#and he was like ‘i told a fib when we met’ and i was like oh?

[eversncenewyork]

oh you guys 🥰🫠 i need a combination of these emojis

[kingkatsuki]

— spoiled

After Sae has endured a long day of press interviews, he’s pent up, tired and just wants to go home. But you dressed up all pretty for him today, and you’re desperate for his attention.

Only @saexy could get me to write for Itoshi Sae. Header art is by them and they graciously allowed me to use it in this depravity, please check it out and give them a follow💕

Pairing: Itoshi Sae x f!reader.

Warnings: 18+, established relationship, semi-public sex, piss (Sae pisses inside you), creampie, dirty talk, slight degradation (slut).

Word Count: 2.2k.

Sae would call you spoiled, no matter how much you tried to disagree with him. Rolling your eyes at him whenever he’d comment on it, as though you’d just asked him to buy you a new pair of shoes or the cute plushie you’d seen at the store last weekend (there was no point asking when he’d already bought it for you anyway, he thinks) — but Sae thinks you’re spoiled in far more than just wealth. 

You’re spoiled enough that you get to see every single part of him. Even the sides he tries so hard to conceal and keep from everyone, especially his family. Breaking down the walls to the fortress he built around his heart that he swore was impenetrable until he met you. 

And perhaps that’s why he indulges you so much. Allowing you to climb onto his lap after a long, arduous day of press interviews and meetings as you settle on either side of his muscular thighs. Pressing cherry-stained kisses against the corner of his lips as he tries to ignore the incessant throb in his pelvis in favour of you. 

“You can’t wait until we get home?” He raises a brow, placing his phone face down on the arm of the sofa as he gives you his attention. 

He’d just text his driver to bring the car around, hoping to get home as quickly as possible to take this suit off, relieve the aching throb in his bladder from back-to-back interviews and climb into the shower. And perhaps if he’s lucky round off his evening with your pretty lips around his cock—

“You’ve ignored me all day today.” You accuse, as though it’s his fault he’s neglected you for work, “There was barely even any reason for me to come.”

“Don’t start.” He growls, his Adam’s apple bobs as he feels your lips curl into a sultry grin against his cheek. His rough palms grip your hips as you deliberately grind yourself down on his soft cock as a raspy groan rumbles a the back of his throat, “I told you that you could stay at home, didn’t I?” 

“It’s like sometimes you don’t even want me.” You pout, and Sae has to resist the urge to roll his eyes because it couldn’t be further from the truth. Another one of your elaborate fibs that you like to throw at him whenever you want some attention because you’re the only one he will ever want. 

“Don't give me that shit,” He scoffs, giving your ass a playful spank that causes you to grind yourself down against him, “How could I ever want anyone else?”

Sae feels his cock buck to life beneath you. The warmth radiating through your panties engulfs him as his head lolls back against the couch, the constant throb from his bladder now replaced with desire as he feels his pelvis pulse when your lips meet his in a sultry kiss. 

It’s mind-numbing the way your mouth seems to slot against his so perfectly, tilting your head to the side as you move together languidly. Your tongue strokes against the seam of his lips as they part for entrance and you delve deeper, brushing against his canines before he marches your movements. Stroking his tongue against every single crevice as though he’s trying to consume you whole, pouring every ounce of emotion into the kiss as he purposefully presses you down on his prominent bulge.

There isn’t time for this, not when the car is on its way. Wondering whether he’d be able to satiate you enough with his fingers before you both had to go downstairs. Or at the very least alleviate the tension enough to satiate you until you were settled in the back of the car, the blacked out windows offering enough privacy to offer you a moments reprieve.

It’s as though you choose for him, pressing yourself against his clothed cock with more urgency as you hold yourself against him. Peppering sticky kisses against the column of his throat as your teeth drag against his milky skin, grazing his pulse point as he feels the restraint he holds inside him slowly begin to crumble. 

“You’re terrible, baby.” He groans, his warm palms splayed against your bare thighs as they slip beneath the hem of your dress. Pushing the fabric up to bunch around your waist as his thumbs dip into the apex of your thighs, dangerously close to your soft folds as he teases the hem of your panties. 

“I’m terrible? When you’re the one that’s neglected me all day,” You pout, before breaking off into a moan as Sae’s thumbs stroke against your outer labia. 

You gasp at the sensation, your lips parted in bliss as Sae takes the opportunity to stroke his tongue against your lips, tasting the saccharine hint of cherry from your gloss as he watches through half-lidded eyes as you continue to grind yourself against him. 

But it isn’t enough. Unsatisfied as he pulls your panties to the side, groaning deep in his chest when he drags two knuckles through your slit to feel how drenched you are already. Your slick webs against his fingers as he pushes sharp precise circles against your clit, enough to have you writhing above him as your hands reach down to fiddle with the expensive silver buckle of his belt. 

It doesn’t take much to have his heavy cock sheathed inside your drenched hole, heaving a contented sigh as he bottoms out inside you. The warmth surrounding him is just enough to have Sae feeling comfortable as the tension in his bladder begins to ease and is replaced by fierce electricity that shoots through his veins as you begin to bounce yourself on his length. Slender fingers smooth along your sides, palming your bouncing breasts through the pretty sundress you’re wearing before pulling the straps down to settle around your elbows. Exposing your tits to his gaze as he hums in satisfaction, pressing lingering kisses against the naked skin as his tongue slips out to flick against your taut nipples. 

You move as though you’re using him for your pleasure, and you are — not that Sae minds. The corner of his lip curls into the slightest hint of a smile as he watches you try to get yourself off, rolling your hips so his cock drags against that velvety spot inside you that’ll have you seeing stars as your lips part in a near constant whine. 

“You’re always so fucking noisy,” Sae tuts, and yet does not attempt to silence you as he spreads his thighs further apart, “Do you want someone to hear?”

“Am not.” You scrunch your nose in irritation, biting down on your kiss-bruised bottom lip in a feeble attempt to silence yourself, but it was barely worth the effort.

“Listen to yourself.” He sneers, rough fingers dip into the plush of your ass as he holds you tight. Spreading your cheeks as he palms them beneath his hands before he starts a rough pace, selfishly using you for his own pleasure as he moves you how he pleases, “Couldn’t even wait five minutes before you were jumping on my cock.” 

“Sae, please.” You whined breathlessly, your head falling forward as he fucks himself into you. 

“That desperate for me to treat you like a slut, is that it?” He grunts, “My pretty slut.”

His cockhead bumps your cervix with each forward thrust, his veiny cock catching against the ridges of your inner walls as you find yourself soaring towards your orgasm. The telltale throb begins to ebb in your pelvis as your clit cries out for attention, sliding your hand down between your connected bodies as you begin to press sloppy circles against the sensitive nub as Sae’s eyes follow your movements to watch—

“That’s it, baby.” He grunts, “You get yours.”

It’s all too much as you feel yourself nearing your release, pearly tears begin to bead in your lashes blurring your vision as you desperately try to blink them away. Your moans came out as debased pants as he kept his rough pace as the coil inside you snapped abruptly, forcing you into your climax as you cried out his name in pleasure.

“Oh, fuck,” He groans as he feels your tight cunt clench around him as you greedily vie to milk him of his release, burying your face in the apex of his neck as you breathe in the scent of his aftershave. Teeth grazing his clavicle as he gives a few more sloppy thrusts before he feels his own orgasm surge through him like a tsunami, crashing into him in harsh waves as his thighs begin to shudder. 

“Fuck, shit.” He snarls under his breath as you feel white ropes of heady cum begin to coat your inner walls, his grip on your hips almost bruising as he forces you to take all he’s got to give as he empties his balls inside you, “Take it—”

Your chest is heaving, and you think he’s finished filling you with all his potent spunk until you feel it— an unfamiliar warmth begins to spread inside you as your palms immediately shift to press against his chest, trying to pull yourself off his still painfully hard cock to no avail. The fierce grip he maintains on your hips keeps you flush against his pelvis as he fills you to the brim with a warm stream of piss that creates a flood inside you, his pubes tickle your clit as you let out an airy whine at the feeling. His cock works as a dam to keep you full as his hips continue to rock into you sloppily, the back of his skull pressed against the couch as he exhales through clenched teeth. 

“Wait, Sae—” You try to call out to stop him, to escape the sensation but it’s futile. 

He’s completely lost to the euphoria as his face contorts in bliss, revealing the whites of his eyes as the persistent ache in his bladder dissipates and is replaced by smouldering pleasure. Embarrassment begins to swirl inside your tummy at the debauched sight of him, your stretched walls continue to throb around his cock as some of his piss escapes around the base of his cock and soaks his pelvis and slacks. The lewd squelch is shameful as he gives a few more messy ruts, filling the room with the crude noise as you feel the heat burn against your cheeks and the wetness presses against your inner thighs. 

It’s disgusting, depraved, you should be mortified— and yet your clit throbs with desire at the immoral sight. Your hips shift as you reach down to tug the hem of your dress up to take in the sight of him, his piss soaked into his grey Calvin’s as the fabric sticks to his skin. Positive it’s slathered all the way down to the leather couch beneath you as your cunt continues to pulse around him with want, already feeling the familiar heat beginning to build again in your pelvis as you roll your hips into him for some slight relief. 

“Don’t you dare.” He grunts, tightening his grip on your hips to stop you from moving after he was the one to force a mixture of piss and cum into your innocent hole. 

“Sae, I can’t believe you pissed in me.” You whined, feeling the moisture begin to soak into your panties as more of it leaked out of you. Cooling against the fabric as you shift your hips above him, both your eyes on where your bodies are connected as you watch more begin to escape your ruined hole. 

“It’s your fault.” He grumbles, as though you were the one to press down on his bladder. 

“You didn’t tell me you needed to pee!” You pout childishly, jutting out your bottom lip.

“I didn’t get a chance before you jumped me,” He rolled his eyes, his tongue jutting out to wet his lips as his chest continued to heave in his post-orgasmic haze.

“You make it sound like you didn’t want it.” You murmur, squealing when his softening cock begins to slip out of your stretched hole and you feel the final dregs of his piss dribble out of you. 

Sae ignores you, instead his eyes are focused on the mess between your thighs as he drags two fingers through it. Feeling the warmth of his piss and cum mixed with your slick as he watches your body respond intently, throwing your head back with a sharp gasp. 

“You make it sound like you didn’t want this.” He counters, mimicking your tone as he spreads your folds between his index and middle finger to tap your clit. 

“I have to walk home like this,” You gasp at the contact, “That’s so embarrassing.” 

No, he thinks, what was embarrassing is just how easily you had him submitting to you. 

“You act as though I'm going to parade you through the streets like this," He deadpans with half-lidded eyes, feeling the damp back of your dress where it sits against his thighs, "You're only going to go downstairs and get into my car.”

“That still means someone could see,” You whine, your nose scrunched adorably as he had to resist the urge to kiss you.

“Yeah yeah, and who's problem is that?”

His, he thinks as he groans internally. Praying to whatever God was up there looking down on him that there wouldn’t be any paparazzi outside that would catch him in piss-soaked slacks on the walk to his chauffeur. 

And if there was Sae was certain it would be all over social media by morning, and Shidou would never let him hear the end of it.

[nomoreusername]

Smile

Newt x gender neutral reader

Summary:When Newt notices you hiding your smile he quickly makes everything better again.

I looked into the little piece of broken glass as I thought about what they said. It was only meant to be a joke. I wasn't supposed to actually believe them.

But I did. I've been looking at my reflection and seeing what it looks like when I smile. Despite not caring about their words at first it seemed to be nothing short of true now.

My smile was ugly. It was far too toothy, too wide, too much. I've been trying to find a way to fix it, trying to change it, but nothing was working. It was still so hateable.

That left me with one desperate option. Avoid smiling as much as possible. If I do I try to hide it behind my hand. It looks ridiculous, but apparently so do I when I grin.

"Hey,"Newt said, walking in. I shoved the piece of glass under my bed.

"Don't you know how to knock?"I snapped, feeling my face flush with embarrassment.

"Not with you,"He pointed out. That was true, but right now I can't stand anyone seeing me. Practicing how to smile is a hard thing to explain. Especially, to him.

"Out,"I instructed, pointing at the door. He was visibly confused as he left. I guess I would be too.

"I wish I could fix this,"I sighed, pulling out the broken glass one last time. If only.

♡ - - - ♡

I nodded my head as Minho kept telling his story. It was admittedly kind of funny. I felt myself start to smile but managed to stop it just in time. I covered my mouth with my hand just in case it happened again.

"Are you alright, love?"Newt whispered in my ear.

"Yeah,"I shrugged, leaning back. He didn't look convinced. If anything he looked more concerned. He can't be though, right? I technically haven't done anything bad or wrong.

"Hey. Follow me real quick,"He whispered again, standing up. We slipped away from everyone without a word. Nobody seemed to notice.

"Where exactly are we going?"I asked as we walked away from the others.

"Just trust me. It'll only take a minute,"He promised. I wasn't sure if I believed him but didn't stop walking.

Eventually, he turned by the cliff and sat. He looked back at me expectantly. I joined him.

"It's pretty, isn't it?"He asked, looking at the sunset.

"Extremely,"I agreed.

"It's enough to make anyone smile,"He added. I didn't say anything this time.

"It always made you smile. How come you aren't?"He questioned. I fixated on the ocean below me to avoid looking at him.

"Y/N, how come you don't smile anymore?

"I do,"I mumbled.

"Barely, and anytime you do it's not yours. I want to see you smile from ear to ear."

"Why?"I asked before I could stop myself. I cringed at my words and wished I could take the back.

"Why? What do you mean why?"

"Why do you want to see me smile?"I whispered.

"Because I like seeing you happy, and I know you're happy when you wear that bright, perfect grin."

The only sound for a while was the crashing of waves against rocks. What was there to say?

"You don't think your smile is perfect, do you?"He asked quietly. I didn't say anything which was an answer in itself.

"Y/N, do you remember how we met?"He asked out of the blue.

"Of course I do. You were the third person up in the Glade. I helped you out of the box and showed you around,"I reminessed.

"And do you remember how scared I was at first?"

"Yeah. Alby and I were worried you were never going to leave the box."

"And I might not have. There was one thing though, that told me everything was going to be okay,"He stated, pausing so I was left with a burning curiosity.

"What was it?"I wondered.

"You. You held out your hand and flashed me that brilliant smile. Suddenly, everything was okay because you were there. I didn't even know my name, but that if someone could have such a genuine smile I would be okay,"He admitted.

I looked at him and searched his face for any sign of a fib. Then, I realized who I was sitting with. Newt's a lot of things, practically all of them incredible, but a liar is not on the list.

"See? There's that contagious smile,"He remarked, making me recognize that I was practically beaming. It's so hard not to when I'm around him.

"Now don't you ever hide that amazing smile again. Good that?"He checked.

"As long as I have you then yeah. Good that,"I agreed.

"Good. Do you want to go back to everyone else?"He offered.

I didn't say anything as I placed my head on his shoulder which was another silent answer.

Right there I was perfectly content in that one simple moment. It was just the sunset, me, and the one person who never fails to make me smile.

[ddejavvu]

For mom maybe i dont know

Dad eddie and reader and there daughter being. Is a toddler and shes scared of the storm and just eddied holding her (i love dad eddie btw i dont know if you write for him )

eddie names his baby girl stacy so that his wife can be stacy's mom

--

What wakes Eddie is not the typical kiss to the cheek you grant him in the mornings, but a tiny foot jammed into his stomach. His flesh is soft and squishy there, and Stacy's foot nearly dries right through him.

"O-ho," He grunts, voice gruff from sleep and pain. He doubles up from the kick and, as a result, sits upright, "Stace is that- 's that you?"

All he gets is a teary, "Yeah," from his daughter, who's worming her way into his chest as if she hadn't just torn a hole in his gut.

"Wha'ssa matter?" He can't pry her face out of his chest, but he feels tears soaking into his shirt, "Bad dream?"

"No!" She insists, shaking her head vehemently as her wispy hair is sent flying. Before he can ask what's got her so worked up a roar of thunder rips through the trailer, and he sighs, hand working through the hair at the back of her neck.

"Animal again," Eddie rasps, one hand rubbing over the back of Stacy's wrinkled pajama shirt. He's told her that thunder is the sound of her favorite muppet, Animal, playing his drums too loud. She seems to believe it, but she's not too fond of the monster just now.

"I want him to stop," She wails, and that's enough to stir you from your slumber. You roll over, eyebrows adorably furrowed. Eddie would smile if it weren't for the sobbing child in his lap, and he shoots you a sympathetic smile from his spot against the headboard.

"Stacy," You croon, reaching out for her. Somehow you tug her face out of Eddie's chest and she looks at you with the saddest puppy eyes you've ever seen, lower lip quivering pathetically.

"It's late," She warbles, tears flooding down her cheeks like the rain outside, "Why isn't Animal asleep?"

"He's gotta rock," Eddie muses, drying a tear from her cheek with his rough, calloused hand. "That's the law, Stace. if he's gotta rock, he's gotta rock."

Eddie's maybe not the best at cheering her up. You lean over to cup the pudge of her cheek in your hand, warm to the touch and sticky from where tears have started drying on it.

"He'll stop soon, sweetheart," You promise, as Eddie shifts her in his lap. Now her face is over his shoulder, still just as sad as when she'd scrambled up onto your bed, "How about Daddy tells you the story of when he met Animal?"

"You did?" She rears back as another clap of thunder hits, but Eddie's strong hands frame her back and she doesn't flinch. You grin as he nods emphatically, recounting the time that Animal had subbed for Corroded Coffin's drummer. For the record, he hadn't. It was just a guy with scruffy hair. But Stacy's much more enthralled by the muppet version, and lets Eddie lay her down between you as he recites the story.

"He almost broke the drum set," Eddie fibs, eyes wide, "He said Animal Rock!-," His voice goes low and raspy, "-and we couldn't get him to stop! He played allll night." He strokes a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

Her eyes start to droop when he gets to the part about Animal nearly wrecking Eddie's van on the way home from the show. He tells her that the moral of the story is to never let a muppet drive, but you think it's to stop drinking when the drummer starts looking like he's made out of foam. He doesn't get to regale her of how he'd met Wayne because her eyes finally slip shut, little puffs of breath slipping from between her lips.

"Animal," Eddie scoffs, wiping at a stray tear on her cheek, "That guy's gonna be hearing from me tomorrow."

He waves a threatening fist at the sky, where you presume the puppet sits with his drums.

"We'll call Scooter to complain," You promise him, your eyes already drooping again now that your daughter's are shut, "Maybe he can come to her birthday party."

"Wayne can puppet him from under the snack table." Eddie declares, and you stifle a laugh into Stacy's hair as you throw your arm over her torso to grab Eddie's hand.

"There's not enough money in the world to get him to do that," You think of your husband’s uncle, all rough edges and scruff, hunched beneath a pink plastic tablecloth talking in silly voices. It's the perfect vision to fall asleep to, and you think you'll pitch it to him in the morning.

Eddie watches on as you doze, falling back into your night's sleep. His eyes are screaming at him to do the same, burning as he keeps them open, but the sight of his daughter snuggled up to his wife is too precious of a sight to miss.

He stays awake for as long as he possibly can, fighting the slow slip of his eyelids. But when they shut, the scene he'd just memorized plays on the backs of them, and he dreams sweetly of the two of you, a gentle smile curved into his face even in sleep.

[chaomother]

Imagine ending under the mistletoe with Shadow 🥰

everyone's been fighting to get you and shadow underneath it all night, but he hasn't been budging at all. this little festive party wasn't his style to begin with so why would he leave his one secluded spot?

it wasn't until rouge fibbed that you spilled some hot chocolate on yourself that gave him enough incentive to leave his position in the back. just the mention of your name and the possibility of any sort of harm coming to you was more than sufficient; to make shadow rush through a throng of people, curt apologies descending from his lips.

you were pressed against the doorframe, completely and utterly unsuspecting of the mistletoe hanging above your head. as shadow approached, the dangling evergreen plant tied perfectly with a bow captured his attention... but it didn't stop him from joining you.

"[name]... are you alright?" shadow asks, examining you all over. there were no stains or spots on your clothes, nor no bandages or blemishes on your skin.

"i'm doing fine! sonic told me to wait here because you had something you wanted to talk to me about?" your expression was a mixture of perplexity and disquietude, making shadow's stomach churn.

so rouge and sonic schemed together to pit the two of you underneath the mistletoe. and you both fell for it so easily.

"i think sonic only had one goal in mind by telling you that..." shadow couldn't stave off the warmth inundating his face, rosy hues powdering over his cheeks, as he made a small gesture with his eyes to beckon you to look up.

you were always the sentimental type, adoring romantic things like this. however, when your gaze met the mistletoe, you gulped. "oh! we don't have to, if you don't want to! you probably don't care much for these silly traditions, right?"

the way you stammered cutely over your words as embarrassment coalesced in the pit of your stomach enticed shadow beyond words. your skin radiated heat, the glossy shine of your lips amplified for the hedgehog before you.

and truthfully, he didn't; but if it was an excuse to kiss you, he'd start paying more attention. "i usually don't, but..." he started, trailing off.

looking away abashedly, you squeaked when you subsequently felt shadow's touch linger on your waist before cupping it, bringing you flush against him.

you placed your hands on his chest, gripping the fluff to stifle the way your fingers felt numb from anticipation. you peered into shadow's eyes, becoming breathless as they reflected a different type of excitement than candy-canes and tinsel emanated—he looked like a child who opened their first gift on christmas morning and it was exactly what they asked for.

"... can i kiss you under this mistletoe?" shadow whispers, so faintly you were afraid you didn't hear him right and this was all a dream given to you by the sugarplum fairies.

nodding, the two of you craned your heads and slowly brought your faces closer together; the propinquity enchanting you both. the vestiges of cocoa and sugar cookies merged as your lips pressed against one another's, and you couldn't smother the small moan of pleasure and happiness in time.

shadow grasped your tauter, keeping you still against him and savoring every morsel of warmth you exchanged between your bodies.

it was already a christmas miracle to you that shadow was even at the party to begin with. but it wasn't the charm of holiday spirits that urged him to go—it was the simple, lovely fact that you were going to be there too♡

[cyb3rscoups]

Love Me Not

A/N: Baby daddy therapy sessions. Finally looking into why everybody is so hostile

Links to ao3 and the rest of series will be posted in due time...

So they had agreed that therapy was much needed and the next session with Namor was quite awkward to start.

With Okoye rattling off apologies for her behavior and Attuma promising that he would be more open to what ever he wanted to know, Namor was more than happy to take the couple back in but not without knowing what brought on the sudden change in attitude.

Okoye’s avoidance of eye contact and Attuma’s continuous clearing of his throat led Namor to one conclusion.

“Is sex always how you two make up?” He shook his head, jotting down the note for future reference.

“Mostly…yeah.” Okoye shrugged, still struggling to meet his eyes on the matter.

His dark orbs scared her a bit as if all Namor needed was a glance into her own eyes and he could lay out ever secret and trauma she held in her being.

“Well…It’s something. Not very healthy frankly.”

“Why not?” Attuma leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It seems to work just fine.” A smirk played on his lips as his mind danced in flashbacks of their ‘activities’

“It work’s temporarily. I love the confidence but how long does it take for you to be at each other’s throat again? Not to mention your children, it is not healthy for their growing minds to witness such highs and lows of your relationship.”

Okoye shifted on her seat, placing a hand to Attuma’s shoulder as they were notably seated closer than before. “They do ask questions, Tuma.”

“Yeah, they do. Alright. So then what? What can we do?”

Namor smiled. “You can talk.”

The concept seemed impossible. Talking was never just talking for them. There were times too often where the talking was flooded with shade and unnecessary hits at each other that the other would take too personally. Talking always turned to yelling. And when they didn’t feel like yelling anymore, they fucked to get the anger out of their systems.

“Attuma, I want to test something out with you.” Namor set his journal down and looked between the two adults.

“Alright.”

“How do you feel about Okoye? Generally of course.”

Attuma shrugged relaxing into the couch and glancing over at his woman. “I love you.”

Sincerity, Namor thought.

A slight roll in Okoye’s eyes and a scoff, as she slapped his shoulder lightly. “Stop it. Be honest.”

“Why do you always doubt me?” Attuma chuckled, attempting to hide his disdain for her constant rebuttal.

“Cause you’re full of shit.” Okoye sucked her teeth and scooted away from him, creating some space between them as her walls started to go up.

Attuma shifted up in his seat and furrowed his brows, slightly stammering for words as Okoye crossed her arms over her chest, closing herself off once again.

“Now hang on.” Namor intervened making the couple shift their eyes to him. “Okoye, how come you don’t believe he loves you?”

“Because! The word is loose. It’s rare these days anyone says they love and really mean it.”

“Who made you believe that?”

Only one person flashed her mind when the question hit and for the first time ever, she met Namor’s eyes. Her jaw slacked open as she tried to think of some diversion or lie but the smile that toyed on Namor’s features had told her that it was too late to come up with some half assed fib.

“Okoye?” Attuma’s hand was on her thigh, squeezing the skin as he watched a tear fall from her eyes. “Baby-“

“My father. Momma always hated him. Said his love was fake. That anyone that claimed to love would just break me.”

“Okoye-“

“Don’t touch me!” She shot up, smacking his hand away from her skin and wiping her tears. “I- I wanna go home!”

“You can’t run away every time you don’t like something, Okoye.” Namor scolded the woman as she marched towards the office door.

“Fuck you!”

“Okoye!” Attuma shot up just as the door swung open and shut behind her. “What the hell was that?!”

Namor sighed, slouching further in his seat as he shrugged. “She needs to heal. Her version of love is all screwed thanks to the relationship she witnessed between her parents. The exact same relationship she is replicating with you. She will never find any truth in your words until she heals.”

———

The next day, Okoye ignored him profusely. Not even a mumbled ‘good morning’ when she woke up. She went straight to the shower and got herself ready for the day.

She ignored him as he asked if she wanted to talk and she got the girls ready for school all by herself.

“They don’t want me at base until later this afternoon.” Attuma watched the coffee maker brew. “Was thinking we could take the girls out.”

“Can’t. I have clients and they have school.” Okoye’s hands covered in suds as she washed what dishes were dirty from cooking.

“They can miss one day of school, Okoye and the salon would not burst into flames without you.”

“You are literally the military parent. Yet, you let them do whatever they wish.”

“They’re kids. They should have a childhood beyond school.”

“I don’t want to argue with you about this. It’s not happening. Kids! Let’s go!”

The girls tumbled into the kitchen, handing their mother their plates and lining up by the front door.

Once they were out of earshot, Attuma leaned into Okoye, dipping his head and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “If this is about therapy-“

“I never want to see that man again.”

“He’s trying to help.” Okoye rolled her eyes, pulling away from him only to have his arm pull her back in, flush against his chest. “And it would work if you quit being so closed off.”

“I don’t want to talk about this either.” She shoved his arms away from a huff and grabbed her keys. “Babies, go get in the car.” She opened the front door, unlocking the vehicle from where she stood.

“We’re good, Attuma.”

“Okoye-“

“For now! So do not test me.”

[circusgoth-dotcom]

Pure & Renowned (Pt. 2)

Ship: Sinclair Bryant x Corey Kennan

Word Count: 1720

Summary: The (lengthy) part two to Pure & Renowned, in which Corey is invited to the estate Sinclair lives on and the two officially begin dating, set a month after part one. CWs for food mentions, some feelings of anxiety, some very vague allusions to canon iykyk. Part two of two.

Tag List: @canongf @futurewife

During the following weeks, Corey and Sinclair met like clockwork in that cafe, swapping ice-breakers and learning about each other’s worlds. Sinclair learned Corey lived in a tiny studio apartment and worked at a thrift shop, but what he really wanted was to be able to survive off of his art. He learned that Corey was from America, but his specific mental cocktail had him quickly picking up a mix of local accents and unintentionally assimilating well into his new environment with this “neat party trick.” For once, Sinclair did not feel the need to fill any potential dead air with his usual ramblings, even when Corey willingly spoke much less than him. Of course, when asked about himself, Sinclair did his best to avoid talking too much of his past and instead focused on his wide array of interests, from natural disasters to multi-language literature.

After a month of this, Sinclair invited Corey out to the estate for lunch and a grand tour. Today was the day; Corey sat in the back of a cab, watching rolling green countryside drift by the tinted windows. Frankly, he was nervous, travelling this far out of the city, alone, but Sinclair had assured him via call that he would be waiting for them when they got there. He couldn’t help but gasp as the cab finally pulled up to a vast and gorgeous home, all pale brick and glittering windows. He paid his fare and exited, relief spreading through him as Sinclair rushed down the gravel path, waving his thanks to the cab driver as they pulled away. He grabbed Corey’s hands excitedly.

“Corey, my friend, welcome! How was the drive?”

“Quiet,” Corey spoke truthfully, his cheeks warming up and his smile coming easily. “And without mishap, thankfully, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long--”

“No, no, you’re right on time. One of my neighbours, Edwinna, has prepared a lovely banquet, I hope it’s to your liking.”

Hand-in-hand, Sinclair led them through the house and into a three-season room where a large table had been set with numerous foods and birds fluttered about the rafters.

“Everyone, this is Corey Kennan. Corey, this is everyone.”

They traded polite greetings and sat down. Corey’s nerves returned as he eyed the meal before him, unsure of what was “safe” and what wasn’t, frightened by the unfamiliarity of it all. Quietly clearing his throat, he set to stacking things onto his plate.

“It looks delicious,” he half-fibbed, trying to remain positive. After all, Sinclair had so graciously invited him, he didn’t want to offend him over something that shouldn’t be that big of a deal. It didn’t take long for Sinclair to dominate the conversation amongst his peers, chattering on about whatever he hadn’t told Corey yet this week and keeping the energy high and light. However, they were still glad when the food began to disappear and people began to excuse themselves, prompting Sinclair to stand and offer Corey his hand once more.

“Shall we begin the tour?”

Swallowing the last bite of a meat-based dish that he found tolerable, Corey nodded and stood, taking Sinclair’s hand in his.

“Oh yes, please. I’ve never been in a house so big!”

Sinclair chuckled happily and the two set off, first making a stop at his kitchen, where he opened his freezer and pulled out a white cup with a thin plastic seal on top. “Italian Ice?” He offered. “I’ve got Lemon or Raspberry.”

“Lemon, please. Thank you.”

Sinclair nodded and picked up a second cup, handing it to Corey before closing the freezer and turning to a drawer, retrieving two spoons. “I presume you can walk and eat, yes, a mind as vast as yours?”

“I can try my best.” They grinned and opened the cold treat, following Sinclair out onto the lawn where he began to explain the history of each building on the land. Most of them were houses, belonging to Sinclair’s unique, passionate, and stupidly rich neighbours, but there was also a church and a library, almost as if the estate were its own little village.

“As you can imagine, I’m actually quite dull in comparison. I thought I’d stand out like a sore thumb amongst these pricks, what a laugh. I bet I’m even the poorest one fortunate enough to live here.”

“You’re also quite young compared to them, don’t you think?” Corey quirked up his eyebrow as he slurped up a spoonful of lemon ice. Sinclair appeared confused.

“I mean… I’m forty-five…” He shrugged, reaching for the back of his neck. “Some would consider that ‘old.’”

Corey scoffed. “No way! You’re farther from a hundred than you are from twenty, Sinclair, you’re not old. Your neighbours must be grandparents at this point!” He then laughed, beaming, and Sinclair felt as if he were walking on air. He couldn’t help it, gazing at his friend with a smitten expression. They continued, walking away from the houses and down toward the river that bordered the edge of the property, complete with a dock where expensive-looking boats bobbed silently in the green water.

“Do you own one of these?” Corey asked, bending down to pick up a smooth stone from the riverbank.

“Oh, yes, but I know nothing about them. That’s why I have Fernando, my ship captain. I’d have him take us down the stream, but he’s off today.”

“Fancy that. The man who’s fascinated by everything doesn’t know anything about one subject,” Corey teased, attempting to skip the stone across the water. It bounced twice before plunging into the depths. “Ahh, I was never good at this.”

“Just because I’m interested in things doesn’t mean I have a big enough head to retain everything that could ever be known about those things. Let me try.” Sinclair smiled and handed off his raspberry ice before scanning the dirt for his own stone. Selecting one and winding his arm back, he gave it a good sling, watching the rock skip halfway across the water before sinking- much farther than Corey’s had gone.

“I’d applaud you but I don’t want to drop the ice.”

The two dissolved into pleasant giggles, and Sinclair was suddenly sure he did not want Corey to leave, at least not anytime soon.

“Is there anything else you’d like to do or know about?” He asked, taking his ice back.

“Well, maybe it’d just be nice to sit for a moment. Conversing or not, I don’t care. Sometimes it’s fun just to watch the world go by… and sometimes it’s terrifying.” Corey shrugged. Sinclair nodded, pausing to admire him some more before waving his hand and starting forward.

“Come on, then. There’s a bench in the shade around here somewhere.”

And so they sat, finishing their flavoured ice and watching Sinclair’s neighbours mill about. The ones closer in age to him had young children, presumably the grandchildren of the older individuals living on the estate. It wasn’t all silence, with Sinclair telling Corey about the wood the bench was made out of, leading to them discussing their favourite types of trees, and Corey insisting Sinclair look up at the clouds and try to imagine what he saw in their ever-changing shapes. When they finished their treats, they set the cups on the ground beside the bench, resting the spoons inside. When they sat back up, their hands fell on top of each other’s on the bench, prompting them to look at each other.

“I really like you, Sinclair,” Corey admitted, not moving his hand. Sinclair smiled.

“I think you’re bloody fantastic, myself, Corey.”

There was a long but not uncomfortable pause, filled with the now-distant sounds of the river and wild, screaming children.

“I don’t mean to move too fast, but…” Corey began. Sinclair’s heartbeat quickened at those words, his eyes widening slightly. They looked away. “No, forget it… I wouldn’t want to throw away what we’ve got going on now for something that might…”

“Tell me. What is it you want to say?” Sinclair forced himself to say it. Yes, he was terrified of the answer, but he wanted to hear it. Corey bit his lip, then slowly looked back at him again.

“You really want to know?”

“Of course. Your mind is like… a top-of-the-line picturehouse. I’d buy a ticket just for the experience.”

Corey blushed, staring deeply into Sinclair’s russet brown eyes. “I was wondering if we could date. Do you… do you like me like that?”

It was as if a fireworks factory had been set ablaze inside Sinclair’s body, and for once he was created speechless. Still, he hated the worried look spreading over Corey’s round features and forced himself to speak, sounding all too serious. “I only have one question.”

“Yes, Sinclair?”

He swallowed. “Do you have any siblings?”

Corey regarded him bewilderedly. “Wha…? No, I don’t have any siblings. Only child, closest thing I have is a cousin who I love dearly… why do you ask??”

Sinclair exhaled, comforted and relaxing just a bit. “No reason. No reason at all.” Absently, he reached up and caressed Corey’s cheek. Flustered, Corey leaned into the touch. “Yes. Let’s try this dating thing. I can’t reveal too much, it pains me a great bit, but my last relationship was akin to a dumpster fire.”

“Oh, Sinclair, I’m so sorry--”

“You didn’t know. But I do like you an awful lot, and I certainly wouldn’t mind having you in my life more consistently. Speaking of which, there’s an extra room I’ve been renovating but I’ve no clue what to do with it, so I was wondering, would you like a real studio? You know, for your art?”

Corey covered his mouth with his fingers. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Sinclair, you are too much.” They happily embraced him, wrapping their arms around his shoulders and burying their face in his neck. Hesitantly, he hugged them back, squeezing them tight and letting his eyes close, inhaling their scent. How comforting it was in this moment.

“Maybe it’s because the world doesn’t have enough.”

“Enough what, Sinclair?” Corey asked, pulling back.

“Just enough, in general. Shall we do dinner on Friday? Six’o’clock? Six-thirty?”

“Oh, damn, I close the thrift shop then… I won’t be off until eight.”

“Fine by me. We��ll just order take-out.”

“That sounds wonderful, Sinclair. Really, truly wonderful.”

[xeilon]

I was looking through the Warframe wiki and (once again) I realized that probably the most disturbing / unexplained thing here is how the hell is Teshin still alive? And it got me thinking, and with every idea it gets worse and worse? We also don't know for how long have he known the queens, and maybe it's all connected? I have a few theories, but they are a bit long, so I put them under the cut.

1. The most tame theory:

So Teshin IS a liar. He kept the queens' secret, shitting on the Lotus throughout a whole quest, telling us how we can't possibly trust her because she's been keeping secrets from us. Conveniently "forgets" to mention that he is a Dax etc.

So the guy decides to fib a little and tell the Tenno that no, of course he didn't go into stasis, HE just "searched the long path for redemption". 🙄

The queens found him a few years before the main plot started, woke him up, and he's been serving them since, also running the Conclave between his missions.

2. Slightly worse theory:

Teshin has been with the queens from the start. As in, since the fall of the Orokin empire. Some Orokin escaped with their guards, grineers, Dax. He was fighting in the same location as where the twins were, and they commanded him to come with and protect them.

Tyl Regor calls Teshin a pseudo-Tenno and is surprised to see him... alive? Why would he?

The Tenno during the game are mostly known for one thing: stirring up shit in the empire and then disappearing.

What if the queens decided to put Teshin in cryosleep for most of the time and then wake him up for missions. Find them new bodies, fight against an uprising, let Tyl Regor examine him to make more "durable" less mutated grineer using orokin technology. And then, when everything is said and done, he goes back to stasis.

Just as the Lotus thought the Queens never existed, Teshin is just a mere ghost story for the average grineer. Those who met him (like Tyl Regor) don't know he's a dax, they just think that he's some Tenno like soldier who the queens managed to capture and then was killed.

His newest mission might be to get close to the Tenno and either steer them towards the grineer / orokin faction or bring them to the queens for continuity.

He searched the long path for redemption through living in a limbo of life and fake-death. Maybe after a while it just didn't work. His body was asleep and unchanging, but his mind was aware. The things he learned in this state were the skills that helped him help us during The War Within.

3. The worst of them all:

We know from Vorunas backstory that the Orokin weren't the only ones who could preform the continuity. We also know, because of the existence of Varzia that there were Dax put in stasis. So who's to say that the grineer queens haven't actually told a lot of Dax to come with them, and put them all into stasis except one. Teshin.

He does their bidding, time passes he gets older and when he can't preform well anymore in his current body, well, there are others. A bit of kuva and everything is solved.

The queens wouldn't use dax bodies for continuity, because they then would inherit the dax's weakness - being unable to defy the symbols of the orokin.

On the other hand, not preforming continuity on him is just too much work. A new dax that doesn't know/understand the structure of the grineer army? Someone who has to be taught the language and the rules? Someone who doesn't know about previous missions, who doesn't know the enemy? Continuity just saves them the trouble.

After all, Teshin did tell us that he believes the kuva is both an elixir of immortality and a corrupting poison. Maybe he knows it all too well.

[roadtogracelandx45]

Courage Under Fire| Currahee part 2

@marycorleone

masterlist

Wattpad

ao3

August -September 1942

Camp Toccoa 

Lieutenant Hebert Sobel wasn't happy, at all, he had gone to Colonel Sink to try and get rid of the nurses before he had even met them, the medic, Roe, he thought his name was, and another medic that was being placed there would be good enough for Easy Company. But Sink shut him down saying that this was coming from General Taylor and General Forbes of the Army Nursing Corp directly and what they said went.

So now on top of these men, and he used that term very loosely, he also had to deal with women who shouldn't even be in uniform, they should be at home with children. Shaking his head he rounded the corner where Easy Company was lined up, his dark beady eyes going from Lieutenants Winters and Nixon to where the head nurse was standing. "You people are at the position of attention." He barked before he went towards the nurse missing out Nixon, Winters and several of the other boys tensed up.

"Relax." Bobby hissed, "Olivia can handle this." During the summertime, instead of going to camps like Bill did where he learned about the Army. The Stewart kids were sent to the family summer home outside of Columbia, South Carolina and the boys had it beat into their heads military training, and once they figured out that Olivia was watching, she was included in it. She could handle a CO yelling in her face, this one she just couldn't sass after everything was said and done with.

Sobel came to a stop in front of Olivia, letting his eyes flick over her body, "Lieutenant Stewart." He started waiting for her to recoil away from him, like other women in his presence had, instead she held his gaze.

Almost confidently.

Good, this meant he was going to have a challenge, he liked having a challenge. 

"Sir." She returned, she had already been told stories by her brother, Bill, Lewis, and Dick about Sobel and how more or less how useless he was. She tried not to judge him before she actually met him in person but it was looking like they were right. He looked at her last name then over to where Bobby was standing with Bill and Joe Toye, another Pennsylvania boy she had been introduced to in a rush the night before.

"Are you two related?" 

"Yes, sir, that's my twin brother." She returned, knowing it was better to tell the truth than to lie. Especially when Bobby would want to defend her if he thought she was being threatened. "Us being in the same company isn't going to do a darn thing. We are both here to do our jobs. And I assure you, sir, Colonel Sink knew of our familial ties and placed me in your company." That part was a fib on her part, she didn't know if Sink knew the truth or not.

And if he really cared if he did.

'And no amount of complaining will get him to approve of me leaving Easy for another company.'

"That's my girl," Lewis muttered loud enough for Dick to hear, causing a half smile to appear on his face. They both had been taunt and ready to defend Olivia but Bobby had been right about her being able to defend herself. 

"And honestly, sir, if I were to be completely honest. Having me here for my brother and Guarnere is for the best. They tend not to get into trouble if I am around." 

 That was a bold-faced lie, even Adele and Amber who had been the last two to be introduced to the two men knew that they got into trouble and a lot of the time dragged Olivia in with them, the punishment was usually a lot less when she was involved. "If you want to prove you are the best and that you know what you are doing. Leave me and the girls here."

Olivia was going to be forever thankful that she was filled in on Sobel's shortcomings so she could learn how to twist and turn him to see things how she wanted to see if need be. But that was something that she was going to keep close to her chest and only use when she needed it.

He flicked his eyes over her shoulder to the other girls and then looked back at her, "You are beautiful and smart. I like that.' 

"Thank you, sir." Her statement came out more like a question than an air of confidence, like her previous statements. She knew that she and the girls were extremely pretty and for the most part extremely smart and they were picked for the Nursing Corp and for the Paratroopers for that reason and she had been told for years that she was beautiful, most recently by Joe Liebgott that morning when he stopped her at the counter in the mess hall. But hearing it from Sobel made her extremely uncomfortable. So much so that she wanted to go take a shower and scrub herself clean.

He finally broke his gaze away from her and went back towards the boys who now had newcomers in there. There were several new boys who had joined that hadn't been introduced fully to Sobel.

Olivia once he was away from her took a step back and visibly cringed. "You good Liv?" Adele asked keeping her voice low so Sobel didn't round back on them. "No, I need a drink and a shower." She returned glancing over her shoulder at her friend. "I don't blame you at all. Though I do feel bad for Don and the others."

 Don was Donald Malarkey, one of the new guys that had been assigned to Easy after getting out of W company and it already seemed like he was going to be a target for Sobel along with Smokey Gordon, another newbie, and Frank Procente, one of the first members of the company.

"Yeah, me too.' She agreed, twisting a bit to see what was going on. Sobel was prowling up and down the rows of the three platoons looking for something to dig them for. A happening, Olivia was assured, happened quite often and if more than one man was dinged then the weekend passes were revoked. It happened once already in the short two weeks they had been there, Lewis had been sure that it was going to happen more and more.

"Change into PT gear, we are running Currahee.' Sobel ordered, "Ladies included."

 The girls' training for the medic stuff was normally in the afternoons with Eugene Roe and Ralph Spina the two medics assigned to Easy Company. 

"You heard him ladies, fall out," Olivia ordered as she met her brother's eyes and nodded, assuring him she was okay. 

**

Amber was quiet as she pulled off the ugly green uniform that had been issued for them to wear, after meeting Sobel, an idea had formed in her head. If Harding was unwilling to get Olivia kicked out of the program for faradization then maybe Sobel would. She was just going to have to find a way to get him alone and talk to him. If Olivia could sleep with Lewis and from what she had seen Dick, then she should be okay to be with Sobel.

"You handled that so much better than I would have." Betsy commented, shaking Amber out of her thoughts, "him being all up in my personal space like that." 

"A lot of practice before Lewis came down from Yale, I was going to have to go to the Deb ball with my Uncle Finn's nephew Joshua and he was three times as bad as Sobel. He was all hands and no class.' 

"And Nixon isn't?" Alice teased, she, Amber, and Betsy had seen how he got with Olivia on weekend passes and how often they ended up in a hotel together for a full 48 hours. 

"Nah, Lew is different, he is all class, hands, and dick." She returned, her mouth curving into a smile.

"Olivia!" Lily scolded from where she was standing by her bunk, Dog Company was going to the obstacle course while Easy ran Currahee. "Sorry, Lil, it's true. Just like Bill is all dick and hands and no class.'

"That is true.' Evie agreed with a laugh, "And that in and of itself is a talent." She had figured that Bill had slept with Olivia once or twice when she came back from Charleston, she had seen the nail marks on his back and the dark purple love bit on his neck and she couldn't get mad at it. They weren't together and it seemed to her that it was fair that it happened.

"I couldn't share a man like you two have." Mary threw in finally, normally when the girls talked, she stayed silent, not wanting to be included in the conversations or to make friends. She saw Olivia as a rival for Liebgott's attention and she didn't want to see the charm like the others did. "We don't share." Both girls said at the same time. "Liv was with him first, they dated for what two years?" Olivia nodded her head as she fastened a bobby pin into her braid to keep the strands in place, "But then she slept with him behind my back before I slept with him." Mary shook her head, she couldn't do it, let alone be friendly to the girl who slept with the man she supposedly loved.

"Let's go, ladies, PT formation." Carwood Lipton called as he opened the door to their barracks, out of the Sargents they had in Easy Company, he was the most respectful of the women and their space. Floyd Talbert was standing just behind Lipton and offered the girls a smile as they passed. "Olivia, my darling." He commented once she was out onto the pathway. 

"What do you want, Floyd, sugar?" She returned glancing up at him out of the corner of her eye knowing that he was flirting with her. Bobby had quickly filled her in on his friends the night before about how both Talbert and Liebgott were both ladies' men and how she should stay away from them. 

"What? I can't check on you?" Lipton's laugh from behind them made her think that she was on the right path. "You don't know me well enough to check on me." "Then let me get to know you." He knew it wasn't fair to Liebgott to do this when he had made his interest in the younger Stewart twin known to him and to Chuck Grant. But he also had Mary on a back burner as well.

Floyd didn't.

"You have to earn the right to get to know me." She returned before raising herself up on her toes to press a kiss against his cheek before going to join the rest of the girls in the group.

"Careful Tab," Lipton warned, "You don't know what you are getting yourself into." 

Joe who had seen the exchange was angry, he had thought he had made it clear that he was interested in Olivia and that should've been enough to stop him from approaching Olivia. But it wasn't, now he was going to make his own interest clear and that was the last thing that he wanted to do, Tab had forced his hand.

To try and see if he could weed out the weaker girls, Sobel separated them throughout the platoons. Olivia and Adele in the first platoon with Lipton, Talbert, and Liebgott, Amber and Evie in the second platoon with Bill, Bobby, and Joe Toye, and Betsy in the third platoon with Grant, Johnny Martin, Bull Randleman, and Mary.

“Hey ya Princess.’ Liebgott greeted as he joined Olivia and Talbert. “Liebgott.” She returned, “I thought I told you not to call me that.” “I would prefer you to call me Joe.”  Everyone called him by his last name or a shortened version of his last name.  But to prove a point that he was serious to Tab and to an extent her, that he was serious about his pursuit of her. 

“You know, Bobby warned me about both of you.’ She started low enough for them to hear her, Sobel was already roaming up and down the platoons and she didn’t want to be the reason why the boys got into trouble because of her. She didn’t even like it when Bobby got into trouble for her and he was her flesh and blood.              

“What did he say?” Tab was curious, he knew the night before after Bobby saw Liebgott talking to his sister, took her aside, and talked to her about things. “Said y'all were man whores. And that I should stay away from you both.” 

“Of course he did,” Talbert muttered, as Sobel called out for them to start running, saving them from saying anything. In a way either one of them blamed Bobby for telling his sister how they were, if their sisters were there, they would have done the same thing. 

Joe would have done the same thing with his sister and she was thrown into a situation like Olivia was. He glanced down at the girl and found that her eyes were on Sobel studying him, with an intense dislike. 

“What is it?” 

“He looks like a demonic swan.” She answered after a heartbeat, finally looking back at him. “She ain’t wrong.” Pat Christensen said through heavy breaths from behind them causing her to smile victoriously  

Sobel was now running back and forth between the groups throwing his arms around, yelling things that Olivia was thankful that she could barely make out. Something about the Japanese, High-Ho-Silver, and a bunch of other nonsense that she wasn’t ready to deal with yet.   It was like trying to mourn her brothers, uncle and great great grandfather’s death. She couldn’t handle it right then and the best way she knew how to was to bottle it up and let it simmer until it was enough. And Sobel was going to be the same way it felt like. 

[destinyc1020]

I don't know why some stans are mad at the possibility that Z was exaggerating a bit. I have been a stan of hers since the Shake It Up days. She is used to lying about her dating life, and that's a fact. Like saying that she started dating when she was 16 when we know that Trevor and Zs first date was to TASM, and that opened at the beginning of July, when she was still 15. I'm happy that she has stopped gaslighting us so much and is just doing some light fibbing. During their Entertainment Weekly roundtable Tom and her mentioned how her casting process was short compared to the protracted one for Tom. Laura also mentioned how she was doing her chemistry read with Tom the same day that Z was doing hers and she thought she had lost the part when Z was announced shortly thereafter, but she was asked to come back for an additional audition and then she was announced 1 month after Z on April

Like I already said Anon, I usually don't argue with what ppl say out of their own mouths.... especially when they've said it more than once.

How do I look acting like I know more than the person who was actually living their experience? 🥴

Also, Tom was right there with her! He could have easily corrected her and said, "actually, we were 19 weren't we?" if he thought what she said was off or wrong in any way.

Wet also have to remember that Tom and Z have a 3 month age gap, so technically she could be 18 and him 19 all in the same year (for 3 months at least lol 😆).

I'm not gonna pretend to know when they first met. 🤷🏾‍♀️ It's just not that serious to me.

But don't you think that Zendaya would remember when she met the love of her life, and when she auditioned for the role that basically changed her whole entire career trajectory and was her FIRST major motion picture film on the big screen EVER?? 🤔

No doubt, she's also told this story countless of times to friends and family as well. Did she just forget the details? 🥴

Idk Anon.... I'm just gonna believe what Z is saying for sake of simplicity. She's the one after all who actually lived the experience. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Not me! Lol 😆

For me the little details don't really matter much anyway lol 😆 That wasn't even the main point of the story lol.

Idk why some fans get so caught up on minutia lol. 😓😩

[storiesofsvu]

Censured Ch 1

Casey Novak x reader

Warnings: Language?

**

Casey Novak had certainly never imagined herself going out to a place like this, but an old Harvard friend found out she was temporarily back in New York and insisted that she join her and her friends for a night out on the town. Casey had been throwing the girl practically every excuse to dodge her invites to get together for nearly a month now, and she had nothing left when it came to tonight. At least there was a sense of authenticity to the place, a duelling piano bar that she thought definitely had more club vibes to it. It also happened to be the place she met you. Standing at the end of the bar, microphone, I-pad and glass of cider in front of you, currently engrossed in your phone. You were in black high waisted dress shorts, practically backless green bodysuit tucked into them, your hair loose in beach-y waves around your shoulders, topped off with a pair of black ankle boots (that you’d definitely be swapping out for Toms later). Casey felt drawn to you immediately, there was just something that piqued her curiosity, making it more than easy to approach you.

“I was told to bring these to you?” She started, you looked up, closing your phone as you greeted the woman beside you, handful of request forms in her hand, along with a hefty amount of tips.

“Oh wow…” You replied as you thumbed through them, “Yeah…thank you.” You offered her a genuine smile as you called out to the bartender, “Hey Andrew!” He took one glance over to you before smirking, instinctively pouring three cherry vodka bombs, walking them over to you,

“Cheers!” He winked across at you as you nudged the third glass over to her, following your motions of clinking glasses before downing the drink. “You need another one?” He gestured to your half empty cider glass, you shook your head.

“Mmm, no, but get whatever she wants, on me.” You gestured towards Casey.

“Oh, you don’t have—“

“Please…our drinks are on the house.” You cut her off, gesturing to the small pile of money in front of you, “Besides…”

“Double Lagavuilin please.” Andrew pranced off to pour the scotch for her, “Thank you.” She gave you a soft smile as you subtly drank her in, she was absolutely stunning, there was certainly no denying that.

“No worries.” You smiled, extending your hand, “Y/N.”

“Casey.” Hers met yours in a gentle but firm handshake as Andrew returned with the scotch, “Thanks.” She smiled over at him before taking a swig. You took in her appearance as you watched her sip back the scotch with ease, profiling her slightly.

“So tell me Casey…you a lawyer?” She laughed lightly at that, your ability to read her surprising her since she couldn’t really get a read on you.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well the scotch is usually a dead giveaway, plus it’s Friday night but you’re in a pencil skirt…” You smirked, “Not to mention the floor plan said we had a group of Harvard alum in tonight.” 

“Ooh so you technically cheated.”

“You calling me on a technicality counsellor?” You laughed gently, not missing the roll of her eyes, 

“As of right now, I’m only a paralegal. Had my licence suspended.”  She took a hearty swig at that.

“Rough. What’d’you do?” Casey nearly laughed at how simply casual and open you were at the heavy topic at hand, a heavy sigh leaving her lips.

“I might have…fibbed about lab reports not being done during a trial.” You could see her face fall slightly at the admission before filling with frustration, “But the bastard…was a cop. He’d abused his power to rape two girls, killing one of them, didn’t get caught for years, he deserved to go away for life, yet he got to walk free.” Your brows furrowed, a look of perplexity taking over your face as she looked over at you. “What?” Her voice was hesitant, wondering if you were judging her for her mistake or agreeing that the man deserved to do time.

“Sorry, but…are you Casey Novak?” She nearly felt her stomach drop at that, had her suspension been that public that a performer knew her story? She hadn’t remembered it being all over the papers.

“Uh..yeah…how did you..”

“Sorry!” You threw your hands up in submission, eyes wide with regret of even bringing up the subject, “I didn’t mean to offend you, I just…Rita Calhoun’s my aunt, not to mention the courthouse kinda leaks like a sieve.” You weren’t wrong there, “To be honest when I heard about it I thought it was complete bullshit, bastard should be behind bars, you didn’t deserve what happened.” She smiled softly at that, 

“Thanks.” 

“I’m serious…” You went to continue before a shriek let out behind the bar, Andrew had a trail of about 18 chits of drinks between his hand and the printer as the room had filled with large groups of people at a time, the servers pestering him over details. He looked over to you a plea of desperation on his face knowing you were more than qualified to help him, you quickly tucked the money and request forms inside your I-pad cover, hand squeezing Casey’s softly, “I’ve gotta go…” She nodded, flashing you a quick smile before you moved behind the bar, moving in an incredible rhythm with Andrew to help him serve up the drinks needed. 

If she didn’t find herself drawn to you before the show started, she definitely did once your voice rung out through the room. You were insanely talented and charismatic, drawing the crowd into the show with ease, laughing with your fellow performers. She ended up finding herself at your side during the couple of breaks that you had, the conversation and friendship bubbling easily. When you absolutely powered through a nearly 15 minute mash up of Beyonce songs, both moving from your piano to stand on it over to the ledge way halfway through the room she was beyond belief that someone like you existed. Casey had hoped to catch you on your last break of the night but it seemed you’d vanished from the club. Andrew had noticed her lingering, mentioning that you sometimes did that on the weekend nights, but you’d be back next Saturday if she wanted to see you again.

***

“Hey…sorry I’m late, what’ve we got?” You felt Carisi take in your appearance, NYPD windbreaker barely hanging from your frame, badge clipped into your shorts.

“Liv put ya under cover again?” He countered, you rolled your eyes, 

“Sonny you know I spend Fridays at the club…”

“Right…” Both of your eyes turned back to the exam room, despite it being completely blocked off from your view, “Jenna Spencer, assaulted at a frat party at Hudson.”

“No surprise there…” You trailed off, Hudson was notorious for sexual assault, and for them attempting to not disclose them to the police, “Thank God she actually ended up in a hospital.”

“Exactly what I was thinking.” The nurse then interrupted your flow, saying that Jenna was finished and ready to talk, but still pretty shaky, “Ya wanna take this one?” Carisi asked, you nodded as he made his way to the nurses station, you moving into the room with Jenna, quietly and gently getting her to retell the horrible stories that happened to her. 

You’d been with Special Victims Unit for more than a few years now, more than happy with being partnered with Sonny, you fit together incredibly well. Your friendship flowed easily, you spent more time together than anyone else on the squad, he’d often end up at your apartment making you dinner when you’d been tempted to order take out for the 500th time. Carisi had once made a crack about how a perp seemed to have a thing for you and you quickly shot back that he definitely wasn’t your type, when he’d questioned you on that you laughed saying you much preferred women. He’d been surprised, but completely accepting, more than quick to jokingly suggest practically every woman you came across, it became part of your obsessing teasing as you (respectfully) checked out girls together. You were incredibly grateful at the partnership, no one else from the squad had any idea, but you knew you could trust Carisi beyond any measure which brought you even closer together. 

[starres-stuff]

FFXIV Writes 2023 | Day 16 | Jerk

Dimitri meets the Conjurer who will be doing his woodsin cleansing, only to find out she may actually be a Shroud Witch.

“Watch Out!” A voice called from the path that led up to the Cottage, and it certainly wasn’t a familiar one, Dimitri realized as he jerked his neck and torso quickly away from where they originally were only to feel a sharp pain ignite in his neck and shoulder, moments before a branch fell from the largest tree in the yard and fell where he had been standing only moments earlier. Which caused him to flail and fall over himself.

“How did you..” Off his voice traveled as a small Miqo’te woman approached him, she had black hair with graying temples and glasses so large they took up most of her face; the basket hanging over her arm was stuffed to the brim and covered with a checkered cloth to keep everything including his eyes out. “Who are you?” he finally asked curiously, watching the woman as she came closer.

“Gotta watch out for those things, especially when you got the woodsin around you.” Her nose wiggled as she sniffed at him and she sneezed from what she caught there, her head shaking. “Have to be careful until we get you through that ritual. Names Xixa Loonsi, a friend of your Aunt Doshaine when she was alive. I am the one Viviane has sent to do your cleansing. Do you need my credentials too, Sonny? Or can we not worry about that? The Shroud is trying to kill you so the sooner we get that woodsin off of you, the less chance you have of ending up in a grave. Let’s go inside, I have some salve I can put on your neck so that muscle doesn’t seize up.” and off she padded towards the door without even offering him a hand up.

“Twelve of the women in my family have interesting friends.” He muttered to himself, finally getting up off the ground and following the Miqo’te up the stairs to the door. The interesting thing was the door just opened for her. There was no standing there all day, no slamming a fist into the wood repeatedly. There was just the door opening and her going inside, only for the damn thing to close right behind her before Dimitri could get in the door leaving him to stand out there yet again, begging the magic that secured the wards to let him in, and like usual they did not listen.

“Oi, you are a mess, Sonny,” Xixa called from the window, where she now leaned, eating an apple while watching him struggle with the door. “She warned me that you aren’t much of a believer just yet, but we’ll make one out of you. Now the first lesson I will give you, if it is made out of something born in the shroud it is filled with some form of Elemental Magic. Now keep in mind everything was exposed to the Calamity when it tore through here. The Elements are technically sleeping, well at least the big ones are. There are sprites everywhere and anywhere however that will make your life a living corner of one of the seven hells if you let them. Now with that out of the way. What Aethers are you skilled at?”

“Earth” Dimitri lied straight-faced, staring at the woman, who he now realized what the Shroud Witch Vi promised to send him. This caused him to grasp the handle on the door, and try to jerk it open, only to be met with a burst of aether that practically sat him on his rear on the front porch.

“I could have told you not to do that. I could also tell you not to spin your fibs with me either. I can see when a man lies, their tongue turns bright green and glows even in the darkest night!” A wide smile appeared on her face, showing off the cat-like fangs that occupied her mouth. What was even odder was that she just kept on staring at Dimitri as if she was waiting for something to happen.

Without thinking the Sharlayan stuck out his tongue, lifting his glasses to try and look down on it, practically admitting he had not only lied but was incredibly gullible at the same time. “Oh you are going to be a fun one, Sonny.” The Miqo’te cackled loudly. “You just gave yourself away. Now let’s try it again luv, what Aethers are you aligned to.”

Back into his mouth, his tongue went and he sighed dramatically. Nophica’s tits this was going to be a day, he could feel it already. “Earth is my preferred” he started again pushing himself to carry on “But I possess talents that come from the internal Chakras like a Monk and are largely unaspected aether that I infuse with an aether of my choice. The only known Aether I have no success with at all is the one termed Darkness. I have worked in every other one at various skills and levels since I was a child.” As soon as he got it all laid out, he heard the door handle click, and then the door opened on its own to welcome him in.

“I’ve got the mask! My boyfr.. My partner! Made it for me.” He said with a happy note in his voice. Just thinking of Laurent made him feel better, even when the rest of the world made him feel lost.”

“Today’s third lesson is the Elements can hear you, you just can’t hear them unless you are like me and a handful of others in the guild. Not every Conjurer is a Hearer and not every normal person isn’t. You don’t have to be in the Guild to hear them speak, but you likely don’t know what to do with the talent if you have it. That is lesson fifty or so we will worry about it then. Come in, let’s have tea” Disappearing from the window, the sound of the fire starting under a kettle of water could be heard echoing throughout the small main room before Dimitri even got inside.

“Try that again and with the truth,” Xaia said in a less than amused tone, looking suspiciously around the cottage as if she were waiting for something to try and fall on him again.

“My boyfriend! We don’t use titles.” Dimitri protested.

“Your mouth might not but your mind does. Have you asked him what he wants to be called?” She was beginning to sound like the cross of a Mother and a Teacher to him. Both of which were going to wear on his nerves before long, part of the process, but still uncomfortable as a grown Elezen.

“It is complicated. We’ve both been hurt. Things take time, you know.”

“Mmhmm.” Xaia agreed, “Ask him again.” and off she went to stand by the teapot leaving Dimitri to lower himself into the couch and look after her thoughtfully.

[sea-owl]

So I never posted the edited ao3 version of this post for the true mates au on Tumblr. And since I am currently working on the next part for this au I should probably fix that. Here you go. 

"You were avoiding Mama and Papa today," Maina said. "Does it have something to do with a certain alpha?"

Penelope winced. Damn, she was hoping Marina hadn't noticed. "I was not avoiding them. I was merely avoiding their unsubtle hints about me and Pip courting."

"Oh, Penelope why don't you want to marry Phillip? We could really be sisters then," Marina said, holding her cousin tighter. The two omegas were cuddling in Marina's nest. Marina's heat was due soon and it always helped if another unmated omega was there before and after the heat.

Because Pip and I only see each other as pack mates, Penelope thought. Because I would rather write my novels and Pip wants to study his plants. Because it would be the most awkward marriage and mating ever.

Truthfully the only real advantage Phillip and Penelope would have being married to one another is that they would let each other continue their passions and be left alone by others. Penelope couldn't say that though. Her cousins didn't even know she was the novel writer Lady Whistledown, it wasn't something a proper omega did.

But her romantic cousin did believe in true mates.

Penelope leaned in closer to whisper to Marina. "I believe I have found my true mate."

"Penelope," Marina gasped. "Who is it? Have I met him?"

Penelope shook her head. "Do you remember my pen pal Eloise?"

"Ms. Bridgerton?" Marina asked.

Penelope nodded. "Yes, one of her brothers caught my scent from a letter I sent her. He sent me a letter with Eloise's and oh Marina. I just know he is my mate."

"Which brother?"

Penelope ran through a list of names in her head, trying to remember Elosie's actual brothers' names so she didn't choose one of them. How many did she say she had again? Three? Yes, that sounds about right, two older and one younger. The Bridgertons were so well known, even out here, for their being many in their pack and for all looking so alike that half the time most don't know which one is which from a distance. Surly no would notice if she added one more, and Eloise would help surely help her if she knew Penelope was doing it to avoid marriage.

A name, she needed to pick a name.

"Colin. His name is Colin Bridgerton."

Later that night Penelope wrote two letters. One to Eloise, and one to the mate she made up.

Dear Eloise,

My cousins are once again trying to push me and Phillip to court, no matter how many times we tell them we see each other no more than as pack mates. I may have fibbed and told them I have recently started a long-distanced courtship with one of your brothers. Colin is the first name that came to mind. If you could please help me I greatly appreciate it.

with great thanks ,

Penelope Featherington

The letter she wrote to the made-up brother was shorter, adding in a few details she remembers Eloise said about one of her actual brothers.

Dear Mr. Bridgerton,

Thank you kindly for your first letter. You will have to write to me while on your tour around the Mediterranean. I have heard you could find really good tomato plants there.

yours truly,

Penelope Featherington

On the back of her stationary, she added some musings she had once written on new love when Marina and George first started courting.

Two weeks later Penelope found herself having a picnic with Marina and the Cranes. George and Marina were sitting on a blanket a little ways away from Phillip and Penelope, still in sight but far enough to where they couldn't hear their conversation. Phillip and Penelope were sent to keep an eye on the engaged couple.

Phillip rolled his eyes. "More like scheme to have us start courting too," he muttered under his breath.

"Yes, your. . .father and my guardians do seem rather persistent," Penelope agreed. "Which is a wonder since you'll be starting Cambridge soon Pip."

Phillip glared into the distance; the same one he used when thinking about Sir Crane. "Anything to make me proper alpha. I guess we should be grateful that your pack alpha has not given in to the arrangement Penny."

Which was odd, since it was her pack alpha, her father, Lord Featherington, that sent her live in Gloucestershire with her cousins in the first place. One would think he would make arrangements to keep her out here since to her knowledge neither of her parents knew what to do with an omega. Everyone else in her family was betas, from her parents to her three sisters.

"I still can't believe you made up a fake mate," Phillip whispered.

Penelope looked down at her letters. She had received two from Eloise. One smelled of Eloise's warm scent of honeysuckle, the smell becoming more potent as she opened the envelope.

"If I had not Sir. Crane," Penelope spat the name, " and my guardians would certainly have us engaged to be married."

It was almost too easy for Penelope to spin the tale to her guardians of a long-distance suitor who she believed to be her true mate, and that her mama was help coordinating back in London. Neither really wrote to Lady Featherington, Mr. Thompson exclusively only wrote to Lord Featherington.

Penelope pulled out the letter.

Dear Penelope,

Yes, I shall help you at once! We still have accomplishments we must achieve and how are we to do that when they try to marry you off when you are not even out in society yet!

Though really Penelope, Colin? Of all your choices, you chose Colin? I suppose it is better than Gregory.

you friend,

Eloise

Penelope smiled. "Oh, this is wonderful Pip, now you can continue your studies at Cambridge and . . .Pip?"

Phillip sat next to Penelope in a daze, his body shaking, and his unfocused eyes staring at the letter in her hands. "Lonicera," he muttered, breathing in deeply.

"Phillip!" Penelope yelled.

Whatever scattered her friend's mind stopped it's control. Phillip blinked a few times before coming back to himself. "I'm sorry Penny. I'm not sure what happened."

"You're not about to go into a rut are you?" Penelope asked, leaning away.

Phillip shook his head. "No, I'm not due for a while."

Penelope stared at her friend for a few moments before turning back to her other letter. This one didn't contain Eloise's scent; she must have sprayed some sort of perfume on it. The perfume gave off a scent of an ocean breeze with hints of citrus. It was the most wonderful scent Penelope has ever smelled. She must remember to ask Eloise what perfumed she sprayed it with.

Dear Penelope Featherington,

I thank you for your well wishes and will make sure to write to you on my travels. You say there are good tomato plants in Greece? I shall be eagerly awaiting to see if that is true.

yours,

Colin Bridgerton

Over the next few years Penelope kept sending letters to her Mr. Bridgerton. She must really commend Eloise for her dedication to keep up the charade, even if she still hasn't told Penelope what perfume she sprays the letters with. If Penelope was not the one to make up Mr. Colin Bridgerton she would have sworn he was real. Eloise put so many details in of a young man traveling to different parts of the world that Penelope wonders where she learned them. She even pretended to send gifts from those travels. Penelope busted out laughing when the first one of tomato plant seeds came in with a note.

You were right Pen, there are good tomato plants here.

yours,

Colin

Penelope wished things went as smoothly with the rest of her life. When she was 17, George had went to battle and died, leaving behind an unmarried and unbitten pregnant mate. Phillip was dragged home by his father who had died two weeks after George. Now the lord of Romney Hall Phillip tried to honor his brother and look after Marina and her unborn child. They had married when Marina was three months along, but never mated. No one dared spoke about how Sir Crane and Lady Crane had no mating marks.

Marina was never the same. During the last months of her pregnancy, she had become snappy with Phillip, and demanded that Penelope not leave her side.

"Penelope will move in with us!" Marina ordered. "She will be my companion and my child's governess!"

Phillip and Penelope had hoped that once Marina gave birth she would calm, but no such luck. After the twins were born Marina had become despondent. She never left her rooms and allowed very few to enter.

"Penny how is she today?" Phillip asked one morning, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you think she would like to see the children?"

"She barely has spoken, nor eaten," Penelope relied. "She only stares ahead of her. I fear brining in the children would send her into another fit."

For two years they lived like that before the sickness took hold of Marina and she allowed it to take her.

Phillip and Penelope were reading over condolence letters when she got the rare letter from her mother.

Penelope,

I am sorry to tell you this but your father has passed. Come next season when we go into half mourning, I will need you in London. It is time for you to be serious about your suitor.

Penelope stopped reading. Her father was dead. She supposes as her official pack leader and sire she should mourn his loss. She's sure her sisters in London are.

Penelope read over the letter once more. Still she felt like she was reading about the death of an unnamed character in one of her novels.

Penelope puts down her mother's letter and picks up the one from her fake suitor.

My darling Pen,

I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are going through right now. It is never easy to lose one member of your pack, much less two. I hear you are to come to London next season. I shall be waiting for you here. Mayhaps we shall finally see if we suit for marriage.

patiently waiting,

Colin

"My mother expects me to return to London next season. I am to join the marriage mart," Penelope said.

Phillip nodded. "I will accompany you. We will both be in half mourning and be able to begin courting others."

Penelope looked up, her confusion leaking into her scent. "You will come to London with me?"

Phillip smiled. Penelope could smell his smugness at shocking her in his pine scent. "I figured we would both like someone we would know there when taking on the marriage mart. I need to find the children a new mother."

"You should find yourself a mate," Penelope muttered under her breath.

Penelope was 20 when she stepped back into London for the first time since her parents decided they could not raise an omega. Her dress was lavender and her gloves black.

Phillip stepped out of the carriage beside her with his black gloves and coat.

They are greeted in the Featherington drawing room by Penelope's mother and three sisters, along with two unknown alphas and an unknown omega.

That familiar smell of ocean and citrus hits Penelope so hard she's thankful Phillip has given her his arm to escort her in. She's not sure she would be standing if he didn't.

"Penelope, Sir Crane" Portia said. "This is Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, Lady Violet Bridgerton, and Mr. Colin Bridgerton."

Phillip shot Penelope a look. I thought you made him up.

Penelope shot Phillip a look back. So did I.

[tereox]

Warmup #28 - Corries

Rating: G

Summary: Xat and Fib escort a clan of younglings to the zoo.

"And we'll get to see all the exhibits?"

It was an important question. Fib had checked over the entire zoo map in preparation and there were a lot of them. When Ciph had told her that their clan couldn't go on field trips anymore because of the security risks, she and her batchmate had immediately volunteered. They could protect Ciph's clan and take tons of pictures for their fellow Corries. It was a foolproof plan.

"With the plan I have devised, nothing should be able to stop us from seeing all the exhibits." The creche master assured them.

Plans did not hold up for long around Corries. Fib decided not to tell him that.

~

"We're going in disguises?" Ciph gasped. "I always wanted to do that!"

Fib nodded very seriously. It had been in the security briefing. They would pretend to be a school class since those visited the zoo regularly and no one would be paying any mind to them that way. It was a foolproof plan.

~

Fib tugged on the civvies she'd picked out for herself. Loose pants and a Corrie-red top. It wasn't cold enough for the cool jacket Paperclip had found for her and she hated the weather machine for that.

Xat spun to show off the short cape fixed to his shirt. "I could get used to this."

"I prefer my armour." Fib hummed and started to stash a vibro knife in her sleeve. "More protection."

Xat considered that for a moment. "Armour-weave vests would be cool. Protection and we don't have to lug our entire kit around."

Fib made a sound of agreement. It was true. And high quality armour-weave vests likely offered more protection than their plastoid shells. The Republic had definitely shared no expense. Ha.

~

"What are you most excited for?" Ciph asked, tugging on Fib's hand to lead her to the big map of the entire zoo. Jokes on them, she had done her research.

"I'd like to see the tookas that make sure the zoo says pest-free."

Ciph looked up at her, their eyes glittering in the sun. "They have those?!"

Fib grinned. "Yeah. They're not in any specific enclosure, but they should be around. They're very busy doing their jobs."

Xat walked up to them. "Animals with jobs?"

"Animals with jobs!" Ciph cheered.

Well, they had their objective set. Now they just had to make sure they met it.

~

"Where exactly could we find the tookas?" Xat asked, eyeing the map he had snatched from a cart.

Fib shrugged. "They don't have a designated area. We'll have to be lucky-"

"Tooka!" Ciph interrupted.

"Yes, like a tooka."

"No, tooka!"

Fib looked over.

A beautiful red-coated tooka was sitting in a patch of sunlight, taking a nap.

"They deserve a nap for working so hard." Ciph announced. "We shouldn't disturb them."

Fib agreed. She snapped a quick picture anyways, Fox would love it.

Mission successful.

[theretirementstory]

It has been a cool damp week but this morning the temperature is in double figures so it’s warmer than it has been for a few days.

Unfortunately last evening, with the rain falling, it was wet both inside and out as the rain was coming through my dining room ceiling yet again. I am praying for some dry weather so that the couvreur (roofer) can come to repair the flashing and 🤞put a stop to the problem once and for all.

What a Saturday I had! Monique came to visit, having had bronchitis she had stayed away not wishing to pass on her germs. She arrived with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, white and green chrysanthemums, red gerbera and beautiful green foliage. We had a lovely two hours catching up and she asked if I had heard from Jony (the Syrian man who I met on the French course). I hadn’t contacted him since January and I decided to send him a message. We had a lovely exchange of messages and have agreed to meet up, in Paris, for a coffee. Of course that is after I have had my diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccines again! When I woke this morning, I remembered that around this time it would be Jony’s birthday so sent him a message, he has just replied saying he was 50 last Monday 😊.

I received a call from the hospital, not the call I was expecting, but this one was very welcome. I was asked to go to the hospital the following day to have the PICC line removed from my arm. Now I know this tube had to go from my arm into my chest but I hadn’t expected it to be quite as long as it was! Anyway out it came, totally painless, and I lost this appendage which had been with me for six months 😳. While at the hospital I mentioned to the doctor that I hadn’t had a call about the radiotherapy. Apparently, they had had a problem with the equipment but he rang through and was told I would have a call that week. Sure enough Friday they rang me and I start the treatment on Monday at 8:30a.m. That’s an early start for at least three days I know of next week, anyway it’s a start, I look forward to ticking off those 18 days 😊.

This weeks look at songs which mean something to me, are a bit more up to date, well if you can class 20 years old as being up to date although there is a newer one too, just 11 years old 😂😂. At one time I had the CD’s that these songs were taken from but son’s who borrowed them from me, somehow failed to return them and most possibly have “mislaid” them means that I am no longer in possession of the CD’s. Which is a shame as in the case of the first one, there are so many songs I could have chosen, thanks to the songwriters, usually the unsung heroes behind the chart toppers.

So first is “Positively Somewhere” from the album Reason by Melanie C released in 2003.

The next song is “Drive By” by Train from the album California 37 released in 2012.

As always I hope you like my choice of songs, if you do, why not listen to the albums.

My gorgeous grandchildren are with “The Daddy” again this weekend. Today they are going to a birthday party, a new friend “Rory” has his birthday and the children are so excited about it. There is going to be a bouncy castle and all the other delights for children now. Have fun everyone.

“The Trainee Solicitor” had some good news at the end of the week, it looks as if he is going to get his own office and his own files to manage, which will really boost his training. He has been quite stressed lately, not knowing which hat to don, receptionist, secretary, solicitor, firefighter, tea boy (ok the last one was a fib) but you get the idea. It looks as if he will have a clear idea of his role and will be dealing from start to finish on his own files.

“The Ex-Graduate” had to deal with a day at work with hardly any customers, so that involved a lot of back breaking cleaning jobs to be done! Days off in the colder damp weather meant curling up with a book, not a bad idea there girl, although I am busy stitching up items for the Christmas Sale.

I have almost finished writing the Christmas cards so then it will just be a trip to the post office to send them off. I made a dozen mince pies for the freezer, ever hopeful I can eat one or two over Christmas. The meat for today is in the slow cooker and I am looking forward to pork, potatoes, carrots and courgettes. I will have to make sure I am not hungry this evening as I was told not to eat anything in the morning before my treatment 😩.

Now I really must get these items stitched up and ready to pass on to Claudine (who has been standing in for me at the knitting group) then perhaps the last Xmas cards will be written and I can settle down with a book 😉.

The photos are the colours of autumn and the vines on the hillside in the village of Fontaine.

À bientôt!

[lootsofathousandsworld]

Life of a Pirate  Chpt 3

Man its been while since I post a new chapter, sorry it took long ^^’ 

Welp heres a new chapter hope you all enjoy! 

Sorry if the grammers are wonky. 

Preview: https://at.tumblr.com/lootsofathousandsworld/life-of-a-pirate-chpt-2/gan05cunzpn2

Next:https://at.tumblr.com/lootsofathousandsworld/life-of-a-pirate-chapt-4/poymlyqarc5q

Ash's POV:

I followed B.E.N across the deck and saw some other men working around, preparing to go on a voyage. I gulped when a few caught a glimpse of me as I walked closer to him.

He notices how I gotten close and almost chuckles. "If you're worried about them touching you, they won't. There's a code about no pirates touching the Captain's belonging unless permission."

"Oh, that's good to know," I reply. And then B.E.N adds with a hint of cheerfulness in his tone.

"So, I guess you are part of the crew eh? Sounds pretty exciting."

"But it wasn't my intention. " I said as we both make our way towards below the deck. "It was either that or death,"

"But you made a parlay right? Which means he won't harm you until the deal is off?"

I slowly nod as that terror memory came back to me during my first meeting with Flint. The way his pistol was close to my forehead I thought I was going to see my life flash before my eyes.

And saw all his six eyes twinkle with rage on me wanting to see his beloved trove. It's no wonder in every book and film adaptation he is the scariest character. Not to mention he murder his crew in the book version.

My thoughts were cut short when B.E.N clears his throat.

"Anyway, you mentioned you heard so much about me?"

"Pardon?" I question,

He stops and turns to me. "You know, you were excited when we met, and you told me you heard much about me."

I swallowed when he asks this question, "How do you know about me?"

Shit! I thought. How am I going to explain that I came from another world where his life around him is only a film? Without him seeing me as a crazy woman.

"Well, um..."I begin while trying to look for a word to fib." I.. heard sailors speaking about how you.."

"You mean spacers?" B.E.N corrected, giving me a puzzled look.

"Oh Yes! Yes, I meant spacers," I clear my throat and continue. How you served Captain Flint, and I was...impressed how you can survive that long staying with him."

I felt relief when B.E.N starts to rub his robotic back neck sheepishly.

"Oh I didn't know I was famous for that," He chuckled. "But it wasn't that easy,"

"I can tell," I chuckled along and was relaxed he'd bought my fibbing. Still, though, I felt slightly guilty about it. Due he's one of the good characters in the show itself. Despite him being loud and obnoxious.

Soon we were both below as B.E.N was humming while looking through some chests for any proper clothing for me. I rubbed my arm as I waited. And still trying to figure out how my wish was messed up. Then this came to me, what if since I was a huge fan of Captain Flint (more of an unhealthy obsession.) My wish might've thought I want to go on treasure planet to see the actual Captain Flint all alive and in flesh.

Now I got a quest to find a way to fix this while doing my best to keep my secret hidden from others. And this is going to be a hard survival. I groan to myself. All of sudden B.E.N opens one chest and I saw many clothes all piled up.

As I step close to it, my nose made a whiff of that awful stench it brings. He notices my expression and chuckles sheepishly.

"Eh sorry about the clothing, they haven't been washed much,"

"Gosh it smells like someone died," I cover my nose while speaking.

"Um actually.." I can tell he was going to say these clothing used to belong to the formal owners who might've got murdered by his men.

"Don't say it," I stopped him. Then I see him quickly dove his hand in the chest and pull out a single shirt.

"And I think this one would be the perfect shirt," I clinch to see a bright pink puffed pirate shirt. He holds it out proudly at me.

"Tada! This will look lovely on you!"

I bite my lips to hide my disgust and I did not want to hurt his feelings so I did my best to be polite.

"Um, thanks, "I smile a little." It's lovely, but I think I can handle the rest.

"Oh, are you sure?" He asks.

I nod fast. "Sure I'm sure! But that will be a backup, in case I can't find another fitted shirt."

He hums and shrugs, "Okay but if you have any trouble I'll be up. Just shout my name,"

I smile at his generosity," I will," He salutes and hurries up so I can change in private. After he was gone I let out a huge sigh and start looking through smelly clothing.

"Maybe someday I'll tell B.E.N the truth. He can keep secrets..can he though?" I muttered to myself remembering Flint taking his memory away to keep his treasures secret.

—

After many tries, I manage to get clothing that fits me. Most of the others are too big for me. And I did my best to avoid grabbing the one that has the most terrible odor.

When I got up on the deck I almost wobble on the boots being a little big. I clear my throat to get his attention and the robot turns around.

He gasps after taking a good look at my new outfit. "Wow Miss! You look cute in men's clothing!"

"Um thanks, I guess?" I tighten my belt to keep my pants up. "As long as I don't look at myself in the mirror. "I feel ridiculous and smelly wearing these."

"Nah you look perfect!" B.E.N said.

"Perfect? I almost frown at him," Perfectly foolish is a better term,"

He tsks and then I saw him decide to change the subject by holding his hand out.

"I know we know our names but I feel bad we didn't get a properly introducing, how about we start over?" He clears his throat, " Hi! I'm B.E.N. also known as Bio Electric Navigator. And you are?"

"Um Ash, just Ash," I reply holding my hand out for him to shake. Completely forgetting he takes his shaking seriously. He grabs them excitedly and shook them uncontrollably.

"Oh what a pleasure to meet you Ashy!"

"I-It's nice to meet you too," I made him let go and rub on my new pants. All of sudden we hear someone shouting, making us almost jump in startled.

"Cabin Girl! Get over here!" He and I perk around to find a voice and I caught a glimpse of an old turtle glaring at me.

B.E.N gulped. "Oh right come on Ashy!" Bones needs us!" He grabs my wrist and made me run with him toward them. I gulped when we got close he still has his grouchy look.

By the time we reach him, he took a look at my cabin girl outfit.

He snorted. "They look big on ya, but they'll do for now."

"This is all I can find to fit me," I said. And saw him gesture his hand lazily.

"Alright lass comes along, the launch will be starting soon."

My heart made a beat to hear this. "Launching? You mean, we're leaving soon?"

"Aye?" Billy reply, now looking at my sudden upbeat in puzzled. Keeping my inner fangirl down I nod.

"Of course lead the way Billy," I froze when he gives me this death look.

"First off, call me Bones or Sir. Never me first name got it?!"

I swallowed in frighten, "Aye sir,"

He lead me to where Captain Flint was as he was standing by the other pirate at the helm. We walk upstairs and I saw the Captain turn to us. I force myself to look down nervously due he still looks scary.

My skin almost jumps when he starts talking.

"I assume you did not have any trouble picking out yer clothing,"

I shook my head, " No sir," In corner of my eyes I caught a glimpse of in front of the helm, a desk having technology activating, seeing many buttons flashing different colors. I tip my head with interest and wonder what these do to make his ship fly.

My curiosity was cut short when Flint clears his throat.

"Billy are we clear for launch?" I look over and saw the old turtle nod his head.

"Aye Cap'n," Then Flint smirked his fangs. "And will ye do the honor of getting these cockroaches movin?" Billy almost smiles back and pulls his cigar out.

"With my pleasure sir," All of sudden he turns his head out and shouts at the crew. "All hands to the stations! Get the solar sails to loosen you lousy dogs!" I watch men now running fast like bees and a few of them climb up the riggings to get to the solar sails.

My eyes widen when they release them and the blood color sails and my breath was caught short when the sunlight catches it, drinking all its power source. I was memorized by its bright color for a second until I heard the Captain chuckle lowly.

I turn my head sharply and saw him giving me an amusing look. Not sure how long he was looking but I almost blushed in embarrassment, glancing down.

"Impressive isn't lass?"

"They're beautiful," I breathed, and look back up at the sails again.

"Aye she's a beauty," He sighs. "But too bad you won't be seeing much,"

I turn to Flint in confusion, "Wha..?" Before I can finish my sentence a cloth covered my both eyes and ears.

"Hey!"

"Capn's order lass, get used to it," I manage to hear Billy talk while tightening the back of my head. "We don't want ye to see or hear the launch."

Well, that's swell, I thought in disappointment.