fall in love was pure joy. Even if Arabella is... a lot. She's a plot-instigating lot, so I'm good with it.

The Raider by Monica McCarty. Robbie "Raider" Boyd was imprisoned by the English, and the only way he was able to escape was with the help of the teenage noblewoman who helped him. Six years later, he's taken her hostage--the beautiful Rosalin Clifford. And he wants revenge on the English for everything they've done to his family--the weight of which is devastating--but he also simply... wants Rosalin. A relationship between one of Robert the Bruce's most prized warriors and an English lady is impossible. But neither Robbie nor Rosalin seem capable of remembering it.

A good old-fashioned enemies to lovers warrior/lady romance. It felt hotter than some of the other Highland Guard books--there's a scene against a pole that is... a lot. I'll admit that there's a back and forth that McCarty falls into in some of these books; "we can't be together"/"but sir I want to"/"no little girl" (fucks). It's pleasing, but it is noticeable, especially in the past few I've read. I think I prefer some of the earlier entries, or those without a virgin heroine, which the past few I've read have... always had. But that's kind of the thing with a long-running series, and the beats here are still very enjoyable, and if you're looking for escapism... This is it. The next one I'm reading is marriage in trouble, though, and after four virgin heroines in a row in this series, I'm ready for a changeup.

End of Story by Kylie Scott. Stinging from a bad breakup, Susie seeks respite in the house left to her by her aunt. Until, that is, the contractor sent to help her renovate is Lars, her ex's best friend. And stranger still? They find a divorce certificate in the wall of the house... one dated ten years in the future, with Lars and Susie's names on it. Though initially combative, Lars and Susie become close friends, with a simmer tension between them. But what's the point of taking a chance on a relationship that may be doomed to end?

Kylie Scott is one of my favorite contemporary romance novelists, and she gives all of her trademarks here--hot sex scenes, a sparkling sense of humor, and amazing sexual tension. Lars and Susie sell friends to lovers amazingly, which is hard for me. Additionally, there's a charming sense of magic and witchiness to this. Don't expect answers about where that comes from--that's not the point. However, enjoy the vibes, the heat, and the sweetness. I had some questions about choices made, but they weren't dealbreakers. This would make a great romcom onscreen.

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles. ARC; get my full take here.

A Rogue's Rules for Seduction by Eva Leigh. ARC; review to come closer to publication.

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At the Time by Kylie Scott. Seven years ago, Adele was "exiled" by her father after her attempted seduction of his best friend and business partner, Pete. Now, with bridges mended with her father--and still very much broken with Pete, fifteen years her senior--she's back in town for a wedding, and tension with the man she idolized as a teenager has never been thicker. Making nice for a few days should be enough--but Adele and Pete might be tempted to go a bit further than that...

If you're not into age gap romances, this isn't for you. Though Pete never approached or encouraged Adele when she was underage, they met when she was sixteen, and she certainly wasn't shy about flirting with him. We get flashbacks telling their history, but the bulk of the story takes place in the present, when she's twenty-five and he's forty. It's classic Kylie Scott--funny, sexy, with a guy who doesn't know how to feel his feelings and a girl who's a bit too dickmatized to notice... until she does. I compared this a bit to Deep, a book that had similar elements (an age gap, though less significant than this one, among... other things) and I do feel like Deep goes a bit... well, deeper. But I had a lot of fun with this, and it gave me pretty much everything I wanted out of a "dating daddy's best friend" book. Including spanking.