#and then attended two back to back student committee meetings

[youjustwaitsunshine]

not going to uni tomorrow bc i think if i did id just get sick, lets hope my creativity decides to drop in

[hannieehaee]

18+ / mdi

content: loser!wonwoo, nerdy!wonwoo, sub!wonwoo, subdom!reader, mentions of sfw pics being taken behind your back, corruption, wonwoo's first time, dry humping, handjob, penetrative sex, etc.

part 1, part 2

wc: 2599

a/n: thank u to anon who inspired this ur a real one

masterlist

in this day and age, you knew that a mere college degree would likely not be enough for you to find a job within your field.

you were a creative, hoping to one day work as a photographer or maybe get into the creative design field upon graduating. however, you'd heard the horror stories of fellow graduates entering the terrifying world that came after college, with many unable to land a solid gig after graduating.

that's how you landed yourself a spot in the yearbook committee, becoming both a photographer and editor throughout these past few months.

that was also how you came to meet jeon wonwoo, the enigmatic boy who had become your partner any time you'd be assigned to photograph at school events.

despite spending quite a bit of time with wonwoo, attending every school event with him, you were yet to really get to know him. wonwoo was likely the shyest guy you'd met in all the years you'd spent at college so far. it was extremely hard to get to know him, as he would be only mumble and shy away any time you tried to make conversation with him. so far, all you knew about him was that he was a photography major (an extremely talented one at that), he was part of the gaming club (information you got from your friend vernon), and that he was generally very into stereotypically nerdy stuff.

none of this information was too groundbreaking, which only made you even more curious about wonwoo. it seemed like he'd specifically go out of his way to avoid you, stuttering like crazy when you'd try and make conversation and attempting to work separately any time you were assigned to photograph at the same locations.

all this only made your current situation all the more interesting, as you now found yourself at wonwoo's door, pondering on whether to knock on the door or not.

for some backstory, it was finally the end of your junior year of college, meaning that most of the work necessary for the production of the yearbook had been completed. all that needed to be done now solely consisted of editorial stuff as you finessed the final product.

this meant that you'd have to meet up with wonwoo to collaborate on the overlay of the yearbook, with the two of you being assigned the duty due to having worked together for most of the past two semesters.

you had jumped at this opportunity, entirely too interested in the shy, glass-clad boy. as embarrassed as you were to admit it, you had developed a bit of a crush on wonwoo. his constant stuttering and nerves around you gave you a strange thrill you had never experienced before. maybe you had a thing for losers, who knew.

and so you decided that now that you had this opportunity to visit wonwoo, being able to get him alone, you'd have a little fun.

yeah, maybe you had put on the tiniest clothes you could get away with wearing out in public. and yes, maybe you had worn that lipgloss you had once seen wonwoo eyeing on you. but could you be blamed? the thought of breaking him excited you too badly, completely sure but now that he must've held a bit of a crush on you (at least based on his constant nerves around you).

finally knocking on the door, you waited a few moments before a messy-haired wonwoo opened the door, giving you a sheepish smile as he welcomed you in.

his apartment was clean, but you could still tell that this had been a rushed effort, being able to spot some clothing misplaced and a few bowls scattered on some pieces of furniture. other than that, it seemed like wonwoo was likely cleaner than the average male college student.

after quietly looking around, you finally turned to wonwoo, who had been watching you quietly as his hands anxiously played with the oversized sleeves of the cardigan he was wearing.

"do you wanna work in your room or on the couch?", you asked.

somehow, you had caught him off guard, making him stumble over his words before muttering that his bed would be better, as it was bigger.

entering his room, you couldn't help a silent giggle at how predictable it looked, filled with star wars and marvel posters on the wall, along with some figurines. the room also included a clearly expensive pc and a few gaming consoles, obviously accompanied by a gaming chair.

liberally taking a seat in the middle of his bed, you allowed your skirt to flow highly enough for your legs to become exposed. you grinned to yourself when wonwoo took a seat beside you, gulping at the sight before opening his macbook on his lap.

once again, without any invitation, you scoot closer to him to get a better view, enjoying the intake of breath you heard from the boy.

after that, you actually worked together for a while, quietly discussing what content you'd leave in and what you'd take out. it was quite enjoyable, actually. you had known wonwoo to have a great creative eye, having seen his photography before, but it surprised you that he was just as good at graphic design.

you voiced this praise to him, making him chuckle awkwardly as he shook his head in denial.

"no, i'm serious, wonwoo. you're so good at this," you repeated.

"ah, n-no, it's just- i'm not that good," he muttered, lowering his head a bit and keeping his eyes on the screen to avoid looking at you.

no, this just wouldn't do.

going on a leap, you scoot even closer, now with your side completely pressed up against his own. bringing your hand up to his chin, you made him face you, smiling at the clear panic in his face.

"wonwoo ... why can't you take my compliment? hmm? you don't believe me?", you murmured, keeping your distance far too small as you awaited his answer.

"i-it's not that, it's just that-"

cutting off his muttering, you continued, "want me to show you? show you that i mean it?", your eyes lowered to his lips before going back to his eyes, hoping that that was enough of a hint for him to know what you meant.

gulping again, his eyes looked to your lips too, looking back up before parting his lips, attempting to make some sort of sound but failing, simply whimpering pathetically.

his whimper was enough to ruin you, making you close the gap between you with a soft kiss.

pathetically, he whined against you as you did all the work, leaving soft kisses against his lips up until your tongue made use of the small gap of his lips, sneaking in and encouraging him to follow along in your movements.

you sighed softly against his lips, wanting nothing more than to encourage his kisses. when he finally began kissing back, you repositioned yourself on the bed, pushing off the laptop and kneeling in front of him without ever breaking the kiss. like a good boy, he followed you in your movements, allowing you to lay him down on the bed as you climbed over him.

pulling away, you chuckled against his lips as he pathetically followed your lips with a whine, hands uncharacteristically holding onto your hips as he held you against him.

"wonwoo," you breathed out against his lips, "is it okay if i take off my clothes, baby?"

"y-yes, fuck. please. i- i mean, you don't have to, but, fuck, i-"

"shhh. it's okay, baby. i'll take them off, yeah? then it's your turn," you reassured, throwing off your skimpy summer dress before snapping off your bra and struggling your way out of your panties before sitting back on him.

the sight of the nerdy boy under you as he salivated over every new inch of skin you exposed to as laughable. his eyebrows were furrowed in the a manner that made it look like he was in pain. his breathy gasps at the revelation of your breasts had given you a huge ego boost, making you play with them for a bit for his viewing satisfaction. after that you leaned down again, going back to what had first started all this.

"you're so pretty, wonwoo ... so talented and nice and pretty. my pretty nonu," you breathed into his lips, giving him no chance to respond.

he still did his best, shaking his head, insisting that you were the pretty one. that you were the prettiest girl he had ever seen.

"n-no, you ... you're so pretty fuck, i- i've always wanted you ... fuck, is that, is that okay? always thought you were the prettiest girl ... get so nervous around you," he confessed, sighing when your arms went under his shirt, toying at his nipples before helping him remove his cardigan and shirt.

now shirtless, you practically salivated over his body, feeling him up like you were entirely depraved of touch. he was far more buff and delicious than you had ever imagined. wonwoo seemed to enjoy it just as much, letting out desperate breaths as you felt him up. before long, his sounds became even higher and whinier, as your hands made their way to his pants, pushing them down as best as you could before getting a hold of his already hardened cock.

"a-ah, t-that's ... fuck, a-are you sure?", gasped wonwoo, squirming under you like the pretty little nerd you'd been wanting for so long.

"yes, nonu. is it okay? is it okay when i play with your pretty cock like this?", your hand wrapped tighter around him, bringing his member out of his boxers and jerking him faster as he nodded desperately in approval.

"it's so good, fuck ... feels so ... so nice. please ..."

he was already such a whimpering mess and you hadn't even started working on his pleasure. unknowingly, wonwoo was slowly corrupting your mind, making you feel a monstrous need to do every nasty thing imaginable to the pretty boy moaning under you.

with a groan, you repositioned yourself, leaning back a little so you could drag your pussy against his cock. the thought alone made your eyes roll back. and the execution? the execution had you whimpering at the sudden stimulation, falling in love with the hardness of wonwoo's cock.

in the meantime wonwoo had lost all ability to produce any sort of sound, letting out breathless whimpers at the feeling of your cunt dragging against him, glasses fogged up and hands digging into your hips to unknowingly try and guide you against his dick.

"y/n ... oh, fuck ... p-please ... need- need more, oh, please ..."

dry humping could only go so long, but you wanted to drag it as much as you could. the sight and sound of wonwoo begging for you had you on cloud nine. he was so handsome and well built that you couldn't help but become hypnotized to the sight under you as you humped him with no shame.

the pretty mess under you continued to beg, strong arms even coming to stop your movements when the pleasure got too much, pleading at you to please let him have your cunt.

"g-give it to me. please. need to feel it, i- i've never had it before. need t-to know. need it to be you, fuck, please ..."

oh? was the pretty boy a virgin? were you about to deflower the mess under you?

wonwoo should've never let you in on this information, as it immediately drove you crazy with desire. you needed to claim him, mark him as yours and keep him all to yourself forever.

without hesitating any longer, you lowered yourself on him, groaning out at the stretch while wonwoo let out the prettiest high-pitched moan you had ever heard. it was pathetic how his deep voice fell to mere whimpers at the simple touch of a woman. yet it made you tighten around him all the tighter.

your hips bounced on his thin thighs, hand dipping in so you could play with your clit. maybe one day you'd teach him how to give you pleasure in such a way, but for now you just wanted to ruin him.

"gonna cum ... i- fuck, im gonna cum. c-can i? please?", he pleaded, eyes shut closed in pleasure.

it took you a few moments to answer, not wanting to leave him waiting for too long during his first time, but needing to get yourself to the edge in order to cum with him. within a few seconds he repeated his pleas, this time even more pathetically than before. this was what broke you, making you nod and whimper in affirmation as your own orgasm took over.

"such a g-good boy for me, nonu," you leaned down to kiss him, wanting to give him as much intimacy as you could for his first time.

kissing you back, he wrapped his arms around you, consistently crying praises against your lips. he let you know how badly he loved your cunt, how much he'd fantasized about this. the rest got muddled in the endless whimpers he let out.

after riding your high, you laid against his him, ear against his chest as you caught your breaths. his skin was clammy and his heartbeat fast. you loved being the cause of both things.

"does ... does this mean you like me back?" he murmured.

nodding against his chest, you left a few kisses against the skin, "yes, wonwoo. i've liked you for a while."

he exhaled in relief, "fuck, thank god."

your let yourself roll over from on top of him and lay on his side, finding a more comfortable position to cuddle with him.

then you suddenly remembered.

"shit, we gotta finish the yearbook."

it was his turn to chuckle, "let's nap for a while first. i'll wake up and get the final details later. promise."

you took his promise in the form of the union of pinkies, taking his advice of taking a nap as the surprisingly buff boy held you in his arms, falling into slumber quickly after.

~

ironically, you woke up before he did, approximately two hours after having fallen asleep in his arms. spotting the laptop on the floor, you decided to do him the favor of doing the final touches yourself, deciding that this would somehow be some form of aftercare as he regained his energy by sleeping.

shockingly enough, having the initiative to work on the unfinished yearbook spread as wonwoo continued to sleep next to you proved quite interesting as you finally got hold of the computer.

you hadn't meant to snoop, but a folder hidden on the corner immediately caught your attention. you hadn't noticed it earlier, as wonwoo had the computer on his own lap the entire time, but its title consisted of your initials, making you entirely too curious about it.

opening it, you had to hold in your gasp upon finding about twenty pictures of you out and about at each of the events you'd attended with wonwoo to photograph for the yearbook. for candids, they were quite beautiful.

in any other situation, you wouldve been rightfully freaked out. but the thought of shy little wonwoo fantasizing about you as he took pictures of you to look at later only made you want to claim him even more.

looking to the pretty boy softly snoring next to you, you were already planning all the ways in which you'd mock and berate him over it, all while you ruined him under you yet again.

[daisynik7]

Rush

Chapter 8: Do I Wanna Know?

Pairing: Eren Jaeger x f!reader

Rating: Explicit

cw: cunnilingus, vaginal fingering, spitting, daddy kink, vaginal sex (mating press), heavy on the angst this chapter

Summary: After the events of Halloween, you finally start questioning your relationship with Eren. Meanwhile, he attempts to do some damage control to keep both you and his reputation in check, ultimately resulting in more damage. 

Notes: Song is "Do I Wanna Know" by the Arctic Monkeys

Previous Chapter | ao3 | Next Chapter

Rush Series Masterlist

Rush Series Taglist

----------

The Sunday night after Halloween, Alpha Tau gathers upstairs in the fraternity house for their weekly chapter meeting. Tonight, Levi makes a particularly interesting announcement. 

“In about two weeks, Alpha Tau will be hosting its annual fall formal. For you pledges that aren’t familiar with this yet, formal is a special event that happens each semester. It’s essentially a dance. There will be a DJ, dancefloor, photo booth. In addition, dinner will be provided. Luckily, because of our clean record so far this semester, thanks to our partnership with Sigma Nu Kappa, the Student Affairs Committee has approved us having an overnight formal. Meaning we will be renting out a hotel for the night.” 

Most of the seniors cheer loudly at the last part, especially Mike. Eren clenches his fist, the memory of the other night still fresh in his mind. He can’t stand the guy, especially knowing he had his fingers in that beautiful body he’s made claim to. He’s not one to be possessive, but with her, he can’t help it.

Levi continues. “The cost of formal is already included in your membership fees, so I highly encourage every brother to attend. Also, each of you is allowed one guest. This can be anyone: a friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, whoever. If you plan to bring a date, make sure you get their signature on the sign-up form. I’ll be handing these out at the end of chapter. Please get these to me by next Sunday.”

Reiner turns around to face Eren. “Got a girl in mind you want to ask?”

He shrugs. “Not really.”

It’s a bold face lie. As soon as Levi mentioned a guest, he immediately thought of her. Her all glammed up in a gorgeous dress, them grinding against each other on the dancefloor, making love in their hotel room when the night is over. 

He allows himself to fantasize about it for a minute before coming back to reality. 

As much as he’d like to ask her to be his date, he can’t. As easy as it would be to just be with her, he won’t. He justifies it to “not being ready”. Asking her to be his date is another level of commitment that he’s not willing to step into yet. He needs time. This is what he’s convinced himself of. 

The more time he spends with her, he finds himself forgetting why this relationship has to be so goddamn difficult. It’s on him; he knows that. His reasons are selfish and immature. Not being ready for commitment. Caring too much about his reputation, which isn’t all that great anyways. It’s all bullshit excuses at the end of the day. 

Eren doesn’t want to fall in love. He’s afraid. Afraid of being vulnerable, afraid of getting hurt. Being in love complicates everything. He enjoys being free, unshackled, able to do what he pleases. Responsible only for himself and nobody else. Allowed to fuck up as many times as he can without repercussions. Because he will fuck up. He’s young, dumb, and selfish. Why burden anyone with his flaws? 

But when he’s with her, he’s happy. In a way, he still feels free. Weightless, liberated, unbound. As if a whole new world has been opened up to him, as cliché as that sounds. She makes him feel worthy, makes him feel loved. 

And that’s what scares him the most. 

It’s not love. How can it be? Aside from the amazing sex, what do they really know about each other? Eren has done his best to avoid revealing anything about himself. She’s kept a similar guard, probably just as afraid as he is. 

It’s lust. That’s all it is. That’s what he keeps telling himself.

He wishes he had met her in a different time in his life. Maybe after he’s gotten all this dumb, frat boy energy out of his system. It would be easier for them. It would be different. Better. 

He knows what he needs to do eventually. He has to end it with her before it gets too serious. Their time together on Halloween night felt different. He exposed himself, revealed a little too much of his feelings.

She’ll never leave him; he’ll string her along until the time is right. He’ll continue to drag this out as much as he possibly can. Continue telling her what she wants to hear, getting away with his sins until he decides it’s time to move on.

He’s got it all under his control. 

“You should bring that girl Pieck,” Reiner suggests, snapping Eren out of his thoughts. “Bertolt is thinking about asking another Delta Mu also.”

Eren shrugs again, unsure how else to respond. His big brother turns back around to face the front as Erwin makes his closing statements, ending chapter. 

On the way out of the meeting, Armin nudges him. “Who are you really thinking of taking to formal?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just because Reiner is telling you who to bring, doesn’t mean you have to take them. Isn’t there anyone else you’d like to ask?”

He doesn’t answer right away, tempted to be honest with his best friend. However, Eren is still a coward that won’t admit to anything that shows off a sign of weakness.

“I think I will ask Pieck. I hung out with her on Halloween. She’s cool.” Wanting to take the focus off him, he asks, “Who are you going to take?”

“I’m going to ask Annie,” Armin states confidently. 

“Annie? Really?”

“Yes, I like her. We have fun together,” he explains, smiling. 

Eren can’t help being envious at how easy it is for Armin to confess his feelings. Again, he questions himself why he’s making his own relationship more difficult than it needs to be. 

On their way to their dormitory, Eren gets a text message:

Mikasa is sleeping over at Jean’s tonight.

Without a second thought, Eren lies to his roommate. “I’m going to the library for a couple of hours. I forgot I have a paper due in a few days for Pyxis.”

“Oh, okay. Good luck. I’ll see you later.”

Eren turns to the direction of the library until he’s out of Armin’s line of sight. A few minutes later, he’s outside another familiar dorm building. There’s a mixture of excitement and anxiety as he waits for her to come down. They haven’t talked since that night. He abandoned her when they were caught by Hitch and Annie. In that moment, he panicked. Instead of explaining himself like any normal, mature person would, he fled the scene, hoping she would be able to fix whatever mess they created. 

She’s in sweats when she opens the door, motioning him to come in. Even in this outfit, his heart flutters at the sight of her. 

“Hey,” he greets her, a small grin on his lips. 

“Hi.” She returns his smile with her own. Warm and bright as ever. 

It would be so easy. So easy to be together, Eren repeats in his head, as he follows her upstairs. 

~~~

Up in your room, as soon as the door is closed, he steps towards you with both hands on your cheeks, kissing you passionately. Your lips smack together, tongues sliding in and around each other’s mouths, hands pressed against his chest. You kiss like this for a minute, your pulse beating fast under your skin.

He breaks away, foreheads touching, noses nuzzling. “Hi,” he whispers. 

You smile. “Hi.”

You get onto the bed and lie besides each other, his arms wrapped around your body. “How are you?” He gives you a smooch on your forehead. 

“I’m fine. Chapter meeting was quick. How about you?”

“Same. Uneventful, as always.” He squeezes you tighter in his embrace. “I’m sorry about Friday night. For running off.”

You’ve had nearly two days to digest all that happened that night and how it plays into your current situation. The rollercoaster of emotions, beginning with denial, peaking at anger, and halting at shame, is causing you to spiral. You spent hours Saturday morning, lying in bed, refusing to accept that Annie is absolutely correct: you do deserve better. You are better than this. And when the realization finally hits you like a bag of bricks, the rest of your Saturday is wasted pacing around campus, letting off steam caused by this newfound contempt for Eren Jaeger. The blatant disrespect from him that you so fervently overlooked is impossible to deny any longer. 

This leads you into Sunday, when the guilt of how you failed yourself starts to consume you. The burden of realizing that you got yourself into this mess weighs heavy on your chest; the burden to escape it weighs even heavier. 

Yet, you lie here with him on Sunday night, wishing for a sign of redemption. Anything to prove that all this was worth it. That it still is worth it. Holding out hope for some type of forlorn act of love. 

He clears his throat. “I freaked out when I saw them. I didn’t know what to do, so I just ran. I’m sorry.”

You stay silent, waiting for any additional explanation, maybe a more valid reason for ditching you. Nothing else comes out of it. Eventually, he clears his throat again, obviously uncomfortable, asking, “So, what did you end of telling them?”

You choose to leave out the details of what Annie said. It’s not the right time. You don’t want to confess to him that it’s been eating away at you for the past two days. Not yet. “I told them that we’re hooking up.”

“Did they have anything to say to that?”

“Not really. They were just surprised.”

He chuckles. “Annie isn’t necessarily the biggest fan of me, so I’m sure she’s secretly upset about it.”

She did not keep it a secret at all, you think to yourself, remembering her disgust very clearly.

“They’re not going to tell anybody, are they?”

“No. They’re my friends. They’re not going to say anything.”

“Good.” His relief doesn’t bring you comfort. Rather, it causes you more stress. He’s so desperate to keep you a secret, and for what? To save face? Protect a reputation that barely exists in the first place?

“Would it be so bad? If people know? What’s the big deal?” You’re already preparing yourself for a disappointing answer. 

Before he replies, he reaches his fingers down to your chin to tilt your head up. “I want to be with you, okay? I just need time.”

“Time?”

“Yeah, to get used to this. I’m not really a relationship or commitment person. This is all new to me. Just give me time. I promise you. It’ll all be alright.” His eyes look earnest. Honest. Sweet. 

The trouble with Eren Jaeger is that he is a master at his craft. Manipulating a situation to go his way is a skill that no one can compete with him in. And it’s taken you several weeks to recognize how easily you fall for it. 

You leave it at that, tired of hearing excuses, exhausted of empty promises. You start kissing him, palming his cock until it’s hard beneath his pants. This is how it always ends up with you two. This is the only thing you’re good for. 

A few minutes later, you’re both naked, you on your back, thighs spread open as he eats you out, pumping his fingers inside you. You’re the same obedient girl that gave your virginity to him. Allowed him to defile you, to ruin you. It’s what you wanted, what you fantasized about. And now you are dealing with the consequences. Picking up the pieces that you willingly let him destroy.

“Fuck, you’re such a good girl. Such a good girl for daddy,” he hums, flicking his tongue over your clit, middle and ring finger working overtime in and out of your cunt. 

You allow the ecstasy to smother you, because the only way to feel good with Eren is like this. He doesn’t have to know that your mind is filled with doubts, regret, insecurity. And, as he sends you into your first orgasm of the night, you temporarily forget about all the imperfections in this shady relationship. You let the lust and pleasure justify why you’re still here in bed with him. 

When you come all over his fingers, he doesn’t stop. He keeps going until his digits are wet, shiny, and sticky with your slick. He sucks on your clit until it’s swollen and sensitive. Until you’re whimpering with tears rolling down the sides of your face. Until he’s had your fill of you, and you’ve given him all that you can offer. 

Without warning, he pulls his fingers out of you and slides his hard cock up and down your arousal, spreading your cum over your clit. You hear the click of the lube bottle, the soft squelch of oil being rubbed on his shaft, the gravely moan resounding from his throat. 

“Are you ready, baby?” 

“Yes,” you breathe out.

He kneels in front of you, positioned between your legs. His cock glides into your sleek pussy easily, eliciting a low moan from his mouth as he bottoms out. He thrusts into you slowly, spreading your thighs out wider for a better angle. He watches you swallow his entire length, a satisfied smile forming at his lips, as he continues to penetrate your sloppy cunt. 

“Fuck, baby. Look at you. You’re beautiful.” His eyes drift up to meet your gaze. You try to suppress the flutter in your belly, reminding yourself that he only says this when you’re beneath him, surrounding his cock. Giving him what he wants.

“Take this cock, take this fucking cock. Good girl, good fucking girl,” he growls, sliding his hands under your thighs and pushing your knees closer to your chest. He has you in a fucking mating press, pounding your G-spot ruthlessly, determined to milk you dry. 

“Fuck!” you cry out, fists clenching the sheets, eyes shut tight as he drills you into the bed, completely lost in the heat of passion. You hear him spit twice, his saliva trickling onto your puffy clit. Suddenly, his fingers are on you, stimulating your messy bud smeared in his drool. The sensation overtakes you. Soon, you’re coming once more all over his cock, pussy throbbing around him.

“I want to fill you up, baby. Fill you up with my fucking load,” he moans. Both his hands are holding onto your legs, pushing them towards your shoulders into a goddamn yoga pose. Your cunt is so wet, you’re worried he’ll slip out any second. 

He orgasms inside you, groaning as he comes down from his high. “Fuck, baby. Wish I could take a picture of this.” He pulls out to marvel at your drenched pussy, biting his lower lip. 

Turning your head to the side, you stare blankly at the wall of your bedroom, brought back to reality. Nothing has changed. He’s still the same Eren. Your body feels good, spent and satiated, as it usually does when he’s finished with you. Your mind, however, is focused on all the problems that remain. 

He chuckles, crawling next to you, asking, “You okay?” Completely unaware of the turmoil taking over your mind. 

You nod, staying silent as you sit up, ready to make your usual post-coital trip to the bathroom. His hand grips at your wrist. “Hey. Baby. Seriously, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just have to pee,” you tell him. Not yet. It’s still not the right time.

“Okay,” he relents, loosening his hold on you. 

You slide into your pajamas, avoiding his gaze. From the corner of your eye, you see him looking at you with a worried expression. Does he actually care?

As you exit your bedroom, anxiety creeps into your chest. It feels like the calm before the storm. 

Sometime soon, you’re going to crack. The burden of it all is going to break you, cause you to snap. Unleash the hell that’s burning in your fragile soul.

Not tonight, not in this moment. But soon. 

You’ll finally be free.

~~~

The days pass and Eren’s timeline for turning his sign-up form is dwindling. He’s been debating with himself all week about how he should proceed with this. 

Thursday night, the brothers of Alpha Tau eat dinner together in the dining room. Those that live in the house are prepared food everyday by their house chef. Pledges are allowed two meals a week, free of charge, as long as an active brother signs them up as their guest. Tonight, Reiner invites him to eat with them. 

“Have you asked Pieck to formal yet?” Reiner shoves a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth, waiting for a response.

“I haven’t,” he replies, taking a bite out of the meatloaf on his plate. He knew this was going to come up eventually. 

“Well, what are you waiting for?” In a hushed voice, he leans in closer and urges, “Just don’t take a Sigma Nu Kappa. Anyone but them. A lot of brothers are already taking them. We need to add some hot girls in there or else we’ll be the laughingstock to the rest of the frats.”

It’s a ridiculous statement. Truly. Reiner is an idiot. Apparently so is Eren for going along with everything he commands. 

“I don’t even know how to get a hold of her. I only met her at the Halloween party.”

“Ask Bertolt to help you out. He’s taking another Delta Mu sister. She can let Pieck know you’re interested.”

Eren has been procrastinating doing this on purpose. Once he asks Pieck to the dance, he has no other choice but to break the news to her. He’s nervous for how she’ll react; she’ll probably come up with some smartass comment to make him feel guilty. She never stays mad at him, though. Never. He has her wrapped around his finger, and he shamelessly takes advantage of that. 

“Fine. I’ll ask Bertolt to help me set it up.” 

Reiner pats his back. “Don’t forget to sign up for a room with a single bed. I’m sure you’ll be using it.” He gives you a cocky smirk, going back to scarf down his meal. 

Eren hangs out on the couch after dinner, digesting. He checks his phone frequently, waiting for any type of text inviting him over. He hasn’t talked to her since Monday morning, when he whispered a soft “good morning” as he crawled out of bed to get ready for the day. Even though they spent the night together, she didn’t say much. Usually, they chat with each other before drifting off to sleep. She was much quieter on Sunday, only nodding along and providing short responses as he babbled on and on. He attributes it to exhaustion from the amazing sex, Eren finally trying a position he’s been fantasizing about doing with her.

On his way out of the house to retreat to his dorm room for the night, he spots Annie walking out of the Sigma Nu Kappa house. “Jaeger,” she calls out, before he can avert her.

Reluctantly, he turns to face her. “Hey.”

“Come here for a second. I want to talk to you.” Her expression is the typical scowl she wears whenever she sees him. He wonders if she’s typically like this with others or if this frown is specifically reserved for him. 

“What do you want?” 

She sizes him up, eyes narrowed. “Geez, what’s with the attitude?”

“What do you want?” he repeats, already losing his patience.

She twirls a strand a hair between her fingers. “Armin asked me to formal.”

“Yeah, he told me he was going to ask you.” He still can’t fathom how his best friend, who is a gentle teddy bear, plans to attend a dance with someone as callous and deadpan as Annie. Then again, he hasn’t been spending much time with Armin to discuss this recent development. 

“So, when are you going to ask her? I heard the deadline is on Sunday. It’s already Thursday.”

Eren plays dumb, placing his hands in his pockets and shrugging. He doesn’t owe anyone, especially Annie Leonhart, an explanation. 

She glares at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “What are you doing? She’s a nice girl. Why are you messing around with her like this?”

The accusation irritates him. Defensively, he responds, “I’m not messing around with her, okay? And I know she’s a nice girl. Why do you think I keep her around?” 

Her eyes get narrower, scrutinizing him. “She’s not a plaything, Jaeger. She’s a human being.”

“Yeah, I’m aware of that.” 

“Do you even know how she feels about you?” 

There’s a growing guilt building in his chest as he tries to remain unbothered by this hostile confrontation. He keeps silent, unsure how to react. Truth be told, he doesn’t want to know. Knowing will only make it more difficult for him to let go. To move on. 

She scoffs. “You’re pathetic.”

“And you’re nosy,” he spits out. “What the hell did you tell her anyways? She’s been really distant lately. Hasn’t been talking to me much.”

A small smirk forms on her face. “I told her the truth. Told her what she needed to hear.”

“What does that mean?”

“If you don’t know, then you really are hopeless.”

Eren rolls his eyes, having had enough of this conversation. This is typical Eren. When he’s put in a tough situation, he walks away. Sometimes runs. He turns away from her, not at all interested in being harassed any further. 

Before he moves, she warns, “There are a lot of people who care about her. If you hurt her, you will be reminded every day of how badly you fucked up.”

It sounds like a threat. With Annie, it probably is. 

Without facing her, he says, “I care about her too, Annie.” His voice is soft, maybe even a little vulnerable. Admitting it out loud is unusual; he’s surprised to hear his own mouth utter these words. 

“Then act like it. I thought you didn’t let other people influence how you think or feel. Remember you told me that? Don’t let Reiner influence your decisions. Believe it or not, I at least have more respect for you than him. Don’t be a disappointment.”

With that, he makes his way back to his dorm room, Annie’s words sticking to his mind no matter how hard he tries to disregard them. She’s right; he knows what he’s doing is wrong.

Don’t be a disappointment.

It’s too late for that. 

~~~

Friday night, Sigma Nu Kappa hosts their monthly pizza night. The sisters gather in the kitchen, assembling their personalized pies, handing them over to their chef who bakes them in a portable wood-fired oven. During these special nights, all sisters, whether they live in the house or not, are allowed to participate. 

Hange, who always tries to make the smelliest pizza possible, topped with anchovies, olives, onions, and garlic, is regulated in the corner of the room, eating her meal alone with a twisted smile on her face. Petra, Nanabe, and the other seniors talk amongst themselves as they munch on their dinner, discussing upperclassmen topics unrelated to the rest of the sisters. 

You eat with Mikasa, Annie, and Sasha on the couch, watching a comedy movie on TV. After some idle gossip, Sasha brings up a topic that catches you off guard. 

“Who else is going to Alpha Tau’s formal, besides Mikasa and Hitch?”

“Hey, I haven’t been formally asked by Jean yet. He wants to do it after a nice dinner tomorrow, bless his heart,” Mikasa explains, a sweet smile on her face. “Who’s taking Hitch?”

“Connie!” Sasha answers, proudly. “I set it up. Just call me Cupid.”

“Armin asked me. And I said yes,” Annie mentions in a quiet voice, blushing.

“Armin?! Oooh la la, Annie!” Sasha teases, resulting in a firm punch to her arm.

You notice Annie glancing at you, imploring some sort of comment. 

“I didn’t even know Alpha Tau is having a formal,” you say. Eren hasn’t mentioned it all week. In fact, he’s barely contacted you since Monday morning, when he kissed you goodbye before leaving for his morning class. In his defense, you haven’t made any effort to reach out to him either. You can’t help but wonder if he’s planning to ask you eventually. There’s still that glimmer of hope you’re holding out for him, despite how fast it’s dwindling.    

Annie glares, clearly upset. However, she doesn’t say anything, still adhering to her vow of silence in regard to your secret. 

“Mike is probably going to ask you,” Mikasa mentions, smirking. She found out about your little fling with Mike on Halloween and has been pestering you about it since.

You return her smile. “Maybe.” 

In all honesty, you wouldn’t mind going to formal with Mike. After that night, you still consider him a friend. The few times you’ve passed by him this week, he’s acted normally, greeting you with that handsome grin that he wears so confidently. If you weren’t so fucked up in the head by Eren, you could definitely see yourself falling for Mike, the way he deserves. The way both of you deserve.

Instead, here you are. Still wishing more than anything that Eren asks you to this formal. Setting your expectations so high, you can barely see the top. It’s laughable. It’s pathetic.

You spend the rest of the night at the house, watching another movie snuggled next to your sisters as you all share a big bowl of popcorn. Mikasa leaves before you, heading to Jean’s for the night. Instinctually, you reach for your phone, ready to text Eren. Before you can, Annie nudges you. 

“Hey. Let’s walk back together. I want to talk to you.”

The two of you leave the house, slowly making your way towards the dorms. You’re concerned about what she wants to tell you, anticipating it has something to do with Eren. “What is it, Annie?”

She sighs, staring down at the ground as you both take your time walking. “I’m just going to say it, okay?”

You nod, eyebrows knit together with worry. Anxious for another truth bomb she’s sure to drop in this moment.

“I don’t think Eren is going to ask you to formal.”

It’s inevitable; your heart falls. The sinking sensation dwelling in the pit of your stomach slows down your steps, as if gravity is pulling you towards the ground. “How do you know?”

“I ran into him last night. I asked him and he didn’t give a straightforward answer.”

“Oh,” is all you can mutter as you process this information.  

“Also, I overheard something.” She pauses, debating if she should continue.

“Annie,” you urge her, desperate for the truth.

She gulps loudly, admitting, “I heard he’s taking someone from Delta Mu.”

There’s a cluster of emotions rushing through your head. He’d rather take anyone else besides you, the girl he’s been fucking the past couple of weeks. He was on his goddamn knees just a week ago, begging to have you. Granting whatever wish you desired to nestle himself inside your body, the one you offered him on the fateful night that initiated it all. 

You’re as much to blame as he is, falling for his tricks. For that low voice that can lull you into a trance and manipulate you into submission. Those compelling eyes that dazzle you, hiding the true nature of his cold, frigid heart. 

While your feelings for him have always been true, there are far too many red flags now to ignore, to make excuses for. Time and time again, you’ve let the waves of pleasure purify the sins of your messy relationship, if only for a short while at a time. Not anymore. This is the final straw. 

Now, you want revenge. To hurt him the same way he’s hurt you. Pull the rug out from under him like he’s done to you in the past. Make him feel something. It may sound cruel and petty, but you don’t care. For the first time since it started, you have clarity. 

“Are you okay?” Annie asks.

“I don’t know. But I think I’m starting to see things more clearly now.”

She gives you a small smile. “That’s good to hear.”

After dropping her off to her building, you head to your room, alone. Repulsed by the idea of inviting Eren over with this new information swimming around in your head. Coincidentally, your phone rings, flashing his name across the screen. 

“Hello?” you answer, attempting to keep your cool. 

“Hey,” he greets, his gruff voice taking a different effect on you now. “How are you?” 

“I’m okay.” You keep your responses short. Not in the mood for the typical pleasantries of a phone conversation. 

You hear a sense of trepidation in his voice, as he says, “So, not sure if you’ve heard already, but there’s this formal coming up for Alpha Tau.”

“Yeah, I heard.” 

You hear him clear his throat, nervous. “I’m going to take Pieck. From Delta Mu.”

Gut punch. Annie prepared you for this, but to hear it from his own voice doesn’t soften the blow. 

Before you can respond, he continues. “It doesn’t mean anything. Reiner told me to take her, so I am.”

He’s a coward. A fucking coward. Always abiding to what his big brother demands him to do, for no good reason. And you’re a fool for letting it go this far. 

“Okay.” 

“Are you mad? It’s just formal. It’s not like I’m dating her or anything. I won’t even dance with her if it makes you happy.” The audacity he has to justify it, to make it seem like what he’s doing is no big deal. It takes all your willpower not to scream into the phone. 

“If you really want to make me happy, you’d ask me to go with you, instead of some other girl,” you state.

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re not supposed to be seen together yet. I’m not ready.” Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.

“So, it’s okay to be seen with a Delta Mu, but not with me?” you challenge him, anger seeping through your voice. 

“It’s not like that. Just give me some more time, okay? I just need more time.”

Officially fed up, you quickly say, “Yeah, okay. Got it. Have fun at formal.” You hang up, not waiting for a response. 

Time. You’re sick of hearing this. He uses it as if it’s the magic word that erases all your problems, an excuse to prolong your suffering. You’re not even sure what he needs time for. Does he need it to get over his own insecurities? To grow up and make adult decisions? To realize he cares about you? Regardless, his time is running out.  He didn’t even have the decency to tell you any of this in person. It was all through a fucking phone call. 

Eren Jaeger truly is a coward. The biggest coward of them all.

Your limit has been reached. This is your breaking point. 

 You know what you have to do. 

----------

End Notes: We’re nearing the end, folks! I have three more chapters planned, plus an epilogue. Thank you again for those who have read, commented, liked, and reblogged any or all parts of this so far! 

----------

Taglist:

@jaegerxeren @thelovewitch0v0 @hippiecultz @silver-foxling-blog @eren-slut @littlelaur27 @mokyowife @thenamesaceee @mxnst3rz @itswhits @diamandveins @ritzzberitzz @xartisticoutletx @izukusupreme @erensfavblackie @tippy-toes @monbebe101 @crtzrulestheworld @maqqiekwon @where-the-blackbirds-sing @minibold

@roronoazorosbxtchh @f4irycafe @hello-juuliana @sideofthemoonn @imaddicted-b @belovedackerman @alicebleu @bunnyxgirlxo @butterfly-skinnylegend @bettydes8 @invisible-mori @yesv01 @letig0 @av-sos @stevelacyismyhusband @redhalia111 @rheeves @arminsgfloll @ayaahaddadd @kashxyou @midnightdrearyyy @mxddietherat @ilygia777 @6sakusa @nonsensicalblogging @chrollohearttags @erenputurchildreninsideme

[alicedopey]

The Wound Licker

Fandom: The Gray Man

Genre: AU, Dark, Smut-ish

Pairing: Lloyd Hansen x Plus-Size reader

Warnings: Dubious consent (groping, kissing) coercion, blackmail, Lloyd (he is a villain so he is a menace) These warnings are not to be taken lightly. Read at your own risk. 

Words: 3879

Summary: You go back to school for a reunion and meet a good old friend, Lloyd Hansen.

A/N: This fic was written for Roo’s HalloCream Extravaganza thrown by @darkficsyouneveraskedfor​.  Got the prompt: You run into an old friend but they’re nothing like the person you remember. I’m awfully late and I’m really sorry. Bear with me on this please because this is the first time I’m posting a dark fic. 

The main building of Harvard Law School was just as your remembered it; big, majestic, impressive, pompous… a golden cage which gave you so much, even though it was not your choice in the first place. You couldn’t deny that it offered you the status you had though and that was enough.

Taking a deep breath, you fixed your dress, secured the strap of your handbag on your shoulder, squared up your shoulders for good measure and climbed up the stairs that led to the main entrance.

When you entered, you spotted the few tables aligned and the usual members of the welcoming committee that were sitting behind to greet all your fellow former students. You walked to the first one and put a smile on your face.

“Good evening. Welcome to the 2008 class reunion. May I have your name, please?”

You recognized one of the girls who attended many classes with you, but it was not surprising she did not remember you. None of them did – that is, until you stated your name.

“Y/N Y/L/N.” You knew when it clicked in her brain. The glimmer of recognition in her eyes, the spark of interest, the wide fake smile. Each time, this wicked name fell out from your lips, it was the same hypocritical and unbearable number.

“Y/N, of course!” She exclaimed joyfully. “We had lots of classes together, remember?”

She handed out a sticker with your name on it. The temptation to pretend you did not remember her was strong but you just nodded and smiled as usual. You took the sticker and put it on your chest before entering the huge room where the reunion was taking place.

Inside, the crowd of former students were intently listening to the speech of the man you referred to as your father. His posture shifted and you knew he had probably spotted you the moment you came into the room and he would enjoy giving you a lecture about being late.

You drew near the stage and managed to find a spot hidden between two tall big guys. Out of your father’s sight, you took the time to admire the decorations and you had to admit the Harvard Law School Association had once again outdone themselves to live up to the school’s reputation and show off as much as they could. Not that Harvard was not one of the best universities, but the way it had been forced on you made it impossible to truly appreciate the value of the place.

A round of applause concluded your father’s speech and you joined them half-heartedly. Another famous alumnus took his place as you made your way to the bar to get a drink. The variety of cocktails they offered was enormous and tempting. You finally opted for a Moscow mule and checked the seating arrangements to find your table. A smile appeared on your lips when you read the name of the person who would be seated next to you and you felt a little bit better as you took the direction of your table.

Your smile widened as you saw him standing at the table, waiting for you. He had grown bigger; the hairdo had evolved and there was that weird furry thick line above his lip. But it was him.

“Lloyd Hansen!”

“In the flesh, cupcake.” He replied confidently with a smirk on his face. His overconfident tone surprised you but you smile when you heard the old nickname. He embraced you without any warning and you awkwardly hugged him back. It was nice to feel his toned chest against you and his hands softly caressing your back. It was a first since you’ve known him though. He was not usually that cuddly.

After a few minutes, he finally gave you some space even if his hands lingered on your ample hips.

“Look at you, Cupcake. You’ve…grown.” He squeezed the tender flesh. You couldn’t help feeling embarrassed but one look at his appreciative stare and the kind of embarrassment you felt shifted. Was he flirting with you? That was a first too. The two of you were quite close at college but it never turned flirty that way.

“And you’ve grown…a moustache.” You retorted, trying to change the subject.

“You like it?” He made it wiggle exaggeratedly.

“It suits you.” It did, strangely enough even if it gave him a strong porn movie director from the seventies vibe.

“Ladies love it. The tickling.” He winked and you found yourself giggling and hitting his chest playfully. What was wrong with you now?

He squeezed your hips once again. “I’m surprised you’re here, Cupcake. You usually never come to those reunion things.”

“I was asked to.” More like ordered to, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Ah! Daddy didn’t want you to miss his important speech.” He snorted.

You frowned at his condescending tone. Even if he was right, he was clearly mocking the situation and you did not like it one bit. You did not remember him using this tone with you.

You took a few steps back and crossed your arms in front of your chest in a defensive stance. Lloyd’s arms fell limply on his side. His jaw ticked but he must have sensed you were upset because his tone was softer when he asked his next question.

“So… what have you been up to since graduation?”

“I’m a lawyer now.”

“Oh. Filling up your parents’ shoes, then? Wanna become a judge too?”

You winced. “Not exactly. I mostly work on civil cases: divorces, custodies… I even volunteer to help people who need counselling but can’t afford it. I know this doesn’t sound prestigious but I love it.” You concluded in a more confident tone. You were proud of what you had become, no matter what your parents or others could think.

Lloyd smiled and inched closer. “I’m not surprised.” He raised his hand to tuck a lock of hair that had escaped from your ponytail behind your ear. “You were always so nice, willing to please everyone. Willing to please me.”

Your cheeks got hot under his praise and actions. A pleasant shiver ran down your spine as his hand found his way to your cheek. You leaned into his touch and castigated yourself instantly. What was wrong with you? What was wrong with him?

He had never behaved this way before, at least not with you. He had quite the reputation back then but your relationship had always been friendly and innocent. Not that it was unpleasant but it made your feel uneasy. You were not used to this kind of attention. Once again, you stepped away from him.

“What about you? What have you been up to?” He smirked, clearly having sensed your discomfort. You tried to ignore it. “I bet you’re working with the police or something. You clearly were a man of action.” You remembered he was not a fan of all those laws but when it came to practicing, he was there.

“I tried but it was too boring. I was recruited by the CIA and I’ve worked for them for a few years.”

“Wow, CIA”. Your eyes widened. “That’s amazing. What are you doing now, then?”

“I’m still working with them but let’s say I’m a free agent. They call me for special missions.”

“Like when they desperately need help and no one else can do it?” You asked with a smile, still impressed but a new smirk appeared on his face and your smiled faltered.

“What I do can’t be taught so you could say that.  See… looks like we’re doing the same job. Helping those in need, just like we used to help each other in college.”

You full smile returned. Those were fond memories. Two misunderstood persons finding solace in each other.

The arrival of the waiters with the hors d’oeuvre put a stop to your conversation and you took your seats next to each other.

To say you had a bad time during the dinner would be a lie. The discussions with the other former students were nice and the meal was delicious. Llloyd was a pleasant company. To you, at least. He could be quite sharp and mocking with the other guests. He was blunt and even almost gross in his replies. That was new. You had heard about this side of him but had never witnessed it and it was… upsetting.

When it came to you though, he was as charming as possible. Very tactile, even. He constantly put his hand on your arm when he talked to you, his arm was nonchalantly thrown over the back of your chair which allowed him to touch your neck and shoulder. The signals were clear and after trying to resist, you let yourself drown into them, no matter what the outcome would be. It was nice to be the center of attention for something else than your name, their name, his name.

Overall, you had a great time. Then your father chose to come around and greet everyone. All of the students at your table raised from their seats at his approach and you felt obligated to do so as well. You watched him talking smoothly to everyone, slipping some advices here and there like a real mentor. You sighed, clearly exasperated by his little show.

“Hansen! Glad to see you there!” He held out his hand and Lloyd shook it firmly, answering with a simple. “Y/L/N.”.

No Sir, no deference, Lloyd did not seem impressed by his little show either. If your father saw it, he did not act like it and finally turned towards you.

“Glad to see you managed to leave your lost causes for a while to be there…even late.”

No hello, no happy to see you. Typical. Well, two could play that game.

“It’s not for everyone to work with criminals, Father.”

“It’s not for everyone to have higher ambitions, dear.” His patronizing tone made you sigh. “You should follow his path.” He added, pointing to Lloyd. “This man could teach you a few lessons.”

You frowned at his words and sat back down on your chair; defeated, hurt and furious. He ruined it. He ruined everything. This place where you were having a good time suddenly became a place to run away from. You strongly wanted to be back home and in your bed.

“This thing is boring.” Lloyd snorted as he sat back down next to you. “I’ll tell you what, Cupcake”. He lightly pinched your cheek to get your attention. “The hotel where I’m staying has a pretty good chef who makes the most amazing desserts. Maybe we could enjoy them together.”

You watched him doubtfully. “I don’t know Lloyd. It’s nice but I’m pretty tired…”

“Come on, Cupcake.” He cajoled you. “Aren’t you up for some sweet treat? You, me and some exquisite chocolate mousse. For old time’s sake.”

He clearly knew how to tempt you. You really needed this sweet boost and the idea to spend some time in his company was truly enticing. It was also very clear that his proposal was not innocent but some little excitement in your life could not be that bad.

“All right, let’s go.”

He leaned on you to kiss your cheek – rather the corner of your mouth. “Good girl.”

For the second time this evening, a pleasant shiver ran down your spine and you felt your cheeks warm up once again. It was just a kiss!

You cleared your throat to hide your embarrassment. “Do you mind if I use the ladies’ room before we go?”

“Be my guest.”

You gave him a small smile, put your shoulder bag on and stoop up swiftly to make your way towards the restroom.

The place was deserted but it was not surprising in the middle of dinner time. You were about to get into a bathroom stall when someone pushed you against the nearest wall and a pair of lips attacked yours. You tried to free yourself from your assailant when you felt something hairy tickle your upper lip. Lloyd. The said person glided his tongue against your lips and you gladly granted him access as you gripped his shirt. The kiss was wild and savage, there was no gentleness and you liked that.

Soon, too soon, the need to breathe got strong and your lips had to get separated.

“I couldn’t wait any longer”. Lloyd’s breathed against your mouth.

“I’m not complaining”. You breathed back and closed your eyes in bliss as Lloyd sucked your neck while his hands kneaded the soft flesh of your thighs. He hooked one of your legs on his waist and your nails sank in the flesh of his neck, pushing him further against yours. He groaned and bit your skin in response. You let out a wispy moan. Your hips were starting to oscillate against his and he was too eager to reciprocate, making him you feel how hard he was in the process.

In the back of your mind, you heard the hinges of the door cringe and soft feminine giggles. You did not care. If anything, it riled you even more. He could take you right there while everybody was watching and you would not care one bit. There was nothing that could put an end to this. Except the ringing of his phone.

Lloyd grumbled and tore himself away from you. He fumbled in the pocket of his pants and extirpated the smart phone.

“Give me a minute.” He told the caller sharply.

You looked at each other, breathless and turned on. Lloyd winked at you. “I need to take this.” He stroked your swollen lips with his thumb. “I’ll meet you at the entrance hall, okay?”

You simply nodded, too stunned to find your voice. Lloyd nodded back and left. You heard his cold “What do you want?” before the door closed after him.

Flustered, you went into the bathroom stall to relieve yourself, washed your hands, fixed your dress and make up before walking out.

The welcoming committee was not here anymore, they were probably enjoying the festivities. You rummaged in your purse to check the time on your phone. 9:30 PM. It was not that late and yet, you felt as if it was midnight after the evening you just had.

You waited patiently and kept checking your phone again, and again, and again…

Fifteen minutes later and still no Lloyd in sight. You could not spot anyone or anything outside so you went back to the banquet hall.

You spotted Lloyd who was in a deep discussion with another man you couldn’t put a name on. The guy had a cocky and overconfident posture but Lloyd did not look like he was impressed, quite the contrary. You were approaching them slowly when something the man said made you stop in your tracks.

“I didn’t know you were hitting that, Hansen. I mean, I thought you were over the desperate ugly chick kink. Looks like you hit the jackpot with her though…and a fat one on top of that!”

You waited for Lloyd’s answer with belated breath. “Jealous? You should try them sometimes, gives you more meat to eat.” He sneered.

“Please, Hansen! We all know you are doing this to get to the father like you used to do when we were in college. I don’t understand why you keep up with this little charade though. I heard you were quite successful, no need to make yourself suffer anymore.”

You closed your eyes, ashamed and humiliated.

“Mind your own business, Cooper.”

Cooper did not appear to be done though. “Ah so there is something else going on. Tell me…”

You did not bother listening to the rest of the conversation and left the room very calmly as not to draw attention to yourself. You managed to keep this even pace until you were back in the hall then you rushed outside, only stopping when you reached the gate.

Your breath was erratic and you were shaking, the chill weather of this spring night hitting you for the first time. Your vision was blurred due to the tears that had started to well in your eyes. NO. You thought, wiping them away furiously before they could roll down your cheeks. You would not cry. Lloyd Hansen was not worth your tears. Your father was not worth your tears. This fucking name was not worth your tears.

Ragefully, you tore the sticker from your chest and wrinkled it before throwing it on the floor.

Taking deep breaths to calm yourself, you rummaged in your purse once again to retrieve your phone and open the Uber application. Time to go back home and forget everything in front of a sitcom on Netflix while eating some chocolate or ice-cream. Probably both. You would enjoy your sweet treats after all, even alone.

“Bailing on me, Cupcake?” Lost in your own torment of emotions, you had not heard Lloyd coming after you. Your whole body went rigid when he put a hand on your shoulder. You turned around abruptly and took a few steps back. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m tired. I’m going back home. But I’m not worried for you, I’m certain you will find another desperate ugly fat chick quickly.” You spat.

Lloyd tilted his head on the side and a smile stretched his lips. “Oh Cupcake, it’s not like you to eavesdrop on people.” He tutted. “Besides, those were his words, not mine. Made him regret saying them by the way.”

He clenched his right fist and you noticed his bruised knuckles.

“Doesn’t change the fact you agreed with him.”

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “Desperate ugly chicks will give you everything you want because they know beggars can’t be choosers but you Cupcake, oh you…” He tapped the tip of your nose with his pointer finger. You grimaced. “You don’t beg and you are not desperate. You give and ask for nothing in return. You were always so nice with me, always listening to me, helping me. Hell, I think you would have licked my wounds if I had asked you. I never thought someone like you could exist, I was fascinated by this, by you.”

You rolled your eyes and took another step back. “More fascinated by my father, if you ask me.”

Lloyd chuckled. “Your father was a nice bonus but I did not truly know who he was before I met you so you can’t put this on me. Now...”

“But now you want me to put in a good word for you.” You cut him off harshly. “In case you haven’t noticed, my father and I are not on speaking terms. Find someone else.”

He smiled but an evil glint appeared in his eyes. You shuddered. “Oh, my sweet Cupcake, you haven’t figured it out yet?” His fingers played with the fabric of your short sleeve. “Your father asked you to come because I ordered him to.”

“What?” You whispered incredulously, clutching your phone against your chest. You tried to step back but his strong grip on your sleeve made the fabric crack so you gave up and glared at him instead. “What nonsense is this?”

“It’s not nonsensical at all, Cupcake.” He winked and kept playing with your sleeve. “In my line of work, I got to meet your father several times and I also got to find out all the non-so perfect things he was tangled into. He asked for my help many times and I did help but I’m not you like you, Cupcake. I can be a giver but I take in return. I asked for you.” He concluded with a smile.

A laugh fell out from your mouth at that. “You do know we are not in the Middles Ages, right? My father can’t sell me to some man like cattle to pay his debts.”

“Who said anything about selling? All I’m asking is for you to come with me tonight. We’ll see where we go from here.” His hand let go of your sleeve to caress your arm.

You recoiled from him as if you had been burnt. “Don’t touch me.” He gripped your arm this time and you gasped from the pain, dropping your phone on the floor. “I said don’t touch me or I’ll…”

“You’ll…what? You’ll scream?” He sneered. “And what? You’re gonna tell them I assaulted you when they rush here. Who’s gonna believe you? Huh?” He shook you by the arm and you tried to escape his grip again but to no avail. “We’ve been flirting all night and the rumor that we were caught nearly fucking in the ladies’ room has already spread. You’re the slut of the night, Cupcake.”

You glared at him once again, utterly disgusted. Then it hit you. How come you had not seen it before? Lloyd hadn’t changed, he had always been like this and chose not to show it to you until now because you refused to please him, like you always did. “You’re sick.”

An evil smirk curled his lips. “Didn’t seem to bother you when my tongue was down your throat or when you were rubbing against my dick like a cat in heat.”

He pulled you against him, imprisoning your arms against his hard chest and tilted your chin up with his other hand so you would look at him. “Now you’ve got two choices. You come with me, we have some fun and your father gets to keep his perfect public face or your refuse and I’ll expose his scams. Believe me, they’re numerous.”

You sniffed disdainfully. “If you think for a second, I care about my father’s successful career or my mother’s for that matter, you’re clearly mistaken. Let them be ruined.”

“Oh, but you are forgetting one very important thing, Cupcake.” He stroked your chin. “You are all sharing the same name. You, above anyone else, should know the importance of it. Your career will be ruined too.” He concluded with a sardonic smile.

“Think about it: no more family cases, no more helping those in need…what will they do without you?”

Horrified, you closed your eyes to try and escape the reality of the situation, his mocking smile, his taunting voice. This fucking name. A curse more than anything else, a burden that hard ruined your whole life and kept doing it. Devoid of any choice once again all because of a man. There was no chance to escape from it. You couldn’t contain the tears of rage and frustration that rolled down your cheeks this time. You fell Lloyd’s lips against your skin, kissing the tears away in a tender but mocking gesture. Then, he embraced you and made you sway with him gently.

“What do you say, Cupcake? Up for some sweet treat with your very good friend?”

You nodded against his chest, too defeated and enraged to speak.

“That’s my girl”. He purred, kissing your forehead. “I knew you would take the right decision, always trying to please me. You are my perfect little wound licker. Too perfect to let you slip away from me once again. You are mine now and I will never let you go.”

Tagging: @naaladareia​ (Thanks for the support love)

[topguncortez]

can i get 19 + 37 with jake from the sick prompt list? x

pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Shy!Wifey prompts: 19. “Your fever hasn’t gone down.”, 37. “You fainted.”, and combined another request 38. “I feel like I was hit by a train.  Everything hurts.” prompts list Jake & Shy Wifey Masterlist

If there was one thing about the Seresin children, is that they had their father's determination and stubbornness. Each of them were hard headed in their own way, especially Ella. She always felt like she had something to prove being the daughter of a famous naval aviator and being the only girl in a family of boys. Ella was on every committee and club chair that she could possibly be on, as well as doing sports nearly all year round. The girl didn't know what it meant to rest, which is why when she got sick, it hit her hard.

"How are you feeling, baby?" Jake asked, placing the back of his hand on his daughter's forehead and frowned. He grabbed the thermometer next to her, "Under your tongue."

"I feel like I was hit by a train," Ella mumbled, "Everything hurts."

"Well, you probably got whatever the twins had last week," Jake sighed. Both Jasper and Maxwell had the flu last week. Ella did her best to try and maintain a distance away from her younger brothers, but it seemed as though it failed. When the thermometer beeped, Jake took it out of her daughter's mouth.

"one oh two point three," Jake set the thermometer down and refolded the cool rag on Ella's forehead, "Your fever hasn't gone down. I'm gonna go get you some toast and Tylenol. If it doesn't break in an hour, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"But dad," Ella groaned. It was bad enough she had to miss school, she was not about to go to the hospital and possibly be committed and miss more school.

"Ella," Jake scolded lightly, "I know you want to go to school, but your health is more important," Ella nodded and he placed a kiss on her forehead before getting up from her bed, "I'll be back. Drink that gatorade please."

Ella nodded and watched her mom walk out of her bedroom. She sighed and checked her phone, waiting to her back from her boyfriend Luke on if he got her homework and notes from the student council meeting she was missing today. It also mad her made that her perfect attendance record since kindergarten was about to be ruined, but there was no arguing with one Jake Seresin when he gave you the "dad" look.

Y/N was sitting down in the kitchen, cutting up vegetables for a stew she was making for dinner. Jake greeted her with a kiss on her cheek before heading to the pantry and getting the bread out.

"Fever still high?" Y/N asked and Jake nodded.

"Hasn't budged," Jake said, and placed two slices of toast in the toaster, "She's worrying me. Can't believe she's still even lucid."

"Me either," Y/N said, "Val said that if it's stable that's a good thing, means her body is fighting off the illness. Just don't want it going on any longer."

Jake sighed and leaned against the counter, "I wish my kids never got sick. Remember when Alex was first born and he got really sick? I thought I was going to have a heart attack."

Y/N chuckled and set the knife down on the cutting board. Jake had always been the more empathetic parent when it came to the kids. Every bump, scrape, bruise, illness they got, Jake swore he could feel their pain. He always looked near tears whenever the kids got hurt. When Alex had been hospitalized as a baby, Jake hardly ever left his side, frightened that the worse would happen if he did. It took a doctor coming in and telling Jake that he needed to go for a walk for him to finally leave.

"Kids get sick," Y/N said, walking over to her husband and wrapping her arms around his neck, "It's a normal thing of growing up. At least we live in a place where we can drive five minutes to a hospital if we need one."

"You always find a brighter side to life," Jake smiled, "That's what I love about you," He kissed his wife quickly as the toast popped up, "That's for the princess."

Y/N giggled and moved back towards her cutting board. Jake smeared butter on the toast and grabbed two Tylenol pills and another gatorade before heading upstairs. He turned the corner into Ella's room but his eyebrows furrowed seeing her out of bed and standing in the middle of her room.

"Ella?" Jake asked.

"Dad? Why am I-" Her speech was slurred and Jake watched her knees buckle. He quickly threw down the items in his hands and ran to catch her before she could crash to the ground.

"I got you babygirl, I got you," Jake whispered running his hand over her hair, "Y/N!"

Hearing the commotion from downstairs, Y/N was already running up the stairs when Jake called. He looked like a frightened child as he held his unconscious one in his arms. Y/N kneeled down next to Ella, placing two cool rags underneath her arm pits.

"Keep her head level," Y/N said, and grabbed Ella's feet, propping them up against her bed, "Ella, sweetheart," Y/N rubbed her daughter's calf, watching as she slowly fluttered her eyes open and a whimper coming from her mouth.

"Mommy," She cried and Y/N smiled softly at her, "What-?"

"You fainted," Jake said and Ella looked up at her dad, tears in her eyes, "It's alright, babygirl."

"You got her? I'm gonna ring Val and have her come over," Y/N asked and Jake nodded, still holding his daughter in his arms.

Ella still had tears in her eyes, some threatening to spill as she looked at her dad, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Jake asked, and wiped a tear away with his thumb, "You're sick baby, there's nothing to apologize for." Ella nodded, "How about this, I put you back to bed, get you some snacks and we wait for Aunt Val to come by?"

Ella nodded again, and Jake picked her up in his arms. He gently laid her down, and tucked her back underneath the blankets. He kept the cold icepacks under her arms and the rag around her neck. Jake never left her side as they waited for Val and Y/N to come back.

[shockersalvage]

Salvage Showcase - Monokuma Maid

Back to Danganronpa Zero - the first light novel of this franchise. Last time on this Showcase saga we got a look into the eight in one Naruto case that was Madarai. So for this time, I chose someone who, while not as well known as others in her class, serves the theme of Danganronpa Zero pretty well and gives sight into another underrated aspect of the series.

...Well, that and I also want to talk about the only other prominent original female in that light novel. Look at her! Can you blame me? Presenting Zero’s representation in the Mono department: Monokuma Maid!

Summary

Not much is known about this girl’s past prior to joining the Reserve Course, but she must come from a decently well off family, since she could afford to pay the Course tuition to attend the Academy.

Things changed for her after the Tragedy of Hope’s Peak Academy – where the Student Council were forced to kill each other. Junko would send out a mass email that put the blame on Izuru Kamukura the school’s Ultimate Hope. This would anger the Reserve Course who started to riot. One for their mistreatment and the other for the funds they spent being used to, apparently, make a mass murderer. Junko would then use the footage of the massacre and edited with the knowledge of Ryota Mitarai’s brainwashing methods. Creating the Despair Video, this girl would fall prey to it and be driven insane with despair. Like with the rest of the Reserve Course, she became an underling to the Ultimate Despair.

During the events of Zero, Ryoko would wake up to find herself in the Reserve Course’s secret society and be welcomed by the girl, this time wearing her maid dress and Monokuma mask. Monokuma Maid would guide Ryoko about the base, assuming that Ryoko was testing her, and delve into the Reserve Course’s goal of getting their hands on Izuru. Notably, her own blatant insanity, creepyed Ryoko out so much that she used the excuse of needing to use the restroom to quickly leave her. But, in doing so, Ryoko would learn more about the society’s secrets as well. From how they watched the DV on repeat for thousands of times, to even holding two of the Steering Committee hostage (albeit, one dead and the other tortured before eventually being killed as well).

When Junko finally regained command in the finale, the reason the girl became Monokuma Maid was because Junko was just trying out mascot ideas, but decided that people in costumes wasn’t going to work for her next killing game.

Eventually, like with the rest of the Reserve Course that hadn’t died yet in DR3 or became Izuru, Monokuma Maid would meet her on end on the day the Reserve Course invaded the Main Course side, slaughtering every student that wasn’t in Class 78 or apart of the Ultimate Despair. The RC students would commit suicide after Junko would send them Monokuma’s Gloomy Sunday, otherwise known as the Suicide Video. Be it jumping out of the Main Course building or running into its burning wreckage, Monomaid would have killed herself. The Reserve Course mass suicide would go onto the catalyst for the Tragedy that would end the world.

While polite, quirky and eager to please at first, Monokuma Maid is a girl that’s utterly insane, being prone to violent ranting  and cursing over her plight as a Resrve Course student. She is bitter and disdainful to the school she’s affiliated with it, being utterly disillusioned with it. She holds fierce loyalty to Junko, but laments that she feels that she isn’t capable of truly being Monokuma.

Rundown

I mentioned that Danganronpa Zero’s theme is one of ‘identity’ or, rather, a ‘lack of identity’. Yuto’s whole thing is that he lacks so much presence that people don’t notice him, the Madarai are octuplets that make an effort to be completely indistinguishable from each other to the point people could mistake them as being one person. Monokuma Maid serves this theme from the get-go by way of her own design and name...or lack of it. She is only known as the Monokuma Maid, with her real name being unknown. Her face is complete obscured by her Monokuma mask and her own identity as a maid hammers in the point that she is but a servant. Someone that lives to assist someone else’s life instead of their own. Monomaid’s status compared to the other Reserve Course (that aren’t the Trio most are aware of) is also something to take note of. Sure, while her identity that we know of is literally just a Monokuma Maid, it still marks her as unique compared to the other members of the Reserve Course who get no names, nothing to make them stand out and, in the anime, are depicted as being transparent, near faceless, nobodies. She is unique from the metaphorical faceless crowd solely because she took up a mask to become a literal faceless henchman.

Monokuma Maid easiest point of comparison would be to Mukuro Ikusaba herself. Similarity wise, both are devoted followers of Junko that done disguises or other forms on behalf of their boss. They are also more than willing to go about illegal or immoral actions for the sake of Junko’s plans being completed, with an eagerness to serve her. Though, how they differ, is in their motivations which, strangely enough, Monomaid is more of the autonomous of the two (despite, you know, being brainwashed).

Mukuro’s whole life desire is to serve Junko and make her happy, no matter what, even if it costs the world. Her entire identity is wrapped up in that one desire. Monokuma Maid on the other hand, while essentially being nameless and apart of the masses of underlings involved with Junko, her desire (and by extension the Reserve Courses’s main desire) is to get their hand on the Ultimate Hope and ‘crush him’ as payback, which is why they’re rioting and working with Junko (with video shenanigans for good measure). It's a nice reminder that, despite probably being the least regarded people both in and out of universe in Danganronpa, the Reserve Course’s goal prior to their mass suicide did come from a genuine independent grudge beyond Junko and persists even as they became her underlings.

Personal Thoughts

I really loved Monokuma Maid in terms of design and what aspect she brought to the prequel to the original game. The idea that concept of Monokuma needing to go through stages before becoming the bear that we all knows and, probably, love is a great addition to the world.

Monokuma Maid also serves as a great gateway to a rather undertalked about aspect of Danganronpa, that being the Reserve Course. It’s easy to dismiss them as just ‘Junko’s brainwashed puppets’ ( + three named others of varying importance) and call it a day (DR3 certainly chalks it up to just that), but Zero’s inclusion of Monomaid, and really the other RC students that get depicted in it, really helps flesh out that aspect of them.

Monomaid isn’t a bluefaced nobody that Junko can chuck at a repressed boxer, she’s a perky, unstable, girl with a clear chip on her shoulder in face of an actual injustice. She’s passionate about taking down Hope’s Peak and (while Junko wasn’t herself), this maid actually had the gall to go right up in Junko’s face to yell at her about her grievances. Sure, her being so crazy is due to watching the video, but its an exaggeration of her very real issue with the system.The same goes for the other minor students that got some page time. One of the talking Monohead students (in a very depressed and bitter state) is able to wax philosophical about the mutual killing that transpired in Zero and, when Ryoko runs to the old school building, one of the students disguised as a guard, smirks at her and let’s her in.

They’re proof that even the ‘talentless’ crowd had personality and charm to them just as much as the Ultimates that we all love. Even with the knowledge of them being brainwashed in Zero, you get the feeling these aren’t just zombies Junko can order about and treat willy-nilly, but thinking people that you have to take into consideration. Heck, even Junko and Mukuro talk about them in the end as if they were your regular minions that one needs to work with and around if you want stuff done (which makes DR3′s usage of the DV more annoying but that’s neither here nor there at the moment) It’s characters like the Monokuma Maid that really helps make the DR world message and themes come alive, and why I do wish she got remembered more. Kind of makes me sad that, despite being the sole survivor of the original DR0 cast, DR2 just has the Reserve Course kill themselves without any utilization of her. Makes me sort of wish she took the place of AI!Junko in a way, but what can you do.

With that, DR0 is down once more! Next up is back to the detective side of things with Danganronpa: Kirigiri!

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in June 2023

01/06 As Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Logistic Corps, Princess Anne attended the Freedom of the City of Winchester Parade at the Guildhall to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Corps, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving in Winchester Cathedral. 🫡

03/06 Princess Anne departed from Heathrow Airport for Canada and was received at Calgary International Airport by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. 🇨🇦

As President of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences, HRH met with delegates and later attended a Dinner at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. 🌍

04/06 As President of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences, HRH attended the Opening Plenary of the Commonwealth Study Conference. She departed Calgary Airport for the United Kingdom and arrived back on 05/06 🇨🇦

06/06 As Royal Patron of Motor Neurone Disease Association, attended a Care Forum at Boughton House, Kettering. 🦠

As Master of the Corporation of Trinity House, HRH attended a Younger Brethrens’ Dinner at Trinity House, Tower Hill, London EC3. 🍽️

07/06 As Master of the Corporation of Trinity House, HRH attended the Trinitytide Anniversary Annual Court Meeting, Church Service and Luncheon at Trinity House. 🥗

The Princess Royal attended the Canadian Armed Forces Day Reception at the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, Canada House, Trafalgar Square. 🇨🇦

08/06 The Princess Royal, as Honorary Air Commodore of Royal Air Force Brize Norton, attended a Parade to mark the retirement of C-130J Hercules and the disbandment of 47 Squadron at Royal Air Force Brize Norton. ✈️

Her Royal Highness, As Royal Patron of the Security Institute, HRH attended a Careers Fair at the Victory Services Club 💼

As Patron, International Students House, attended a Reception. 👨‍🎓

12/06 As Patron, of the British Nutrition Foundation, Princess Anne visited Washingborough Academy in Lincoln, to mark the 11th Healthy Eating Week for Schools. 🍎

As President of Carers Trust, HRH visited the new Facilities for Carers at the Carers’ Support Service at the Old Waterworks Office in Grimsby. 🩺

As Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, HRH held a Dinner at St James’s Palace. 🍽️

13/06 Held an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. 🎖️

The Princess Royal, As Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, held a Members Election Commission Meeting. 🤸‍♀️

14/06 Held two Investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

Received His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams (Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda) and Lady Williams. 🇦🇬

15/06 The Princess Royal as Colonel of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) carried out the following engagements;

Attended the parading of the new Sovereign’s Standard to the Regiment followed by a Reception at Hyde Park Barracks.💂‍♂️

Attended a Household Cavalry Council Meeting at Hyde Park Barracks. 🐴

The new Sovereign’s Standard to The Blues and Royals was presented by HRH to HM in the Quadrangle of Buckingham Palace and was received with a Royal Salute. After the new Standard was consecrated, The Parade subsequently ranked past HM and HRH. 🚩

As President of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, attended the Fellows’ Reception at the Royal Geographical Society. 🌍

16/06 The Princess Royal, as Colonel of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), presided over a Conference attended by the Colonels of the Regiments of the Household Division. HRH subsequently attended the Senior Colonels’ Dinner at Clarence House. 🫡

17/06 In her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Blues and Royals and Gold Stick in Waiting, the Princess Royal along with Sir Tim and other members of the royal family attended King Charles first Trooping the Colour Parade as monarch. 💂‍♂️

His Majesty was followed by The Prince of Wales (Colonel, Welsh Guards), The Princess Royal (Colonel, The Blues and Royals, Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) and The Duke of Edinburgh (Royal Honorary Colonel, 1st Battalion London Guards) on horseback down the Mall towards Horse Guards Parade. Duchess Sophie, Sir Tim and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester travelled in carriages and the Duke of Kent (Colonel, Scots Guards) followed by car. 🐎

The troops on Parade, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Livesey, Welsh Guards (Field Officer in Brigade Waiting), received The King with a Royal Salute. 🫡

After the Parade, the RF rode back to Buckingham Palace on horseback, in carriages and by car. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery ranked past The King on arrival at Buckingham Palace. 🐴

The royal family stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and witnessed a fly-past by aircraft of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. ✈️

19/06 The Princess Royal and Sir Tim with other members of the royal family and other members of the Garter attended a Chapter of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the Throne Room, Windsor Castle.

They all later attended a Luncheon Party for the Companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. 🥪

An Installation Service was held in St George’s Chapel at which two new members were installed in the order. 🪶

20/06 As Colonel, The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), attended a Dinner at Drapers’ Hall. 🍽️

Unofficial Attended day one of Royal Ascot with Zara and Mike Tindall, Peter Phillips and Lindsay Wallace 🐎

21/06 Unofficial Princess Anne, Sir Tim, Zara & Mike Tindall and other members of the RF attended day two of Royal Ascot. 🐴

22/06 Unofficial Princess Anne, Sir Tim, Zara & Mike Tindall and other members of the RF attended Ladies Day, day three of Royal Ascot. 🐴

23/06 Visited the Royal Highland Show at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh where she met exhibitors, farmers, animals and sampled local food and drink. 🐮🐑🧀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

24/06 Attended the Icelandic Horse Society British Championships and Summer Festival at Washbrook Farm, Aston le Walls. 🇮🇸🐎

27/06 Attended the opening ceremony of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, Germany. 🇩🇪🐎

28/06 Toured behind the scenes and met team GB at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, Germany. 🇩🇪🇬🇧

29/06 The Princess Royal, as President of Carers Trust, accompanied by Sir Tim, attended a Reception in London SW1. 🦽

Princess Anne as Patron of United Kingdom Sailing Academy, accompanied by Sir Tim, attended a Founders’ Club Dinner at the Corporation of Trinity House. ⛵️

30/06 The Princess Royal presented Prize Day awards at the Royal School Haslemere. 🏆

Total official engagements for Anne in June: 40

2023 total so far: 262

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in June : 6

2023 total so far: 56

[eponymous-rose]

A full day today, so I figured it might be fun to write up what a professor's day might look like when not lecturing!

6:30AM: Got up early to virtually attend a friend's wedding on the East Coast! <333

8:00AM: I have been very careful this quarter to shuffle lectures/meetings around so that I have a little time to myself in the mornings to sit at home and drink coffee and eat breakfast and pet a cat while I get the day's work started. No exception today! I pull up an application my PhD student has been putting together for a tech grant and use the proverbial red pen to make some (a lot of) comments. It looks good overall, though! I send him a note to encourage him to send it to our collaborator in the computer science department when he's done with edits. Monday's the deadline, we gotta get moving on this.

9:00AM: I load up a bag with books I keep putting off taking to my office, plus some extra Halloween candy I found to add to my office candy bowl, and head out to take the bus in to campus. Also, pet the cat goodbye (she is unconcerned).

9:45AM: At the office, books and candy put away! Time to prep for my first meeting, which is a committee meeting with someone else's PhD student. He struggled a bit with a recent exam (entirely his advisor's fault, but that's a different story), so we're reconvening as a group to see his progress and cheer him on. He sent an update document, so I run through that and take a few notes. Then it's responding to e-mails (setting up my participation in a federal review panel next year, responding to two prospective graduate students interested in working with me - the combo of a fun research topic and a beautiful campus means I'm now up to 20 inquiries so far this quarter, eep - and sending out an update to the department about the charitable giving opportunities I'm coordinating).

10:30AM: Great presentation by the PhD student about all the things he's done since our last meeting back in April-ish. He's made huge changes to his work, and we applaud (literally and figuratively) how much he's accomplished in such a short time. Also, amazing data visualization! Great work all around. He's set to defend his PhD by 2025 at this rate, definitely back on track.

11:30AM: Time to rush back to my office to meet with my own PhD student! We usually meet on Fridays, but we get tomorrow off for the holiday so we jumped the meeting back. He's a few minutes late due to a missed bus, so my next-door colleague and I talk about cats for a few minutes. As you do. When he does arrive, he's got some cool stuff to show me - we talk about the notes I made on his grant application, and I remind him (and myself) to book flights to a conference in December that is rapidly approaching somehow. (I guess this means I have to do some cool and innovative research before then that I can talk about. Go figure.) He also shows me some cool preliminary results from a project he's been doing with a friend out in Pennsylvania. He's late enough in his PhD that my role as advisor is primarily to get out of his way and make sure he has enough supercomputer core-hours to get his work done!

12:30PM: A break for me! I start in on e-mail again, sending a coordinator my bio and abstract for a talk I've been invited to give (virtually, thankfully) at a student conference in January. I also realize that, because of the break tomorrow, I should really put together a homework assignment and next week's lectures for the class I teach Monday-Wednesday-Friday. Hmmm. I dig through last year's lectures and assignments and realize they've gotten a little out of sync this year. The solution? I may just offer 5 instead of 6 assignments over these ten weeks and give them this one a week later. Class average has been extremely high on them, and I think the students will appreciate a bit of a break. Also means today's job is just to prepare a few lectures based on last year's material. I've got a big chunk of open time later this afternoon to deal with course stuff, so back to e-mail. Going to be joining a friend (who I can't help but think of as the undergrad who sat in during all my grad classes, but is now somehow a full research scientist) on a very cool project putting together a new thunderstorm dataset. Also reached out to another friend about setting up biweekly meetings to hopefully start a new research collaboration and... possibly some fieldwork! I also almost forgot to put a forecast together for our forecasting competition, but I got there in time. Phew.

1:30PM: Meeting with a colleague and the undergrad research intern we co-supervise who is sadly having to leave to go attend school closer to home. This meeting is mostly just us reinforcing to her that we're still here if she needs advice/reference letters or ever wants to work on a similar project with us remotely in the future, but we are going to continue with the research until the end of the quarter, at her request. After the meeting, I get an e-mail about another undergraduate looking for a research project! I present her with the options of a cool lightning project with my colleague next door (waiting to hear back about federal funding for that project, fingers crossed) and that other cool thunderstorm project led by my friend in Oklahoma.

2:30PM: Seminar time! A very cool freshly-minted PhD from California tells us all about her research, a complicated topic about which I knew very little going in and now know... slightly more. There was a very geeky moment in which she showed what happened to a particular part of the climate system when CO2 was added, then showed what happened when CO2 was removed, and the asymmetry of it made everyone in the room gasp and then self-consciously giggle.

4:00PM: Post-seminar snacks acquired (a big cookie and coffee are definitely a good late lunch, right? I kid, I kid, I had a big breakfast and have a big dinner waiting at home) and small-talk survived, I scramble back up to my office. Time to get those lectures ready for next week (pretty quick to do - rather than last year, where I'd show the code on the screen and we'd talk about it, I'm having us write the code together live and debug as we go; harder in the moment for me, but the students are learning so much better!). Get an e-mail back from the new undergrad research intern expressing interest in the lightning project, amazing! Time to get her registered so she gets credit for this starting in January. Also finally get a teensy bit more editing done on a draft of a review article that one of the top scientific journals in the world tapped me to write (???? still surreal beyond measure).

5:30PM: BAND PRACTICE. Our department is so nerdy that the faculty/staff/postdocs/grad students put together a giant band to perform popular songs but as covers so we can make the lyrics about our nerdy research. This tradition has been going on for 30+ years, and the big performance is for an hour at our holiday party every year. It's a riot, and this is my first year joining in the chaos (I'm on keys on three songs!). There are like 25 of us, we have a horn section, a professor plays the mandolin, the students create elaborate musical roasts of their professors, it's great. My parts go great, to the point where when there's some trouble with key drift during an a capella part they call me in to play chords under it and keep them grounded. I love playing music with other people!

7:00PM: Time to pack up and head home for dinner. Phew.

Long day, but also LONG WEEKEND BAYBEE. I don't actually have to do any substantial work this weekend, so that means BALDUR'S GATE WEEKEND BAYBEE.

[nyctophiliq]

COLLEGE HAREM AU. feat viktor, cassandra, grayson

please be aware that every character is over the age of eighteen in this au and there will be sexual themes across the whole au- minors do not interact.

content warning. lowercase writing intended, sub ! afab ! reader, dom ! characters, fingering, mommy kink, dub-con, vaginal sex, vaginal penetration,

VIKTOR, president of the engineering club

viktor doesn't leave his dorm or his personal office inside the club room unless he is attending classes, otherwise, he is locked up in there from dawn to night. so imagine your surprise when he is the one looking for you during a lunch break, asking if you'd like to meet him in his office for some club president-privileged coffee. he apologizes that there is only one chair and proceeds to offer the place on his lap which you gladly accept but only if it doesn't hurt him. why wouldn't you accept it? viktor is nothing more than an emo nerd and you know what they say- there is something bigger in his pants than his chest sometimes. as soon as both of your undergarments along with your pants are tossed somewhere on the floor, when he is deep inside of you he reveals that he listens in on you and jinx when the two of you think no one can hear you. he can hear the two of you alright.

"i saw you and jinx the other day, as talented as she might be... i can't let her fuck you stupid."

CASSANDRA, head of the election committee and law professor

it would be a lie if you said you never looked at professor cassandra's way once or twice. among all the professors on the staff, she is the most elegant, most well-dressed person and no student can deny that they would try their way with her, including you. but of course, that was only until she invited you to her office numerous times and she made her advances on you. professor cassandra called you into her office, asking if her lectures are enjoyable and whether she is understandable or not. you give her your honest opinion and for your sincerity, she gave you a great reward of helping you out in many ways. first, it was paying for some of your school fees than buying you gifts she gave you in the privacy of her office then came the even more exciting part- her lingering touches, her leaning in for a kiss but retreating halfway. oh how she was afraid if she kisses you she would never be able to let you go so she only used her fingers on you, whisper all the dirty things she wish she could do with her mouth to you, but never let her lips to touch yours. it was straining her of logical thinking, but she had to restrain herself just a little while longer.

"don't you remember what mommy told you, y/n? no panties when you are visiting me."

GRAYSON, p.e. professor and supervisor of the campus patrol

although you do not have your physical education classes with professor grayson, she still manages to run into you every day on multiple occasions. pulls you aside and asks if professor marcus is treating your class right, and that he isn't making any inappropriate comments about any of your classmates. she invites you into her big office, and catches you staring at her trophies from her younger days when she was a professional athlete before joining the police, then deciding to teach. all while telling you that she backs you up to her desk, her hands settling on your waist before her fingers slip into the hem of your skirt/pants and you end up on the table. she never stops praising you, noting off every muscle and curve you have, murmuring it against your lips as her finger pads ran across your body before slipping into your panties. her head falls on your shoulder, small laughs leaving through her nose at every jolt and twitch of your body while her fingers work in and out of you, her lips leaving searing kisses on the skin across your neck and collarbone.

"rough exercises like this might leave marks... but that wouldn't be a problem, would it now, my dear y/n? hm?"

[npcemi]

Welcome to my Meet Cute where Jason is a hopeless romantic whose inner voice is essentially a Jane Austen novel.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47612662/chapters/120002992

Jason was forced to dress up in a suit to attend a Wayne family gala for the Wayne Foundation scholarship. Jazz and Danny are scholarship students. Sam is forced by her parents to attend. Jason falls in love at first sight, sadly someone dressed like a spoiled trust fund brat is not Jazz's type.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However, it is well known by those who know the Wayne family intimately, know that they exist in direct contradiction to this truth. Yet, those who attend these grand galas are so fixed on the idea that they are the pillars of this truth. Jason had come to find their shared delusion quite comical.

The mass appeal of allowing them such beliefs of a grandiose nature has made it so they can live their nightlife with ease. Even if it is nothing more than a fabrication. Bruce, the inevitable end of the man with a great fortune marked the start of a man of a generous heart with six children, five of whom were wards. A loving patriarch was a far more tasteful fabrication than that of a single bachelor with more adventurous tendencies.

Unfortunately being brought back into the fold meant that even as a rogue, Jason's presence would be required. In order to avoid the committee of vultures that is the Gotham socialite scene, Jason made his way toward the rear of the hall. Once he arrived at his destination after avoiding several greetings from overly ambitious social climbers, Jason found himself in the company of two rather odd individuals.

One, a young man, who if he was being honest with himself. Looks like a spitting image of Jason and the majority of his brothers. Jason really hoped this one does not come from a background comparable to his own or any of his siblings for that matter. Lest he has another sibling before the night is out.

The other is a young woman dressed in all black with bold black makeup and purple coloring on her lips. The two teens' mutual scowls of displeasure meant the three of them were of a similar opinion when it came to having their presence at the gala be forced upon them.

"I take it you two don't want to be here either?" Jason asks, watching the young woman begin to visibly shake with laughter. It's peculiar how the boy rolls his eyes as if Jason's intelligence was lacking for asking such a mundane and obvious question. If anything it shows him to have a rather crass and sardonic disposition. Jason was sure they could get along quite well.

"No, my parents dragged me here and I dragged Danny." The girl gestured to the boy, Danny, who nodded and voiced his descent only agreeing to come because of the intimate relationship between the two.

"Hey, we're in the same shitty boat. My adoptive dad made me come here too, the name's Jason." Jason said with a smile, happy he found some kindred spirits at this rather taxing spectacle. The girl introduces herself as Sam Manson. Having unfortunately grown up in these circles despite his rather humble beginnings. he has heard of the Manson family.

They are a family that is well known and has a humble fortune. One they owed to being descendants of the inventor of the deli toothpick cellophane-twirling device. They were more social climbers than committee vultures. Belonging to the group only by a small margin in comparison to the likes of the Wayne, Queen, Luthor, or Masters families. If Jason was being honest, the Mansons would fit in better with a group of mockingbirds, regardless of their own desires.

"Anything fun to do around here besides stand and talk?" Sam asked and Danny looked like he watched the last of the poor girl's brain cells leave her head.

"Sam, this is an event for rich fruit loops to kiss ass and your parents to try to find you a 'more appropriate' boyfriend." Jason couldn't help but snort at the way the boy mocked the elder Mansons. It was as unbecoming as it was necessary. It was well known the Mansons would consistently and continuously make an attempt to pair their daughter with any potential suitor. It doesn't surprise him that they would do so even when their daughter was clearly courting a boy the spitting image of any Wayne child.

Before Jason would be able to respond, a voice that sounded rather pleasant on the ear despite its exasperation, bellowed from nearby.

"Danny, Sam there you are, I have someone I need you to meet!" The woman had cerulean eyes and red-orange hair that fell to her shoulders like fine silk. She was in an emerald green dress that aggrandized her small athletic frame. However, any personal reverie Jason was engaged in was cut short by the woman and the man she had brought over for introductions.

"Danny, this is Bruce Wayne. He's the one who sponsors both of our scholarships." The girl was bright with glee not even noticing Jason's own downward turn. Something he was rather thankful for at the moment.

Bruce Wayne is as complex as he is simple. The mask of a loving patriarch, the mask of promiscuity, or the mask of the Bat. It never mattered because, in the end, no one knows which is Bruce's truth. It couldn't be the loving patriarch no matter the attempts to persuade otherwise. Those in the family knew his adventurous spirit had waned in the past years, now he preferred to spend his personal hours exclusively with Selina Kyle. If asked, Bruce would say it was the Bat that was his truest self, however, it didn't take a psychiatry degree and a stint at Arkham to know that the Bat was just another mask to hide his childhood traumas behind.

Bruce, Danny, and Sam all greet each other rather amicably. Though Danny whispers something hushed about being beholden to another rich froot loop who probably has a secret lair in his basement.

Jason's joyous laughter at Danny's correct assertion is cut off by a rather pointed glare from Bruce. It is however easy for Bruce and Jason to fall into a familiar rhythm as they do at these functions. They're able to maintain the facade of a happy family with polite conversation and occasional jabs. The woman, Danny, and Sam are surprised to learn Jason by all counts, is a Wayne. He was hopeful they can tell that he didn't quite fit with the usual Wayne pedigree. He denied the opportunity to encourage the notion when Bruce re-enforces the fabrication they used as coverage for their lesser-known activities. This is all in spite of what Jason was attempting to relay.

Jason never had the opportunity to correct such misconceptions. It was his fate to be cut off at the first utterance of his attempt by Mrs. Manson. Who decided that was the moment to come barreling into our conversation, much to the disdain of everyone in attendance.

“Sammy-Kins, I see you’ve met Bruce Wayne. Hello Mr. Wayne!” Her remarkable boldness and enthusiasm are truly something to behold, considering she found a way to strategically place herself so as to exclude Danny, the angel Jason had yet to know the name of, and himself from the conversation.

“Mrs. Manson It’s nice to see you, I’d love for you to meet my son Jason Todd-Wayne and two of the Wayne Scholarship students, Jasmine and Daniel Fenton.” Bruce repositioned himself, escorting the rest of us back into the engagement.

“Actually I go by Danny.”

“And I go by Jazz.” Jazz, that was this enchanting woman’s name. A woman who changed the very rhythm of Jason's heart. Whether that was for the best or not, will be an adventure all its own.

“I didn’t think Daniel had the grades for any scholarship, let alone one this prestigious.” Mrs. Manson tilted her head in an obvious slight on Danny’s intelligence. It is a shame the poor woman is under the delusion of her own over-estimated intellect. Any who managed to spend more than a few spare moments with the woman would see the fact clear as day.

“Oh my son Tim looked at Danny’s submission for aerospace engineering personally and was very impressed,” Bruce said with a smile that seemed to see through the slight the woman intended. The woman's scowl was soon becoming a source of joy, never in his life had he met someone so disagreeable and so desperate. Social climbers like her usually were better at being more subtle and significantly more polite.

“While grades do play a part, the Wayne Foundation is very understanding of exigent circumstances that may hinder a student’s grades,” Bruce added to the conversation. Bruce took great pride in his understanding and charitable reputation. This is one area Jason, unfortunately, can’t find fault in, after all, he was a common thief when he was taken in by Bruce.

“Well, that is very kind of you, Mr. Wayne. Sammy-Kins why don’t you and Jason go find a spot to talk, or maybe we can arrange another time you two can…” Bruce correctly guessed the group's collective discomfort with what Mrs. Manson was trying to accomplish.

“I’m sure my son can arrange his time how he sees fit Mrs. Manson,” Jason had to admit he was relieved that Bruce stepped in when needed. However, any future heroics on Bruce’s end when he received a notification on his phone. He gave Jason a familiar nod before making a quick exit. Mrs. Manson deterred from further advances by Bruce’s exodus from our conversation, also made her leave. Unfortunately, that meant Jason also had to take his leave. The other side of the Wayne family duality calling.

“I’m sorry to leave you guys hanging, but I gotta go, although before I clear out, Jazz, did you wanna grab coffee tomorrow, if you're still in Gotham that is?” Jazz’s sheepish reply to his advance was adorable as it was heartbreaking.

“I’m sorry I can’t.” In his heartbreak, Jason clearly lost any and all ability to form an intelligent thought. The only word that came out of his mouth was “oh.” Her brother took the opportunity to further his pain by rubbing salt in the crevice forming in Jason's heart.

“Sorry my dude, you’re just not her type. She’s into bad boys who wear leather Jackets, ride motorcycles, and are likely to commit a violent felony.” Sam continued Danny’s malice upon his emotions, “Jazz really isn’t into spoiled rich kids with daddy issues.”

[dailyanarchistposts]

Chapter 6. Revolution

How will communities decide to organize themselves at first?

All people are capable of self-organization, whether or not they are experienced in political work. Of course, taking control of our lives won’t be easy at first, but it is imminently possible. In most cases, people take the obvious approach, spontaneously holding large, open meetings with their neighbors, co-workers, or comrades on the barricades to figure out what needs to be done. In some cases, society is organized through pre-existing revolutionary organizations.

The 2001 popular rebellion in Argentina saw people take an unprecedented level of control over their lives. They formed neighborhood assemblies, took over factories and abandoned land, created barter networks, blockaded highways to compel the government to grant relief to the unemployed, held the streets against lethal police repression, and forced four presidents and multiple vice presidents and economic ministers to resign in quick succession. Through it all, they did not appoint leadership, and most of the neighborhood assemblies rejected political parties and trade unions trying to co-opt these spontaneous institutions. Within the assemblies, factory occupations, and other organizations, they practiced consensus and encouraged horizontal organizing. In the words of one activist involved in establishing alternative social structures in his neighborhood, where unemployment reached 80%: “We are building power, not taking it.”[101]

People formed over 200 neighborhood assemblies in Buenos Aires alone, involving thousands of people; according to one poll, one in three residents of the capital had attended an assembly. People began by meeting in their neighborhoods, often over a common meal, or olla popular. Next they would occupy a space to serve as a social center — in many cases, an abandoned bank. Soon the neighborhood assembly would be holding weekly meetings “on community issues but also on topics such as the external debt, war, and free trade” as well as “how they could work together and how they saw the future.” Many social centers would eventually offer:

an info space and perhaps computers, books, and various workshops on yoga, self defence, languages, and basic skills. Many also have community gardens, run after school kids’ clubs and adult education classes, put on social and cultural events, cook food collectively, and mobilise politically for themselves and in support of the piqueteros and reclaimed factories.[102]

The assemblies set up working groups, such as healthcare and alternative media committees, that held additional meetings involving the people most interested in those projects. According to visiting independent journalists:

Some assemblies have as many as 200 people participating, others are much smaller. One of the assemblies we attended had about 40 people present, ranging from two mothers sitting on the sidewalk while breast feeding, to a lawyer in a suit, to a skinny hippie in batik flares, to an elderly taxi driver, to a dreadlocked bike messenger, to a nursing student. It was a whole slice of Argentinean society standing in a circle on a street corner under the orange glow of sodium lights, passing around a brand new megaphone and discussing how to take back control of their lives. Every now and then a car would pass by and beep its horn in support, and this was all happening between 8 pm and midnight on a Wednesday evening![103]

Soon the neighborhood assemblies were coordinating at a city-wide level. Once a week the assemblies sent spokespeople to the interbarrio plenary, which brought together thousands of people from across the city to propose joint projects and protest plans. At the interbarrio, decisions were made with a majority vote, but the structure was non-coercive so the decisions were not binding — they were only carried out if people had the enthusiasm to carry them out. Accordingly, if a large number of people at the interbarrio voted to abstain on a specific proposal, the proposal was reworked so it would receive more support.

The asamblea structure quickly expanded to the provincial and national levels. Within two months of the beginning of the uprising, the national “Assembly of Assemblies” was calling for the government to be replaced by the assemblies. That did not occur, but in the end the government of Argentina was forced to make popular concessions — it announced it would default on its international debt, an unprecedented occurrence. The International Monetary Fund was so scared by the popular rebellion and its worldwide support in the anti-globalization movement, and so embarrassed by the collapse of its poster child, that it had to accept this stunning loss. The movement in Argentina played a pivotal role in accomplishing one of the major goals of the anti-globalization movement, which was the defeat of the IMF and World Bank. As of this writing, these institutions are discredited and facing bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the Argentine economy has stabilized and much of the popular outrage has subsided. Still, some of the assemblies that made a vital niche in the uprising continue to operate seven years later. The next time the conflict comes to the surface, these assemblies will remain in the collective memory as the seeds of a future society.

The city of Gwangju (or Kwangju), in South Korea, liberated itself for six days in May, 1980, after student and worker protests against the military dictatorship escalated in response to declarations of martial law. Protestors burned down the government television station and seized weapons, quickly organizing a “Citizen Army” that forced out the police and military. As in other urban rebellions, including those in Paris in 1848 and 1968, in Budapest in 1919, and in Beijing in 1989, students and workers in Gwangju quickly formed open assemblies to organize life in the city and communicate with the outside world. Participants in the uprising tell of a complex organizational system developed spontaneously in a short period of time — and without the leaders of the main student groups and protest organizations, who had already been arrested. Their system included a Citizen’s Army, a Situation Center, a Citizen-Student Committee, a Planning Board, and departments for local defense, investigation, information, public services, burial of the dead, and other services.[104] It took a full-scale invasion by special units of the Korean military with US support to crush the rebellion and prevent it from spreading. Several hundred people were killed in the process. Even its enemies described the armed resistance as “fierce and well-organized.” The combination of spontaneous organization, open assemblies, and committees with a specific organizational focus left a deep impression, showing how quickly a society can change itself once it breaks with the habit of obedience to the government.

In the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, state power collapsed after masses of student protestors armed themselves; much of the country fell into the hands of the people, who had to reorganize the economy and quickly form militias to repel Soviet invasion. Initially, each city organized itself spontaneously, but the forms of organization that arose were very similar, perhaps because they developed in the same cultural and political context. Hungarian anarchists were influential in the new Revolutionary Councils, which federated to coordinate defense, and they took part in the workers’ councils that took over the factories and mines. In Budapest old politicians formed a new government and tried to harness these autonomous councils into a multiparty democracy, but the influence of the government did not extend beyond the capital city in the days before the second Soviet invasion succeeded in crushing the uprising. Hungary did not have a large anarchist movement at the time, but the popularity of the various councils shows how contagious anarchistic ideas are once people decide to organize themselves. And their ability to keep the country running and defeat the first invasion of the Red Army shows the effectiveness of these organizational forms. There was no need for a complex institutional blueprint to be in place before people left their authoritarian government behind. All they needed was the determination to come together in open meetings to decide their futures, and the trust in themselves that they could make it work, even if at first it was unclear how.

[mogai-sunflowers]

MOGAI BHM- Day 3!

happy BHM! today i’m going to be talking about the greensboro four and how they inspired the sit in movement!

The Greensboro Four-

[Image ID: A black-and-white photo of the “Greensboro Four”- four Black male college students. From left to right, they are David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan and Joseph McNeil. Two are wearing their college gowns, the other two are wearing long white trench coats. They are walking side by side in a building. End ID.]

The “Greensboro Four”, as they have come to be called, is a group of four Black students who, at the time, attended the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina, sparked one of the most well-known and effective movements of the Civil Rights Movement. Their names are Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond- four Black friends who decided to challenge the segregation laws that still subjected Black Americans to the ‘separate but equal’ fallacy in public places.

On February 1, 1960, the four men staged a sit-in at the lunch counter of the popular store Woolworth’s- which didn’t allow Black people to sit there. Although they feared for their safety, they nonetheless went to Woolworth’s and sat at the lunch counter. After being repeatedly asked to leave, they refused, placed their lunch orders, and though the police were called on them, they remained in their places until the store closed, when they left.

Soon after, they got in contact with other Black friends from their university and nearby universities and asked them to join them in future sit ins. The Greensboro Four were soon joined by a growing mass of Black students who sat with them at Woolworth’s lunch counter. At this point, they were faced with threats and harassment, but nobody was physically harmed. Thus, the sit in movement was born.

The Sit-In Movement-

[Image ID: A black-and-white photograph of four Black men sitting at the counter of a lunch place. End ID.]

For months before the first Greensboro sit-in, students across North Carolina had been secretly meeting in houses, Church basements, and YMCA chapters to do underground work- they established phone networks, studied nonviolence and nonviolent protest tactics, and connected with each other to form underground networks of student activists. This dedication paid off after the first Greenboro sit-ins.

Black students spread the word about sit ins all across the South- college towns all across the US began to see a rise in Black students, occasionally accompanied by supportive white students, staging sit ins at segregated stores and restaurants. In the time directly following the Greensboro sit-ins, many stores were opened and closed and then opened again and de-segregated. This was all aided by the student-formed organization the Student Executive Committee for Justice along with Greensboro’s NAACP chapter. By the end of the month, over 30 towns across the US had been home to sit-ins staged by students.

These sit-ins were not spur-of-the-moment. They took months of planning, and each was only acquired through the dedication and work of every single student who participated. In Charlotte, NC, 200 students occupied all the downtown lunch bars. In Rock Hill, it was 300 students. They refused to back down and 4 months later, the Charlotte students saw success with all the downtown bars being desegregated.

Not even two weeks had passed since the first Greensboro sit in when, under the guise of the Nashville Christian Leadership conference, a partner organization under the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, students formed a wildly successful organization to coordinate sit-in efforts and encourage boycotts as well as other nonviolent methods of protest to oppose segregation.

On April 19, 1961, Alexander Looby, a Black lawyer who had been providing legal support to the students who participated in sit-ins, was targeted, and his house was destroyed by a bomber. In response to this, thousands of demonstrators marched to the steps of Nashville’s City Hall, where rising student activist Diane Nash directly confronted Nashville’s mayor, Ben West, forcing him to admit that segregation is wrong and that the lunch counters should be desegregated. After this, Nashville became the first Southern city to start the process of desegregating all of its public facilities.

Despite being arrested, beaten, and threatened, the students did not quit. They were unfairly arrested, beaten, threatened with unfair jail terms and fines, and through all of it, they did not give up. Sit ins raged across the South for years to come. The Freedom Movement grew rapidly out of the Sit-In Movement, and in 1964, the sit-in movement was a major inspiration for the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which officially illegalized segregation in all public facilities.

Sources-

https://files.nc.gov/dncr-moh/The%20Greensboro%20Four.pdf

https://www.crmvet.org/info/sitins.pdf 

https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/odyssey/educate/lunch.html 

[th3p0rtalmaker]

Guys, I'm at the end of my rope. 😩

I won't wax eloquent on the details, but this is an emergency situation, so I figured I'd reach out to my Tumblr community for help.

Basically, I was supposed to stay in my university's summer dorms until mid-August, so I would have time to find an online job and hopefully save up enough money to start renting my own place in August. But today I received confirmation that I'm going to be kicked out and banned from the campus property in about 4 days due to some minor violations. You want to know just how minor those violations were? I took rolls of toilet paper out of public restrooms in various buildings on campus, and brought them back to my summer dorm (also a building on-campus and owned by the university). Why? Because don't have the money to buy self-hygiene essentials due to being out of work for over a year. (They accused me of 'stealing' this toilet tissue.) I also failed to attend a couple of meetings with university staff concerning my documented disability, and how it's been preventing me from completing all of the required room chores for residential students. (Yes, the university employs RAs to come into residential students' dorm rooms to check if chores have been completed, during the school year and over summer break.) A special committee for reviewing student conduct met to discuss my case today, and they decided that these two problems were sufficient reason to kick me out of my summer dorm and not allow me to set foot on campus property again until spring semester of 2024. By following the official process to appeal this verdict, I should secure myself a total of four more days in my summer dorm (from now until Tuesday of net week.) After that I will be forced off campus, and any personal belongings that I don't remove fast enough will permanently confiscated by the university. I enrolled at this university, and moved across three US states, to escape an abusive home and start my life over from scratch. As of now, I have no where to go after I leave my summer dorm. I'm in contact with a number of local people that I trust to discuss my situation with, and am pursuing every possible avenue to find a place to stay. (And I have a handful of close friends from out of state whom I've been updating.) My situation is desperate, so I decided to share my plight here with my Tumblr mutuals and followers. If you have any advice you'd like to offer me about how to move forward, my dms are open and I'd greatly appreciate your input. (Even if all you have to offer is some kind/encouraging words, I'd be more than happy to hear from you!) If you have some spare cash and are willing to send me a donation, my Venmo and PayPal handles are gonna be at the bottom of this post.

And if anyone suspects that this crisis will prevent me from writing and posting chapter 2 of my fanfic Incarnate...

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. I HAVE STORY TO TELL, AND I'M GONNA TELL IT - ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

As promised: Venmo - kmckenzie22 PayPal - RissaRooKangaQueen (If you live outside the US and want to send me a donation, PayPal has an app/website called 'Xoom' that can exchange and transfer money internationally! Feel free to DM me for details!)

[autumnalfallingleaves]

For the 5 headcanons, could you do ToA characters in the Hilda 'verse, please?

Sure!

Claire comes to mind first and foremost. She's already a sorceress, so she fits in well with the witches. Let's say she's currently an apprentice, under the tutelage of Morgana, a prominent witch in the Trolberg community of witches. Morgana is an okay teacher, but she desires to join the witch community back to Wild Magic rather than continue the usage of Domestic Magic, and is working against the Committee of Three. Who aren't great tbh, but at least they're not trying to destroy the whole basis of the witch community. She's also kinda trying to destroy Trolberg so Amma can rise again, which. Isn't great. But back to Claire. She is, of course, not out as a witch to her parents, so there's a lot of sneaking around. She and Frida bond over that fact, as well as being straight-A students who have a lot of stress over not being perfect. She eventually comes under the tutelage of her friend Douxie, a fellow witch who has just graduated from his apprenticeship to Merlin, a maverick of a witch with a horrible rivalry against Tildy. Claire's wand is a smaller version of her canon staff and she specializes in shadow magic. She doesn't so much use portals as utilize Nowhere Space.

Jim is in similar position as Hilda, being a kid who got Changeling'd and turned back human (though having retained some Trollish traits and ability to Change a la my (and hold it down) 'verse). The ToA Trolls in this look a lot like this interpretation of them in the Hilda style and have their own community separate from the Stone Forest. Jim's an unfortunate kid who accidentally met a young Troll around the same age as him from Trollmarket-- Toby in this verse is a Troll-- at a young age and became friends with him. The two of them messed around with some magic when they were around ten and swapped forms. They eventually figured out to reverse the spell, but they've been able to change forms since then and Toby was adopted by a nice human lady and got to stay human for most of the time.

Jim and Toby's families moved to Trolberg when they were fifteen. They still visit Trollmarket when they can, and their Troll mentors Blinky and AAARRRGGHH!!!, but Trolberg is exciting in and of itself and they've gotten swept up in it all and the Troll community there. They met Claire when she was on an herb-gathering trip outside the wall and they were out during the night. After the inevitable panic (Trolls and witches typically don't mix lol) they became fast friends. And then they get into situations that make the Committee of Three hate them lol. Tildy thinks it's great.

Claire's Familiar ends up being this asshole of an imp who started living in her house that her little brother accidentally befriended. His name came about when Claire yelled at them and was like "Okay, listen up Enrique and- and- Not Enrique!" because she didn't know his name. Thus, NotEnrique is named and Claire ends up adopting this new member of their household. I imagine witch meetings where Claire and Frida are both in attendance end up with Hilda and NotEnrique always getting in fights. They hate each other's guts.

Nomura, instead of being a Changeling, is a witch in this. She's the local museum curator and friendly with Kaisa. She's secretly part of Morgana's plot to join witches back with Wild Magic and destroy Trolberg, but ends up joining forces with the good guys once Jim, Claire, and Toby get to her. She's got a special fondness for Jim and has a crush on his mother, the cute doctor at the local hospital. Toby and Claire think this is hilarious. Jim is so embarrassed. Nomura does not like the blue-haired kid who keeps coming in and somehow messing up her museum. The nervous kid who hangs out with her (David) is fine, though. He's got a proper respect for art. The witch kid is decent, but who in their right mind takes a Troll Changeling for their Familiar?

Aja and Krel aren't aliens but forest nymphs who need to take refuge in Trolberg in human forms because of a war between the nymphs back where they're from. Like canon, they become friends with Jim, Claire, and Toby. I don't know if they're still royalty, but they are sought out by the coup-attempting faction.

There's not Gunmar plot, I'd think, as it doesn't fit in as well with the Hilda 'verse, but the Morgana plot is a thing that Jim, Claire, and Toby keep foiling until Hilda and the Mountain King, where Amma is like "okay stop I like the humans" so Morgana is forced to stop and instead flees to the Wilderness. She's reluctant friends with Victoria Van Gale, who is somehow crazier than she is.

send me an au and i’ll give you 5+ headcanons about it

[blatantescapism]

Cw: teeth, dental malpractice, vent post, don’t worry I have a competent team now

I’ve been going in to the dental school almost every week for more than a year now, getting major work done on about two-thirds of my teeth.

Thanks to the fun combo of weird recessive genes and literal malpractice, my teeth are messed up in interesting and expensive ways.

On the outside, they look fairly normal.

My hobby is watching the students quietly freak out when they see the X-rays.

There’s a committee of professors arguing about the situation with my lateral incisors. Still no agreement, because all options are bad. I was given incredibly botched dental implants when I was too young, and now there’s no obvious way to salvage the upper jaw without a risk of breaching through to the nasal cavity.

While they argue that over, we’ve been slowly working across my lower jaw.

Today was a consultation regarding the botched molar root canal. Because I’ve had dental malpractice on four completely separate occasions.

The endodontist started the visit by being like “Best practice is usually to save the tooth rather than extraction. We will take images and make a plan.”

and I was like, okay, so, FYI, Lidocaine doesn’t work normally on me, when the Third Malpractice Dude originally did this root canal he hit the maximum safe dose only halfway through and then tried to get through the next forty minutes of literally shredding my nerve ends with zero painkiller, and then he gave up and had me come back for a second session, and the same thing happened again, so please don’t do that to me a third time?

She was like ooookay, noted.

I was like so the other thing that happened was a tool broke off inside one of the roots, and the guy couldn’t figure out how to remove it, so he left it in there as packing material? I guess he was getting frustrated with my uncontrollable sobbing and just wanted to be done with that root. That must be how the infection got pushed down to where it’s currently eating at the bone, haha. Anyway that bit of metal is still stuck in there, plus he used another metal rod in the packing?

She was like that’s a complication, but I am an esteemed specialist in repairing root canals, and in the standard xray it looks reasonable.

I was like okay and also I’ve been told that my roots are in a really weird shape, and very close to the major nerve?

She was like well, the 3D images have almost finished compiling, we shall assess all of these factors together and decide.

The 3D images loaded.

We looked at the coronal view.

I was like “Wow. Obviously, NO.”

She was like “Let me help you schedule with Extraction. I have GOT to show this to the attending physician. It was lovely meeting you!”

[silyabeeodess]

Twisted Wonderland Oneshot: A Late Invitation

Eying the vivid, massive decorations positioned across Ramshackle Dorm's lawn as he approached, the pride and excitement Malleus initially felt toward the papier-mâché long switched into a twinge of guilt. For not the first time, he was ashamed of himself.

Everyone on Sage's Island knew about Night Raven College's annual Halloween Week. The leader of Diasomnia had gotten permission from Crowley to place their display for the celebration at Ramshackle and, with Sebek taking the lead, his underclassmen had rushed to set it up. It never even occurred to him that not only had no one bothered to ask you, who lived there, if it was alright, but that you didn't even know about the festivities in the first place.

By all means, as a prefect, you should've been a part of the Halloween Management Committee, as was the case for all dorm leaders. Granted, Malleus was often... absent, from most dorm leader meetings himself, so he never knew if you had attended them or not. It never would've occurred to him to check, and if it hadn't been for Lilia reporting back to him, he might never have known about the obvious misunderstanding.

Granted, a dorm of two students wasn't much of a dorm at all. Ramshackle had no separate uniform or iconic figure to represent it. There was little way for it to participate in many of the interdorm activities at the school. The fact that its building was isolated far from the Hall of Mirrors made it even easier to forget about the Ramshackle duo, no matter how much of a large presence you and Grim both were on campus otherwise. It didn't make it right to leave you out, especially not out of what could be considered the biggest event of the year for the school. Magic or no, with or without being assigned to any of the regular dorms, you still attended Night Raven College like everyone else.

He thought you would like it, giving you a front-row experience to a Twisted Wonderland Halloween. If no one told you about the celebration to begin with though, chances were, you were more likely to just feel left out—a feeling that Malleus himself knew too well. Were you hurt? Disappointed? No, maybe infuriated would be a better word for it. People had failed to invite him to parties more times than he could count over the years, but if said party was also thrown on his very own doorstep...?

Malleus stopped short of the low gate leading to Ramshackle's grounds. Even if the situation was more the Headmaster's fault than his own, he hoped you would forgive him.

Magi-pen in hand, the fae noble thoughtfully tapped it against his leg. A late invitation was still an invitation. There was no time for Diasomnia to change locations for their display, much less for Ramshackle to come up with one of its own, along with creating props and costumes to match. He would have to be more direct and ask for you and Grim to participate in the event with his dorm.

If you wanted to help work the stamp booth or walk in the parade on the final day of the festivities, he doubted anyone would complain about squeezing you in. There wasn't much work left to be done, but Malleus had no issue if you wanted to shadow him over the final preparations—if anything, it was what he'd intended from the start. As for a costume, manifesting a matching set for you and Grim was child's play.

He grinned to himself, imagining you with the fake dragon horns and tail that went with his dorm's holiday ensemble. He'd have to tease you about it, given the nickname you'd given him, or perhaps he'd come up with a nickname of his own to call you for the duration of the event. Then, he shook his head, snapping back to the present. First, he had to check if you were even willing to join him for the Halloween celebrations after all of this.

No sooner had Malleus started up the plain, paved sidewalk leading to Ramshackle did he see you and Grim step out. He paused. You... weren't wearing your school uniform....

It looked like an old-fashioned mage outfit, at least by human standards. Matched with a pointed hat, it first seemed to be made up of solid black crossed with a simple, pinstripe pattern. However, as you soon spotted him across the yard and drew closer, he noticed the dark spider webbings and pumpkin designs across sections of the fabric. The fabric itself was cheap, nothing worthy of note, but you wore the clothes with a smile as if they had been tailored with the finest of materials.

"Hey, Hornton!" Grim greeted first. He was wearing a matching set to yours, his usual bow switched out for one with the same black and purple colors. Folding his arms across his chest, the small monster pouted at him, "This set up's fine and all, but maybe give us a little warning next time?" He pointed at the papier-mâché long, "That thing nearly scared the hairs off of my minion here!"

"It scared who now?" you quipped before turning to the dorm leader with a smile, "I was wondering if you'd show up. Diasomnia did a great job with the decorations."

Hearing your compliment put him a little at ease, but it still didn't relieve the pinprick sensation he felt at the sight of your costume, "Yes, everything looks splendid," he agreed with you in an almost mechanical voice, "I was concerned how your own prepations were going, but seeing you now..."

You smile widened, pleased with yourself. Looking down at your outfit, you stood a little straighter to give him a better view, "The ghosts made this for me. They said they found some old curtains to throw it together with."

They just threw it together... Malleus hummed to himself doubtfully. Nevermind the odd convenience of stumbling upon the right holiday fabric, there were also a few odds and ends sewn into the ensemble to complete it, like a small, skull brooch. That took time and attention to detail. It took care.

"I guess I have to thank Ace and Duece too though," you continued, "This was their idea. We're headed to Sam's to see what we can use to decorate the inside of Ramshackle with, but we'll probably go to Heartstabyul to show them how we look later."

Well, if others had already played fairy-godmother for you, then there was no need for him to do it. Even though the problem had sorted itself out, somehow, Malleus felt worse than before. Hiding his disappointment behind a poker grin, he casually snuck his magi-pen back into his breast pocket. "I'm glad you have such friends to rely on," he said, "Your costume suits you well."

After that, he tried to quickly excuse himself—that he'd only come for a quick look to make sure no detail was missed from the display and now needed to return to his dorm. You, however, kept talking, following him down the path out of the yard and through the gate before you two would make your separate ways. It might've been charming if the constant interference of his plans hadn't left him flustered.

Well... Halloween Week had only just begun to heat up. Some way, in his own way, he'd show you just how spirited an all Hallow's Eve celebration can really be.