#P: Actions: Simplicity

[bellemaledictions]

Where: Lower Floor Hallway Tag: Private Who: Mercurio Chaur (@killingofadeer)

Some days were harder than others. Philophrosyne Tettares sometimes felt like a ghost wandering these unfamiliar halls, drifting more than moving. The first few days had been easier, the excitement, the novelty of it all. A pool! When had she last seen a pool? And one they could actually use no less!

But as the newness settled into familiarity it became less useful as distractions. Now sometimes she'd round a corner and only be struck by how much she wished she could have shown Euphemia. The birds that flitted above their heads at meal time. The truly singular skeletons. The sea. So instead she tried to share that enthusiasm with Rio. Asking if he'd ever seen such colourful fauna before? Had they ever learned to swim? Whether they sometimes missed the colours their sky had turned at sunset… That was a weird one to be hung up on. But beautiful as the pinks and oranges of this blue sky were at times, sometimes she just missed the simple fading of the light, yellow sky turning slowly to grey. She'd missed it since her first deployment but now it felt like an ache in her chest. She missed simplicity…

She missed feeling connected. Philly had been trying, no one could accuse her otherwise that's for sure. But even with all her effort she missed simply knowing another person. Knowing them inside and out. She'd never felt like an individual, apart from Euphemia, she didn't have to guess how she'd have reacted to things at Canaan house. She just knew. But now she watched her Cavalier, carefully observing how he responded to things. Trying to find some way to regain that feeling of knowing someone. Really knowing them.

"There's no way this could be original right?" Philly ran a hand delicately over the short fibers of a tapestry. "This place is at least," she counted in her head, "several thousands of years old." Counting had never been her strong suit. "Parts of Canaan house are crumbling practically to dust. And yet others are, well not new, but remarkably preserved." The pair had made their way onto one of the lower levels, working slowly through the floors. She hated the not knowing what they were looking for, just… Looking. So they often stopped, spending time with anything that caught her eye, never knew when she was about to pull on a book and discover a hidden staircase behind a shelf! That hadn't happened, yet… But she also tried to notice if anything caught Rio's attention. They were both strangers here and despite struggling to feel as connected to him as she had Euphemia being on the front line with someone did things.

She trusted their judgement, their wits. He sometimes saw things she didn't. She'd learned to trust that.

[zoeoe-sims]

WIP Update (Pottery Mod etc.)

Heyo, figured I'd give an update on my WIPs, especially as I mentioned previously about making a post about the pottery mod and proceeded to not do that...

Long story short, I had to take a break from working on the pottery mod for a little while, then I didn't pick it back up when I could, became afraid to look at it, started other WIPs including a cow mod and a script modding tutorial project, and now am working on a project tangential to the pottery mod - a material state editor tool! I'm pretty excited about it because I'm diving into using S3PI and I'm honestly just surprised it's working out so far. This tool should make it less tedious to add all the glaze types to the ceramics for the pottery mod, and maybe someone else will find it useful too! At least my future self will if I make another mod that involves objects with material states... otherwise it's me spending 50 hours working on a tool to automate something that might take 5 hours! Yay technology...! I'm also hoping this post will help get me back into working on the pottery mod itself... I already had to fix a problem I so kindly left for myself in the code before I stopped working on it, in order to finish getting the screenshots, so that's good?

Anyway here is an overview of the pottery mod so far, and my plans for it:

Interaction

I have a Make Ceramic interaction, with the converted sims 4 pottery wheel, where you can pick the ceramic to make and the sim will sit at the wheel, and make it! I still have more animations to convert but I might not do all of them for simplicity's sake.

Skill

Currently just have a basic pottery skill, which will determine which items your sim can make, but I could add a couple of skill stats and maybe challenges.

Objects

I've also made some progress on converting the sims 4 pottery objects, but it will also be easy to add other objects to the XML file if you want.

Glazing

I also have an XML set up for selectable glazes, so you can pick in game which sims 4 glaze you want for the sims 4 objects, as well as a default one which will be fully CAStable. It's therefore possible to add selectable glazes to other objects, but you'll need to be comfortable adding the textures as material states rather than regular presets. But CASt has you covered anyway :p

Kiln

The kiln object is where you finish the ceramics, either choosing a sims 4 glaze or a normal CAStable version. Sims 4 has the kiln process be almost instant, but I have it so the ceramic will take a few hours to finish and your sim can come and pick it up later - like the nectar machine from WA.

Still to do:

Finish converting the sims 4 ceramics

Set up the glazes for them

Add more pottery animations

Skill improvements

Add sounds to wheel and kiln

Mod in action:

[uwupaige]

the nanny [paige bueckers] part two

[chapters 2 & 3]

the nanny master list!

chapter two: drunk eyes.

warnings: drinking.

finally, after a long 6 hours, catherine received a response back from the nanny position she applied for. hearing the notification ding from her computer, she shuffled to it quickly from her kitchen, where she was stuffing her face with a small snack. she began doing this for any all all notifications she had received that day. the girl was nervous to say the least, really wishing she was given the chance.

"𝖧𝗂, 𝖢𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇𝖾. 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗅𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀. 𝖬𝗒 𝗇𝖺𝗆𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗌 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽, 𝖨'𝗆 𝖺 𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗅𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗆 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖺 𝖼𝗋𝖺𝗓𝗒 𝗌𝖼𝗁𝖾𝖽𝗎𝗅𝖾. 𝖨𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗏𝖺𝗂𝗅𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾, 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗆𝖾𝖾𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖼𝗈𝖿𝖿𝖾𝖾 𝗈𝗋 𝖻𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗄𝖿𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗈𝗆𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗈𝗐. 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎."

sending the message to catherine, after taking a while to answer her request, paige began to worry. as she turned the phone to azzi, she sat restless on the uncomfortable metal folding chair, her long leg bouncing up and down as the speakers on the court echoed loud pop music. "does this sound professional enough?"

the girl was thoroughly surprised, face showing it all, "aye, p, you used your commas correctly. also sounds super mom of you. 'as you read.'" azzi snorted out the last part, hand falling on her stomach to soothe the aches of her laughs rumbling through her.

"shut up," paige laughed, nerves eased a bit as she pushed a start blonde piece of hair out of her face. taking that as a yes, she tossed her phone under her seat since the game was about to start, knowing how they were about phones, even at their grown age. call it sports game etiquette. moments later, geno, their head coach, was calling all the woman for a huddle before the game began as they started to call their starting players. loud roars of cheering erupted on either side of the decently filled gym once paige's name was called. for it just being a scrimmage, paige always appreciated the turn out.

catherine answered that message immediately, not wanting to lose out on this opportunity. she couldn't afford to, and honestly didn't know what else to do if this didn't work out. there were no  other choices besides putting school on pause again to find a random job that paid enough to work full time. the thought of that kind of life made catherine absolutely cringe, which in turn encouraged her to type faster.

her response was simple but effective, basically stating that she's free and would be more than to meet tomorrow, even suggesting a meeting place.

after hitting send, she rested her head on her soft-pink pillows, looking forward to a quick nap before a long friday night at the club.

˚✧.*

unfortunately, catherine's nap was pretty useless. it was pretty dead for a friday night, just a few drinkers here and there. luckily she didn't dress to impress, because it would've been a waste. their dress code at vynil was just all black, and catherine loved the simplicity of it. meaning she could show up in some leggings and a tank on nights like these and be just fine.

the girl leaned against her empty bar, palms flat on the counter as she sighed. her eyes found the clock to the right of her, hanging on a light grey wall that looked dark in this lighting, matching the rest of the walls in the club. the time read 11:47, forcing yet another sigh out her. her hair was parted down the middle and hung on either side of her face, the face framing bangs she randomly gave herself the other night blowing up and out of her face with every huff she let out.

anything is better than nothing, she reminded herself. at least she made some money tonight.

catherine sat at her empty bar for a few more minutes as she waited for any action to occur. it was then she decided it was probably going to look like this for the indefinite future. pushing herself up off the bar, catherine attempted to head back to her managers office to possibly be cut for the night, but she was held back by the rumbles of a large group of tall women walking into the club. there were at least 12 of them, and she smiled out of relief.

after a couple minutes of id checking by the large bouncer hanging at the front, who had also looked bored out of his mind until they arrived, they all made their way towards her side of the bar. catherine stood up straighter to let the women know she was ready and available to serve them. it was then she began regretting the simplicity of her outfit choices.

catching part of their conversation as they all walked over, she overheard a very loud, "you promised us all shots, right, p?" the party of women all rumble in agreement and laughter to the question.

now approaching the bar, catherine puts on her best customer service smile. "hi, how are we all doing tonight?" she spoke loudly to the group as they all surrounded her bar. they were all very lovely, responding back just as cheery.

"what can i get y'all started with tonight?" catherine asks the inevitable question, the group erupting into the same rumble from just a few moments prior, all asking if 'p was still buying shots.'

"alright, alright," came another voice from the large crowd, making its way to the front of the bar. a tall, blonde woman walked up to catherine, who waited patiently as she flashed her a smile, her crystal colored eyes looking at the girl expectantly. "hey, how you doin'?"

"not too bad. what can i get for you hun?" catherine asked, pushing a piece of caramel colored hair out of her face, making a note in her mind to find a hair tie soon.

"uh, round of shots, please."

the girls eyes skim over the group, counting 12 women that she needed to prepare drinks for. "for sure. house?" catherine's hand stuck out as she waited on her preference in liquor, waiting for the woman's card to ring her up.

handing over her debit card, she responds with a, "yes, please."

"lovely." catherine clicked away on her check out screen, ringing in all her drinks, then making it to the close out button. "did you wanna start a tab?"

for a moment, having been so sucked into their intimate interaction, they'd both almost forgotten about the other women surrounding them. and before the woman before her could answer, a tall brunette with a big smile wraps an arm around her, patting her should with her free hand as she loudly answered for her friend, "hell yeah! party paige is in the club!"

"get outta here, nika." paige laughs before nodding to catherine, "yeah, you can start a tab."

the girl then rung in her drinks, making them all as soon as her card went through. she decided to make small talk as she lined up all twelve of the short glasses, before reaching for the correct liquor. "are we celebrating?" she asks casually, pouring each shot quickly yet precisely, some of the women watching in awe of her skill.

paige shifts in her position at the bar, moving to lean against it to get comfortable, going to answer for the group. "basketball season's starting soon."

catherine gasps lowly and softly, smiling once again at them, "oo, that's exciting. do y'all go to that one university not far from here?"

they all answer with some variation of 'yeah' and 'yes' as catherine finished pouring each shot, placing them all on the elevated part of the bar where people received their orders.

"well, here's to an amazing start to your season." catherine states as she finishes passing out the shots, and paige swears her words were coated with glitter, sounding as genuine and as sweet as ever.

downing their shots with sour faces from the shock, a few taking longer than others, they all began to make their way to the dance floor. some of the women lingered near the bar to order the drinks they planned to sip on, paige being part of that crowd, settling for a simple dirty shirley temple.

paige stuck with that same order the rest of the night, easily having consumed six of them so far. and she wasn't shy about it either. nor was she very shy with catherine.

"what's your name?" paige asked out of nowhere, fully leaning her long body on the black countertop for much needed support. catherine was making her 7th drink of the night, but this time not adding in any vodka, deciding now was a good point to cut her off at.

looking up from her craft, the brunette made eye contact with paige, noticing how her eyes were almost closed. though, she could still read the longing look in them. "cat." she replies simply and sweet.

"that's so cute," paige compliments, a hint of adoration in her words. "you got any kids?"

catherine accidentally let out a small giggle at the sudden question, not expecting that at all. "none that i know of." she jokes, the joke missing paige completely. "do you?"

the blonde nods proudly as she begins to smile, a hand rubbing the back of her neck where her low bun rested, thinking of her little girl. "yeah, a baby girl." once she spoke her thoughts out loud, her smile began to falter. "a-actually she's 5. not really a baby."

"my mama always said that you're a baby until you're eighteen."

"i'd like to think of her that way." paige says in agreement with this total strangers mom, "she grew up so fast." she confides in catherine, clearly sad and clearly drunk.

catherine was now shaking her cocktail shaker, inquiring further. "had her young, huh?" paige just nodding sadly in response. "that's okay. my mom had me when she was 14."

"yeah?"

"yup. and i still turned out pretty okay."

paige saw opportunity for a joke, a small smirk playing on her lips as she let out a, "kinda." her shoulders shrugging once with an unsure face.

catherine raised an offended eyebrow, "oh, o-kay." she scoffs out, followed with a laugh as their eyes met. catherine's laughs fall off at the same time as paige's, both of them holding eye contact. it sounded as though the room fell quiet, side conversations and loud basses fading slowly.

catherine was the first to pull away, now pouring the flushed blondes virgin drink, placing it right in front of her with a glass of water as well. with that same, sweet smile from before, she spoke, "enjoy."

"thanks."

paige's drunk eyes followed catherine as she moved about the bar, whether she was attending other consumers or paying attention to her. she was sure she looked silly to everyone else, but the fog in her vision made her care less. she watched in admiration at how her hips swayed about in her tight, black leggings, and how her matching black tank hugged her waist, accentuating her smooth and natural looking curves. she loved how her brunette hair was now up in a messy yet tasteful ponytail. two small pieces of hair hung around her face, and she wasn't sure if it was there on purpose or not. eventually, catherine caught the woman's low eyes, flashing her a confused smiles. "you lost?"

"nah, nah, you just have.." paige began to speak her almost incoherent thoughts loudly, sighing before she continued to slur her words, her body still leaned heavily against the bar, "a great body." she clearly was not thinking before she spoke.

smiling casually as she wiped down the counter, catherine caught the woman's eyes. "thank you."

instantly, paige regretted even speaking to the woman as a wave of heat took over her, the room now becoming too hot. she sipped the last few ounces of her water before ultimately walking away, completely crashed out from embarrassment. it definitely left catherine even more confused, but she was soon too swarmed and busy to even dwell. she never tried to dwell too hard on drunk people anyway.

sooner or later, the uconn womans basketball team began to call it a night. as they gathered their group, they bombarded catherine's side of the bar with requests to close their tab, catherine working quickly and efficiently.

the brunette began to call out names to the woman so they could each retrieve their respective tabs. "okay—azzi?.. here you go, babe.. nika? that's a gorgeous name, nika.. kamorea? s-sorry—kk. here you go, mama."

after a couple of minutes placing tabs to faces, catherine was only left with paige's. looking out to the floor, she didn't see the woman anywhere. waiting patiently, catherine began to clean up her bar, instructing everyone to just leave their bills on one end to be collected. paige's was the last tab she had to close for the night before she could tip out the bouncers and head home for some much needed sleep.

the team of college basketball players eventually made their way closer towards the front of the club while they impatiently waited for their friend, a few of the women asking where she was every few seconds.

eventually, paige emerged from the women's bathroom, no one missing the other woman around the same age as her leaving only seconds after. guilt and even more embarrassment flooded her face as her teammates all chirped up to tease her. eventually she approached catherine at the bar, asking to close out her tab.

"alright, love, you're all set." catherine places the multitude of receipts and a pen on the counter in front of her, paige picking up the pen to just sign her name, and putting a line through the tip line—which was wildly out of character for her.

that caught catherine completely off guard. at that, paige just began to walk away, no other words spoken.

"your mama never teach you how to tip?" catherine called out, unashamed. paige turns to find the woman starting her down, her gaze intimidating and sending a family of butterflies to move in to her stomach. why did this make her feel more giddy than embarrassed?

paige stutters out a quick 'uh' before catherine rolls her eyes, telling her to have a goodnight. that sweet voice from earlier now tasting extremely bitter. and before paige can answer, she's being pulled out by her teammates, who are all ready to leave.

˚✧.*

chapter three: such a cliche.

"paigey... paige."

a tiny madison stood by her moms bed side, pulling on her limp hand, speaking her name constantly in attempt to wake her up. the girl was dressed in a disney princess sleep gown, and her hair was everywhere, a frizzed, curly mess.

the room was dark from paige's damn near black out curtains, but the light flowing in from the bright hallway was just enough to illuminate enough. paige was slumped, snoring quietly, and her skin was oily.

stirring slightly, the slumped blonde began to wake up slowly, her eyes fluttering open for a moment, then closing at the painful light. after a few more seconds of calling for her mom, madison started to poke her face. this made paige open one eye slightly, groaning in her sleepy state.

"w'sup, babe?" paige mutters out, sleepiness coating her words. a hand slowly coming up to her forehead as she tried to rub away a raging headache.

"i'm hungry." madison informs with sass, a small pout forming as she watched her mom fall in and out of sleep, now shaking her arm.

however, at those words, paige immediately sat up. grabbing her phone off the night stand in her sleepy state, she read the time to be 10:17. today was the day she was interviewing with catherine sanchez over breakfast for the nanny position and she was about to be extremely late. "fuck." paige muttered, throwing her legs over the side of her bed, supporting herself with one hand as they other rubbed her eyes.

"fuck?" madison repeated with confusion.

paige stopped, looking down at her daughter from her sitting position on her bed. "oo, baby, don't say that." she condemned herself in her head for cursing around her daughter.

"why?"

"it's a bad word." paige explained quickly, going back to rubbing her eyes for moment. then, changing the subject back to the matter at hand. "hey, can you do me a big favor?"

"maybe." madison sassed ever so cutely, paige having to hold back her small chuckle.

"go find a really pretty princess dress to wear because we're gonna go get breakfast at a restaurant with a play place."

madison gasped excitedly, jumping against the carpeted floor and nodding, "okay!" she exclaimed before running to her new room that paige had just finished unpacking, promising to paint it purple when she had free time.

once the energetic girl left her room, paige managed to get herself ready fairly quickly, especially considering how exhausted she was from her outings last night and the interactions she made—both with the bartender and the random girl in the bathroom. paige sorta cringed to herself thinking about it all as she perfected her low, slick back bun, a hairstyle she found to be 'easy enough' when she was in a rush.

that night ended with paige barely making it home, extremely late, paying the babysitter more for her extra time, and forcing herself to rinse off before she slumped on her dark blue comforter. she planned on sleeping into the late hours of the mornings, clearly forgetting that she had an important meeting.

in their text conversation, they agreed to meet at a restaurant not far from either of their places, at 11 a.m. that morning to chat over breakfast.

"mads!" paige called from the hallway bathroom, which was madison's, but doubled as a guest one as well. last she checked, madison was still deciding on if she wanted to wear her elsa dress or her tiana dress. "hurry up, i need to do your hair!"

a couple minutes later, madison ran into the bathroom, sporting a baby blue dress that paige couldn't imagine would be very comfortable. the itchy, plastic like material crinkled and crunched with every movement. deciding to leave her daughter be, paige just sat the girl in the round sink in front of the mirror, this barely being high up enough for her to do the girls hair comfortably.

paige just went with matching their hairstyles, something easy for the both of them. grabbing the girl out of the sink and placing her on her hip, paige turned off the bathroom light and made her way to the front door. paige placed madison down, sitting her in front of the door as she helped her put on her shoes. then slipping on her own,  paige made sure they had everything they needed before ultimately heading out.

˚✧.*

walking into the busy restaurant, just minutes before 11 a.m., paige met with the hostess. she informed the woman that her she had a reserved spot and was meeting with someone. waiting for the hostess to find her reservation in the books, paige took in its atmosphere. it was sophisticated looking, yet it was so laid back.

the hostess walked the two back to their reserved table that sat 4, asking if she could grab them anything yet. paige ordered some waters for the table and an apple juice for her daughter. once the hostess left, paige pointed to the play area that was mere feet from their table, the noise shielded by plexiglass. "how 'bout you go play, and i'll call you over when food gets here." paige smiles.

madison nods excitedly, "okay paigey." she starts to walk off, but paige wasn't done with her whole 'be safe, be nice, i love you' speech. standing up, eyes only on her daughter so she doesn't lose her in the crowds. the blonde began to walk towards her while calling out her name, but was stopped when she runs into something. looking straight ahead, she realizes she ran into a someone. "shit, i'm sorry, i—"

"that's okay—"

paige being met with the bartender that berated her the night before was absolutely not what she was expecting when she looked down ever so slightly.

"oh! i was just bringing her over to your table." the hostess spoke, eyes switching between the stunned pair.

both understanding what the woman was saying, catherine blinked at the hostess, then at paige. paige unintentionally mimicking the girl as they both spoke in unison.

"paige?"

"catherine?"

the hostess quickly noticed what was happening, slowly and quietly excusing herself from the interaction to return to her comfortable spot up at the front of the lively restaurant.

paige was the one to break eye contact, eyes skimming the restaurant for her daughter once again. finally, she found madison playing happily in the ball pit of the play place, taking a sigh of relief before looking at catherine, who had been looking at her expectantly this whole time.

"uh, sorry." paige spoke, looking down at the table, pulling catherine's seat out a bit across from her own before sitting down, "please." she gestured towards the brunettes spot, the girl sitting reluctantly. "uhh.." paige said nervously, clasping her hands in front of her, resting them in front of her. "i'm sorry, i wasn't expecting this." she lets out a small chuckle, attempting to ease the tension.

catherine gave her a small smile, nodding, "yeah," she lets out a small laugh as well, "what a cliche." she mutters to herself as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear nervously. the girl almost wished to take back last nights interaction as a whole, their first impressions completely tainted now.

paige either choose to not acknowledge that statement, or genuinely didn't hear her, so she begins the small talk and interviewing process. "so you, uh, work at vynil," she starts, the flushed brunette nodding with a smile. "that's nice. have you been there long?"

catherine was about to just nod, stopping herself as she thought deeply for a brief moment. the girl accepted that her first impression had already been tainted—but she needed this job. fixing her face, she spoke, "yeah, just a little under three years." she spoke as friendly as possible.

paige recognized her sweet tone from the night prior, having slightly missed it after the way she called her out last night. "cool, cool," she nodded. she almost didn't know what to say or ask. she practiced the night prior with azzi, and nika before she left, on what to even ask.

"ask her if she's worked with kids before." azzi's words rang in her head.

"so i saw on your resume that you coached a kids soccer team for a few years. did you like working with kids?" paige began, hoping to have some conversation about catherine come out of this.

catherine proudly grinned with yet another head nod, "yeah, all throughout my first few years of college."

"you have your degree?" paige asks, a question the girl in front of her began to despise answering.

looking away out of embarrassment, she answered sheepishly, "not exactly.." she trails off.

"that's okay, me neither." paige shrugs, taking a sip of her daughters apple juice, a slight attitude rolling off her tongue at her following words. "i'm taking some undergrad classes my counselor 'forgot to tell me about.'" she rolled her eyes. "what's your major?"

catherine was honestly just so surprised at how laid back their conversation was, fully expecting to meet with a strict woman in her thirties. "h-history." she stutters out, still a bit stunned. paige sat leaned back in her chair, legs spread ever so slightly and arms laid lazily folded across her torso—clearly making herself comfortable.

paige was thoroughly intrigued by that information. she would've totally assumed something different, "really? that's actually pretty cool.. how come?"

no one ever really asked catherine why she was a history major. not seriously, at least. what can you even do with a history degree? they'd ask. "i.. think history is important." she explained as paige looked at her, deep and in tune with the conversation.

the pair spoke for another while, getting along a lot better than the two had anticipated. especially with how last night went. paige would only turn away from the conversation to check on her daughter every so often, flicking her crystal eyes towards the play place, or to order their food.

"yeah, i had madison when i was 18. the night after graduation."

"and no one knew?" catherine asked, shocked. the girl had desperately tried to keep up her professional tactics for the last thirty minutes, but to no avail. they spoke as if they were friends meeting up for brunch on a random friday that they both had off from work.

the blonde girl across from her just simply shook her head, "she was a really small baby, so i didn't show a lot. and all i wore were baggy clothes anyway, no one suspected a thing. shit, i didn't even know for the first four months."

"and your teammates never suspected?" the brunette asked, shifting in her seat. for a good duration of their 'meeting', she sat still and with her hands on her lap. however now, she opted to lean her elbows on the table infront of her as she sipped from her mug.

"basketball was over before i even started to show like that. and my graduation wasn't until mid june, plus the gown was huge." paige had answered. catherine sat there, wondering. did madison's dad even knew. and if he did, where was he?

however, catherine simply just nodded with respect, sipping from her cup of raspberry tea. "smooth."

as paige went to respond, their server was standing over their table, three plates in their hands as they placed everyone's respective breakfast meals in front of them, paige instructing him to put madison's down next to her.

after their server walked away, paige excused herself to go grab her daughter, who had been at it with the play place for a good thirty minutes now.

walking over to their shared table hand in hand with the small girl, paige gently introduced madison to catherine as they took their seats. catherine looked at the girl, immediate adoration in her eyes. she totally didn't expect to see a little light skinned girl to be paige's, berating herself internally because so many people must've thought that as well. she noticed how her hair was totally done quickly, and clearly by paige. but, what totally sold her—what made catherine know they'd get along—was madison's light blue elsa dress, that was tracking glitter everywhere she walked, and how she sported it casually and unbothered.

"mads, i want you to meet one of my friends." paige spoke softly, "this is catherine."

catherine smiled happily at the cuteness that sat in front of her. she wanted to squeeze the girl in a hug, her eyes big and curious at her moms new 'friend.'

"hi, mama. what's your name?"

"madison." the girl spoke shyly, clinging to paige's hand tighter.

"madison—" catherine dramatically and on purpose said the girls name all wonky, madison having no problem interrupting her with the correct way to pronounce it, laughing at the woman. catherine smiled, glad she was already breaking through to the seemingly stubborn girl. "oh, oh, my bad. madison—it's nice to meet you, madison. i'm catherine, but you can call me cat."

"like the pet?"

catherine nodded excitedly, "exactly. but, i don't have cool whiskers or claws." she shrugged.

"i have super frozen powers."

"nuh uh!" catherine says in disbelief.

"mhm, i can show you." madison then goes to make gestures with her arms, imitating the same moves elsa made when she would turn things to ice during let it go.

catherine then looks at her drink, gasping, "you made my drink all ice!" she exclaimed, madison then doing the same gestures towards her food. "and my food?" madison giggles, catherine quickly reaching over to steal food from the little girls plate. "okay, now you have to share."

madison laughs even more, pushing catherine's bigger hand away from her small portion of eggs and bacon, paige just watching happily as she began to eat, glad to know her food was safe from madison's 'powers.'

˚✧.*

walking out of the restaurant, the warm september air hitting their skin happily after sitting in a conditioned room for so long. paige bid goodbye to catherine, telling her she'd definitely be in touch about finding a day for catherine to come over and hang with them at their apartment, to get a better read on her.

catherine went to walk off, saying a quick bye with a sweet smile. however, paige's, "wait," made her stop in her tracks. confused, she walked back over to the woman as she frantically looked for her wallet. "here." she tried to hand the brunette two twenty dollar bills. catherine started shaking her head in rejection before the word no could even leave her mouth. "for last night. i actually don't know why i didn't," paige explains, referencing her lack of tip.

catherine gently pushed paige's eager hand away, "no, no, no," she repeated, "seriously, it's cool. don't worry about it... thank you, though." catherine smiled once more, the wind blowing some hair in her face. again, she went to walk away, paige quickly slipping the cash into the girls bag, going unnoticed by catherine.

"see you soon." paige called out with a head nod. catherine just looking back as she kept walking with another pretty smile and a wave to both the blonde and her daughter.

authors note!

yay part two! what're we thinking of the story so far? i have sooo many ideas, and the rest of the book planned out, so im excited to get writing! also, if you want more frequent updates, my wattpad (@/uwupaige) gets new chapters every other day (most of the time lol)

thanks for reading🩷

- mari 🫧

5k words.

[itacats]

Rain of Shadows

FT: Simon x gn!reader

Warnings: Themes of emotional isolation and introspection, Scenes of hand-to-hand combat, Exploration of trauma and identity, use of code name for reader, please let me know if anything else should be here!🙏

SUM: Battles are waged not just with fists, but in the spaces between—where observation, intention, and understanding reveal more than words ever could. As Rain steps onto the mat, the stakes go beyond victory, testing boundaries they didn’t know existed.

A/N: This part is about more than just sparring; it’s a study of movement, emotion, and the unspoken dialogue between opponents. Writing Simon’s calm menace and Soap’s infectious energy was like balancing fire and ice—dangerous but thrilling. 🥊🌫️

Rain of Shadows Masterlist

Part 2 - The First Dance

"Show us what you’ve got, Rain!" Soap’s voice rings out, thick with teasing bravado, the clap of his hands reverberating in the sparring room like a starting pistol. His grin stretches wide, all energy and eagerness, his stance already itching for action.

Beside him, Gaz folds his arms, his expression measured but tinged with curiosity. "Don’t underestimate them just because they’re new," he remarks, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of challenge. "They might surprise you."

His words stick with you. Not because of their simplicity, but because of the weight they carry. A quiet, precise observation, as if he sees something deeper than just another sparring partner. The thought unsettles you, though you shove it aside as you step into the center of the room.

The mat beneath your boots feels firm yet pliant, grounding you even as you feel like a chess piece—something to be moved, positioned, and used. You’ve been here before, countless times, though the stage always changes. New players, new pieces. And yet, as the anticipation grows thick in the air, you decide something: this time, you’ll push back against the tide.

Soap strides onto the mat with confidence radiating from every step, his energy infectious. He bounces lightly on the balls of his feet, warming up with a few quick jabs into the air. "Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to keep up, aye?"

You say nothing. Words are unnecessary. Your focus sharpens to a razor’s edge as he takes his stance.

He makes the first move, a wide swing intended to test your reaction. It’s almost playful—until it isn’t. His strikes come fast and fluid, each one loaded with strength and precision. But you don’t react with emotion. You don’t try to overpower him. You’re not here to win; you’re here to learn.

With every jab, every feint, you analyze him. The way his shoulders tense a fraction of a second before a punch. The slight shift in his balance before a kick. His rhythm, his angles, his tells—it all unfolds like a map before you.

Soap’s confidence is his strength, but it’s also his weakness. He expects resistance, not calculation. So when you sidestep his next strike with surgical precision and pivot behind him, he falters. One calculated sweep of your leg, and he’s on the ground, pinned before he can recover.

His cheeks flush as he grins up at you, breathless but amused. "Alright, alright. I was just warmin’ up," he grunts, brushing himself off as he rises.

You step back, offering nothing more than a neutral expression. Inside, the satisfaction is fleeting. Soap was never your true challenge.

Gaz takes Soap’s place on the mat, his demeanor quieter but no less intense. He doesn’t carry Soap’s playful bravado; instead, there’s a thoughtful precision to the way he rolls his shoulders and plants his feet.

The moment the match begins, it’s clear he’s already learned from watching you. Where Soap charged in with confidence, Gaz approaches with caution. He retreats as much as he advances, drawing you out, forcing you to make the first move.

It’s a clever tactic, one that forces you to adapt. You’re used to enemies who charge, who rely on brute force or speed. Gaz is different. He’s methodical, patient, waiting for you to overextend.

For a brief moment, you feel a flicker of something unusual—exhilaration. It’s rare to face someone who forces you to adjust, to evolve mid-combat. You suppress the feeling quickly, focusing on the task at hand.

The dance continues, and though Gaz is skilled, he doesn’t anticipate how quickly you can change your rhythm. When the opportunity presents itself—a narrow opening in his defense—you take it. A swift duck under his swinging arm, a sharp twist, and he’s disarmed, his balance gone.

The match ends with you victorious once more, though the satisfaction remains elusive.

The atmosphere shifts as Simon steps onto the mat.

He doesn’t move like Soap or Gaz. There’s no bravado, no hesitation, no theatrics. He simply stands there, his towering frame cast in shadow, the skull on his balaclava an ominous reminder of who he is.

Unlike the others, he doesn’t take an aggressive stance. Instead, he waits, his posture deceptively relaxed, his eyes unreadable. The silence stretches, heavy and taut, until you realize he’s not going to make the first move.

The weight of his gaze feels suffocating, like a predator studying prey. You’ve faced countless opponents before, but Simon is different. He doesn’t fight with strength or speed—he fights with intent.

When you finally move, it’s out of necessity rather than instinct. You launch forward, your strikes precise, calculated, designed to test him. But Simon doesn’t react like Soap or Gaz. He doesn’t retreat or block; he absorbs, deflects, redirects.

It’s like trying to hit smoke. Every move you make, he’s already a step ahead, countering with a calmness that borders on eerie. His understanding of combat flows through him like second nature, every motion deliberate and devastating.

For the first time in years, you find yourself pushed to your limits.

The fight drags on, both of you locked in a dangerous rhythm. The world narrows to the sound of your breathing, the thud of your movements, the electric hum of adrenaline coursing through your veins.

When Gaz and Soap finally interrupt, their voices cutting through the haze with complaints of hunger, you barely register their words. The match is called a draw, though it feels far from over.

Simon steps closer, extending a gloved hand. His voice is low, almost a murmur. "Good match."

You hesitate, your pulse still pounding in your ears. Then, without warning, you pivot, your body moving on instinct. A sweep of your leg catches him off guard, and with a calculated twist, you flip him to the mat.

Soap’s laughter erupts behind you. "Guess they’re the winner… again!"

Simon rises slowly, brushing himself off. For the first time, you catch a glimpse of his face as he pulls down his mask ever so slightly—a faint smirk tugging at his lips. It’s gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Well played," he says simply before turning and walking away.

As the sparring room empties, you’re left alone with your thoughts. Simon lingers in your mind, an enigma wrapped in layers you can’t unravel.

Unlike Soap and Gaz, who fought with emotion and flair, Simon was an entirely different challenge. He fought with purpose, with a stillness that made him impossible to predict. He saw through your strategies, countered your every move as if he’d known them before you did.

And yet, there was no malice in his actions, no arrogance. Only understanding.

For the first time, you wonder if he sees the void inside you—if he recognizes it, because perhaps he carries one of his own.

In the quiet of the room, a question begins to take shape in your mind.

"Who am I?"

You don’t have an answer. Not yet. But as you navigate the shadows beside men like Simon Riley, you feel the faintest glimmer of something new.

Not purpose.

Hope.

Taglist:

@jessicab1991

If you would like to be tagged in this story, let me know!

Here's the current post schedule with some upcoming stories to look forward to!

[wizard-on-whales]

Song Birds and Willow Trees

(NSFW)

Warnings: Unprotected sex, Fingering, P in V, Pet names, its pure smushy intimate sex,

----------------------------

It was an unusually cool summer afternoon, so you decided not to waste the nice day and went outside. You and James had lived on a large secluded property for a few years and it had been like heaven on earth. Of course, your favorite spot to spend your days was outside under the willow tree in the backyard. Today, you lay under it on a red and white checkered blanket that had been spread out to keep the bugs off your bare legs. You were draped in your favorite summer dress reading the book you had purchased a few days earlier. The combination of the cool breeze and the sunlight hitting you through the branches made you sleepy, so you decided it would be nice to take a small nap. 

You weren't sure exactly how long you had been asleep, but the sound of approaching footsteps and the evening birds woke you. You looked up to see your lover standing over top of you with a smile on his face. The once bright blue sky had now turned to the color of ambers, making the clouds pink.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” James smiled down at you before sitting cross-legged next to you. You scootched closer, setting your head in his lap, causing him to lean down and kiss you. The warm glow from the setting sun cast a perfect shadow over his face, making him seemingly more beautiful than normal. 

“What time is it?” You ask, looking up at him with your sleep-clouded eyes. His tattooed hands made their way into your hair, stroking it softly. 

“It's about 8, I went inside and you weren't in there, so I assumed you were out here.” He moved his gaze from your face to look off into the distance. His eyes scanned over the vast scenery that surrounded you. 

“I didn't realize I was out here for so long,” Your gaze followed his, watching the birds that flew through the sky play with each other. You smiled at the simplicity of it before looking back at him to meet his eyes, “Make love to me, James.”

He didn't say anything in return, instead, he leaned down and connected your lips again. His hand cradled the back of your neck as he moved your head off his lap to change positions. Now, his body was over the top of yours, his weight pinning you down to the earth below. The heat from the air and the rising lust caused a flush to coax your cheeks and chest. James pulled away from your lips and smiled down at you before his fingers slid under the top traps of your dress and pulled it down just below your breasts. His large, calloused hand grabbed one, kneading it slightly, making sure his thumb swiped over your sensitive nipple. He smiled at your soft whimpers before leaning down to connect his mouth to your chest. Your hands cradled his head, encouraging him to keep it there as he left soft love bites on the smooth skin. 

His actions were filled with nothing but love, his touch gentle as his hands roamed your body, memorizing every inch. His hands traced up your thighs, barely touching the skin as he pushed the skirt of your dress up. The action caused goosebumps to rise across your body, a sign it was already calling out for more of him. He hooked his fingers under the waistband of your panties, sliding them off, and tossing them to the side. Your hand grabbed his belt and unhooked up before repeating his actions. As you pulled the belt off his jeans, he slightly palmed himself through them. You grabbed the hem of his shirt and pushed it up, fingers grazing his stomach as you did. James took over, pulling the shirt off himself, and as he did your hands felt up his chest, teasing the soft hairs. 

He leaned down to kiss you again, his fingers finding their way to your heat, slowly circling your sensitive bud. You let out a content sigh into his mouth, inviting his tongue in to dance with yours. Slowly, he pushed a finger into you, stretching your plush walls. You moaned against him, your arms pulling his warm body closer to yours. His mouth left yours as he stared down at you, pushing a second digit in and moving his wrist faster. You looked at him through strained eyes, biting your lip to hold back your noises. 

“C’mon, sing for me, Birdie,” He whispered, softly kissing your cheek.

“Please, Jamie,” You whined, your hips lifting against his hand. 

“What do you need, baby?” He continued his movement with his hand, your slick covering his fingers and already dripping out of you. 

“Need you,” He gave you a small kiss before pulling his fingers out and leaving you empty. He quickly shuffled his pants off before repositioning himself in front of your entrance. He let out a groan, pumping himself a few times before slowly pushing into you. He leaned down on his elbows, one on each side of your face, trapping you under him. You wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling his hips flush with yours as he bottomed you out. His face contorted into pleasure as your walls contracted around him, adjusting to his size.

“Move?” He questioned, looking you in the eyes. You bit your lip and nodded, dropping your head back. James kissed your neck, slowly moving his back and forth. The only thing that could be heard was the soft whimpers coming from both of you and the crickets and frogs that had started their nightly duets. Each thrust brought you closer to the edge, each one seeming to fill you deeper than the last. You moan his name like a prayer under him, as you grip him tighter, your nails digging into his back, sure to leave a mark. He let out a groan, one of his hands cupping the back of your neck again to pull you close. 

“Oh, fuck, just like that, darling,” He moaned as you clenched around him. You could feel the knot in your stomach build, as you arch your back, your body desperately craving more of him. The wetness between your legs increased as he kept his rhythm. The sound of skin against skin and heavy breathing filled the air around you. This had been the most intimate and open you had ever been with each other. Sure you've had sex together plenty of times but it was never this intense or honest.

James hardly wanted to move in and out of you at this point, the pressure of it all so overwhelming he was just slowly grinding his hips against yours. It was still enough that you could feel his tip hitting your sweet spot. Your legs were shaking at this point as they wrapped tighter around him, trying to pull him even closer as if you couldn't already feel him in your stomach. You felt dizzy as he tried to push himself further into you. Suddenly it was all too much and you felt your release build up at once. 

“Ooh, god,” You cried out, tears threatening to spill from your glossy eyes. James swallowed your moans as he connected his lips with yours once again. The knot in your stomach loosened as the world around you spun, and your body became overly sensitive. James pulled out, his hand feverishly finishing what was started. The sight of him getting off in his hand and groaning over top of you was almost enough to make you finish a second time. His seed spilled over the side of your thigh as he let out a string of profanities under his breath. He closed his eyes, catching his breath for a few seconds before collapsing on top of you, resting his forehead against yours. You pulled him close in a hug, arms and legs still wrapped around him, both of you breathing heavily. 

He opened his eyes to look at you, giving you a soft smile.

“You're shaking,” You whisper to him, running your hand up his exposed arm, slowly tracing his tattoos.

“I'll be okay,” He tucked his head into your shoulder, giving it a soft kiss. Both of you lay in each other's arms listening to the sounds of nature around you.

-------------------

[paralleljulieverse]

FROM THE ARCHIVES: JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE Press photos of Julie Andrews, aged 12, at the family home, the Old Meuse, in Walton-on-Thames, 25 October 1947

In 1947, fresh from her star-making turn in Starlight Roof, 12-year-old Julie Andrews was widely feted in the British press as a singing child phenomenon. Her nightly performance of the difficult coloratura showpiece “Polonaise” from Mignon — complete with florid runs, agile cadenzas, and a stratospheric F above top C — left audiences stunned and critics reaching for superlatives. The press dubbed her everything from the “Prima Donna in Pigtails” and "Infant Prodigy of Trills" to “Britain’s Youngest Singing Star” (Farmer, 2022, p. 136).

At the same time, media profiles anchored her emerging child star image in the normalising discourse of British domesticity. Articles reassured readers that, behind the exceptional talent, Julie was a simple English girl at heart — one who loved dogs and horses, read the Bible nightly, and helped with household chores (Farmer, 2022, p. 139). This emphasis on ordinariness helped temper potential unease around juvenile prodigiousness, casting Julie not as a precocious oddity but as a national 'every child'.

Publicity photographs of the time brought this ideological narrative to life. They routinely staged the young star in scenes of wholesome suburban girlhood at her family home in Walton-on-Thames: playing with dolls, doing homework by the fireside, and, as in the images featured here, riding her bicycle. These bicycle portraits were among the most widely reproduced of Andrews’s early publicity stills. Even Dame Julie herself later selected one of these images for inclusion in her memoir Home (Andrews, 2008). The appeal is not hard to discern. Despite its unassuming simplicity, the image of a child riding a bicycle is rich with cultural symbolism.

Since its advent in the nineteenth century, the bicycle has carried a complex and evolving social status — shaped by Romantic ideals of bucolic freedom and therapeutic health, as well as modernist associations with progress and egalitarianism (Oosterhuis, 2016). In post-war Britain, it became a potent emblem of both practicality and aspiration: a tool of everyday mobility and a marker of youthful independence, health, and middle-class stability. Amid the material constraints of post-war reconstruction, the bicycle remained an affordable, and valued mode of transport, linked to thrift, duty, and discipline. At the same time, the rise of car culture redefined the bicycle as a vehicle of childhood and leisure — often a prized Christmas or birthday gift — increasingly associated with juvenile innocence, adventure, and coming-of-age (Withers & Shea, 2016).

These networks of cultural meaning find poignant expression in the shoot’s main photograph, where Julie rides mid-motion across the gravel drive of her family home, her right arm raised in a cheerful wave, a wide smile lighting her face. The carefree gesture and easy poise suggest spontaneous joy and expressive action. Yet every detail is carefully curated: her hair neatly plaited, her wool jumper tucked in, her tartan skirt pressed just so. With ankle socks and polished bar shoes completing the look, she embodies an idealised vision of post-war British girlhood.

The image thus frames the young star as both an extraordinary child soprano and an everyday schoolgirl, pedalling through the quiet certainties of suburban petit bourgeois respectability. That duality — between prodigious talent and reassuring normalcy — was precisely what made the young Julie Andrews so captivating in the public imagination of post-war Britain.

Sources:

Andrews, J. (2008). Home: A memoir of my early years. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Farmer, B. (2022). ‘Prima donna in pigtails’: Reading the child stardom of Julie Andrews. Celebrity Studies, 14(2), 131–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2022.2038531

Oosterhuis, H. (2016). Cycling, modernity and national culture. Social History, 41(3), 233–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/03071022.2016.1180897

Withers, J., & Shea, D. P. (2016). Culture on two wheels: The bicycle in literature and film. University of Nebraska Press.

© 2025, Brett Farmer. All Rights Reserved.

[ikinremu]

KINKTOBER DAY 3: Tommy Shelby x Degrading

Filthy

Tommy Shelby x Fem!Reader

Tags: Degrading, P in V, Unprotected Sex, Cream Pie

! Smut Warning !

There were many sides to Thomas shelby when it came to, well.. everything, but specifically sexually; and in a sense, it was rather like you held a key to each one, free to enable them whenever you wished - and honestly, you had a particularly good feeling about today.

Sat opposite the man, the opportunity sparked like fireworks, not a trace of sensibility pumping through your veins. Tommy had endured a stressful day, that much could be gathered from his expression alone, and you were beyond willing to be his outlet.

Breaking the - merely momentary - silence, you, quite amused, piped up, "I'm gonna go get a drink, you sure you don't want anything other than that cig?"

"No, I'm alright." He monotoned, barely a flicker within his face, let alone a smile - though, to be fair, that was usual.

"If you insist." You mimicked his flat tone, suppressing a slight amusement as you took to an abrupt, purposeful stance. Barely diminishing any of his office's distance, you pattered mere steps to reach Tommy. Leaning a little downward, you sealed any lingering distance, planting a sweet, soft peck to his lips before taking a swift pivot to fulfil your promise of an exit.

Without the passing of a single moment, a familiar, unyielding grasp swivelled you round, body suddenly yanked back as you slipped atop his lap. Heat flushing through your cheeks, you met the rough, callous surrounding of Tommy's hand as it splayed over the back of your neck, pulling your mouth to his.

Seizing a fists-worth of your hair, he tugged you backwards, intoxicated by the most glorious balance of passion and exasperation. Friction kindled between rubbing fabrics, kiss deepened by the sheer insatiability of your intertwining tongues.

"Off." He ordered, a thick, tension-doused breath seeping through the connection.

God, there really was such an inevitable thrill in the nature of which Tommy spat out directions - it only injected you with confidence that your assumption of how he was feeling today was correct.

Standing from your position atop his lap, you began to rid your body of its garments, parting your lips to speak, "Thought you said you were alright?"

He merely grumbled, breath flooded with vexation as he began freeing himself of all fabrics.

The pair of you soon entirely stripped of concealment, you returned to your placement upon his lap. With a deep, sultry groan, Tommy's formerly released erection eased into you, swiftly pushing inside the slickness of your hole.

He, once more, stationed a firm, rather frustrated grasp upon your hair - eyelids momentarily screwing together as he adjusted to your familiar, sodden warmth.

You passed a thick, preparatory gulp, following it with a sharp inhale, "Take it out on me."

Tommy raised a brow, rather challenging your request, his action as if to say 'Oh, really?' - well, that and the subtlety of his smirk. You met the wordless communication with the simplicity of a nod, stomach burning with anticipation as you felt his opposing hand slam against the thick, naked flesh of your hips.

"Yeah, that what you want?" He taunted, voice low and infected with its so usual graveness. Eliciting a soft, heavily pleasured waver from your lips, Tommy so abruptly planted his first thrust, pulling you against its ferocity - allowing his tip to hit, to satisfy, a phenomenal deepness. "You want me to use you, eh?"

Immoral as it sounded, this response had you rather glad to know of Tommy's stressful day. You attempted to downplay your urge to display a quite frantic nod, intensity a castaway.

"Mhm." The word transmitted through a weighty, steaming cloud of breath, your walls clenching around their fulfilment as you revelled in such a divine rhythm of bounces.

At that, Tommy so abruptly altered the position, flipping the connection to the inflaming likes of your body bent over his desk, his callous hands clutching your hips as he stood - bucking - behind.

The rocking of his pelvis furthered in potency, motions growing vigorous as his fingers prodded at your flesh with each stroke. Exasperated moans  seeped through your lips as his skin slapped against yours, length mercilessly throbbing within you, perfectly tantalising your tight, sopping hole.

"That's it, take it." He spat, body performing a relentless, though desperate, collision with yours.

Speech pumping through your veins, the pulses of your clit breached a previously un-touched level, heart racing as Tommy pounded into your dripping cunt. Your bare - increasingly balmy - frame rocked against the well-polished, now disorganised, desk with the force of each thrust.

"Just a fuckin' whore, eh?" Tommy grunted, sheer gruffness overpowering his breath as the solidity of his shaft glided between your slick walls with such great ease, "A filthy fuckin' whore."

The blissful weight of rolling hips sparked an air-full of lustful expressions, soft whines merging with low groans as Tommy stretched further inside you.

"Shit, please.." You stammered, overgrown breaths shadowing your words - leaving them barely audible as you were utterly swamped by the gratification of your nude, firmly-held behind assisting the deepest reaches, jerked against each thrust.

At your plea, a low, grittily rich chuckle drifted from the mouth of the man behind you, his body looming nearer to your own as such extremely brief, sloppy kisses decorated your jaw.

"You like when I use you, hm?" He teased, "Just my whore to use, isn't that right?"

Ignited by the lustful diminishments, you couldn't at all squash your frenzied nods.

Hole beginning a pattern of convulsion, the upward slope of a release began to steepen in the very pit of your stomach.

"I'm getting close.." You announced, information only enlightening a seemingly hypnotised Tommy - his sense of self intoxicated by the way your drenched cunt squeezed his cock.

"Fuck, so am I." He returned, words breathy and loose of dignity.

Flawlessly, the pulses of his tip tantalised your own sensitivities, orgasm building to its very brink as he continued to thrust his body in rhythm with yours.

The sharpest of moans darted from your mouth, release gushing over your entirety with a force much alike a fuse going off within you.

The inexorable spasming of Tommy's shaft between your folds suddenly expanded - familiar, hot ribbons spreading through your arousal. A dense, quite stuffy exhale departed his lips as he came undone within the warmth of your twitching cunt.

Twisting your head back, your gaze caught his own, a playful, undeniably triumphant smirk on your lips, "Feel better now?"

Thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed! Please feel free to use the asks feature on my page for requests of oneshots/drabbles/blurbs etc.. would be greatly appreciated, though I will be responding to them after kinktober since i’m doing the full month! <3

[lovingbradshawafterdark]

Call Me

Jake seresin x fem!reader

Warnings: p in v sex, unprotected sex, this is basically porn

Summary: Jake can never get the girl of his dreams but one night he finally calls her.

Word count: ~1k

A/n: this is my piece for @roosterforme’s rocktober! Sorry this took so long writers block is a bitch. Inspired by call me by blondie

Despite Jake Seresin's effortless charm that had countless girls swooning, there was one exception. Amidst the easily captivated, she remained impervious to his usual allure. Her resistance became an intriguing anomaly for Jake, a challenge he couldn't dismiss. His charm, usually a powerful force, faced an unexpected hurdle with her. Undeterred, he found himself drawn to the mystery she presented. In the realm of conquests, she stood as an enigma, inviting Jake to navigate uncharted territory.

“Who do we have this time?”

As the question hung in the air, Jake, seemingly unfazed by the impending deployment, spun the toothpick between his teeth with practiced nonchalance. The air was thick with anticipation until the atmosphere shifted, his demeanor changing subtly at the sound of approaching footsteps that broke the relative calm of the moment.

The audible exclamation, "Oh boy," escaped Rooster's lips, a muttered testament to the recognition of the approaching footsteps. Jake, catching the cue, turned to glance behind him. Those distinctive steps, he knew them well – the kind that didn't seem captivated by his formidable looks and presence. At that moment, a subtle sting pricked at Jake's pride, an unexpected blow to the ego that left a lingering ache.

Your smooth, resonant voice echoed through the room, a calming timbre cutting through the ambient noise. "Oh well, would you look at that," you uttered with composed nonchalance, instantly leaving him disoriented. As you effortlessly settled into your seat, those seemingly innocuous words carried a weight that compelled Rooster and Bob to pivot their attention, redirecting their focus towards him. The subtle impact of your presence lingered in the air, a transformative force that sculpted a brief but palpable moment. In that instance, the simplicity of your statement spoke volumes, delicately altering the atmosphere around the trio.

“You know Blondie?” Rooster asked me. Surprise as you giggled in front of him

Jake's peaceful request for a quieter tone was accompanied by a subtle descent into his chair, and his gaze fixated downward. As you pivoted to address the trio, a wave, and a playful giggle broke the initial silence in the room.

With a sly demeanor, you teased, "Oh, it's beyond just knowing," toying with your academy ring as your not-so-subtle gesture included a lip lick. Rooster and Bob stood in awe, witnessing an unfamiliar sight—Jake, typically composed, now visibly out of his element. Your coy words and subtle actions created a palpable shift, leaving a lingering sense of intrigue in the air as you effortlessly captivated the attention of the ordinarily unflappable duo.

“Still have my number, baby?”

A nervous "Yes" escaped him, evident in the audible gulp and the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Amused, you couldn't resist a sly smirk as you playfully tapped his chin, adding a touch of fun to the tension in the air.

“I expect a call later tonight.”

***

Jake had tried his best to keep his nervousness hidden as he looked at his phone, your number still there as he never called, thinking he never deserved you, he couldn’t understand you. Yet he felt his thumb move to press call while his heart pounded while he waited for you to answer.

“Well, well, well, look who decided to call?” your voice already had his heart seizing and beating irregularly; if only you knew your effect on him. “I’ll be ready in ten; don’t be late.” you hung up and texted Jake your address, making him sigh as he got ready to go there.

Jake had quietly entered your small bungalow, the sun going down as you walked into the small living room. His mouth went dry as he saw you in lingerie.

“Are you ready, Jakey?” You purr as your fingers dance along his chest. He could feel his shorts tenting. “or did you prank call me?”

“Never, would never~”

“Good, now fuck me in those designer sheets,” you whispered as you started to palm his stiff, aching cock. He groaned and soon moved you over to his bedroom, the soft satin sheets making you sigh as he laid you down.

“You’re beautiful”

“I know I am,” you responded as he started to undo the pretty lingerie in an exceptionally messy way. He groaned as your hands bawled into the soft sheets. His aching cock wanted attention while he kissed all over your face.

With a husky rasp, he expressed, "I want you," accompanied by a compelling sway of his hips, succumbing to the irresistible pull of desire. Your response was a playful giggle, followed by a fervent kiss that left an indelible mark on his lips.

“I want you to, idiot,” you said with a pout as he finally freed himself. It made your mouth while your hand immediately wrapped around it, making him groan.

“Blondie~”

“Say my name Baby” you moan while he bars your hand off of his cock, eyes dilated and full of desire looking down on you. “Guess they found out our secret.”

“They did,” he says breathlessly, eyes only focused on you and your face. Hands pulling the silky panties down further and further until they were off and you were exposed.

“What are you waiting for, pretty boy?” You cooed at him before he finally pushed in, moans escaping both your lips as his green eyes rolled back for a moment.

“You’re on the pill, right?”

“You should have asked before you went in raw, but yes,” you giggle lustily as he lets you adjust, your walls squeezing around him.

“Can’t think straight when it comes to fucking you,” he says breathlessly before starting to move. His eyes still on you as his cock hit the right spot over and over again. Your moans only spurred him further as he was so close to reaching his peak.

“Fuck Jakey m’cum” you slurred as drool fell from your mouth. Jake smashed his lips to yours as he put his hand down to rub your Clit, his other tweaking a nipple.

“Then fucking cum, blondie, cum for me!” He shouted while pulling away as his thighs tensed, feeling you give into your pleasure and fully come undone. He watched your chest slowly move up and down while drowning in ecstasy.

“Let go” was all you said as his hips stilled, hot ropes spilling inside you. He breathed heavily for a moment before pulling out and laying next to you.

“Can I stay the night, blondie?”

“If you promise to call me again.”

[bunnysnuff]

Army Dreamers.

Part 2.||. Part 1.

Pairing: Boq Woodsman x reader, Boq Woodsman x NessaRose Thropp, NessaRose Thropp x reader.

Trigger warnings: death, a slow rise to power, imbalance of power.

Note: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR PART 2! IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS DONT READ. THIS IS WHY I TYPED IT IN CAPATIALS! DONT READER FOR SPOILERS.

*Flash back*

Munchkinland, nestled under the bright and expansive skies of Oz, was a place of simplicity, where days passed like gentle waves, and the air always seemed filled with the scent of spring. The fields were lush, the homes small but filled with laughter, and the people, despite their small stature, had hearts large enough to fill the vastness of the land. It was here, in the heart of Munchkinland, that you had grown up. A Munchkin like the rest, though in your heart, you felt something different—a connection to one person, Boq, that set you apart.

Boq was the one constant in your life. He had always been there, the kind and gentle soul whose smile could brighten the darkest days. From the time you were children, you and Boq had shared everything—dreams, secrets, and the quiet moments between the chaos of life in Munchkinland. As time passed, your feelings for him had deepened. You had come to realize you loved him, though it was a love you never spoke aloud, tucked away behind smiles and laughter.

And then there was Nessa, Nessarose Thropp. You and Nessa had been inseparable growing up. As her best friend, you had supported her through everything—from her physical struggles to her emotional ones. Nessa had always been the one who needed the most care, but she was also the one you trusted most. However, over time, something began to change. Nessa’s once quiet need for attention turned into something much more consuming, especially when it came to Boq. You could see it in the way she looked at him—how she seemed to cling to him, to keep him close in a way that seemed to push you further away. But you didn’t know how to confront it, not when she was your best friend, and Boq was always so kind, always so generous with his affection.

In the evenings, when Nessa and Boq would laugh together, you would watch them from a distance. You smiled for their sake, but a nagging ache lingered in your chest. You never said anything, never let your feelings slip, because you didn’t want to cause trouble. But you couldn’t deny the growing tension in the air between the three of you, a tension that neither Boq nor Nessa seemed to acknowledge.

Life had always felt steady in Munchkinland, but beneath the surface, something was changing. Something that you could not yet see but knew, deep down, would eventually affect everything.

The day the news came, everything shifted.

The whispers began weeks before, but it wasn’t until the announcement came that Munchkinland truly felt the weight of it. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, had once been a misunderstood and outcast student at Shiz University. Now, she had fully embraced her darker powers and had begun a campaign of destruction across Oz. Her rebellious acts, though initially driven by a desire for justice, had spiraled into a thirst for domination. People called her "evil," feared her, and believed she had betrayed everything she had once stood for. The rumors spread like wildfire, from the Emerald City to the farthest reaches of the land.

But it wasn’t just Elphaba’s descent into wickedness that rocked Oz—it was what it did to Nessa’s family.

Frex, Nessa’s father, had always been a proud and honorable man. He had fought to keep his family safe in the wake of Elphaba’s actions, his grief and frustration slowly eating away at him. News of his daughter’s fall from grace, along with the ever-growing power of her sister, took its toll on him, and one fateful morning, he collapsed. The doctors said it was a heart attack—stress, exhaustion, and worry had caused his body to finally give out. For Nessa, the loss of her father was more than just the death of a parent. It was the crushing weight of failure and rejection that she had never been able to shake, and now, it had taken him from her.

Her grief was deep, but there was more to it. In the wake of her father’s death, Nessa found herself thrust into a new position of power—Governor of Munchkinland. It was a role she had never asked for, but one that had been forced upon her. It was clear to everyone that Nessa was not ready to rule, but the people of Munchkinland had no choice but to accept it. After all, she was the only one left of her family, and the legacy of the Thropps demanded it.

The announcement that Nessa had become the new Governor was met with mixed reactions. Some of the Munchkins felt sympathy for her loss, while others feared what her newfound power might mean. As Nessa took her place at the head of Munchkinland, it was impossible to ignore the shift in her demeanor. Gone was the shy, vulnerable girl you had known for so long. In her place stood someone colder, more calculating. There was a fierceness in her eyes now, a determination to prove herself, to show the world she was not weak.

It was no surprise, then, when Nessa’s first act as Governor was to claim control of Boq. As her aide, Boq was bound to serve her every whim. It was a decision made not out of necessity, but out of her growing obsession with him. And although Boq was always kind, always ready to help, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing between the three of you. Boq, who had once been so close to you, was now often by Nessa’s side, fulfilling her every request with a loyalty that seemed to pull him further away from you.

The tension between the three of you was palpable, but it was still a quiet storm. You could not yet see the full scale of the chaos that would soon tear everything apart. But you knew one thing for certain—Nessa’s loss, Elphaba’s fall from grace, and the weight of power had set a chain of events in motion. The world was changing, and with it, everything you knew and loved was on the verge of being irrevocably transformed.

And so, in the days that followed, you began to understand that life in Munchkinland could never be the same. A storm was brewing, one you could neither stop nor escape, and its consequences would be far-reaching, altering everything you held dear.

One evening, Nessa’s servants arrived at your home to inform you of the new appointment. Nessa, as Governor, wanted to meet with you to discuss the future of the land and her plans. The reader was already uneasy about how much things were changing, but there was nothing to be done. You owed it to Nessa to support her, as you always had.

When you arrived at her new, grand office, Nessa greeted you warmly, though there was something in her gaze—something almost calculating. She smiled sweetly as she took your hands in hers. “Everything’s going to be different now,” she said, her voice smooth, but there was an underlying edge to it that made you uneasy. “Munchkinland is in my hands now, and I’m going to make sure it stays that way.”

You tried to smile back, unsure of what she meant. “Of course, Nessa. You’ve worked so hard for this.”

Boq, who had been summoned along with you, stood by her side, his usual comforting presence offering little relief now. He seemed to shrink back, his eyes darting between you and Nessa. It was clear that the balance of your trio was shifting, and neither you nor Boq could avoid the inevitable changes that came with Nessa’s newfound power.

As the day went on, the feeling of unease only grew stronger. The realization that Nessa’s attachment to Boq had only deepened, and her ambition for control was beginning to shape everything around her, felt like a storm on the horizon. You knew, without truly understanding why, that things could never be the same again. 

*Flashback ended.*

[lovegalor333]

fresh start

part four (chapter 10-12) previous part • next part

word count: 6.9k

content warnings: vomit

Lily

Time was moving fast in my first semester in Connecticut. August had flown by in a whirlwind of classes, new friends, finding my feet at work and navigating mine and Paiges clandestine meetings.

As September dwindled on we debated telling our nearest and dearest hoping to be able to spend more time together outside of our cars and closed bedroom doors. We ultimately decided to keep things under wraps a little longer, the reason going unspoken but the truth was, how could we explain us to others when we hadn't even defined us to us?

I could confidently say that Paige was the only person I was entertaining and I intended to keep it that way. I couldn't speak for the blue eyed girl but I was equally confident that I was the only person she was entertaining. I mean it would be hard for her to have anyone else in her life, between training, classes and work commitments she barely had time to just be and when she did, she was tucked away in a corner of Storrs with me.

We spent most evenings buckled in our cars, taking turns to be the passenger and driver. Paige enjoyed being behind the wheel so I took the role of passenger princess most of the time but I didn't mind. Getting to watch Paige do the simplest of tasks like driving brought me so much contentment.

We frequented the Fro-Yo store we went to on our first date - which Paige now refused to call a date because of its simplicity and spontaneity.

"I want a re-do." She had said when I mentioned our first date on our first return to the store. "Why?" I questioned, not seeing an issue with the frozen yogurt store being part of our history. "Because you deserve more." She told me and promised a 'proper' first date.

I didn't care where I was with Paige just being with her was more than enough.

While our roommates were out, we bunkered down in our apartments watching movies and sharing our favourite TV shows, silently slipping out before anyone returned home and caught us tangled together.

Kelsey was definitely getting suspicious of my actions but I'd been able to play it off, blaming work and an ungodly amount of 'library sessions'. Lucky for me, she had picked up a job which meant more of her time was occupied meaning she was less focused on my whereabouts.

Paige and I still managed to spend time with each other around our friends, it just meant no PDA but that didn't stop the stolen glances and covert touches shared.

"Do you have to leave?" Paige dramatically wined, her bottom lip poking out and eyes hooded making her look like a sad puppy.

"Yes, P." I say peeling myself off the girl that was spread out on her bed, me tucked perfectly into her side like we were two pieces of a puzzle that were made to be connected.

"The girls will be back any second and I have dinner plans with Hannah and Kels." I remind her.

"Fine." She says feigning annoyance.

Paige had texted me to come over after Azzi, Nika, Ice, KK and Ines had left for late Friday classes and I immediately complied. Time with Paige, after a long week of studying and writing up notes for Marcus to turn into articles, was just what I had needed to shut off.

"But I'll see you tomorrow right? You're coming to the party?" Paige asks and I nod my head as I stretch out my hands for Paige to take and I pull her up from her bed.

There was a party on campus tomorrow in one of the frat houses and apparently it wasn't to be missed.

"We're having pre drinks here, come with the girls." She tells me referring to my roommates.

"Sure." I say melting into Paiges arms as she hugged me goodbye.

Before I had the chance to make my escape, the apartment door clicked open and a series of voices filled the once quiet space.

Paige and I quickly released each other from our grips and sent one another a panicked look, the girls were home and what excuse did we have for being together?

Paiges bedroom door was open and anyone in the living room could see directly in and that's exactly what Azzi did.

"Oh hey Lily! What are you doing here?" She greeted, joining me and Paige in her room.

"Hey Azzi!" I replied racking my brain for an answer to her question.

Paige stayed awkwardly silent by my side, thanks P.

We both watched as Azzi looked between us and then to Paiges bed which was a bundle of blankets with a clear mould of where our bodies laid just minutes ago. Her eyebrows raised in a knowing way and she smiled before turning and walking out, back to the living room.

"Well if she didn't already, I think Azzi knows." I laugh turning to Paige.

She pulls me out of the view of the door, "I trust Azzi." She says pressing a short quick kiss to my lips, neither of us daring to deepen it incase another one of her roommates walked in.

I managed to leave Paiges apartment with no more questions asked and left her to explain to Azzi what she'd interpreted.

Saturday slipped quietly away in a mix of alone time and relaxed small talk with my roommates. We were all lounging around our living room, each occupying a corner of the couch, phones in hand.

Kelsey was playing TikToks out loud occasionally turning her phone to the rest of us when there was a video we 'needed to see'.

I was texting Paige, us both excited about seeing each other later on that night. After a talk with her best friend, it was concluded that Azzi did in fact know that there was something going on between us. She had noticed Paige slipping out of the apartment at random times, not returning for hours and her sudden uninsterest to do things she would usually never say no to. Paige reiterated that she trusted Azzi and if she did, I did too.

are you going to tell kelsey?

idk

i feel pretty bad, with our pact and all

kelseys cool

im sure she'd understand

im just too irresistible to keep a promise like that

ha ha.

im not sure what id even tell her

wdym?

well the pact was to stay single

im not your girlfriend?

oh

dont be like that

like what?

dont make me feel bad for questioning what we are

we're getting to know each other like we said

you suggested it

i know, im enjoying it

you also agreed

me too

like a lot

lets talk about this when we're together

ok

I felt bad saying that I wasn't Paiges girlfriend so bluntly but it was the truth and it didn't mean I wasn't committed to her and only her because I was. Clarity on the situation would be nice but Paige was right, we were still getting to know each other at my suggestion to do so.

Yesterday marked one month since we'd met so it made sense that we were still taking things slow but something in me deep down felt like I'd known Paige longer than four weeks.

I was pulled from my thoughts as Madison asked everyone what they planned on wearing to the party and the discussion quickly escalated into a full blown planning session. Outfits, hair and makeup all being a topic.

Paige

"Well she's right. She's not your girlfriend." Azzi said matter-of-factly from her place at the end of my bed.

I had shown my best friend the texts between me and Lily hoping for some good ol' Azzi wisdom.

"I know that but it still hurt to read it. Do you think she's talking to other people?" I ask propping myself up on my elbow so I could look at my friend properly.

"From what you've told me, I don't think she has the time! Y'all spend all your free time together." She pointed out and she was right, if Lily wasn't with me she was either in class or at work and I knew that for a fact because I frequently drove her there wanting to spent as much time with the girl as possible.

"Do you want her to be your girlfriend?"

I hadn't thought about it but I supposed I did, I was just extremely aware what it would come with. Not just a million questions from our friends but also the media and I had a college career to think about it. I knew being with Lily officially wouldn't jeopardise my basketball in anyway but the pressure of a public relationship was something I'd never dealt with before and if I was honest, it scared me.

"Eventually, yes." I admit now fully sitting up on my bed.

"OK, so if you know where it's headed, don't stress the journey Paige."

"I want her to know I'm serious though."

"Then tell her, it's that simple."

Azzi was right, she always was, unfortunately.

Azzi and I spent the rest of the afternoon preparing the apartment for our arranged pre drinks. We did a Target run for supplies and picked up a crazy amount of liquor.

"A party on campus means no DD." Azzi triumphed as we packed several crates of beer and bottles of spirits into my trunk.

If we were ever out drinking off campus, a few of the team always stayed sober to ensure we would make it home safe but that didn't need to happen tonight, the party was in walking distance.

"Music to my ears." I say as we climb back into the car.

"So you're going to let loose for once?"

I almost always volunteered to be a DD, mainly to save myself from deathly hangovers the next morning but also because drunk Paige got very messy, very quickly especially when cameras were around and my teammates had a love of livestreaming.

"Dirty Shirleys all night." I smirked beginning our short drive back to campus to begin getting ready.

I also think a little dutch courage wouldn't go amiss when it came to telling Lily that I was locked in when it came to us.

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

Lily

For the first time since meeting her, I was nervous to see Paige. Our text conversation earlier in the day weighed heavy on my mind. She wanted to talk about us when we saw each other but I'm not sure a frat house party was the best setting for such a loaded topic. Even though she had reassured me that she was enjoying what we had going on - whatever it was - there was still a voice in the back of my mind that told me I wasn't good enough for Paige.

"Lils, are you ready?" Madison asked peeking her head into my bedroom as I spritzed my favourite perfume on my wrists and collarbones.

"Yep! Coming now." I replied, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, my phone, wallet and keys nestled perfectly inside.

I checked my outfit one last time in my full length mirror, I had gone for a simple black mini skirt and white baby tee with some black boots and an oversized leather jacket, before joining my roommates in the living room.

"You guys look amazing!" I complemented seeing my friends fully ready for tonight's party.

"Says you!" Hannah responds, "Paige is going to be like a dog with a bone!"

I look to Kelsey as she says this to gauge her reaction. I had told Paige I would tell her about us but hadn't had the chance to yet. I didn't want to disappoint her at my lack of loyalty to our pact, our friendship meant a lot to me.

"I'm sure Paige has lots of bones." I say trying to play off Hannahs comment but just voicing that made me recoil. The thought of Paige with anyone else the way I'd been with her made me want to hurl.

"And she'd be crazy to not choose you. You're for sure the juiciest." Kelsey quips playfully smacking my ass and we all laugh.

My friends relaxed demeanour about the topic of me and Paige put my anxious thoughts at ease.

"OK, enough with the bone metaphors, lets go!" Madison piped up, leading us out of the door.

Kelsey and I walked together behind Hannah and Madison as we made our way across campus to the girls' apartment for pre drinks.

"What's up?" She asks, nudging me gently. I'd not said a word so far, trying to work out the right ones.

"So..." I begin, "I've kinda been hanging out with Paige a lot recently."

She gasps dramatically, hands over her chest, "Really? I would have never guessed."

I look at her seriously, has it been that obvious?

"Are you mad?"

"Mad? About how long it's taken you to tell me? Yes."

"But our pact...our bracelets...I don't want you to think-"

"Girl, those bracelets cost me like $2, don't sweat it." She says placing a reassuring hand on my arm.

"Really?"

"Really. Besides, I don't know who I was fooling telling myself I'd be single an entire semester. I'm already so bored, I got a job!" She laughs.

"This wasn't my intention, it just kind of happened naturally and the more time we spend together, the more I'm realising how much I actually like Paige." I confess.

"OK lover girl, you've got a lot to catch me up on tomorrow!" She says as we reach our destination.

We take the elevator to Paiges floor, my roommates following behind me as I navigate us to the front door brandishing a number 9 and open it, letting us into the apartment.

"You can tell shes done this before." Kelsey comments and I turn around giving her a cheeky smirk.

"Hey girly pops!" KK greets us as we step inside, taking her time to hug us all.

Azzi and Ice are soon at our sides too, shot glasses in there hands, extended in our direction, "Shots on entry!" Ice announces and I take the small glass and swallow its content.

My eyes scan the room seeing the rest of the team. Jana, Caroline and Kayla are pouring drinks in the kitchen. Ines, Amari, Nika, Aubrey and Aaliyah are huddled around the table focused on some sort of drinking game that involved guessing what number one of them was thinking of. The others were scattered around engrossed in conversation. Everyone was in the living room apart from Paige.

"She's in her room." KK says into my ear as if reading my mind, "You know where that is."

"Thanks KK." I say to the girl as I make my way to Paiges bedroom.

It seems like Paige and I had been quite naive in thinking our movements had gone unnoticed.

"Hello, little miss unsocial." I smile leaning against the door frame.

Paiges head flicks up from her phone in a swift movement at the sound of my voice.

"Hello, little miss..." She looks me up and down and I blush under her gaze. "...hottie. Come here." She motions for me to join her as she stands up from the edge of her bed and I do.

She pulls me into a hug, both her arms slipping around my waist and mine going around her neck, her lips press to my neck and I melt at the sensation.

Suddenly any nerves I had about seeing Paige had disappeared and I don't know why they were there in first place because she has this way of making me feel like nothing bad exists in the world.

"Who are you looking so good for?" She asks, her voice low and husky.

"Oh, I don't know. There's this girl I'm getting to know." I say referencing our earlier texts, hoping to probe Paige into a conversation.

My hopes are answered with her response.

"Lily, I want to tell you that you're the only girl I'm getting to know. You're the only girl I want to know." She tells me, her hands moving from my waist to hold both of mine. Her words were rushed but no less clear and her signature, intense eye contact told me it was genuine.

A smile spread on my face as I processed what Paige had just said.

"P-"

"If you're talking to other people, that's fine." She cuts me off.

"P, you're the only girl I want to know too. Since you shook my hand in the gym, that first day we met, you've been the only girl."

"So you're not talking to anyone else?"

I laugh, "No, I'm not."

"Good because I lied, it wouldn't be fine." She says truthfully and I laugh again at her serious expression.

"How many drinks have you had?" I ask her smiling, now that I'm looking in her eyes, it's clear she's had a few.

"Two, maybe three. I was kinda nervous." She admits, breaking her eyes away from mine and looking down.

"You don't have to be nervous with me." I say lifting her face, my hand staying on her jaw, "I'm all in." I declare before leaning in and connecting our lips. She kisses me back passionately, her hands finding my hips and digging in pulling me closer to her, our bodies pressing against each other.

"All in." She says breathlessly as we break away and we both take each other in for a moment, big smiles of both our faces.

"Ever had a Dirty Shirley?" She asks smirking.

"Never."

"Oh, let me introduce you."

She grabs my hand and leads me out of her bedroom.

Our moment alone made me forget that everyone was just a room away and multiple sets of eyes fell on us as we emerged hand in hand in the living room. Paige didn't seem to notice or care as she continued to lead me to the kitchen.

I locked eyes with Kelsey who was stood beside Azzi, both girls grinning cheesily, and she shot me an exaggerated wink.

Gone were the days of sneaking around.

An ungodly amount of alcohol was consumed in the girls apartment in preparation for the party and it was safe to say we were beginning to feel the effects.

"Can you walk straight and stop bumping into me!" Ice barged KK away from her as we made our way to the frat house.

"I am walking straight!" KK argued but from my view from behind the girls, it was clear she was not at all walking straight.

"OK kids, stop arguing." Kayla fake scolds, pushing herself in between Ice and KK in a attempt to stop them bickering.

I laugh at the girls and the seemingly mundane moment but being here, with them, means the world to me after losing my old friends in the worst way possible.

"You good?" Paige asks me, her arm rested comfortably over my shoulders.

I hum in response and nod my head.

"Why you so quiet then pretty girl?"

"Trying to make sure I can walk in a straight line! Those Dirty Shirleys got me good!" I laughed.

"You know I've got the best taste!" Paige bragged and the once distant sound of music grew closer as we turned a corner.

"Well, I mean yeah, you do have the best taste." I joke motioning down at myself cockily.

"Damn right." Paige agrees, removing her arm from my shoulder and slipping her hand into mine as we enter the frat house.

The house was absolutely packed with people in every room and the music was so loud I could feel the bass in my chest.

"Drinks!" Jana ordered pointing over to the makeshift bar - a kitchen island laden with various different glass bottles, stacks of red solo cups and buckets of ice.

Paige poured us what she called 'Dirty Shirleys on the go' because they didn't have her usual ingredients but she refused to drink anything else.

Most of the girls dispersed in different directions once we each had drinks in our hands but I stayed with Paige, Azzi and Aubrey and we found ourselves next in line to play beer pong.

Paige

Lily and I had taken the L in beer pong and were being forced to drink a concoction of everyones drink mixed together as our forfeit.

"Ugh! That tastes like shit!" She exclaimed, her words slurred as she swallowed down the cocktail, her face screwed up in disgust.

"I'm not doing it." I prostest, my words equally as slurred as Lilys and I cross my arms over my chest refusing to take the cup from Azzi.

"Stop being a sore loser Bueckers!" Aubrey chimed in.

"I'm not! I just don't want to throw up." The mix of shots, multiple Dirty Shirleys and now beer was already enough to make my stomach churn.

"P, there's no way I just did that and you're not going to." Lily chimes in now, hands on her hips, staring me down.

"You're really going to let your girl do that by herself?" Azzi smirks knowing that will get the better of me.

"No...hand it over." I say defeated, taking the cup from Azzi and downing the liquid inside.

"That's fucking nasty!"

"Here, wash it down with that." Lily says handing me my original cup containing my favourite drink.

The sweetness of the Shirley Temple counteracted the harshness of the alcohol mix.

"This is my favourite song!" Lily did a small jump on the spot before disappearing off into the crowd of college kids to make her way closer to the booming speakers.

I followed after the petite girl, knowing how drunk she was and not wanting her to be alone in a frat house full of random people.

It didn't take me long to catch up with her and I admired the girl from afar - who somehow already had another drink in her hand. She moved effortlessly, her hips swaying to the rhythm of the music, her hands held above her head as she sang along to the lyrics.

"Come here!" She called over the music beckoning me to come closer.

I take the few steps needed to close the space between us and Lily latches onto my waist, still dancing until our bodies are moving as one.

We stayed dancing, our hands all over each other as if we're not surrounded by a fuck tonne of other people. People that probably know who I am. People that definitely have social media and could post about what they were witnessing, but I didn't care. Lily was mine and I was hers and I didn't care who knew.

Our moment came to an abrupt halt when Lily stopped moving and shot me a panicked look, "What's wrong?" I ask confused.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

I grab her hand and quickly manoeuvre us out of the crowded room and into the front yard. There's a trash can on the lawn and Lily rushes to it, bending over the barrel and throwing up. I hold back her hair to keep it out of the firing line.

She looks up at me with watery eyes, "I think I had one too many Dirty Shirleys." She murmurs, hands resting of the edge of the trash can to steady herself.

"And the rest." I joke still holding her hair back, out of her face.

"Home?" I sympathetically ask the defeated girl and she nods.

I sit Lily on the porch steps while I go back into the party to let everyone know we're leaving. Kelsey was preoccupied with someone I recognised from the soccer team and Ice reassured me that her and the other girls would make sure she made it home safely.

I get back to Lily and she's exactly where I left her, her head rested on the porch beam, eyes closed. Even though she was extremely drunk and had just thrown up she still looked angelic as ever with the moonlight reflecting on her face, lighting up her features.

I felt bad disturbing her but we had to get home, my apartment was closest so we headed there. I kept my hand securely round her waist as I lead us away from the party.

"Do you feel like you're going to be sick again?" I ask Lily as we enter my apartment, the remnants of our pre drinks still scattered across the living room.

"No, I think I'm good now." She says softly.

I take her into my bathroom, "Stay there." I tell her and she salutes me.

I go into my bedroom and find a t-shirt and shorts for her to wear.

When I return to the bathroom, Lily's perched on the vanity attempting to remove her makeup with whatever she found, her mascara is smudged around her eyes making her resemble a panda and I laugh.

"Some help would be nice." She says handing me the cotton pad soaked in makeup remover.

I take it and she opens her legs, giving me space to move into so I can reach her. Her hands rest on my shoulders as I drag the cotton round across her face removing the last of her makeup.

"There, all done." I say placing the dirty cotton rounds down.

"Thank you Paigey." Lily coos, her hands moving from my shoulders to cup my face, "You're so pretty." She says, her eyes locked onto mine, "Have I ever told you that?"

"You've mentioned it." I smile at the drunk girl from the space inbetween her legs.

"And I mean it, you're like the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

"You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen, Lily Kent." I tell her, my hands now rested on her thighs.

"Even when I'm throwing up?" She pouts.

"Even when you're throwing up." I assure her.

I leave Lily to change into my clothes and I undress myself before getting into bed.

"I think you're just a little bit taller than me." She says emerging from the bathroom my clothes, that fit me perfectly, hanging oversized on her small frame.

"You look cute, now come get in bed." I tell her opening my arms for her to fit into like she has done so many times before.

"At least take me on a date first, Bueckers." She jokes climbing into bed next to me, her head instinctively finding my chest and arm falling over my stomach.

"Oh, I plan on." I say before pressing a kiss to Lily's head, "I'm all in."

"All in." She replies sleepily.

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

Paige

Basketball season was fast approaching. The one month countdown to our first game was on so it was safe to say my schedule was busy. Between training, workouts, classes and work, I barely had time to do anything else. But I wasn't complaining.

I had worked hard over the summer getting as fit and healthy as possible to ensure I'd have an injury free junior year and I felt positive about it as it neared.

Now that everyone knew about me and Lily, it was easy for us to spend time with each other. If she wasn't at my apartment, I was at hers. She'd often sit in on the end of sessions so we could grab lunch together afterwards. I'd meet her after classes and we'd walk home or to the library. Sleepovers we a regular occurrence too, in fact it felt more normal when Lily was snuggled into me than when she wasn't.

Everyone in real life had grown accustomed to me and Lily but we kept things pretty lowkey on social media, never addressing the situation. We'd post a random Instagram story together here and there and we'd both appeared in each others photo dumps over the past few weeks. Lily and I decided this was best for now, she had made it clear that she didn't want to be at the mercy of my one million plus followers and I understood that perfectly. The internet had a funny way of jumping to conclusions and creating rumours and drama out of nothing and I would do everything I could to protect Lily from that.

Of course people had figured something was going on between us pretty quickly, between the minimal photos posted, Instagram comments and infamous Tiktok lives, it was hard to conceal what was really going on. But ultimately, we had nothing to hide, just our peace to protect. Our relationship was private, not a secret and that suited us.

It was Wednesday evening, I had just finished training and checked my phone before leaving the facilities to head home, Lily had text me letting me know that she was wrapping up her day working with the soccer team. They had played a match today and Lily was needed for post match interviews and behind the scenes content during the game.

Selfishly, I was jealous that Lily worked with other teams and not just mine but I knew how much she loved soccer and there was nothing better than seeing Lily happy.

I texted Lily back telling her I'd pick her up from the soccer field and I got in my car and drove the few minutes it took to get there.

"Hi pretty girl." I beamed as Lily climbed into my passenger seat. Any tiredness or irritability that had built up throughout the day completely diminished at the site of the brown haired girl.

"Hi P." She smiled back leaning her body over the centre console and kissing me.

I will never get bored of that.

"How was your day?" I asked as I began the short drive back to the apartments.

"It was good! I've missed watching soccer so it was fun to be with the team today - they're all so nice too. I like them a lot!" Lily said clearly happy at how her day had gone.

"Not as much as you like me, I hope." I joke with her and quickly glance in her direction to find her brown eyes already focused on me.

"Paige Bueckers, there isn't anyone in the entire state of Connecticut that I like as much as you." She says extending her arm to rest her hand on my thigh.

I smile at the simple sign of affection and switch to driving with one hand so I can link my other with Lilys.

"So who have I got to worry about in other states?"

"Oh I don't know, Billie Eilish is walking around somewhere in LA just waiting for me to step foot in California." She jokes.

"Is she your celebrity crush?" I ask realising we've never had this conversation.

"She was." She says simply.

"What happened?"

"I met you." She replies shooting me a small smile, eyes hooded as she looks up from her slouched position.

"Lily Kent, are you flirting with me?" I ask smirking, bringing the car to a halt outside my apartment block.

"It doesn't work when you point it out Paige." She huffs, rolling her eyes at me.

"Oh my bad, my bad!" I say in exaggerated apology, "Go again." I encourage.

She looks as if she about to argue but she doesn't.

"I met you." She repeats, the same hooded eyes looking up at me and this time instead of saying anything, I grab her face with both hands and press my lips to hers.

Lily giggles into the kiss before deepening it, her hand finding the back of my neck.

My phone, still connected to my cars bluetooth, abruptly brought us back to reality as my ringtone blasted through the speakers. Glancing at my car's display screen, I could see it was KK calling.

"Hey whats up?"

"Where are you?"

"Outside the apartment, in my car."

"Perfect! Stay there, I'm coming and we're going to Target to get Tru Fru!"

Before I could even argue with KK, I heard the door close letting me know she had already left the apartment.

"Looks like we're going to Target." I say to Lily and she seemed pretty content with our impromptu trip.

We had nothing planned for the evening, like most nights, we were just going to watch TV and have dinner together and maybe (almost definitely), Lily would end up staying over.

KK bundled into the back seat of my car and proceeded to rant the whole way to Target about how much she craved Trü Frü and how she needed every flavour and how once we got back into the car with our haul she is going to livestream a tatsetest.

Lily

KK, Paige and I had enough Trü Frü in our hands to feed the entirety of UConn.

"This has got to be enough!" Paige exclaimed as she struggled to balance the multiple tubs and packets making me laugh and then in turn I also stuggled to balance my load.

We should have got a cart.

"This is for sure enough, KK." I agreed with Paige.

"Wait, one more Piña Colada packet! Ice will like those." She says opening the large freezer with one hand and grabbing yet another pack of the frozen, chocolate covered fruit.

We carefully made out way to the checkouts each of us doing our best not to drop anything. KK paid, of course, and we left the store with three bags full of the frozen treats.

Getting back into the car, we took our respective seats, Paige in the drivers seat, me in the passenger and KK in the back.

"Y'all cool if we do some taste tests on live?" KK asked peeking her face between me and Paige, elbows rested on the console.

Paige looked to me with raised brows as if to say 'your call' and I nodded, I didn't mind.

I had been in a few of the girls' livestreams since becoming friends with them but I'd always remained pretty silent, almost like a background character. There had of course been questions about me and Paige but as a group, we ignored them and let everyone wonder.

"Here." KK hands me her phone, the live button waiting to be pressed and I prop it up on Paiges dashboard.

Paige leans over and starts the livestream and it doesn't take long for the viewer count to reach the hundreds and comments to come flying in.

The camera pointed slightly more in Paiges direction with her being almost centre of the frame and KK over her left shoulder, I sat half out of the shot, leaning in.

KK addressed her live and introduced me, "This is Lily y'all. You've seen her before." She says and I send a small wave to the camera, "Hi." And I watch as comment after comment comes in.

"Be nice." Paige interjects pointing her finger at the screen.

'hi lily!'

'how do you know the team?'

'so pretty'

'PAIGE'

'ok boom'

'her and paige for sure dating'

KK starts of her taste test and hands us each a piece of the chocolate covered fruit. We start with strawberry - my personal favourite - before making our way through five different flavours. We rank them from best to worst, bickering every now and then when we didn't agree with each other.

"Theres no way you're putting raspberry above blueberry." Paige shook her head in disbelief and I looked at KK in shock, "Yes we are."

"We already allowed you to put peach at number three when it should have been four." KK continues defending our opinion.

"I can't believe you're not backing me here, you love blueberries!" Paige says looking at me.

I hold my hands up in defence, I do love blueberries, "But raspberries are better."

"Unbelievable." She huffs knowing shes outnumbered.

I laugh and reach out a sympathetic hand and place it on Paiges shoulder, "It's OK to be wrong babe." I say and as the words leave my mouth, realisation hits and all three of our heads snap towards the propped up phone.

As if we're frozen, we all stare at the live stream and the influx of comments.

'OMG'

'yall heard that too?'

'BABE?'

'i knew it!'

'damn lily is lucky'

KK is the first to speak, "Alright..." She says bringing herself forward to be inline with me and Paige, "not too much on my girls now." She reaches out and grabs her phone bringing it close to her face so its just her in the frame, "Love y'all! Bye live!" And she ends the stream.

"I'm so sorry!" I blurt slapping a hand over my mouth. I look at Paige and her expression is hard to read until she breaks a smile and bursts out laughing, "It's fine, Lily." She says pulling me into a hug over the console.

"It's just force of habit." I say referring to the pet name.

"It's fine," She says again, this time looking into my eyes, "everyone's going to find out eventually, you're just...speeding up the process." She jokes, squeezing my hand in reassurance.

"Y'all sorry to break it you but you are not slick. You didn't fool anyone with your sneaking around so I doubt you're fooling anyone else, especially with those IG comments." KK remarks from the backseat and Paige and I laugh.

The devil works hard but fan pages work harder. By the time we're back at the girls' apartment, not only had all of my roommates sent me screen recordings of my slip up but Azzi and Nika had practically knocked us over as we walked through the door.

"Y'all couldn't be lowkey if you tried." Nika laughed as we all sat on the couches, KK proudly packing her Trü Frü into the freezer.

"We're starting to realise that." I say looking towards Paige who sat slouched behind me.

"I don't think there'll be much backlash," Azzi says, "people want you together at this point!" She continues to scroll through her phone, "Look." She turns her screen towards me and Paige and an edit of us to Taylor Swift - False God played.

Clips had been taken from livestreams, including tonight's, videos from our stories and even a few moments from the open training when Marcus and I interviewed Paige and they had been edited together with a screenshot of mine or Paiges comments on each other posts appearing every few seconds.

I blushed watching the short video and turned to Paige with red cheeks. Her hand had been toying with the hem of my shirt and her fingers gently grazing across the bottom of my back, she extended her arm out and wrapped it around my waist pulling me to her. My back was flush with her chest and I was completely encased in her arms now, "Looks like they love you already." She says into my ear before pressing a kiss to my temple.

"I hope so." I say back genuinely wanting to be liked by Paige's fans.

"They'll see how happy you make me and they'll have no choice to love you." She says pushing us up off the couch so we're standing.

We both had had long days and it was getting late and I could tell Paige was tired so it came as no surprise to me when she asked if I wanted to order Chipotle and watch Greys Anatomy.

"What are you doing on Saturday?" Paige asks as we brush our teeth, getting ready for bed.

With a mouthful of toothpaste, I shrug my shoulders.

"Well don't make any plans." I look at her confused, "I'm taking you on a date." She says proudly.

I spit the toothpaste out of my mouth and grin up at the blonde haired girl, "Really?"

"Yes, really and its a surprise so no questions." She tells me and I pout.

"Don't give me that face pretty girl." She says as she takes my hand and leads me back to her bedroom.

"But how will I know what to wear." I protest.

"You always look good, it doesn't matter." She says far to casually for my liking.

"How about a clue?" I prod giving Paige my best pout and fluttering eyelashes combo.

"How about you come lay down and watch Greys with me? This is one of my favourite episodes." She says from her place on her bed where she was laying, one hand behind her head and the other outstretched to me.

I give in and shuffle myself over to Paige and lay next to her. Her arm instinctively wraps around me and pulls me closer, so close I can smell the minty toothpaste she just used.

As we watch the episode I can see why it's one of Paiges favourites.

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

[sgtcalhouns]

Hand in Hand

Tamora involves Felix in her evening self-care.

the bbs are fighting in the fresh start au so i hopped over to the mechanic au to fill my heart's desire for fluff. enjoy!

“How was your shower?” Felix asked.

Tamora had just emerged from her bedroom, hair still damp as she sat down beside him on the couch. 

“Good,” she answered. “Took a while, but I think I got all the grease out from under my nails.” 

With a contented sigh, he leaned into her side as she opened a small jar and swiped some of the creamy substance inside on the tip of her finger. Felix watched as she spread it over her hands and rubbed them together, slowly working it into her skin. 

“No wonder your hands are so soft,” he commented. 

She smiled softly in response. He was always making comments about how soft her skin was, especially in comparison to the rough calluses that covered his hands from years of handiwork. His hands would be just as soft as hers if he committed to using hand cream on a daily basis, but she knew he never would. Constantly busy in the service of his friends and neighbors, his hands were simply too busy for regular pampering. As she finished her task, this realization gave her an idea. 

“C’mere,” she murmured, reaching for his hand. He let her pull it into her lap with no resistance. 

Silently, Felix observed as she dipped her finger back into the jar of hand cream. But this time, she turned her attention to his hand instead of her own. His confusion lasted only a moment before it dawned on him that she was including him in this part of her nightly routine. She took her time massaging the lotion first into his palm and then slowly up each finger. Knowing how worn and weary his hands often were, she took the opportunity to gently knead her thumbs into his skin, massaging his tired muscles. 

Without warning, a rush of warmth flooded his body. This wasn’t a sweeping romantic gesture, it was simple and understated, but the simplicity was just what made it so impactful. Tamora was not outwardly emotional, expressing her feelings through action rather than telling him how she felt. As her delicate fingers showered him with affection, he realized that she saw him. She saw through the facade he presented to the world of a capable, reliable man who would drop everything to lend a hand. Someone who didn’t have needs of his own, who couldn’t be bothered with a quiet moment of self care. She saw him and she decided that if he wasn’t going to take care of himself, she was going to do it for him. 

In his chest bloomed a deep affection he wasn’t quite brave enough to name. He glanced up at her, smiling to himself at the quiet focus on her face. She often sported a similar expression at work, and his heart swelled to see it now, when her attention was on him. Her eyes flitted down to his, and she flicked her gaze toward his other hand and then back at him. Before he could think to tamp down his excitement, he nodded eagerly, and she smiled. 

Taking him by surprise, she wrapped her arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer into her side to give her better access to his opposite hand. Felix heaved a dreamy sigh and melted into her embrace. He felt Tamora chuckle at the display, but he couldn’t bring himself to feel embarrassed by his contentment. 

“Does that feel good?” she asked in amusement. 

He hummed in response, struggling to form a more coherent response as she began massaging his other hand. There were so many feelings fluttering in his chest that he couldn’t begin to identify them all. It reminded him of the first time their hands touched; there had been something so startling about the intimacy back then, but the moment promptly upgraded his crush on Tamora to something deeper. By the time he left the garage that day, he was completely taken with her. They had come a long way in the short time since then, and he would always look back on those days fondly. 

“D’you remember when we first met, that time you ran your fingers over the palm of my hand?” he asked. “I still get shivers when I think about it.”

“You mean that time I smashed your fingers in a car hood and was checking you over for broken bones?” she replied, massaging lotion up those very same fingers. 

“That was the first time we ever held hands,” he nodded.

“I was holding an ice pack against your knuckles.”

“It still counts.”

They laughed for a moment at his ridiculous romanticization of what most would consider to be a traumatic memory. As she finished doting on his hands, she wrapped her arms around Felix and leaned against him. Thrilled that she hadn’t ended the embrace, he wrapped his arms around her middle, noticing for the first time how his hands felt with lotion on them. 

“Wow, my hands feel so soft now,” he commented. “Not as soft as yours, though.”

He leaned up to press a kiss to her cheek. 

“You know,” she teased, “they could be as soft as mine if you put lotion on every day.”

He took stock of his current circumstances: he was wrapped up in the arms of the woman he adored, feeling more cared for than anyone had ever made him feel. There wasn’t anything he wanted to change about this moment in time.

“I could,” he conceded. “But I have to be honest… I really like the way you do it.”

[candycryptids]

Smash or Pass (OC) Tangy Tangeroos

Rules: pretty self explanatory. include physical descriptions or pics, and propaganda. the “other” label can be used for “sexuality misalignment” (ie: oc is femme and you’re gay, vice versa or you aren’t into smashing but a specific thing you wanna do with them like perhaps hug or study them under a microscope idc). Tagged by @selnyam and @cindernet-explorer I tag @archaiclumina @becquerelnoir @hazelkjt and uh! @sjofn-lofnsdottr [But only if you want to! There's no pressure ^v^ also if you see this and wanna do it and I didn't tag you... take it as an excuse to do it and tag me anyways ;P]

Quick Facts: height: 199cm/6'5 age: 20 Gender: Woman+ (identifies as Cis, but through external shenanigans has technically physically transitioned. Twice. OOC, What’s in her pants NOW is a Schrödinger situation.) Sexuality: for simplicities sake, Queer, Pansexual Pronouns: She/Her/Dude/Sir

Pros:

Won’t judge you for your clutter or mess, she’s the same way!

Easy to please with the little things! You picked her dandelions on the way to see her? She’s delighted!

Not a picky eater! She’ll eat anywhere and anything.

Willing to try anything at least twice!

Not afraid to stand up for you/your friend if someone is outwardly rude. She’s very protective!

Will bring you gifts “just because” (she saw it and thought of you)

Knows Revenant’s Toll like the back of her paw and will show you the coolest views

Cons:

Stubborn; if she decides she can’t do/learn something, it’s very difficult to change her mind on it.

Won’t dress up for fancy dates unless someone else dresses her

Really bad at ‘monogamy’ and closed relationships in general; sees sex as something to feel good and bond with friends/loved ones, not necessarily an exclusive action.

Constantly nearly-broke, so she can’t pay for your dates, even if she WANTS to.

Isn’t always self-aware of her size/weight and will squish you by laying against/on you

Her protective nature makes her reckless and she will act without considering your own abilities to protect yourself. See Also; Separation anxiety

Sheds orange fur on your furniture/clothes

Details:

Has both Dyscalculia+Dyslexia, and reads out loud. Struggles heavily with math more advanced than basic addition and subtraction. Small print is the devil.

Loves the Moonfire Faire, when they set up the parkour course!

Doesn’t seem to get sick, and doesn’t scar at all. Strangely durable. Can’t get drunk, but all doesn’t drink alcohol (or enjoy it).

Purrs audibly, and often. Loves being around people uwu

Is a total cuddler/generally physically affectionate cat with anyone deemed even just a friend.

Doesn’t like food waste, and will either eat what’s left on your plate if it can’t be saved for later in some way. (Or feed it to Meatball, if it’s salad! He’s a growing Buffalo!)

A bit clumsy, but prioritizes the integrity/safety of whatever she’s holding over her own self (I.e; if holding phone and fell into a river, will fall worse to make sure the phone is held upwards and out of the water entirely. Or; if holding boxes of pizza, will fall with more damage to self to hold them steady and not drop them/spill them)

Romantically; The line between “friendship” and “romantic” is an extremely blurry line that might as well not be there for her. She’s also not looking for a romantic relationship, and is rather happy continuing like that. Affection/Love is freely given and communicated without expectation of reciprocation, and certainly not commitment.

Sexually; Wants a partner to feel good in the way they like. Eager to please, does well as a Service Top, doesn’t participate much in BDSM. The exception to willing to try anything twice; does not want to hurt her partner in bed, even if they’d like it.

[sugarsnappeases]

KARAAAA BARTYLILY LIBRARY FIC PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE-

LAURIE MY LOVELY YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT FROM ME ANYTIME YOU WANT!!!!!!

bartylily library is my silly little fic which i think about constantly and which is probs like. one of the most ambitious things i've ever decided to write.... it has Chapters.... i'm so bad at Chapters. but i love her anyway. she stems from this post i made in like december and she's been stewing beautifully in my head and has developed a lot since then so this post is just gonna be like. general deranged rambling lol

so. lily's coming back to her volunteering job at the library in her hometown after having been away at uni (she's second year, just finished the spring term and she's studying english lit). the library has always been a Big Part of her life, she would visit literally at least once a week and not just to get books but also for all the events that they put on like craft things and holiday clubs and film nights and the like.

and she's been volunteering there for the last five years, since she was fifteen, bc like. obviously she has. it's a bit of like trying to please her parents and demonstrate how responsible and brilliant she is, but also just the inevitable next step for a girl who semi-grew up in the library, but also something that will look good on her cv, but also something simple, easy, uncomplicated. it's a routine that she knows like the back of her hand, it's something into which she can fall after how intensely stressful her terms at uni are and something to which she can escape from the whole Petunia Scenario going on at home. and she's good at it and she loves it and she needs it.

this holiday. however. there's an Issue in the shape of one Bartemius Crouch Junior. who literally couldn't care a whit about the library or lily's routine or the ease and simplicity that she's been craving all term. he's a Nuisance. a Menace. a Bother. and he's ruining her life and she hates him but he's also an Enigma. and lily has always liked studying. analysing things. pulling apart words and actions. it's literally what she does for her degree.

also. as shown in the snippet i just posted, lily's trying to hold onto the hope that she can fix him and set the library to rights again but this doesn't really last very long bc he's just so entirely resistant to any attempt on her part to change him. like she's showing him seven times that these books go here, it's easy, it's dewey decimal, and yet he still insists on putting them in the wrong place and she knows he's just trying to rile her up and it's working bc he's just SO infuriating!!

but then also on top of that he's so Interesting!! like he's so charming, a little outrageous but still charming, to all the library-goers and to madam pince (the main librarian), and she's watching him when he's wandering around the stacks and taking mental notes of and then going around and looking at all the books that he had paused and looked at, surreptitiously checking out the ones she hasn't read

and when she comes into study on wednesdays (bc she's lame and three days in the library per week is Not Enough) he's wandering over to bother her but also chatting w her about the things she's studying (which i've decided is gonna reflect what the english students at my uni (it's all i know!!!) study in the summer term of second year. which is shakespeare. so i'm gonna have to come up w lots of things to say about ol' shakesy p. haven't studied him since i did my a level so this could be interesting... i do think that the hardest part about this fic is gonna be the Intellectual Literature Conversations, which i think there are gonna be a few of, bc the literature i have intellectual things to say about nowadays is all in italian and decidedly unhelpful for lily's english lit degree. although i'm planning to bring up michelangelo at one point. i just can't help myself i'm sorry. they're gonna discuss the silkworm poem...)

anyway. they eventually kiss lol. in the back room of the library where lily is trying to lecture barty on how he can't just endlessly point the old men in the wrong direction bc if he isn't careful they'll keel over before they find the books they're looking for. yk the vibe. and then there's a lot of visits to the park right next door to the library. it has a little duck pond in it, if you were wondering. and they go to a gig. and he skives off from the library to hang out w her.

oh also! his community service is like. two months and he's been there for a month already so he's got four weeks left. and lily's holidays are five weeks so there's a little goodbye thing for him at the library when lily's still gonna be there for a week if that makes sense. and then he shows up again to visit on the next monday grinning at lily like 'did you miss me?' and then she skives off one day and they go to the cinema and like wander around the shopping centre and she goes to his flat and has to walk of shame it into the library the next day. it's all very like. normal. but lily's never really had that and she feels a little like she's a girl in an american rom-com getting swept off her feet. like she's a little giddy and it's so easy, simple, uncomplicated etc etc etc

and anyway then she goes back to uni x

seriously tho i think about them all the time and this fic is gonna be such a labour of love and i'm so so so so excited about it!!! hope this like. makes sense and is interesting thank you so much for asking i love youuu

[dailyanarchistposts]

A.2.10 What will abolishing hierarchy mean and achieve?

The creation of a new society based upon libertarian organisations will have an incalculable effect on everyday life. The empowerment of millions of people will transform society in ways we can only guess at now.

However, many consider these forms of organisation as impractical and doomed to failure. To those who say that such confederal, non-authoritarian organisations would produce confusion and disunity, anarchists maintain that the statist, centralised and hierarchical form of organisation produces indifference instead of involvement, heartlessness instead of solidarity, uniformity instead of unity, and privileged elites instead of equality. More importantly, such organisations destroy individual initiative and crush independent action and critical thinking. (For more on hierarchy, see section B.1 — “Why are anarchists against authority and hierarchy?”).

That libertarian organisation can work and is based upon (and promotes) liberty was demonstrated in the Spanish Anarchist movement. Fenner Brockway, Secretary of the British Independent Labour Party, when visiting Barcelona during the 1936 revolution, noted that “the great solidarity that existed among the Anarchists was due to each individual relying on his [sic] own strength and not depending upon leadership… . The organisations must, to be successful, be combined with free-thinking people; not a mass, but free individuals” [quoted by Rudolf Rocker, Anarcho-syndicalism, p. 67f]

As sufficiently indicated already, hierarchical, centralised structures restrict freedom. As Proudhon noted: “the centralist system is all very well as regards size, simplicity and construction: it lacks but one thing — the individual no longer belongs to himself in such a system, he cannot feel his worth, his life, and no account is taken of him at all.” [quoted by Martin Buber, Paths in Utopia, p. 33]

The effects of hierarchy can be seen all around us. It does not work. Hierarchy and authority exist everywhere, in the workplace, at home, in the street. As Bob Black puts it, ”[i]f you spend most of your waking life taking orders or kissing ass, if you get habituated to hierarchy, you will become passive-aggressive, sado-masochistic, servile and stupefied, and you will carry that load into every aspect of the balance of your life.” [“The Libertarian as Conservative,” The Abolition of Work and other essays, pp. 147–8]

This means that the end of hierarchy will mean a massive transformation in everyday life. It will involve the creation of individual-centred organisations within which all can exercise, and so develop, their abilities to the fullest. By involving themselves and participating in the decisions that affect them, their workplace, their community and society, they can ensure the full development of their individual capacities.

With the free participation of all in social life, we would quickly see the end of inequality and injustice. Rather than people existing to make ends meet and being used to increase the wealth and power of the few as under capitalism, the end of hierarchy would see (to quote Kropotkin) “the well-being of all” and it is “high time for the worker to assert his [or her] right to the common inheritance, and to enter into possession of it.” [The Conquest of Bread, p. 35 and p. 44] For only taking possession of the means of life (workplaces, housing, the land, etc.) can ensure “liberty and justice, for liberty and justice are not decreed but are the result of economic independence. They spring from the fact that the individual is able to live without depending on a master, and to enjoy … the product of his [or her] toil.” [Ricardo Flores Magon, Land and Liberty, p. 62] Therefore liberty requires the abolition of capitalist private property rights in favour of “use rights.” (see section B.3 for more details). Ironically, the “abolition of property will free the people from homelessness and nonpossession.” [Max Baginski, “Without Government,” Anarchy! An Anthology of Emma Goldman’s Mother Earth, p. 11] Thus anarchism promises “both requisites of happiness — liberty and wealth.” In anarchy, “mankind will live in freedom and in comfort.” [Benjamin Tucker, Why I am an Anarchist, p. 135 and p. 136]

Only self-determination and free agreement on every level of society can develop the responsibility, initiative, intellect and solidarity of individuals and society as a whole. Only anarchist organisation allows the vast talent which exists within humanity to be accessed and used, enriching society by the very process of enriching and developing the individual. Only by involving everyone in the process of thinking, planning, co-ordinating and implementing the decisions that affect them can freedom blossom and individuality be fully developed and protected. Anarchy will release the creativity and talent of the mass of people enslaved by hierarchy.

Anarchy will even be of benefit for those who are said to benefit from capitalism and its authority relations. Anarchists “maintain that both rulers and ruled are spoiled by authority; both exploiters and exploited are spoiled by exploitation.” [Peter Kropotkin, Act for Yourselves, p. 83] This is because ”[i]n any hierarchical relationship the dominator as well as the submissive pays his dues. The price paid for the ‘glory of command’ is indeed heavy. Every tyrant resents his duties. He is relegated to drag the dead weight of the dormant creative potential of the submissive all along the road of his hierarchical excursion.” [For Ourselves, The Right to Be Greedy, Thesis 95]

[disabilityhorizons]

Grip Toggle 4 Pack 2 Sizes - Simple suction tool that attaches to items to aid dexterity

The Grip Toggle provides enhanced grip and stability for individuals with hand-related conditions.

It features a suction cup or toggle mechanism for easy attachment to various objects.

To use the Grip Toggle, simply position the suction cup or place an item through the toggle to secure it

The suction cup creates a vacuum seal, while the toggle mechanism fastens tightly onto the object.

The Grip Toggle prevents objects from slipping or being dropped accidentally, allowing individuals to perform tasks with confidence.

It can be used with a wide range of objects, including utensils, tools, writing instruments, and doors and cupboards

The Grip Toggle’s attachment method offers versatility and ease of use.

Package contains 2 of the larger green Grip Toggles and 2 of the smaller blue Grip Toggles.

Scroll down to read more and see a video of the toggle in action.

Introducing Grip Toggle - the groundbreaking innovation in accessibility aids designed to transform the lives of individuals with limited hand dexterity. Say goodbye to struggles and hello to independence with this versatile tool that revolutionizes grip techniques.

Living with a condition that affects hand function can present unique challenges, making everyday tasks more difficult and painful. That's where the Grip Toggle comes in. Specifically designed to cater to a wide range of conditions, including EDS, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Arthritis, Arthritis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Fibromyalgia, De Quervain's syndrome, Arthrogryposis, and De Quervain Tenosynovitis, this innovative tool provides a secure grip on objects, revolutionizing the way individuals with hand-related conditions navigate their daily lives.

Grip Toggle provides a secure grip, ensuring control and comfort for those facing challenges with traditional gripping methods. Whether you have arthritis, a hand injury, or any condition affecting hand strength, Grip Toggle is here to make a difference in your daily activities.

What sets Grip Toggle apart is its simplicity. This user-friendly device attaches effortlessly to utensils, pens, or tools, instantly turning them into ergonomic wonders. Its adjustable design and non-slip surface offer a snug fit, promoting stability and reducing strain on the hand. Embrace a life free from frustration and regain your independence!

Examples of items you can use the grip toggle on:

Doors and Cupboards

Dishwashers

Laptops

Pens

Kitchen tools

Tooth brush and bathroom items

Any thing you can apply the suction cup or toggle to

Note: Please ensure the item is properly gripped and isn't too heavy. Please read the provided instructions on how to use the product safely

https://youtu.be/pRk2YBVSwCA

https://youtu.be/_YnVgKSOSvs

  "Using my the ring on my finger I was able to use the sucker to do some tasks more easily and one task I hadn't been able to to do at all. I've never been able to open the dishwasher door as my fingers can't grip the handle. I also found it useful for opening a drawer more easily. Also the door was easier to open. Drawers were easily too. I could also use it to reach further on the kitchen worktop, bringing an object forward (biscuit tin)."

Clare Edwards (Equip-Able)

http://disability-health-shop.myshopify.com/products/grip-toggle-4-pack-2-sizes-simple-suction-tool-that-attaches-to-items-to-aid-dexterity

[s0laceins0litude]

THE ART OF PORCO ROSSO

may 23rd ✸ p.26 may 24th ✸ p.36 clf6 //31 //37

"In fact, the man in this story willingly turned himself into a "pig"". p.9 // Marco turned himself into a pig to avoid war -- and be a hero of war.

The idea of two axies to a story, horizontal & vertical, where it 'plots its course' -- maybe like a graph?

"he wanted to portray both the pride, perserverance, and allure as well as the solitude & remorse of a "pig approaching middle age."" p.9

"first and foremost this is a comic film for exhausted middle-aged men." p.12 // This is hilarious. I can see I'm already that old & tired. I do feel like an exhausted middle-aged man. Maybe that's why this movie is my favorite.

"Each character is precious. We must cherish their stupidity, and all the portraits must be drawn with the utmost care." p.12

"THEY RIOT BECAUSE OF THE BURDEN THEY CARRY, AND THEIR SIMPLICITY IS A GIFT." p.12

"Several young female staff members were promoted as supervisors" p.19

They Shall Not Grow Old - Roald Dahl (short story)

""The Time of Cherries", a popular chanson during the Paris Commune (a revolutionary citizen's group formed during the French Revolution), was appropriate as Porco's favorite song' - Miyazaki, p.19 // I love myself a communist, romantic pig.

"the characters in Porco Rosso have "a solid sense of who they are". They do not develop in the story. Instead their actions & thoughts are clearly defined from the very beginning." p.31 // I think I really love the fact that these characters are unwavering, that they know themselves and that the story is not interested in changing them in the slightest. They are who they are, and they move against and with one another without changing themselves. I love characters who know what they want & need.

"Only Porco knows. He's been through a lot." - Miyazaki, p.81

On the Savoia S-21's tail are displayed Porco's political and cultural allegiances : his hometome Genoa's emblem and the R of Rupubblicans.

There's something about animation background art -- it's so empty and beautiful, it becomes almost haunting & liminal. You can hear silence looking at these images.

"Every innovative era seems very hopeful in its social outlook. Its innovations are appropriated into capital investment, national agendas and other interests and, as a result, they're corrupted." - Miyazaki, p.121 // I like that my favorite movie is made by an old grumpy retired communist. Not to pit it against Disney trash -- but somehow, to pit it. Oops.

"Still, I believe the exhilaration you get from flying is sincere. But I don't think it's necessarily great. You have to acknowledge that it's no big deal. If you don't then you'd never turned yourself into a pig because you'd think you were a hero." - Miyazaki, p.121

"CHANGE MY LOOKS BUT NOT MY HEART" -- Foreign sales brochure (flyer) cover, p.138

"This is how to be ace" p. 139/142

//I just think that being conscious of things not being a big deal is extremely precious & something I'd love to nurture. They can be good, and joyous, and make me happy -- but they don't need to be great at all.