#What is Restaking

[intelisync]

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[roxannepolice]

Thinking of the formally married vibe with thoschei and Magician's Apprentice, bc... OK I get it, Moffat wanted to tiptoe around romantic thoschei having Missy specifically insist she and the Doctor are above such things thanks this asexual is not happy with the choice of words and to "consider friendship", but. Are we really supposed to accept that a strict weberian ideal 19th century German post office bureaucracy that is Gallifreyan culture would rely on something as quintessentially informal as friendship? Like, I'm absolutely not devaluating this wonderful kind of bond, but the informality is one of its defining elements! You don't sign anything, you aren't registered as anyone's best friend in any book! Or is TL telepathy just that good that it scans a soon-to-die Time Lord's psyche and makes an interpersonal sentiment graph to determine who to send the confession dial too????

Also please consider Donna finding this weird metal disk and after a moment of tense music uses it as a fruit plate for 15 years.

Now, marriage on the other hand. It's strictly equated with romance now (which is great the fact that mutual feelings are the main reason to choose a life partner is wonderful), but it is essentially a legal contract! It stands in all of your documents, every administration official has access to knowledge of it and there are witnesses to testify it took place. It gives people specific rights and obligations towards each other many of which have nothing to do with romance, sex, or children. You may maintain only cordial long-distance relationship with your spouse but so long as you aren't legally divorced this is still the person you entrust with your body and estate in the case of sudden death without will.

What I'm rambling is, for all the wording in TMA, confession dial being sent to Missy makes infinitely more sense if the Doctor and the Master are married.

And I'm still chewing on my pet torture device of Ten spending YTNW looking at the man tormenting him and and a whole planet but really only thinking of hoe he has a legally binding claim on him that he badly wants to restake.

[wifeglor]

What’s the most surprising smut pairing you’ve written?

Share a DVD commentary on Scripts and Tongues?

Share a smut rec for Maedhros.

thank you so much for the asks! 💖

13. What’s the most surprising smut pairing you’ve written? 

I think at this point, Gandalf/Círdan! I told a friend on the phone that I was going to write that pairing a couple months ago and was cackling at her reaction. Otherwise, maybe Daeron/Thingol (and thank you for your support of both of these!) Both are the only smut fics for these ships in their AO3 tags, so I guess I'm happy to feel like they fill some kind of niche!

22. Share a DVD commentary on [one of your smut fic/smutty scene from a longer work]. (Scripts and Tongues, the aforementioned Gandalf/Círdan)

Heheh. So this fic was born of 2 things basically: a past discussion with @searchingforserendipity25 that set up Gandalf/Círdan as A Ship in my mind, ft. beach imagery, and then my preparing to write some things for smut week and having the VISION implanted in my brain of like "sex joke featuring 'I'm missing your STAFF'". And then I thought it'd be charming to have this sexting take place sometime around LotR, in familiar events--I wasn't at first decided when and where, or if it might be like a "throughout FotR" kind of thing, or in Moria, but, I'm rereading LotR quite slowly now on audiobook and so had the episode of Gandalf recounting at Elrond's Council his research in Gondor's library on the brain. Initially, I wasn't settled on that setting/moment but the more I wrote it (and the more innuendos I could work in related to it) I quickly decided I was keeping it. :D I'd thought initially I might write a longer, sexier scene, but realized I liked it as a briefer piece just moving into the sexier part, focused on the part I was most excited to write and share (the sexting).

Also, I'm honestly full of thoughts about them now: in my head there's like a dramatic whole soap opera thing where Gandalf arrives in Middle-earth and is perhaps greeted with a little skepticism from Círdan (who instantly sees he is a Maia and who's already lived thru like the whole First Age, drowning of Turgon's and his own mariners, sinking of Beleriand etc), vs. Evil Rivalmance smooth-talking Love Interest/Ex Saruman, Círdan coming to trust Gandalf and give him Narya as a token of MARRIAGE um trust, becoming snarky yet relied-upon confidants and then naturally boyfriends, Saruman very personal inevitable yet slay betrayal, later angst and hurt/comfort (pain when the osanwe bond is severed as Gandalf 'dies' and returns??), seaside retirement and coming to know Gandalf's Maia form in Valinor after they sail... IDK IDK. There's so much there and I'm coming to have a lot of feelings about Gandalf as a character. I wish I wrote faster and had the motivation to do some kind of 50k longfic old man yaoi for them; I doubt that will happen but I hope you can imagine and experience for yourself the beautiful vision that it would be.

23. Share a smut rec for [character]. (Maedhros)

Oooh okay. I'm going to share just a few of my favs from across time and space...

Maedhros/Maglor:

Do Not Bait Me With Your Laughter by The_First_And_The_Last - SEARINGLY HOT times in Valinor ft. slightly dubcon Maedhros seduction of trans!Maglor. Absolutely formative!!

Hunting Time installment 2 by Divano_Messiah - Yes I did read this via googletranslate which makes some interesting choices, but the sheer poetry of this omegaverse series transcends language and culture. In this fic, Maedhros returns to the family home to realize Celegorm has taken advantage of Maglor, who is his own, and he restakes his claim. Just brilliantly indulgent, and contains the line "Nelyafinwe, are you fucking insane?" from Celegorm that rewired my brain about unhinged Maedhros potential.

No Pearls, No Feathers by dur - For something entirely different, rough and highly charged moments between Maedhros and Maglor in late stage Beleriand. This fic is packed with beautiful, weighty writing that really arrests you, making the reader feel and experience each second of this brief in time, yet SO POWERFULLY CHARGED and sexy scene with its rise and awful fall alongside Maglor. Really breathtaking, and Maglor thinking of Maedhros denting a goblet in his hand won't leave me ever now.

Maedhros/Fingon:

I already recommended Death and Taxes on another one of these asks, but...

Pantië by orphan account - Maedhros/Fingon, past Maedhros/Sauron - to this day the ANGSTIEST Nirnaeth fic to me even though it ends right before the battle itself. Maedhros' intimacy issues. Maedhros' control issues and desperate need to give up control. Sexy angst and manipulation all around, alongside and coexisting with this real, strong undercurrent of loving romance between Russingon.

Exchange of Favors by daphnerunning - this fic series I honestly read before I read the Silmarillion itself and it's meant so much to me, even as I've moved off in some interests! This installment is the sweetest, funniest, most intimate and tenderly charged Elves Roleplaying As Humans (Maedhros as Fingon's mistress). I love it so!

Maedhros/Thingol:

YEAHH babey secret sexiest ship of the book.

Guidance by iddump (and in fact the whole series that goes with this, but this is an incredible, soo sexy bite-sized version) - Thingol edging Maedhros while advising him (mentor to mentee... one lord to another...) on his correspondence.

Maedhros' Good Report Card by @imakemywings - fem!Maedhros as fem!Thingol's younger sugar baby in a modern AU. Being dommed so thoroughly and with such steady affection could probably fix everything wrong with Maedhros. I have to mention this one because fem!Thingol blew my mind this past week and I'm still reeling and recovering.

[brandwhorestarscream]

Earthspark constructicprowl

When the prowl retrieves their husbands he will cry, or cling to them like a koala, or go into mania long enough to spark up a few of them. what comes first

OHHHH manic Prowl pinning his mates down and restaking his claim by forcibly fucking them in front of onlookers? Pumping them full of potential sparklings while the entirety of GHOST and the autobots look on, scandalized 😳

I'm so down

[shaydh]

34 and 45 for the oc relationship ask thing with Niko and Liam? If ur still doing that

Sure, I always love doing these :D

34. How do they address a problem in their relationship?

They have a system. If it's an obvious problem (someone did something shitty, jealousy, etc) they "fight" about it and usually the wronged one gets to restake their claim on the other, or something like that. The other "submits" and that's as close to an apology as you'll get out of them. If it's an emotional problem it will probably never be addressed until it blows up into a huge fight.

35. What’s the worst thing the other can say to one?

I think for both of them it'd be some variation of the other saying "I'm leaving you". What follows that is spoilers so that's all I'll say >:D

[queen-scribbles]

From the Brink

27. passionate hand-holding [Vikkari/Arueshalae]

---

Vikkari woke up sore.

That in itself wasn't an unusual occurrence. Even before the Crusade, before he set to wandering, there were more than enough tasks on a farm like his family's to leave you with sore muscles come morning. And the life he'd led since striking out still made various levels of sore an occasional companion.

What was unusual was the deeper, painful ache in his side that registered a moment later.

More than a cramp, more than simple soreness, the sensation was akin to someone trying to pin him to the ground using his own ribs. It pulled a disoriented groan from him as he awoke and Vikkari instinctively curled in that direction. As if that would help.

"Hey, no, chief, you gotta--" Hands on his shoulders, pushing back, gentle but stubborn.

Vikkari fought them for a moment before giving in. The pain did, indeed, subside as he relaxed, blinking the world into focus. He was in a tent, in his bedroll, armor off, and a purple tiefling perched cross-legged on the ground next to him.

"Hey, chief." Woljif flashed an exaggerated grin that did absolutely nothing to hide the lingering worry in his eyes or the way his tail was twitching.

"Hey." His voice came out in a croak. Vikkari cleared his throat. "Why...?"

Why do I have to lie still? Why do I feel impaled? Why are you here but no one else? An ethereal green butterfly landed on his cheek and he reached by reflex to shoo it back into motion as he tried to decide which question to actually ask. Or at least ask first. They were all strong contenders.

"There's a piece of sword or stone or somethin' still stuck in your gut," Woljif said, tail flicking up to curl around his arm and then back down. "Sos is worried 'bout it causing more damage if you move too much before they get it out--think he was hopin' you'd stay out longer--but he and Seelah needed a break."

Vikkari stared at him blankly, not at all liking the implications of that flurried sentence.

Woljif frowned upon seeing his blank expression and leaned forward. "Do you not remember, boss?"

Before he could reply, the tent flaps were nudged aside as a scaly purple head shoved in, blue eye sparking with relief when they locked with his. "Vikkari!!" Aivu bellowed. She withdrew, but a moment later shoved her head back in the tent side closest to his bedroll.

"Hey, I'm gonna have to restake that now!" Woljif moaned, but the dragon ignored him.

She wriggled in far enough to nuzzle the side of Vikkari's face. "I'm glad you're awake! I was really worried and they wouldn't let me stay 'cause they said I'm too big!"

"You are too big," Vikkari said with a chuckle. Even that faint movement made his side twinge and he bit back a wince.

Aivu made a purring trill as she nuzzled a moment longer, the small cloud of butterflies increasing their circuit to include her, then bonked her head lightly against his shoulder. "You scared us!"

"Sorry...?" Vikkari mumbled, still trying to work out what he'd done.

"Don't tell me you forgot the gargantuan demon, chief," Woljif drawled--by way of a hint, he supposed.

He had, but the sardonic words nudged things into motion and it started coming back.

---

There wasn't much to be found here; the terrain too rocky and crisscrossed by dozens of ravines or crevasses. Not that the demonic forces seemed to care.

The derakni was massive-- twice as large again from normal. And unlike most of its ilk, it wielded a scythe, equally large and razor sharp. A few smaller demons, dretches and babaus, as well as cultist warriors, grouped around it as if waiting for orders. Or prey.

There was no attempt at bartering, no puffed-up banter. The locust demon gave an eager, guttural cry and launched itself at them.

Its minions scrambled to join in, but they were hardly a challenge. It was the aberration itself that posed the most danger. Frothing poison, wide swipes with its scythe, its droning wings beat against their sanity and its chitinous hide deflected their blows.

One of the cultists angled for Arueshalae and Lann and Seelah rushed to interpose herself, hands and blade both glowing with holy light. Her reckless charge protected the archers but left her open to the deranki.

Vikkari snapped off a spell in her defense, the orange rush of fire glancing off the demon's shoulder but fully catching its attention.

It hissed as it wheeled on him, too fast to react, the scythe piercing his side and slamming him to the ground. It used the weapon to reel him in, a wide, horrible grin splitting its face.

"Looks like the butterfly thinks it can play with the locusts," it sneered, free hand snapping up to extinguish one of the Elysian butterflies. Its grin widened as it peered at him. "Ah, Galfrey's pet butterfly, no l-"

It snarled as Aivu bit down on one of its back legs and kicked out to dislodge her.

Protective fury numbed the pain for long enough Vikkari channeled a burst of magic into the thing's face.

It howled and jerked the scythe in a harsh upward sweep. The hooked blade was deep enough in his side to fling Vikkari in the air before it tore free, and there wasn't much he could do beyond brace himself.

Landing was going to hurt.

---

"Locust-boy had a good arm," Woljif said with strained nonchalance, watching him process the memory. "Me an' Aivu took off on the path you got tossed while everyone else finished off tall, pissed, and bugly." He fiddled with a dagger, spinning the point in the dirt. "There was a minute or ten, weren't sure we'd find you," he admitted. "All those crevasses. Lots of places for you to slip outta sight."

"Well, clearly you did," Vikkari said, petting Aivu's head and neck.

"'Cause of them." Woljif flicked a hand up toward the circling, much diminished, kaleidoscope of ethereal butterflies. "Apparently they stick around even when you're, uh, out. And you were were really out."

"I thought you were dead!" Aivu interjected. "Only for a second, but it was really scary! Don't do that again!"

Vikkari patted her snout. "I'll do my best."

"So your dragon pal stayed with you, I ran back for the others, Sosiel and Seelah healed you up best they could, but we did just fight a bigass demon." Woljif shrugged, relief gleaming in his eyes despite the laidback façade. "The rest of us found a good spot to camp and set up while they rested. Also, Sos found that whatever-it-is in the wound an' wants to not be all shaky an' exhausted if he's gotta go digging it out."

"Yes, I'll appreciate that myself," Vikkari said dryly. Knowing what it--probably--was made it hurt more.

Woljif snorted a laugh. "I bet." His posture was much more relaxed. "Lann's keeping watch and your girlfriend's doin' her thing to camouflage the campsite from any other baddies that might be around."

Vikkari's neck warmed at the casual needling, but Woljif wasn't completely wrong, and it explained where Arueshalae was.

"Since I didn't have anything else to do, I got 'keep an eye on the chief and make sure he doesn't hurt himself if he wakes before the healers are ready to finish what they started' duty."

"Quite a mouthful of a title," Vikkari said lightly.

"Tell me about it," Woljif laughed. "But I don't mind."

The tent flaps parted and Sosiel leaned in with a smile. "I thought I heard voices. Good to see you awake, Commander."

"In large part thanks to you, as I understand it," Vikkari said. He could still see traces of weariness on his friend's face, but Sosiel didn't look ready to collapse from exhaustion at the moment. "Thank you."

"Of course," Sosiel nodded. "Though I didn't do it alone, Seelah was invaluable-"

"But Sosiel did the lion's share," Seelah interrupted to insist as she pushed past him into the tent. "Pulled you back right from the brink." She made shooing motions at the tiefling and the dragon. "Woljif, Aivu, out. There's not room for all of us, and we" --she gestured at Sosiel-- "gotta finish patching Vikkari up. You can bug him later."

Woljif didn't protest as he ducked out. "Unless someone else wants t' bug him first!" Aivu whined but also withdrew. Some of the butterflies went with her.

"It shouldn't take long to finish," Sosiel said, his smile now apologetic. "Just, with the battle..."

Vikkari waved off the the regretful tone. "I imagine there was a lot to fix." The derakni had flung him hard, and the fact he couldn't even remember hitting the ground meant it had likely been far from pleasant.

Seelah snorted a laugh, but the accompanying smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "You could say that."

"Fortunately we were able to tend everything save the initial wound," Sosiel said. "It cracked if not fractured a rib, and I believe there's still a fragment of the scythe blade embedded, just needed to recover some energy before attempting... something to remove it."

"You don't have to justify it, Sosiel." Vikkari started to sit up until the cleric held up a warning finger. "I wouldn't want any of you burning yourselves out for me."

"Thank you, Commander." He and Seelah moved close, Sosiel kneeling and her plunking cross-legged by Vikkari's bedroll. Seelah reached for his hand and Vikkari sent her a quizzical look.

"I'm mostly moral support this time," she explained. "He had an idea, and from the sound of things, this is gonna hurt."

"Thanks for the warning," Vikkari deadpanned, gaze on Sosiel as he chanted a spell, one fist clenched.

A faint light briefly danced around the gauntlet he still wore on that hand, and then he held it out just over the wound. There was a jolt of blindingly sharp pain that had Vikkari biting back a curse and squeezing Seelah's hand hard enough to crush a more delicate one. She murmured what sounded like a prayer to Iomadae and the pain eased, but his grip stayed white-knuckle and the remaining butterflies swirled agitated circles in the air around them.

And a sharp-shiny something flew out of his side into Sosiel's waiting hand. "Ah, good, it was a fragment of the scythe."

"Good?" Vikkari managed between clenched teeth.

"Yes, because otherwise the spell wouldn't have worked and I would've had to dig something this size out of you." Sosiel held out the gauntleted hand, a glittering, bloodstained line of dark metal crossing the width of his palm. "I did not relish the thought of causing that level of prolonged pain, even in pursuit of healing." He set the gauntlet and weapon splinter aside, one hand now curling around his holy symbol and the other extended to the freshly bleeding wound in Vikkari's side.

There was nowhere near the same level of pain this time; the slight discomfort of bone realigning as the broken rib fixed itself, of flesh knitting back together. But then it was done, and the soothing warmth of magic retreated.

"There," Sosiel said, weariness more pronounced but smile still warm, "You should still rest tonight, as should we all, but everything is healed."

"Thank you," Vikkari said with a smile of his own. "Both of you." He gave Seelah's hand another squeeze, more grateful and less desperate. "For all your hard work."

"You're welcome." Sosiel checked the wound was fully healed and stood to leave. "I need to cast the protective wards before I turn in..."

"Just make sure you get some sleep," Seelah admonished, and he nodded as he departed.

"You look like you could use some yourself," Vikkari said as he shifted to a more comfortable position. Now that he was out of danger, he could lay in a way that didn't make his back and shoulders sore.

"You're not wrong," Seelah said with a small laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Broken bones have never been easy for me to mend, let alone a few in a row--"

"A few?" he echoed.

She sent him a you really wanna know? look. "Arm in two places, leg in three, few more ribs beyond the one from getting impaled, collarbone. Skull. Must've hit real hard." Her teasing laugh was a bit stilted. "Surprised you didn't leave a crater."

Vikkari's nose wrinkled. "That's... more than a few."

"Yeah. But we got it all fixed." She winked. "Good thing you're my best friend so you're worth."

He chuckled. As if you wouldn't do it for any of us. "Thank you, really."

"You'd do the same for me, and I know you were only its target 'cause you were watchin' my back."

"You'd do the same for me," Vikkari said, smiling as his mimicry earned him an eyeroll and light punch to the shoulder.

"In a heartbeat," Seelah said as she stretched, her gaze flicking to the tent entrance. "But you're right; I should go rest. Someone's gotta take your watch tonight-"

Vikkari opened his mouth to protest he could sit and watch the surroundings even if he was still recovering.

"-and I think you have another visitor," she finished with a grin as she pushed to her feet.

He took the hint to look and couldn't stop a smile at the familiar silhouette--horns, glittering red eyes, leathery wings folded close to her back as she lurked in the doorway.

"Iomadae's left pauldron, you're smitten," Seelah snickered, and Vikkari shrugged rather than argue, which made her laugh again. "I'm done with him, Arueshalae, he's all yours."

There was a small gasp of surprise and Arueshalae smiled shyly as she slipped into the tent after Seelah departed. "I didn't want to intrude..."

"You aren't," Vikkari assure her, pushing himself up to a sitting position. "I was just thanking her for her part in saving my life."

A worried--and adorable--little frown furrowed her brow for a moment, and Arueshalae headed for the spot Seelah had occupied with steps rapid yet somehow hesitant, her wings folded in close to manage the confines of the tent. "It was... terrifying," she whispered. There was no similar hesitance to the fervor with which she took his hand and squeezed, her fingers almost hot enough to burn. "You scared us."

"So I've heard from several sources." Vikkari squeezed her hand back, thumb running over her knuckles in an almost-caress.

"You scared me," she said softly, biting her lip.

"And I'm very sorry for that," he said just as softly. He tugged up his shirt to show the unblemished skin (despite the bloodstain marring the fabric). "But I'm alright now." He tried not to dwell on the litany of broken bones Seelah had reeled off as he caught Arueshalae's gaze and squeezed her hand again. It did make sense of how rattled all of them seemed, though. "I am, Arueshalae, I promise."

"You weren't." The words were so quiet he barely caught them. "You-" Arueshalae swallowed, her hot, delicate fingers briefly brushing his cheek. "It was so close, Vikkari. Your eyes were so dim--dark--and I hated it and it scared me so badly--" She caught a shuddering breath, gaze dropping to their linked hands. "And it's worse because I-I shouldn't..."

Vikkari's heart squeezed, seeing her so distressed. Yes, you should. "I am sorry I scared you, truly I am. I wish I could promise never to do it again. But I can't, not with the lives we lead, the goal we seek to accomplish. I promise to do my best, and" --he tipped her chin back up-- "my eyes will always shine for you, if I have any say in the matter."

She blushed ducked her head again, studying their hands, tracing an old whittling scar on his. "That's... Thank you. It's very sweet and I know it's the best you can promise." She continued tracing his knuckles, his palm. "You're always sweet, and so kind and... I was praying," she admitted abruptly.

He waited out the pause that followed.

"The whole time I was working to disguise the camp. Panicked, inarticulate little things." Arueshalae gave a small, shaky laugh, pressing both of her hands tight around his. "Desna, don't let him die. Or let him be alright, we still need him. For Seelah and Sosiel to have what they needed." She met his gaze, eyes shining with relief and unshed tears. "I'm... glad She listened, despite me being me."

"Of course She did," Vikkari said, softly, gently. "You're a good person, and you were asking for a good thing." He huffed a wry laugh. "Selfish as that may sound coming from me."

She shook her head. "No, it's-- We... the Crusade needs you."

"And you still have me," he promised, not entirely referring to the Crusade with his reassurance. He watched a teal butterfly alight on one of her horns and bit back a smile.

"I know," Arueshalae nodded. "I just needed to remind myself of that." She looked down at their hands, let one of hers slide away. "But I should let you rest now..."

Despite the implied intention, she didn't let go of his hand, barely loosening the rest of her grip.

Vikkari smiled, gave her hand another squeeze. He'd be lying to deny weariness setting in, but, "You can stay, if you want. I'd rather your company than be alone." He meant it, and her reluctance made him think she would prefer that as well.

The shy smile that bloomed across her face confirmed his suspicion. "Alright."

Their reluctance to release each other's hands made laying back down a bit tricky, but Vikkari managed. He shifted to his side so the angle wasn't a strain for either of them.

"Sweet dreams," Arueshalae whispered, and he drew her hand close to kiss her knuckles as he felt the exhaustion of the long day--and ordeal he'd been through--creeping up on him.

He dreams were very sweet, indeed.

But even sweeter was finding her still there come morning.

[fourohfourrealitynotfound]

(This is a rant inspired by @inkovert 's post about perfectionism-- I recommend giving it a read, it helped me to see someone going through something similar)

When I was in middle school, I wrote fanfiction with my friends. I didn't post it and I didn't finish any of it, but it was a fun hobby for me. Until it wasn't.

At the time, there was someone in my life who mistakenly tore those of us around them down to deal with the pain in their life. I don't blame them because we were kids and kids do dumb things, but their actions have had a lasting effect on my writing hobby. I developed an inner critic so strong that I've shied away from writing for years now.

But recently I was inspired to write a new fic. And I've spent the last seven months writing it. (We're on chapter 19 of 21!)

It's been a lot of work. Pushing past an inner critic that decides to hate the words you wrote just a paragraph ago is very difficult. But I've come to the conclusion that I can't let it control my life anymore. So I'm writing, even if it's shitty, and telling my inner critic that it can come back and talk to me when I'm editing.

But there's other things in the way, too. I've been dealing with undiagnosed medical issues for the past 4 months that have put chronic pain in the joints on my hands. In month 3 of writing the fic, I was told to stop writing by my peers for fear I would make the problem worse. I've ignored them.

I've decided I can't live a life where the only thing I do with my hands in a day is work to get a paycheck. I'm allowed to have hobbies that use my hands. In fact, my mental health requires it.

So I'm restaking my claim over my writing hobby. My inner critic, born from the residue that unkind person left on my life, is no longer allowed to drive. I'm in the driver's seat. The critic is allowed to come out a bit in editing, but it is not allowed to halt me from working on my WIPs.

Life's top fucking short to steal your hobbies from yourself out of fear that it won't turn out as intended.

So what if my writing is shitty. It's allowed to be; I'm still a novice. If I want to rewrite the damn thing when I have more skills and knowledge, there's no rules saying I can't. What matters right now is getting something, anything, on the page. What matters now is doing a thing that makes me happy.

I will not let myself steal my happiness from me.

[mahvaladara]

Astarion: So, tell me about your vampire? Neer: Masha isn't my vampire. He is my friend, plus he is a spawn. Astarion: How did the two of you meet? Neer: Pretty much like I met you. I tried to help him and he proceeded to be an asshole, so I saved him anyway. Astarion:... I do remember you punched me when I bit you. Neer: But I still saved your ass from Szar. --- Neer: Asta, Masha. Bats, Astarion. Masha:... Astarion:... Masha: I look better than you. Astarion: Boy, I have fought bigger mice than you and I have 8 at str! And I thought Casador was awful. Who turns a bloody kid into a spawn? You cannot be older than 16 at best! Masha: I am not a kid! I am over 400 years old. Astarion: Truly? You're older than me? Masha: Yes! Neer: Technically not, because the Valley of Stars has existed for 400, so poor boy there only lived like half a century as a spawn before his master shoved him a dungeon, forgot about him, then got killed. Astarion: Oh! He shoved you a dungeon? What did you do to displease your master, little kid? Masha: I was too old. Astarion:... Neer:... Astarion: -looks Masha up and down- Is there an afterlife for vampires in your world, Neer? I'd very much like to go restake another vampire bastard. Neer: Pfft. Masha: I'll help!

[bangtanagan]

like the flowers need the rain

jimin/jungkook; bg namgiseok modern magic au witches & covens, first meetings, minor misunderstandings 23k, rated T, complete written for jikook week 2022 In the last flush of springtime, a new witch comes to town. Jimin only wishes Jungkook liked him a little more.

“You’ll have to be patient with it for a few days,” Jimin says as he stands, pausing on the way up to pull at the back of his ankles. The stretch sings through his calves and the pinch of his back, pleasant after nearly an hour hunched over the flowerbeds. “No matter what, don’t touch anything until they start blooming. That means no weeding.” He raises a dirt-stained finger, chiding. By the time he’d arrived, the roses had been threatening the foundation of Yoongi’s workshop and the lavender was encroaching on the duck pond, much to the displeasure of the ducks.

“It was only a bit around the edges,” Namjoon mutters, standing well clear of the flowerbeds with his hands behind his back. “Outside the twine and everything.”

“That’s like, guidelines.” Jimin wipes at the sweat tickling his temple. “I’ll restake the border farther out.”

“Probably a good idea,” Namjoon sighs. “Do you want lemonade?”

“Absolutely.”

read on ao3

[morganwrites12672]

Dean Redding x Reader

'I couldnt love a killer'

**

You storm into the kitchen.

"What the fuck," you hissed at Briggs. The hair on the back of his neck stood up at your words. And the daggers you were glaring. If looks could kill, He would have been staked, buried, and then restaked for good measure.

Your boyfriend and Michael stood with Briggs.

"My dad. He was put on trial, he can have visitors again. You promised," you were yelling at this point.

"I don't want,-" Briggs started.

"What about what I want? You forget, I had no clue he was anything but perfect until he got arrested. I idolized him. I haven't seen or heard from him in four years," you yelled at him.

With that you stormed back to the room you shared with Dean and sulked onto your bed.

You heard a gentle knock, "Dean?" You ask you are answered with your boyfriend opening the door and entering, he realizes the door and sits next to you.

"I'm sorry," Dean says.

"Did you know?" You say. More of a statement than a question.

"Pleas let me explain," whenever you don't interject he continues, "He told me it would only bring you to a darker place again, it might harm your recovery,"

He gives you a pleading smile.

You smile back and pull him into you. Arms and legs entangled, your voice barely a whisper, "I can't do it alone,"

"Moral support," he says kissing your cheek.

Agent Briggs had arranged a meeting with your father. He was less than amused that Dean would also be going.

"He's my dad. You don't have to come," you remind Briggs.

"And let you meet with a serial killer? Alone?" Briggs fights back.

"He's her dad," dean reminds.

"Get in the damn car," Briggs says.

You feel dean's hand slowly sliding to find yours. You save the time and entertwined your fingers with his. You see a ghost of a smile on his face.

The guards are quite aggressive when they pat you down, not fond of a killers daughter.

"I know he's terrible. I didn't pick him to be my dad," you say exasperated.

You and Briggs are led to a meeting room. Without your knowledge dean is led to a mirrored viewing room.

"Hey Yn," your father says calmly.

"Why?" Is all you say.

"Well hello to you to," he says, "You don't know to but I know you better than you think,"

"You dont. You don't know me," you tell him.

"Your favorite color is mustard yellow or black. That ivy ring you always wear on your wedding finger, was your moms. You wear it to remember her," he says, "You could read a thousand pages a day and not break a sweat. Always moving. Always doing stuff,"

Agent Briggs prys you away from your father's throat as you storm out. Words were exchanged. Not good ones.

He tried to tell you you were the same. You would kill. And you would like it.

Dean meets you in the waiting room.

He had been moved after you and your father fought.

The blood on your lip a reminder.

"Are you okay?" He asked acting like he didn't know.

"Fine," you grimace And hug him as you walk back.

**

"She's not fine," Agent Briggs told Dean as you walked into the house.

"I know. I saw, the mirror," he says.

Agent Briggs curses as he walks inside

"You're good at it, you both are. Fixing the other," Briggs comments.

Dean goes straight to your shared room.

"Babe," he says careful not to step on nerves.

"I don't need fixing. I'm broke and I need you to love something you can't fix," dean's face falls with your words.

Your state is blank. Mind is numb. Mind if a killer you think. You were the daughter of one....

"Hey, I think everybody is a little broken," he kisses you on the forehead as he sits on the ground next to you.

"You should of heard what he said," you almost whimper as you sit on his lap, face inches from his own, then bring your face in his neck as he hugs you.

"I did," he explains.

"At least you didn't lie, and now you know. I'm predictable, I'm a killer bound to be one," you place a kiss on his collarbone. The base of his scar.

"You're not a monster, not a killer. I couldn't love a killer," he says as he kisses you on top of your head.

"He was wrong. I wear the ring to remember why I'm hear. To help people who can't help themselves," you comment as you plant a kiss on his lips.

It takes him by surprise but he is quick to react.

Soon you have a hand threading though his hair as he moans into your kisses.

Sucking hickeys and running your teeth along the tanned skin, panting you pull back

Lips slightly swollen from the little nipping, you out your shirt back on before getting in bed.

"It's barely noon," Dean tells you.

"Do you want to be little spoon," you bribe. He took the bribe before you started spooning him. You hear his soft snores as you drift asleep.

[intelisync]

2024 Guide to Liquid Restaking: Everything Beginners Should Know

The advent of liquid restaking is significantly altering the dynamics of the DeFi ecosystem by allowing stakers to reallocate their assets across multiple protocols without the need to un-stake. This innovative approach enhances both liquidity and flexibility, enabling users to maximize their staking rewards by participating in several staking opportunities simultaneously. By diversifying staking activities, liquid restaking mitigates risks associated with exposure to a single protocol and enhances overall security. It also improves liquidity, making it easier for users to trade and transfer their restaked assets, a flexibility not afforded by traditional staking methods.

Liquid restaking's seamless integration with DeFi platforms facilitates the use of staked assets in various financial products, thereby opening up a plethora of innovative use cases, such as collateralized lending and synthetic asset creation. This integration supports the decentralization ethos of blockchain technology by allowing more participants to engage in staking without the constraints of locked assets. As the DeFi sector continues to evolve, liquid restaking is poised to become a foundational component, driving greater innovation and user participation.

EigenLayer exemplifies the benefits of liquid restaking by enabling users to maximize their staking rewards while securing multiple blockchains. This approach not only enhances capital efficiency but also fosters new opportunities within the DeFi space.

For those looking to leverage these advantages, Intellisync provides advanced liquid restaking solutions, ensuring your assets remain accessible and continuously productive. Join the Intellisync revolution today and optimize Learn more....

[writerystuff]

READ MORE FICTION

"One early indicator of memory issues, according to Dr. Restak, is giving up on fiction. “People, when they begin to have memory difficulties, tend to switch to reading nonfiction,” he said.

"Over his decades of treating patients, Dr. Restak has noticed that fiction requires active engagement with the text, starting at the beginning and working through to the end. “You have to remember what the character did on Page 3 by the time you get to Page 11,” he said."

– Hope Reese [NYT, behind a paywall]

[financialinsightdailycom]

🔥 Discover What is Karak Network: The Future of Blockchain

Karak Network is not just another blockchain platform. It's the future of decentralized finance and AI integration. Curious about how multi-chain restaking works? Want to know why Karak Network is at the forefront of blockchain innovation? This article breaks it all down in a way that’s easy to understand, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Get ready to dive into the tech that’s changing the way blockchains interact with each other. 🚀 Click to explore the full article now! 📖 https://financialinsightdaily.com/what-is-karak-network/

[omgmacia-blog]

Is Traditional Stock Investing Always Safer Than DeFi?

Classic Stocks or Decentralized Finance: Which Offers Greater Safety?

The answer might not be as straightforward as it seems. For instance, after the devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck Japan in 2011, the Nikkei stock market plunged by 6.2%. This sharp reaction underscores how traditional markets can be highly volatile in response to major events. 

Today, cryptocurrencies are also often criticized for their extreme price swings compared to traditional stocks. While this volatility can attract investors looking for high rewards, it can be unsettling for those who prioritize stability and wish to avoid substantial losses.

Evolving Market Stability and Risk Assessment

People used to think that traditional investments, like stocks and bonds, were always safer. But lately, things have changed. For example, the stock market in Japan and the United States had really big drops recently. This shows that even these old-school investments can be very risky.

On top of that, things like trade wars, changing interest rates, and worries about inflation are making traditional investments even more unpredictable. Because of all this, people are starting to wonder if investing in new, digital types of money (like crypto) is really that much riskier than sticking with the old ways.

People often wonder if cryptocurrencies are riskier than stocks. The truth is, we don't know for sure which one is better. Both can go up or down in value. How much risk you’re willing to take is up to you. Investing in anything, whether it's crypto or stocks, can be risky.

The best thing you can do is to learn as much as possible about investing before you put your money in. Know what you can handle and make smart choices.

Embracing DeFi Innovations and Strategic Investment

The world of money is changing fast, and new ways to invest are popping up. One new idea is called "restaking," which lets you use your crypto investments in more ways to make more money. It's like finding extra ways to use your savings to earn interest. While there are still questions about how well this new system works, it's getting a lot of attention because it could be a smart way to grow your money.

Or to take advantage of these new opportunities, you might want to consider investing early in new crypto projects. This means buying coins before they become really popular. It's a bit like buying a new product before everyone else knows about it. It can be risky, but it could also lead to big rewards.

However, not every new token is worth investing in. It’s crucial to focus on tokens that are currently trending to maximize your potential returns. Additionally, thorough research is essential to avoid scams. 

For example, BUSAI is a new coin that's popular because it combines AI and memes. Lots of people are interested in it because they think its price will go up when it starts selling. With BUSAI’s second presale phase approaching, keeping an eye on social media updates will help ensure you don’t miss out on this promising investment opportunity.

Source: Compiled 

The Official Channel: Website | Twitter | Telegram

[orocryptotrends]

🚀 **Introducing #reALT : Your Auto-Reinvesting Token!**

$ALT **What is reALT?**– **reALT** is short for **restaked ALT Token**, a novel token designed to auto-reinvest staking rewards. Read More

[novumtimes]

What Is Restaking?

The concept of restaking introduces a groundbreaking way for people to utilize their staked cryptocurrency across various protocols simultaneously. This not only boosts reward potential but also significantly enhances the security and scalability of blockchain networks, benefiting the entire crypto ecosystem. Introduction to restaking A common occurrence In the rapidly evolving world of…