#also (looks at map of scotland) oh…………i see.....

[aroaessidhe]

2023 reads

Our Hideous Progeny

historical fantasy set in 1850s London/Inverness

A young woman and her husband want to become renowned paleontologists, but are dismissed by the scientific community and struggling with money

When they find her great uncle Frankenstein’s notes, they construct a plan to recreate a dinosaur to prove their theories and become acknowledged by their peers

But her attachment to the creature and their dissolving relationship over his gambling habits change their plans.

[blaithnne]

I was looking at some Hilda stuff and saw some maps of trolberg/tofoten/the wilderness (huldrawood???) and I was reminded of I think what was one of your notes on Plenism where you were taking about naming stuff and I was very curious on where you'd place the places you came up with in reference to this stuff. (Also Plenism is so good).

OKAY first of all thank u sm i’m glad ur enjoying Plenism! Second of all oh boy anon you have just opened the BIGGEST can of worms, prepare yourself, i’m about to get real neurodivergent 

So one of the things that has always confused and slightly annoyed me in Hilda is the inconsistent scale of it all. Trolberg, for example, is described as being this massive sprawling city, so far out and separate from the wilderness that it’s a completely new world for Hilda, and has it’s own unique holidays and celebrations. 

But, if you look at a map of Trolberg it really doesn’t look that big, and the more ou learn about it the smaller it seems?? In the show, driving from Trolberg to the wilderness seems to take no time at all, and like the second you leave the wall it’s immediately greenery and wilderness lol. The city itself is crawling with nature! And it only gets more confusing when you read tie-in material, especially Hilda’s World. 

The maps in this book are beautifully illustrated and contain almost all of the important locations seen in the show, but they make Trolberg seem tiny! And, according to this book, Trolberg has only one school, and one sparrow scout troop. Now I live in the absolute middle of nowhere, tiny island 4 hours away from the mainland. I went to school in a little town on the mainland, so small it was like barely a town, and it had 4 schools and a college just within the town (i.e. not counting the neighbourin villages and more rural schools), and 4-5 scout troops. This place was TINY, cities have WAY more, but Trolberg apparently only has one of each! Also, according to this book, Tofoten is so close to Trolberg that it’s considered an attraction for Trolberg visitors. What. 

There’s a pretty simple explanation for this - there’s just no point in making more. From a creative perspective, Trolberg doesn’t need multiple schools or sparrow scout troops when the story only requires on each, it would be pointless! And when it comes to tie in bokos like Hilda’s World, 90% of people don’t actually want an extensive guide to the innerworkings of a fictional town, they just wanna see the places they got to know in the show. Same logic applies to the distance between Trolberg and The Wilderness, no one wants to watch Johanna and Hilda driving for 5 hours lmao, it’s just easier to skip that and make the journey seem shorter. Having locations be nearer eachother makes it easier for characters to quickly move around. 

But. I’m deranged. I NEED detailed world building I REQUIRE detailed descriptions of how this place works I NEED to understand these character’s lives and what their day to day is like, sooo for Plenism and my general Laurenverse I have taken some creative liberties. I haven’t gotten rid of anything from the show, just sort of went “Yes, and—”

First things first I don’t consider Hilda’s World canon lol. In the sense that I don’t consider it to be the in universe guide to Trolberg and beyond it presents itself as, it’s just a fun lil silly book with gorgeous artwork !! I’ve kinda ragged on this book a bit but, i genuinely do love it it’s so pretty.

SO, I’ve upped the scale of Trolberg quite considerably. Hilda’s school is just one of many (Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland, at a glance seems to have over 100 primary schools, so yeah), as is her Sparrow Scout Troop. It’s big enough that Hilda hasn’t even come close to seeing the whole city, and the area she and her family move into is pretty much brand new to Johanna and Lauren, who previously lived in a totally different side of the city. 

Hilda’s old cabin, which I’ll call “Folke Cottage”, is approximately a 4-5 hour drive from Trolberg. This is to help drive home the isolation the lil family has living out in the wilderness. 

Speaking of The Wilderness, I gave it a name - Frihäf! In the context of the show, the wilderness doesn’t really need a name (despite how frustrating it can be sometimes when key characters remain nameless for entire seasons, or in some cases the entire show, i actually like the element of realism the show creates by leaving certain characters unnamed. People don’t always ask eachother their names lol, especially kids! Idk i think its neat), but for Plenism I felt it needed one. Frihäf isn’t really a specific place, it’s just the name for this general wilderness area that the family live in, probably encompassing about a…1 hour to 2 hour radius? I’m bad at geography. 

The next important location, this one unique to Plenism, is Tågstad! This is a little village about an hour away from Folke Cottage, and 3-4 from Trolberg. It has a little post office and shop, where Johanna can obtain essentials, but in order to get a lot of supplies, they have to go shopping in Trolberg. So, to avoid having to take baby Hilda into Trolberg, Johanna drives Lauren to Tågstad, where she then takes the train into Trolberg, get’s the shopping, and then comes back where Johanna picks her up. From Folke Cottage, Tågstad is the nearest stop on the train to Trolberg, and the little town acts as a “gateway” to many different destinations, such as Toføten, which, from Tågstad, is about 4-5 hours in the opposite direction from Trolberg, I think.

This is all very boring and technical, hence why the actual show didn’t bother with it lol, but I enjoy thinking of these technicalities! Maybe one day I’ll whip up a lil map or something, but even then i’ll prolly run into the same problem the canon maps do where everything seems very small in scale lol.

Oh, btw, Gröttavux is another town name that gets mentioned in The Roundabout, but I don’t have anything about it lol, I just needed another place name or Johanna to say whilst rambling to add in a cheeky wee bit of realism. Umm the only other thing I know about my Trolberg world building so far is that there’s multiple train stations within the city, one of them spits you out nearby some sort of shopping street or market, so that Lauren can easily access it without having to go too deep into the city, effectively restricting her Trolberg exploration to just one street, therefore still maintaining her disconnect from the city, so it’s still a difficult transition come season 1. 

THANK U FOR ASKING THIS and letting me ramble about this shit, makes my brain very happy :). I might expand upon this more in future chapters of Plenism, but it depend! I have to be very careful to avoid dumping exposition on ppl when writing Plenism bc god damnit i would if i could. I’d write a whole chapter thats just johanna talking about the geography of the world. Thank you and goodnight

[thefictioness]

5. Map

This work is part of a fictober series. For more information, click here.

“Well then…” Sebastian adjusted his glasses using his pointing stick. Across from him, anxiously seated in their chairs, were the four subordinate servants of the Phantomhive household. “Since the trip to Germany was on such short notice, we never had the time to pick up topography lessons to teach you where we would be traveling to. So to prepare for future endeavors, we will be starting them now.” He pointed at a large sheet hung from the ceiling behind him. “Who can tell me what this is?” Finny’s hand eagerly shot in the air. “Oh, oh! Pick me! I know!” Sebastian indicated towards him, and Finny answered. “That’s a map of the world!” “Correct. Can you also tell me where we are at the moment?” Sebastian followed up. Finny frowned. Sebastian turned to the others. “Anyone else want to take a guess?” The four of them were at the edges of their seat, trying to find something recognizable on the map, but to no avail. Sebastian sighed. He pointed his stick at an island. “This is Great Britain. This part of Great Britain is England, and here in the south is where the estate is located.” The four of them blinked in surprise. “Oh, hello there home!” Finny waved at the spot Sebastian just pointed towards. “I knew it was smaller than the States, but I never knew it was so tiny…” Baldroy said. “Where is America?” Mey-Rin asked, searching further. “Well they say it’s westward so it must be somewhere over there, says Webster,” Snake gestures at the left part of the map.  Sebastian Clapped in his hands. “Would you all settle down. Actually, Snake wasn’t too far off the mark. North America is right here.” Sebastian used his stick again and the four watched it slide across the map to stop at a big slab of land. “But we’ll discuss that another time.” The four looked disappointed. “But all that’s surrounding this country is bloody water!” Baldroy complained. “Not quite. This island doesn’t consist of England alone. There is also Scotland and Wales, and even Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.” “So… Then where is the Germany we traveled to?” Mey-Rin asked. “Germany is part of mainland Europe, right here. This is the distance we crossed by boat.” Sebastian let his stick slide across the map. “But those lines indicate there are other countries blocking the way. We couldn't have gone off board in Germany itself, says Keats,” Snake comments. “Correct again. We arrived on land at the docks of Rotterdam in The Netherlands. We traveled by train - this route - to get to Germany and then bought a carriage to get to the village in the woods.” “But that is still such a small part of the map! I want to see aaaaallll the countries!” Finny exclaimed while Sebastian looked at his pocket watch. “Well, for now you’ll have to make do with aaallll the chores waiting to be done. Class dismissed.” The four got up and left the room to get on with their daily tasks. Tanaka, who had been sitting in the corner listening to the lecture, had transformed into his true self. “Ho ho ho. It’s been a while since I’ve had the very same lessons. Soon, they’ll know the names and locations of all countries by heart.” Sebastian replied while taking the map down. “I actually doubt it, but at least they’re enthusiastic….”

[gingericywolf]

Part 2 - [Go to part 1]

He spent a good hour preparing everything for the journey. The stone foundations placed, albeit not so easily, on the raft to reinforce it, this way he hoped no leeds could damage it. A couple of storage wardrobes filled up, a bed and a campfire completed the look. He was not sure with what physics the raft still floated, but what worked worked. Now it was time to convince everyone aboard. He had chosen a few companions to go with him. Salamayon of course was his first choice, he would have not let his companion behind again. He had already settled behind the sail with a huff, not really happy about leaving the desert. Max was his berry gatherer and water supply, there hadn't been much thought there. Unfortantely the morellatops was refusing to step on the raft, no matter how much he was pulling the reins. He could just jump on the saddle and try to manouvre the big... not dinosaur - weird creature on the moving surface. When he finally managed it the animal gave a loud bellow a bit of betrayed look on his face as he moved unconfortably, the space avaible having already greatly reduced.

"I'm sorry Max, but we have to go. I promise you we will still find a place with other morellatops."

Another bellow and a shook of the head, the animal was not convinced. Salamayon gave a hiss.

With a sight he turned to look at the other creatures he choose, a smile tugging as he realized the only 'dinosaur' with him was Bird, who currently had to deal with the two of his higher level sinomacrops he choose to bring along. Billy, the pteranodon was franctically flying around him. He brought both of his flyiers. Bird as weight carry, holding what the chest couldn't and to keep the sinomacrops safe. Billy as a scouting fast mount for the places they'd look at. He still didn't have an idea of what exactly he was searching for. Joker snuggled on his face, almost as if he sensed his uncertainty.

He grabbed the lever, dislodging the raft from the beach- with many protests from Max- and they started gliding on the waters. Luckily there was no leeds to cause troubles as he reached the main island coast, the jungle altready filling everything he could see. Oh he had missed the greens so much. He hopped on Billy, quickly flying around to see if any place took his fancy, soon realizing that he was close to a swampy area. Further in the front a large grassland area. He went back to the raft, going around the swampy bit and to the coast of that area the back to the sky. It reminded him of the Highlands of Ragnarok, but much, much bigger. Just like when he traveled on Ragnarok he felt nostalgic for his home in Scotland. He brushed it all aside and focused back on what he was there for. The area was big, with plenty of seemingly flat areas for building, and some smaller waterholes that could provide for a greenhouse. Different looking Equus trotted around, R-Equus. Some weird platipus like creature jumped around a quickly glided away. He took mental note of those as a quick way to travel in the future. Pack of Allosaurus ate away at what they could kill. He also noticed a few morellatops. Overall the place seemed to be too bare, it seemed he would need to travel for all resources if he estabilished here. A bit more up a secluded lake on top of the redwood forest and with hotsprings just behind also interested him. But none of these spots seemed to scratch him the right way. Back to the raft. Back to the sky to look around. Checking places and creatures. Grabbing a few drops. He did this a few times as he went around, taking notes and updating the map.

He was back on the raft going along a long stretch of land, looking to get around to the other side, finally seeing the curve, when he noticed a Rex stalking on a hill. He took his spyglass and his heart stopped with what he saw.

That made absolutely no sense. It was the strongest rex he had ever seen. It wasn't even possible for that thing to roam around. And yet there it was, like the legends about absurdly strong rexes he had heard. He tryied to go around as fast as he could, hoping to not get noticed, and yet thinking. If it was possible to tame that thing it would have been an absolute monster as a companion, making his life really easy. If it was possible. And how much time it would take? He grit his teeth in frustration. Hopefully it would still roam around once he was ready to take it on.

End part 2

[Prev] - [Next]

[oshawottarchive]

Ninjago Google translated

== Way of the Ninja (cute ninja) ==

Tw, guns, death, cigarette

(The semester begins with a visit to Ignacia, who works at Kaichenia Four Hands.)

What: (Make a sword.) To make a perfect weapon, it must be strong and warm. Wow... it's great! (It hurts when the sword is broken).

Nia: (laughs) Hey, hurry up. I'm sorry, Dad.

Purchase: I know. No matter what your motivation, experience doesn’t come overnight. It may work for Nia, but I am more creative than my father.

Wu: (entering the shop) Hmm... your car is fast and heavy. It helps you feel better. Hidden insects. All samurai weapons but no ninjas?

What is a ninja? Hey, you don't see ninjas in these parts, old man, the name of the shop isn't Crowlo's, it's Cake Cool. Buy something or sell your curse elsewhere.

Wu: Yeah! That’s a terrible thing. I think I see something different here. (Kai goes to change Wu's clothes.)

Kay: I mean if you see anything strange... (if it works).

News: What is it?

Ki: Just forget it.

(A dark cloud appears above Ignite, signaling the arrival of the Skulkins. When they arrive, three Skulkin Police appear from a skeleton car.)

Nickel: Ah! I'm the first! Please. I have to go!

Kruncha: He's dead! Try fighting King Smokekai! (Voice change, back to Smokey.

Smokekai: I'm sorry, friend. Remember what we need and get a card. attack!

(All cars in Scotland fill up quickly, Igniti guarantees a car will arrive).

Smokey: You're tired!

(People turn and run, soldiers call).

The: (looking at the store). What a bye

Kay: (does something) I don't know. Stop here

(Kai rallies the Skulkin army, and one of them strikes Kai and decapitates him.)

You: Ah! Stop! (He kicks Scullen in the head. As the two skeletons celebrate their victory, Nia wakes up and sees them.)

Ki: (surprised by Nia's attack) Like I told you to stop!

Me: So what is it? Do you want everything?

(As the brothers fight the skeleton army, Kurosa and Nickel casually enter the restaurant and start looking around.)

Kroncha: You're not stubborn! (He played Nickel in a samurai helmet.)

Nick: Ah! Don’t be too harsh! (He kills Kruncha in retaliation. When the two Scottish managers fight, he turns the sign outside the shop and finds the card Somoki is looking for.)

Crunch and Nickel: (disgusted) Card!

(Outside, Kai finishes killing the last of his Skulkin warriors as Sumokai approaches him. Kai pulls out his gun and reveals that Sumokai also has four arms.)

You: (I know it’s him.) Oh.

(Koagu grabbed his gun and drew it.

Wu: (angrily) Ninja! (He attacks Smokey again.)

Yang Kai: Look Wu! Your sponge has become dusty.

Wu: Smokekai, don't let anything happen.

(Samakai saw Kai holding a bucket of water on the ground, lifted one knee and slammed the bucket onto Kai).

Ki: (looking at the tank) Oh...!

Wu: Thank you very much! (He used Spongjutsu again to save Kai.)

Smokekai: (returns to the car with the map and skull, instead of dispatching Wu first) Lord Garmadon said take the girl!

Wu: (inaudible) Lord Garmadon?

(Kruncha laughs and grabs Nia by the handle of the car.)

Ki: no! (A bone is equal to a liver.)

Kay: (sadly) got the word…

Wu: I already said. (She hits him over the head with a bamboo stick.) Don't go.

Amy: (angry) Come on! you have to do something! You can use... Twist or -.

Wu: Spanish: Uncle!

Kai: But you didn't do anything! Bring my sister!

W: No one can go anywhere. King Smokai is undefeated. Mr. Mani also feared that if he had taken Gamadon's advice seriously, he would have been in dire straits.

Kai: Are you Gambi-san? World of humans? What's important to them? Why did they arrest my brother?

Wu: What? What about Ninjago? You can take it Combine all your strength. When he died, he promised to protect his two children, but the darkness betrayed his parents: an old man who was defeated in the war and thrown into the desert. The brothers hid their weapons, but they did not want the police to see them, so they sent a guard. And there are maps where his followers can hide in fear of death. (Last photo) The righteous is his father. His older brother is Lord Grimdon. I have to find him before he uses the gun.

Amy: Are you young? So do you have everything in the recipe?

Wu: Absolutely not. I am here for something important. You are the only one. My brother couldn't come, so he arranged for a cigarette. Collect all 4 weapons. I can't stop you But there is fire within you. I will show you how to use it. Please use it. Be a holy teacher.

AMY: Well, I'm glad you said that, but I have to save my brother! I'm not going to fight your brother. (Mr. Conan overwhelms Kai, who tries to leave.)

Wu: And it's not good to laugh too much. You're not ready to get your finger on it. If you want your sister back, you must control your inner fire. You can meet Lord Gamadon for the first time after meeting SpongeBob.

Tui Pui: Yes. So when do we start?

(The next day, Kayuk climbs to the impossible height of Spinjitsu Monastery).

Q: (pause) How long have you been training? See a map above?

Wu: (offers) Wait. (goes to school) I'm done, I'm done. immediately

* (surprised) Daddy? Do you want to learn how to fight peacefully?

D: No harm. To become a true ninja, you must know the unknown.

* But there is nothing here

(Clicking the dragon icon reveals a secret button that activates all the trainers in the monastery).

* (surprised) Oh! Can you teach me how (go to campus)?

Wu: (somewhat confused) Oh.

(K shoots the dragon and it falls to the ground).

Answer: We will end the lesson before tea. Then realize that you are ready. (He drank the whole bottle.) Not today. I'll try again tomorrow.

Question: (angry) Really? But it hasn't started yet.

Wu: (closes the barn door) Wait.

(Kai trains the following week, but misses Wu several times, contrary to Wu's wishes).

Wu: They failed. Haha, no need! I won! And... it won't happen.

(Kai decides to look for fitness equipment one day to find Wu. He pours the tea into another cup and goes up the stairs, Kai can't find it.)

Kei: (Takes a bowl of sugar and threatens Xiao Wu) Is the sugar ready?

(Wu enters the monastery and admires Kai's success.)

Kai: Okay, do you want to learn how to play?

Wu: Done. Final exam tomorrow. (laughs) My advice is to sleep more.

(That night, while Wu is sleeping and Kai is getting ready to sleep, the monastery is attacked by three alien ninjas).

SH: (Thoughtfully) My advice is to sleep.

* (looks at herself) Oh! (The first ninja slowly enters the door.) Here he comes. (A ninja comes around the corner with a shuriken.) Look. (Who has the third ninja?)

(3 ninjas prepare to attack).

* (annoyed) Oh.

[ya-world-challenge]

Book Review: The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu (🇬🇧Scotland)

[image 1: book cover: a European city at night in moody blues and black with a seated classical statue to each side, and underneath, an underground chamber with pillars and stairs. Title overlaid in yellow whimsical spooky font; image 2: world map showing Scotland; image 3: North Merchiston Cemetery & St. Michael’s Parish, Edinburgh: a green cemetery with some headstones fallen over, behind trees in the background, a square church tower. Source: wikimedia commons]

The Library of the Dead

Author: T.L. Huchu

Category: MG/YA

YA World Challenge read for 🇬🇧 Scotland

My Notes

I rolled the randomizer for Zimbabwe (yeah, we're back to the randomizer, but only sometimes.) So I checked out Tendai Huchu's The Hairdresser of Harare but felt hmm, this is kind of too "mundane adult" for my purposes. But I moved on to the same author's YA book and man am I glad I did because The Library of the Dead is awesome. BUT... it's super super Scottish. Despite the MC's Zimbabwean heritage popping in a little it's one of those books where essentially the city is also a character, you know, and that city is Edinburgh. So I'm going to file this one as a read for Scotland, and either go back to the first choice or see what I can find for Zimbabwe!

First line

I’m really not supposed to be doing this, but a girl’s gotta get paid.

Review

Ropa is a tough, don’t-give-a-shit teen who’s dropped out of school to be the family breadwinner with her talent for ghosttalking, delivering messages between the dead and their loved ones. She doesn’t have time to deal when a new ghost wants help finding her disappeared son, but ends up getting roped into it anyway. Along the way there’s also a magical secret society library, and Ropa’s excitable new sidekick Priya, who’s riding her wheelchair on ceiling when they meet.

So, Ropa’s voice is what makes this book. She’s cynical, irreverent, oh-so-colorful, and with a fierce duty to protect the family she’s got left. I really enjoy when books have voice, and this one really does. Sometimes I wasn’t sure when the author was using Scottish-isms or when he was making stuff up, because I think there is a mix of both, and it’s fun. 

The setting is a sort of near-future semi-dystopian Edinburgh with Magic is Officially Known mixed in. Through some mix of climate, riots, and resource scarcity that’s only hinted at, Scotland has become a proud but sharply class-divided place under an English absolute monarchy. The city features heavily, and those familiar with Edinburgh and able to recognize the streets and landmarks could probably get extra enjoyment out of this book.

The mystery itself is pretty straightforward. If you are looking for a plot to really flip your world upsidedown you won’t find it here - the book is pretty MG level in that regard. I recommend it more for the atmosphere and the characters. The library and secret society are an intriguing magical academia setting, and this book seems to be setting it up for more exploration in future books.

Though this is upper MG, as far as colorful language I think our British friends are much less prudish than Americans with regard to children’s books - just something to keep in mind. (There isn’t any sexual or overly violet content.)

Overall, I sped through this book and really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend. It also has an all-POC core cast. 

There is a sequel, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, and a third book in the works.

Other reps: #homelessness #disabled wheelchair-using side character #no romance

Genres: #paranormal #mystery #dystopian #magic

★  ★  ★  ★  ★    5 stars    

Read it at  Bookshop.org  |  Amazon

[fruitsilly]

10 people you want to know better (tagged ppl are under no obligation to do this <3!!)

thank you jude @pansyfem for tagging me! this looks like fun :3

relationship status: single, but heavily lushing/meshing (the sensual/alterous equivalents of crushing respectively) on this guy in my class at uni rn. and i really. Really want him to be my boyfriend holy fucking shit he's so cute. anyways. i also have a milder squish on a girl who's also in my class. i have two exes but i am aromantic and since they were romantic relationships which needed reciprocation they didn't work out. i am still friends with one of my exes (who's also arospec) tho so it's all good!! :•D

favourite colours: my top 5 fave colours are

green

purple

pink

yellow

blue

in that order :)

favourite foods: ough pasta. any kind of pasta really but i am especially partial to lasagne. i also love cheese and pizza. oh and how could i forget!!! millionaire's shortbread!!

song stuck in my head: TOXIC BY BRITNEY SPEARS!!!!!!!!!! although before this it was the borgia family horrible histories song :)

last thing you googled: i use firefox bc im swag so technically i duckduckgo'ed this Anyways. i searched for the tv show "you" bc i saw a gifset from that show featuring a lady i am incredibly bi for and i was like 👀 will i have to watch this now

time: 9.32PM (im gonna write the time of posting this bc i wrote this in my notes app)

dream trip: spain or scotland!! spain bc im learning spanish and scotland bc it's just such a lovely country <3

last thing you read: "the children" by lucy kirkwood! it's a play im reading for my course :)

last book you enjoyed reading: ugh i haven't had the capacity to actually sit down and read a physical book for... too long it's been ages. it's mostly to do with my disabilities and time :( i started reading good omens on my phone but i didn't finish it (i like it so much better than the show lmao). but the actual physical book i read last was "death sets sail" by robin stevens, the final book in her "murder most unladylike" series. ough. ive been with that book series from literally the very beginning. id highly recommend 👍

favourite thing to cook/bake: sadly i don't do enough cooking or baking to know but what i have made is fudge which was quite fun! ive also made a delicious cheesy pasta bake hehe

favourite craft to do in your free time: again. i haven't had the capacity or time to actually make any art since like... march, so, 7 months. yeesh. i miss making digital art. id like to pick it up again but idk when that'll be. id also like to try and get a badge maker bc i have loads of ideas but ugh time is a problem. im just so busy at uni.

most niche dislike: im sure there's Something since im autistic and autism is the Strong Opinions Disorder but nothing's coming to me atm [shrugs]

opinion on circuses: ive only been to one in my life and i really enjoyed it apart from the clowns who i found scary but i was like 8 i think. im less scared of clowns now. also the general aesthetics of them fuck severely

do you have any sense of direction: hardly lol! i have a great photographic memory so even going a certain route once with someone who knows the way i can remember it HOWEVER i am utter shit at finding my way with a map on my own. google maps is always open when im trying to find a place and even then i frequently go in the wrong direction or miss a turning. i just cannot translate distance on a digital map to irl distance. don't even get me started on using a traditional map bc g-d above. id end up more lost than i was before. im excellent at just confusing the hell out of myself <3

tagging: @sillyspooky @skylightz @bromantically @transgenderpolyhedrals @folderone @gir-posting @nvr-pass-spookier-version @heartslobbf @taikacohen @laymedowninsheetsoflinen (plus anyone who sees this and wants to do it just say i tagged you ^_^). again no obligation to do this !! :)

[galadrieljones]

tagged

tagged by @a-shakespearean-in-paris. Thank you!! 💕

Relationship status: Married. Nine years in August! ^_^

Favorite color: I usually say yellow. 

Favorite food: Lately it’s just been tons and tons of fruit. I’m like 35 weeks pregnant, so I’m not super hungry, but I am ALWAYS thirsty and fruit is amazing.

Song stuck in your head: The last couple days it’s been “Neon Cross” by Jaime Wyatt. She’s really good!

Last thing you googled: Jaime Wyatt lol. I wanted to see where she was from just now. Santa Monica...meh. Lol. 

Time: 9:31am MST

Dream trip: I would like to return to the UK, do Scotland and Ireland, and maybe go back to SW England. I would also like to go to Provence. But seriously, my biggest dream trip is probably a full on road trip through the American South. My husband has never been to any southern states, and I have never been to the Smokies. So, that.

Last book you read: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Last book you enjoyed reading: See above!

Last book you hated reading: I haven’t read anything I hated since grad school. Life’s too short for hate reads. It was probably The Bostonians by Henry James. I hate that shit, had to read it for a horrible seminar with the most pretentious PhD students alive.

Last movie you saw: The Northman. I really liked it. Beautiful, insanely balls-to-the-wall. A hero’s journey. Why is Alexander Skarsgard so attractive. Idk. 

Bonus: Idk what this means! Lol. I will share a fact about my life, which is that the valley where I live experienced significant flooding this summer. A 500 year flood, in fact. Our yard flooded, our crawl space and garage flooded, too, all with river water. Luckily, our house was safe, but it’s been a pain in the ass. We have silt and debris built up in the back of our property where it touches the river, and the mosquitoes have been hell. Insurance has been a nightmare, so my husband has had to do a ton of manual labor to get the crawl space clean, and I can’t help him because it’s like a biohazard down there, and I’m majorly pregnant. So...yeah. Been a weird summer. Looking forward, oddly, to fall and winter, so our property can start to heal. 

Favorite thing to cook/bake: Fruit pies. Today, I hope to make a peach/raspberry pie for our neighbors who have been very helpful to us during the post-flood summer.

Favorite craft to do in your spare time: Baking!

Most niche dislike: I have no idea. I really dislike online subcultures that become aggressive and annoying. I hate mommy culture, trad culture, nutrition twitter, bully fandom, etc. Like just be normal, idk.

Opinion on circus(es) now and in history: I don’t like circuses or fairs. They’re too crowded and hot and it’s always a disappointment.

Do you have a sense of direction and if not what is the worst way you ever got lost: Um, I don’t have a great sense of direction lol. I have a good memory and strong visual spatial understanding, so if I’m paying attention, I can map things in my mind and remember where to go, but if I’m not paying attention, oh boy. I need GPS to get anywhere. The most lost I’ve ever felt was one time when my kids and I got off-trail on a hike in a wilderness area not far from where we live. It was winter time, and we had gone to cut down a Christmas tree. There was lots of snow. My husband got way out ahead of us, and I lost the trail in the snow, and we ended up somewhere *wrong*. I completely melted down and shouted for my husband frantically, who came and found us and was terrified we’d been like, attacked by a bear lol. I felt SO stupid, as we were barely off-course. But it all looked so different, and suddenly, I felt swallowed. I will never lose the trail again, and I always try to stay extremely alert to my surroundings now, and what they look like, when hiking.

I will tag @wrenbee @ladylike-foxes @littlelindentree @gneebee @fatale-distraction @thevikingwoman @frangipanilove @magneticmage and @shallow-gravy ^^

[writingsofmax]

Tag 10 people you want to get to know better!

shout out to @finniestoncrane and @mietko for tagging me!

relationship status: in a relationship, honestly my claim to fame here is that I feel like I'm living the edward nashton dream bc my boo has messy wavy brown hair and the same glasses. They genuinely look like how people draw Eddie on here. They always have to stop and play those weird claw drop games you see in restaurants/malls/grocery stores and try to win it. They make me play the Wordle every day lmao. They're a huge fan of retro gaming and work as a computer IT specialist like..... anyway I'm so in love with them. OH ALSO when I first saw the Dano character Klitz, I thought it was a picture of my partner when they were younger, like they looked EXACTLY like that. They looked so identical to Klitz when they were younger that it freaks me out and I have not watched the movie bc of it lol

favourite colour: favorite color of all time is blue, favorite color scheme is blue, purple and pink, but I am also a big fan of blue and green. we love cool tones in this house. favourite food: icecream, candy, hot chocolate, regular chocolate, I'm like... Queen Sweet Tooth 😅 song stuck in your head: Decatur, or, Round Of Applause For Your Step-Mother! by Sufjan Stevens bc I am a sad sad girl that loves folk music. Runner up is Moon I Already Know by Mount Eerie Bc (see above) time: 8:23 pm! dream trip: Ireland or Scotland (specifically Edinburgh) or Oregon/Washington Pacific Northwest Rainforest area

last book you read: Goodnight Pun Pun by Inio Asano (manga) I've read the whole series before years ago but I'm slowly collecting the physical copies of it. last book you enjoyed reading: I love Goodnight Pun Pun but since that's technically a manga I’ll do a diff one, I really liked reading Lovely Dark and Deep by Amy Mcnamara. It's about a girl that's really depressed after a significant loss and goes to live with her artist dad in a remote area of Maine.

last book you hated reading: Little Weirds by Jenny Slate. There's some good moments in there that shine but I feel like the rest of the book is trying really hard to be quirky/weird and indie and it doesn't come off as genuine at all.

bonus! favourite thing to cook/bake: since I got sick I haven't been baking or cooking much but it used to be making pies. I loved making pies. favourite craft to do in your free time: painting and drawing/making comics, but also now: writing :) most niche dislike: I hate the saying "work smarter not harder" because 9 times out of 10 when someone has said that to me they proceed to do whatever they are talking about in the most half-assed way and then you have to do it over again anyway from scratch to do it the correct way and I just. I hate it. opinion on circus(es): I don't like how they treat their animals, l feel like I see so many horror stories about how monkeys, bears, elephants etc are treated in circuses. The aesthetic fucking slaps though. Also? I love clowns they are supposed to be fun and cute and I like them and they have cool makeup.

do you have a sense of direction: Yes, I'm pretty good with a compass and a map too! I used to love doing wilderness navigation and things like that.

I’m tagging @thelychee and @enigmacorps and @teenagezombiekryptonite ((but feel free to ignore if you don’t want to obviously!!!))

[didsomeonesaygo]

Inverness Day 2, in Which a Dog Lives

Breakfast in hotel - confirmed that porridge = oatmeal. Hit the drug store and got postcards, saw an unkilted kid piping on the corner. (The pipers are usually in full regalia.) The City Hall has stone wolves guarding the doors, which were a bit scary at first, but had kind of doofy expressions when you got close.

Then P drove to Castle Urquhart, overlooking Loch Ness. Most of it is ruins, but several walls are still standing, and you can clearly see the structure of life there. The oldest structures date back to around 600 AD, and each new laird added to the buildings.

Set out for Plodda Falls, but lost cell service, so we ended up at Invermoriston and saw the falls of River Moriston and summer house there.

Then on to planned stop #2, Fort Augustus, which has a canal and locks off of the lochs. Had lunch there and also cell service, so we downloaded the map and tried for Plodda falls again. We found the turn off the main road, and the road was closed - foiled again. Plodda is apparently not in the cards for us.

Went back thru Fort Augustus around the southern tip of Loch Ness, and saw a bit of Loch Lochy, a very lochy loch. Then up the other side of Loch Ness to Loch Ness beach at Dores, which is the northern tip of the loch. This also happens to be where Steve Feltham holds the Guinness Record for the longest-running vigil of looking for Nessie. (31 years - no luck yet, but there is still time.)

We were sitting on a rock watching the ducks, and one duck was white. At first I thought it was an otter, but decided, no, it must be a duck. About that time, people with a leash started calling "Colby, come on, Colby!" The non-otter was Colby, a medium sized terrier who had already been in the (very cold) water for at least 5 minutes by the time we sat down - he followed one specific duck into the water and when the duck swam out, he followed. And followed.

We kind of laughed thinking he was a local who did this all the time, but his people were getting frantic, worried that he would get exhausted and go under. The man took off his shoes and socks and rolled up his pants and started wading in. But Colby was NOT getting out of the water without that damned duck. They finally lured the duck closer to shore with some bread, and Colby started barking, and a girl (we assume an actual local) went into the loch in shorts and a sweatshirt and got him back to land - the whole beach applauded. We saw Colby walking to his car later, happy as a clam, and seemingly no worse for wear, but I'll bet he will sleep well tonight. His people did say that's the last time he goes off leash near water.

Oh, on the way to Loch Ness Beach, we came around a corner and almost hit a sheep. Two times. They are effing everywhere.

Then we went to Clava Cairns near Culloden. The site is thought to be a burial ground, dating back four THOUSAND years to the Bronze Age. The internet calls it an ancient cemetery, but the signs onsite say that although there is evidence of fires under the domes, they have not found any human remains, and the site is so old, they're not actually sure of the original purpose. The entrances to 3 of the domes are aligned so that the sun hits inside the domes on Midwinter Day, so it's clear that the site has religious or ritualistic significance. These are the only cairns in Britain that also have standing stone circles, and theories on their origin abound.

Side note: I am pretty sure I was a highlander in a past life; Scotland just feels like home.

The Cairns were our last stop, and P had been driving all day, so we had dinner at the hotel next to ours and turned in early. (Educational note: Scottish tablet = fudge. Fudge is not chocolate. It’s cream, milk and sugar. So fudge, but without chocolate.)

[dybdahltravels2022]

Heading Out Again...

After an action-packed summer filled with cataract surgery, (one eye down - one to go!) trips to Washington DC to protest in front of the Supreme Court, Florida to pick up my Mom, the Pacific Northwest to visit traveling friends and a visit from my Mom in Michigan. we are once again leaving the country. Oh - we managed to fit in an afternooon to celebrate my 70th birthday with dear friends and to enjoy some grandkid time with Thursday night grandkid/grandparent dinners and trips to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum.

But on August 12th we are outta' here on another overseas adventure - this time to Greece, Türkiye, (note the new official spelling) Great Britain and Ireland that will span almost 2 months.  We will be taking 2 tours and will be on our own for several days before, between and after the tours.  In 2019, we gave our oldest grandchild a trip to Greece and Turkey as a HS graduation gift - but Covid altered our plans until now.  Better late than never.  Right? We will start with 5 days in Crete seeing the sights at our own pace, while we adjust our clocks to the new time - 7 hours ahead of Michigan. From Crete we will take a rather circuitous flight to Ankara, Türkiye to begin our first tour. (You can see that the map below does not have the new name of the former Turkey.)

I'm going back to Tumblr after a "break-up" hoping the reasons I left (inability to post when and where I wanted) have been resolved. Tumblr also looked like it was dying a slow and painful death, but for whatever reason, it has had a re-birth and is once again healthy. (according to what I have read.) It does seem to me that the Internet strength and access has greatly improved everywhere we have traveled in the last few years - so... finger's crossed.

On Labor Day, our grandson will head back to the US and Mark and I will head to Inverness, Scotland for a few days before connecting with our next tour. I'm imagining that the weather there will be quite different from the sweltering days and nights of August in Greece and Turkey. While it appeals to us all - it does complicate our packing - but what a problem to have.

We have much to do before we go, so I'm off. Look for new posts after August 12. Good luck to us all.

[aquietfaeriescribe]

Trying to Understand Foreign Post Offices.

I am planning an adventure. I wish I could say it will be some slow and languid trip where I will fully immerse myself and all that. But no. I have a list and it's growing. FOMO, even for those of us who prefer slow living lives, is still a problem. Especially when one lives 30+ hours of plane rides away from, well, anything. I live in a beautiful country, just one that is far from alot.

Something to do on my list is to send cards and letters and such to friends and family everywhere. I have the exact person, place and their address. I am probably going to end up stretching myself so thin and bending myself into knots trying to accomplish everything I hope to.

To make my life somewhat easier I am researching and looking into the ways in which to acquire stamps from each country, what to do, how to post. There is an entire section of pages in my travel book of what exactly to do. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are not too much of an issue. It helps that English is one of the main languages. France is making me a little cross eyed, yet at worst case I can snap up some stamps in Paris Disneyland but it is Italy which is going to be my kryptonite. One has to talk and ask tobacconists for stamps and I am terrible at talking to people in general. So it is already giving me anxiety just thinking of it.

See, in Italy there is the Italia Post, Vatican Post and there also seems to be a third one. The one in which the Tobacconists use. There are varying colours of post boxes, if you accidentally put it in the wrong one they will destroy it, even if the right coloured one is right next to it. Whether or not this is true or hearsay or even people exaggerating their experiences,m blogs and how to's are all I have to go off.

Part of me feels terribly privileged and quite silly fussing over this. The scenario in my head is they will turn me away or laugh or just ignore me. Can you tell have anxiety?

But oh the moment I get home and that postcard, that letter, that package is waiting for me. That reminder of the amazing time in such and such city. Letters to pull out and read that list the adventure and journey I went through. Little packages filled with things to place in my journal and to keep the joy going, long after I am back and the travelling blues set in. Pretty stamps to collect and enjoy, to add to map I hope to create. It'll be worth it. And that is what I am reminding myself whenever I feel that panic well up.

Wish me luck.

[skyler10fic]

Recruit: Ch. 5 Exploit

Chapter summary: Camping fun leads to the friends deciding to investigate where they are and why… and discover a shocking secret.

Read on Ao3 | Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4

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

After a breakfast of bread toasted over the campfire and forest berries that Jemma and Carol helped identify as safe, the freshmen were unsure what came next. They had to survive until tomorrow evening, but the instructions besides that were unclear. A small group asked Daisy to resolve whether they should find the creek to catch fish for lunch or get firewood for later. Luckily, another group offered to find kindling, sticks, and small logs for firewood, so she was spared from making a judicial ruling. She shared a silent why are they asking me? look with Carol, who tried to hide a grin in reply as she assisted a few students whose tents had not been properly pitched the evening before. 

“Did something happen with you two last night?” Jemma asked, startling Daisy. Daisy turned to face her suspicious friend. 

“No! No. She’s just… We’re…,” Daisy shrugged. 

Jemma’s suspicion bloomed into a teasing smile. “Did you want something to happen last night?” 

Daisy returned her smile but rolled her eyes and huffed. “Ok, Detective Simmons, what about you and the Highlander?” She nodded to Fitz, in case her reference was unclear. 

“Maybe it did,” Jemma hinted with an English jut of her chin. 

“Ohhh?” Daisy raised her eyebrows in interest.

“He held my hand under the stars,” Jemma gushed. “It was so romantic. Well, probably not to anyone else; we were mostly talking about physics. But for us…” 

Daisy nodded. “I’m glad you found each other.” 

Jemma agreed, aware of their well-matched nerdery. “We are kind of perfect, even if he already drives me a little….“ She trailed off as she caught sight of him and shook her head. “Oh, Fitz.” 

The young Casanova had been pitching his tent again after tripping over it and was shouting at it as it collapsed. 

“If only engineers read the instructions,” Jemma mumbled as she walked over to calm him down and offer to help.  

Daisy decided it was time to figure out where they were—or at least attempt to—using her dad’s old spy gear. She wasn’t sold on the simple explanation that this was Survivor: Freshmen Hazing Edition. There had to be more to it than this. With all respect to the Scouts and Jemma’s astronomy club, this was Shield. Surely, there was something coming or even already happening that they needed to be prepared for. 

She pulled out an old radio receiver. It would probably only pick up HAM radio users or emergency responders, but it was Shield tech, so it might have their frequencies, if Shield was even still using the same ones. She also unfolded a map of the area her dad had snuck into her backpack, grabbed a compass, and sat on a log outside her tent so she could compare the topography on the map with the landscape around her. The mountains seemed to stretch out infinitely to the horizon.

“Garrett was right about one thing. It is beautiful out here,” Fitz remarked as he approached her. “Girls are handling the tent situation. They decided it would be best if I, you know, stepped away.”  

Daisy laughed and patted the seat next to her. “All yours.” 

“Thanks.” He sighed and sat down. He followed her gaze from the map and out to the mountains. 

���Ever read a compass?” Daisy held hers out for him. 

“Sure.” He took it and held it up. “I was in the Scouts too, you know. We have those in Scotland. We just slept in cabins the year I was in it.” 

“Ah.” 

“So here’s north, and we’re facing southwest…” 

“Hard to tell from the map which mountain peaks are which.” Daisy sighed in frustration. 

Fitz shrugged. “We just need a better reference point.” He snapped his fingers. “The river! If we can follow the creek, we can see where it feeds into the river, climb up high enough to get a good view, and see where we are compared to the shape of the river on the map.”

Daisy popped up and lent him a hand to follow her. “You really are a genius then.” 

“It’s just geography, really.” 

But Daisy was already calling to the remaining freshman at the campsite to relay the plan. They applied sunscreen and bug spray Jemma had packed and gathered some light day gear: water bottles, granola bars, pocket knives, and the map and compass. Carol hung a pair of binoculars around her neck. 

“Don’t forget this.” Fitz handed Daisy her radio. 

“Oh, and one more thing! Communications.” Daisy dove back into her tent and emerged with three ancient black boxes with speaker fronts, antennas, and small solar panels. She handed one to the palest and most lost-looking freshmen who had eagerly volunteered to stay at the campsite and watch everyone else’s stuff while they went off fishing and gathering and whatnot. “You three wanted to stay here, right?” 

“Yes, please.” One of them stared up at her with sad puppy dog eyes and another looked about ready to call her “ma’am.” 

“Keep this on and don’t mess with it or lose it. Just, like, don’t touch it unless we contact you, okay?” They relaxed in relief at not being reassigned, accepted the ancient walkie-talkie, and settled back in with their books. 

“Girl Scout, one for you.” She handed a walkie-talkie to Carol. “And Junior Astronomer, you hang on to the other.” She handed the last one to Jemma, who was packing a first aid kit. 

“We CANNOT afford to break these,” Daisy said loud enough for the freshmen staying at the campsite to hear. “These are really old and they aren’t supposed to be here.” 

“Neither are we,” mumbled a small young man from behind a thick book titled Theory of Temporal Physics.

“He’s not wrong.” Fitz tilted his head in consideration as they began to walk out of the clearing and into the woods, toward the water. “At least, not under these circumstances.” 

“We’re doing fine on our own.” Carol rolled her eyes. “If he’d stayed, Garrett probably would have had us up before dawn running up the mountain or something.”

“Where is he, anyway?” Jemma pondered aloud. “I thought he would have been back by now.” 

“Eh, I don’t think Garrett’s coming back for us. At least not until tomorrow, if then,” Daisy said casually. The others turned in curiosity. “Just a hunch!” She shrugged. 

“We need to be back by tomorrow evening. I’ve got other classes to study for!” Jemma gripped her water bottle tighter in anxiety.

“All the more reason to figure this out,” Daisy said and powered ahead, up a slope. 

“Figure out what exactly?” Carol caught up with Daisy and tried to read her expression. “You think there’s something else going on.” 

“Maybe. It just seems too easy, doesn’t it? Just ‘Bye kids, don’t get eaten by a bear?’ This is Shield; there has to be something we’re missing.”

“Maybe,” Carol affirmed, “though for some of them, just being out here is already a challenge.”

“I didn’t say this was easy. We can’t all be camper of the year,” Daisy teased. 

“Or real-life ninjas,” Carol returned. 

“Hey, yeah, that’s a good point,” Daisy scrunched her brow in mock consideration. “I thought my skills would be a lot more useful in Shield. But they took all our tech and told us not to fight. What’s with that….” Daisy’s joking tone faded into awe as they summited a small bald peak. 

The vista laid open before them was breathtaking, trees and mountains stretching on for miles and miles. The blue sky was speckled with puffy white clouds. A breeze cooled the sweat on their skin and they paused to take it all in. An eagle soared overhead with a call seeming to beckon them onward. 

Carol held the map open. “I… still have no idea where we are. There are so many streams and creeks here. We could be at any one of these.” 

“There,” Fitz pointed, squinting. Carol handed him her binoculars and he held them up for a closer look. “Ah! Yep, the creek and our tiny people fishing, hallo tiny fellow students, hope they are catching us some lunch, and … there’s where it meets the river.” As he spoke, he traced where he was looking with his finger for them to see. 

Daisy traded him the binoculars for the compass, and he walked over to Carol and the map. 

Daisy found where he had been pointing. “See that clearing? There’s gotta be something there.” She increased the magnification on the binoculars. “I see buildings! A parking lot, no… maybe a runway? And like a hanger or a warehouse or something? Is there anything on the map, like a town or airport…”

“Maybe a military base?” Jemma suggested.

“I don’t know, but it’s not a normal base, unless it’s classified or something.” Carol shook her head. She explained, “My family’s all military; I grew up knowing every base in the area.” 

Fitz moved back to Daisy’s side and searched the map, going over and over where the base should be according to her pointing. 

“No, I don’t see anything like that on the map.” They switched tools again, him with the binoculars and her with the map. 

“Well,” Daisy sighed as she gave up trying to find any sign of it on the map, “I think we’ve found our mystery. Let’s go check it out.” 

“Sorry?” Jemma tilted her head. “Where and, more importantly, why, are we going?”

Carol clapped Jemma on the shoulder and nodded at Daisy. “Think we can be back before tomorrow evening?” 

“Of course,” Daisy tried to sound as confident as she could without a good sense of distance. 

“Uhh hold on…” Fitz waved a hand behind him as he kept the other holding the binoculars, watching carefully. “There’s a plane-ish… helicopter thing? takin’ off from that base.”

“We don’t know it’s a base,” Carol cautioned. 

“That’s… things like that don’t take off from the county airport.” Fitz turned back to the group as the aircraft became visible above the trees and flew high, but toward them, before disappearing into a cloud. It didn’t reappear on the other side.

The Shield radio crackled, making them all jump as they remembered it was there. Daisy bent down to adjust it. 

“Hold on, go back a little,” Jemma said, holding up a finger for the group to be silent. 

The walkie-talkies’ static sounded instead. “Hey guys, we’re hungry, where…” came the whiny voice of a student back at the campsite. Carol switched off her walkie-talkie and Jemma’s as fast as she could. 

The radio’s crackles and static morphed into words, or fragments of words. “…voyant, we… tomorrow ….” The group held their breath, listening for more. 

“Damn…” came a different voice with more static. “I could use you on this… eagle hunt, Agent….” The name of the original speaker was obscured by static.

“Is that…?” Fitz asked before the girls shushed him. 

“Pantheon … prevail, sir…”

“Yeah, yeah, just… get here. These…Shield… won’t be easy…”  

The radio fell silent as the aircraft must have picked up speed and soared out of range. The group stood straighter. 

“Eagle hunt.” Carol voiced their fear. “There are Shield agents out there walking into a trap.”

“Set by this Pantheon, it sounds like,” Fitz agreed. “And that second voice…” He shrugged, not wanting to be the one to make the accusation, but no one finished his sentence. “Oh c’mon. It’s got to be him.” 

“No, Fitz,” Jemma tried to deny it, but hardly sounded convinced of her own words as she said them. “He’s a professor. He wouldn’t.”

Daisy folded the map and looked out to the clearing. “He’s level 8. He has access to high-level files. Including those of the Secret Warriors program. We don’t have a choice. We are potentially the only ones in Shield with this intel and no tech to communicate besides these.” She gestured to the ancient walkie-talkies, still off and silent. “If Professor Garrett’s a mole, if he’s leading Pantheon against Shield somehow, our agents could be in danger. We have to go.” She set off down the trail toward the suspected base without looking back. 

The others exchanged uncertain glances but followed Daisy wherever she would lead them. No one protested that they hadn’t even earned their cadet status or were barely proper students, not to mention years away from being agents. They had signed on to be the Shield, and they were ready to do whatever they could to help defend it. 

They caught up with her quickly and walked for a few hours, only stopping along the way to meet up with the fishing crew who were grilling their catch where the creek met the river. The four of them ate with their peers before continuing on their trail. The others set off with the extra fish back to camp. 

“Speaking of…” When the four were out of earshot of the other students, Jemma switched on her walkie-talkie long enough to reassure the campsite guardians that the fishing group was on its way back, but the four of them would be on an overnight hike and not to worry if they didn’t make it back until the morning. When the campsite students started to ask too many questions, she quickly switched it off again and dropped it in her bag. 

“I’m not a very good liar,” she explained to Carol’s curious look. 

“Excellent quality for a future spy,” Carol teased. 

Jemma shugged. “I have other talents. Like knowing we should refill our water here where it’s the purest.”  

She pointed, and they stopped, taking time to pick some berries at her instruction as well. 

Daisy stopped picking and gestured for the other three to huddle up.

“There’s something you all should know,” Daisy said quietly, searching around to make sure they were as alone as they seemed. “Jemma was right. About the Secret Warriors. It’s superpowers.” 

“What?!” Jemma and Fitz exclaimed at once. “Yesss!” Carol pumped her fist.

“How do you know… Ohhh, you hacked something, I presume?” Jemma grimaced at being made an accomplice to whatever illegal thing she was about to hear next. 

Daisy shrugged. “I had to know. It wasn’t even hard; they basically left an open invitation. I think they wanted us to know. Plus, it just adds up. My dad never forgets anything. Like not just a good memory for trivia, I mean never. My mom knows what I’m feeling before I even tell her, even if she hasn’t been around for weeks. And it’s not just me, she can do it with anyone she’s around.”

“Your mom—Agent May—is good with emotions?” Carol asked, skeptical. 

“Yeah, just other people’s, it’s a whole thing,” Daisy deadpanned, waving them away from the subject of her family dynamics. “But I think that’s what Garrett’s after, and maybe Pantheon has so many weapons because they want to use them against Shield to get more powers.” 

They started walking again as they considered her theory. 

“Okay, just so we’ve got this,” Carol began, “Garrett works for Pantheon, the guys who kidnapped you, and they are attacking Shield, possibly because of the Secret Warriors’ superpowers?”

“Yeah, c’mon, it makes sense,” Daisy explained. “What if they want superpowers too? Or already have them and need to make more? Shield knows how, apparently, and Garrett could be the key to it.”

Jemma looked up from the trail, hopefully. “Maybe they are forcing him to do it, if they have something on him, like blackmail.” 

“Or he’s just evil, and Shield’s the good guys holding him back,” Fitz contributed. “So he wants to have the power all for himself.” He tossed a berry and caught it in his mouth. 

Daisy and Carol exchanged a look that showed they both agreed with Fitz. They hadn’t known Garrett long, but he seemed like a man in control of his own destiny. They would just have to be the variable he never saw coming.

[coulson-is-an-avenger]

50 or 33 with jmart for the smooch prompt list :mimhonk.emoji:

#33 - An unexpected kiss that shocks the one receiving it, and #50 - A kiss, followed by more that trail down the jaw and neck. POR QUÉ NO LOS DOS!

thank you tem!!! :D I had a lot of fun with this one, and because of that it also got Long As Fuck so bear with me on that. Set in the safehouse also! Hope you enjoy ^_^

It’s been a very, very good day at the safehouse. The Lonely has been quiet, lurking almost entirely out of sight rather than clinging onto the both of them, and Martin’s been relaxed and open, happy in a way Jon hasn’t honestly seen him in months. The Eye has been quiet as well, and even Jon’s pain levels have been down today - no small miracle given the chilly weather - and it feels like a day for new beginnings, a day for truths.

So, “I missed you,” is what tumbles out over dinner, over beans and soup and tea.

Jon hears Martin’s breath catch before he sees it, before he looks up to see the stunned smile that takes over his face. “I missed you too,” he replies softly, and Jon pretends not to hear the crack in his voice where the unused muscle of emotion splits the air.

Jon holds his gaze for an admirable amount of time, but even he wavers. He’s never been a brave man, and he looks down at the table before speaking. “There were spiders, while you were gone,” Jon begins, tracing a finger along the grain of the table. “God, I really should have gotten more in the business of squishing them.”

“Yeah?” Martin offers, encouraging. The anecdote feels clumsy, foolish, but Martin is laying a hand across the table to show his patience, and Jon is grateful.

“I never quite could make myself do it though, I guess I just-” He trails off, starts a new thread of the story. “They always made me think of you, in a way. You always cared so much about all the little things. Always insisted on carrying them out. Dreadful things that still deserved kindness in your eyes.” Like me, he doesn’t add. “I always admired that about you. So I didn’t squish them as much.” He finishes clumsily, glancing up with a flash of his eyes before looking down at the table again to pick at the grain of the wood.

Martin blinks at him. Stares at him in silence for what Jon can only assume is an eternity, until he has to look up and make sure he’s still there. And then Martin stands, tea forgotten, maneuvers himself around the table, and darts in and presses his lips to Jon’s.

It only lasts for a moment - half a heartbeat of a touch - but it’s warm and vulnerable and a bit awkward and it sends Jon’s eyes flying wide open in shock.

Martin pulls back just as quickly as he had dived in, retreating so fast he bumps into the nearby counter, his eyes widening, and the first thing out of his mouth is “Oh, shit.”

Jon can’t blame him, he’s utterly dumbstruck himself. His head feels pleasantly fuzzy, but confusion swims up to trump every other emotion until the only thing he’s able to push out of his lungs is; “I- excuse me?”

Martin blinks, his panic floundering in confusion. “I- sorry, excuse you for what?”

Jon’s brows furrow together as he tries to piece his thoughts together. “You... don’t,” he says like it’s obvious, and then hesitates. “I-I mean, you- you said... you did, but not... so why-” Jon looks hopelessly out of his depth as he gestures, not making sense. “Why did you do that?”

Martin stares, the tips of his ears burning dark red. “I don’t what, Jon?”

Jon curls in on himself, shame bubbling to the surface. What has he gotten wrong? What has he missed? “I-in the Lonely. You said you loved me.”

Martin’s breath hitches at his own words repeated back at him - words he doesn’t even remember saying. The fog had been so intense, so much and yet so pointless all at once, it had been so hard to keep anything straight, to hold down any memory or emotion. He hardly remembers saying those words, but they draw a wobbly smile out of him anyways. He supposes it makes sense that he would say them, though. Not much could cut through the fog, but Jon did. Jon always did. He still does.

“Did I? I didn’t know I had it in me to share.”

Jon shakes his head, now looking frustrated. “But you didn’t.” He insists. “You don’t... that means you don’t anymore.” His expression stalls for a second, before something akin to horror blooms on his face, and he scrambles to his feet to face him. “Martin, if you think- God, if you think you somehow owe me this after all that, let me be abundantly cl-”

“No!! No, no.” Martin cuts in, sensing Jon’s building distress and moving away from the counter to rest a hand on his shoulder. “No,” he repeats, softer. He takes a deep breath and lets himself run his thumb over the fabric of Jon’s sweater. “I don’t think I owe you. Not in that way. Christ, of course not.”

Jon is silent for several long minutes, before his voice begins working again, and he stutters back into a sentence. “O-okay. Okay. Good.” He clears his throat. “Then why-? I-I-I thought-” He gathers up what brain power he has left to sort his thoughts. Something like hope tinges his voice, and Martin marvels at how deeply Jon seems to have resigned himself to this truth, while still being eager to save his life and run away with him all the way to Scotland. Love is a funny thing. When he speaks again, his voice is so, so quiet. “After the Unknowing, I thought I lost my chance. Thought you’d moved on. N-not that I would have blamed you, I just- but you-”

“Jon,” Martin says softly, ducking his head to catch his eyes. “I wasn’t quite myself in the Lonely. I didn’t mean that as an ending.” He breaks his gaze away, looks down at his own hand on Jon’s shoulder. “I was mourning something I thought I’d lost.”

“Oh,” The word escapes Jon’s lungs in a rush; several years worth of longing filling up his chest and squeezing his throat like smoke, making his eyes sting. “Oh, I’m sorry-”

“No, no,” Martin shakes his head. “That’s over now.”

Jon presses a hand to his eyes, breathing, letting everything settle in.

“Well. That certainly makes me feel foolish.”

Martin laughs, a free, wonderful sound that fills the air with electricity and warms Jon down to his bones. He realizes he’s staring at him, watching how his shoulders move with adoration, watching the joy radiate from him with nothing short of beauty. A moment of insane courage passes through Jon, and he moves his hand to cover the one Martin still has resting on his shoulder.

He steps closer. “Do you want this then? The way that I do?” His voice is eager, and he’s afraid to breathe.

Martin’s expression absolutely melts, and he sways closer. He Saw Jon in the Lonely, in all his hopeless lovestruck worry, so he knows what he means. “Yes,” he answers. “More than anything. I don’t-” he makes a pained face, and looks down, prepares himself for the undressing that comes before the acceptance of love. “I don’t know how okay I am. Don’t know how much of me is still me after everything with Lukas and- and well, everything, but...”

“I know what you mean,” Jon assures him, running his thumbs over his knuckles. “I’m not even human anymore.” He exhales, in the tone of a joke fallen flat.

Martin squeezes his shoulder. “Exactly,” he murmurs. “But I still want to try.”

“Martin,” Jon exhales, his voice thick and his eyes wet. “I’m so glad to hear that.”

Martin tugs Jon’s hand from where it’s resting atop his to press a kiss to his knuckles, and Jon laughs, a quiet little sound, and then he’s moving, leaning back into Martin’s space; his face growing blurry as he gets up close and presses their lips together again. He misses the mark just a bit, the kiss landing a little too high on his mouth, but Martin leans up into it, rearranging their positions, and just like that it’s perfect. Not earth-shattering, not magical, just perfect, in the way that only imperfection can be. Martin lets himself sink into it.

It’s gentle, sweet, and it makes Martin’s head buzz with disbelief. He breaks away to breathe, for a moment, just to wrap his head around what’s happening, and then Jon is tugging him back in, more intentionally this time.

Jon kisses very thoroughly, Martin soon learns with amusement. He furrows his brow and crowds himself into Martin’s space, curling his hands in his shirt, and he moves his mouth in time with Martin’s like he has a purpose to follow, like he’s devoting himself to studying him; focusing on each touch with crystal clarity. He has a single-minded doggedness about the whole thing, and Martin eventually relaxes and just lets himself be kissed, following along with gentle touches and barely held-back smiles.

He raises a hand experimentally to run through his hair, and Jon kisses him deeper in response; open mouthed and wanting, tasting what he can, allowing himself to bite his lip gently. That takes the breath straight out of Martin’s lungs, and the bitten-off sound he makes apparently encourages Jon even more, as he breaks away and kisses him down across his jaw, under his chin, and down the side of his throat.

It’s frantic at first, a desperate attempt to map out as much of Martin as he can in the time he has, but the sense of urgency starts to bleed out of him, and he ends up kissing gentler and gentler the longer he lingers, until eventually Jon’s just nuzzling his nose into his skin and wrapping his arms around him for a hug. The sigh that escapes him makes Martin’s heart clench.

“I love you,” he mumbles into Martin’s shoulder, and later the weight of this will settle on their shoulders. Later they will have to sit down and figure this out, this mess of personalities and supernatural entanglement, this terrible future of fear laid out before them, and the path forward they will choose to carve out together. But for now they can sink into this embrace and breathe.

Martin doesn’t say the words back, he’s not quite there yet, but he doesn’t need to. It’s enough, it’s more than enough to just be here, for Martin to press his nose into Jon’s hair, and smile until his face aches from it.

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

One Shot: Vanilla

Summary: A year on the run following the events in Siberia has changed Steve…but not too much. He’s still a man of simple tastes… Warning:  Language, SMUT (NSFW, 18+)

Pairings: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark.

A/N: This sits alongside SSB Ch 35: Not A Perfect Soldier, But A Good Man. I had it in my head for a while and couldn’t quite fit it in. And those of you who read “Leave No One Behind” might recognise a little of the scenery, so to speak.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

August 2017

Another day, another under-the-radar mission. This one breaking up a gang that had been terrorising locals, running guns and arms, raiding local refugee camps and kidnapping children to ship out to god knows where, for god knows what.

Frankly, it had knocked Katie sick, so she had been only too glad to get out of there once they’d ‘dispensed’ the ring leader into the care of Fury’s contacts. Well, by that they mean they’d left him hog tied in the middle of the African desert at the co-ordinates they had been given. What happened to him, well, even the world’s sentinel of justice, honour and truth couldn’t find it within him to give a shit. Not after what they’d just seen anyway.

Katie stole a glance at Steve as they drove the ‘borrowed’ jeep back to where Sam had landed their jet. Their time on the run had hardened him. Over a year now spent in shadows, and it was almost as if those shadows had claimed part of him for themselves. His hair was longer, far longer, usually worn pushed back off his face but the exertion of the fight they’d just had, left the front strands flopping over his sweaty forehead. His beard was dark, and thick, speckled with the odd bit of copper and blonde here and there, hiding his jawline entirely and leaving his face almost completely unrecognisable.

To the average man on the street he looked like just another person, maybe worthy of a second glance for bearing a passing resemblance, maybe, to the fugitive Captain. The one thing that remained unchanged were his eyes. Whilst they were tired, carried a heavier burden than before, they were still the same eyes Katie had noticed and fallen in love with, and they still flashed with warmth and a sparkle whenever he looked at her.

And as long as that was there, she knew he was okay.

They reached the jet, Sam hopped down from the back of the jeep and headed in first over to the coms system, swiping at the screen.

“Hey, Steve?” He turned to his head back over his shoulder. Steve walked up the ramp, looking at Sam expectantly. “Fury’s patched us through the co-ordinates of a place to stay. Looks to be a hundred or so miles North. Might be worth holding up there for the night?”

Steve hesitated for a while, they’d been running missions back to back now for almost three weeks. He was desperate to get back…well, home he supposed. To their cottage in Scotland where they’d holed up for the past twelve months, where Wanda was currently waiting. But, as he glanced around, Sam’s face was sporting a nasty gash above his eyebrows, Natasha had taken a few hard digs too and was clutching her side and Katie had taken a heavy blow to the face, the bruise already forming on her cheek.

They were tired, whacked, maybe it was best they got their heads down and headed back in the morning.

“Alright.” Steve nodded. “Bring it up on the map.” Sam pressed a few buttons and then the holo-display sprang to life. Steve and Natasha observed the image, Natasha pointing to something, Steve agreeing before he straightened up and looked at Katie and Sam who were waiting patiently. “We were just staying it looks like a good spot we can land the jet. There’s nothing for miles, and it’s coastal.” “Coastal?” Katie frowned, before her eyes lit up “Like, there’s a beach?”

“Yeah.” Steve smiled, not bothering to point out that their cottage in Scotland basically had its own private one. “There’s a beach, Sweetheart.”

“It looks to be an old Diving Resort on the Red Sea.” Natasha mused, swiping at the screen. “According to Fury, one of his contacts in Mossad said they used it as a front for smuggling Jewish Refugees out of Ethiopia. Operation Brothers. You heard of it?”

Katie, Sam and Steve both exchanged glances before they shrugged.

“Not surprising, I think the information surrounding it was only declassified recently.” Natasha scratched her neck as she straightened up. “Long story short they saved thousands of lives. Smuggled refugees out of camps, and then shipped them out by boat back to Israel.”

“And they used a hotel as a front?” Katie arched an eyebrow.

“Diving resort.” Natasha nodded “Was fully functional too. Pretty damned clever if you ask me.”

“Is it safe?” Steve asked.

“Fury wouldn’t tell us to head there if it wasn’t” Katie replied simply, “We can go, check it out. If we don’t like it we can head home.”

***** Sam landed the jet expertly on the beach which was hidden in a large cove. They stepped off the ramp onto the sugar white sand and Katie looked around at the various huts scattered along the shore. The main body of the hotel itself seemed to be boarded up. The four of them split up into two groups of two under Steve’s instructions, and made their way around, carefully, making sure there was no one else there, checking each out building thoroughly. Eventually they met one another at the front of the sandstone building, all nodding to signal that there was no sign of anyone else.

“The Red Sea Diving Resort.” Sam read the faded red lettering over the top of the boarded up entrance “Imaginative.”

Katie gave a scoff as she shook her head “Well I don’t know about any of you lot but I need to wash up and get changed. I’m disgustingly hot in this.” She pulled at the collar of her combat-top and turned to head back towards the jet. Steve caught her up, sliding an arm round her waist and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

“We haven’t forgotten.” Sam called from behind them. They both stopped and Katie glanced at Steve who met her puzzled look with one of his own.

“Forgotten what?” He asked as they turned to look at Sam.

Sam blinked, then turned to Natasha who gave a snort “Clearly they have.”

“Have what?” Steve pressed again, his tone slightly less patient than it had been.

“It’s your wedding anniversary you pair of dumbasses.” Sam snorted “God you two are…”

Clearly he couldn’t decide what it was that Katie and Steve were, instead he trailed off and headed up the ramp into the jet. Natasha followed him as Katie and Steve remained on the sand, simply looking at one another, before they both burst out into laughter.

“Oh my God.” Katie stuttered “We forgot!”

“Well, we have kinda been busy, Doll.” Steve teased, before he shook his head and smiled “I haven’t forgotten that day though. Happiest day of my life.”

Katie smiled, “Mine too.”

He gently raised her hand to his mouth, brushing her knuckles with his mouth before they too headed onto the ramp and grabbed their kit bags.

The four ex-agents walked down the sand, towards the huts they had checked earlier. They selected one each, the fact that Natasha and Sam headed a little further down the beach away from the one Steve had picked for him and Katie didn’t go unnoticed by the super soldier. Something Steve had noticed when he had looked around was how reasonably clean it was. He’d expected things to be covered in a layer of dust but it was fairly habitable. As Katie set about searching the drawers for something to make the bed with, he headed into the small bathroom at the back, turning the taps on. After an initial cough and a splutter, the system kicked in and the water began to run. Orange from sand and rust at first as it splattered the white porcelain bowl. Steve left it going whilst he moved back into the main room and saw Katie was holding what looked like an old polaroid photo.

“Look at this.” She smiled gently. “I found it when I was looking for some bed sheets.”

Steve glanced down at the photo which showed a tall dark haired, bearded man stood with his arm round a shorter, dark haired slim woman, both looking at the camera, smiling . At their feet sat, quite frankly, the ugliest dog Steve had ever seen. It was hairless, but he still couldn’t help but admit it was cute in a strange way.

“They must have been part of the team that ran the Mossad Op.” Katie shrugged. “He kinda looks a bit like you actually.”

“I don’t see it.” Steve wrinkled his face and she shrugged, moving to put the photo back in the drawer. “I found the bathroom, water is still running but not sure if it’s gonna be heated or…”

“I don’t need it heated.” Katie shook her head. “Frankly the colder the better. Now, help me get this bed sorted and then we can wash up and maybe we can spend what’s left of the Anniversary we forgot sat out on the sand?”

Steve chuckled, pulling her closer to him, both hands on her hips. He dropped his face to hers, catching her lips in a soft kiss. “Sounds good to me.”

After a quick shower each they headed back outside, where Sam and Natasha were already sat. And it turns out their friends were indeed far better at remembering their anniversary than they were. Along with their normal supplies, Sam had stashed a crate of beer on the jet, hidden in the cooler and Natasha had also managed a bottle of the same champagne they had served at the wedding, although instead of drinking it out of crystal flutes, it was sipped from mugs Natasha had dug out of the jet, which bore the Avengers symbol, a harsh reminder of the life they had all run from little over twelve months previously.

The four of them sat on the up turned logs, dotted around what, Steve correctly guessed, had been some sort of fire pit, talking quietly, watching the sun set over the ocean. It was peaceful and Steve felt like they could almost have been on vacation.

Almost.

Steve felt Katie sagging next to him and turned to see that she had her eyes closed, head resting on his shoulder. He placed a soft kiss to her head and then looked at the rest of his team. Sam’s head was drooping a little and Natasha’s eyes were heavy. He issued a soft instruction to go to bed and they both looked at him, giving him a nod and Katie stirred a little. In a graceful movement, Steve had swept her into his arms and he carried her, not unlike the way he had done two years ago that very night, to their accommodation for the evening. She sat on the edge of the bed, removing her shorts leaving her in her panties and tank top as she climbed under the scratchy sheets, Steve settling down besides her.

“Night sweetheart.” He muttered, kissing her neck as he pulled her to him, her back pressing into his chest.

“Night Soldier.” She whispered back, closing her eyes.

**** Steve turned over for what felt like the tenth time in as many minutes. He couldn’t get comfortable, and then there was the simple, yet slight complication to the situation that he’d woken from a particularly graphic dream about their honeymoon, and now he was fucking horny as hell.

He rolled onto his back, his head turning towards Katie and his eyes scanned over her face as she slept. He took in the shape of her nose, soft curve of her lips and his eye-line flickered down to the swell of her breasts which were visible under the cami she was wearing.

Okay, so that wasn’t helping. At all.

She gave a soft sigh, moving a little, her legs kicking down the sheets slightly so they fell around her hips and that was the point Steve’s already fraying self-control snapped. Shuffling closer, he pressed his lips to hers, before he moved his mouth to her jawline, down her neck, leaving soft, hot kisses on her skin as he went. His hand gently curled around her hip, fingers digging into the flesh ever so slightly and she gave a little murmur, her eye lids fluttering as his lips moved back to hers. And this time, she reciprocated slightly. His lips dropped downwards, his tongue dipping into the hollow of her throat before his affections turned to her delicate collar bone. With a gentle shift of his body, he went even lower still, his calloused hands sliding along her ribcage as he slid her cami top upwards, exposing her breasts. His large hands cupped them, thumbs brushing over her nipples and at that he felt her really respond with a soft whimper, her back arching slightly into his touch.

With one hand he traced the curve of her hip down the outside of her thigh, before he trailed his fingers across her belly, and then her soft whimpers became a harsh gasp as his fingers entered her, curling softly against her insides, coaxing more and more wetness from her as he moved, his mouth continuing to lick and sucking at her breasts. She arched her back, writhing, desperately moving her hips as she sought out the friction she needed between her legs and Steve obliged, moving his hand so the heel of his palm brushed against her clit. With a strangled moan, which she stifled slightly by turning her head into his arm, she came, her body shaking on the mattress, sheets now pushed well out of the way.

Steve’s mouth claimed hers once more, in a searing kiss as he let out a groan of his own when he felt Katie dip her hand into his boxers, wrapping her hand around his achingly hard cock.  Every inch of him was on fire and he wanted her.

“Need you.” His voice was low with desire as he pressed his lips back to her neck, nipping at the spot beneath her ear. “Want you.”

“You got me.” She whispered. “I’m yours, Stevie.”

At her words he gave a low groan, sitting up slightly so that he could pull her underwear down. He wriggled out of his own, before he settled over her, his mouth finding hers again the pair of them letting out a shaky sigh and a moan each as he entered her.

Her hands gently slid down over his back, feeling the expanse of muscle which twitched under her finger tips as he moved, slowly, deeply. Every roll of his hips sent his pelvis rocking up against her spot. Katie glanced up at him, his lips kiss swollen, eyes blown with desire, hair falling forward over his forehead. She reached up to brush it back, her hands tangling in the long strands and she pulled his face down to hers, locking their lips in a sloppy, filthy kiss.

Fuck, Steve Rogers loved sex with his wife anyway he could get it, but this, well, he was a sucker for simple vanilla and Katie was too. There was something about this position, the boring missionary one that drove both of them wild. The way Steve could cage her in his arms, fuck her into the mattress one day or make love to her the next. The way his large frame engulfed hers completely surrounding her, filling each one of her senses.  The way he controlled the pace completely, driving into her again and again until she could no longer think straight. The way he controlled the depth, sometimes using his arms under her knees to hold her open, or slinging her legs over her shoulders.  

It was a plain, vanilla flavoured heaven. One that they could visit time and time again, and would never get bored of tasting.

Steve drove as deep into his wife as he could get, rotating his hips slightly whilst he was fully seated, causing her to gasp and emit a frankly sinful moan which he swallowed with his mouth. Her hands dug into the skin of his shoulder blades and he moved, grabbing her wrists and pulling them round so he could lace his fingers between hers. Pinning her hands either side of her head he picked up his pace slightly, carefully watching her face as he felt her tightening around him slightly, a tell-tale sign she was close.

“Come on, pretty girl.” Steve panted, his lips by her ear as he gave a soft nip to her neck. “Give it to me, baby.”

The sensation and heat which was building in her core was impossible to ignore. Her breathy pants of his name became faster, as did Steve’s movements, and with a last, broken cry of his name the fire exploded in her belly and she came, hard, her orgasm rolling over her in wave after wave of white hot pleasure, which left her boneless underneath Steve, her nails digging into the backs of his hands. The sensation of feeling her around him was enough, and Steve gave a single, strangled cry of her name as he too reached his peak, his hips faltering as the ribbons in his belly untangled, the pleasure spreading from the toes to the very hair on his head.

He pressed his face into Katie’s neck, placing another soft kiss to her pulse point which left his lips salty from the slight gleen of sweat which coated them both. He pulled back slightly, releasing Katie’s hands as she flexed her fingers, knowing full well what she wanted. And, sure enough, her fingers threaded through his long hair, scratching softly at the nape of his neck. His eyes closed, and the pair of them lay in silence, completely blissed out and relaxed, hearing only each other’s gradually steadying breaths which mingled with the sounds of the waves lapping against the shore outside.

Katie felt Steve’s lips press to her forehead and she smiled softly, opening her eyes to look straight into his, those baby blues spattered with green.

“Happy Anniversary, Gorgeous.” He muttered, his lips catching hers.

“Its past midnight.” She replied gently

“Not at home.” He replied softly, before he swallowed and hung his head. “I’m sorry it has to be like this.”

“Steve, I am home.” Katie looked at him, her hands moving to cup his face “My home is with you.” She guided his head down so that his lips met hers again, her hands gently tangling in his beard “It always will be, you know this.” She whispered against his mouth before she kissed him, deeply, wriggling a little. Steve gave a short grunt and she felt him starting to twitch inside her again. With an arch of her eyebrow she tipped her pelvis up and in a flash Steve had reached up, pinning her wrists down by her head.

“Keep going and imma be hard again in about five seconds flat.” He whispered, and Katie grinned.

“I’m counting on it, Soldier.” She smirked “Because I’ve got a hankering for some more plain old vanilla.”

**** Chapter 36 Part 1

**Original Posting**

[distopea]

@nezumivc103221

The sea lapped at their feet as they walked along the beach; hand in hand despite the lingering heat of the day. Even at sunset, the air was heavy and humid, making the shirt stick to Nezumi's back.

"—Wanna go for a swim?" Nezumi suggested, tugging at Mads' arm. He glanced around the beach, seeing a group of friends in the back. Some people from the circus and a few from the village. His eyes returned to Mads, mischievous gleam in them as he said: "There's a smaller beach just around the corner; more privacy~"

The implication shouldn't be lost, and just in case the heat had gone into Mads' brain, Nezumi wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled himself into a kiss. He stumbled in the sand, bare feet seeking support in the waves.

The sea crashed around Nezumi's ankles, and his heart thundered in his chest like it did every time he kissed Mads. He pulled himself flush against the man's chest, uncaring of sweat or grains of sand that somehow got into his clothes.

With each press of his lips, he confessed again and again, urgently, just how much he had missed them.

It was such an unreal moment… Crafted by destiny, or whatever had worked during their time apart. His hand holding Nezumi’s, Mads was mapping each single piece of his skin, the flaws, the hidden scars, the softness of his flesh… Their reunion had happened a few weeks ago, but it still felt like a dream. He still was afraid that fate would give them just a slight moment of peace before bringing more wars and pain, as always, scared that he didn’t deserve this blissful emotion. Yet, he had another sensation blooming in the back of his mind, so powerful that it was also invading his heart. He slowly caressed Nezumi’s fingers, while he looked back at him. Somehow… He knew deeply that a time of peace was coming ahead. 

He evaluated the gentle waves of the sea, the water quite warm during this season. Never had he thought that it could be possible to jump in the ocean back in Scotland, but as Nezumi had just suggested, the idea felt more than appealing. “Yes… It sounds like a good plan.” He nodded, the seagulls still high in the sky and heading to their nests, the sun dying above their heads as the world was colored with orange and pink shades. Nezumi had already anticipated the only concern Mads could have – intimacy.

Even though he was not the same man as the first day he had met him, rain falling down the sky, the police following their tracks. He was more at ease with his own nature, accepting his existence and preferences without any shame anymore. He didn’t flinch when Nezumi came closer, a soft smile curling the corner of his lips. Whoever might see them, he wouldn’t care anymore, he had begged the odds and gods to have him back by his side, and now that his wish was granted, he couldn’t pretend he was not entirely bewitched by the man standing in front of him.

To guarantee his balance, he rolled his arm around his waist, gust of wind blowing his black hair, eyes like the sea surrounding them focused on his features. He didn’t hesitate – he met him halfway, a long and passionate kiss dropped on his lips. He closed his eyes, the scent of the sea mixed with the delicate fragrance of Nezumi, making his heart race within his chest. Oh… He had missed him so much. It felt like he hadn’t been alive for a long time.

“Come.” Mads invited, intertwining his fingers with Nezumi while he led him to the other beach, a bit further away, where the curious eyes wouldn’t be able to see him. Once more, with clumsy steps, he circled his face and kissed him again, slowly going catching the edge of his shirt so he could remove it. “You said privacy… So I won’t let you keep your clothes on.” He whispered once more as he guided Nezumi’s hand upon his own body. 

“Let’s swim together and sleep under the stars.”