#and ofc nobody's messaging me either

[rlvaille]

idk why people keep their distance with me, even people i consider as friends, do i come off as weird or arrogant or awkward or just plain boring and uninteresting? why am i so unlikeable? why can't i form meaningful bonds with others? i feel like i'm always nothing more than an afterthought, like everybody has someone else they consider more important than me :((

[nicholasgoodgirl]

that was mean- nicholas

summary: nicholas was having a bad week and gave you the silent treatment.

warning: argument, crying, happy ending

a/n: i couldn't stop thinking abt this no joke. so ofc i had to write it out

from late at night till he left early this morning for work nicholas has been either quiet rude or both.

we haven't spoken to eachother or not even silents acts of love. nothing.

he cut his alarm clock off and i tried to give him a hug before he got out the bed and he pushed me off of him "not right now" he grumbled and got out of bed

when he left for work i said 'bye' to maybe break the silence shared between us, but i got no response. it was starting to get lonely. i missed my bestfriend that was also my boyfriend

i had nobody to mess with or someone to talk to about my day.

to stop these lingering thoughts i go back to bed to maybe get my mind off of things.

--

i wake up around 8 am which was later than the time i usally woke up around, but today was sorta a lazy day.

it was gloomy not much sun was shining, it rained a little here and there. it was more of a slow day for me so the extra rest was very much needed

i text my boyfriend forgetting about the whole silent treatment ordeal.

me: how's your day going so far?? :)

and to no suprise i was left on delivered and soon left on seen. i messaged him periodically throught the day; hoping that maybe he would reply

it was almost time for dinner which normally nicholas cooks cause he's just better at it, but i didn't know when he was coming home or if he would even do it, so i look up some quick easy recipes and nothing struck my fancy but the pizza recipe. cause how hard could it really be?

i put a packet of yeast into my bowl along with some flour, water, oil, and salt. i let that sit for 30 minutes then im back to cooking again.

spreading flour onto the counter and placing the dough onto it; kneading it into a circle shape. this was harder than i thought

i look around for the marinara sauce and i put it into a different bowl and add a few light seasonings.

i paste that onto the dough, then i sprinkle some alot of cheese onto the pizza and my additional toppings bell peppers, spinach, and mushrooms.

i was so proud of myself especially sense i wasnt the cook, out of me and nicholas. i was really excited for him to try what i made but again i highly doubt he would even eat the food.

i put the pizza away into the oven completely forgetting to set a timer and put on a movie while i wait.

--

a smell of burning was the first thing that woke me up. "shit shit shit" i repeat totally freaking out remembering i left the pizza in the oven.

i get a rag and ineffectivley wave smoke out the air. when i open the oven it smelled horrible. i was coughing from all the smoke that had entered my lungs.

i take the burning pizza out and throw it into the sink, and hose it down with the water.

thats when i hear the front door open and mentally face palm. "what's that smell?" he asks "i kinda burnt a pizza that i tried to make"

"of course you did" he mutters sounding unimpressed. "and the fuck you mean 'kinda' you obviously did burn a damn pizza" he gestures to the chunk of charcoal burnt pizza

"it's not like i did it on purposes or something if thats what you think" my tone sounding a bit confronting.

"It's smells fucking horrible so open a damn window first off" he took a step closer raising his voice.

"you don't pay for shit so i don't understand why you almost had this place in flames secondly. then you also wanna blow up my phone while im working for crying out loud what do you want from me!" he yelled directly in my face

and im sure he knows by now i hate being yelled at. it's something my parents did and overall doesn't solve anything

i just take it, i didn't wanna fight so i go over to the nearest window and crack it open so the smoke clears.

my eyes watered from all the harsh words he could dish out but not the equal amount of attention "well.. you are- when i was.. ugh s'not my fault" i couldn't get a full sentence out. i felt so belittled in this moment

"im going to bed i don't have time for your stupid ass shit" those words hurt more than he thinks.

he had the most patience for me, always making time for us and now he doesnt.

"that's so mean.. you're being so mean" i wipe some tears that had fallen. i turned away from him silently crying.

the peices of my hair stuck to my tear-soaked cheeks. "wait- I'm sorry please don't cry" nicholas' voice was filled with regret.

i lazily push him away from me but he doesn't budge. his arms wrap around me bringing me into his familiar embrace. "I'm so sorry for being an asshole. I've been having a long shitty week and i know thats not an excuse so you don't even have to forgive me."

"you're everything to me. i swear i didn't mean it." he adds

the unforgettable cruel words he'd said to me earlier shoved ontop of his sweet loving words made me cry more.

i let him hold my trembling body as sobs tore through my chest, each inhale was ragged and uneven.

my hands clutched the material of his shirt "im so sorry sweetheart i never wanna make you cry" he explains in such a low voice, giving my hair strokes in attempt to calm me.

my face still burried into his neck tears now starting to dry away, and my breathing starting to even out. he carried me over to the couch and placed me in his lap

i was drained from all the crying, the tense feeling in my body beginning to melt away when i really started to feel nicholas' touch. my eyes drooped again this time staying shut for longer.

i was too tired to resist the sleep that had tooken over. and being cradled in his arms didn't help.

"I'll order pizza for the both of us alright?" he took me off of his lap and placed me on our couch. then lays one of our throw blankets ontop of me. "can we talk in the mornin'?" is the last thing i remember asking before dozing off.

a/n: can yall tell idk how to make pizza

[fanon-canon-idfk]

BRO PLS UR POLY SKK I NEED

Using this as an excuse to ramble abt it more in the form of scenarios!!

Cuddling at night:

Dazai is the triple little spoon

The order goes you, Chuuya, then Dazai

Chuuya’s back against your chest as you spoon him all the while you’re both simultaneously spooning Dazai

Occasionally you switch it up and Chuuya still likes to be in the middle then

Dazai and you playing rock paper scissors for who gets to hug his waist

Dazai usually unfortunately wins….

It’s ok bc the way Chuuya plays with both of your hair as you lay on his chest and Dazai lays on his stomach is heavenly

Lap sitting

Dazai is a lap sitter yall

Chuuya won’t be thinking abt it as you’re all sat on the couch until Dazai comes back from the kitchen and sits right on one of your thighs,

Knowing well why he left your other thigh free

Chuuya was nervous the first time he did so he really just begrudgingly scooted closer slowly until you helped ease him onto your lap

But now when he sees it he just chuckles and scoffs before sitting right on your leftover thigh

Dazai also likes Chuuya’s lap a lot

He has really muscular thighs it’s the perfect chair

Imagine him forcing both of you to put one of each of your legs together so he can sit on both

He’s spoiled like that

Kissing

Chuuya is a slow and sensual kinda guy

Meanwhile Dazai lives to be sultry and teasing with his kisses

Chuuya and Dazai ofc make it a competition to see whose kisses you crave more

They tally down how many times you lean back in after they part a kiss or how many times you initiate a kiss first

That’s when they both realized it was a tie by the end of the day

Then they end up bickering

And making out afterwards

Working together

If you’re in the port mafia

Dazai sneaks in (by sneak I mean cockily waltz right in) and comes to bother both of you in either of your offices

You’ll come to talk to Chuuya and the second you open the door be met with them kissing with Dazai in Chuuya’s lap

Now, if you’re in the ADA

Chuuya brings you both lunch to work

Nobody stops him ofc they know better

Dazai will send him photos and videos of you both in the office or cafe together in your group chat

These messages vary from him using funny filters on your face as you work to you two kissing (with Kunikida watching in disgust)

Going out

Not even just dates

You guys get up to enough trouble just being at the grocery store

Within 10 minutes you and Chuuya lose Dazai and have to play Marco Polo to figure out which isle he’s in

Dazai stuffs a million meaningless things into the cart and Chuuya puts them back right after

They bicker about it in the middle of the store

You’re just trying to push the cart but have to be stopped by their shenanigans

It is a very challenging process

Now as for dates

Dazai is so open to PDA

Chuuya is blushing in pure embarrassment as Dazai clings onto him (nothing outside his boundaries however!!)

If you’re ok with it then it’s you and Dazai making out or kissing both sides of Chuuya’s face in a restaurant as his face heats up

ALL RIGHT IM OUT OF SCENARIOS GIVE ME MORE IF YOU HAVE ANY!!! I LOVE BEING IN A POLY RELATIONSHIP WITH SKK!!!!

[transmascaraa]

hi! i would like to request baizhu and tighnari (and anyone else you’d like) hc about reader having eating habits that i guess would be considered unhealthy (not in ed sense, like it just kind of happens like just not being hungry for a long time), if you don’t then it’s okay, you can ignore this!

multiple characters headcannons!

unhealthy eating habits.

characters: tighnari, baizhu, kaveh x gn!reader

author's note: was about to do just those 2 but kaveh popped up in my head so take it as a bonus lmfao i hope you enjoyy (i'm doing something as reader sometimes literally eats like crazy while other times they don't eat at all so yeah)

✿ Tighnari

-he's very understanding

-he will literally do his best to help you but at the same time he would understand sometimes that you can't really do as he tells you

-at times when you eat a bit too much for your own good, he reminds you in pretty much a loving way and tries to distract you from the food

-while at the times when you don't eat for a pretty long time, he gets very worried and tries to motivate you to eat something.

-either way, you'll end up getting scolded by him if you don't listen

-"it's for your own good" he promises.

-it's true tho

-he doesn't want you to get an actual ed or something ofc he js cares about you

-will try every single type of medication to help you once again

-very caring, very understanding, will definitely scold you (lovingly)

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

✷ Baizhu

-he's so underrated imo wish me luck on writing him in character and hopefully not ooc lol

-VERY caring

-probably the best option along with tighnari

-he will worry a lot but will definitely help you

-binge eating? distractions and potions/pills to stop you from gaining too much weight

-not eating at all? motivation, choking on his "tasty" food on purpose— then asking if you want some, and trying to get you to eat by sending you random ahh gifs of food like:

-i mean it has helped you sometimes

-but if it doesn't work then he will ask his snake to motivate you in some unknown way(it has worked a few times but nobody knows her tactic)

-i hc him sending those cringy boomer gifs as reaction pics lmfao help

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

✧ Kaveh

-ABSOLUTELY worrying about your health 24/7

-he has to construct some very complex building due in 3 hours? that will not stop him.

-he will worry TRIPLE for you

-if you eat too much he will ask you to share some food, take some, and then take the whole bag saying "no more for you."

-and if you don't eat at all hes gonna keep asking you if you want some of the food he's eating, to the point where he will ask 75738 times just for you to say "fine." no matter how annoyed you get.

-he WILL share his food with you if it makes you feel better

-he will send you random messages throughout the day, especially when he's not there, like:

-"what's your current relationship with food?"

-oh and ofc he will ask alhaitham and tighnari for advice with whatever you're dealing with

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

nice

not bad tbh

i loved writing this one but especially for baizhu and kaveh lmfao i hope y'all like it as much

| @mariaace <3

[c0la-queen]

I absolutely LOVE your writing, it's so nice to see eddsworld content especially this good <33 can I request Tord with a very shy partner? No pressure ofc, take your time!

Thank you!!! My neurons were absolutely firing with this piece, for realsies. It may not be exaactly what you envisioned? And I was trying not to make the Reader be the stereotypical "uwu im so shy sowwy" kind of shy? You know what I mean? Either way, I hope you enjoy, and if its not quite what you wanted, PLEASE feel free to send me an inbox message letting me know !!!

Run, Rabbit, Run. | Tord x Shy! Reader

Warnings: Mostly Tord's POV, not the fluffiest? it has a happy ending, but Tord is naturally a kind of fucked-up person.

---

Tord had a problem.

He doesn't have problems often, and certainly not problems he can't solve.

It wasn't every day that he wanted to be around someone - craved it. He acted like he only tolerated his roommates, kept the truth locked away under thick layers of steel.

But you. He sought you out, needed you like it ached. Your presence.

You, however, ran from him. Every time. Fled like a rabbit that had caught a glimpse of the stalking wolf. Scurried back to your burrow, safe and protected by densely packed earth. Where he could not reach you. It grinded at his patience, made him clench his jaw hard enough to crack a tooth. He walked into a room, you found an excuse to walk out. It was a constant among the chaos and unpredictability of their house.

The one thing that he needed like a dying man, and he couldn't have it. You wouldn't give it to him.

A problem.

He was going to fix this problem, if it meant the death of him.

And who was he but a stubborn man?

--

His opportunity came during a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The other three were all out, running errands and such. You were still home. Doing laundry, from the sound of it. He wasn't surprised, you liked to use Sunday as the day to do your household chores, reset for the coming week - not that he had been paying attention to your habits. No. Just coincidence.

From the garage, he could hear you. The wall that his workbench sat against was one that was shared with the laundry room, so it wasn't difficult. If he sat still, focused enough, he could practically imagine it. You, in your crop t-shirt and little sleep shorts that you always wore when you did laundry. Hair pushed out of your face. Dancing along to the music that he could hear playing from your phone - doing those silly, awkward dance moves that you did when you thought nobody was looking.

He wanted to be there. It was selfish, he knew. But that little undamaged piece of him sitting in his chest longed to join you. Insert himself into the little life that you had carved out for yourself in their house. Slot his own being so nicely beside your peace and quiet. You were so… unlike him. You were soft, sweet. Like the skolebrød of his childhood. You were vanilla and sugar. Unmarred by anything horrible in the world. That self-centered part of him wanted to take. To clamp his jaws down around your hind legs and sink his teeth in when you tried to escape.

Tord was moving before he even realized it.

You had moved out of the laundry room. Your music faded as you walked further into the house. If he remembered correctly (That phrase tasted bittersweet on his tongue. As much as he craved you, he didn't want to admit how actively he was chasing you. A wolf that resented the rabbit.) you would set about doing the dishes after depositing your empty laundry basket in your bedroom.

His mouth was dry. So he moved to the kitchen. To get water. (That's what he would tell you. That's what he would tell anybody who asked.)

The switch from the garage to the house was always jarring to the senses. The garage was cold, unprotected from the autumn chill. But the house was warm. Welcoming. Safe. (You were inside.) It was like sitting under a hot shower after catching hypothermia.

He stopped in the doorway.

There you were. In the kitchen. Dishwasher open. Your smartwatch was discarded on the kitchen table alongside your phone and water bottle. Music was still playing from the device's speakers. You were, just as he guessed, wearing your crop tee and shorts. (The collar was hanging low on one of your shoulders, bearing the skin to his vision. His hands itched.) You hadn't noticed him yet. Little rabbit unaware of the danger that lurks in the forest underbrush.

It was something beautiful watching you in your own little world. In public, you were so small. Reserved. Put a cork on your personality so that nobody could truly see who you were. To you, it felt like security. If nobody had access to your identity, then nobody could take it away. Nobody could judge you. Even home, with the boys, you were less than yourself. Not to the same degree, but still limited. They didn't take offense to it, they knew it wasn't you distrusting them. It's just how you were. But here, when you thought you were alone? The cork was removed and he loved to watch the bottle overflow.

You spun on your heel and nearly dropped the bowls in your hand from how hard you flinched at the sight of him. He could see the way that you drew in to yourself, made yourself smaller.

"Oh, um, hey. Tord. I didn't… realize you were home."

There was something tight in his chest at the way you looked so nervous. You shifted in your spot, looked anywhere but at him. He wanted you to look at him.

"I am."

You only answered with a soft 'oh' before turning back to the dishwasher. He remained still, watching. Clearly, you were looking for a way out, a chance to flee. Something he wasn't going to let happen.

"I should probably-"

"You keep avoiding me."

Your head shot up, looking up at him with wide, pretty eyes. He dug his fingernails into his palms.

"What? No, no I haven't- I haven't been-"

"Do not lie to me."

It was cruel, yes, but it gave him the desired effect. You clammed up immediately. Shoulders slumped. Gave him just a little inch, but that was all he needed to take a mile. He stepped closer. You stepped back.

A snarling, drooling, hungry wolf, closing in on its prey.

Your back hit the counter. He stepped forward again.

A trembling little rabbit, cornered with nowhere to go.

He stopped a foot away from you.

"I have tolerated this for months. For months I have watched you run from the sight of me alone. As if the very idea of being in the same room as me is too much for you to bear. Do you even have any idea what you do to me? Do you know how it kills me?"

He could feel the way that you tensed up. A spike of anger stuck into his chest, burning hot. You weren't looking at him. You were looking at your shoes again. He forced his words out of his throat in the form of a growl.

"For fuck's sake, look at me. Look at- Look. At. Me."

Frustration boiled over, bubbling and spilling over the sides of the pot and he wasn't able to put the lid on it fast enough. He reached up and grabbed your jaw, holding it firmly between his index and thumb. Forced your eyes to focus on him. Only him.

A sick part of him preened at the little gasp that came out of your throat.

But you kept your eyes on him. Good girl.

"Tell me why you have been avoiding me."

His voice was softer now. He hated how much pain he could hear in it. How it trembled. He had hoped you wouldn't notice. But you did. Your mouth opened. Then closed. You swallowed thickly. Then you spoke.

"I thought…. thought you didn't like me."

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Him? Not like you? How could you think that? He could only hate you as much as a hunter hates Mother Earth for blessing him with food.

"You just… always seem so.. annoyed at me whenever I try to talk to you. And you never really… really talk back.. Just kinda… give short answers. I thought you found me annoying. I didn't want to keep annoying you. So I just… just backed off…."

He took a moment to process that. Let it all sink in.

He couldn't help it.

Tord began to laugh.

Through his laughter, he noticed you pout, heard a soft whine leave you. A groan ripped through his laugh at the sight. As if his body was working on autopilot, he surged forward. Pressed his lips to yours. He felt your gasp against his lips, then felt your melt into the kiss. You kissed back.

When his oxygen began to run short, he pulled away. Not too far, though. Kept his forehead pressed flush to yours. Took in the sight of you. You, panting softly, lips swollen from the kiss. Looking up at him through your pretty eyelashes.

"I have never hated you, kjære. I am… aloof. I have a resting bitch face. You are not the first person I have unnerved. But.. you are the first that I have wanted to be close to. If you would have me."

Courtesy. Formality. Tord was a stubborn man, and when he managed to get a taste of blood, he clamped his jaws down tight and didn't let go.

And this rabbit laid down in his teeth willingly.

You smiled.

"I'd like that. Yeah."

[abacus-jpg]

Anyone else not understand why people are moving to cara. Like I understand it’s because ai and shit,, but like. What confuses me is as long as your art is on the internet, aslong as you chose to post your art online anywhere, doesn’t matter where, it is prone to being stolen by ai. To me ai is nothing more then when people trace your art and call it their own. Ofc I don’t want people to do it, but ultimately that will not stop them. I do have a cara account, I was the first to claim abacus. When I tried posting there a few times I’ve been met with an error message, alongside that the app is really buggy and slow. I don’t see why people feel the need to come up with new apps to post art on when you could just use tumblr, but then the argument with tumblr is that there’s no engagement. But if we all flock to tumblr like people are flocking to cara then I don’t see why engagement would be such a big issue. Even then, if engagement is your main concern with your art I feel like you should reevaluate why you are pursuing art in the first place. I had this struggle ages ago where I didn’t feel my art was worth anything because I couldn’t cap 10 likes. But I realized, my art is for me. I’m the one that should be enjoying it, and my reason for posting now is for other people to enjoy it, so if they don’t,, I really don’t care all the much. I understand it is really detouring to post ocs and to have zero engagement, but that’s just the way art is. Unless you are producing fanart consistently of shit that is made into content farms, I really don’t see how you can garner a following just doing ocs. That’s why, doing art for your own sake is more important than trying to please everyone. I can guarantee there’s atleast one stranger on the internet that will fw your stuff the way you want. And the more you post, the more the number will grow. Most of the time it’s gradual, but one goes to two, two goes to three. And maybe you’ll only get one or two. But the important thing is, there’s someone. If you feel like you have no one, remember your art is for yourself. You’ll always have one, even if that is yourself. This might all seem contradictive. But trust, only you matter when it comes to your own artwork.

This “speech”, if you can call it that, isn’t to deter people from drawing and posting their ocs. This is just to say, engagement shouldn’t matter. As long as you’re happy, that’s all the matters. Post and draw what you want aslong as it’s not straight ripping from someone else. Idc.

This whole thing was supposed to be abt Cara but it turned into a uhh,, Ted talk of sorts. I’m not saying people shouldn’t use cara, if it works for them then by all means go for it. But personally I will not be making it my main form of social media. In my opinion, it’ll be like that other art app people were using for a week before they forgot abt it, I forget the name of it but I remember the interface was a light pink, similar to Instagram,, but somehow worse.

IM GONNA SPECIFY THAT I DONT CONDONE AI STEALING PEOPLES ART EITHER,, just putting that out there because some people have a way of misunderstanding or misinterpretating things. Which is okay!! Because some people genuinely get confused and that’s alright. But like please don’t use so first handedly. With that being said, I’m just a nobody on the internet so why would you listen to me,, you won’t. But i uhh,, am gonna put that there anyways

Thanks if you read allat,, idk why you would but that’s anyways I guess😭😭😭

[ultimateyapper]

anyway, here's wonderwall. | chapter one

[ chapter 2 ]

were you truly mentally prepared for what would unfold in hotarubi? it couldn't be any worse than having a gun to your head right? despite the late hour, it's nearly impossible to get what taiga said out of your mind.

there's a mole.

but why would there be a mole at darkwick? who would it be? someone you know? a friend? how does taiga even know this?

there's officially too much on your mind to get any sleep.

yawning, you turn over to pull your phone off the charger. it was cute with an adapter shaped like a cat paw. the smile kaito wore as he handed it to you was full of pride. he said he got it "just because". it was clearly a lie after luca suggested it was consolation for skipping out on training but it's funny remembering how red he got afterwards. it was a sweet gesture but how does he expect to pay off his debt if he keeps buying things "just because".

the screen lights up and after blinking away tears from the initial brightness you read the time. ten minutes after midnight. maybe there's something interesting on wickchat? there wasn't a lot of time to check during the last mission.

eventually you make it to your messages. only a select few people are active due to the late hour and kaito is one of them. you can see him typing in your group chat. the one he made after the mission in frostheim. you temporarily left the chat while talking with taiga. although, in all honesty, trying not to get killed by taiga would fit better. you had texted him more than 10 minutes before you came to his room. yet still a gun was pointed to your head for the third (maybe fourth, you were losing track) time that week.

with complete and utter seriousness he claimed he "didn't know any honor student".

how many times did he expect you to introduce yourself exactly? you considered being a smartass and just saying a fake name. instead you decided to move, slowly so you didn't set him off, and show the texts.

suddenly the blonde started spamming the group chat in all caps, lighting up your phone with vibration after vibration. something about getting his point across to that dumbass, who you're assuming is probably luca. in hindsight, you could've just turned notifs off but when taiga was clearly starting to get pissed off you went with the quickest option. upsetting the guy with a machine gun for a special artifact isn't exactly at the top of your to-do list.

( #1 peekaboo fan )

im surprised to see luca up this late

the conversation comes to an abrupt halt. three dots circle at the bottom of your screen followed by a cat emote waving hi.

( kaito ✮ )

hiii : D

i added you back earlier btw i dunno why you left but it was probably an accident right??

wait sorry did i wake u up

mb 💔💔

( Lucas Errant )

I suppose it is a bit strange, yes? My conversation with Kaito must have made me lose track of time haha

( #1 peekaboo fan )

yeah you're usually knocked out lol and dw kaito i was already awake : )

( kaito ✮ )

ohh ok lol

i can't sleep either

( Lucas Errant )

You can't? I thought you said you were going to sleep because I was boring you.

( #1 peekaboo fan )

lmao

( kaito ✮ )

bro you were talking about fun facts and shi

ofc i was nodding off

( Lucas Errant )

My apologies. I assumed because of your life at home you'd be interested in it.

( kaito ✮ )

no not really

( #1 peekaboo fan )

wdym?

( kaito ✮ )

he was telling me about farm life as if i didn't get enough of that at home

( #1 peekaboo fan )

wait you grew up on a farm!?

( Lucas Errant )

I'm really interested in the culture. In the U.K I took horseback riding lessons but I've never seen any other farm animals in person.

( #1 peekaboo fan )

ooo that does sound fun

pigs are really cute

( kaito ✮ )

bruh

you would take horseback riding lessons

( #1 peekaboo fan )

you didn't like it there?

( kaito ✮ )

i mean... i liked being able to help my grams.

she's older so she needs that support

but in any other scenario??

nobody is getting that muddy for free

like you won't say that when you have a bull sprinting at you full speed

( #1 peekaboo )

this visual... 💀

( kaito ✮ )

bro 😭

( #1 peekaboo fan )

nah but fr

luca if ur interested you should volunteer at jabberwock

it's not the same but it's close

haru could use the extra help

( Lucas Errant )

Working with anamolous creatures would be an interesting learning experience. I'm not familiar so one day if you're free?

( kaito ✮ )

wait

( #1 peekaboo fan )

YESS

i'll show you everything i know ^_^

( kaito ✮ )

just the two of you?

( Lucas Errant )

I'm glad! I'll be available tomorrow during advisory. We have the same class right?

( #1 peekaboo fan )

yeah I'll meet u and we can go from there!

it's a date :3

( kaito ✮ )

WHAT

( #1 peekaboo fan )

u coming with?

( kaito ✮ )

yeah I'll come

( Lucas Errant )

I do worry if this is suited for you Kaito, but if you feel up to it I won't stop you.

( #1 peekaboo fan )

yea u don't like getting dirty right? you don't have to if you don't wanna

( kaito ✮ )

no it's fine i'll just try not to get anything on my uniform and

...keep an eye on him

( #1 peekaboo fan )

what

( kaito ✮ )

nothing.

( #1 peekaboo fan )

right so

see y'all tomorrow

im gonna go to bed

( Lucas Errant )

Yes, me as well. I wish both of you a good night's rest.

( #1 peekaboo fan )

seriously get sleep kai or im going to get you

( kaito ✮ )

promise? 😳

JK JK

gn

an emote of a cat waving goodbye signifies the end of the conversation. that's that you suppose. haru wouldn't mind right? he did really need the help. he's impressively good at what he does but you can't help but feel that he overexerts himself. maybe before you go you should text him to—

"meoww!!"

you nearly jump out of your skin. below you a soft yet prickly sensation is revealed to be a cat, pawing at your leg. the cute little thing is an orange cat with light spots along it's body and tail. as soon as your attention is fully away from your phone it jumps on your leg making you laugh.

it makes no complaints as you scoop it into your arms and cradle it close. it's a bit surprising to see one of the campus cats being so cuddly. they're friendly but very independent as chancellor cornelius had said. most of them don't linger for long, always busy with something else. this one is is a bit smaller though so maybe it was still new to the school.

the vibrant orange of it's coat of fur is reminiscent of the cat who fixed your window. where did that one go off too?

you finally lay down for the night. the warmth from your new companion lulling you to sleep as he settled on top of your chest.

in the morning you'd call haru to let him know you'd found some extra help.

[julietasgf]

Vicó hi! I was wondering if you have any fun ideas for Vesta/Strabo fics that you would like to write in the future (mostly so I can cheer you on and obsess over the ideas until I read the fics… no pressure no pressure just LOVE your writing)! Also Strabo and Vesta fashion hcs?

(ALSO have you seen the Hunger Games x Shein collab? Idk if it’s real but I saw something about it and if it’s real………… smh)

hiiiii grace!! omg first thank you so so so much for the ask, and ty for giving me the chance to ramble abt them 🥹💖 but before getting into it, let me already talk about the hunger games x shein collab:

I saw it from a screenshot a friend sent me on message, and oh my god......... the way I didn't believe it at first but then I searched it to see and indeed it's real (bc indeed there's a page of these products on the shein website, unless it's someone who took an april's fool joke really far)...... I really don't have words because like. I'm in a fandom, and I'm not against thg merch itself, but this is so deeply distasteful (specially when it's a SHEIN collab. SHEIN, OF ALL POSSIBLE COMPANIES). one of the t-shirts having the symbol of the panem flag, and other one having a symbol of D12??? it really doesn't sit well with me AT ALL :/ it honestly has the same energy of coleen hoover publishing a coloring book for her book abt domestic violence

but going to more happy things so I can giggle and kick my legs 🥹

omg abt the vesta/strabo ideas, first tysmmmmmmm srsly I'm so happy you enjoy my writing 🥹🥹🥹 IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY, and okay, here are some silly ideas I thought recently:

I was talking to ika about how vesta is 100% the type of girl that would try to pick the biggest loser in her school to try to make a miracle, like in the "she's all that" movie from 1999, so the thought of vesta randomly (tho not really randomly, but more bc of some specific reason) choosing this weird guy with a bad reputation to make him look better but then oh no! actually why is he kinda cute and why does he now behave with her like a lost puppy....

ngl I want so bad to work with them in a modern au 🚬 not necessarily in our current era, but maybe in the 90s or 80s, because I just think it would be so fun! I just don't have a specific plot in mind yet

I definitely want to write more abt victor!vesta and victor!strabo in the future because they are something else and I love their codependency in this (also them being very much unstable but unstable with EACH OTHER? holding EACH OTHER? yes yes)

I desperately need to write something abt them dancing one day because it's my fav hc

longggg ago I had an idea for a silly au I nicknamed academy au, where basically, these adult characters were teens studying at the academy just because. and tho the real reason i thought abt this au was so strabo could punch crassus, I have some thoughts abt them in this as well (or else, nobody having the courage to bully vesta bc she basically has a guard dog as a boyfriend)

now, for the fashion, I'm going for a bit of a modern take and I already apologize bc I'm so bad at describing fashion, but starting with vesta:

I always imagine vesta to be very girly in her outfits, so she's always going for dresses (not long ones tho, I don't think she would be a fan of these, that woman is the #1 enemy of maxi skirts) and stuff that feel very dreamy, yk? at the same time I feel like she would wear a lot of neutral colors + warm ones (and since I'm better at showing than describing, I searched for some pics on pinterest that fit what I think she would wear)

also ofc she's always either wearing boots or then these CLASSICS:

strabo to me is very simple on the way he dresses, like, he puts jeans, a coat and call it a day 😭 personally I hc that before adulthood he didn't care or mind in the way he dressed (stuff changed when he came to the conclusion that clothes = public image and perception of himself), so young strabo to me was like. WHATEVER. the energy he was bringing to the table was vintage coats, flannels and work boots

tho as he grew older I think he would still keep the earthy tones, but go for more fancy stuff and heavier/longer coats. also tons of sweaters as well, but mostly when he's at home.

[cozymochi]

There's always time Cozy!!!

You're doing so well already, and your work and little posts mean a lot to us!! I know it doesn't always seem like it, but there are people who might consider hearing about your day or seeing your art as little drops of joy

So... maybe it's not a lot, but it means a lot to someone, somewhere

Lots of affection (/platonic) from this little anon

then hear about my week.

today i went out and instead of spending 55 bucks on meager groceries i spent 35 on meager groceries because the majority of what i got was “buy one get one free” — not much of a ratio and still expensive but 20 bucks less is 20 bucks less i suppose

but this came after i bought a humidifier only for it to show up like it sustained a freaking bullet wound either during or before shipping but nobody gave a shit. It’s muskrats America so maybe my humidifier DID get shot. it’s cheaper to just crack a window for some humidity in my room. Refund imminent.

two days ago i finished my last art trade from that follower raffle i did (i know i never posted the art i did receive- its not my style but i loved all of them, but tbf most of my recipients didn’t either so i suppose it balances out)

today i finished 75% of my emergency comms from days ago. there’s only one left. after that i’ll finally have a clear plate for the first time in months

i was sick most of the week with a cold (at least i think it was)

still doing the twst oc outfit art meme. tho im slowing down on purpose since im pretty confident that the only person who even likes the challenge is me. Pretty sure all the askers are only doing it out of pity anyhow since im not giving gen art. It’s not nearly as in demand as like…that old wardrobe art meme with all the fake cards and to think…

those are basically obsolete since ⚠️the game started room relaxation on jp and i realized how off base i truly was 👌👍 good thing i never finished. But i was tired of making thankless stuff anyway.

i cleared out my inbox yesterday cuz i knew i would never get back to anything (mainly ask memes i failed completing)

so now instead of 150+ unanswered messages its now a more humble 100 unanswered messages (mind half of that is just my own personal archived bs from like 2017)

Speaking of thankless, there was still drawing other peoples yuu requests in there from 2023. Pretty sure all those askers dont even like twst anymore and the majority of ones i did do never touched my work again. Always makes a homie remember that one is only useful to others so long as you can give them free stuff 👍

the only art that gives me joy is the stuff that i never post.

book 7 makes me frown now but not for the reasons people might automatically jump to but i already vowed never to voice mundane takes or reflections again because [redacted] [noun_error_notfound?] are [adjective_error_notfound(?)] if anyone says anything innocuous

I made tikka masala today.

world bad and i wanna get off of it

i stream drawing art in a discord server with one single other person in it and they are forced to listen to sonic game OSTs until they memorize the games they come from

art bad im never gonna be as good as the ones that sometimes manage to cross my purposely dead dashboard cuz i simply have no sense and have a “just making sure i dont fit in” complex where i dont wanna draw whatever is trendy

i did not put this under read more

i watched a bunch of bratz movies and episodes yesterday and i did not know they made some new mini-series continuation of their main continuity 😭 (apparently it was tiktok exclusive so ofc i didnt know. i dont use that.) so that gave me some joy.

speaking of toktik i was informed that someone apparently reposted my malleus and silver animatic up there >:(

i get a.i references when asked to draw stuff now i and dont like it because a.i but also because i cant read the images well as a result.

maybe people shouldn’t do that, idk.

And i didnt draw for myself today. That was my week.

[dystopicjumpsuit]

Stars Beyond Number - Chapter 12

Prayers to Broken Stone

Rating: M - Minors DNI

Pairings: Echo x Riyo Chuchi; Gregor x OFC Cerra Kilian

Wordcount: 4k

Warnings and tags: lots of fluff; tiny bit of angst; borderline SMUT but mostly just suggestive; a gross situation involving rotten fish; two idiots refusing to acknowledge the truth

Suggested Listening:

Summary: Rex and Echo receive some intel from the Batch; the scouting team returns from Raada; Gregor and Cerra go on a supply run.

A/N: This story shares continuity with Martyrs and Kings and "Do It Again," but all three fics can be read as stand-alones.

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Lips that would kiss form prayers to broken stone.

—T. S. Eliot, “The Hollow Men”

Rex sat alone on the sofa, staring at a datafile on the holoprojector as Echo entered the garage hours later. Cerra was nowhere to be found.

“You see this?” Rex asked.

Echo moved closer and peered at the hologram. “No. What is it?”

“Came in from Tech while you were away.”

Echo checked his comlink and saw that there was indeed a message from Tech. “What’s it about?”

“Seems they had a run-in with the same type of creature that attacked Coruscant early in the war. The empire is,” Rex hesitated before continuing. “... cloning them.”

“What?” Echo asked, incredulous. “What does the Empire want with that thing?”

“Hard to say. That’s why Tech sent it to us—to find out.”

Echo grunted quietly in acknowledgment, staring at the hologram. “Where do we even start?”

“With this file,” Rex said. “I think it’s best to keep this between us until we know more.”

Echo glanced at him in surprise. “You don’t want to tell the rest of the team?”

“Nothing to tell. Yet.”

Echo waited a moment, uncomfortable with the idea of withholding intel from the rest of the team. When Rex showed no sign of continuing, he asked, “And when we do have something to tell?”

“Then we’ll cross that bridge,” Rex replied with finality.

He and Echo reviewed the extensive data that Tech had been able to retrieve, but it was clear that it would take a significant amount of time to analyze it all. They poked at it for a few hours, until a soft sound emanated from inside the barracks. Rex closed the datafile abruptly as the barracks door slid open and Cerra emerged, looking groggy and disheveled, sheet marks crisscrossing her face.

She mumbled an incoherent greeting and headed straight to the refresher. Echo glanced between her and Rex, wondering exactly what the captain was playing at with this secrecy. It didn’t sit well with Echo; he’d grown accustomed to the more open dynamic of the Batch, where intel was freely shared, and every member had a say in the final decision. Still, he was sure Rex had his reasons—even if keeping intel from teammates did remind him uncomfortably of his time in the GAR, when he simply followed orders and hoped that those in command knew what they were doing.

It wasn’t the first time Rex had withheld information from the larger group, Echo mused, recalling their earlier conversation about the rumored secret intelligence network. Rex had mentioned Admiral Yularen, and based on Cerra’s reaction to the name, Echo knew there was a story there. He wondered if she would ever feel comfortable sharing it with him. 

“I don’t know what the Empire is even doing as far out as Raada, but it’s nothing good,” Fireball said.

“It’s remote even by Outer Rim standards,” Gregor added. “Sort of place where nobody goes unless they’re either hiding or out of other options. Hardly any population.” 

“Tell me what you found,” Rex said.

“There’s an Imperial base there, all right,” Gregor said. “Big. Secure. Bit of overkill, if you ask me.”

“I couldn’t even contact Nemec,” Fireball said. “Comms were jammed.”

“They’re still setting up the base,” Gregor said. “That’s our ticket in. Only saw half as many troops as I’d expect for a base of that size.”

“So what, we stow away on a transport ship?” Echo asked. “I don’t know about you, but my armor might stand out a bit.”

“Cerra can work around it,” Gregor said confidently. “She’ll find us some of that junk stormtrooper armor. All we have to do is sneak into the Imperial military headquarters and get onto one of those transports.”

“Is that all?” Fireball asked drily. “While we’re dreaming, can I get a large Blue Milkshake and legal personhood?”

Cerra’s eyes crinkled and she nudged Fireball, shooting him a tiny, amused smirk. He held up his fist, and she bumped hers against it as Rex looked on with a markedly unamused expression.

“It would be easier for just one person to infil HQ,” Echo said. “We could send a team with a ship to Raada to stand by, and our man on the inside will smuggle Nemec out of the base and rendezvous at predetermined coordinates.”

“I’ll go,” Fireball said immediately. “He’s my brother.”

Rex shook his head. “My intel says they’re scanning the identifying number of every clone trooper before they board the transports. Every one of us is either presumed dead or wanted by the Empire. We’d be executed on the spot. It will have to be a nat-born.”

“Agreed,” Cerra said. “Echo, do you think you could slice into the Imperial database and plant fake orders? Every base needs a supply officer.”

“You can’t be serious,” Gregor objected. “After what happened at 79’s?”

“Rex is right. It has to be a nat-born,” Cerra said.

“Then send Rafa!” Gregor said. “Or one of Chuchi’s guards.”

“Not a lot of Pantorans in the Imperial army,” Echo said.

“It needs to be someone familiar with military protocol,” Rex added. “Rafa would get arrested before she ever made it through HQ security.”

“It has to be me, Gregor,” Cerra said quietly.

“I don’t like it,” Gregor growled.

“You don’t have to like it,” Rex said. “It’s not your call to make.”

“It’s not yours, either,” Gregor retorted.

“It’s my call, and I’m doing it,” Cerra said firmly.

As it turned out, they had more than a week to plan the mission, which felt unfathomably luxurious. While Rex waited for his contact to confirm the schedule, he, Echo, and Fireball went to investigate a lead on a possible ship for the Balmorra mission. In the meantime, Cerra had a secret weapon to coax Gregor out of his sullen mood: a grocery run, his absolute favorite kind of mission.

Coruscant was a planet of many wonders. Home to trillions of beings, it was a vibrant hub of culture, and where there was culture, there was food. In the galactic capital, one could find any kind of food imaginable, and Gregor had a vivid imagination. Cerra would have been happy enough with whatever bland ration bars she could find in CoCo Town, but Gregor had eaten enough industrial food to last him for a lifetime, and now that he had the freedom to eat whatever he wanted, he refused to settle for rations unless it was an actual emergency—and even then, it was subject to debate.

To find the sorts of ingredients he required, he and Cerra had to venture to the upper levels, to one of Coruscant’s vast, sprawling open-air markets. There, vendors from across the galaxy offered up a dazzling array of wares: everything from fresh produce, meat, and fish, to baked goods and confectionery, to hand-made soaps and candles, to antiques and artwork, to an entire market district dedicated exclusively to cut flowers. 

During the war, Gregor had heard about the market but never been allowed inside. The first time he’d visited, he could hardly believe such a thing existed in the same galaxy as Abafar. The opulence and abundance of the market contrasted starkly with the impoverished, hardscrabble planet where he’d spent so many months with no memories or identity. He’d learned to cook from Borkus, and he once told Cerra that as far as he was concerned, that was the only good thing that had ever happened on that Maker-forsaken rock.

Now, as he wandered through the market with Cerra’s fingers laced between his own, he made no attempt to disguise his wonder and delight at the bustling, colorful surroundings. The heady scents of roasting peppers, fried food, pungent spices, and hot sugar permeated the air, making his stomach rumble.

“We should get a snack first,” he said.

“Yes, please!” Cerra agreed. “Otherwise, I’ll just buy everything in the market.”

They found a food stall that sold griddled ronto wrappers stuffed with traladon cheese and a variety of meat and vegetable fillings. The cheese was melty and stringy; and the flatbread was crispy and a little greasy; and on the whole, it was absolutely delicious. They ate as they walked, taking in all of the sights, smells, and sounds of the market. They passed a vendor piping rings of batter into a gigantic vat of hot oil, and Gregor made a note of the location.

“We’re getting some of those on our way home,” he said.

“To share with the boys?” Cerra asked

“Sure, we’ll go with that,” he replied with a wink.

She laughed, and he grinned at her, his earlier surliness forgotten as he draped his arm over her shoulders. They stopped at every stall that offered samples, tasting and testing. 

“Candilin oranges!” a vendor called out. “Get them while they’re fresh! These won’t last longer than a day, folks, so don’t miss out!”

Gregor tugged Cerra toward the stall.

“We can’t afford those, Gregor,” she whispered.

“The samples are free,” he whispered back.

He snagged a small piece of the fruit off of the vendor’s sample tray and sniffed it curiously. 

“Smell,” he told Cerra, holding it close to her face.

She leaned in and inhaled deeply, her eyes fluttering closed. It smelled fresh and bright and zesty, and it reminded her of the sun. “It smells delicious.”

He slid the fruit into her mouth, and she took a bite. Sweet, tangy juice exploded across her tongue, and she made a tiny sound of pleasure as an expression of utter bliss settled on her face. Gregor beamed at her as he popped the rest of the fruit into his own mouth. The vendor, a Nithorn, regarded them with shrewd little eyes.

“Ah, young love,” she squawked. “I’ll give you a special discount for being such an adorable couple.”

Cerra’s eyes snapped open, and she pulled slightly away from Gregor. “Oh, we’re n—”

“Not made of credits,” Gregor cut in hastily. “You know how it is when you’re just starting out.”

Cerra flicked an uncertain glance at him, but she didn’t resist when he pulled her a little closer and wrapped his arm around her waist. The Nithorn nodded sagely.

“Of course, of course,” she said. “But nothing is too good for your girl, am I right? Come on, I’ll cut you a deal.”

“How much?” Cerra asked.

“Fifty credits apiece,” the vendor replied.

Cerra choked. “I’m not saying it’s not worth it, but we don’t have that kind of money.”

“Twenty,” Gregor countered.

The vendor guffawed. “Sorry, kids, but I’m running a business, not a charity. Forty credits.”

“Come on, Gregor,” Cerra urged. “We can find something else.”

“Twenty-two,” Gregor said.

“Are you trying to destroy my livelihood?” the vendor asked. “Thirty, and not a decicred less.”

“Twenty-five,” Gregor replied.

“You are breaking my heart,” said the Nithorn. “Fine, twenty-five. Be sure to eat it today, or it will rot.”

As they walked away with their prize, Cerra said in a low voice, “We don’t have that kind of budget, Gregor. What were you thinking?”

“I’ll make it up somewhere else,” he shrugged. “It was worth it.”

They wandered through the produce stands, selecting an assortment of fruits and vegetables as they caught Gregor’s eye. He spotted a table heaped with round, russet-colored fruits.

“What are these?” he asked the vendor.

“Kavasa,” Cerra replied, recognizing the fruit immediately.

“That’s right,” the Twi’lek vendor said. “Fresh kavasa, straight from Corellia. Just got a huge shipment this morning. I’m selling it for half price, if you’re interested.”

“We’ll take a kilo,” Gregor said.

“Are you sure?” Cerra asked. “Don’t you want to taste it first?”

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“Yes, it was my favorite when I was little,” Cerra admitted. 

“Then we’ll take a kilo,” he repeated.

Gregor found a vendor who sold freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, and he insisted on buying several cartons for their off-world missions. “If we have to eat rations, at least we can buy some that resemble real food.”

Their last stop was the meat market. He’d been wanting to try his hand at cooking brualki brisket since he’d first tasted it at Dex’s Diner. 

“We’re all out of brualki,” the butcher said. He was a burly Devaronian with two broken horns, and his arms bulged with muscles developed over years of breaking down enormous primal cuts. “But I’m sure we can find something that will suit you. Ever tried joopa?”

Gregor was intrigued. “Never heard of it. What’s it like?”

The butcher launched into a detailed sales pitch about the merits of joopa rib roasts, and Gregor asked a number of pointed questions about preparation techniques and flavor profiles as Cerra let her attention wander.

“Our joopa is wild-caught, from a place called Seelos,” the butcher said. “Never been there, myself.”

Cerra didn’t understand a word of the conversation, but one thing she did understand was sticking to a Force-damned budget. “How much per kilo?” 

“Ten credits,” the butcher replied. “It’s about half the price of brualki right now, so you’ll save a decent chunk of creds.”

“I’ll take a five-kilo roast,” Gregor said. 

The bags of groceries were heavy as they headed to the freighter, but Gregor wrangled them with ease. They were nothing compared to the weight of the armor that he normally wore. The market had become even more crowded as the day advanced, and beings of every imaginable species jostled around them. They retraced their route back to the ship, and as they passed through the fishmongers’ market district, disaster struck.

A large, boisterous family of Gabdorins blocked most of the path as the parents haggled with a merchant. Gregor and Cerra squeezed by them single-file. Suddenly, two of the youngest children broke free of the larger group and began chasing each other. Gregor tried to back up, but it was too late. The children ran straight into him, taking him out at the knees. As he fell, he collided with Cerra and knocked her down beneath him. They landed with a splash in a reeking puddle of water and rotting fish. 

“Sorry, mister!” the children shrieked as they ran off to continue their game.

Cerra gagged at the stench, and Gregor quickly scrambled to his feet. By some miracle, he’d managed to keep the grocery bags out of the splash zone, but his clothes were saturated with the putrid liquid, and Cerra’s were even worse.

“What the kriff?” Cerra sputtered.

“Watch your language, lady,” one of the adult Gabdorins snapped.

“Are you serious?” Cerra demanded, incensed.

“Hey, easy,” Gregor intervened. “It was just an accident. Let’s get home so we can get out of these clothes.”

Cerra grumbled mutinously, but nevertheless she followed Gregor as they hurried back to the freighter. Fortunately—if anything about the situation could be considered fortunate—the miasma of rotting fish guts cleared a path through the crowded market, and they made it to the ship in record time.

“In, in, in, in, in,” Cerra chanted, her words blending into each other in her urgency. “Put the groceries in the conservator. I’ll get the ship powered up.”

Gregor hadn’t even finished stowing the perishables by the time they were airborne. Cerra breathed through her mouth, but she couldn’t escape the fetid stench. The flight back to the garage felt like the longest of her life, and from Gregor’s occasional retching sounds, he was suffering just as much as she was. She piloted them down the underworld portal, and as soon as the ship touched down on the landing platform, they stripped out of their garments and ran for the refreshers.

Luckily, nobody else had returned to the garage yet. Cerra got there first and tugged her bra and briefs off before making a beeline for the farthest shower stall. Gregor was right behind her, pulling off his boxers and leaving them in a pile with Cerra’s things, then claiming the second shower stall.

“Uuuuuuuugh, that is the most disgusting thing that has ever happened to me,” Cerra grunted. “Thank the stars I don’t have any hair; otherwise I’d have to shave my head all over again.”

“I’m not so lucky,” he said. “I hope I can get the smell out.”

The refresher began to fill with steam from both showers running at once. Cerra soaped her entire body from head to toe, and still the stench lingered. On the other side of the narrow tile barrier, she could hear vigorous splashing that indicated Gregor was scrubbing himself thoroughly. Cerra let out a low groan of pleasure as she stood under the hot spray. 

“At least it happened at the end of the trip instead of the beginning,” Cerra said.

“Mm-hmm,” Gregor said noncommittally.

“We might have to burn our clothes,” she observed. “I don’t know if the smell will ever go away no matter how many times we clean them.”

“Yeah.” Gregor’s voice was strained.

She shut her shower off and stepped out. Gregor was facing the wall of his shower stall, his back to her as he stood under the water. 

“Ah, kriff, I forgot a towel,” she said. “Do you need one?”

“No!” he said, keeping his back turned to her. “I mean, I’m not quite finished. I think I need to wash my hair again.”

“Okay,” she said, crossing to the bank of lockers where they kept a supply of towels and toiletries. “I’ll leave a clean one for you on the sink.”

“Thanks, Cerra,” he said. “You should go get something to eat. It’s been hours since we had those ronto wraps.”

His tone was brusque, and she hoped he wasn’t still angry about the Raada mission.

“Good idea,” she said. “I need to send the cleaning droid into the freighter anyway.”

She went to the barracks and dressed quickly, then powered up the cleaning droid and programmed it to decontaminate the ship. She lugged the groceries into the kitchenette and began to stow them away just as Gregor exited the refresher and headed for the barracks, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Droplets of water beaded across his broad shoulders and chest, and her gaze slid down his body, just for an instant, before she jerked her eyes away, focusing on finding space to fit the joopa roast in the conservator.

Nothing I haven’t seen before, she thought. Though if she were honest, Gregor was built differently from the other clones, even from the ARC troopers. He was thicker and denser, and she tried not to think about the way those shining droplets had slid down the planes of his—What the hell? This is Gregor! You know, your best friend and the one person you can count on in the galaxy? Stop thinking about his muscles, damn it!

She shoved the roast into the conservator and slammed the door, leaning against it to make sure it sealed. She swallowed. What was wrong with her? First sex dreams, and now this? She must be losing whatever tattered shreds of sanity she still possessed. 

This is all Echo’s fault, she thought irritably. I never even thought about Gregor that way until he put the idea in my head.

She sighed and dug through the bags of groceries until she unearthed the candilin orange and a kavasa fruit. She sliced them with unnecessary violence and arranged them on a plate as Gregor rejoined her.

He was dressed—thank the Maker for small mercies—and he looked far more relaxed than he had in a long while. Now that she thought about it, he had been tense ever since the night they’d gone to 79’s. A wave of guilt washed through her at the realization that she’d caused him that much distress.

“Want to catch up on the Bake Off?” he asked.

“I think we’ve earned it,” she replied. “Don’t tell Fireball we watched it without him, though.”

Gregor flopped down on the sofa and turned on the holotable, and Cerra curled up next to him. As the show’s opening jingle played, she passed him the plate of fruit. He tasted a slice of kavasa experimentally.

“That’s delicious!” he exclaimed. “No wonder it was your favorite.”

She swiped a slice and popped it into her mouth, enjoying the familiar burst of juicy sweetness across her tongue. It tasted like childhood. It tasted like home. She closed her eyes to blink away the tears that pricked behind her eyelids, and when she opened them, Gregor was watching her with a small, satisfied smile. He reached over and tugged her legs onto his lap and balanced the plate on top of her knees as he turned to watch the show.

The show hosts were droning on and on in some ridiculous opening skit about being turned into tookas. Cerra’s attention wandered, and her eyelids grew heavy. Gregor shifted her legs and stood to take the empty plate to the kitchenette, but before he could leave, she snagged his hand and tugged him back down onto the sofa with a sleepy grumble that sounded suspiciously like “No. My Gregor.” 

He laughed quietly and set the plate on the floor, then lay down next to her. It was a tight fit, and she wiggled up against the back of the couch to make room for him. He wrapped his arms around her and began to rub small circles on her back, and within minutes, the pair were asleep.

The room was dark as Cerra floated toward consciousness. She felt wonderfully warm and safe, held securely in a strong embrace, and she closed her eyes again, drifting on the border between slumber and lucidity. Soft, even breaths fanned across the skin of her chest, where a head rested heavily against her. Their legs tangled together, one strong thigh trapped between her own, and she realized two things at once: first, that thigh was pressed against her achingly aroused sex; and second, he was hard as a kriffing rock against her hip.

“Fives,” she breathed.

She tightened her arms around his shoulders, determined to savor every second of their time together, knowing that they would have to wake up and return to their duties all too soon. She flattened her palm against the hard muscles of his upper back, stroking him languidly. Where were they this time? Florrum? Cato Nemoidia? Did it even matter? She pressed her lips against his forehead, inhaling deeply. Something was different about his scent. New soap? She liked it. It smelled comforting, somehow—familiar. 

“Where are we?” she whispered, but his only answer was a soft snore.

She shifted, inadvertently dragging herself along his thigh and moaning quietly at the friction. Fives, responsive even in his sleep, rumbled deep in his chest and rolled his hips, grinding his cock against her. Gods, it had been too long. She’d forgotten how damned big he was. How long had it been this time? Weeks? Months? She couldn’t even remember. The campaigns blurred together, punctuated by those brief, rare occasions when they both had shore leave at the same time. Where are we?

 Kriff, she was tired. Tired of fighting, tired of being away from him. She missed him so much that it poisoned their time together: even now, with him lying safe in her arms, the knowledge that he would be gone again soon weighed heavily on her chest. How long do we have this time? 

Where are we?

Her breathing settled into a regular rhythm, and she drifted back into oblivion. She was deep asleep when the man in her embrace shifted with a quiet, drowsy grumble and then went abruptly rigid. In the darkened garage, illuminated only by the Are you still watching? message on the holoprojector, he carefully disentangled himself from her and pulled away. 

Hours later, Cerra awoke, disoriented and utterly alone.

Next chapter

[catkin-morgs-kookaburralover]

ok this is super half baked idea but it just occurred to me as a fun idea perhaps for next year.

concept: advent calendar. i.e. twenty-five days including the 25th of the month. could possibly be combined or connected to something with the twelve days of Christmas as well if it was wanted to go on for longer. could be modified with more traditional advent concepts (not very familiar with it myself but open to suggestions)

suggestion: a short story for each day of advent, from a combination of different authors (ideally one story per author but could be modified). either all standalone or a possible joint Christmas Day story that pulls multiple different threads together. if we got enough authors/artists together (or one or two very dedicated artists) there could be a story with an accompanying piece of artwork.

could be scheduled ebook release each day and/or posting on a website at a scheduled time each day, with possible purchase of the whole ebook or physical book in one go on the 25th / preorder so that physical media is slated to arrive at the right time.

this is kind of cobbled together but what are people's thoughts? re:word count, brief google suggests 70-90k is common as a total for the average novel, which would mean an average of 3.2k per story, or somewhere between 2000 and 4400 words if we were being a bit more loose with length.

also note that if art was involved prints could be made and shipped for a moderate sum ($27AUD at time of writing to send internationally if using a single prepaid satchel*, $3.75AUD to make 25 6"x4" prints, total cost rounds to $31AUD assuming a single satchel could be used). also possible to look at print on demand services that could cut down on shipping. (this also assumes artists would not be paid)

this is very rough in calculation ofc but what do people think about it? (frankly, it sounds like a fun sort of project for myself if nobody else wants to join me lol)

(re:financial aspect - I know in some things like audiobooks done for him my dad has paid all the costs, and any income above cost level he splits 50/50 with the audiobook reader - has a given flat rate/percentage per sale that's cost, and anything additional is royalties. unless I could pitch this to an established author or publishing house (impossible, though if there were others in on the scheme we could possibly look into the option) it would not be worth making the serial itself only available for upfront paying because I simply don't have an audience at all lol. however the possibility of making an ebook or physical book that could be sold later would have the possibility in the future to recoup costs. )

*large letter format is $15AUD but uncertain if that would be sufficient, would require more research

(trying to gauge even vague interest; if there's interest of basically any kind I can expand on my thoughts. also if anyone's interested and has discord please message me for my discord lol)

please reblog and or offer any thoughts you have!

EDIT: note that 'contributing' encompasseses both contributing and reading whereas reading does not encompass contributing

[slowd1ving]

YOUR TAKES ON ROFAN MANHWA I knew there was a reason I went a little feral for ur fic in particular!!!

bc like. I'm So working class as a person. And bc of that it's been bothering me all this time!! Like having nobles as a subject whatever sure, it's more wish fulfillment ig and easier to get some inspiration bc it's easy to do some research if you're so inclined, look up pictures.... And there's already a picture in your head. Which most just seem to use considering how un-European they tend to be lmao

But yes. That's totally fine. But then there's just CRICKETS on regular people, and in 99% of the stories they just exist to either glaze MC or oppose them. And ofc the ones who oppose them are usually Evil! A big fav is also the Evil Union. Like is this state sponsored propaganda or what -_-

Anyway ur MC goated more should be like him!!

(also I'm way too Scared to voluntarily read anything NSFW in public, I don't even dare look at ANY fanfic usually, even less reader-inserts. But none of my family members except maybe my brother speak English very well so I read whatever LOL it's always just "my novels")

- Subday truther (I have accepted my divine mission)

Subday truther, subday truther... subday truther... I saw this in my inbox and locked in immediately... you, anon, have shown us all the truth once again and opened up a cesspit that I didn't quite want to pry into in my other response.

Idk if you write or create stories or other media, but you hit the nail on the head about wish fulfillment - a lot of rofan authors project the sort of relationships they find ideal in their work, which often leads to some very unclassy hints (and sometimes blatant flags) of classism and this really niche sort of elitism within their stories. Male lead = rich, far too rich for his own good, second male lead = typically a knight, childhood friend, etc. Cool, whatever, author may be projecting a need for financial security in a serious relationship and I get that, especially since the ml generally splurges on the lead with whatever wealth they have.

But then things get more interesting when you look at the main character, and even more complex if they're a transmigrator/reincarnator. You'll see some business tendencies, especially in villainess manhwas. Some novel idea that nobody else in this world has come up with - and they rake in the money, buying into a capitalist dream after dying in a world that likewise made them suffer due to that same dream. It's frighteningly consistent - nobles becoming more progressive by the introduction of the business class, but at the end of the day it's that same dirty cash. Idk if I'm being clear with this but what I'm trying to say is that the mc often buys into this goal and it takes up an unnecessary amount of plot.

And then you look at the constructed world itself. Absolutely, it's easier to find inspiration in this sort of world because of the abundance of vaguely-European rofan novels - easier to convey a message if you don't need to spend extra arduous hours researching different regions and settings, but then you end up with a flood of copy-and-paste settings that are less of a world and more of a backdrop. Same capitalist system, same gender discrimination, same system of emperors and nobles and titles and clothes, same religious hierarchy system, same vague region to the east, same monster infested north - things that provide problems for the cast to overcome, and are often used as a plot device, and it's totally fine to do, but there's just a real lack of other worlds in rofan manhwas 😭😭 maybe I'm just used to high fantasy books, but it's also cool seeing worlds that don't mimic this one's societies and structures, if the novels are supposed to be an escape from this one (wait where the shooting star falls has perhaps some of the most engaging designs I've seen in manhwas - so charming). Or if they do mimic this one, then it's refreshing seeing them be consistent with fashion and politics (secret lady!!!!!!!) which adds realism to an idealistic text - rather than merely romanticising nobles. The worlds also tend to be rather predictable unfortunately (concubine walkthrough is very good at being unpredictable - one of my favourite rofans).

The ordinary folk... the poor commoners... another can of worms has opened prepare yourself.... where do I even begin..

The glazers - enhance the MC's exploits, serve as a link between the commoners and MC, especially if they have a hand in saving a village or something. Used as a comedic device or introduction, especially if MC is in disguise and overhears them talking and isn't recognised. As far as plot devices go, can be humorous or even serve to provide context clues that aren't part of the explicit narrative. Not the worst, certainly not the best.

The victims - exist to be saved from the plague by the medicinal transmigrator/saint, could initially be scornful of MC but later change their tune once they're saved, maybe they're the ones who introduce a new arc by requesting help from the MC. Maybe they're the child offering flowers to the MC - bedraggled orphans who make the MC realise huh, wealth inequality exists.. let's build a school and then barely touches on it after. Or MC takes pity on them, treats them nicely, and gets a loyal person out of it that serves to hasten the plot by being useful. Neutral about this one tbh, if working class characters are fleshed out elsewhere then cool whatever background characters but other then that it's typically this regular archetype

Villains... where do I even begin... notice how they're not even the MAIN antagonists. With further inspection in transmigrator novels in particular, the 'original' antagonist often appears to have some redeeming qualities and is typically a noble/potential love interest, while secondary & minor antagonists are usually just locked up/killed off/made to serve the MC. Bandits attacking MC, thieves, petty villains, knights made to attack MC, alleyway scum, etc - sure, they may be nobles occasionally, but usually it's the commoners. Again, I get that the main antagonists in rofan novels are typically other nobles because those two spheres don't really interact, but come on. With the exceptions that are main antagonists, they're still in very close proximity to MC - adopted children who want MC's place, schemers who are totally irredeemable, who want money and power and it just cements this image of the lower class tbh.

Delving into similar territory, those opposed to the mc typically get either horribly punished or they get converted/reformed by the mc. E.g. commoner A insults MC, ass whooped by duke of the north or worse. Pickpocket ends up with hands lopped off, etc. I'm getting sleepy so the rest will be somewhat shorter.

Servants/knights/second male leads - again, made to serve the MC, servants typically exist as sympathetic links to MC that unfortunately get killed off/get abused which sparks the MC's anger etc. Knights also serve as a link to commoners as the MC cuts off corrupt knight commanders/reshapes them into something formidable, etc. Again, neutral about this as it comes with the territory of having a copypaste fantasy. Second male leads... on the other hand.... knight second male leads.... commoner knight second male lead childhood friends.... serve as romantic turmoil, to incite jealousy in the male lead, usually brown haired//practically always unrequited which in turn shapes their character as being greedy for what they can't have - it's an unconscious decision/design (esp when they then get written as obsessive etc.) that also sets the cold duke/noble/etc on an emotional rank above the lower class second ml. not a huge fan tbh...

now we discuss actual male leads who happen to be commoners, which isn't exactly the norm - because when they appear as commoners, they typically have a secret double life as a noble/tower mage/etc and therefore don't really belong in this category but I added them regardless because it's also quite interesting to see. Or, if they are indeed commoners, then they have some super powerful skill that allows them to transcend ranks, and at the end of the day they stop being commoners. again, neutral

and finally... my least favourite... circumstantial, plot doomed villains. specifically when it comes to rofans with mistresses/concubines who come from commoner backgrounds... whole time they're demeaned for those commoner backgrounds rather than seeing that they're more bound by circumstance because how exactly does one refuse a noble in that situation? I could have written a whole post just like this about this particular trope, in regards to a rather popular manhwa that absolutely butchers her character. Like people desperate to survive and better their circumstances, becoming villains, and people choose to focus on the things that they could not help rather than purely their actions... come on now... 😭😭

actually, my other least favourite variant is transmigrators who come from a working class background and then completely lose the plot. Not literally, but I think I read one where a transmigrator ends up as a 'villainess' who is only labelled such because she holds a grudge against the male lead who essentially colonised her country and fell in love with her and brought her as a prisoner of war and then the new female lead not only agrees with the premise of the story that she's the villainess but actively works to get closer to the male lead.... it's not exactly a commoner irk, but it irritated me so much I'm still thinking about it a year later even after leaving a long winded comment underneath... lord... like critical thinking wasn't taught in schools??

anyways I ended up yapping far too much... honestly while it may be frustrating having the same flat working class characters, I think I'd enjoy it more if the manhwa didn't fall into the other overused tropes 😓😓 unfortunately I'll remain a critic.. I've got roughly 500 or so manhwas, manhuas and mangas that I've read and pattern recognition often ends up a curse when it comes to these things, which is why I lowkey decided to make my own satirical isekai that keeps getting expanded lmao

(I think I have the opposite problem lmao my parents also don't know that much english but I still get way too paranoid and switch tabs whenever I write even the most sfw stuff 😭)

thank you for your submission subday anon I really didn't expect to write this much but it was a lot of fun

how this submission lowkey had me feeling

[lullabyalikpoptarot]

thank you cause for ages i was wondering why we get so attached to a) people who dont know we exist and why b) we put so much of our life around theirs and their achievements its such a bizzare type of behaviour that has become too normalised. i wondered if kpop ever realised when it takes things too far or it seems to track and take note of whos saying what about idols in general re: hybe documents. it feels like being a kpop fan is far from just having a normal healthy interest in an idol and u do see how it can both negatively and positively affect someones own perspective especially with how they see themselves versus how they see an idol. when u sort of step back and try to have a normal outlook on the idol lifestyle as a whole it does feel like ur brain was clouded when u were deeply invested in any group of theirs. i dont know if they put subliminal messages in their songs or not but some people really develope the worst behaviours because of kpop and what it allows people to do to idols again it never tries to protect said idol from harm either ofc u cant control the general public opinion of an idol and u dont know what "scandal" someone is going to pull on them but its like they dont even try to say to their fans maybe just try to be nice towards an idol especially the korean citizens they get away with so much worse things because nobody ever sees what they do as being too much. agencies dont stop them from say going to airports and following them at hotels.

btw i loved your rose perspective readings they always turn up something interesting and the fact u said maybe how she became an idol wasnt how it seems to the eye. i found that particularly interesting could u pls elaborate it?

I can't really elaborate, sorry. I didn't get the details of it. The one card just gives me that impression, but I don't always get the full details on things. I guess some things got a remain a mystery, until it is meant to be known. There is only specific details one can get from a reading. Anyway, I believe there is more that goes behind the scenes that we aren't aware of, so it makes sense. To get to the top isn't as simple of a process as we think.

[kokirane]

Hi... First, I want to say, thanks so much for sharing your wonderful fics, dear author (especially the nagireo ones). I really love reading them!

If you don't mind me asking, what do you think are Reo and Nagi’s greatest personality strengths and weaknesses? Why? What do you love about their dynamic? What are your fav NagiReo (canon) moments? What are your favorite headcanons of them? Do you have any fav ships (from any fandom) that the dyanamic remind you of their ship? Sorry if I ask too much....

Hi!! Oh my gosh I hope I didn’t miss this and am answering too late, I don’t check tumblr as much and I don’t understand the new notif system for asks? Where are my ask box messages in their own place…!!! Why are they lost in the shuffle of notifs now :( anyway… lol… hi! I’m so thankful you enjoy my nagireo fics!!! 😭❤️ you’re so sweet! And great questions!

i’m gonna apologize in advance for my lack of answer around “weakness” bc i dont see the likely traits as weaknesses per se, even if they are lolol even if they have caused conflict between them and i dont know how to explain why lol… i think bc those traits are a part of them just like any other and i feel like its their strong love that causes them to lash out which is… endearing and cute… LOL.

1. Reo: strength is amazing emotional resilience. he fell so hard but bounced back relatively quickly. great emotional reflection and insight, very very impressive to me fr. i’m a therapist so i work w reflection and insight often! its tough shit! esp when youre 17! weaknesssss… probably running his mouth when emotional and pushing nagi away when he rlly just wanted to keep him close but i love.., the drama of it all… LOL… mmm… reo’s denial of nagi’s feelings is also strong but he’s trying to protect himself. he’s truly just like me fr so i cannot judge him LOL. he’s a very beautiful and strong representation of human passion and just.. emotion. i love him a lot!

2. Nagi: strength is single minded devotion and determination even while finding himself during the journey to be the best in the world. i love that he’s sentimental about promises also, he’s very cute… both nare have a great gap moe thing going… weakness plot wise is definitely lack of a concrete ego and struggle to figure it out. but again insight is hard esp when ur 17! and had nobody in ur life before. he’s my favorite chara and feels relatable in the sense of uhhh listless and depressive experiences but rlly loving someone a lot regardless and that love being motivation to live well. he ofc also lashed out at reo and struggled to communicate but i count this as a mutual conflict more so than a holistic personal weakness… he seems to be doing his best to improve as much as he can w his limited insight (like trying to praise reo more) i know ppl often like to take sides in their conflict so i will say i do not believe in choosing a side between them lol. but ive seen nagi get way too much blame so that upsets me more. i know reo blame is out there but i somehow havent seen it as much. i dont think either should be blamed for mutual misunderstanding.

3. Dynamic: oh gosh what dont i love hahah… i just talked abt this in another ask but i love their devotion to each other, the strength of their bond - even if it wavers they cant break it, they cant help but love and need each other… truly spring of youth first love etc etc. theyve gone thru sm! adorable hakuho era, divorce arc, and now reunion… their trajectory is fascinating and they truly fit sm of my favorite tropes lol. also love that theyre silly together and best friends and each others first friends..!!! wails. theyre so cute. and messy LOL but idk that’s fun and they dont seem like, uniquely messy compared to other 17 yr olds. theyre a great snapshot of young love HAHA (i say this affectionately as a former Messy Teenager in Love… i adore them)

4. Canon moments: THE WAIST GRAB + “I’M REO’S PARTNER” SHAHSKSKS that solidified my obsession w them! also “ive always been with you” and nagi running at the sight of reo’s sad face and trying for the first time… those are my top 3! but i lose my mind with every new episode nagi internal monologue looool ch 29 KILLED ME i havent recovered yet nagi is so down bad for his wife… i am seeing now that my top 3 are nagi @ reo moments… oops. what can i say i love a wifeguy!

5. HCs: hmmm this is hard bc i feel like… i dont have a lot… if i want them to do smthn it usually ends up as a fic detail, so im not sure if i have any concrete universal ones besides 1) they get more plants and pets when theyre older. i have two cats im VERY biased so either two cats, or one cat and one dog. cat for nagi dog for reo :) oh individually… i like the idea of reo with beauty marks, both of them with sunspots/freckles… nagi with bunny teeth. :’) sorry if this isnt a lot 😭😭😭 im not a big hc girly but i like spinning ideas with friends about little AUs and what they would do in those AUs so i think that is probably specific headcannoning? but feels like universally canon nare-related… unsure how to explain sorry 😭

6. Other ships: Most similar is probably Reki/Langa from SK8. I like Renga but they’re not my favorite simply bc I’m content with their canon storyline and don’t feel the need to explore them further… but theyre very cute and have the friends/talent comparison/misunderstanding/loss of priority/interest to “better competition”/sport anime flavor of gaaaay going on LOL. I also like Gabimaru/Yui from Hell’s Paradise but that is… less concretely similar lol. More like vibes of 1) fluffy white haired guy who was empty inside until He Fell for His Wife and 2) cute, sweet wife who teaches guy how to Live… precious. i love gabiyui a lot and had to disqualify them from top 7 only bc theres not muuuuch abt them that we get to see but what we see is AMAZING and PERFECT and i would die for a gabiyui domestic happiness spinoff plsplspslspsl hshzhksms and ofc their marriage is the driving motivation for gabimaru in the story…!! Newly into DanDaDan but I think you could spin nagireo as momokarun… but also less concretely… but very fun best friends x dynamic duo x sweet teenage love with a little misunderstanding vibes there :)

[andydrysdalerogers]

Your Submissively - Solitude

Steve Rogers X OFC Isabella Davis

Summary: Five Years after the events of Civil War, Steve Rogers has moved on from avenging and has started his own business, Grant Inc. He has a secret that would turn his world upside down. And he's good at keep that secret. Until he meets the woman with violet eyes that could bring him to his knees. Now his mission is to make her, his. But she is the key that could bring the world into balance... or chaos.

And she has no idea.

Series Warnings: slow burn at the beginning, smut, angst, sexual themes of BDSM, dom/sub dynamics, kidnapping, loss of virginity, (and a bunch of others that will come up)

A/N: the taglist is open!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: Realization

Series Masterlist ~ Main Masterlist

As the end of Thursday approached Belle couldn’t help but fell a sense of sadness.  Steve has called or texted every day but as graduation grew closer, all she could feel was the weight of missing her dad.  As she left her final exam, she messaged Lilia.  

B: I’m going to be in Brooklyn tonight  L: Same Place?  B: Yeah. Feeling it today  L: Be careful.  Call a cab if it gets late  B: Thanks Li.  

Belle took the subway into Brooklyn, headphones in, getting lost in the music.  

Meanwhile, Bucky and Steve made their way to Jersey.  They decided they wanted to surprise Lila and Isabella for the end of finals.  “Can’t believe we’re dating college seniors,” Bucky said with a laugh.  

“I didn’t expect that either but her we are.”  Steve knocked on the door.  

Lila opened the door.  “Mr. Rogers? Bucky, what are you doing here?” 

“We wanted to take you and Belle to dinner,” Bucky explained.  “To celebrate the end of finals.”  

Lila chewed her lip.  “She’s not here.”  Lila looked at the men nervously.  “She went to be alone for a bit.” 

“Where?”  Steve demanded. “Miss Stevens, tell me where she is now!” He took a step towards her.  

“Pal, be calm,” Bucky said, placing himself between them. “We can track her phone. Its fine.”  Bucky tapped on his phone.  “She’s in Brooklyn.  At some piano bar.” 

“Just leave her be,” Lila pleads. “She’s missing her dad and needs a moment alone.  The owner and the bartender know her.  They’ll keep an eye out.  Please?” 

“I have to know she’s ok.”  Steve went downstairs, not waiting for Bucky.  He climbed into a passing cab and gave the address to the only piano bar he knew of in Brooklyn.  

Belle sat in a booth on the side, hiding in the shadows.  She sipped her drink, a coke, not wanting to get list in the alcohol.  

“Next up, we have the extraordinary talents of Belle Davis.”  

Belle got up and went to the piano.  The overhead lights made it impossible to see anyone in the crown but she could still hear them.  But it was what she needed.  To have people hear her but not anyone she cared for.  They would want to help when there isn’t anything they can do.  She touched the keys and played the intro to a song that resonated in her heart.  

I tried to talk to my piano  I tried to talk to my guitar  Talking my imagination  Confided into alcohol  I tried and tried and tried some more  Told secrets ‘til my voice was sore  Tired of empty conversations  ‘cause no one hears them anymore 

She thought back to her dad. Making her practice.  “Belle, you practice and it make it perfect.  Try again.”  

A hundred million stories  And a hundred million songs  I feel stupid when I sing  Nobody’s listening to me  Nobody’s listening  I talk to shooting starts but they always get it wrong  I feel stupid when I pray  So, why am I praying anyway?  When nobody’s listening 

Phil watching her train at kickboxing.  “Don’t pull your punches sweetheart.  The dummy can’t hurt you back.”  

Anyone, please send me anyone  Lord is there anyone  I need someone, oh  Anyone, please send me anyone  Lord, is there anyone?  I need someone.   I used to craze the world’s attention  I think I cried too many times  I just need some more affection  Anything to get me by 

On the last day she saw him.  “Dad, you seem nervous.”  

“Don’t worry sweetheart.  Easy peasy.  I’ll be back in a few days.”  

“Cool, I have a new receipt I want you to try.”  

“Looking forward to it Bell.  Love you.” He kissed her forehead.  

“Love you too Dad.  See you in a few days.”  

A hundred million stories  And a hundred million songs  I feel stupid when I sing  Nobody’s listening to me  Nobody’s listening  I talk to shooting starts   but they always get it wrong  I feel stupid when I pray  Why the fuck  am I praying anyway?  If nobody’s listening  Anyone, please send me anyone  Lord is there anyone  I need someone, oh  Anyone, please send me anyone  Lord, is there anyone?  I need someone  Oh anyone I need anyone  Oh anyone I need someone  A hundred million stories  And a hundred million songs  I feel stupid when I sing  Nobody’s listening to me  Nobody’s listening 

Belle finished her song to loud applause.  She went back to her booth but she was surprised to find it occupied.  “What are you doing here?” 

“Lila told me you went out and I tracked your phone.”  Steve put his face in the light, taking in the obvious tears that were still in Belle’s eyes. But they changed once Steve mentioned that he tracked her phone.  She grabbed her bad and stormed out.  

“Isabella, stop,” as the made it outside  

“You had no right! I’m not your submissive yet.  I still have my free will.” She was angry.  Angry that he had found her and listened to her sing.  Only Lila had ever heard her really and she asked that it be kept a secret.  

“I needed to know you were safe,” Steve said, trying to reason with her.  

“By violating my privacy? I wanted to be alone.  This is hard for me, ok?  I’m all alone on the edge of one of the most important weeks of my life.”  

“You’re not alone!” He grabs her and kisses her.  She pushes him away and slaps him.  

“I’m nothing to you but a potential sex slave! Please leave me alone.”  She runs for the subway but he catches her again.  

“Don’t ever say that again,” Steve growls.  “You mean more to me than you know.  You aren’t a sex slave.”  Belle struggled against him.  “Please sweetheart, stop. Stop.”  He held her closer to him and she kept struggling until she started to sob.  “It’s ok my Belle.  Its alright.” He stroked her hair as she clings to him.  “I’m right here.”  

“I miss him,” she cried.  “He’s supposed to be here.”  She held onto Steve tighter. 

“I know baby, I know.  I’m so sorry.” He kissed her hair, trying to get her to calm down.  

“I can’t do this without him. I don’t know how.”  

“I’ll help you,” Steve whispered. “I’ll be right here.”  He scooped her up and hailed another cab.  He took her to the penthouse.  She was asleep by the time he made it upstairs.  

“Seriously punk,” Bucky started before he saw Belle in his arms.  “Is she ok?” He whispered.  

“No, she’s not. But she will be.  Goodnight, Buck.  You can yell at me in the morning jerk.”  

Steve took her to his room and laid her on the bed.  He carefully took off her clothes and slipped a shirt over her head. He got her under the covers and he stared at her for a moment, taking in her youthful expression, eyes slightly swollen from crying.  He sighed and quickly changed climbing in next to her.  He pulled her close and drifted off to sleep.  

Belle’s alarm awoke her like normal for a Friday.  She stretched until she felt her arm brush up against something warm.  Her eyes snapped open and turned to see Steve’s sleeping face next to her.  She looked to see that she was in Steve’s bedroom. 

She crawled out of bed and head to her room.  She needed to get ready and didn’t have time to go back home and changed.  She looked through the clothing Steve has gotten her, selecting a blue dress with a white sweater and wedges.  She jumped into the shower and came out.  She was startled to see Steve sitting on her bed. “Hi.” 

“Are you ok?” 

“I’m fine.” She fiddled with her towel. “I’m so sorry that I hit you.”  

“Super soldier Belle.  I can take a hit.” He took her hands. “I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry that I did that.  I didn’t mean to violate your privacy. I was just worried about you.”  

“I know I’m sorry.  Not a lot of people know I go there.  I just need to get away sometimes.”  

Steve pulled her to his lap. “You are amazing Belle.  Your voice is beautiful.”  

“Thank you.” She nuzzled into his neck and he held her tighter.  

“Stay with me today. We can talk, figure this out.”    

“I can’t. Its my last day at Stark.” She moved to get up but Steve held her close.  “Steve please.” 

“I know, I just… wanted to feel you.  You were so angry and scared yesterday.  Tell me please?” 

“I just miss him.  I don’t even know what happened.  They just said an accident at work and I was taken from my home, my friends.  The bar… he used to go there… the owner knew him.  So, Dad, he used to take me in and I would sing when I was nervous about anything.  Its where I go when I’m scared.”  

Steve closed his eyes, realizing the mistake he made. He took something of her father from her. “Belle, I am so sorry.  Really, truly.  When Lila said you just needed to get away, I didn’t realize it meant that you needed to be closer to your dad.” He kissed her forehead and she turned to look at him.  He leaned in to kiss her, softly at first but then deeper. “Please forgive me Isabella,” he whispered against her lips.  He kissed her again, deeper still, moving her to lay on the bed.  

“Steve, please, we have to stop.  I have to go to work,” Belle gasped not really wanting to let go.  

“I’ll drop you off, plenty of time,” he said between kisses to her neck. His hands moved down to slide up her towel. “Let me show you how sorry I am.”  

“Steve, please,” she wasn’t sure what she was pleading for anymore.  She needed him, her lifeline.  

“What do you want Isabella?” She couldn’t decide so Steve continued to tease, listening to her moan, arching her body to his touch. He undid the towel, allowing him to touch further.  He groaned when he could feel how aroused she was. He swirled his fingers on her clit and picked up some of her nectar on his fingers and brought them to mouth.  

Isabella watched him and felt the fire in her belly grow.  “Steve, please, fuck me,” she pleaded, reasoning gone out the window, responsibilities trampled on the floor.  

Steve smiled as he ran his nose down the length of hers. He ghosted her lips and said, “watch your language young lady.” He reached down and pulled his sweats and boxers down and was in her in no time.  She gasped at the sudden fullness and cried out.  He worked her hard, lifting her legs to wrap around her waist so he could go deeper.  

He reached to play with her clit at she cried out more and more, the overwhelming desire flashing white in her eyes.  “Let go Isabella.” Steve could feel himself ready to let go but wouldn’t until she did.  She needed to know that she was first in his eyes, always.  He leaned to suck on one of her nipples and that was her undoing.  She clenched around him, sucking him in.  Steve pumped a few more times before he pulled out and cummed on her belly, remembering at the last second that he hasn’t put a condom on.  

Only the sounds of their heavy breathing punctuated the room.  Steve got up and got a washcloth to clean Belle up.  He was gentle, worried he crossed another line.  He laid down next to her.  “I’m sorry.”  

“Don’t be. I wanted that too.”  She kissed him gently. “Please don’t tell anyone about my secret ok?”  

“I’ll never tell.” He brushed a hair away. “C’mon, get ready.  I’ll get you some coffee and take you work.  Tonight, we’ll talk and some other things,” he said flashing a wicked grin.  

Isabella walking into the Avengers Tower and headed up to her desk.  She took everything in, not sure when she would see it all again.  

“How was finals?” 

Belle jumped and turned to see Tony standing next to her desk. “Mr. Stark, hi.”  She fidgeted between her feet.  “They were fine.  Should have the results on Monday.”  

“Good, that’s good.  I hope you had time to study between your galas.” Tony inspected the girl.  

Belle flushed.  “I’m always studying Mr. Stark.  I have a position at MSA in the fall.  I start training in a month. So I need to keep on my toes.”  

“Congratulations.  I’m glad to see you focus on your career. And not on your non-existent boyfriend.” He started to walk away.  

“I’m sorry, is there a problem Mr. Stark?”  Belle could see he had something else he wanted to say.  

“Nothing Belle.  Schedule in a few?” 

“Yes, Mr. Stark.” She started up her computer and saw an email from Steve.  

From: srogers@grantinc.com  To: idavis@starkindustries.com    Subject: Last Day  Congratulation on finishing your internship.  I made us reservations for dinner at 8. Bucky will take you to the apartment to pick up whatever you need and bring you back.  I have a meeting at 630 so I will meet you at the restaurant.  Call me if you need me.   Steven Rogers  CEO, Grant Industries 

Belle smiled and was quick to reply.  

From: idavis@starkindustries.com  To: srogers@grantinc.com  Subject: Last Day  Looking forward to it Mr. Rogers. Please let Bucky know that I am off early today at 4PM. Lila will be home if that is an incentive. Thank you for this morning.   Isabella Davis  Intern to Tony Stark  CEO, Stark Industries 

Belle heard a huff behind her and saw Tony looking over her shoulder.  “So, he is a boyfriend?” 

“Not that it’s any of your business Mr. Stark but yes he is.”  She wasn’t sure why she said it but the look she got from Tony and his tone made her defensive.  

“You should stay away from him Belle.  He’s not good enough for you.”  

“What I do in my private life is my business.”  Isabella stood up. “And you have no right to have an opinion on it!” She shouted, drawing the attention of the other person on the floor, his wife.  

“Tony, leave her alone.  We talked about this.  She has every right to see whomever she wants,” Pepper scolded.  She turned to Isabella.  “I’m sorry Belle.  Umm, could you get the reports from legal for us.  We have a meeting in 20.”  

“Not a problem Mrs. Stark.  I’ll be right back.”  She glared at Tony and left.  

Pepper turned to her husband. “Tony, seriously, what the hell was that?” 

“Nothing.”  

“Petulance gets you nowhere.”  

“I don’t want to see her get hurt.  She’s a target if she gets seen with him.” 

“Why would she be a target?” Pepper looked confused.  

“Doesn’t matter.” Tony shook his head. He walked into his office and closed the door. 

NEXT

Taglist:

@patzammit

@texmexdarling

@slutforchrisjamalevans

@jennmurawski13-writes

@firephotogrl74

@tinkerbelle67

@before-we-get-started

@bunnyforhim

@alexakeyloveloki

@amiquette

[neewtmas]

24 days of Appreciation

DAY 6

Hello! We are on day 6 of 24 days of appreciation this month, where we shine a spotlight each day on those we appreciate in this fandom!

If you want to submit someone or something (for more info read here), you can do so here or just message me! If you wanna stay anonymous, either tell me or submit on anon.

Appreciation by me:

today I wanna appreciate @wellgoslowly! honestly, I'm so proud to call you my mutual, because if someone were to ask me 'who's the fandom celebrity?' I would say that's you. You've done of course so much for this fandom, and what I associate with you most are your edits. Seriously, they are SO GOOD!! so well done, so emotional, so heartbreaking, they make me feel so many things!! Also your writing ofc - I have to admit I haven't read them all in full bc I wasn't really in a Lockwood mood for a while but I read parts and those I absolutely adored!! Also don't even get me started on your locklyle fics oh my goddd ajjdkjqls if you ever write for George I'll be the first on your doorstep🤭 love you!🫶🏻🫶🏻

Appreciation by others (submissions):

by @krash-8: hi!!! can I submit @lucy-j-carlyle ? no introduction needed, y'all know her >:D she's one of my fave people I've met in this fandom fr, ILY KATH!!! she's funny and an absolutely amazing artist and always right ever and generally just amazing to be around. she's great to have in the fandom and a great friend :]]]] I want to submit @my-mask-of-sanity-is-slipping as well!! she keeps changing her url so nobody knows who the fuck she is, but she is also one of my favorite people in this fandom. she's very funny and her posts are criminally underrated. ig the world just isn't ready for her insanity 😔 ily scar !!!!!

Show your appreciation and submit someone or something here :)