#This has been sitting in my drafts for a while now so it's time to share

[gf2bellamy]

I had this idea while watching CM i just know you’re THE person to ask!! So i’m picturing established relationship with later seasons Reid and reader sees a pic of early seasons maybe his FBI badge or smth ? And she’s like gosh i wish i met you sooner and Spencer thinks she wouldn’t have liked him back then and she’s like bitch ???? i have this feeling that people started to find him more attractive after the prison trauma and i just want to give some love to early seasons reid like baby i would have smashed u in season 1

badge — spencer reid

pairing: spencer reid x fem!reader ( no use of y/n ) content warnings: established relationship, post!prison spencer a/n: hii !! loved this idea sooo much <3 because yes ! i would've literally thrown myself at s1 spencer

Spring cleaning.

It was something you had insisted on, and Spencer was reluctantly going along with it. You loved his apartment, with its cozy clutter and towering bookshelves, but there was a fine line between charmingly lived-in and needing intervention. Currently, you were seated cross-legged on the floor beside one of his many bookshelves, sorting through stacks of old files, loose papers, and, of course, more books than any one person could reasonably own.

Spencer was across from you, carefully removing each book from the lower shelf so he could dust beneath them.

You pulled out a well-worn novel, only to find four more identical copies tucked behind it. You held one up, raising an eyebrow. “Why do you have five different versions of the same book?”

Spencer barely glanced up from his task as he answered, “They’re all different special editions. That one—” He gestured vaguely toward the book in your hand. “—has annotations from the original editor. The one next to it has a foreword by a critic I like, and the third has alternate chapter endings that were cut from the final draft.”

You shook your head, amused. Only Spencer would need multiple copies of the same book. Flipping through the pages, you noticed scribbled notes in the margins.

“I haven’t read that one in ages,” Spencer admitted, suddenly abandoning his dusting to scoot closer to you. His knee bumped against yours as he leaned in, his fingers gently taking the book from your hands. He opened it to a random page, and his expression softened as he traced his old annotations with his fingertip.

A small, nostalgic smile tugged at his lips.

You watched him. His hair had fallen into his face again, obscuring his eyes as he focused on the text. You reached out, brushing the unruly strands behind his ear. He barely seemed to notice, too absorbed in the book, but his free hand caught yours, lifting it to his lips to press a quick, absentminded kiss to your knuckles before returning to his reading.

You bit back a laugh.

Of course.

You had come here to clean, and now Spencer was going to reread an entire novel instead. By the time you finished unloading the second shelf, he’d probably be done with it. You reached for a file that had been tucked between stacks of books on the second shelf. Curious, you opened it slowly, peeling back the cover to reveal its contents and then you froze.

"Oh my god."

Spencer, still absorbed in his book, didn’t even glance up as you carefully pulled out what you’d just discovered.

His old FBI badge.

You stared at it, lips parting in amusement. The photo showed a younger Spencer, his hair meticulously gelled to the side, so much more tamed than the unruly curls he had now. It was shorter, too, neatly styled in a way that looked almost foreign compared to the man currently sitting on the floor beside you, lost in his reading.

You didn’t even realize Spencer had finished his book until you felt the faint tickle of his hair against your cheek as he leaned over your shoulder, peering at what you were holding.

“What are you looking at?” he asked, voice warm.

You grinned, twisting to face him as you held up the badge. “Your old FBI badge.”

Spencer blinked at it for a second, processing, before his eyes widened slightly. “Give me that,” he said immediately, reaching for it but you’d predicted that reaction, and you yanked it out of his reach with a laugh.He didn’t even try to fight you for it, just slumped back with a sigh, though the faint pink tinge creeping up his neck betrayed his embarrassment.

“You looked so cute,” you teased, scooting backward just enough to keep the badge safely away. But Spencer wasn’t having it. In one swift motion, he hooked his hands around your ankles and dragged you forward until you were knee-to-knee with him again.

"No, I didn’t," Spencer insisted as he stared at the badge held between you.

"You totally did," you grinned, tracing the edge of the picture with your fingertip. Spencer had stopped looking at the badge entirely, his gaze instead fixed on you, the way your lips curled in amusement, the softness in your expression as you studied him.

"Your lips are still all pouty and pink," you murmured, tapping the photo where his mouth was set in a firm, professional line. Then you glanced up, only to find real Spencer mirroring the expression, his own lips slightly pursed.

"See?" you teased, meeting his eyes.

Spencer shook his head, but there was no real annoyance in it, just fond exasperation. "I wish I’d met you sooner," you said softly, your thumb brushing over the badge before your gaze flickered down for a second.

He stared at you like you’d just spoken in riddles. "You wouldn’t have liked me back then," he muttered.

Now it was your turn to look at him in disbelief. "Spencer, you look adorable," you insisted, holding the badge up again for emphasis.

"Adorable," he repeated flatly, as if that only proved his point, like adorable was code for not worth liking.

So you doubled down. "Attractive. Handsome. Pretty. Hot," you added, each word punctuated with a pointed look.That finally cracked him. A smile tugged at his lips, and he shook his head, but his ears had gone pink.

"Spencer," you pressed, bumping your knee against his, "there’s no way I would’ve missed out on that." You jabbed your finger at the photo for good measure.

He chuckled, finally tearing his gaze away from the badge to focus on you instead. His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair behind your ear, his touch lingering just a second too long to be casual.

"Don’t deflect," you accused, pointing a finger at him.

"I’m not deflecting, I’m reprioritizing," he countered, but the way his thumb traced your jawline betrayed him.

You pouted, hard, and Spencer’s eyes flickered down to your lips like he was physically restraining himself from kissing the expression right off your face. (Which, given the way his fingers twitched against your skin, he absolutely was.)

"I’m serious, Spencer," you insisted. "I would’ve literally asked you out the first second I saw you."

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "You stuttered for six seconds straight when I asked you out," he reminded you, grinning when your mouth fell open in embarassement.

"That—! That was different!" you spluttered, swatting at his shoulder. "You caught me off guard!"

"Mm-hmm." His grin widened.

"Point is—" You waved the badge between you like a white flag, refusing to let him derail you further. "—I would’ve adored you, Spencer. Any version of you."

Your voice softened at the end, and just like that, his teasing expression melted. He exhaled a laugh, shaking his head like he still didn’t quite believe you, but when he leaned in to press his lips to your forehead, the badge forgotten between you, it was answer enough.

(And if he stole the badge back when you were distracted by his smile? Well. You’d let him have that one.)

[risfics]

title: you're a star, girl.

pairing: jason todd x reader

characters: jason todd, reader, dick grayson (literally has a small cameo).

tags: smut, facesitting, shaking orgasm, squirting, reader is AFAB, doggystyle, creampie.

summary: jason has you sit on his face and grayson catches something in the manor cameras.

a/n: I cannot believe it's been so long since I've posted on this account, omfg, my bio still had 22 years old on it when I'm now 24. Isn't that crazy? I looked through my drafts to see if there was anything worth finishing and posting, and happened to find this beautiful gem.

A lot has changed since I've been gone, so I'll be updating different things.

Anyways, here's a small treat and I hope y'all enjoy it!

xoxo,

Ri.

Jason sits on the floor of his room, his broad back resting against the border of his bed. He watches you, starving, his green eyes giving a barely perceptible glow inside the darkness of his room-a lasting effect from the Lazarus pit.

Moonlight shines through a big, glass window, and you bathe in it while undoing the button of your jeans; you slide them off, pushing the denim to the side with your foot, and make your way towards the big man in front of you. 

Jason's hands shoot up from his side, massaging your thighs, as he looks up towards your face from where he sits You give him a small smile, and bring your hand towards his face, caressing it gently. He leans into your touch for a moment, closing his eyes while exhaling, relaxing. He brings you closer, and lifts his head to leave chaste bites and kisses on your thighs.

His breath brushes across your skin, raising bumps along the way, and you exhale, your back arching slightly. Jason’s hand makes its way to the center of your thighs, gently caressing your core with his fingers that are rough, but so gentle and careful while touching you. Your hips move involuntarily, searching for more friction from him. He lets out a small sound akin to a laugh.  

“You’re so needy today, aren’t you?” He asks, a mischievous smile overtaking his face. His fingers slip under your panties, feeling your slit and its wetness. He lets out a theatrical gasp. “And you’re so wet for me too, oh.” He lets out a laugh while you let out a sound of frustration.

“Jace, stop teasing me, please. Three weeks ago you were on a mission, and then last week my period happened, and now we’re staying at your dad’s house for a family emergency; I’ve been so patient and so good.” You say, a hint of agitation tainting your voice. He sighs, nodding. 

He knows how frustrated you feel; in fact, he’d seen it. Every time he went on an off-world mission, he would check the apartment cameras during downtime, and it’s safe to say that he found you rubbing your clit, fingering yourself, and even dry humping things mercilessly during some of those check ups. He’d been pent up during that time too, rubbing one or two off, talking to you through the camera's microphone, asking you for certain positions, views, and angles. And while that was fun, it wasn’t the same as fucking each other breathlessly in person. 

“Please, Jace.” You plead a second time, your voice small and whimpery. 

With that, he slides your underwear off immediately, not bothering to take it off completely, just keeping it at your feet. His face dives straight for your cunt, his lips grazing your clit, licking it, before engulfing it completely with his mouth. You let out a small squeal, your toes curling as you feel the warmth of his mouth wrap around your bundle of nerves.

His tongue moves back and forth gently, and you move your hips matching his rhythm. You let out small moans, the sounds of him sucking you filling the room; his saliva and your wetness mingled, staining his chin. His pace picks up, and you feel your stomach tighten; you move closer to the bed, your legs somewhat resting against it for balance, while Jason repositions himself under you, using his arms to hold you from behind.

You begin rutting against his mouth, moving at an almost animalistic pace. Your cunt travels from his mouth, to his nose, and back down. He feels himself wetting his briefs, a dark spot forming against his jeans as he expertly takes breaths in the small moments you relent. His nipples become hard, as his skin rises, and one of his rough hands travels slowly to his pants, kneading his impossibly hard and wet bulge.

Groans leave your mouth, and at some point you grip his hair to keep yourself steady. He lets out muffled moans of his own, drunk in your pleasure; getting you off is one of the things that makes him so hard, it makes him feel satisfied, like the overtly obedient priest to a starving, ravishing god.

Suddenly, the knot in your stomach tightens, until it unfurls itself. You let out a loud sound as you hit your climax, shaking, while a small trickle of liquid squirts out of you. You nearly fall over the bed while riding out your climax, if it hadn’t been for Jason's strong hands keeping his grip on you. 

Jason laps up the water coming from you like a man with an unknowable, unquenchable thirst. He feels his bulge ready to burst, his member unfathomably hard, and he knows that the minute he puts himself inside of you he won't last for five fucking minutes. But then again, that's exactly how you like it whenever he makes you cum first.

After the shaking subsides and you feel yourself calm down, Jason places a small kiss against one of your legs and stands up. He comes up behind you, pressing his hard member against you, his jeans rubbing against your ass cheeks. You let out a small smile, and slowly crawl on to the bed, your head resting against his thick, comfortable pillows. You arch your back, separating your legs, as one of your hands reaches for your cunt, spreading it wide open for him to see.

He stares hard at your entrance, the color, and wetness of it beckoning him closer, pulling at him like undeniable gravity. He unbuckles his belt, and does away with his jeans, barely pulling his underwear down.

Jason wants to descend on you like a mad dog, stick it in and out without a human thought running through his mind, but he's too rational, too gentle. He's aware of his size, his thick girth, and the way it can hurt you if he's too rough too quickly. And Jason doesn't want to hurt his baby, no, he wants to savor her, to have her moaning sweet nothings at him and have her coax him into a mind breaking orgasm.

So he grazes the tip of his member against your cunt, slowly, gently rubbing it up and down your folds. He prods the entrance a bit with his head, and he notices your toes curling in anticipation, a small smile taking place on his face. He slips a small portion of it in, and earns a small, sweet whimper from your lips.

And god if it doesn't take everything in him to not push it in completely, but he doesn't want this to end quickly, he needs it to last, needs it to go on for longer. It's been nearly four weeks since you've fucked, and it would make him terribly upset to have it end in a matter of minutes, you have to understand him, he thinks.

He slips it out, groaning in the process, feeling the edges of his self control slowly slip away. You let out a small whine, as if hurt, and you feel your pussy clenching around nothing. He stares at you, your beautiful back, your pussy, your puckered asshole, and he thinks about what a feast he's been given this night.

After what feels like an eternal minute of nothing, Jason comes back again and fully inserts himself this time. He wins himself a loud, choked gasp from you, your tight cunt clenching around him as you let out a groan. He lets out a controlled breath, and slips out completely again, rubbing his dick against your folds before diving back in fully.

You feel his head connect against your cervix, a familiar, and pleasurable pain when he's being gentle and teasing like this. And each time he does it, you gasp, and ram yourself back into his hips. His balls slap against your cunt, and you bite your lips hard at that feeling. He holds your hips, pacing himself, keeping himself controlled, but lets you play with him a bit.

Your back works against his torso, your ass hitting against his pelvis, giving him that much needed friction, and giving yourself that ecstatic sting you so desire. Doggy style has proven to be a bit painful for you, a bit too deep for your enjoyment due to his largeness, but if you're in control, then you've both found it better and fun. He feels you clenching your cunt, the tightness of it inebriating him. His face is sweating, his mouth is slightly agape, and then he slips out completely again.

His strong hands grip your sides and legs as he gently flips you on to your back. You stare up at him, at his beautiful and scarred face. His green eyes go small as he gives you a closed smile, his cheeks flushed, and his forehead is sweaty. You smile back at him, knowing he craves physical closeness now, that he wants the sweet loving he's been missing.

Your hands reach for his face, bringing him down to yours, and your lips catch his in a passionate kiss. Mouths melting together, tongues dancing fervently against one another as he slips in again effortlessly. You feel your cunt filled, expanding at his girth, and you gasp into his mouth. But it's not painful in this position, it's so much better for you this way.

Jason's eyes stay on yours as he thrusts himself inside of you, his balls slapping against your cunt from how deep he is, and you feel your eyes begin to water at the pleasure, at his face clashing against yours, at the kisses.

"I love you so much, Jason." You speak breathlessly as he rams into you, stickiness and sweat keeping you tethered to him. He looks into your eyes, nodding, and placing a kiss on your lips.

"I love you too, s'much, baby." He says, as his gasps are getting louder now, as his pace quickens.

You grip his hair, and bring your mouth close to his ear.

"Come inside me, please, fill me up and make me feel warm from inside." You whimper, and he groans, his eyes closing, his pants growing quicker.

"M'baby, don't-" He begins to say, shaking his head, but you close your legs around his waist, and he whimpers. "Fuuuck," Jason groans feeling himself deeper, feeling as your cunt closes around him willingly. Your hand sneaks its way between your bodies, finding your clitoris, and you start rubbing it as he thrusts deeper in you.

His mind is blank now, all he wants is to leave his seed inside of you, to fill your cunt up with the one thing he shouldn't, but you asked for it, and for the first time he wants to throw caution to the fucking wind. Screw it if your period comes late, if your belly grows-fuck it-it'll be a permanent marker of your love for each other, of him being your man and you being his woman.

He feels his body start to tremble, his arms shaking impossibly hard, and you start moaning loudly now, feeling yourself nearing your own climax at the ministrations of his hips and your merciless fingers' movements.

He shudders loudly, and then lets out a loud moan as he finally climaxes. You feel your cunt become warm as ropes of his cum fill you, and soon after, you feel that little vase of pleasure finally spill all over, crashing down on you and making your body convulse for the second time.

Jason and you are a mess of moans and pants, and you're full of tears as your second orgasm completely overtakes your emotions. He kisses you gently, wipes away the tears, and reminds you that he's here and that you're alright. He loves you, he says. He loves you so much, and he's happy with you.

As you slowly calm down, you stare at him, and you let out a sheepish laugh; you feel embarrassed, shy at your outburst. But it's not the first time, and Jason is used to it by now, and it's something he loves about you; the innate connection between your mind and body. Often, his mind and his body are at odds, pushing and pulling away from one another.

He smiles, and gives you a kiss on your lips.

In the Batcave

Grayson is bored out of his mind flipping through different security channels, landing once again at the one in the manor. He changes from cameras, looking into different rooms, and then comes upon Jason's room.

His eyes grow wide as he watches your shuddering, trembling climax on his brother's face, liquid darting out of your-

He punches the button to change channels, his face completely flushed and a huge grin overtaking him. He laughs, his belly hurting, and then he feels it. The blood rushing from his main head, to his second one. He lets out a long breath, the memories of an impossibly warm someone flooding him.

He looks at his phone to his right.

"I should call her." He sighs. He's been spending so much time in Gotham, away from the Titans tower, covering for his father while he's on some important JLA business trip, that he also hasn't been able to have any fun for a while.

He grabs his phone and dials her number.

"Hello, boy wonder." A sultry voice answers.

"Hi, baby." He greets her, his voice sounding a little breathier than he intends it to. "I miss my stargirl so much." He says, lightly grazing his bulge. A chuckle comes from the other end.

"I can get there in twenty minutes. Don't finish before then." She teases.

"Without you? Never." He smiles to himself and the call ends quickly.

[siriuslysatorusimping]

The Theft (Gojo Satoru)

They stood in silence, a decade of distance stretching between them. The weight of everything left unsaid hung in the air. Until he stepped forward. A single stride across the chasm separating them. ... “You know," he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear carefully, "on top of breaking my heart, she stole my favorite sweater." - WC: 3.4k

Kiko's Masterlist | AO3 💕 | ko-fi ☕️

AN: I talked about this briefly on the stream on Wednesday, and it's finally here! I wrote it with Goinko in mind. But no names are mentioned, so it can be read as an x reader, too. In fact, literally no one is specifically named in this one. Fic and title are inspired by The Theft by Atreyu, which is the song included in the story. It's not required to listen to it, but I think it would add to the experience! This is a different format for me, as I usually don't like including song lyrics in a story, but I felt it worked for the narrative! Fun fact: the basic plot of this story is one I've had in my drafts for almost fifteen years... but it hit me not too long ago that it would be perfect for Goinko! It's a lil angsty, a lil fluffy, a lil bit of tension, and a lil slow burn... Hope you guys like it :)

The Theft

“Hi everyone.”

The woman’s calm voice echoed slightly as she greeted the small crowd. She stood confidently in front of the microphone, a gentle smile on her face. Her eyes, however, darted anxiously around the room.

“We appreciate you being here tonight for our little spur of the moment show. And we appreciate them accommodating our silly request.”

The owner let out a loud scoff from where he stood behind the bar, rolling his eyes dramatically.

“It’s been a bit since we had the chance to ‘come home,’ so to speak, so we wanted to do something special while we’re here. For those of you who don’t know, we played our first-ever show in this bar more than ten years ago. Just a young cover band who had no idea what they were doing.”

“And you’re saying you do now?” the owner called, raising his eyebrows.

She laughed, along with the rest of the band, the sound resounding when all of their mics picked it up.

“You’re not wrong there,” the guitarist replied, playing a quick, playful riff.

The drummer tapped a quick beat in agreement.

“We’ve just gotten better at pretending we know what we’re doing,” the woman teased, drawing chuckles all around. “Anyway, we’ve got a short one planned for tonight, but we hope you enjoy a little walk down memory lane with us.”

As the evening wound down, she took a long drink of water before releasing a labored breath.

“I hope everyone else has had as much fun as we have tonight. We’ve got one more before we call it a night. Seems fitting to round things out with the first song we ever released, yeah?”

The sight of the small bar she’d spent countless hours in packed to capacity with people brought a hesitant smile to her face. Ten years later, it was comforting to know almost nothing had changed about this place.

“A fun fact about this song,” she began, licking her dry lips as she grasped the mic stand tightly, “is that I actually wrote part of it in this bar. I think I was sitting at a booth somewhere in the back when I scribbled a couple lines on a napkin and prayed that I wouldn’t lose it before I got home.”

She knew exactly which booth it was. The same booth they always sat in together. Except she’d been all alone.

Back where I started… I’m empty without you, and I want to disappear…

“I’ll admit I was a few drinks deep by the time I wrote it, so while I’d thought it was genius at the time, sober me the next day took a while to figure out what the hell to do with it.”

As the crowd laughed, she grinned sheepishly. She’d been more than a few deep. And really, the hardest part had been reading her half-legible drunken scribbles the next morning.

“It was worth it, obviously, because it got us to where we are today. Thank you all again for spending your evening with us. We hope to see some of you tomorrow at the show.”

She stepped back, taking another large gulp of water while the band began playing. As the music filled the room again, her eyes scanned the crowd absently, unseeing. Even after so long, she still struggled with her nerves.

Taking a deep breath, she rested her hands on the microphone, letting the words flow out of her.

He bends and he breaks If he gives, they will take away His passion, his pain, his grace He exhales… a thousand black flowers explode Into butterflies as they’re away

The untold piece of the story she’d shared weighed heavily on her mind. The fact that she’d written the song to cope with the heartbreak she couldn’t escape no matter how hard she tried. No matter how many drinks she used to try to numb everything. Heartbreak she’d had no one to blame for but herself.

Rip them out, take them Burn to coals as they crush him Leave nothing that resembles the soul of a man See him numb, see him crushed See him numb, see him crushed

Questions still haunted her. What-ifs that would never be answered lingered in her mind constantly. As she took a breath, her eyes moved to the booth she’d referenced, noticing the man sitting there, and she faltered before tearing her eyes away.

Rip them out, take them Burn to coals as they crush him Leave nothing that resembles the soul of a man Leave him numb, leave him crushed Leaves him numb, leaves him crushed

Her gaze was drawn back to the booth. Had he been there the entire time? A woman sat beside him, wide-eyed as she leaned forward in her seat, clearly listening intently.

One of a thousand of her questions finally answered. A reply she never expected to ache so deeply when it had been so long. A twist in her chest that she shoved down as deep as it could go.

Took the fire inside one too many times He’s burning over and out as he flails Up against the raging tides No more sides Everything you ever wanted to see: See it in his eyes  One more time One more time

One last look at his eyes was all she allowed herself, a fleeting glance as she took a labored breath and continued.

Climb down to test the waters My hands feel like they’re rusting away, yeah So I’ll pace around like a lamb before the slaughter I’ll stay here as long as you’ll let me

The words she wished she told him. Words she wished she’d had the courage to say instead of running away.

Decisions been made obvious So I will return where I started  I’ll stay there Unfinished I’ll wither away

Though she felt the pull to look back at that booth in the corner, she focused on everything else. Anything except the knowledge that he now sat in the booth they’d spent countless evenings together — despite his distaste for crowds, despite how much he despised the smell of alcohol — with someone else.

Rip them out, take them Burn to coals as they crush him Leave nothing that resembles the soul of a man See him numb, see him crushed See him numb, see him crushed

As the music faded, her eyes wandered back to the booth before she could stop them, only to find it empty. It seemed silly for her chest to ache, for it to sting so deeply when she knew better than to think any other outcome was possible.

She knew better than to hope that he might want to talk to her.

Blinking quickly, her attention moved to the audience before her as they clapped, her answering grin somehow feeling genuine and forced at the same time. She felt an arm around her shoulders as her bandmates joined her, bowing instinctively alongside them.

“Thank you all again for spending your evening with us!”

They moved to the bar, each of them ordering a drink and she faintly registered her bandmates’ voices as they joked with the owner about how much better they sounded now.

“Yeah, yeah, too bad for you, I had to listen to your soundcheck earlier–”

Her ears rang slightly as she stared forward, exhaustion settling in her shoulders and regret rising in her chest. She couldn’t help but feel coming here tonight had been a mistake.

The drink in her hand tasted sour, but she forced herself to take another sip, then another, and another, finishing it swiftly.

“Gonna get some air,” she informed the others, pushing herself to her feet and waving off the offer to join her. “I won’t be long.”

Stepping out into the cool evening, she pulled a deep, cleansing breath into her lungs. Her mind raced, the shock of cold air doing little to help ground her. Still, she lifted her head to stare up at the sky. The stars seemed dim as they twinkled weakly, but the moon shined bright enough in their stead, almost drowning the lamps along the quiet street.

A whisper of her name reached her ears, so soft she thought she imagined it until she noticed the shadow from the corner of her eye.

Turning, her heart stuttered as she faced the familiar figure standing just a few meters away, his hands shoved in his pockets.

They stood in silence, a decade of distance stretching between them. The weight of everything left unsaid hung in the air. Until he stepped forward. A single stride across the chasm separating them.

“I’m… surprised you’re here,” she finally murmured, her throat dry.

He looked down for a moment, seeming almost sheepish.

“Heard you were putting on a show like the old days, and I couldn’t miss it.” He lifted his head again, his eyes burning into hers. “You look beautiful.”

Another step, this one larger, and he stood directly in front of her, forcing her to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

He looked just as handsome as she remembered. He still towered over her, his hair strategically messy and his face perfectly blemish-free. The only signs of his age were slight wrinkles around his eyes and mouth, obvious indicators of frequent smiles and laughter.

The weight of his stare anchored her in place, his eyes still more brilliant than the moon above. 

Beautiful, flawless, untouchable. A statue carved from marble and far too precious to be around someone like her. His family had made that clear every chance they got.

“It’s good to see you,” she whispered. “How have you been?”

“Getting by,” he replied, his voice just as quiet. “Working. Old man is set to retire soon so I’ll officially be taking over when he does.”

No surprise there. He’d been expected to take over almost his entire life. One of many reasons his family had wanted him to have nothing to do with her. An odd sense of relief filled her knowing he’d been successful. It seemed to confirm she’d made the right choice all those years ago. All she’d wanted for him was to be happy and successful, even if those came at the cost of losing him.

Words escaped her now as she stood in front of him, feeling exposed and vulnerable under his observant gaze.

“What about you?” he asked, his eyes searching her face. “You made it big.”

A slight nod and a smile were all she could manage, but she couldn’t deny the pride in her chest at his words. She’d gone and made her dream come true despite everything saying she couldn’t.

“I heard the show tomorrow is sold out, too.”

“I’m… guessing you won’t be there.”

The statement made him hesitate briefly before he slowly shook his head.

“I don’t have tickets.”

Somehow even though it was the answer she expected, the words dug into her chest and nestled inside her ribcage. She hated that it bothered her so much when she knew it wasn’t something he enjoyed. It wasn’t his scene.

The treacherous part of her mind couldn’t help but wonder why life was cruel enough to put him in front of her after so long just to give her a sense of false hope before ripping him away again. But she knew that this was never meant to be anything more than a glance at what could have been in a different life.

Him being at the show tomorrow would have changed nothing, anyway. It wasn’t like she would have been able to see him.

Nodding, she stepped back, willing herself toward the door.

“I should get back inside,” she murmured, fighting the urge to lean into his presence. Staying near him was dangerous. “It was– it was good to see you.”

“Wait.” He grasped her hand, the simple touch sending a spark through her veins. “We should– let’s catch up sometime. If not now, then–”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She wanted to. She wanted to catch up. She wanted to keep hearing his voice. She desperately wanted to pretend that things were different. But she knew better than to let herself be swept away by the fairytale that was them. There wasn’t a world where they caught up without her yearning for more. And she wasn’t willing to intrude on the life he’d built for himself. It wasn’t fair to either of them, or the woman she’d seen sitting beside him during the show — the woman she could only assume was his wife.

“Why not?” he asked. “It’s been years, and I’ve missed you.”

She’d missed him, too. More than she could ever say. But she wouldn’t be an intruder in his life.

“You know why,” she replied, ignoring how her chest ached as frustration threatened to rise. He knew she wasn’t the type to be the other woman. At least he used to know. But even worse if he thought they could just catch up because he felt nothing at all. “I won’t– where’s your wife?”

He blinked slowly, his brow furrowing.

“Wife? What are you talking about?”

“The woman who was here with you.”

“Her?” His face scrunched at her words before he released a quick breath through his nose. “You mean my assistant? She’s probably home, or at a friend’s, gushing about getting to see you live. I only sat with her because she’s the reason I found out about tonight and I didn’t want to be an ass and avoid her outside of work.”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and he raised his eyebrows in challenge.

“You can talk to her and ask,” he offered drily. “She might faint from excitement at meeting you first, though. She’s a big fan.”

He held his free hand up, wriggling his fingers to emphasize the lack of a ring. It made no sense to her. It was one of the expectations on his shoulders for most of his life.

“But your family–”

“They’ve taken enough of my life from me,” he cut her off, rolling his eyes. “They tried to set something up a few years ago, but I told them I didn’t care if they gave the company away to someone else just because I wasn’t married.”

“You can’t just tell your family–”

“Well, I did.” His eyes seemed to twinkle down at her now as he tugged her closer. “I never wanted the company to begin with. I wanted to be with this girl I met in college. She was really pretty, had an incredible voice, and she put up with me and my dumb family with a smile. But they somehow convinced her she didn’t deserve me.”

Swallowing thickly, she tried to keep her jaw from trembling.

“She wouldn’t listen when I said I didn’t care what they thought, and I was too stupid to realize that they’d already done what they wanted.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear carefully. “You know, on top of breaking my heart, she stole my favorite sweater. Been waiting for a chance to ask for it back.”

A snort of laughter escaped before she could stop it. Leave it to him to bring up something so ridiculous and silly.

“You’ve been waiting a decade for a sweater?”

“It was a nice sweater,” he defended, a smirk pulling at his lips now. “And she looks really good in it. She always looked great in my clothes.”

The statement had memories flooding her mind, the countless times she’d plucked his shirts or sweaters from the floor of his room. How he’d always teased her about liking them more than she liked him. How he had looked at her whenever he said they looked better on her, anyway.

His arm snaking around her waist forced her back to the present, his breath fanning across her face as he leaned down.

“I–” She fought the heat climbing her neck, her eyes flitting down to the loose sweater she wore. She didn’t want to admit she’d worn it because she’d been thinking of him. That a part of her had hoped he would show up. Hoped deep down in a place she wouldn’t even admit to herself that he hadn’t forgotten her entirely by now. “It’s a comfy sweater.”

“That’s why it was my favorite.” His voice held a teasing edge as he lifted her chin to meet her eyes again. “I’ve missed you.”

The words had his lips brushing against hers, and her heart pounded at the familiar sensation. Her eyes slid closed as she tilted her head back a bit further– the door to the bar shot open, startling both of them, his hands releasing her as she jolted back.

“There you are! We were getting worried– ope.” Her bandmate stopped abruptly, eyes darting between them as a sly grin formed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to, uh, interrupt. Just letting you know we’re getting ready to head out for the night.”

They disappeared through the door before either of them could reply, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. They would never let her live this down. The others would probably be standing right inside the door waiting to ambush her.

“I should go,” she murmured reluctantly, meeting his gaze again as dejection bloomed in her chest.

This really was it. They’d gotten so close to… what? Reuniting? What did she think would happen? There had never been a real chance for them to work. Not really.

“When will you be back?”

“We’re touring for another six months,” she replied, “and after that… Well, this isn’t exactly home for me anymore.” Pausing, her gaze dropped to the ground, her hands fiddling with the sleeves of the sweater. Despite the part of her screaming not to, she just couldn’t help herself. “I won’t– I can’t ask you to– but if you want, we could stay in touch, and I could–”

“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate, cutting her off and pulling her close again. “I’d love to keep in touch. I want to talk to you.”

Relief filled her so quickly it made her dizzy, the smile on his face knocking the air from her chest. 

“I’ve missed you, too,” she whispered, the admission feeling more like a confession. “I know it’s never really been your scene, but did you at least enjoy the show tonight?”

His smile grew as he nodded.

“Your voice was just like I remembered,” he replied. “It really took me back. Had me feeling nostalgic, wondering how things would’ve worked out if I’d told my family to screw themselves earlier.”

They both knew that never would’ve worked. Not back then.

“Still such a sap, huh?” she teased anyway, drawing a chuckle from him. Glancing toward the door, she released a quiet sigh. “I should go before more of them come out here to snoop.”

Retrieving her phone, she held it out for him to take. 

“I… know it’s been a long time, and I travel a lot, but I– I really do want to stay in touch,” she said, watching him enter his contact. “I know it’s not fair to ask you to wait–”

“I’ve waited ten years, sweetheart,” he cut her off, smirking. His tone had a teasing lilt to it as he handed her phone back. “Another six months is nothing.”

She bit her lip to fight the smile, sharing her contact with him before shoving her phone back into her pocket.

“I guess that’s fair,” she conceded.

His arm around her waist tightened, and he leaned down again until she could feel his breath mingling with hers.

“Just don’t keep me waiting forever,” he whispered before pressing a lingering kiss to her cheek, “because I expect you to return this next time I see you.”

He tugged the collar of the sweater playfully, a smirk on his face as he released her and stepped back.

“You’ll have to take it from me,” she teased. Excitement shot through her at the sight of his eyes narrowing, and she quickly retreated to the door. Meeting his eyes over her shoulder one last time, she asked, “Until next time?”

“I’ll see you then.”

AN: What'd you guys think? I enjoyed writing it 😊 I thought it was cute and sweet. Thoughts? Questions? I might continue it to show some of their relationship in the past and/or write their reunion after her tour ends... 🤔

[darewolfcreates]

Liquid Rainbow jar #1 Dare Wolf

[buckingham-ashtray]

Oh the lovely Lovely feeling of when I look at my wallpaper and screensaver.

*a thousand thanks to groovy.smoothy for all the perfectperfectperfect ingenious edits!! You are the charging play for my phone as well :D

**btw who has a very homey cozy 221b photo WITH SUPERB QUALITY 😭

[amazinglyegg]

This is true

+ blank under cut (I made it!)

[anoddopal]

Take a gander at what has emerged from my drafts!! Finally getting around to posting the Post-Timeskip refs for Bun--

Artwork for Bun's Human-Beast; ie Bun-Beast form done in colaberation with @sun-uwu-kong!! [Please be sure to check out his blog if you like his work!]

🔽🔽!!Detailed Profile Below!! ⬇️⬇️

・❥・Name: Bun-Bun Silva [“Silver”] ・❥・Moniker: “Lucky Lepus” ・❥・Age: 27 [ Pre-Timeskip], 29 [pictured; Post-Timeskip] ・❥・Devil Fruit: Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit, Model: Wolpertinger ・❥・Haki: Conquer’s Haki; which Bun is able to utilize with limited ability. Mainly it contributes largely to how bun can both tame - and harness strong understandings with - the many creatures of the world. Alas, Bun never received the proper training to have complete mastery over her talent, which means it can’t be utilized to its fullest potential. Notably, Bun can only be formidable with her Haki subconsciously/in a signification state of distress. Bun is completely unaware of her ability- as are most others. ・❥・Spouse: La.ffitte ・❥・Affiliations: The Bl.ackbeard Pirates ・❥・Relevant Arcs: [Pre]A.labasta, J.aya, Post-En.ies Lobby, Ma.rineford, Post-War, [TIMESKIP], D.ressrosa, Z.ou, W.ano, Eg.ghead

・❥・Bunself: ・The very same Bun-Bun Silva that everyone knows and loves! Ah, granted, this version of Bun harbors a few negative traits, a few bad habits that come to the surface more often than even she would like to admit. Oh what, did you expect Bun to be nary a flaw? What a naive assumption to make. Regrettably, Bun is as human as the rest of us… ・If one is unlucky enough to cross paths with a Bla.ckbeard Pirate, then Bun is just about the only one a person would “want” to run into. She never quite got on board with the whole “pirating” profession. A simple offering will do in place of actual pillaging— Complimentary meals, free services, generous gifts from shops and vendors; nothing that would put too much of a hole in a business’ profits. And individuals/their residences [save for the immensely, ridiculously wealthy] will not be bothered at all. Areas of an island where she has personally wandered through usually remain surprisingly intact, and no worse off. Mostly, she just wants to be left alone when going about her day. ・Bun is still nice to those around her as a default. And more importantly, Bun is still kind. It is immensely difficult for her to be unkind… without a worthy reason, of course. Bun has changed- depending on whom you ask; for the better or the worse. And yet, some things never do change. She will always be soft for those who need it. She will always take the time to put a baby bird back in its nest, or carefully usher a wayward insect back outside. ・But be ever mindful about rubbing Bun the wrong way. Bun has a bit of a temper broiling beneath the surface. Mind you, it takes quite a bit of pushing to get bun to that point, but once somebody has… there is no reversing what has been done. No one really ever knows what to expect when Bun is pushed past the threshold, though a grand scale explosion is always an inevitable certainty. The fallout after the fact is a degree of consequence that many aren’t prepared to cope with. It behooves those in her presence to ensure they stay off of her shit list. ・An audacious little bucket of sass; even more so after eating the Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit, Model: Wolpertinger. Bun has always been playful, if not a bit verbally impish. However, after spending all of her time amongst a crew of morally corrupt pirates who encourage every maladjusted trait bun boasts, she’s become a bit of a mouthy menace. ・Bun is never to be underestimated. Do not be deceived by her tiny frame and innocent appearance; do not think for a second she’s any less capable of impossible feats than her devious associates. This prey animal bites back- and she’ll take a chunk outta ya when she does so, too.

For more overall info in regard to this version of Bun; please check out the #Forbidden Fruit AU tag on my blog! A few important info dumps are:

・On Bun's Dynamics with the crew [1], [2], [3]

・On Bun's thoughts on Teach [1]

[simplybybea]

Did this before I'd even finished Prodigy season 2 so here is some angsty commitment rock and its tether to a ghostly Chakotay trying to get home.

Digital oil and Janeway asking the universe desperately to send him home to her.

[benevolenterrancy]

When Lan Wangji heard of the siege that was warred against the Burial Mounds and the complete death of everything within, he felt like he himself may as well lie down and join them. Surely something vital had been ripped from his chest in that moment, something that could never be recovered or repaired.

So when he catches word that there may have been a survivor after all, he swears he won't let this opportunity past him by. He won't allow his own inaction to risk everything, not again.

another short fic just written for fun. i was in the mood to Put WWX Through It and so this is the result

[age-of-moonknight]

“Scars,” Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu, (Vol. 2/2024), #5.

Writer: Jed MacKay; Penciler and Inker: Devmalya Pramanik; Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg; Letterer: Cory Petit

[doodlejoltik]

why is the electrode battle so hard for no reason btw

[rei voice] well he was right

[asanjou]

king jeremy with ambiguous sword circa whatever the fuck year

[spaceratprodigy]

[ 😇 ] — doodle dump from priv

just some smaller things while I have fun w friends and find my groove again :]

Commission Info | Ko-Fi | My Links

[crossbackpoke-check]

Substance, Shadow, and Spirit [remixed, abridged] by Tao Yuanming

[white-cat-of-doom]

Griddlebone Playlist

This playlist is meant to outline the complex (and fundamental) emotion of love, and the pitfalls and joys of chasing after something grand that requires another to reciprocate the affection.

More specifically for this set of songs, the want for love while having the feeling that something is not quite right, either with the other individual involved, or within your own mind. Through isolating oneself into hollow emptiness after heartbreak, and due to feeling devoid of being wanted, it is hard to be vulnerable and let anyone back into a place of emotional attachment.

Did you ever actually feel what 'love' was? Are you really deserving of being loved? After everything, wherever can you find it?

川口雅代 (Masayo Kawaguchi) – Melty

ROMY – LOVE コマーシャル (Love Commercial)

越美晴 (Miharu Koshi) – 恋はファニー・フィーリング (Love Is A Funny Feeling)

宮原芽映 (Mebae Miyahara) – 悪魔のように微笑んで (Smiling Like A Devil)

いしだあゆみ & ティン・パン・アレイ・ファミリ(Ayumi Ishida & Tin-Pan-Alley-Family) – 私自身 (Myself)

麗美 (REIMY) – シャドー・ブレイ (Shadow Play)

竹内まりや (Mariya Takeuchi) – プラスティック・ラブ (Plastic Love)

工藤順子 (Junko Kudo) – 夕顔姐さん (Ms. Yugao)

Meow Meow & Thomas Lauderdale – Hotel Amour

Tracks 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 through 7, and 8 and 9, are meant to represent different sections of time in the life of the Queen.

Signature song with playlist: Meow Meow & Thomas Lauderdale – Hotel Amour

Track One: 川口雅代 (Masayo Kawaguchi) – Melty

“ううん･･･ ････何でもないけれど 少し 不安になっただけ" ("Ugh... ...It's nothing, but I just felt a little anxious") 知られた分だけ わたしから 冷めてゆくのが こわいから (I'm afraid that the more you know, the more you'll grow colder from me) "･･･そうよ･･･” (That’s right…”) すき間もない程に 昨夜 ひとつになったの (Last night we became one, with no gaps between us) しがみついたら 微笑うけど どうしていいのか わからない (I smile when I hold on to you, but I don't know what to do) Melty 手を引かれて 溶かし溶かされ 充たされるはずなのに (My hand should be pulled away, melted, melted, and filled up) Melty つかめないの どうしてかしら? 肩すかしされた 気分 (I can't grasp it, why? I feel like I've been ignored) 何にも言わずに 抱き寄せて (Without saying anything, I hold you close) 朝の光が あなたの景色変えないうちに (Before the morning light changes your scenery) “いやよ” ("No, no") ･･･言いかけてやめるのは うまく 言い聞かせるつもりね (...I'm trying to convince you to stop when I say it) 困らせたいの! (I want to embarrass you!) "お見通し” ("Foresight") 小悪魔ぶっても かなわない (Even if I act like a little devil, I can't compete) Melty 手を引かれて 溶かし溶かされ 充たされるはず充たされるはずなのになのに (My hand should be pulled away, melted, melted, and filled up) Melty つかめないの どうしてかしら? (I can't grasp it, why?) 何かが 違ってゆくの 何も言わせず 抱き寄せて (Something is going to be different, don't let me say anything, hold me close) めかくししてね ちぐはぐなこと 言わないうちに (Before I get too confused and say something foolish) Melty 手を引かれて 溶かし溶かされ 充たされるはずなのに (My hand should be pulled away, melted, melted, and filled up) Melty つかめないの どうしてかしら? 肩すかしされた気分 (I can't grasp it, why? I feel like I've been ignored) 何も言わずに 抱き寄せて (Hold me close without saying anything) めかくししててね (Please cover your eyes) 朝の光で 見えないうちに (Before you can see it in the morning light)

The initial apprehension of being more intimately involved, emotionally and physically, with another person comes with the realization that she felt nothing when it happened. She should be able to feel a deeper connection, but something is not right, and instead pretends and acts accordingly like everything is fine.

Track Two: ROMY – LOVE コマーシャル (Love Commercial)

指の中で タバコふかし 何もないのに 愛にまみれた (I smoked a cigarette in my fingers and was covered in love, even though there was nothing there) 気にするコトが 自分以外の あの人に対する 愛の神経 (What I worry about is the nerves of love for someone other than myself) いつか見た あの人はいない 私の人には ならなかった (That person I saw someday wasn't the same person I was) 私はなまけて ただならぬ犬より (I'm better than a lazy dog) ただの人を 選んでみただけ (I just picked a person) 私のコントロール あえてコントロール こわくてコントロール あえてコントロール 心に 私まかせ コントロール (My control, dare to control, I'm afraid to control, dare to control, leave it to my heart to control me) 頭の中で おもいふかし 何があるのか 夢のざわめき (I wonder what's going on inside my head, The buzz of dreams) ただならぬ人だから あえて こわがって あの人に対する 愛の恐怖 (Because he is an extraordinary person, I dare to be afraid of him, and the fear of love towards him) 抱かれる日は 心 うきあし もうひとりの私 かくしきれない (The days when I'm held in your arms, I feel happy, and I can't hide my other self) 私のコントロール あえてコントロール こわくてコントロール あえてコントロール 心に 私まかせ コントロール (My control, dare to control, I'm afraid to control, dare to control, leave it to my heart to control me)

A reflection on not feeling love when, or to the level, you think you should, while worrying how it will affect your partner. There is a comfort in being together with someone, but that surface level connection will eventually face the challenge of it being something more for them, and she is not prepared or ready for that.

Ultimately, it is up to Griddlebone to move forward in the best way that makes sense to her, and that path is one alone.

Track Three: 越美晴 (Miharu Koshi) – 恋はファニー・フィーリング (Love Is A Funny Feeling)

彼は時間に遅れて 私は指輪を忘れた だけど ゴメンも言わずに つまらぬ言い訳ごっこ 空は春 時は今 幸せですと言わんばかり だけど 二人の心は ちぎれ雲 (He was late and I forgot my ring But we don't say sorry, we make boring excuses, And the sky keeps saying that we're happy now in spring but our hearts are torn apart by clouds) 恋はファニー・フィーリング かまわず回る 恋はファニー・フィーリング 慣れっ子 だけど (Love revolves around funny feelings, but love is used to funny feelings) 彼は口笛吹きながら 私 ため息つきながら 通り過ぎる 街角 小鳥の歌だけ響く (He was whistling, I pass by with a sigh, Only the song of a small bird echoes on the street corner) いろんなことが あったけど みんないい思い出ばかり だから ここらでピリオド それがいい (A lot has happened, but we all have only good memories, So it's good to have the end around here) 恋はファニー・フィーリング 手を振りながら 恋はファニー・フィーリング 深刻ぶらず 歌いながら 笑ってサヨナラするわ オー ファニー オー ファニー ファニ ファニ オー フィーリング オー ファニー オー ファニー ファニ ファニ オー フィーリング (Love is a funny feeling, while waving, Love is a funny feeling, don't take it seriously, I'll laugh and say goodbye while singing Oh Funny Oh Funny Funny funny oh feeling Oh Funny Oh Funny Funny funny oh feeling)

In a goal to subside the loneliness and longing to feel proper love, Griddlebone moves through relationships over time to find the elusive 'love' she believes is out there. Scared of getting too involved with someone she holds minimal emotion for, she breaks off any connection before feelings develop from the other party, and plays it off as something lighthearted.

Despite her efforts, she cannot find someone who fulfills her inside the way she thinks love should be.

Track Four: 宮原芽映 (Mebae Miyahara) – 悪魔のように微笑んで (Smiling Like A Devil)

罠をしかけ待ってるん 悪魔のように 微笑んで (I'm setting a trap up and waiting for you, smiling like a devil) さあ ドアを 叩いて ドアを ひらいて (Come on, knock on the door, open the door) 泣きまねの 電話 かけて 街灯り 胸はずませ (I made a phone call imitating crying, and the street lights made my heart flutter) あの人を 呼び出したの (I called that person) 数えては 時間をかせぐ (Counting the time to buy myself some) 優しさを 言い訳して 赤い血が 流れる前に (Kindness, before I make excuses and red blood flows) 嘘をつく ずるいあなた 忘れてよ あの娘の事は (Forget about lying You're so cunning about that girl) 罠をしかけ待ってるん 悪魔のように 微笑んで (I'm setting a trap up and waiting for you, smiling like a devil) さあ ドアを 叩いて ドアを ひらいて (Come on, knock on the door, open the door) 待つだけの 女なんて さよならよ 今夜こそは (Say goodbye to the woman who only waits, tonight) 愛の 糸 足にからませ あの人を もう逃がさない (I'll let the thread of love entwine around my legs and never let that person slip away again) 罠をしかけ待ってるん 悪魔のように 微笑んで (I'm setting a trap up and waiting for you, smiling like a devil) さあ ドアを 叩いて ドアを ひらいて (Come on, knock on the door, open the door)

A new connection with someone shows promise, but she discovers that her partner is a cheater, something that hurts Griddlebone in a way that she has not experienced before. Not used to being treated as a second thought, and feeling like she is not worthy of love if made so inconsequential, she plots to destroy and expose her partner for what they have done to her.

All the joy and hope that she felt in locating a person that is right for her is now crushed, and she vows to not let herself be taken advantage of ever again in the pursuit of love.

Track Five: いしだあゆみ & ティン・パン・アレイ・ファミリ(Ayumi Ishida & Tin-Pan-Alley-Family) – 私自身 (Myself)

ひとりソファーに寝ころんで 恋の歌聞くでもなし 歌うでもなし (I lie alone on the sofa and listen to love songs, but I don't sing them) 私は日暮れを見つめています (I'm staring at the sunset) 部屋の窓には東京湾の 船の灯が小さく揺れて (In the window of the room, the lights of the ships in Tokyo Bay sway slightly) 一人ぐらしに疲れた時は 結婚なんか考えてます (When I get tired of living alone, I think about marriage) 夜汽車で旅に出る時は 色のない写真のように 素顔のままで 東京駅から出かけています (When I travel by night train, I leave Tokyo Station with my bare face, just like a colourless photograph) 幾度か恋にこの身を灼いて 歌を忘れた私だけれど (I have forgotten how to sing because my body has been burnt by love many times) 淋しさだけを心に積んで 今日もぽつんと歌っています (But today, I sing alone once again with only loneliness in my heart) くちづけ交す恋人にさえ 私の気持は言えないでしょう (I can't even tell my feelings to my lover who kisses me) 人に知られず流した涙 (The tears I shed without anyone knowing) 私は今日も歌っています････ (I'm still singing today...)

Moving on from her heartbreak, Griddlebone refrains from being involved with anyone else for a lengthy period of time, as that means she cannot be hurt once again. However, she cannot help but feel that the emptiness inside her continues to grow as time passes, even if she tries to remain strong willed. Her thinking is that she does not need anyone to sustain her happiness if she keeps the love she has to give tightly held internally.

Track Six: 麗美 (REIMY) – シャドー・ブレイ (Shadow Play)

淋しい笑顔と 言われるのに馴れても (Even if I get used to being told that my smile is lonely) 真夜中の鏡 覗けばつぶやくの (When I look into the mirror in the middle of the night, I whisper) Say, Love is the shadow play, shadow play Love is the shadow play 恋しても (Even if I fall in love) Love is the shadow play, shadow play, shadow play ひとりぼっちじゃ怖い (I'm scared of being alone) 街角の華やかさに 気がつけば急ぎ足 (If you notice the glamour on the street corner, hurry up) 片思いのままなら 恋も失くさず済むでしょう (If you keep your love unrequited, you won't lose your love) Say, Love is the shadow play, shadow play, shadow play Love is the shadow play, 密やかに (Secretly) Love is the shadow play, shadow play, shadow play 遠くあなた見てる (I'm watching you from afar) 気づかないで (Don't notice) darling 壊さないで (Don't break it) wow wow Love Love Love Love Love Love, darling, Love Love Love Love is the shadow play

Her loneliness begins to swell to a point of action, and Griddlebone cannot ignore it or remain dormant for much longer. She is unhappy being completely alone, and wants to feel any form of connection with another, but does not want to be hurt again.

Feeling unworthy of being loved due to her faults, her past pursuit of love becomes less of a task to complete and more of a buried burden she has to carry.

In order to protect herself from emotional suffering, she develops a cold façade to protect herself with.

Track Seven: 竹内まりや (Mariya Takeuchi) – プラスティック・ラブ (Plastic Love)

突然のキスや 熱いまなざしで (With a sudden kiss and a passionate gaze) 恋のプログラムを 狂わせないでね (Do not cause a malfunction to the love program) 出逢いと別れ 上手に打ち込んで (Type in encounters and separations well) 時間がくれば終わる (When the time comes, it ends) Don't hurry! 愛に傷ついた あの日からずっと (Since the day I was heartbroken, I've been having a life) 昼と夜が逆の 暮らしを続けて (That's been reversed between day and night) はやりのDiscoで 踊り明かすうちに (While dancing the nights away at the popular disco) おぼえた魔術なのよ (There is a magic I've learned) I'm sorry! わたしのことを決して 本気で愛さないで (Never love me seriously) 恋なんてただのゲーム 楽しめばそれでいいの (Love is just a game, all I need is to have fun with it) 閉ざした心を飾る 派手なドレスも靴も (The showy dresses and shoes decorating my closed heart) 孤独な友達 (Are my lonely friends) わたしを誘う人は 皮肉なものね いつも 彼に似てるわなぜか 思い出と重なり合う (The men who flirt with me are Ironically always similar to him for some reason My memories with him are overlapped) グラスを落として急に 涙ぐんでも わけは尋ねないでね (Don’t ask me why even if I drop my glass and suddenly glisten with tears) 夜更けの高速で 眠りにつくころ (When I fall asleep by the highway at dawn) ハロゲンライトだけ 妖しく輝く (Only halogen lights are mysteriously shining) 氷のように冷たい女だと ささやく声がしても (Although somebody is whispering that I’m an icy cold woman) Don't worry! I'm just playing games I know that's plastic love Dance to the plastic beat Another morning comes

Relationships become more of a pursuit of pleasure, rather than meaningful connection, for Griddlebone. A cycle of one night encounters to keep her company before the new day begins and she starts over again with someone new. Her self-worth starts to become tied with being seen as attractive and desirable by another person. She has convinced herself that this lifestyle will quell the void inside of her, although she knows in her heart that she is still painfully lonely. The isolation does not cease, no matter how many individuals she crosses path with.

Maybe one day she will not feel this way, but she believes it is her fault that everything turned out the way it has to this point.

Track Eight: 工藤順子 (Junko Kudo) – 夕顔姐さん (Ms. Yugao)

夕顔姐さん 部屋には 夏でもね (Yugao-san, even if it's summer in your room) こたつが置いてある 束ねたコードを つついてる 退屈な 白い猫が家族 (A bored white cat is pecking at the bundled cords next to the kotatsu table) 今夜のお座敷 長過ぎる いつもなら (The tatami room tonight is too long, as normal) 帰ってる時間 (Time to go home) お勝手の隅の 猫メシは 山盛りで (In the corner of the kitchen, there is a mountain of cat food) とても食べきれない (I can't eat it all) 明かりは点いてても 時計の音ばかり そろそろ聞こえて来る はずなのに (Even though the lights are on, all I can hear is the ticking of the clock) 夕顔姐さんの下駄の音 (The sound of Yugao-nee’s geta) 夕顔姐さんの下駄の音 (The sound of Yugao-nee’s geta) 夕顔姐さん 来年 数えでね 六十三になる (Yugao-san, I'll be turning 63 next year) 近頃男はダメだね 粋じゃない それが口ぐせです (Men are no good these days. It's not classy. That's what they say.) 衣ずれの裾は 萩の花 つい昨日 かけたパーマネント (The hem of my clothes was like a clover flower, a permanence that I wore just yesterday) 西に傾いた 大きな お月様 帰りを急がせる (The big moon leaning to the west hurries my return home) 浮かれ足の男 物欲し気な女 (A playful man, a wistful woman) 若いネオ��の街に カラコロと (In a young neon city, colourfully) 夕顔姐さんの下駄の音 (The sound of Yugao-nee’s geta) 夕顔姐さんの下駄の音 (The sound of Yugao-nee’s geta) 細い路地に入ると 犬達が吠えだす 待ちくたびれた猫は夢で聞く (When I enter a narrow alley, the dogs start barking, and the tired cat hears it in a dream) 夕顔姐さんの下駄の音 (The sound of Yugao-nee’s geta) 夕顔姐さんの下駄の音 (The sound of Yugao-nee’s geta)

Years removed from the emotional low point of her life, the empty hedonism to fill the void inside her, Griddlebone has taken up residence with an older, single woman that has mirrored her own experiences in the search of love. The familiar sounds of geta beckon the arrival of her human home to Griddlebone, and her days are spent resting in the sun and keeping busy through the house, all while reminiscing of a past of incomplete love. She has become accustomed to a quiet, uneventful life where she is loved by Ms. Yugao as a sweet pet and taken care of like the beautiful Queen she is.

Still, there is an unshakable feeling that she has missed out on true love in her life, despite her current, content happiness.

Track Nine: Meow Meow & Thomas Lauderdale – Hotel Amour

Fun fact: Meow Meow played Griddlebone in the 2019 movie!

I looked for Love in the beautiful cities I looked for Love up in the air I looked underground though I knew that I shouldn't And still, no Love was anywhere I went to the place they call Heaven I went to the Hotel Amour I sat still and wrote Love some letters But Love doesn't read anymore I sang Love into my stories And I danced Love into my dreams But Love didn't find me Let alone blind me Love is nowhere it seems I looked for Love by pretending I wasn't I looked for Love close to the bone I fixed up some wings and I bought all the permits So Love could take flight when it was grown I followed the maps, I read all the signs I bought Love a building called "Home" I filled in the forms and I paid all the taxes Still, Love left me alone... My heart's still jumping out of my skin I've nothing to keep the feeling in I've nothing to do to make Love stay I've nothing to keep the darkness away You're all in the grandness of little things A leaf that's shaped like a heart A simple breeze, a feather Morning light, evening star And I'm singing to you my stories And I'm dancing with you in my dreams... Love... Love is everywhere... it seems

Throughout her life, Griddlebone has done everything she thought was correct to find and feel a form of love that made her feel complete, but could be deemed as unsuccessful in that pursuit.

Although it never manifested for her as love with another, she has felt the unconditional love of someone that cares for her as the most important thing in her life.

Looking back on her life now as a senior Queen, Griddlebone comes to a realization that love can now be found all around her. It was never her fault for not finding the idea of 'love' that she felt she needed, and there may never have been an instance where she felt that she had found the prize she was after, but love was always with her in the little things of life.

@the-cat-at-the-theatre-door I am not sure if you are still interested in these after all this time, but in case you are, enjoy :).

[soranker]

Heya! Saw your cry for a distraction and honestly such a mood.

I've got a question!

What's your least favorite thing to draw/do when you make art?

I'm on my own art journey right now and kind of dread the transition from lineart to coloring.

Trying to study anatomy right now and ignore rendering but I'm curious what other artists feel is challenging or just like 'ugh, ok time for [x]'

OHHH in terms of what's challenging, for me it's definitely coloring, rendering, backgrounds, and composition HAHA (<- chronic flat colors user who only draws character art on a floating white background)

i love focusing on gesture and lines when i draw ^_^ i rely mostly on intuition for the other stuff but it really only takes u so far T_T i'll spend hours trying to fix something by trial and error when i probably couldve saved that time by putting in more conscious studying/practice lol