#and it gets weird when you notice the author and/or their friends (yeah really) apparently arent happy with your feedback

[writingmoth]

i dont know how to say this but if you aren't ready to get your work beta read, don't get beta readers p.p

[l0ve-dov3]

where the sun shines. | 1

percy jackson x demeter! reader

summary: in which you take percy strawberry picking for the first time!

warnings: none!

word count: 606

authors note: hey hey hey! this is really short (the following parts should be longer) but i felt like i wasn’t seeing much of percy, so i wanted to fix that and write a little something for my percy girls out there. this series is betrayal free, so no need to worry about castellan. anyways, that’s all, enjoy the fic!!!!

series masterlist. | next part.

“Why do we even have a strawberry field?”

“Because…Demeter, I guess?”

It was mid summer, and you’d forced Percy to join you in picking strawberries. It was his first summer staying at camp, and since you were his closest friend, you showed him all the things you loved about this time of year. Today, that thing was strawberry picking.

“I mean, camp has some of the best strawberries I’ve ever tasted.” You started calmly, imagining the flavor of your favorite fruit, “You’re gonna love ‘em, I promise.”

Percy nodded, half believing you as he reached down for another strawberry. He didn’t care so much about picking berries, finding it a rather simple activity at a camp for demigods, but he listened to each word you spoke as if it would be your last. “I’m trusting you on this one, pollen-head.”

In the time Percy had been at camp, you had become one of his closer friends, outside of Annabeth and Grover. You’d met in his first few days when he wandered off during the bonfire, which you often did to get some alone time, leading him to find you just by the edge of the forest.

“Hello?” Percy called, clutching Riptide as he approached a moving figure. He had thought that, in his wandering, he wouldn’t find anyone by the forest; but apparently he was wrong. When you turned to him, his fist unclenched, releasing Riptide back into his pocket when he met your tearful gaze.

“Sorry for scaring you.” You chuckled, wiping your tears as you returned your eyes to the dark, unmoving forest. “I’m not really used to people finding me here.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything, I guess.” The boy returned awkwardly, sitting next to you in an uncertain manner.

Usually, if Percy ran into someone crying, he would have pretended not to notice and walked away. But for whatever reason, and he couldn’t tell you why, he sat next to you that night; thus beginning a year-long friendship.

“What’cha thinkin’ about, fish face?” Your voice resonated in his head, pulling him away from the wistful memory.

“The day we met, when I should’ve been at my first bonfire.” He chuckled, looking at you with that cheeky grin, “I actually think about it a lot.”

“Woah there partner, you may start thinking we’re really friends.” You teased, giving him a light push as you gathered your last berries. The boy chuckled half-heartedly, not knowing why the words made him feel so off. Somewhat confused, he followed behind you with his own basket, coming to a stop as you sat under a great oak tree. “But…I guess I think about it too.”

He journeyed toward you, carefully putting his basket next to yours before settling at your side. “Oh? And here I thought we were pretending to be friends.” Percy tried to joke, nudging you gently.

“Yeah,” You sighed, “But you know, you really are a good friend Percy. I’m glad you found me in the forest that day.”

Percy’s heart pounded harder in his chest, stunning him with a sense of alarm. You looked at him with that gentle smile, and he felt light as air, staring back at you like the world was anew. A new feeling, unfamiliar and odd, wracked his body like a thousand waves. “Yeah…Yeah, I’m glad too.” He breathed, just above a whisper.

You raised a brow at his change in nature, shaking your head with a light chuckle.

Percy Jackson, you thought.

What a weird kid.

[frvnkcastles]

hi bestie i have a fic request if you’re taking them :) one where frank and reader have been seriously dating for a while and they’ve both started to think about marriage but haven’t discussed it together. so i’m thinking frank asks out of the blue after being nervous and acting weird for a couple days, he says something like “i ain’t asking yet, but if i asked you to marry me, would you say yes?”

but if you’re not taking requests or if this doesn’t inspire you, please disregard and have a super nice day!! 🥰🌷🌟

NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN ➵ F. CASTLE

Summary: When your friend’s wedding comes up, Frank is convinced he wants one with you.

Warnings: Mentions of loss, mostly just fluff, feminine nicknames

Word count: 2k

Author’s note: This was actually a half-finished fic I had written a few years ago and this request inspired me to adapt it a little bit and finish it :) I hope you like it <3 I would marry this man in a heartbeat.

Ever since your and Frank’s two friends had announced they were getting married, he had been rewinding back to how it had felt for him. The domesticity, the joy of calling his wife, well, his wife; the relief of having someone by his side through thick and thin. That last part still rang true for him — you were his rock as he was yours, and it was for that reason that he reflected upon his first marriage with fondness and nostalgia, instead of the usual misery and regret. It still hurt, but as he watched you fill out the RSVP card and giddily talk about getting to take part in your dear friend’s wedding… yeah, that softened the blow.

In fact, it made him think of something he had long ago given up on. Revived some old dream he had buried, brought back feelings he hadn’t expected to ever feel again. Because of you. And as he watched you sit on the floor in front of him, rambling on about the kind of dress you’d be wearing, he couldn’t help but suppress a smile — not just at the idea of you in that dress, but the fact that you were all his. Awkward rambles and all.

And my God, was he all yours.

The more he thought about gathering up the courage to ask you to marry him, the more nervous he became. He was usually so unwavering and confident, but it was no news that next to the women he loved, he was just a puppy dog. He was far from scary or menacing — he was just a man in love, hoping the woman of his dreams wanted to spend the rest of her days with him the way he did, too.

Still, he had hoped you wouldn’t notice. But apparently, he wasn’t as good at hiding it as he thought.

You first picked up on something on his mind when he was watching you try on your dress for the wedding. You were rambling about the details on the dress when you realized that even for someone quiet, Frank was being exceptionally silent. You looked at him through the mirror, only to find him smiling at you from across the room, dark eyes focused on you yet his attention not quite there.

”Baby?” you spoke up, ”you okay there?”

Clearing his throat, Frank nodded and wiped the lovestruck smile off of his face. ”Just fine, sweetheart. You look really pretty, y’know that? Could stare at you all day”, he noted, making you blush and forget all about the worry embering in your heart.

He was good at deflecting, making you flustered with genuine but calculated compliments, and changing the subject when you tried to poke. But as endearing as his longing gazes could be, you noticed he got quiet when you showed him pictures of your friend’s wedding ring, and again when you decided to get in the right mood by watching your favorite rom-com.

Finally, when you were listening to the playlist your friend had sent over, and Frank seemed to grow uncomfortable yet again, you decided to be brave and approach the subject head-on.

”Hey, you know you don’t have to come with me, right?” you pointed out, and with his eyebrows drawn together, Frank looked over to you from across the couch where you were both seated.

”You don’t want me to?” he questioned, seeming a little dejected, so you rushed to grab his hand.

”I want you there. But I can tell this might be a little much for you, and it’s no wonder. It’s okay to be sad, my love. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?” you pleaded, and with an affectionate smile breaking on his face, Frank pulled you in so he could kiss your temple.

”It ain’t that, I promise. Sure, it’s, uh… a reminder, I s’pose. But right now, ’m just feelin’ real lucky to be here with you, aight?” he reassured you, and even though you seemed hesitant to believe him, you nodded.

”I want to be there with you”, Frank added.

And indeed, when the day of the wedding arrived, you were the only thing in his sights. You looked breathtaking in the lilac dress and he made sure you knew — and when you returned the compliment at his suit with a cheeky joke, his heart made a somersault in his chest. You were radiating with joy and love all day long, yet at the same time you had taken on so much responsibility to ensure your friend would have a smooth celebration, and that all the guests would feel at home. You were a natural and it warmed Frank’s heart even when you rejected his help with a kiss and told him to get a drink.

That was what he did, his gaze still stuck on you as you danced with one of your mutual friends’ kids across the venue. A soft smile tugged on his lips as he watched you shed the jacket he had given you so you could move easier, your laugh easy to pick out even through the music and chatter. You were his whole focus, always.

Chuckling, Frank then finished his beer before striding across the floor and over to you. He’d have to wait until later to make his plan come true, but until then, he was desperate to hold you close to him.

”Mind if I cut in, buddy?” Frank rasped at the little boy you had been twirling around, and although he seemed reluctant, above all he was intimidated by the burly man by your side suddenly. Quick as that, the kids vanished from around you and you couldn’t help but giggle while turning to Frank who instinctively slid his hands across your hips to reel you into his chest.

”It’s mean to scare kids”, you pointed out teasingly, well-aware that children adored him — he was a dad through and through, but there was no doubt that for the sake of stealing you all to himself, he had put a little extra meanness into his stare.

”What can I say, sweetheart”, he whispered into your ear, his smile touching your cheek as he leaned into you, ”I get jealous easily.”

You laughed at that, and it only widened Frank’s grin as he dropped his forehead to yours and swayed side to side with you. You were shorter but you were managing to hold onto his neck, nearly on your tiptoes as he took the lead and moved you across the floor in gentle, tender movements. His firm chest felt like a safe place and his arms around you put a smile on your face — almost as big as the love in your eyes as you shyly beamed up at him.

You couldn’t help but notice him glancing around while you kept dancing, his hands just the slightest bit shaky instead of their steady selves, and a frown deepened your forehead. ”Are you okay, baby? You seem… nervous, again”, you pointed out, and quickly looking back at you, he nodded.

”I’m okay, sweetheart”, he insisted before leaning foreard to kiss your forehead. ”Hey, I love you. With my whole damn heart, you know that? Ain’t no one I’d rather be dancin’ with right now”, he went on, and feeling you tense up in his arms, he emphasized his own words, ”no one.”

You nearly shed a tear at that, and even though they didn’t hold as much meaning coming from you, you returned the sentiment. ”Me either”, you hummed into his chest, ”I love you so much, Frank.”

More than one song passed with him just holding you, thinking of how lucky he was, the occasional careful kiss pressed into your hair while you clung onto him. It was warm and safe and you wouldn’t have changed a thing for the world.

Only when the midnight hours were rolling in, the crowd was beginning to dismantle and the happily new-weds were officially sent off to their honeymoon. As you watched their car drive away with all their loved ones waving them off, you couldn’t help but tear up — in response, Frank took your hand and held it as tight as you needed.

Not much later, people were turning to you to thank for a job well done before leaving in their own rides. Frank could have sworn you were an angel, smiling at each and every one of them and wishing them a safe journey home. Eventually, there was no one left but you and him and the clean-up crew, and just as you faced Frank to tell him your feet were killing you, he interjected by simply standing there.

He was holding a big bouquet of different colored roses in his hands, looking absolutely gorgeous with his dark eyes and white shirt and shy smile as he eyed you up and down. It wasn’t until he was handing over the flowers that you realized it wasn’t a dream, and upon recognizing the bouquet, you gasped.

”Oh no, did she forget—”, you started, wondering if the bride would have loved to have her flowers with her, but cutting you off, Frank shook his head while urging you to take them.

”Nah. It’s for you, sweetheart”, he stated simply, and when you gave him a curious smile, he chuckled. ”She, uh, she let me have it. She was gonna do the whole throwin’ thing, y’know?” he went on, and again, you gasped.

”Oh, I knew we forgot something!” you huffed, and chuckling, Frank scratched the back of his neck.

”No, no, uh… I asked her if I could have it. See, uh, she’d throw the bouquet to see who gets married next, yeah?” he tried explaining, and when you nodded, he broke into a flustered smile. ”Guess I just didn’t wanna take the chance you’d miss”, he finished, and at that, your smile dropped and you glanced between the bridal bouquet and him with disbelief.

”I ain’t askin’ yet… but if I did, would ya say yes?” he continued, fiddling with his hands nervously while waiting to see any reaction on your face. For a second, he wondered if it had been a terrible idea, but then your eyes started welling up and your hand flew to your mouth as you fidgeted and looked at the flowers and then back at Frank whose eyes lit up with excitement and relief.

”You’d really… you’d have me?” you whispered, your voice fragile as you reveled in the fantasy of standing like this with him some day — face to face, you in a dress, him in a suit with flowers in your hands and the moonlight above you.

”Hell yeah, sweetheart. If you’d have me. ’Cause I fuckin’ adore you. More than words can say, but you, uh, you… you make me feel alive. And happy to be alive. I can’t imagine a single day without you”, he sighed, and with a vigorous nod, you leaped forward to wrap your arms around him.

”Yes”, you cried out before pulling back just to kiss him, ”yes now and every day after this one. Whenever you want to do it… my answer will be the same.”

Grinning, Frank hugged you tight and closed his eyes while squeezing you. The two of you rocked back and forth in one another’s arms, silent apart from your sniffles, until you spoke up. ”This explains why you’ve been acting so weird lately. You’d really think the big bad Punisher would be better at staying calm under pressure”, you joked, earning a snort from Frank.

”Hey, this was really fuckin’ important. I wasn’t sure, y’know?” he shrugged while letting go of you enough to cradle your hands in his own and look into your eyes.

”Awww, Frankie”, you smiled up at him, ”you had no reason to be nervous. I’m completely and entirely in love with you.” With love twinkling in his eyes, he leaned into seal the distance between your lips, kissing you deeply. He stole your breath away, as he always did.

”Thank you for always bein’ patient with me. I know it ain’t always easy to be with me… but I hope it’s worth it. I’mma make it my mission to make sure of that”, he swore while resting his forehead against yours, and with another smile, you nodded.

”You’re always worth it, Frank.”

[takenbypeter]

Anything For You Two

Bucky Barnes x reader

Words: 775

Authors note: this is the last part to the slow burn coworkers to friends/lovers thing. it’s nothing special tho but I hope you all like it. Thank you for all the love I’ve received on these fics 💜💕💜💕

Anything To Make Him Smile - Anything To Make You Smile

tag list: @athenabarnes

“I’ll be quick, just needa find my watch.”

“Okay, but why am I here though?” Bucky asked. It had been a few days since they last visited—days since Bucky left you the kitten picture, and now Sam had dragged him back to look for some watch his sister Sarah had gifted him a while back.

“Ever heard two heads are better than one? Look around,” Sam instructed. “I’ll head a floor up and check there.”

Sam didn’t leave him much option as he bolted before Bucky could argue. “Guess I’m looking for a watch,” he sighed, beginning to walk around absentmindedly.

He searched nonchalantly, eyes focused on the ground but not really looking when he heard your voice, “hey, what are you doing?” You asked, causing his head to lift.

He shrugged, head leaning to the side for a moment, “hey. Sam dragged me here to look for his watch. Apparently it holds sentimental value.”

“Oh well…can I help?”

Bucky would rather have you help than anybody else any day. Plus it could help ward off any who may want to small talk with him.

“Yeah. Just look around.”

“Wouldn’t it be in the lost and found?”

“We checked there, nothing.”

You let out a hmm, before joining him in the search. Together you walked side by side with your eyes mostly focused on the floor.

“Feeling better?” Bucky’s voice rang out as they walked down the hallway that seemed longer than usual.

“Oh yeah, for sure…still having nightmares?” You knew it was still a touchy subject but luckily he felt comfortable enough to talk with you about that whole situation.

Bucky let out a deep breath that he seems to always be carrying, “always.”

Another hmm left your throat. “So hey, I didn’t get to thank you…for that little kitten picture, it really made my day.”

Bucky’s ears perked up at the sound of your praise, “‘s nothing. I wasn’t sure if you were going to like it.”

“I loved it, I actually have it with me right now,” you said, patting your pocket, “sometimes I just look at it when I’m bored,” you explained although you truly didn’t need to, “I didn’t know you were the cat type.”

Bucky’s brows raised at that statement, “are you kidding? I love cats. I’ve always wanted one but I travel a lot so…”

“Maybe you can get one and share it with someone you trust, that way even when you’re gone the cat’ll be taken care of.”

“Maybe…” Bucky couldn’t really think of anyone. Everyone he knew was an agent or a hero and we’re always busy. But then he thought about you.

No, he couldn’t do that to you. “…maybe one day,” he muttered. Frankly the two of you still didn’t know a lot about each other but Bucky found himself wanting to spend some more time with you. He was building up the courage, trying to place how he was going to ask you without making anything weird.

“I know this is strange, but do you ever wanna grab a drink together?” You asked.

Bucky's mouth opened, slightly surprised that you beat him to it.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Great! Um…you have a phone?”

“I have burners.”

“Here I’ll just give you my number then and you message me whenever.”

Finally making your ways to the end of the hall, you both stopped at one of the nearby rooms. You went inside finding a blank piece of paper while he stood outside the room. He watched while you wrote a series of numbers down before coming back out and held it out to him.

Once he took it that’s when Sam arrived. “Whew, you’re not going to believe this but after all that I realized my watch is back at my place.”

Sam was quick to notice you standing there, “hey,” he waved and you waved back. “Hey Sam, I was just heading that way,” you pointed down the hall, “good to see you though,” you said before waving at the two and walking away.

While you did so Sam’s eyes fell to the paper Bucky still had in his hands, “so I take it my plan worked huh?”

Bucky folded the sheet of paper, shoving it in his pocket. “Your plan? What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about my plan to get you and Y/n together.”

“Okay, all you did was leave us alone, that’s not a plan,” Bucky argued as the two walked down the hallway to the exit.

“Oh that’s a plan alright.”

Bucky didn’t know it yet but he would definitely be thanking Sam for that, “plan” down the road.

[mikeys-bike-slut]

Untitled - Sequel - PT.6 -EDITED/fixed

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey darlings, I apologise for the long delay things been just chaotic lately and trying to find the right picture to edit stressed me out so for my own sake I decided to stop doing my fake panel edits. I'm sorry :( I hope you will still read it &lt;;3

Here's part 6 hope you will enjoy! Thank you for @kokonoiscoconut for being my muse and for letting me use Monica <3 we stan Monica in this house.

Previous Part

T.W: n/a

***

The next day Monica and I met up quite early and spent the entire day together. It was nice to be away from the whirlpool I had back at home with Wakasa and just have fun and be free of those drowning thoughts.

The day went by quite quick and neither of us wanted it to end so Monica came up with the idea to go out clubbing, apparently she knew a good place for it. Of course we did a last minute dress shopping, I let Monica pick my dress out; it's been way too long since I went out without Waka and I always dressed to impress him and to keep his reputation up. Even if I still wasn't the most feminine woman ever it still felt nice to look pretty for my own accord. Not gonna lie I actually liked the dress she picked out; short, tight, black with a low cleavage decorated with some thin chains and crystals. I actually felt very confident and surprisingly comfortable.

"Are you ready?" Monica asks excited as she leans into the bathroom to check on me.

"Hell yeah" I grin and she gives me a thumbs up. "Drinks are on me" she winks at me as she holds Kokonoi's black card between her delicate fingers.

"Sounds good to me" I return her wink then grab my phone and place it in the small clutch bag Monica let me borrow.

Of course Kokonoi called a limo for us, he couldn't join us but he reassured Monica he'll be at the club. After getting to the club we found Kokonoi quite quickly and he lead us to the top floor of the club aka the VIP section. The beautifully decorated terrace had different booths most filled with rich men and young women on their lap, nothing I was not used to from Wakasa. As we walked to the corner where the biggest booth were I noticed weapons laying around and many of these men wearing either guns or swords which made me slightly uneasy.

"You're safe with us" Kokonoi reassures me as we sit down at the booth. "What would you like to drink?" 

"Whiskey, straight, please" I nod with a smile.

"Oh by the way I might have invited my two single friends" Monica leans to me with a grin and I just shake my head with a smile. "They're idiots but they have a good heart, and as I said, they're very cute and very single" she winks at me and I just chuckle. 

"So you're my new wingman, huh?" I chuckle. "I am fine though, but thank you"

"Say that when you meet them" she winks. "Darling, get me my usual please" she says to Kokonoi who nods and kisses her before standing up and going to the bar. 

I watch Kokonoi walk off and suddenly starting to feel a bit awkward, it has been a long time since I had a night out with friends so I wasn't really sure what to do, but thankfully Monica took over. Her and I started talking about men and exes and shared our weird and funny experiences, we continued the chat until I suddenly hear someone spoke up behind me.

"Alright Moni, we're here, where's this bombshell you were talking about?" I turn around and I almost choke on my drink as I find the Haitanis standing there. Monica notices me choking and just chuckles.

"Told you they were hot" she winks at me.

"Sweetheart?" Ran's eyes widen along with his younger brother's as we just stare at each other. 

"Wait... you guys know each other?" Monica cocks a brow as she look at us then her eyes widen. "WAIT, ARE THEY THE GUYS???" she blurts out excited and my face goes red.

"Oh, you've been talking about us, sweetheart?" Ran asks with a smirk as he leans down to me. "What was she saying, Moni?" he asks with a grin as he looks over at Monica. 

"Not my place to say, you three maybe should have a nice long chat" she winks. 

"I support that idea" Rindou speaks up. "Let's go to our spot" he nudges his brother. 

"Sounds good" Ran grins as he extends his hand to me. "M'lady?"

"Suck up.." I roll my eyes with a smile as I take his hand and he helps me up.

"See you guys later" Monica grins at us and waves as I walk off with the Haitanis. 

The brothers lead me to an empty secluded booth that has their initials on the side of it. Once we sit down Rindou pulls me close to him and gives me a tight hug, without hesitation I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his chest inhaling his scent, that scent that I missed so much. For a second the world stop spinning and the blasting music is drowned out by his rhythmic heart beat. I let out a soft sigh then pull away from him while I reach up and caress his cheek. 

"My beautiful Rin" I smile softly and his lips curl into a small smile as he closes his eyes and rubs his face against my hand. 

"We missed you, you have no idea how much" he says then motions to his brother. 

"Hey, sweetheart" Ran smiles as I turn to the older brother. "You look stunning, as always. The red really suits you" he smiles as he runs his softly runs his fingers through my red hair.

"Thank you, you both look very handsome. What happened to your locks Ranny?" I ask softly as I play with his short hair. 

"Got bored of being mistaken for Wednesday Addams" Rindou answers with a grin and Ran just flips him off with a laugh. 

"It was getting to be a pain, long hair not really practical when fighting" he chuckles. "You don't like it?" he asks as he runs his hand through his navy blue and lavender locks with a flash of worry in his tone. 

"No, it looks really good, it suits you. You look like a gentleman" I bite my lip as I caress his lips. "You both do" I glance back at Rindou who offers me a smile. "So does this mean, I can see you guys again?" I ask but both of them goes quiet as the smile disappears from their faces. 

"I don't know..." Ran sighs. 

"What if we meet in hotels? I can even wear a disguise" I suggest as I look at back and forth between them.

"Maybe. We have to think this through properly. You're in a lot of danger" Rindou says and I look at them confused.

"What do you mean? Rin, Ran, just what is going on?" I look at them confused and they once again go quiet. "Please... Or if you guys don't wanna see me just say that..." I say with a slightly annoyed tone to which both of them picks their heads up. 

"God no!" Rin blurts it out then groans. "It's not easy for us. You think it was easy for us to leave you at the pet shop?" 

"So it did happen... I knew it wasn't a fucking dream" I say gritting my teeth in annoyance, unsure if I'm more annoyed at the brothers or Wakasa.

"Don't blame Wakasa... we asked him to lie to you, because we knew if you knew we're back you'd look for us and God forbid you ever show up at Bonten HQ" Rindou explains. 

"Look the only reason I wanted to know more about Bonten because of you, but now that I have found you I can stop looking, unless you guys disappear then I have know other choice but to investigate Bonten more" I shrug my shoulders with a smile being fully aware I got them.

"You're so fucking bothersome..." Rindou groans then shakes his head with a smile.

"If we promise we're back in your life, will you promise to stop look into Bonten?" Ran cocks his brow as he looks at me.

"I promise" I smile as I draw an X over my heart with my finger. 

"Then it's a deal" Rindou smiles then sighs as his smiles suddenly disappears. "What about Wakasa?"

I suddenly go quiet. What about him? Suddenly my head turns into a whirlpool as I'm trying to figure out what and how I feel but all I can think about is having my brothers back. 

"I don't know..." I admit it quietly as I look down.

"If you're happy with him, we respect your wishes and we can leave you be" Ran explains. 

"I don't know. Lately the butterflies he used to give me just turned into raging moths that turns my stomach..." I say with a sigh as I lean against Rindou.

"Have you talked to him about this?" Ran ask as he caresses my back, giving me comfort. 

"Not yet, I don't even know how to start to be honest... Honestly? I miss the old days, the fights, the excitement, the last minute rides and races to the beach... I feel like I'm just a shell of who I used to be. I'm no longer Toman's Angel" I say quietly and sniffles as tears start to form in my eyes. 

"Oh petal..." Rindou sighs as he holds me close. "Wait... if you're the girl Monica meant then does that mean you're the one who's personal friends with Jekyll & Hyde?" he cocks a brow.

"Yeah.. that's me" I nod quietly.

"I swear to God..." Ran chuckles. "You just turn everyone into lapdogs aren't you?" he nudges me with a smile making me let out a chuckle. 

"I wasn't planning on it, I swear!" I chuckle as I wipe my eyes. "Hyde used to know my brother, and we bonded over that" 

"You have a brother?" Ran asks and Rindou just punches him in the arm making him exclaims in pain. "What?!"

"Ignore him, Petal" Rindou says and I chuckle softly as I shake my head. 

"No, it's okay. I used to, but I was quite young when I lost him, he died because of me, so I have just buried his memory deep hoping I can just forget it, no one knew about this except Mikey" I explain and Ran just gives me a short hug.

"Sorry for bringing it up. But on the positive side; good to know that Ginza's two psychopath are your bodyguards" he chuckles. 

"Yeah, at least we know you're in safe hands" Rindou shakes his head with a smile. 

"But I missed my other psychos" I smile as I hug them both.

[smalltownfae]

This is a post asking for contemporary romance books recommendations.

So, seems like I am in a weird contemporary romance kick – which is a genre I never cared about before in books. I always enjoyed it ocasionally in movies or korean dramas. Love that for me tbh because I am exploring something new. The problem is that I am so terribly picky and I can't tell beforehand what will and will not work for me in this...

All I can tell is that I like the character dynamics of the ones that I enjoyed and that I seem to love opposites attract and that doesn't necessarily mean grumpy/sunshine (which seems to be a popular trope). Seems like the books also need to be queer in some way, but I did enjoy Book Lovers even though that was an heterosexual one. Usually funny books work the best for me in this genre and I have been noticing that the ones I find funny are by authors from the UK (not surprised at all about this tbh), but I also think I would enjoy something dramatic. I mean, Glitterland had an mc dealing with mental health and got quite heart hitting at times. Seems that I also like series that focus on a different person in a friend group or something. For example, a character is introduced in the first book and they are just a friend of the main character or a sibling or whatever and then they get their own story in the next book in the series.

This is all to ask what are the standouts in this genre? The ones that you love, especially if you are also picky about contemporary romance and like when it makes you laugh or cry (preferably both).

I have been adding books to try on my tbr, but I still don't exactly know where to start.

Books I really liked so far:

Glitterland by Alexis Hall: I had some little problems with this book, but overall I found it dramatic and very funny. I liked to see a main character in romance that was quite unlikeable too and stated that his behaviour could not be excused because of his mental health. I found it pretty unique. I enjoyed Boyfriend Material, but not nearly as much and since that series seems to go on with the same main characters getting married and then having a baby or something I don't think I will continue because those are not the things I like to read about. I do want to read more books by the author though and I plan to continue the Spires series soon.

Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green: apparently I like YA if it's funny and it doesn't happen in a school setting. This also had some bits I didn't like that came out as a bit preachy, but it made me laugh out loud and the premise is so petty and messy it could only be good (to me).

First and First by Santino Hassel: Fine. I am putting my hands in the fire with this one. I know about the mess surrounding this author now, but I didn't when I started this series (my fault for not researching names I guess). There are two specific scenes I hate in this book, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like it a lot overall. It is messy, a bit kinky and has a lot of smut that makes sense for the plot because it is about a guy learning to let go and not be embarassed about sex. I can't help liking both main characters and their dynamic, but I bet most people would hate it. It also looks quite not set in reality because some of the stuff here is wild and everyone is like "yeah, this could happen" 😂 This also made me like the word "baby" to refer to a love interest just like Robin Hobb made me like the word "beloved". Authors, please, let me be a hater. Still hate the "babe/babes" version even though I tolerated it both in this series and in Glitterland.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: This was good. Read it last year and I can't remember having any issue with any scenes tbh which makes it weird when I say it's the one I enjoyed the least out of these and yet I would still rank it the highest... I will probably try more books by this author.

Did not like: Red, White and Royal Blue and Get a Life Chloe Brown was good except for the sex scenes. (Unsure if I should try any more Tahlia Hibbert because apparently I dislike the word tit as much as I dislike the word shaft. If it's used once or twice in a book I can bear it but not often)

Authors to try: Cat Sebastian (read 1 book that was ok and I am currently reading the sequel but they are historical romance which surprisingly is not what is working for me at the moment); Ashley Herring Blake and Alison Cochrun.

[stewardofningishzida]

Chapter 2: Discovery

We’re continuing the fic! Hold on tight! Also, guest appearance by Trickstress!

Rating: T for language.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2:  Discovery

*I give Stephen a tour of the house and he looks around each room.*  

Me:  My parents are on vacation for a month.  So, we don’t have to worry much about them walking in on us.  Now to tie up other potential loose ends…

*I pull out my phone.*

Me (texting):  Hey, Trix.  I know we were going to have lunch together today, but something came up.  I’m sorry, but I have to cancel.

Stephen:  Sounds legit.

*I nod and go about business until my phone pings.  I look.*

Trix (text):  You okay? I’m fine with cancelling but you don’t cancel so close to going.

Me (to Stephen):  I’ll play it off.  Don’t worry.  

*I reply to the text.*

Me:  Yeah.  Sorry it was so sudden.

Trix (text):  Np, just let me know if you need anything! I’ll check on you later!

Me (to myself):  Crud…

Me (text):  Thanks!  I’m good, though.  Don’t come over.  I think I might have caught something.  That’s all.

Me (to Stephen):  Let’s see if that works.

*Trix sends the big eyes emoji.*

Me (text):  Don’t worry about it.  I got meds and such.

Trix (text):  Okaaaay! Feel better soon!

Me (text):  Thanks!  Sorry again!

Stephen:  Think she bought it? 

Me: Hope so.

*Trix, out of concern for her friend and neighbor, decides to bring over some soup.  I hear the doorbell and curse quietly under my breath.*  

Me (quietly):  Crap, crap, crap.  I gotta look sick…Stephen, hide.  

*He heads to the guest room and shuts the door.  I put on a robe to look more convincing and answer the front door, trying to look tired.  At least I’m sweating badly.  So, that counts, right?*

Me:  Ehh…Hi, Trix…

Trix (lighthearted):  I’m respecting your privacy by waiting but asserting my authority as your friend when you’re sick and coming over anyway!

Me:  Thanks for checking on me.  Been feeling off all day.  Probably food poisoning.  Anyway, you doing okay?  *I’m trying to play it cool.*

Trix:  I’m fine, don’t worry about me! I’m here to worry about you! Go lay down on the couch, I got things handled here for you!

Me:  It’s okay.  Honest!  *Something falls over in the guest room.  Apparently, Cloak is curious.  I’m trying to stay calm.  Though I’m screaming internally.  Trix looks at the guest room door and then back at me suspiciously.*

Trix (slightly hurt):  Is this a new significant other thing? Cause if you said so I wouldn’t have minded.

Me:  It’s just the dumb dvd stack in there.  It doesn’t fit right.  Anyway, no significant others here.  It’s…my uncle.  He decided to drop in for a visit.  It was kinda sudden.  *I’m silently praying that the lie works.*

Trix (giving me a weird look):  ………So, are you sick or are you just trying to hide your uncle?

Me (uneasy):  …Both?  

*I feel terrible about this, but I’m starting to realize that the jig is up.  I sigh.*  

Me:  Okay…Come in.  *I whisper*  Just don’t tell anyone about anything here.  Promise?

*Trix raises her hand*  

Trix:  Scout’s honor!

Me:  Okay.  Don’t freak out.  *I let her in.*  Maybe sit down.  It’s…a lot.

*Stephen walks out resignedly and looks at Trix.  She stares at Stephen, then me, then she wheezes.*

Trix (flustered):  Yup.  Understand now. Absofuckinglutely.  That’s a damn good cosplay!

Me:  Yeah…Actually, it’s really him.  I know I sound insane, but he literally fell through a portal into my bedroom earlier.

*Trix looks at me funny and then looks at Stephen again, noticing something missing.*Trix (asking Stephen):  

Is the Cloak of Levitation with you?

Stephen:  Yes…Levi’s been checking the place out.  CLOAK!  

*It flies into the living room from the guest room, landing on his shoulders.  Trix squeaks, both startled and amazed.  She’s fangirling.*

Trix:  I would like to state for public record that I am absolutely delighted and I can die happy now.

Me:  He’s stuck here and I’m trying to keep him secret so he can get back home.  If anyone important saw him…Well, we know how that could go.

Trix (ecstatic):  So what you’re saying is we should get the group together and brainstorm because if the others found out he was here and they weren’t called you would be murdered.*I’m fidgeting nervously.*

Me:  Crap…We have to keep this quiet.

Stephen (confused):  Wait…I have a fan club here?

Trix (grinning):  Oh boy…. Well, I’m not saying we announce he’s here but- *She gestures at Stephen.*  Come on!

Stephen:  Is anyone possibly going to leak this to the authorities?

Trix:  They like you too much to do so.

*Stephen stares at Trix, processing this.*

Me:  Okay, but we do have to be quiet.  The only thing going for us is I doubt anyone important would believe an actual sorcerer showed up in some random suburb.

Trix (amused):  Cosplay saves the day again is what I’m hearing.

Stephen:  Wait…People dress as me too?  *He has many mixed emotions about this.*

Me:  Oh boy, are you in for a shock, Stephen. Trix:  

There are many things that you do not want to be aware of.  Tread lightly.

*He looks as if he doesn’t know whether he should be flattered or horrified.*

Trix:  Question so we don’t fuck things up: what has happened recently for you?

Stephen:  I was in a fight against Shuma-Gorath and he hit me with an appendage, knocking me through an interdimensional portal.  One of his other tentacles must have gotten my Sling Ring.  Now, I’m trapped here.  So, I need Wong to find me and get me back home.

Trix:  Oh no. Ohhhhhh no.  First off: I will actually cry if I get to meet Wong because he is amazing. Secondly: we have a lot to go over about things that have already happened. Because we are gonna fix a travesty in your universe dammit.  It’s not related to the current situation but I am too invested in this and I can’t help with magic things.  We don’t have to focus on it now, but before you leave we are having words.

Stephen:  Words?  *He’s a bit overwhelmed right now, but trying to take it in stride.*

Me:  We also have to do some research and figure out if there’s a way for him to get Wong’s attention.

Trix:  True. But we also don’t wanna get other attention either. Oh shit- certainly not anything from ‘What If’.

Stephen:  Another universe, I assume?

Me:  Yep…You do NOT want to get involved there.

Trix:  We know the stories of least 7 different ones and a multiversal entity.

Me:  The ‘What If’ version of you went rogue and started absorbing demons and another version of yourself.  It was like some sort of mystical self-cannibalization to boost that Stephen’s powers.

Trix:  Yeah, he ended up destroying his universe and was stuck in a husk of its shell. Probably the most powerful Stephen Strange and he’s learned his lesson but still. There is a universe with zombies in it and I will just end myself if they get involved.

Stephen:  …Okay…Note to self — Watch out for other Stephens.  Got it…

Me:  So, we need to alert the correct Wong to get you out of this mess.

Trix:  Yeah, you’re the reasonable Stephen. Just don’t think you are the one to make the final call on everything and you’re golden.  

Stephen (unsettled):  I’M the reasonable one, huh?  That’s not reassuring. 

*Trix thinks.*  Trix:  Since Stephen channels magic through the universe, Wong would be most familiar with his so it would be like- a certain flavor versus other ones, I’m guessing.

Stephen:  Yeah, Trix has a point.  Every sorcerer has their own unique signature, so to speak.  Though without my Sling Ring, I’m not sure how to show myself through the multiverse.

Me:  Well, if we’re going to confer with our group, one of us should contact Laer.  She’s excellent at research.

Trix:  Absolutely. I’m mostly just good at writing comedy.” *Trix looks towards Stephen.*  Sorry, but I wouldn’t have thought you were anything but fictional. Now we shall move on and contact Laer. We just have to be convincing!

Stephen:  I’m not just going to become some sort of show pony for a group of fangirls, right?

Trix:  Slightly but that just means that you have a team who is primed to help you because we have a good idea of how you and your magic works.

*He looks exasperated, but reluctantly agrees.*

Me:  We’ve seen how dangerous it can get if someone from another universe stays outside of their home for too long.  The responsible thing would be to send you back.  As much as we’d love to have you, you have far more important things to do in your own universe.

Stephen (looking at us both funny):  Okay…Trix, you scare me a bit, but at least you both seem willing to help me.

Me:  Okay.  Trix, mind contacting Laer?  I know of a few others who might help us out too.

Trix:  I scare a lot of people a bit but I make up for that in being able to roll with the punches! Also, I don’t mean to scare you with the words I mentioned before, but I AM invested in helping save a kid’s life and you can help with that and we can’t! *She turns to Steward*  Gotcha! I will send the warning flare! But first-*She pulls out her phone and puts it on camera mode.* Hey Stephen, can I get a quick video of you and the Cloak waving so I’m not considered crazier than I already am? I need proof as a lure.

Stephen:  …Okay.  I can understand why.  Just keep it in the group.  This doesn’t go into the outside world.

Trix:  Oh absolutely. I’m not a savage.  *Trix starts taking the video and narrates a bit.*  Hey Laer, we have a bit of a situation and need your assistance!

*Stephen waves and Cloak floats off of his shoulders to copy him, showing that it’s not just a puppet or special effect.*

Me:  Okay.  Awesome.  I’ll start contacting the others too.  That way, Stephen has multiple places to stay if things get messy and we have multiple people working on research to figure something out.

**To be continued**

[acourtofthought]

I feel like el/riels truly do not understand that they have to provide more textual evidence than gwynriels or eluciens when it comes to who loves who.

"He hadn't gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured himself to" holds more weight than the "He wouldn't so go far as to call Gwyn a friend, but..", because the difference between them and gwynriels is that they claim Azriel and Elain are in love while Gwynriels agree that Gwyn and Azriel are far from that point. When after more than 2 years, that was all he could think of Elain, and yet they still claim he's so in love with her, we would need canon evidence that could prove the bonus chapter wrong and I don't think acowar and acofas, that were published years ago and written even more years ago count when acosf and the bonus chapter are the most recent one.

No elucien stan claims Elain and Lucien are in love and agree they aren't on great terms right now. Gwynriel stans agree that there needs to be work done before gwynriel reaches the point of love. What is comforting to me is that it would make no sense for Elucien to become mates, but then break up without having put any efforts. It's announced they're mates, the get to meet again, both are in bad places, they get to have just a few moments together, then Elain decides to avoid him and the mating bond completely without any explaination and then.... mating bond rejection? What was the whole point of their mating bond then?

Gwyn and Azriel first meet on Gwyn's most traumatizing day of her life, they meet again after 2 years. They don't notice each other much until winter solstice where he confirmed that he wouldn't really call Gwyn a friend and I agree that he shouldn't because that would be so weird if he did. They don't know each other well, they had just one nice conversation and some training and already he would call her a friend? That wouldn't suit Azriel since he's one of the most complex characters in the acotar world. Nesta didn't consider Cassian her friend until she confirmed it at the end of acosf. Feyre also took a while until she considered Rhys her friend. Same for Rowaelin and Bryathalar. And it would be very weird if Azriel already fell in love with Gwyn, I wouldn't ship it if that were the case because then he would fall in love with literally every girl that is single and had given him some attention. lmao

You understand common sense! 😁

Seriously, everything you said is THE point of it all.

I feel like E/riels focus on a line here, a line there and don't look at the bigger picture.

Az and Elain wanted to kiss.....

Az wouldn't call Gwyn a friend.

And that's where they stop. End of story. Shows over. Time to call it a day.

But someone else that isn't an E/riel looks at everything surrounding that.

Yes, they wanted to kiss but...... Why? There's attraction, yeah. But...... Is it because Az is thinking about a future with he and Elain? (answer: No). Is it because Elain has truly addressed her Mating Bond and decided that she and Lucien have nothing in common so she's rejected it so she's kissing Az with a clear conscience? (answer: No). There's a lot of problems and unresolved issues behind them nearly kissing and that makes that moment a tainted one. And Eluciens see that.

And yeah, he wouldn't call Gwyn a friend (just like Feyre wouldn't have called Rhys a friend until the book they got together) because they're just getting to know each other. Why do E/riels act like this is such a slam against Gwynriel? It's not, it's a very realistic portrayal of how relationships develop. SJM is not an instant love author so this is a good thing for Az and Gwyn.

And what's more concerning to me is after nearly 2 years of knowing Elain and them having supposed feelings for one another, they are extremely awkward when alone together. He showed more ease and comfort around Gwyn, his "not friend" than the female he's apparently in love with although he's never thought of her past his fantasies.

And I try not to be overly harsh with my posts but making Elain and Lucien Mates only to have her ignore him, never spend any time with him or have a real conversation with him and reject her bond because she'd rather be with very first guy she hooked up with after her broken engagement (most of it occurring in someone else's book) would be the dumbest plot ever. Yes, in real life rebounds turn into romance. But our world does not give us possibly Cauldron blessed soul mates. Thinking SJM would have one of her characters flippantly dismiss the gift of that makes no sense.

I love that Elucien and Gwynriel are all just hints right now. I love the "will they??" excitement of it. I don't want to see them growing close in someone else's book, I want to live vicariously through every moment, from uncertainty to friendship to love and I want it in their own POV. E/riel endgame would be the biggest romance letdown ever considering half of their journey would have already happened off page.

[oregano-writes]

Tartaglia's 5-Step Plan for Wooing Morax- Chapter 10: Finale

Childe woke up in Zhongli’s bed that morning– which, if he had a mora for every time that had happened, he would have two mora. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice. A pounding headache was the next thing he noticed, easily worse than any hangover he’d suffered. As he sat up, running his fingers through his disheveled hair, he noticed someone else leaning on the side of the bed.

When Childe reached down to pat Zhongli’s head, he startled and sat up. However, his expression quickly melted into relief.

“You’re alright.”

Childe gave him a confused look. “Yeah? Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You don’t remember what happened?” Zhongli asked, confused.

“Not really– the last thing I remember was being in Snezhnaya, at the Zapolyarny palace. I think the Tsaritsa called for me, and then–” His eyes went wide when he remembered what the Tsaritsa had done.

He gave Zhongli an apologetic smile. “I hope I didn’t worry you too much.”

“How could I not be worried? You’ve been out for almost–” Zhongli glanced at the window– “twelve hours.”

Childe sat up with a jolt. “Twelve hours? How come you didn’t wake me up?”

Zhongli looked away from him sheepishly. “You looked very peaceful sleeping. I thought you could use the rest.”

Childe blushed and looked away. “Um. Thanks.”

Zhongli watched him for a moment, before standing up. “Would you like some soup?”

Childe smiled. “Sure.”

──────── ✧ ────────

Childe waited in a chair by Zhongli’s dining room table as Zhongli poured two bowls of soup. He slid one of the two over to Childe, and passed him chopsticks and a spoon. Apparently Zhongli had taken some of the time he had been sleeping to clean up, as now at least the table was more or less clear of clutter. There were still a few priceless artifacts sitting near the end, but at least there was enough room for a proper table setting.

Zhongli waited as Childe tried the soup. “Do you like it?”

Childe smiled at Zhongli across the table. “Of course! You made it, after all, and who am I to reject the cooking of an archon?”

Zhongli scoffed at that. “I would not use my authority as an archon to force my subjects to pretend to like my cooking. Do you take me for some kind of tyrant?”

Childe laughed and raised his hands in surrender. “Got it, got it.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes.

“Did you give it to her?”

“Hm?”

“The Gnosis. I know that’s what she wanted.”

Zhongli stayed still for a moment, hesitating, before nodding. “I did. But do not think that it was your fault– You should not be held accountable for the Tsaritsa’s actions.”

Childe sighed. “It’s your Gnosis, but are you sure that you made the right decision?”

Zhongli beamed at him. “I do not regret it– I would have made it a thousand times over.”

Childe felt his face go warm and looked away. “Don’t say stuff like that. You barely know me.”

Zhongli tilted his head. “You are kind, loyal, hardworking, and a dear friend of mine. I would treasure any more information about you, but nothing will change that.”

“That’s just what I’m talking about! I’m a monster, Zhongli, cursed by the Abyss. How can that not change anything?”

“And I am a dragon. Your point?”

Childe sighed again, frustrated. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re a good person, and I’m not. You have no reason to be doing all of this for me. I don’t deserve it.”

Zhongli pushed his soup to the side of the table, before leaning over towards Childe and grasping his face in his hands. Childe looked up at Zhongli, eyes wide. “Zhongli, what are you–”

“Is the fact that I care about you not reason enough? I would be terribly lonely without you– the weeks that you spent in Snezhnaya were dull compared to the ones before.”

Childe tried to look away, but a hand– a hand with no glove, he noticed belatedly– gently turned his head back towards Zhongli.

“I don’t get why my being here or not is that important. All of Liyue loves you, Zhongli. How could I compare?”

Zhongli blinked. “You love me?”

“That’s not– I– That’s really what you take from that?”

Zhongli waited in silence, tilting his head slightly. 

Childe sighed. “Does it really matter that I do? You’re so far above me that it could never work out anyways.”

Zhongli just smiled and pulled Childe closer to himself. “It does matter, because if you do, I can do this.”

“What–”

Before Childe could finish that thought, Zhongli pulled him forwards and closed the distance between them. 

Childe froze, and Zhongli let go, moving back and away from him.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

Childe leaned back over the table, grabbing him by the lapels of his suit jacket. 

“I’m not upset.”

“Then why are you–” Zhongli gestured to Childe’s hands, still gripping his jacket. 

“So I can do this. ”

Childe leaned over further, pressing their lips together.

──────── ✧ ────────

After breakfast the next morning, Zhongli brought in the mail from the past few days. He set the pile on the table with a thwunk , shifting through the pile and pulling a letter out.

“This one is for you.”

“Oh, thanks,” Childe replied, setting down his tea. He checked the senders, seeing that it was from–

Matvey?

Childe checked the address on the letter– it must have been a mistake of some sort. But no, the letter clearly stated ‘Tartaglia’ as the recipient, with the bank listed as the address.

Childe cautiously broke the seal with a butter knife, pulling the letter out slowly, hesitant to see the contents. He set the envelope to the side, leaving the still-folded letter on the table.

Zhongli, who had been looking through the rest of the letters, (who was preoccupied with glowering at a letter from the Yuheng that appeared to have something to do with back taxes if Childe’s loose knowledge of written Liyuean was to be believed– and yes, he did pick up some written Liyuean, he wasn’t a total incompetent, regardless of what the other Harbingers might say) looked up, making eye contact with Childe. His gaze shifted down to the unread letter on the table, and he gave him an inquisitive look. “Is there something wrong, qin’ai de?”

Childe smiled, and shook his head. “No, nothing you should concern yourself with. By the way, you’ve called me that a few times, would you mind telling me what it means?”

Zhongli took a sip of tea, using the cup to hide a smile. “Yes.”

“Y’know, I’m just going to ask Hu Tao.”

“Hm.”

Childe turned back to the letter. He steeled his nerves, and unfolded it.

Ajax,

Childe stopped reading, eyes widening. This was the first time in almost a decade his brother had called him by his real name. Nevertheless, he went on, hoping to learn the reason for this change of heart.

I know that you probably don’t want to hear from me, so I’ll keep this short. I’ve been a shitty person to you, and an even worse brother. I turned you away when you needed me most, and I don’t expect you to forgive me. I don’t even really expect you to read this letter all the way through. I just need to get this off my chest, and Sofia said this might help.

I think, when you first got back from wherever you were, we could all tell that something was different. Just– getting into fights, always seeming on edge, stuff like that. It’s like someone had taken meek, earnest Ajax and replaced him with a wild animal wearing his face.

I think that was easier to believe, at first. Ajax was dead, and this new thing, Tartaglia, had taken his place. It also made me less at fault– the new thing, Tartaglia, wasn’t my brother; it didn’t need my kindness– it probably didn’t even care. It was just a monster, and no one cares about the feelings of monsters.

But I think I realized pretty early that I was wrong. I honestly didn’t expect you to come back from the Fatui once you left– after all, a monster’s place is among other monsters, not humans. But you came back nonetheless. I avoided you, of course, like a coward. But everyone else had nothing but good things to say about this new-and-improved Ajax. He was just like the old one, just more confident, more polite, more generous. Like he was trying to win back our affections. A monster wouldn’t do that. This new thing– this new person– may not have been exactly the same as the old Ajax, but he clearly wasn’t a monster who had taken his place. Even if you seemed different, I think we could all see hints of the old Ajax shining through. 

If you finish this letter without throwing it into a fire, I want you to know that I’m getting married to Sofia in two months. I would be immensely grateful if you came, and let me start to make amends.

–Matvey

Childe stared at the letter in his hands.

“Zhongli? How would you feel about visiting Snezhnaya with me?”

[sylphidine]

[Fic] Call Signs, Chapter 29

Fandom: Deltarune

‘Verse: Human AU

Pairing: Swatch/Spamton [Swatchton]

Characters: Spamton Addison, Swatch Paletta, Mike Cowley [flashback], Cossimo Pitchiner [flashback], assorted OCs [flashback], Ballew Addison [flashback], Eos Addison [flashback], Sienna Addison [flashback], Saffron Timothy [flashback]

Rating: Mature

Chapter title: Exact Time To Failure, Part Three

Chapter summary:  Spamton's rise to fame under Mike's guidance has a heavy price. Who needs friends and family when you're a Big Shot?

Author notes:

Spamton's first person past tense POV continues straight from the end of the previous chapter as he's trying to explain the last few years to Swatch. Take it as read that Spamton is stuttering away like mad, but he's getting his points across to Swatch while reliving these horrible memories. [Yes, the author's cheating a bit and using a weird narrative device.]

Trigger and content warnings for emotional manipulation and gaslighting, classism and entitlement, alcohol overindulgence, power imbalance, dubious consent, and boundary-blurring.

The angst is mighty thick here.

You have been warned.

I embarrass myself with the mess I make almost instantly after Mike’s hands find their way under my clothing. My eyes are shut and I stammer out an apology, but I am also riding this sensation, not wanting it to end.

I feel more than hear a warm breathy chuckle in my ear. He tells me he’s very flattered by how responsive I am.  He holds me close to him, for a few more minutes, my back to his chest, his thin arms strong and somehow comforting, and then he moves away, leaving me standing there half-bent over my desk. 

This time I can actually hear his footsteps as he exits the room.

My eyes stay squeezed shut. I'm still shaking, still not sure what to feel.

I want this.

I'm terrified of this.

Now that I've done this, what do I do next?

I run a shaking hand through my hair, creep off to my bathroom and take a long, hot shower.

Then I hide for the next few hours in my locked bedroom. At some point I sleep, and when I wake up a sheet of paper covered in Mike's peculiar handwriting has been slid under the door.

I'm afraid he's going to cancel our deal, because I'm the one who crossed a line and asked for too much.

But as it turns out, once I work up the courage to read the letter, Mike's first sentence is to apologize to ME. 

His note goes on to say that his admiration over time for my intelligence and for my hard work has been evolving into a deeper appreciation for me as a complete person, and that what happened today was his poor attempt to express that.

The note concludes that he's sure I want some space to think things over, and suggests I do so while he’s gone.

Wait.

WHILE HE'S GONE?!

Great. Mike’s no different than Ballew or Eos. Everything else in their life is more important than I am, and I’m always the one who gets left behind.

I’m so mad that I almost don’t read the next line, but when I do, my anger melts away.

Mike suggests that I work on refining the commercial and get it ready for broadcast, all on my own.

He believes in me.

He believes. In ME.

____________________

Ten days later, the new commercial is ready and on the air. 

A week after that, I get a call from Ballew that I can’t just brush off, unlike the other messages he's left since January.

He starts off by telling me that I seem to have forgotten our eldest brother's birthday the previous week. Yeah, maybe 37 doesn't seem like a milestone year, but I really should have at least phoned Eos or sent a card.

Then Ballew drops his bombshell.

Apparently it's been noticed that I’m never on campus anymore, and apparently there's a letter that's been forwarded to the Purchase house, since I haven’t picked up my NDU mail. 

Ballew reads the letter out loud over the phone; it states in no uncertain terms that I need to address my residency situation, even if I’m doing an independent study off campus.

Ballew asks me point blank what the hell I think I'm doing with my life.

I don’t quite catch on what he’s driving at, and I flare up about having TRIED to tell everyone about Professor Cowley's research multiple times, but Ballew and Eos are always too busy and Sienna's always got her girlfriend underfoot.

Ballew apologizes halfheartedly and damns me with faint praise by saying he's glad I've found some direction.

But.

He clarifies that, by announcing myself as “Stanton Addison” in the GASTER commercial, it sounds like GASTER is a product that’s been tested by the research and development team at Addison Cybernetics.

I haven’t thought of it that way before. Of course THAT'S what Ballew's worried about… my possibly disgracing the family legacy. He can't be happy for me that I've found something I'm good at, oh no.

I try to make a joke out of needing to reinvent myself, which I can tell doesn’t really fly, but Ballew just sighs and asks if I want him to come with me to talk to the administration office at North Dale.  I thank him, but tell him I’ll straighten it out, it’s probably no big deal. 

________________________________

It turns out to be a VERY big deal.

Apparently Professor Michael Cowley’s independent study program was only weighted for six credits, not the minimum twelve credits I needed to be considered a full-time student. Thus I was no longer considered to be eligible for campus housing.

I do better with this panic attack than I did back in September. When my first phone call to Pitch goes straight to voicemail, I call Coz, who I haven’t seen in what feels like ages. I suggest we go for drinks at The Ravens Gastropub. 

I’m so tunnel-visioned by my own problems that I don’t really pick up on his hesitancy at first, until he points out that [a] it’s not even noon, [b] The Ravens is WAAAAY out of his price range, and [c] he’s in training for the Spring lacrosse season and on a strict low-cal, low-booze diet.

I backpedal and laugh it off and ask for a rain check with him and Pitch some time. His distance and lack of enthusiasm about hanging out with me makes my stomach churn.

In between packing the clothes and books in my dorm room and making arrangements to have them sent to Purchase, I try to reach a few more NDU friends whose contacts are still in my phone.

Vazzana out-and-out laughs shrilly and bitterly in my ear and hangs up.

Winkelsas is a little kinder, using his always-sick little sister as an excuse not to see me, but he sounds nervous, as though he'll be contaminated by talking to me.

Gazlay has my number blocked.

What's happened in the last couple of months to everyone I know to make them treat me like a pariah?

By the time I get on the train back to the Big Apple, I've decided I'm going to drop out of NDU. I'm not going to need those clothes and books anymore.

By the time the train roars into Grand Central, I've decided I'm not going to need old friends any more either, not in the direction I'm going. 

Not in my new life as a Big Shot. Not in my new life with Mike.

But it feels as though if I look back over my shoulder, I'll see a whole string of bridges burning.

________________________________

I send a certified letter addressed to Eos and Ballew, informing them of my decision to leave North Dale University.  It's not like they can stop me; I became a legal adult at eighteen, and I'm going to be twenty in less than a month. Even if I can't touch my trust fund until I turn twenty-five, I'm not worried.

Okay, my brothers don't want me using the Addison name? So be it. It makes no sense to me to be a member of a family that runs a Fortune 500 company and NOT flaunt it a bit. But I'll go with it; from hereon in I'll use the name "Spamton G. Spamton" in my business life.

The "G" standing for "GASTER", of course.

Mike returns from whatever void he periodically disappears into, and we have a long talk. He presents me with a  fait accompli … a legally binding contract that hires me as full-time sales manager for his newly-established company. 

With that in hand, I send a second certified letter to NDU - a formal withdrawal as a matriculated student.

The salary I'm being paid is astronomical. I report once a month to The Dreemurr Group, our biggest investors.

Once a week I buy rounds of drinks for the regulars at The Cathode Ray. More than once some video of me ends up on YouTube or on TikTok. If you don't look too closely, I look like I'm having fun.

I've never worked harder in my life.

I have my phone turned off on the 3rd of May. I don't want to be disappointed by my siblings, either by their disapproval or their silence.

Instead, I'm enjoying myself at my birthday party being held in the huge central room in Mike's and my apartment. The party is catered by a company whose dual mottoes are "Let us warm your day" and "Don't be blue, we're here for you."

Handsome buff waiters in corsets and bowties flex and wink at me every chance they get. The champagne flows and everyone seems to glitter as I wink back at them.

Mike is out of town.

There's more than one way to fight off loneliness.

________________________________

Time starts moving faster and flying by. I almost don't notice seasons passing, since I now live in a completely climate-controlled world of offices, car services, broadcast studios, restaurants and bars.

But not bedrooms. 

Mike's tastes seem to run to using every room except a bedroom and every surface except a mattress to enjoy me.

And as time goes by and my sales numbers grow and name brand recognition for GASTER gets stronger and stronger, it's easy to ignore how much Mike enjoys me and how he has gradually slowed down his efforts to pleasure me.

I do set myself a reminder not to forget to call Sienna on HER birthday in October. Our talk starts out to be almost like old times, when she used to listen to me moaning over my schoolboy crushes. She wrings a gushing testimonial out of me about how generous Mike is and how happy I am in my career. I don't give her a chance to reciprocate when she tries to talk about Saffron. We end the call on an awkward note.

After that, I bury myself in end-of-fiscal-cycle numbers and organize a thank-you-gift list to sponsors and clients.  October melts into November, and November into December. It takes a joking comment from the bartender at The Cathode Ray to make me realize this is the first time I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in my entire life.

I bury my guilt and buy holiday presents for my siblings, and I wonder what, if anything, I should give to Mike.

I find myself more and more unwilling to define what we are to each other.

Ballew runs into me in midtown, completely unplanned or so it seems. We have an actually pleasant lunch at Larmen Dosanko and I reassure him I'll be on a train to Purchase the day before Christmas Eve.

And I am.

But I end up not staying for long. I leave on Christmas Eve afternoon.

______________________________

Instead of a family gathering, it turns out that this is an intervention.

It  doesn't seem like one at first, but the sucker punch comes after lunch. Again, Saffron is here for the holiday, looking like she fits in the family more than I do. She and Sienna are wearing matching rings with twisted bands of copper. They might as well both have banners over their heads shouting, "we're engaged". 

I'm expecting some kind of announcement when Eos asks everyone to come to the music room. True to form, when everyone's there, Eos sits down at the baby grand and plays the first few chords of "The Wedding March".

We all hug and kiss the happy couple, and then sit back down. There's still something in the air, though that doesn't feel right as everyone chatters away.

Everyone except me. I feel like I'm outside my body watching someone else as I open my mouth and put my foot right into the trap.

I jokingly say something along the lines that Sienna had better get a strong prenup, in case Saffron had ideas about being a kept woman.

My joke goes down like a lead balloon. All three of my siblings look horrified and Sienna has tears in her eyes. Before I can fumble out an apology, Saffron snaps back that she supposes I would know all about that, considering my living situation.

That stuns me. I gape at her like a fish, which gives Eos a chance to interject that he'd hoped this topic wouldn't come up, but since it had, everyone had better lay their cards on the table, so to speak, and as the eldest, he'd better begin.

I have a feeling I'm not going to like what I'm about to hear.

Eos looks at Ballew, and Ballew nods. My eldest brother's whole body language changes from indolence to passion as he outlines how, in pure engineering terms, GASTER can't possibly do what Mike says it does. Not without the implementation of a LOT of technology and design that is proprietary material belonging to clients who contract with Addison Cybernetics.

It sounds to me like Eos is accusing me of being an industrial spy, and I say so. Ballew answers me that's not what any of them think, exactly. But he is worried about my judgment, letting myself be perceived as some kind of boytoy. He shows me a months-old newspaper photo clipped from Page Six of the faceoff between me and Werewolf Guy. I’m in full view, but all anyone can see of Mike is those huge bony hands possessively gripping my shoulders. Even I can see it looks a little too much like a PDA, and I actually consider confessing that what Mike and I have now has moved on from the original mentor/protege relationship. 

And then Eos puts the nail in the coffin of me trying to explain my current life when he says that he thinks Mike is using me because I’m an Addison.

That enrages me, and I shoot to my feet, yelling that I got this job on my own, with no need to lean on the family name, and that I'm damn good at what I do, that I won’t let anyone turn me into a puppet the way Ballew has made Eos just a figurehead in the family business, that I'm sick of being an Addison, and that if a gold digger like Saffron wants the name so much, she’s welcome to it.

Sienna gets to her feet too when she hears that last bit. She crosses the room, and she does what I never ever expect in a million years from my gentle sister. She slaps me across the face, and then covers her own face with her hands. Between sobs, she gasps out that she never regretted having a baby brother until now. She turns and leaves the room.

Saffron gives me a parting shot, hissing that she hopes I rot in Hell, before she hurries out after Sienna.

Part of me wants to run after them both and beg for their forgiveness. Some more blinkered part decides to stay stubborn and silent, while Eos looks like he’s turned to stone and Ballew looks like he’d like to murder me.

There’s nothing I can do or say to make this any better. 

I go upstairs to my old room and throw things back into my mostly-still-packed suitcase. 

I call a cab to take me to the White Plains train station.

I leave the bag full of presents next to my bed.

I head downstairs and out the front door without a word.

I don’t cry in the cab. I don’t cry on the train.

I don’t cry when Mike opens the door of the apartment.

I don’t cry until I’m in his bed with him. Then I cry myself to sleep.  As I’m drifting off, I half-think I hear him say that now our real work can begin.

Mike's arms around me feel like shackles.

____________________

____________________

Swatch is trying so hard not to show any reaction, to just sit still, to just listen.

But I can see it.

I can see the instant that Swatch’s feelings about my past change from pity to disgust.

And I can’t blame them in the slightest. Present me is pretty damn disgusted with past me’s willful blindness.

I might as well have jumped into a lake of acid instead of listening to Mike Cowley. 

And stupid me, idiot me, impossibly naive me never thought to question anything back then, even as his lies got to be thinner than tissue paper.

The memories keep streaming in front of my inner eye. The words keep pouring out of me now. I’ve got to get rid of this poison in my brain, in my gut, in my heart.

[papirouge]

A small story time was when I joined a hiking group to meet new friends. I felt awkward since the people there seem to know each other more. I ended being quiet and take photos while we hiked. I got to talk to this guy who also was kinda new. He kept talking about how he wanted to get married soon and he has everything except a wife. I didn’t really talk back, just saying “ok” until he asked me if I’m the same. Told him no I’m really not. He told me “oh well you have time I guess” I had to say I was in my 30s and if I wanted a big family or something like that I would have started sooner but I didn’t then still don’t now. We were walking in the back and there was space between us and the others in the group. The more he talked the more he would just info dump his feelings like how he truly believed that feminism was causing men to be lonely and violent in society, that women working jobs were destroying families, that divorce should be banned but he also doesn’t want women to just avoid marriage because he’s afraid if banning divorce would lead to just women never marrying. He even joked that the government could also force people to marry and reproduce. I tried to fire back at some point like “You know that women have always worked?”

“No it’s different now. Women shouldn’t be in corporate buildings”

“Yeah remote work is the best”

He didn’t really respond until he asked again if I was seriously going to be single. Or if I’m just hooking up with random men instead. I told him I’m not, that the idea was gross to even say and that he needed to be less crude. He apologized, say he was joking but at some point he stopped and just asked to my face “are you seriously going to waste your womb? That’s selfish for a lot of interfile couples” it was such a surreal feeling. He started again to talk about how I was given a womb and that womb meant I had to be feminine and submit to male authority. That to have a uterus automatically means I’m weaker and less capable so men are naturally to lead. Denying that meant I was going against my feminine nature which was due to feminism brainwashing me to be a corporate slave. (I don’t even work in any corporate field) He was going to send me links to something called Evie? Apparently it’s some women’s magazine that he thinks every woman should read and connect with their inner femininity to reject feminism. At that point, others in the group noticed and started to talk to him to defend me since I must of looked shocked. I started to walk away closer to the front and others in the group kept him farther from me until we got back to our cars. This guy still tried to talk me about fertility rates and egg quality because “I needed to know that I don’t have forever, men on the other hand can healthy babies in their 80s and 90s” according to him, while I got my keys. As I got in, I just felt so fed up and had to yell at him that his genes are not good enough to be passed on if no woman chose him yet. He had told me earlier that schizophrenia runs in his family too like his parents, grandparents, and others have it, so I just told him that no one would want that in their family tree and to fuck off. I know that was kinda mean and I feel a bit bad saying that.. He tried to say something else but I drove off and when I got back, I had messages from the people who set up the group ask me about what happened exactly. I told them and I honestly don’t want to go back. They understood and would try to invite me later but this was that guys last chance. I was not the first woman he harassed. He joined and only tried to talk to women and basically hope that one girl would be dumb enough to pity this guy to date him. He wasn’t bad looking either. It’s just his personality and incel adjacent traits.

Also I was told that he made some weird racial comments about me being black and asian that got him in trouble with a few people before we started hiking.

..... I'm glad you're doing fine anon.

I was getting real Ted Bundy teas from that weirdo bothering you on that trail. Like, he could've tried pushing you on a ravine- 💀

But at the end I wanted *you* to push him towards a ravine LOL

This hiking club is at fault for dragging along that weirdo knowing his inappropriate behavior 😑 the manipulative "I'm skyzophrenic uwu" is so typical.... Being skyzophrenic doesn't turn you into a sexual harasser smh The racism also checks out. I've yet to see an incel who's not racist or a fetishist.

It's also interesting how the decline of childbirth is ALWAYS inputted on women, never men. Why is nobody hounding incels for being losers unable to plant their seed and perpetuate the race? or try to get a better personality to find a mate? Nooooo it's the fault of women for not accepting to settle down with men they don't find suitable. Mind you, they are the same people blaming women whenevr their marriage turns sour and "oh she just had to choose better" 🌚

[delicatenightfury]

Soulmate AU - First thoughts

2021 Month of Writing: Day 3

Prompt: soulmate au where your tattoo shows the first thing your soulmate thought when they saw you

Word Count: 842

Author's Note: please don't steal my work! you can choose to respond to the prompt as well, but don't steal my work.

I sighed as I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I really didn’t want to get out of bed today, but the cafeteria was having french toast sticks for breakfast. It had been an insanely long week full of projects and papers. There had been little time to dedicate to myself since there was so much homework. Luckily, it was Saturday and I had just recently gotten my own dorm, so I had the room all to myself. I was in need of a good tv binge and paint session.

After making sure I at least looked semi-presentable, I slowly dragged myself out of my room and out of the dorm. The walk to the cafeteria thankfully wasn’t long. I am the type of person that likes to get their food, eat, and leave. Sure, if I had friends there, I might stay longer, but most of the time I sat by myself so a quick meal was easy.

As I approached the doors, I noticed a small group of guys coming up the stairs. Another small sigh passed through my lips. I wasn’t going to make it into the building before them. Though, I guess that wasn’t a bad thing. That just meant that most of them wouldn’t see what a bum I looked like.

I slowed down just enough for them to go in first, but the last guy paused to hold open the door.

“You can go ahead first,” he said with a smile.

“Thanks,” I said shyly, ducking my head. 

He was kinda cute, not gonna lie. Oh Lord, Lara, really? He’s literally just holding open the door for you.

I quickly swiped my meal card and went off to find breakfast. I got into line and ordered my normal meal of french toast, hash browns, and a biscuit. Oh yay! They have jelly today! I grabbed the few other things I needed, as well as my drink, and made my way to my usual seat.

The cafeteria had lots of circular tables, but I preferred a small table against the wall that could only fit two or three. I guess my reasoning for liking this seating was kind of weird - the fewer chairs, the less likely someone is to sit with me.

I set down my things and slowly started to eat. There were times I needed to remind myself that I wasn’t in a rush to be anywhere since I had a tendency to eat pretty quickly. As I ate, I took a quick glance around the room. There weren’t a lot of people, but what do you expect on a weekend?

I opened my phone and started scrolling through Instagram. I paused for a moment when I saw a new post for one of my favorite tv shows. I couldn’t help my smile and immediately liked and saved the post.

“Hi, Lara?”

I jumped in surprise at the sudden voice. I hadn’t even heard anyone approach me! I looked up and found that the guy who had held open the door for me was standing by the table.

“Yes?” I said.

“This is going to sound really forward, but could I sit with you?”

“Uh, yeah I guess so?”

“My name is James, by the way,” he said as he put his plate of food down and sat across from me.

“I’m Lara, but apparently you know that? I’m sorry, have we met? I don’t really recognize you.”

“No, I don’t think we have, but um…” He shifted slightly in his seat. “Sorry, I’m a little awkward about this. It’s just that…” He paused again before sighing.

I watched as he lifted his arm and rolled up his sleeve. He laid it down on the table for me to see the writing there.

He was kinda cute, not gonna lie. Oh Lord, Lara, really? He’s literally just holding open the door for you.

My eyes widened in shock. I looked up at James. He had a nervous smile on his face.

“That was-”

“The first thing you thought when you saw me at the door?” he finished.

I put down my phone and pulled up my own sleeve to reveal the words printed there. They were the words that my soulmate thought when he first saw me. They were words I had memorized and traced a thousand times, but now I couldn’t quite believe them. I hadn’t even felt my arm burn when it happened.

Wait a second, is she my soulmate?

I looked up at him again to find him reading over my words. His smile grew a bit more as he nodded.

“That’s it,” he said. “My first thought when I saw you.”

 I had never been sure how the whole soulmate thing worked. Was my soulmate put off that I was supposedly meant for him? What would it feel like? Where would I be? Never in my life would I imagine myself to be dressed in sweats and a sweatshirt, looking like a bum as I went to breakfast.

[paigemathews]

@plutoconjunctascendant replied to your post “I still standby that a lot of people’s responses...”:

wait elaborate please ik the charmed sons theory which is just like. 😷 but like i really haven't dug at all into the old fandom

​Okay, so like. General disclaimer in that basically all of this is my own perspective from Fanfiction Net, and that most of this was me 2013-2016 and basically reading all the next gen or Chris fic on the site so I have no actual authority, just my own conviction. Also, like usual, there will be no coherency to this.

But yeah, like. Focusing on Mel and the next gen specifically, obviously, everything was very Wyatt and Chris-centered. I’m going to assume that the charmed sons theory is the one that Wyatt and Chris are Piper’s only kids and that the little girl in the flashforward was “a cousin or a neighbor’s kid” which. Over a decade and a half afterwards, I’m still sitting here like “they didn’t explicitly name her as Piper’s kid bc they made the mistake of assuming that y’all could pick up context clearly” like c’mon. (Also it was kind of weird with how people responded to Henry Jr, with one author being like weirdly insistent that Chris and Wyatt were the only biological sons to the extent that she said that Henry Jr being adopted was an answer to that dilemma. (She did in fact use dilemma, but misspelled it.))

More specifically though, people got annoyed when Melinda would be in fics! For context, I was thinking about this because I was going through my old FFN profile to delete/update/move some stuff around and read some old reviews on older fics. 

One of them was posted in February 2015 and someone outright said that they stopped reading when they saw that Mel was in the story. She wasn’t even really in the story, tbh, I just mentioned her in my author’s note when I was mentioning my names for the other next gen kids bc I don’t use the comic names and giving a rough timeline for ages bc it jumped through the timeline a lot. This was a 7k story and they literally scrolled to the bottom just to be upset Mel was mentioned.

Another was actually a oneshot collection posted in January 2016, focusing on weird conversations and shit that happened in Chris and Wyatt’s apartment at night. (It was super niche, I don’t know my thought process behind it or how I pulled eight chapters out of that.) On the first chapter, someone made sure to tell me that they were happy that it was just Wyatt and Chris, without a sister. (We had an entire mini-argument on whether Mel canonically existed bc 2016!me was. an Interesting Time.)

Even in fics where Mel does exist, it was almost always written so that she wasn’t a major player, usually by having her be dramatically younger than the boys.  (If she was around, she did not get to have a role in the narrative about her brothers, forget her own story. There were very few people who apparently saw the story potential in this girl.) Frankly, a lot of people did it with the other next gen girls, too. They were rarely a big presence in the story or in Wyatt and Chris’s lives. In fics about stuff like the unchanged future, they died relatively soon and weren’t really addressed. In changed future fics or outright spin-offs, they were largely skipped over as “being too young” with the idea that Chris and Wyatt were in college and the cousins were in high school. 

Of course, this pretty much entirely ignores that a) you can be an adult and still have relationships with your younger siblings/cousins b) that Mel didn’t have an extremely noticeable age gap from her brothers in the flashforward and c) Phoebe’s premonition had her daughter be in the same age range as Chris and Wyatt. Just everything possible to minimize the next gen girls. (Of course, these fics also never had Chris or Wyatt have platonic female friends either, just love interests that were always women.)

This is already very long, and I don’t know if you wanted elaboration on Bianca as well so like. I would gleefully leap at the chance to talk about how absolutely misogynistic Bianca’s treatment is, but I managed to basically spend nearly 700 words to say “Mel gets ignored” so. 

[dudemanauthor]

Yang Provides (Part 5)

Author's Note: Man, wild how this ended up my first ever fic with Nora in it. Guess I was just really focused on the main 4 that I never thought to branch out, even though Nora was always one of my faves.

Blake had never been this nervous about going to Team JNPR’s room before, and yet here she was, with the regular milk delivery in hand, a vial of the formula in her pocket, and trying her darnedest to work up the courage to knock. She took in a deep breath, stepped up, and knocked. Agonising seconds passed before the door swung open to reveal the excitable little redhead Nora Valkyrie in her pyjamas.

“Hey Blake, what’s up?” Nora said with anticipation.

“Milk delivery. Is the rest of your team here?” Blake asked, trying to peek over Nora and into the room.

“Nah, Jaune and Pyrrha are training and Ren’s off meditating, so yeah, it’s just me here. Maybe I can help you,” Nora said, leaning on the door frame.

“Maybe. I just wanted to ask something about the milk.”

“Oooooh, yeah, the others won’t be any good. Ren can’t drink milk and Jaune and Pyrrha apparently have to have that milk that’s basically just water pretending to be milk, so I’m the only one drinking your milk,” Nora explained. Blake nodded in understanding.

“In that case, do you mind if I come in?” Blake said, offering Nora the glass milk bottle.

“That’d be great, I was getting bored on my own and I ran out of homework,” Nora replied as she grabbed the bottle and took a swig from it. “Mmm, this is good. Tastes a little different though.”

“Oh, you noticed? This bottle came from a… different source,” Blake said carefully.

“Oh yeah, I meant to ask, what is your source? You hiding a cow in your dorm? Did Weiss buy a farm? Are one of you secretly pregnant and lactating and giving me the spare milk?” Nora asked, rattling off her questions rapidly. Blake paused for a moment, taken aback by Nora’s last theory and how close to the truth it was. “Oh, wait, you guys probably wanna keep it a secret, don’t ya?”

“We do, but I’m sure you can keep quiet about it,” Blake said as she wandered over to one of the beds and sat down, followed shortly by Nora on the opposite bed.

“Not gonna lie, I love that you can trust me, and don’t worry, no one’s gonna hear anything about this from me,” Nora asserted. Blake nodded and rested a hand on the pocket with the vial inside.

“So, that last theory of yours, it was close…” Nora gasped.

“Does that mean I get to be the cool aunt that’s not actually related? Wait, that’d be Yang, unless she’s the one who’s pregnant…”

“No, wait! No one’s pregnant!” Blake interrupted loudly. Nora stopped immediately and deflated in a very overdramatic fashion. Then, she straightened up again.

“That’s probably a good thing, actually. Having a big belly would make Grimm fighting really hard, I guess,” Nora mused. “Wait, then what was I right about? People don’t just start lactating for no reason, especially not that much.”

“Not naturally, but we have a secret formula that lets us do it,” Blake explained, pulling the brightly coloured vial from her pocket, then pointing with it at the bottle Nora held. “That bottle was from me, but the others were Yang’s.” Nora held her bottle up to her face, scrutinized it for a very long moment, then put it down again.

“Huh, I guess I like breast milk then,” Nora said with a nonchalant shrug.

“W-wait, this isn’t weird for you?” Blake asked, confusion heavy in her voice.

“Well, one, we’re at a school to fight monsters, so our whole life is pretty weird, and two, that’s actually super smart, because that’s probably way cheaper than buying milk and you don’t get in trouble when you and your best friend sneak on to a farm and try to steal milk from the cows, but the old guy running the farm catches you and yells a bunch of swear words at you even though you’re, like, twelve,” Nora replied, getting faster and faster the further into her story she got. Then, there was a moment of quiet. “So, uh, how does it work?”

“Oh, it’s very simple. You drink it, wait a little bit, and then your breasts start growing and you start lactating for a few minutes, and once they’re empty you’re back to normal,” Blake explained.

“Well, when you say it like that it sounds easy,” Nora said casually. “I think I’ll try it.”

“R-really?” Blake exclaimed.

“Heh, somebody’s excited,” Nora said smugly. “You as ‘excited’ as Yang was that one time?” Blake turned crimson and looked away.

“How did you know?” Blake asked with a wavering voice.

“Uh, didn’t you hear her? She was super loud, and I was gonna talk to her about it, but that only happened once and I didn’t wanna embarrass her so I didn’t bring it up,” Nora explained. “Now don’t go being all embarrassed like that, I was actually kinda jealous. Yang sounded like she was having heaps of fun.”

“Can we add that to the list of things you can keep secret?” Blake asked, slowly regaining her composure.

“Oh, totally,” Nora assured, before moving over to the bed Blake was sitting on. “So, mind helping me with my first time?” Blake hesitated for a moment, especially with how Nora’s cute little smile reminded her of Ruby, but eventually that thought escaped her mind and she was left with the prospect of Nora lactating, and it was a very attractive prospect. Blake carefully opened the vial, poured out a capful of the formula and handed it to Nora, who took it and downed it in one go.

“This is going so much better than I expected,” Blake said quietly.

“You’re welcome,” Nora said with a confident smile, before a look of surprise took her face. The pair both looked down at Nora’s chest and they watched as her breasts slowly grew larger and larger. “Oh man, this feels weird,” Nora said, tentatively touching a growing breast. Nora’s nipples swelled and grew hard under her shirt, creating distinctive outlines that shifted as Nora’s breasts grew and her shirt rode up, as more and more needed to be covered up, yet at the same time more and more midriff was revealed.

“You should take that off,” Blake warned, pointing to Nora’s increasingly tight shirt as it strained to contain the large round mounds.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Nora teased as she folded her arms beneath her growing chest, pushing it up and straining the shirt further.

“No, I mean your shirt will tear if you keep it on,” Blake deadpanned. Immediately, the shirt was off and launched across the room.

“Thanks for the warning,” the now topless Nora replied as she examined her changed body. She cupped her heavy breasts, or at least tried to, as the pale flesh filled her hands and spilled over, absolutely dwarfing her normal empty breasts. Her eyes almost instinctively shot to the dark brown nipples that stood firm as they adorned her hefty bosom. It was at that moment that Nora felt her chest grow tight and begin to ache. Blake, despite the lusty haze she was trying her hardest to stay out of, noticed the look of confusion and slight pain on Nora’s face and moved in closer.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help,” Blake reassured, before leaning in and latching on to one of Nora’s swollen nipples, suckling for a few seconds before switching nipples. As the milk flowed from Nora’s teats, Nora could barely stifle a moan as she squirmed where she sat. When Blake finished suckling, Nora’s breasts were still undoubtedly bloated and laden with milk, but they had stopped and there was no immediate risk of leakage. Blake leaned back and tried to at least look like her normal composed self. “How are you feeling?” Blake asked softly.

“Uh, really horny, to be honest,” Nora admitted. “Do you mind if I keep these for a bit? I wanna feel what really big boobs are like. Not that mine were small, it’s just that these are really, really big.”

“I don’t know why you’re asking me, but…”

“I’m asking because you’re looking pretty thirsty, and in more than one way,” Nora cockily interrupted. Blake tried to look indignant, but she couldn’t help but admit to herself that Nora was right. “Now, do you mind helping a girl out?” Nora asked in a way that was less asking and more offering. Immediately, Blake reacted, reaching out and grabbing Nora’s shorts, yanking them down and pulling them off, completely stripping Nora of her remaining clothes. Then, she spread Nora’s strong legs and moved between them, burying her face and lapping at Nora’s damp core, pulling a gasp and a moan from Nora’s lips. Nora tensed up slightly, bringing her legs in enough to put a little bit of pressure on Blake’s head, enough for Blake to appreciate the quality of the legs she was happily trapped between. One of Nora’s hands rested on top of Blake’s head as Blake worked at pleasuring Nora, while the other gently massaged a full, heavy breast. It didn’t take long for pressure and pleasure to build up in the bloated breast, and Nora quickly realised what was about to happen, even with Blake’s distraction. As a white bead began to form on Nora’s nipple, Nora leant down and brought the nipple to her mouth, locking her lips around it and beginning to suckle. The sweet taste of her own milk, combined with the relief of pressure and the building of pleasure in multiple places meant that Nora simply couldn’t help but let out moans muffled by her own breast, with the vibrations from those moans only making it feel better and better. Before too long, Nora had reached her limit. She fell back on to the bed and unlatched from her nipple, spilling a small dribble of milk onto herself as orgasmic moans poured from her lips. Blake’s tongue kept working through Nora’s orgasm, drawing it out longer and longer and building it higher and higher. Nora’s back arched as she reached the apex of her orgasm, before she flopped back down onto the bed and her moans became breathy and quiet. Picking up on Nora’s cue, mostly Nora’s legs going from nearly vice-like around Blake’s head to fully relaxed, Blake extracted herself from between Nora’s legs and crawled up onto the bed, next to the nude redhead.

“So, how was that?” Blake purred, almost caressing Nora.

“Best. Orgasm. Ever,” Nora panted, as she turned her head and bumped noses with Blake, setting off a small giggling fit for the excitable Nora.

“Glad I could help,” Blake said softly and sincerely. “I hope you don’t mind, but…” she added as she began to make a move towards Nora’s bare breasts.

“You only get one titty, I want the other,” Nora replied, scooping up one breast to offer to Blake and the other to bring back to her lips. The pair slipped into a blissful state as the pair enjoyed Nora’s milk, both moaning from the pleasure of the experience, Nora moaning more and louder than Blake. Before long, Nora had been milked dry, mostly due to Blake’s enthusiastic drinking, and the pair lay next to each other on the bed, catching their breath as they almost instinctively embraced.

“Thanks for doing this with me,” Blake whispered into Nora’s ear.

“Thanks for showing me all of this,” Nora responded. “Although, I think I’m showing a little more than you are.” The pair laughed quietly together as they hugged each other closely.

“If you enjoyed this, maybe you would be interested in a surprise I have planned for Yang,” Blake suggested. “It’s just a small thing to thank her for getting us into this, and for all the milk she’s made for us.”

“Aw, that’s super nice of you,” Nora said sweetly. “Count me in, partly for all that stuff you mentioned, but also because she’s really nice.”

“That seemed too obvious to mention,” Blake explained. “Now, about what I have planned…”

[thefinalvoid]

eyy tell us about the book you fuckin hate! i would love to hear about it!

Ok so its called atlantis grail and right off the bat it breaks 2 of my big rules when writing a story: 1 the main character is an ugh im different because i read books character (it gets so much worse too) and 2: there is a utopia world (atlantis)

The general plot of the book is that earth is about to be destroyed and the atlanteans have come back to earth (they used to live on earth but they left) to collect like 2000 15-24 year olds or something like that. So all people in that age range are put through these tests so that only The Best make it to atlantis (are you getting eugenics vibes from this? Because i am!) I remember there was a wheelchair kid but i don't remember what happened to them. They probably got rejected on account of. Wheelchair. Im not fucking joking. These kids are basically being trained to be warriors.

Warriors who can sing because all atlantean tech is song based? Shenanigans had happened and main character was about to get expelled but like as shes being brought to the office a thing falls on her and the person taking her to the office and mc SCREAMS but its like singing and she has like a special singing voice that makes her extra good? So they cant expel her??? This came out of nowhere no one in her family was a singer iirc and because all the other people with the special singing voice are dead so shes just like adored by everyone now. Fucking plot convinence powers is what she got. Its unclear if her siblings also have the special singing power. That should not be unclear. She's already got a "im better than everyone here because i read" and now she's all "im better than everyone here because i read and have special singing powers and dont care about said singing powers" like girlie shut the fuck upppp!!!!(Theres also this like. 4 sector thing that everyone is divided into. And she and her sibling are all in the same sector which isnt a crime but it is very boring because like. I wanna know what the other sectors are doing?)

Also, atlantis fucking sucks? I dont know a lot about it because i gave up on the books before i got there but apparently they have poor areas? Which is like. Ok so its not a utopia. "Um aktshually it issss those people could be rich if they tried" SHUT THE FUCK UP. what really reaaaaally gets me is that they 3d print all their meat so they dont have to kill any animals. I didnt ask if they 3d printed other foods as well because thats just. Thats just easier. I was too busy being weirded out by the notion that we should separate ourselves from the food we consume. You think you are better than a snake or a bear? You think you are better than an owl? For shame. For shame. "Not everyone eats meat" yeah yeah lol the poor people who live on the coasts eat seafood which like. Not what would happen in real life? The rich would be enamoured by the idea of eating meat straight from the source so they would force the poor people to fish and hunt for them while they fed those same poor people off brand 3d printed meat slop.

Anyway i was willing to deal with all that but the straw that broke the camels back was when she introduced a shy lesbian character who rarely spoke but then had 1 interaction with THE MAIN BULLY GIRL and said "damn she has a nice rack" and i went OH OK you dont understand shit and youre not willing to change your ideas. If you think A SHY LESBIAN would act like a dudebro in front of friends she just met, about a girl who was just an asshole to all of them. She Would Not Fucking Say That. Shut the fuck up author lady. (In essence it appears as though she thinks all attraction to women is the same, all consuming, sexual, abrasive, and wrong. Compare this to how our main character feels when she crushes on a guywhich makes her go from "ugh im better than you all" to "owo omigosh hes so hawt do u think he noticed me???" Shut the fuck up)

So yeah this is a steaming hot DO NOT RECCOMEND from me bestie :)

[woogly-boogly]

tagged by @radellama for 15 questions so here we go

1 - are you named after anyone?

no but apparently a portion of my extended family didn’t think much of it at the time and it had to grow on them

2 - when was the last time you cried?

i’d been in a weird headspace for like a week where i knew i needed to cry but couldn’t, and then i watched gotg3 and it was super emotional but i didn’t even cry during that. the a few hours later two of my housemates said something that hurt my feelings and that was the last straw so i went to my room and finally broke and then just kept crying because i kept thinking about how emotional the movie was. i’ve cried once or twice since then but can’t remember why

3 - do you have kids?

lmao

4 - do you use sarcasm a lot?

yeah but not in the way sassy teen movie characters use it. like rads said, it’s more towards extreme hyperbole. it’s a different flavour.

5 - what sports do/have you played?

swimming, tennis and soccer when i was a kid, and volleyball when i was 11-18. i miss volleyball. never basketball because i fucking hate basketball. loved space jam though.

6 - what’s the first thing you notice about people?

how they look. sometimes i see someone and go “damn his shirt is great”, other times i’ll go “woah she’s cute as hell i wish i was her”. when you work in customer service you tend to do a bit of people watching from the counter so yeah visual aesthetic

7 - eye colour?

blue

8 - scary movies or happy endings?

i haven’t seen a lot of scary movies, but they’re usually fun. the thing is there’s so many different types of movies i’ve seen that just happen to have happy endings that it’s weird to compare that to a genre. it’s kinda like asking someone to choose between jazz music or songs with a fade out ending. like… there’s no real reason to pit these against each other and it’s not balanced

9 - any special talents?

i don’t think i’m good enough at anything to call it a talent but if you asked some of my friends or family they could probably pick something out.

10 - where were you born?

australia

11 - what are your hobbies?

gaming’s been the top one since i moved out, but i do still indulge in creative stuff every now and then. drawing, music etc. but i need to get back into writing, and also video editing. that’s fun and i don’t do enough of it. also reading but the house i live in is a shit reading environment so i haven’t done that in ages.

12 - do you have any pets?

not right now. my childhood dog died in 2021 and we’ve had 2 dogs in the house i currently live in but neither of them are in the house anymore.

13 - how tall are you?

195cm

14 - favourite subject in school?

outdoor ed. i love camping and rock climbing and kayaking and all that (i just don’t do it very often) so in high school i loved the camps my outdoor ed class would take. skiing on snowy mountains, white water rafting, hiking in rocky mountains and cliffs, it was so fucking fun. made a lot of really awesome memories with a lot of guys i wouldn’t normally have spent time with otherwise. i miss those times.

15 - dream job?

it used to be author. i do still want to write and publish at least ONE book, but i want to do more than that. i want to make movies with my friends, but my thoughts on what part i’ll play in it is a lot more vague than it used to be. acting, directing, i don’t really know. as long as it’s with my friends i guess i’ll roll with it. i don’t know what i really want, but i don’t want a career path that pigeonholes me into just one creative outlet forever.

i have 2 mutuals on this app and rads is one and he tagged the other in his post so this thread ends here lmao