#cary my best friend cary

[sailorgrams]

Beams Caryalind Thallery into your mind ♥

[vague-bisexual-crimes]

I want to put “tumblr user” but that’s a bit too on the nose, isn’t it?

[housefreak]

me n who to be honest

[upontherisers]

reading parachute infantry is eye opening and beautiful because david webster is truly a brilliant writer but why did no one tell me he got kicked out of fox company for complaining too much? they were like “dude you suck” and booted him to hq company. how is the book the first time i’m hearing of this? i’m using this in every fic from now until forever. this dude cannot just shut the fuck up. i love him.

[ufonaut]

I look into the mirror... and I see someone else’s face. The face of a dead man. I lose my concentration. Instantly I revert. I’m Silverblade again.

Silverblade (1987) #4

(Cary Bates, Gene Colan)

[toomanysubcultures]

sprained my ankle falling up a hill during a fire drill this is so disrespectful

[willaferrreyra]

first date movies — neil lewis x reader

word count: 2.9k (oops this was….way longer than i thought)

contains: SMUT (18+ ONLY) —> fingering, oral (m receiving), public indecency (getting it on in a movie theater because…it’s neil), fluff, happy ending!

you have a crush on your coworker and you really wish you didn’t.

note: this has not been proofread so place excuse any typos! i hope you enjoy especially since this is my first smut fic on this account which is insane. also all of the movies referenced are some of my favorites so…..i’d absolutely recommend them if you haven’t seen them already! neil is my silly little movie buff husband and i’d absolutely LOVE to write for him again so please leave some feedback if you’d like more!

cillian taglist: @mortylover

As you stood on a step stool, shelving new video arrivals, you could hear Ingrid Bergman's lovely Swedish accent behind you.

Notorious. You'd seen it a million times but you'd never gotten sick of it. It was your favorite Hitchcock and often the movie you'd throw on if you were in need of comfort. Although it was your turn to pick what everyone watched at the video store today, you weren't sitting with everyone else on the big worn out sofa. You preferred to shelve and enjoy the sound of the movies in the background (maybe walking over when your favorite scene was on). After all, someone needed to help the customers even if you didn't have many.

You had an annoying habit of reciting movie lines that you loved, as did Neil, the owner of the store and one of your closest friends.

"This is a very strange love affair," you said with Ingrid as you placed Valley of the Dolls in its right place.

"Why?" Neil said right along with Cary Grant, glancing over at you.

"Maybe the fact that you don't love me," you shot him a dramatic look, trying to do your best Ingrid Bergman impression.

"Your Bergman should be better for someone who's seen this movie more times than she can count," he said.

You rolled your eyes.

"She's got a unique accent! Plus it's very transatlantic. That's hard."

"She can do the Fargo accent," your other coworker Jonathan pointed out, not bothering to look up from the TV.

"Oh, you betcha," you grinned, nailing the unmistakable Minnesotan "o" sound.

"That's not hard!" Neil protested.

"It's not easy!"

The doors jingled as your best friend walked through the door, cutting the discussion about accents short. Before you could even say anything she already had a request.

"First date movie. Help."

You thought for a minute.

"Well what's the person like?"

"I don't know! I haven't met him yet. This is a blind setup by a coworker thing."

"Do you....think you'll be paying attention to the movie?"

She made a face.

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

"Not necessarily! You could be....talking."

After many failed dates with guys who were into film, you understood the complexities of picking the first date movie. It said a lot about a person — what they're into, how they feel, who they aspire to be. But at the end of the day, it needs to be something that can transition to being background noise for a good make out session while still being enjoyable. Very few movies check all of those boxes.

"Just don't give me anything too complicated, okay?" she sighed. "No Lynch. No Cronenberg."

You fake frowned. "I was just gonna rent Crash and Lost Highway to you as a double feature."

She shuddered as she remembered the horror that was watching both of those films. You could stomach things like that but she absolutely couldn't.

"Okay, sit tight. I have a thought," you said as you ran over to the romances.

Your friend wandered over to the TV while you hunted for her perfect first date movie.

"Hey guys," she said monotonously.

"Hey," they replied equally unenthused.

She stood and watched the movie for a minute before you came back holding Moonstruck.

"Cher. Nic Cage. Romantic. Easy to follow. It checks every box!"

"That's your idea of a first date movie?" Neil scoffed.

"What's yours? The Seventh Seal?" you rolled your eyes.

"Yeah, that's why Denise broke up with him," Jonathan replied.

"What? You didn't tell me that!"

"Well it kind of just happened," he said. "And to be honest I'm not so broken up about it."

After knowing Neil a while, you knew that he wasn't one for consistent steady girlfriends. Denise lasted longer than most, but in the end he always seemed to get bored. Sure, he got around to an extent, but it was hard for you to picture Neil Lewis truly settling down. Unless, of course, you pictured him with you — but you tried not to do that. The thought popped into your brain every once in a while but you pushed it out as soon as it arrived. You knew you'd only end up getting hurt.

"Okay, well that's good because I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies tonight. I mean, I'm all for a good ol' post breakup pity party but I'd much rather go see The Thing on the big screen tonight."

You and Neil did your part to keep your local independent theater in business more than anyone else in town. It was a regular thing for the two of you to go see at least two movies a week, sometimes more. Sometimes Jonathan and Lucien would tag along and sometimes it was just the two of you — every time you secretly hoped that it would be just the two of you.

"Now that's a good first date movie," Jonathan said.

"The Thing for a first date?" you scrunched your nose into a face of disapproval. "You guys have no taste."

"Well good thing we're not going on a first date then," Neil said. "But yeah, I'll go with you, I'm not doing anything else. Wanna grab dinner and go straight there?"

Those words shouldn't have been such a dagger to you but they were. No shit, this wasn't a first date. He didn't need to remind you.

"Yeah, that's fine," you said, trying to mask the disappointment in your voice. "I just have a few more things to finish up here and then we can head out."

You helped your friend rent her movie and finished up your shelving duties with a little less pep in your step than usual as Neil's words played over and over again in your mind like a broken record.

Good thing we're not going on a first date then. Fuck him. It's not like he was trying to hurt you, after all he didn't know that you maybe kinda sorta liked him. But those words.....you just couldn't take your mind off of them as you mentally prepared yourself for your very clearly stated non-date.

—

A little diner by the local theater had been your spot with Neil for as long as you'd been coworkers. It had become a tradition of yours to sneak in mini bottles of booze to pour into the milkshakes, either on celebratory or wallowing in your sorrows occasions. Neil's breakup felt like a good excuse to give your shared vanilla shake deserved an extra kick, even if you were the one who really needed it.

"Is anyone looking?"

He shook his head as you poured the vodka into the glass, stirring the concoction with the straw. You didn't wait for Neil before placing your lips to the straw and downing a quarter of it all at once.

"Hey, take it easy. I thought I was the one who needed the alcohol tonight," he chuckled.

"You said it yourself, you're not upset about Denise," you said, the irritation in your voice shining through.

"Are you upset about something, then? I'm sorry I didn't really help you shelve today, I just- you know, you like to do that stuff by yourself sometimes. And you picked such a good movie I couldn't tear myself away from the screen."

It would've been easier if you had really been upset about that. You wished that you were upset about that And now half the shake was gone, everything you wanted to say was rushing to your head, and you didn't even think about what you were doing when you blurted out:

"Why can't this be a first date?"

His eyes widened as he let out a small chuckle, assuming you were kidding.

"What?"

"You heard me. Why can't this be a first date?"

As he stared back at you, you felt like you had just fucked everything up. This amazing friendship was just ruined now because you drank your boozy milkshake too fast.

"Do....do you want it to be?" he asked.

"Fuck!" you exclaimed before burying your head in your hands. "Forget I said anything. I-I drank that too fast."

"No, I....we can call this a date if you want. In fact I'd really like that."

He wasn't trying to humor you and he wasn't trying to make the situation better by saying something that he didn't mean — he was dead serious.

"Neil, don't say that if you don't mean it," you sighed. "I'm just....upset today. Don't listen to me."

He studied your face for a minute before speaking again.

"Do you remember when I interviewed you for your job?"

"Now what does that have to do with anything?"

You did, in fact, remember your Gumshoe interview very well. You had asked him if he'd ever considered doing a film noir themed commercial for the store and you'd never seen someone so excited about an idea before — you always assumed that was why you had gotten the job.

"I knew you before that, you know," he said. "I remembered you from when you used to be a customer. There was actually this one time when you had an overdue fee and I paid it for you and told the guys that I had lost the tape."

This made you smile a bit.

"Point being?"

He took a deep breath before he continued on.

"Normally when we do the interview process, we ask the same shit, you know? What's your favorite movie? Who's your favorite director? And I asked you that stuff even though I thought I already knew the answers, I remembered what you used to rent. I thought I knew you so well and then you just went totally fucking wildcard on me — and I loved it. Ever since then you've kept on surprising me and I....well, I really like that. I guess what I'm trying to say is I really like you. And I think I always have."

You stared at him wide-eyed. You had not expected your little drunken tantrum to get you a confession of feelings.

"Neil....do you know why I rented from Gumshoe all the time? I mean, I'm all for supporting the little guys, but I really went in to see you. And then I got this job and I got to know you and you weren't just the cute guy at the video store anymore, you were like....my cute friend/boss technically but I won't get into that. But I got to know you and I watched you go through all of these relationships because you get bored eventually and....I just think you might get bored with me. I'm no Katharine Ross in Butch and Sundance."

He shook his head as a smile crept across his lips.

"No, you're even more exciting than that. You're like...Barbarella or something. Queen of the galaxy."

"Barbarella's whole thing was sex appeal," you point out. "That's the whole movie."

"Sex appeal, sure. But she's also kind and interesting and witty. You've got all of that."

You took all of that as a compliment but you found yourself blushing at his mention of sex appeal.

—

When you arrived to the movie theater after finishing your meal, it seemed that you two were the only ones dying to see a John Carpenter flick on a Tuesday evening. You had your pick of seats in the empty theater.

Your non-date turned date couldn't have been going better, honestly, it made you think that you should turn to drinking more often. It fixed this problem miraculously well.

As you settled into your seats and the lights dimmed, it was clear that both of you wanted to make a move but didn't know how to do it. After all, you couldn't just go straight for unzipping his fly. Or could you? Tonight was all about confidence and he clearly liked it when you kept him on his toes. You decided to start slow, resting a hand on his thigh, letting your hand wander from there.

He looked over at you as you made contact with the bulge in his jeans. It was hard to read his expression in the dark, but you could feel that he didn't want you to stop.

"Are we really gonna do this here?" he whispered.

"We've both seen this a thousand times, I think it'll be okay if we get a little distracted," you whisper back. "U-unless you don't want—"

He cut you off with a kiss that was a long time coming. You were surprised by the sheer force of it as your tongues collided. His hand reached up to cup the side of your face as you melted into the kiss, illuminated by the glow of the silver screen. He made you feel dizzy, but in a good way.

Now, you had never been intimate in a movie theater before, but it was even more exhilarating than you could’ve imagined. As you slowly unzipped his fly, taking his length out of his jeans, you noticed that Neil wasn’t watching the movie at all. His eyes were completely focused on you.

“You’re really taking your time, aren’t you?” he whispered. He was rock hard already and you could tell that he was getting incredibly impatient. You held the base of him while you teased his tip with your tongue. Whatever composure he thought he had went out the window as he his eyes rolled back in pleasure. Based on his breathing patterns you thought he was going to come right then.

“Fuck,” he swore under his breath. “Just….just like that.”

You could feel him trembling as your tongue continued to work its swirly magic. Eventually you began to take him in your mouth completely, greeting him with the warm sensation of the back of your throat. He groaned out your name in a raspy whisper as you bobbed your head on his length. Before you knew it, you could feel a hand on your head guiding it along — his touch felt so intimate and loving, you couldn’t get enough.

“I-I’m close….I’m— fuck….I’m gonna—“

Before he could finish what he was going to say, you could feel his come coat the back of your throat. It was a warm, welcome feeling and you couldn’t wait to feel it again.

“Jesus christ,” he sat there catching his breath before turning to you. “That was….wow. You’re just…..I-Incredible.”

You smiled at the praise. It wasn’t even day that you were complimented on your blowjob skills.

Your head made its way to his shoulder as you sat side by side watching the movie. His hand began on your though but slowly because to creep it’s way up between your legs.

“Returning the favor?” you whispered, smiling softly as you glanced in his direction.

He nodded, speaking in a sultry whisper that nearly made your legs shake. “You know, you just made me feel so good….it would be a crime not to reciprocate it, don’t you think?”

You continued to rest your head on his shoulder as he slipped two fingers inside of you. You couldn’t help but notice how easily they went in — you had been soaked for hours.

“All this for me?” he chuckled. “How long have you been like this?”

“All night,” you said in between heavy breaths. “I-I’m always like this around you, Neil.”

“No way, are you really?”

His switch up from the sultry whisper to his excited tone made you giggle.

“I have….a tendency to daydream about you when I’m around you,” you explained.

His fingers found just the right spot as he continued to question you. It was becoming increasingly difficult for you to talk.

“Daydream about what specifically?”

A small whimper escaped your mouth as his fingers curled inside of you. You couldn’t even recall what you used to daydream about until it hit you.

“This…..this exact moment. I-I’ve….fuck….Ive daydreamed about this a m-million times.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked as he started to pump his fingers faster. “And how does it end?”

“I- Neil- I’m gonna—“

“How does it end, sweet girl? Tell me.”

You could barely even answer in between heavy breaths but you managed to speak up, your words intertwined with your moans.

“Y-you make….you make me come, N-Neil! I’m….right now, I’m—“

“Show me. Come for me. Show me how the daydream ends.”

And you did, trying your best to keep quiet as you came undone. You buried your face into his shoulder as you whimpered and throbbed against his fingers.

“Good girl,” he exhaled. “That’s a good girl.”

—

The next day at work, you and Neil debated what you should tell the others. To announce the relationship or keep it a secret was a heavily debated topic, but you eventually settled on keeping it to yourselves for a while before revealing it. You thought it would be nice to have something that was just yours for a while. Plus, hiding a relationship can be incredibly sexy.

As you walked into Gumshoe, you flashed a quick smile at Neil who was in his usual spot behind the counter before taking your place at the shelf.

“Hey, Jonathan,” you called over to the couch, getting his attention. “I was totally wrong. Upon my rewatch, I think that The Thing would be a great first date movie.”

“See, I told you! I told you and you never fucking listen to me,” he said. “What made you change your mind?”

You glanced over at Neil one more time. It was clear that he was thinking about last night just as much as you were.

“I don’t know…” you shrugged. “Maybe it’s Kurt Russell.”

[lingeriae]

you catching an attitude w your best friend!connie after seeing him posted up on a girls instagram? whewwww...

warnings - flufff, connie has nip piercing, mention of readers pum pum but there is no sex! kissing, ass slapping, connie literally says he's gonna have sex with the reader, jealousy, toxic connie if you squint a lil, cursing, reader is female,not proofread, raeder and connie are aged up to 21+

It's a wednesday night when you're scrolling through tiktok with connie on facetime, your laid on your tummy with your feet swinging behind you, thighs being squished by the pink thigh high socks you had on. you giggle at a tiktok your friend scent you moving to reply but pausing to roll your eyes at the deep voice that came from your phone speakers.

"What got you giggling like that?" his voice is raspy due to all the screaming and hollering he was doing while on the game with ony, he glances at you for a second before dragging his eyes back to his computer screen cussing said man for some unknown reason. "why this fool wont stay outta my business." you mutter showing the top half of your face so he wouldn't see the grin on your glossed lips as you watched how he side-eyed you.

Your phone vibrated as you got a notification from instagram, your brows drew together at the message immediately clicking it.

big cocky deja 👅

girlll....

shared @sasha's story

i be instigating or is that baldie???

aint yall talkin??

Lashes fluttering as you blinked at the picture, slowly sitting up as you clicked on the story zooming in lips slowly parting in disbelief. "What's wrong?" the sound of his voice sudddenly reminded you he was on the call, quickly clicking on to the call you rubbed your lips together with drawn eyebrows suddenly becoming irritated with his prescence as you felt your lashes get wet. "Who the fuck is Sasha?" you asked with a steady voice, pushing up your lips impatiently as you waited from his to answer the question.

Connie paused his game at your question, eye brows furrowing as he turned to look at you. He bit his lips as he looked at you, noting the irritation your face with a shake of his head he turned back to the game. "Don't wory bout it." Your face twisted at his words staring at his side profile for a minute before sucking your teeth not carying if he could note how upset you were.

"Alright, bro, bye." not giving him the chance to answer you hang up deciding to go on 'sasha's page to stalk her itching to find out who she is, and what relation she has to connie. Mid scrolling you pause at a picture of her kissing connie's cheek, it was posted a few months back but it still made you feel a pit in your stomach and made you gnaw at your lips while tears ran down your cheeks. Connie was messaging your phone non-stop, telling you to stop playing and answer his messages, trying to explain shit between him and the sasha girl, but you didn't bother reading any replying with a simple thumbs-up emoji and muting him.

You thought about how silly you were being seeing as how you and Connie weren't even together, but it felt like you were. Always together and if you weren't you'd alway be on the phone, always telling each other shit, always sharing tender touches and meaningful glances at eachother - fuck he even called you 'his girl' infront of his homeboys, didn't that mean you were together? although, he didn't ask so that technically didn't mean you were but you weren't seeing nobody and he reassured you that he wasn't either, was that just a lie?

Sniffing you clicked off of sasha's profile, leaving your phone on the bed as you got up to use the bathroom. Looking at your puffy eyed expression you sucked you teeth mad at yourself for crying over some boy, you gently washed your face with cool water before using a towel to wipe away the water and applying baby oil to your plump lips, the sudden knocking on your door had your eyebrows furrowing until you realized who it could be. The thought alone caused an annoy sigh to leave your lips, and for you to feign ignorance to the fluttering at you stomach at what would happen.

Taking your time to walk at the door, stopping at mirror on the wall to fix your appearance and unbuttoning your snoopy pajama top to show a little of your cleavage, a gold necklace with the inital 'c' glistening against the pretty brown skin of your supple breast, you turned to look at the shorts bending over to shake your ass a little but quickly standing up as Connie's knocking grew louder.

Rolling your eyes you walked up to the door, pulling it open to reveal Connie. Your pussy did a thump thump as you took him in, a black tank top you're sure he just slipped on in a hurry, his nipples along with his nipple piercings pushing against the material of it and grey sweatpants. His hands were shoved in the pocket on his sweatpants as his eyes roamed your body slightly pausing on your thighs that spilled through the material of your socs, jaw clenching as he finally met your eyes with an eyebrow raised.

Leaning against your door you look him up and down before looking at your coks clad feet, fidgeting as you felt his gaxe pierce into you. "Whatchu want Connie? It's late."

He quinted his eyes at you letting out a sarcastic laugh with his tongue poking his inner cheek, "You too good to look at me, or sum?"

Cocking out your hips with your arms crossed over your chest, you shook your head before rolling your eyes at him moving to shut the door while muttering "I aint got time for this." softly under your breath. Your breath hitched as Connie held unto the door, pushing it open and walking inside before shutting it behind him leaning against the door and refusing to break eye-contact with you.

Scoffing you turn your back to him before walking to your room, an extra sway in your hips as you feel him walking closely behind you, eyes on the fat that spilled out of the material of your shorts hearing him cuss under his breath as he almost hit a wall from not staring caused a small smile to pulll at your lips. falling unto your bed with a huff you glared at him. You hated the fact that he looked so good, his muscle atraining againt the material of his tank top as he crossed his arms looking down at you, dick straining against his sweatpants, your mouth almost watering at the sight had you looking away.

"What's your problem?" laughing with a shake of your head you pointed a finger towards your chest. "Me? I don't got a problem, cause im not supposed to worry about it right? tuh fuck you take me for."

Connie groans running a hand down his face mumbling something in spanish under his breath, fueling your anger. After he disregards your question he comes into your house acting as if you were the problem, when he was out there laid up with other girls. You stand up from the spot on your bed smacking your lips together as you snatched your phone from it's position on your bed, walking past him making sure not to touch him as you made your way to the kitchen. His mouth parted at your attitude, hot on your trail as you began mumbling some shit under your breath.

"Don't even know why I fucking bother, aint like you my man anyway-" you inhaled deeply as connie pressed himself behind you, mouth running dry as you felt all the muscle beneath his tank top and his dick against your ass hands shoved into his pockets as he watched you take a water bottle out of the fridge with shaky hands, trying your best to ignore his presence behind you.

"Whatchu mumbling? Say it again so I can hear you." The vibration from his worth runs throughout your body and straight to your pussy, your back straightens as you close the fridge spinning around to through him a weak glare that quickly flattered as he looked down at you through his lashes, his eyes almost seeming dark. Your legs shook as he licked his lips the action not going unnoticed by him, you took a deep breath before unlocking your phone, shoving it into his face a second later refusing to meet his eyes.

His honey coloured eyes dragged from your face to your phone, taling it from you to look at what you were shovwing him properly, his lips parting to release a huff that sounded too close to a laugh had your eyes dragging from the floor to meet his, shivering a bit as they were already on you. Raising a brow at you connie licked his lips, "You jealous, ma?" giving him a blank look you tried snatching your phone out of his hand only for him to move it back, your chest now pressed against his. Biting your lips as you feel his nipple piercing rub agains your nipples, you try not to let a whimper escape you at the groan he lets out and the look on his face, bottom lip tucked between his teeth with a pink blush across his face and a look of lust in his eyes. You shiver as he removes the hand he has in his pocket, bringing it to rest on your back to keep you against him.

He rubs his nose against yours before resting his forehead against yours gently squeezing your hips, he kisses your lips twice transferring the baby oil you placed on them earlier t his lips, and you allow him savouring the taste of them like you have many times before. "Sasha's this girl I used to talk to," he says after a minute, letting out a breath through his nose at the way you tense beneath his touch and try to move away before he's pulling you back against him placing your phone on the counter so that he can hold your face. You look at him with your lips folded, hurt evident in your expression which caused him to sigh softly and kiss your cheeks. "We weren't together cause I found out she was messing round with some guy. I haven't talked to her since, and I wouldn't have known she posted that shit cause I blocked her."

eyes watering, the tips of your figer brush aginst the thread of his sweat pants as you play with the strings watching the way you twirl it around your finger, sniffing you slowly look up at him rubbing your lips together. "You promise?" humming he kisses you again, leaning back wiping under your eyes.

"Promise baby." you pull him down to kiss you again, parting your lips to give him access and sighing into his mouth as his hands slip under your snoppy pajama top. He leans back again pecking your lips and resting his forehead against yours with closed eyes, you feel his hands move from your face to your hips inching towards your ass before he gives it a squeeze laughing as you hiss at him and try to remove his hands.

"Looked too good not to," He says leaning down to kiss you again, " gonna fuck the shit outta you for giving me so much attitude." the sound of a smack sounds through the air as connie slaps your ass, rubbing it after and laughing at your whines.

"Connie! Don't do that shit it hurts!"

[totaly-obsessed]

On the Road

Barcelona Femení x reader request

-> Chaos on the Bus with Claudia, Patri and Ona - trying to keep you distracted.

-> A little closer look from pt. 1 - Changes

-> Word Count: 610

➳ Masterlist

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

“Esmee! Have you seen my bag? I swear I put it next to you.”

The Dutch woman looked at you, eyes wide in panic - poor girl was even more scared than you to make the starting eleven for the first time. 

“Nej. I don’t know where it went.”

But then you could already hear two particular people giggling behind you, before a hand hastily pulled you back to the seat just on the other side of the aisle, letting you still sit next to your quite new friend. 

“Pina wanted to sit next to you, Cari!”

Just as you had suspected. The culprit had been Patri, her hands still on your shoulders as she squeezed them teasingly. Her neighboring seat was still empty, usually occupied by the short forward beside you. 

But it didn’t stay that way for too long, as an unsuspecting Ona was promptly pulled down next to Patri as she tried to walk past the chaotic best Friends, a short yelp leaving her as she toppled over. “Actually, I wanted to sit with -”

“Tu amor. We know.” Claudia and Patri cackled, finding themselves to be the funniest people on the bus as they turned around to see a certain British defender, sulking further back. “Ai Lucia! We’re stealing your girlfriend! You don’t mind - right?”

The Midfielder didn’t wait for an answer as she turned back around, nudging Ona back down, who had tried to escape while she wasn’t looking. “Nuh-uh. You stay, spend enough time with her as is.”

Ona’s eyes all of a sudden had a certain sparkle back in her eyes. “Awhh, is little Patri jealous that she’s all aloneeee?” The Mallorcan scoffed, clearly offended by the brunette's statement. “I’ll never be jealous of you… Dating that fossil over there.”

You could have sworn to hear an “Oi!” from further back, but it was drowned out by Pina’s and your loud laughter as Ona was speechless, mouth open in shock before she gathered herself. “At least I am in a relationship - while fans speculate if you and Pinita here are dating!”

The pure disgust on their faces made you laugh even harder while both of them grumbled something under their breath, while Ona looked very pleased with herself. She was glad to help you with your nerves, knowing that Mapi wasn’t here and that it threw you off.

Esmee had now been kidnapped as well, sitting next to Salma a few rows in front of the chaotic four. Ingrid sat alone in front of her, a reminder that Mapi was not there, while she tried to keep an eye on you and the young dutchie.

“Cari, do you have your boots?” Apparently dating a fossil made Ona worry more than she usually did. 

“Yes Oni, I have my boots. And a change of clothes. And socks. And my wash-bag.” The brunette gave Ingrid a quick thumbs up, who had been the sole reason she wanted to know. You had already given the Norwegian your bag to look through once you arrived at the training facility, and she had asked again when you entered the bus.

Upon receiving her answer Ingrid turned back around, ready to read on her way to the stadium. Usually, you would sit with her and Mapi, but with her girlfriend being out of order, and you being nervous, she couldn’t help herself but worry. 

Seeing Patri, Ona, and Pina making you laugh, keeping your mind busy was all she needed to see for calm travels - but not before snapping a cute picture of all four of you laughing, sending it to her favorite defender, with the caption “She’ll be just fine.”

[drewscluesdrewsclues]

Books About Disabilities Disney Plus Should Adapt

Here are 5 books with excellent disability representation that #DisneyPlus should adapt. They have power, they can do a lot of good. 📝 @RealENHolloway $DIS #DisneyPlus #AbleismExists

The following is a guest editorial by Ethan Holloway. Back in 2021, I wrote an article for Dejaview News about Disney’s published books that Disney+ should adapt, so now I am back to write about some books that follow characters with disabilities that Disney needs to adapt like, yesterday. My Three Best Friends And Me, Zulay by Cari Best This book follows Zulay and her three best friends who…

[ktgoodmorning]

Can't do this anymore

Mapi Leon x reader

You and Mapi are best friends and roommates but there always seems to be something else between you

(I adore Mapi and Ingrid but we’re gonna pretend she doesn’t exist for this)

Masterlist

“Wow, someone’s looking good. Hot date or what?” You rolled at Mapi as you entered your living area. Your roommate layed stretched out on the couch, where she often was, with a book in hand, peering over the top of it with a teasing smile on her face. 

“Yeah, Patri’s trying to set me up with some girl she knows. I’m hoping that by agreeing to this one she’ll quit trying to do this all the time.” You weren’t exactly excited for this date, something made clear by your deadpan voice as you talked about it. You were the token single friend in your friend group and you were tired of all of them bugging you about it, constantly trying to set you up. You only agreed to this one in hopes of shutting them up, something that always proved to be difficult. 

“I don’t get why you’re so afraid of talking to girls. You never know, maybe you could bring this one home with you and have some fun?” she wiggled her eyebrows at you. “I can disappear for the night if you want?”  Her sing-songy voice was a hallmark of her usual teasing towards you, both of you used to the fact that she was the one most likely to bring random girls home while you would panic the second a girl made eye contact. 

Despite your differences, the two of you made the most perfect friends. You had lived together for a few years now, saving on rent while also enjoying each other’s company. You were more of a homebody, often appreciating her help in crosswords or sharing books with her while she was the one who got you out of the house, not allowing you to be too much of a homebody. You were the perfect duo and everybody knew it, being more comfortable with each other than with anyone else. 

“Don’t count on it, Maria. I think it’s safe to say you don’t need to plan on disappearing. I’m just going to go have dinner with her and maybe grab some drinks if it goes well. That’s it.” You gave her a knowing look as you put your shoes on and got ready to leave.

“Keep an open mind, you never know, cari. I’m going out with the girls later but you can always give me a call if you need a ride or anything. I’m not drinking tonight so I’ll leave my phone on for you!” And with that, you left the house, off to meet your date.

Your date was fine. The girl was fine, the food was fine, the conversation was fine, it was all just fine. It wasn’t anything special. You didn’t know her at all, obviously, so you felt like the conversation was forced and unnatural. Something about it just left you feeling unsatisfied, seemingly having nothing in common with this girl and therefore nothing to talk about. You couldn’t quite decide what made Patri think it could work out between you but you were over it, your social battery depleted, opting to end the date early so you could go back to the comfort of your own home. Every one of these dates that your friends set you up on left you drained and even more anxious about the idea of ever finding a significant other. 

When you trudged through your apartment door after not being gone for all that long, you weren’t surprised to find Mapi exactly where you left her on the couch. All she could see was the look of annoyance on your face as you slipped off your shoes and made your way to join her, dramatically flopping yourself onto the couch next to her. “I’m guessing the fact that you’re already home will tell me everything I need to know about how your date went?” Her eyebrows rose as she set her book down on her chest to look at you. 

You shot her a glare in response, answering her question for her. The defender raised her hands up as if to surrender, “hey, don’t be getting mad at me, I’m on your side here.” 

“Ugghhh, I know. I’m sorry.” you sat up to finally look at her. “I’m just tired of this shit.” 

“Why don’t you come out with us tonight?”

“I don’t know, I’m tired and I-”

“Cari, listen to me. I think it could be good for you. You can stick with us the whole time, we won’t make you talk to any girls or tease you about it at all.” You scoffed at her words, knowing how unlikely it would be for that to happen. 

“You’re gonna stick with me? Zorri, I guarantee you’ll have your tongue down some girl’s throat in the first ten minutes we’re there.” Her face feigned shock, seemingly offended at your words as you giggled, knowing you were right. 

“Okay well maybe I won’t stick with you but Patri and Pina will!”

“I don’t know, Maps. You just wanna get laid, tonight. I can tell it’s been awhile cause of the stick you’ve had up your ass lately so I think I’ll sit this one out.” You burst out laughing, once again knowing you were right while she started smacking your shoulder. The two of you both broke into a mixture of giggling and hitting each other before trying your best to calm down. 

 This was the nature of your relationship with your Mapi. The two of you were constantly teasing and bullying each other, both of you knowing the love you held for each other. You saw right through what she wanted from her night out, and decided that you just didn’t have the energy to join her, or more accurately, join your other friends, in their night. 

“Mapi, while I appreciate the invite, I’m gonna stay here. But you have fun! I just need a night in.” You stood up from the couch to retreat to your room, stopping briefly to turn back to your friend right as you reached your bedroom door. “And Maria- don’t sleep with that bartender tonight. I know I said to get laid but I don’t mean her. As your friend I’m telling you, something is off about her, so please bring home any other person instead.”

The defender rolled her eyes at you but you knew she’d take your advice seriously. Every time you went out, the same bartender would spend the entire night flirting with Mapi. She hadn’t done anything wrong, per say, but something about her just rubbed you the wrong way and all you knew was that you didn’t want Mapi bringing her back to your apartment. Maybe it was just the way she looked at her or how drop dead gorgeous she was behind the bar, but it made you slightly possessive over your best friend.

With that, you retreated into your room for the night, allowing Mapi to go on with whatever she had planned and for you to get occupied by your thoughts while you attempted to watch a movie. However, all you could think about was how right Mapi had been when she teased you for being so afraid of talking to girls. You had thought about it some before but could never figure out why you were that way. The only girls you were ever all that comfortable around were your teammates and even so, it wasn’t unusual for you to still tense up around them at times. Mapi seemed to be the only one who you truly could let down your walls around no matter what and something about that didn’t sit quite right with you. 

You couldn’t figure it out. She was your best friend and she had been for years, why would you suddenly be questioning how you felt about her? It’s not like anything had changed? So why should your feelings be? 

The more you thought about it, the more it absolutely tore you to pieces, eventually resorting back out to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of tea in hopes of being able to get to sleep eventually. You didn’t realize how much time had passed until Mapi was quietly opening the front door, sneaking into the kitchen under the assumption you would already be asleep. 

You didn’t hear her enter, scaring you half to death when she suddenly started speaking to you, “You’re still awake? You okay? Something on your mind?” when her voice broke through your thoughts, you jumped, grabbing your chest as you caught your breath. 

“Jesus, Mapi! You scared the shit out of me, what's wrong with you?!”

“Ay, calm down, I didn’t mean to,” she held her hands up in surrender. “Are you okay?” 

You sighed, unable to actually be mad at her. “Yeah, I just couldn’t sleep.” It wasn’t an entire lie, but there was no way you could tell her what you were actually thinking, hoping to change the subject as quickly as possible. “I see you’re home alone. Couldn’t find any girls willing to put up with your yapping, huh?” 

“Oh don’t worry, my mouth would have been far too busy to be yapping.” You almost spit out your tea, shocked by her response while she smirked at you, giving you a small shrug once you calmed down. Mapi’s plans for her mouth were certainly not something you needed to be thinking about at the moment. “I just didn’t really feel it tonight, I don’t know.” 

She joined you at the table, stealing a sip from your tea as she did so. “You should’ve seen Patri and Pina tonight, cari. Those two were crazy…” She continued on and on, filling you in on everyone’s antics from the night, while you just listened. It was easy for you to be completely captivated by her as she spoke. You were used to her talking nonsense and you just listening, always getting lost in how excited she got and how her smile grew the longer she spoke. 

Eventually Mapi noticed the way you struggled to keep your eyes open, completely exhausted by the previous day, and helped you up. “Time for bed, you’re hardly awake. Also, don’tbemadatmebut I told Patri about how your date went so don’t be surprised if you hear from her tomorrow. Goodnight!” She rushed out her words, barely understandable, conveniently right before you went to bed and were too tired to actually be mad at her like you would’ve otherwise. Hardly even processing what she said, you decided you could handle Patri in the morning and went straight to bed, finally too worn out to be kept up by your thoughts any longer. 

You slept in late, later than you normally would, hearing Mapi already up and doing things on the other side of your wall. When you eventually emerged from your room, you were shocked at the state of your best friend. “MAPI! What the fuck!” There she was, casually doing her laundry, in nothing but a sports bra and her underwear. 

“Que?” she genuinely looked confused by your reaction, somehow unsure as to what your problem was.

“Since when does laundry day mean walking around in your underwear?!” 

“Well otherwise you can’t clean all your clothes. Cause the one’s you’re wearing are still not clean so you still have more laundry to do. So I figured why not just wash everything?” She acted as if it were the most obvious thing in the world while you kept your eyes glued to the floor, worried that you’d get caught looking somewhere you shouldn’t. You could only hope that she wouldn’t notice the slight blush that was rising to your cheeks.

“Mapi, somehow you still find ways to surprise me even after three years of living with you.” You shook your head at her, trying to hide how flustered you were while you sat down on the couch to check your phone. 

Somehow, you’d already missed a variety of messages from Patri regarding your failed date that she had set you up on. Normally you’d ignore her or tell her off for bugging you about always being single, but for some reason you decided to entertain her today. Maybe if you agreed to more of her setups and put in more of an effort, it could get you out of whatever weird headspace you found yourself in the night before. Whatever it was you were feeling about Mapi, you needed to put an end to it and hopefully some more successful dates could be the solution you needed. So in a lapse of judgment, you agreed to meet up with another one of Patri’s friends that night. Her source of single, lesbian, friends seemed to be endless so she was overjoyed when you finally stopped putting up a fight. 

There you were once again, getting ready to go on yet another date that you weren’t too excited about. You were trying your best to have a good attitude but it was harder than you expected. 

“You’re all dressed up,” Mapi raised her eyebrows at you, mimicking the exact conversation you had had 24 hours earlier. 

You let out a sigh, already regretting your decision to do this. “Yeah, I let Patri set me up with someone else, so I have another date. We’re just getting dinner so I shouldn’t be out too late, especially with training tomorrow morning.” 

“Wow, you’re really putting yourself out there,” she paused for a moment, almost looking… disappointed? But the defender quickly changed her tune, doing a complete 180, “You have fun, chica! Keep an open mind and my phone’s on if you need anything! You can always give me a call!”

“Gracias, Mapi! I’ll see you later? Adios!” 

You set off towards the restaurant you agreed on, deciding on walking as it was only about a twenty minute walk and the weather was nice. If nothing else, the walk could help clear your mind before you had to meet this girl for real. 

You were about five minutes early so you were the first one there, leaving you to get a table and wait for your date to arrive. 

The girl was a total stranger to you, not even having her number, only knowing that somehow Patri knew her and set the whole thing up. So you sat with your glass of wine, and waited.

After a while you checked your watch. It was now ten minutes after your agreed upon time. But that was understandable, right? Ten minutes was no big deal, she was probably just running late. You double checked your texts with Patri to make sure you had the right time and place and went back to waiting. 

There you sat, getting more and more anxious for every minute that passed. This is why you hated things like this; dates always just filled you with anxiety. You’d already received plenty of looks of pity from the wait staff, and weird glances from the people dining around you. After it reached thirty minutes past your meeting time, you gave Patri a call which she of course, didn’t answer. 

When it hit 45 minutes, you decided you had had enough. Tears had started pooling in your eyes from a mix of anger, embarrassment, frustration, and anxiety. You shakily got up from your table, apologizing to your waiter and paying for your wine as you did so. As soon as you reached the front door, you saw that it had begun to rain, instantly deflating your mood even further. You knew walking home would be the thing to fully send you over the edge so you decided to call your Mapi to pick you up. 

“Chica, estás bien?” 

“Mapi, can you please come get me?” Mapi could hear the exhaustion in your voice, obviously trying to hold back tears. 

“Si. Si, I’ll be right there, I’m leaving right now.” You could tell from her voice that she was rushing, coming to your rescue as fast as she could. She stayed on the phone as she drove, speaking nonsense in an attempt to distract you until she arrived about five minutes later. 

When you got in the car, she looked at you hesitantly, clearly wanting to ask what happened. 

“Maps, she stood me up.”

“Oh, cari.” Her hold body deflated at your words, “I’m sorry. I swear, when I see Patri tomorrow I’m gonna kill her. Why would she try to set you up with some shit girl she knows? I can’t stand that! You deserve better than that, you know that, right? You deserve someone who will treat you like a fucking queen, and I-”

You interrupted her by setting your hand on her thigh as she drove. “Mapi, it’s fine. I appreciate the sentiment but it’s fine, it’s not Patri’s fault.” The two of you settled into a comfortable silence- both of you lost in thought, unknowingly for the same reason. 

“Thank you for picking me up,” your voice was hardly audible. 

“Of course. I told you, I’ll always be here for you if you need anything. It’s no bother, really.” 

“You’re telling me you really have nowhere better to be than here picking me up from a  stupid restaurant in the rain?” 

“Where else would I be right now other than the couch? Sure you might have to answer to Bagheera, but I think she’ll understand.” 

You returned her soft smile, although your thoughts were more conflicted than ever before. “I just can’t help but think this is more effort that most people would put into a friend.” Both of you were silent as she parked the car, not quite sure what you were getting at. You didn’t quite know either, if you were being honest. Your emotions had taken over all sense of logic and all you could think about was the girl sitting next to you. 

“Let’s go inside, order some takeout, and talk, si?” You nodded and followed her inside, terrified of the direction your conversation would be going in. 

Once you got inside and changed from your nice clothes, you both settled on the couch next to each other. “Hmm, nice sweatshirt you’ve got there.” Mapi raised an eyebrow at you as you sat down, looking down at your clothes in confusion. You hadn’t even realized that in your mess of an emotional state, you had put on a hoodie that was definitely hers, instantly comforted by the familiar smell. 

“Ugh, I’m sorry, I didn’t even realize I had it. I’ll wash it and get it back to you tomorrow.”

“Oh no, mi amiga, keep it. I like seeing you in it.” suddenly her voice had gotten much quieter than usual. 

“Mapi, don’t be ridiculous, this is one of your favorites.”

 “No, I mean it. You’re keeping it.” 

You felt tears brimming your eyes once again and tried to blink them away, partially from your emotions from the night catching up to you, and partially filled with appreciation for the girl in front of you. 

“Amiga, are you crying?” 

“NO. No, I’m fine. I’m just tired.” 

“Vale, vale, bien. You’re not crying, I’m just gonna give you a hug, because I want to then, not because you’re crying, because you definitely aren’t crying, I’m just giving you a hug for no reason.” You rolled your eyes at the way she smiled at you, seeing right through you like she always did before pulling you into a hug. Mapi always seemed to know you better than you liked to admit, allowing you to instantly relax in her arms. “You’re adorable.” she mumbled into your shoulder, quietly enough that it took you a second to process her words that she likely didn’t intend for you to hear. 

“What’d you just say, Mapi?”

“Hmm?” she pulled away to look at you. “Oh. Nothing.” Her head shook quickly, as if she had no idea what you were talking about, something that made you smile at her once again. 

“Maps, I know I probably shouldn’t tell you this but I don’t know who else to tell other than you and I just need to get it off my chest.” She looked at you expectantly, waiting for you to continue. “I’m always so scared of girls and dating and all of that.” You looked up at her, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this, you know that already.” You were met with an encouraging smile as you thought about what you wanted to say next. “But I never could figure out why I was so scared. I just could never get comfortable with anyone and I think I’ve always been terrified of getting hurt if I let my walls down. But lately I feel like I’ve realized that you’re the only person that I ever feel completely comfortable with. And you’re the only person that I’m not worried about hurting me. And I don’t know what to make of that, and it scares me, and you’re literally my favorite person in the world, and I just-” You took a deep breath in an attempt to prevent yourself from getting even more worked up. “I just needed to get it off my chest.”

Mapi was silent in thought for a minute but reached out to grab your hand, her way of letting you know that she wasn’t upset but just needed a second to think before responding. When she finally did, her voice was shaky and much less animated than you typically heard it. “You know how I am with dating. You know I’d rather just hook up with people and play around.” This was not at all what you expected her to say, raising your anxiety even further. “I never saw myself being able to settle down. It was always too scary. I’d rather put no feelings into it and just have fun than risk someone else fucking me up. But something about you, changes that for me. There’s a reason I haven’t been hooking up with anyone lately. You were my best friend before you were anything else, amor, and I don’t want to put that at risk.” Her eyes glanced up at you hesitantly, barely whispering out her last words, “But you make the idea of settling down seem easy.”  

If you thought you were confused before, it couldn’t even compare to how you felt now. Your mind was running on overdrive, trying its best to make sense of her confession. You’d never in life seen Mapi look so scared and vulnerable, something that was saying a lot as you had seen her at some major low points. She was hardly making eye contact with you, and was more fidgety than usual- picking at her nails and tapping her foot. 

The defender took a huge deep breath, before giving your hands a squeeze. She could easily see the way your thoughts were spiraling and knew she would have to be the one to say what you were both thinking. 

“Why don’t we stop pretending we still think of each other as friends? Cause I don’t know if I can do that anymore.” 

You looked up at her surprised, just now realizing that she was serious in sharing the feelings you had. “Mapi are you for real? And don’t fuck with me right now, cause I swear-”

She giggled slightly at your reaction, stopping you in your tracks, “En serio, amor. Prometo.” You could tell that she was. Her face was as serious as she ever was. 

“Then let’s not be just friends anymore.” 

You hardly realized the way the two of you had drifted closer throughout your conversation, both of you speaking much quieter, only a few inches apart. “I want to show you what you deserve, treat you like the queen you are, and show you how much I love everything about you.” Both of you were looking all over the other’s face, your eyes bouncing from her lips, back up to her eyes, and taking in everything in between. If you could memorize every freckle in that moment, you would’ve.

“Then do it, Maps.” 

There was maybe only an inch separating you, but for some reason she was still scared of messing it up. "Am I reading this wrong? If I am.. push me away." Your noses brushed together as you could feel her breath on yours. When you didn’t hesitate at her words, she took that as the approval she needed, instantly pressing her lips against yours. The chemistry between you was more than either of you had felt with anyone else, finally doing exactly what you didn’t realize you had been waiting for along.

Hope you enjoyed! Requests are open and appreciated!

Masterlist

[hunn1e-bunn1e]

Malleus Draconia - Cyno (Male) Reader

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I chose to do only Malleus since I didn't want to spend three hours typing again. I made this into a split between Headcannons and a oneshot since I couldn't decide which one I wanted to do. There was also not alot to go off of to make the headcannons, so I just added more of my own context to it. I hope this is adequate to what you asked for, I did my best! — Benny 🐰

                                                                                                   

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🐲 When he first met you, Malleus immediately noticed your off putting and downright ominous aura. He himself wasn't affected, of course, but he did notice that almost everyone else was. He sympathized with you, as he causes the same reaction in people that you do. That fact that you understand his everyday struggle certainly made it easy for the two of you, and by extention Lilia, to become close.

🐲 Malleus also noticed how you didn't really seem to be too affected by the fact that the majority of the student body feared you. In fact, you told him that you completely understood that you were scary and that you needed to be due to your role as the Mahamatra. Your status and experience as a warrior has given you a fearsome aura and you use that aura to instill order in your subordinates when the time comes. ...Malleus still has yet to ask you what a Mahamatra is exactly.

🐲 He had once asked you why you cary a staff,, which you later explained to be a polearm from your country of origin, Sumeru. Seeing you wield your spear with such ferocity and accuracy was quite the enlightening experience for Malleus. He was really only ever used to seeing Lilia, Silver and Sebek train with their swords and their magic. Secretly he wanted to ask if you would teach him how to use a polearm, but he doesn't know how to approach the question.

🐲 Something that Malleus didn't expect, however, was the 'dad jokes' as you and Lilia had called them. His father figure and you really seemed to bond over that, actually. You used it to ease the fears and tensions that derived from your overall appearance and demeanour. The dragon fae wondered why he never thought of doing that himself but.... well.....

——————————

"Hey. You four."

The magicless student from another world towered ominously above a group of students who had been whispering about his fearsome appearance; a shadow cast over his eyes as he spoke lowly.

The previously gossiping students tremble in fear as he stood before them, unable to muster up any words or thoughts. Across the cafeteria sat a certain dragon fae; his keen ears picking up on their conversation. His shoulders slumped when he heard them speaking him as though he were some sort of monster; yet he couldn't ever bring himself to try and make friends with those people as he was sure that they would run away. Malleus shakes his head to break from his thoughts as he tuned back in.

"—ou call a well balanced horse.....?"

The intimidating foreign boy asks the students in a cold tone and waited a few moments in silence,

"Stable....... pfffft— Hehehehehehehe, get it, 'Stable'? 'Cause horses live in stables?"

Everyone in the cafeteria who had heard his joke collectively sweat dropped, including Malleus. The poor fae prince was equally appalled and amazed; his eyes couldn't help but wander to the bat fae seated to his right. That joke...... was awful; he almost felt his entire body scrunch in on itself as he cringed; trying to hide it with a blank face.

"A good idea... I suppose... but such poor execution."

Malleus muttered quietly to himself, a cartoonish sweat drop falling down his temple at a comically slow pace.

The previously scared group of students only stared at the magicless boy in confusion and disbelief; not knowing what to do. Where did that come from? [Name], receiving no response, only cleared his throat before reaching into his back pocket and taking out a small notebook. He flips a few pages before stopping on one and giving a firm nod.

"Ahem— What's red and bad for your teeth?.... A brick. Hehehe, get it?"

The magicless male chuckled with a boyish grin as he cracked yet another very bad joke.

Malleus only stared at the boy, a slightly strained smile on his face, stuck between whether to view him with respect for disapating the fear that he conjured by his mere presence or with disappointment at the awful jokes that he surmised you got from his father figure.

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🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.

Wanna see similar content? Check out my Masterlist!

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Joan Crawford (Dancing Lady, Mildred Pierce, The Women)— God, where do I start!!! Her face is so UNIQUE and compelling and stands out so much. I love her thick brows and high cheekbones. She has a school-marmy hardness too her that makes her a little scary and therefore sexy. Her low thick voice also does it for me. Despite being an unusual looking woman with an unusual face, she never loses her glamour. Just a gorgeous talented actress, AND she was some sort of gay!!!

Priscilla Lane (Arsenic and Old Lace, Saboteur, The Roaring Twenties)— I see Priscilla Lane in Arsenic and Old Lace every year during my Halloween rewatch, and I always love watching her. She had a rubber-face for comedy, while still looking adorable no matter what funny face she’s making. She seems to have had a slightly fuller mouth than was the thin-lipped vogue at the time, and every time she pouts at her forgetful new husband, she looks so gosh-darn kissable that you understand completely why Cary Grant is so wild to get her on the train to Niagra for crazy honeymoon sex. No wonder this movie nearly got Hayes coded for the newlyweds being too hot for each other.

This is round 2 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut]

Joan Crawford:

I just love women that are very mean.

she was a smoke show in every decade, from the 20s to the 60s.

The classic matronly beauty with amazing eyebrows

of course there's a space for MILF joan but i want to just take a second and say she was so cute in her early movies (like grand hotel and the women)! those parts often get forgotten but her stardom shines in them just as much as in her older #queen #icon roles

Misremembered for wire hanger hatred, this original screen queen mastered the art of the comeback and refused to let Hollywood toss her aside as she aged. The term “auteur” is usually revered for directors or writer-directors, but most critics have one actor they’ll give that title to as well: Crawford—anyone who knows classic movies already has a “Crawford picture” in their head. She knew how to style herself and promote herself. She made herself a star and kept herself fixated in the Hollywood firmament. What’s hotter than knowing just how hot you are?

(don’t think about Mommie Dearest right now) Joan was known for being super nice to all the like crew of the movies she worked on and she’d get everyone gifts. Joan would hold movie nights at her house and knit at the back of her home theater. Joan was sooo obsessed with other women including Greta Garbo, whos dressing room she would obsessively and purposefully walk by. She said that while working on Grand Hotel, Garbo grabbed her face and “if there ever was a time in my life where I would’ve been a lesbian, that was it.” But like Joan also probably did sleep with women including Barbara Stanwyck. Joan was so obsessed with Bette Davis, screening multiple movies of hers in a day at her watch party, constantly trying to spend time with her or do a movie together, insisting on the dressing room next to hers at Warners and sending her daily gifts… etc. Once Bette said that sex was gods joke to humanity and Joan said “I think the joke is on her.” Joan fucked a lot. Joan got caught publicly fucking a man and sent a letter to the woman who saw them basically saying “I bet it excited you” and the woman was like you know what. It did. Joan was best friends with a gay man. Joan was an actually genuinely good actress even though people mocked her a lot for being like cheap and stupid (partially because she never finished school because her family was broke). Joan was so insane and so cool that’s all.

Priscilla Lane:

[essycogany]

Rare But Not So Rare Sonic Moments Being Both Extroverted And Introverted

Game!Sonic is more of an Ambivert then you’d think.

Disclaimer: My opinions on Sonic as a character tends to be mixed since I didn’t grow up with this franchise. Forgive me if I have conflicting points of views on this blue brat with his inconsistent characterizations.

I’m not expecting everyone to agree with me. Sonic being an introvert is such an agreed upon head-canon in this community. But I would like to fairly appreciate both introverted and extroverted sides to Sonic. I couldn’t pick between the two regardless because Sonic’s character has always been everywhere, but I like the blue hedgie in general. So, I’m going to gush about both of them.

Traits

This is my personal take, but I’ll do my best to describe them. I’m not speaking for everyone who caries these. To not make things complicated, I’ll use two characters who fit each personality trait the most. In my subjective views anyways.

Introvert: Someone who isn’t outgoing. Who prefers to be alone in their thoughts then be surrounded by people. Introverts spend time with one or two people instead of large groups and gets exhausted by social interactions very quickly. They also don’t like getting too much attention from others either.

Shadow and Whisper

Extrovert: An outgoing person who prefers to be with others and thrives in hanging out with large groups of people. Extroverts enjoy social interactions and can start a conversation with most people. Their energy is gained by spending time with different people and getting attention from them.

Tangled and Amy

Ambivert: A mixture of an introvert and extrovert. They enjoy both stimulating and none-stimulating environments. Can start a conversation with strangers, but enjoy doing their own thing. They gain energy by being in small or large groups simultaneously.

Sonic and Tails

Where Does Sonic Fall Into These Categories?

Let me start with Sonic X’s Sonic. For this analysis, it’s important to discuss different mediums of him to get my point across clearly. I might get off course and discuss how certain characteristics are due to the personality more then what normally falls into personality traits. Hold onto something!

Sonic X: He doesn’t enjoy people praising him and mostly talks to people who speaks to him first. He tends to not be much of a chatter box and is not in the show as much as you’d expect. This Sonic prefers to go off on his own then spend time with his friends at the beach in one episode. In another Sonic bails on his invitation to meet the President in order to spend time with his new friend, Helen.

Showing how he prefers to be with a few amount of people then with a group. He even leaves the group in a bunch of episodes to have his alone time. Sonic also doesn’t like hugs all that much unless he’s protecting someone, (mostly Amy) but I’d say that falls more into personal choice more than having to do with him being an introvert. Especially since he hugged Chris in one episode.

Even in Sonic’s more extroverted depictions he can be awkward with hugs. That being said, my hot take is this Sonic is one of two variants who fully commits to being introverted. Which is not a surprise because of reasons I’ll get into later.

Here’s where I’ll talk about his extroverted variants. I’ll start with Movie and Prime Sonic, since they fall into this personality trait the most.

Movie!Sonic: He lived alone for most of his life after his caretaker “Long Claw’s” sacrifice. Sonic had to raise himself by watching action movies on his soon to be families television. Due to his lack of interactions, love, or anything outside of being alone, he has a mental breakdown and his powers takes over his emotions. Causing the entire world’s lights to shut down.

Once he starts meeting different people he gets ecstatic and has fun with the situation. Getting into different shenanigans with his soon to be father, Tom. Again, Sonic Wachowski has been alone for years. Which makes his reasons of being extroverted make sense.

Prime!Sonic: (I deem this version of the character as not canon, so I’ll treat him as such.) Prime!Sonic is naturally affectionate and open towards anyone and everyone. Even Eggman by the end of the show. Like Movie!Sonic, he hates being alone and is very optimistic when it comes to interacting with people. The First Episode of the show: Sonic: “Are you ignoring me? You’re ignoring me. Why are you ignoring me?! WHY IS EVERYONE IGNORING ME?!”

He inspires others to become their better selves because he reaches out to them and often talks about trust and expressing yourself. Almost every Sonic does, but this energetic ball of stubbornness is the least subtle about it. His naivety seems to be both the worst and best aspect of his character. Worst because it gets really repetitive and best because you can understand how much compassion he has for people.

It getting out of hand at times is more of a flaw in the writing then the character, but I digress. I’d say Prime!Sonic is very emotionally honest with himself, but even in the show he internalizes his emotions at times. It’s not often, but still happens. Proving you don’t have to be introverted in order to want to keep your emotions to yourself.

Ep 3 Of Season One: Nine: “Are you okay?” Sonic: “Yeah, I’m fine.” Obviously wasn’t true. You can tell when this guy is holding back his emotions. All be it not perfectly.

Every Other TV Show Or Comic Depiction Of Sonic: Even if these adaptations are different in some regard, they all carry the core extroverted side to Sonic. Just not as much as the first two.

They are way more egotistical and wants to be the center of attention. (Archie!Sonic is literally a celebrity in his universe.) Likes their alone time, but mostly hangs out and fights with friends. Talks to a bunch of people, and so on.

Let’s finally get into the main canon Sonic.

Game!Sonic: Sonic is 100% an introvert in his Japanese depictions. It’s the same story as Sonic X. In terms of how Sonic’s written in the country he was created in, he is a complete introvert. Like being shy when it comes to being complimented (especially when people view him as an authority figure) In the American dubs before Pontiac and Graff wrote for the games, Sonic’s almost the same way. But as time went on especially during IDW’s run, Sonic tends to be pretty extroverted. It’s mostly how he’s depicted in the west if the examples before means anything.

Even beforehand he’s been more extroverted then one would think. He talks to strangers and in almost every game meets someone new. He doesn’t get exhausted or needs solitude afterwards either.

Sonic always could be around more than a few people at once. Sure, he doesn’t mind being alone, but again you don’t have to be an introvert in order to enjoy being alone. And there are plenty of introverts who talk a BUNCH with the people they’re most comfortable with. Then extroverts who can take the time to listen to others when needed. It all depends on the person.

That goes for Sonic keeping his emotions to himself. No matter where people fall, some may feel the need to keep their emotions to themselves. Extroverted or not. Especially since Sonic from X has expressed himself before. It’s just not as common for him.

I also feel the blue hedgehog does it so everyone else can keep their heads up. His own included. I understand if anyone doesn’t agree with that take though. The classic ara is a good example his ambivert traits as well. He starts out as a none talking loner, but soon starts talking and meeting different people. These are reasons I believe Game!Sonic’s an Ambivert.

I believe Sonic’s a leap before he thinks kind of guy and is bad at expressing himself. He can sometimes be talkative. Especially when it comes to going back and forth with other characters. Villains and rivals to be specific. Sonic’s stubborn about his morals and will stop at nothing to keep those morals. He’s introverted enough to take some time to himself and do things his way without anyone to stop him, but extroverted enough to inspire strangers to become great hero’s themselves.

Let me simplify it even further. The situation is Sonic getting praised by a crowd of people.

X: Gets overwhelmed and runs away.

Every Other Variation: Appreciates the praise and maybe even start flexing to boost his ego.

Game: Would humbly appreciate the cheers and probably leave or stay. It depends on his mood.

I don’t know if I got my point across very well, but I did my best. I honestly believe I might be alone with this take. Hope my rambling didn’t get too out of line.

Stay Creative! 💜

[jamisonwritestf2trash]

Mini Headcanon- The Best Compliment You Can Give Each TF2 Merc!

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Basically, it's a short fluff piece!

I thought a nice little sweet headcanon was in order. Also, these old folks need some compliments >:)

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Demo- "Great Aim!" or "You really gave them hell!"

Sometimes, he just wants to be reminded that even with a lack of depth perception and a generally low precision skill, he's still doing a good job. He also doesn't mind being reminded that he absolutely killed that day, it makes him feel confident in his skills.

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Engie- "Good work!" or "We couldn't have gotten that win without you!"

Engie is a fan of small compliments or just feeling depended on. He gets really happy when people acknowledge the effort he puts into his work, even if it's just being told it was good. He also loves the idea that he helped cary the match with his efforts. It feels good to be recognized, you know?

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Heavy- "You did well keeping us safe!" or "You're did amazing today!"

He loves being told that he did good being a protector. He just always wants to make sure his friends are okay! And being told he was doing good at that makes him so happy. He also just likes the small confidence boost of being told he did amazing.

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Medic- "I trust you." or "You're a great asset to the team!"

Let's be honest, even throwing a thank you. This man's way is enough sometimes. But in general, he's so used to being called insane or "not a really doctor" that when someone says that they trust him, he's immediately happy. He also loves being told he's an asset, people forget how important his job actually is, and it hurts, so telling him that hes valued will make him giddy. (Not a healer main insert at all).

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Scout- "You're doing great!" Or "I'm proud of you!"

He just wants to be told he's doing a good job, be reassured that he's not absolutely horrible at his job, or just be told that someone is proud of his efforts. Compliments like that make his day so much better. It reminds him that even if his day is shit, or if the other mercs are being assholes, he's still doing great no matter what .

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Sniper- "Great shot!" Or "You were super impressive today!"

You'll never see an actual reaction from him, but being told he did good or that he was impressive makes him so happy internally. He's spent years getting good at his job. It's nice to hear that your effort paid off and that people notice your skills. It seems so little, but it makes him so happy 😭

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Spy- "You look very nice today!" Or "You're very skilled at what you do."

Basically, anything that gives him an ego boost is the best compliment you can give him. "Of course I look good," or "We're there any doubts of my skills?" Are common replies, but God forbid you don't compliment him at least once after every round. He gets so sulky/pissy.

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Soldier- "You're making your country proud with work like that!" or "I'm happy I get to work along side you!"

He loves being told he's making people proud, but the idea that his country is proud is a whole other thing. He gets so thrilled to hear that, like this man is smiling for the rest of the day. Getting told people are happy to work along side him is a feeling he loves, he's used to people not really being near him a lot due to his intense nature, but when people ignore that and actually seem okay with, he gets like a million times happier.

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Pyro- "You were on fire today!" or "You were really impressive today!"

They love fire puns, but they also love just generally being complimented for their skills. They work really hard! They just want to hear silly fire themed compliments and puns after murdering someone in cold blood you know? Being told they impressed someone is also a great feeling for them, I don't think they hear that as much as they'd like.

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Ough, I love them, sorry this was short, and probibly a little repetitive in some areas, but I really just wanted to get a cute fic out, and break up the medic posting! I also got two asks for all the mercs so those should be out very soon!

[lina-linny]

summary: you are a princess and your whole life is geared towards the fact that one day you will have to marry a powerful prince. but what happens if you decide against it and listen to your heart instead of your father?

words: 3.9k

genre: fluff, angst

I am the princess of a larger kingdom. I have lived in a large castle since I was a child and my family has always been wealthy and respected.

Ever since i was a little girl, i have always had a best friend. Jongho

I looked out of the window. Over my father's lands. Over the kingdom that I would inevitably inherit one day.

While other children romped and played outside in the palace gardens, I always sat in this huge classroom and received lessons in everything a princess needed to know.

Court etiquette, music, mathematics and needlework, etc.

But the only thing I ever wanted was to live, play and laugh with other children.

But my father thought none of the offspring of the stuff was worth my time. So I wasn't allowed to play with them.

One day after my 10th birthday, my father assigned me my own bodyguard.

Every high-ranking person at court was assigned a personal guard from a young age. So this was nothing unusual.

My bodyguard was very nice. I always got on well with General Choi and he also did his job well. He followed my every move.

One day, General Choi told me about his family. He casually mentioned that he had a young son my age.

My face lit up when he told me about Jongho.

For the next few days, I couldn't stop thinking about Jongho. I wanted to meet him. I wanted a friend.

So I tried to persuade General Choi inconspicuously to bring Jongho to his work and thus to me.

The guard immediately realized what my mission was. He laughed inwardly. But he knew how lonely I was, so he brought Jongho to me.

When I saw the little boy standing confidently but quietly next to his father, my heart skipped a beat.

All my life I had wanted another child as a playmate.

But how did that actually work? Playing with other children? How did you talk to other children? What should I…

Jongho bowed to me and my thoughts were abruptly forced to a halt.

General Choi smiled and patted his son's head.

“Go play in the parlor together. I'll keep an eye on you from here. I'm sure you'll get along famously.

But what if he didn't like me, or if Jongho was weird?

My worries quickly disappeared, though.

Me and Jongho talked, laughed, played and chased each other around the salon laughing and screeching.

Over the years, we grew closer and closer. Jongho visited me almost every day and we became best friends.

Jongho always seemed quiet and reserved, but when the two of us were alone, he opened up. We always told each other everything.

Over the years, our friendship developed into something that was no longer just friendship.

When we saw each other, hugged each other, touched each other, our hearts beat at an unreasonably fast pace.

When we complimented each other, the other would turn red and shy.

When he took my stuff and caried them for me, my whole body tingled.

When our faces were so close together that we could just kiss, we didn't back away but neither did we take a step forward and connect our lips.

We both knew that if we took that step, there would be no turning back. It would be complicated with my father and so much more.

So we always stayed in one place. Didn't take a step forward or back until my 19th birthday.

I had been getting ready for my stupid birthday banquet for hours.

That was the reason I had always hated my birthday. It wasn't about me, it was about business and etiquette.

My only job was to look good. That was all I was good for. That had been made unmistakably clear to me.

One day I would have to marry an influential prince and when I had given birth to a few children, the world would be finished with me.

I could no longer be stuck in this agonizingly long dress fitting. I needed some fresh air so I persuaded my maids to let me into the park for a few minutes, which they allowed, slightly annoyed.

So I walked into the park with my perfectly laced, perfectly fitting (and admittedly very pretty) ball dess.

If my father knew that i was just walking around the castle without my hair and make-up done, especially on my birthday, he would have been very angry.

But he didn't have to know.

I slowly wandered through the flower beds. It smelled like spring and the sun was shining directly into my face. A pleasant tingling of warmth spread through me and I closed my eyes.

“Y/n…?”

I heard Jongho walk cautiously towards me.

I smiled. At least there was a ray of hope on my birthday. Then I turned around and looked into Jongho's beautiful face. The light of the sun played around his hard features.

“What are you doing out here? It's dangerous for you to go out alone.”

I smiled. He always worried too much. It was sweet.

“Nothing will happen to me” I replied nonchalantly"

He shook his head. Smiling, I turned my gaze to the ground to watch a small bug trying to climb up my shoe.

“I… I passed the general's training.” I looked up. Straight into his face. He looked a little tense.

I ran up to him and locked him in my arms. He looked taken aback but quickly returned the hug.

I smiled. Ever since we were both children, Jongho had dreamed of becoming a general at court and now he had officially made it.

“I spoke to my father…” Jongho murmured into my hairline.

“He said that the job is getting too strenuous for him. He's already old and will have to stop working soon. That's why he suggested that I could become your new bodyguard.”

My head whipped around and I looked directly into his face, which was only a few centimetres away from mine.

“Only if you want to, of course! I don't have to…” Jongho quickly added, but I interrupted him.

“Of course I do! This is the best birthday present I've ever received.”

I was beaming from ear to ear and a soft smile slowly spread across Jongho's face.

I hugged him to me again. He slowly stroked my back and I felt that warm tingling sensation in my whole body again.

I pressed him closer to me because my heart was crying out for his. No matter how tightly I pressed him against me, it was never enough. I wanted us to become one.

I sighed. Right now, Jongho really was my only ray of hope.

“Do you have to go back to your fitting?” Jongho asked cautiously.

I sighed and nodded. That got a soft laugh from Jongho.

“You'll survive.”

I groaned. “I wouldn't be so sure about that. If it goes on like this, I run the risk of just jumping out of the window.”

“That wouldn't do any good princess. I'd be there to catch you.”

I looked into his face, puzzled, and felt warmth spread through my cheeks.

He was so close to me. I could just lean towards him and…

“You look beautiful, by the way. At least the agony of trying it on is worth it.” He whispered the words in my ear, which made me blush even more.

But before I could say anything back, I heard the distant voice of my maid.

She was calling for me and would obviously appear here at any moment.

I turned back to Jongho and tried to get my red cheeks back under control. “Are you at the banquet later?”

Jongho nodded and I smiled. Then it couldn't be too bad.

Jongho accompanied me and my maid back to my chambers and then took up his post outside my door.

After at least another hour for my hair and make-up, my maids finally declared the work finished.

My maids left the room and I dropped into a chair with a sigh.

I just stared at the ceiling for at least 5 minutes without doing anything. I was so exhausted.

All I really wanted was for Jongho to come to me and barricade myself in here with him.

As if he had heard me, Jongho knocked on my door at that moment.

After a few polite seconds, Jongho opened the door. He was holding something behind his back that I couldn't see.

His face was slightly red and he looked a little embarrassed.

“Hey,” he said sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.

I smiled back at him.

“I… um I have something for you because it's your birthday today. They're not the prettiest. But I picked them myself.

He carefully conjured up a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back. The flowers looked as if they had been picked from the garden.

I had received countless bouquets of flowers in my life. Bouquets of expensive, valuable or rare flowers, but never before had I felt a bouquet was so precious.

I beamed happily at him, which made Jongho smile.

“Thank you! It looks so pretty! Wait, I'll get a vase.” I thanked him effusively.

I disappeared for a moment and then put Jongho's flowers in the vase.

Jongho had entered in the meantime and closed the door behind him.

I walked towards him. A soft smile played around his features and he looked shyly at the floor.

“You look even prettier now than you did before and I thought that was no longer possible.”

I blushed but smiled. I carefully let my hand rest on his cheek.

He looked up at me. “Thank you, I really appreciate you. Thank you for being with me and managing to make even the day I've always hated more than anything bearable. You are really important to me.”

I didn't know where this sudden confession came from, but I looked confidently into Jongho's eyes.

His cheeks glowed and he chuckled. He couldn't hold the eye contact with me and looked down at the floor.

He smiled happily and I had to smile too.

Everyone was always afraid of Jongho. He often seemed cool or too serious to them.

But when it was just the two of us, he was exactly the opposite. He was shy and soft. He loved to give compliments but even more to receive them.

Smiling, I pressed a kiss to his cheek, deepening the red in his face.

Now he looked deep into my eyes again.

I put my other hand on his cheek and caressed it gently. Jongho closed his eyes.

“Do you know how much you mean to me?” He asked in a slightly trembling voice.

I held my breath. Should I just do it? should i be breave and risk everything... for my love?

...yes. I knew it was worth everything.

I carefully closed the distance between our lips but stopped before they touched. “I love you” I whispered.

It was a simple confession and yet my heart was hammering against my chest as if it was about to jump out.

Jongho overcame the last centimeter that had separated our lips and melted into me.

It felt like the whole world stopped spinning.

I had been waiting for this since the first time I saw him. His lips brushing against mine, caressing and teasing them.

My body was on fire and he was the lighter.

I held the lighter to my own pyre and yet I couldn't get enough.

I carefully detached myself from him.

Jongho smiled gently.

“I love you too, my little princess,” he smiled.

We both knew that it was going to be complicated. But we pushed the thought aside.

The moment was far too beautiful to ruin it now. It would happen sooner or later anyway.

“I take back everything I said earlier. That was the best birthday present I've ever received.” I announced and we both giggled.

I entered the banquet with Jongho right behind me.

He escorted me to my chair, adjusted it for me and helped me sit down.

I couldn't suppress the lovesick grin on my face.

Jongho had a neutral expression on his face, but I could see a loving twinkle in his eyes as he looked down at me.

My bodyguard stood at the edge of the hall, next to the rest of the security staff, from where they could keep an eye on everything and intervene at any time, but not disturb the privacy of the guests too much.

I let my gaze wander over the table. My father had invited numerous guests.

There were minor nobles from our kingdom as well as more influential princes and kings with their princesses or queens from other kingdoms.

I let the meal wash over me. I made a little polite conversation with some of the nobles next to me.

I kept exchanging tender glances with Jongho.

After we had finished eating, I wanted to retire but my father came rushing towards me with a young man in tow.

“Y/n!” he called to me and I waited patiently until he had reached me.

“Prince Seonghwa, this is my daughter Y/n,” my father introduced me and I curtseyed slightly as Seonghwa bowed to me.

“You should have a little talk. I have something to discuss with King Park Seonghwa's father. I'm sure you two get along famously.”

My father gave me a warning look and I knew what was going on. Seonghwa's father was obviously a powerful king and my father couldn't pass up an opportunity like this for any kind of political business.

When my father left us alone, Seonghwa smiled at me understandingly. “Looks like we're both in the same boat. I guess we'll have to kill time together now”

He laughed and I had to smile too. I could imagine worse company.

“Do you want to dance?” Seonghwa asked and I nodded. I loved dancing so I gratefully took the opportunity.

It turned out that Seonghwa was almost as good a dancer as I was and also a very good conversationalist.

We got on well and laughed a lot.

We had now both decided that enough dancing was enough for now. So we retreated to the edge of the party and talked here.

Seonghwa had just left to organize something for us both to drink when my eyes met Jongho's.

He had obviously been watching me, because he quickly turned his gaze away from me and blushed.

I smiled softly and made my way over to him.

Seonghwa would find me.

“Hi,” I smiled back at him.

“Looks like you're having a good time.” Jongho said somewhat coolly and I froze. What was wrong with Jongho?

“Is everything okay?” I asked cautiously and Jongho ran his hand over his face. You could tell how frustrated he was.

“Just… you seem to get on VERY well with this prince. You giggle all the time and I can see him flirting with you.”

A smile spread across my face. “Are you jealous?” I grinned and poked him on the nose with my index finger, which made him blush.

He grabbed my hand a little roughly by the wrist, pushed it away from his face and looked at me seriously.

“You shouldn't do that here. We'll just be seen and then we'll have to deal with the rumors.”

The laughter disappeared from my face and I looked at him, a little hurt. I carefully pulled my wrist out of his and Jongho sighed. I smiled sadly.

“Yeah I'm jealous that this prince can just walk around here with you so openly and I have to stand here and watch. It fucking hurts to see you with him because I know you have to marry him.”

I stared at him in horror. But before I could say anything back, Seonghwa came running to us.

Jongho instinctively took a step away from me, putting a professional distance between us and giving my heart a stich.

Seonghwa glanced back and forth between us and then looked down at the floor with a knowing smile.

Nodding, I took my glass from him and drained the damn alcohol in one gulp. I didn't feel like I was going to survive the whole thing any other way tonight.

Seonghwa smirked and Jongho frowned at my actions.

Jongho carefully took the glass from me.

“Don't drink so much again.” He said worriedly and I sighed. He said it so easily.

“I want to dance again, will you come with me?” I turned to Seonghwa. He nodded and together we walked towards the dance floor.

I felt bad because I knew that all of this was hurting Jongho, but I was hurting too.

It wouldn't work like this with us. We weren't made for this. I couldn't pretend that I was interested in other men and that I didn't care about Jongho, nor could Jongho watch me do it.

In the long run, we would break, shatter, like a rose crushed by the expectations of all the others.

I danced with Seonghwa, but my thoughts were with Jongho at the edge of the ballroom.

I just wanted to be with him. I didn't need big parties or powerful nobles. I just needed him.

Seonghwa smiled.

''You love him very much, don't you? Your bodyguard…”

My head snapped to him and I stared at him in horror. Was it that obvious? Would he tell the others?

He just laughed at my reaction. “Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. I understand you. I… I have someone too. She's very special and… not noble either. It'll be complicated, but I think you can manage all this.”

I sighed. Would we really make it? I would have to be brave enough to tell my father.

We weren't meant to keep this a secret. That wouldn't work. I couldn't just marry someone and be with someone else in the meantime. That would hurt me and him too much.

“I think our fathers want to marry us off.” Seonghwa said. “I don't know if I'll be brave enough to put my own happiness above my father's wishes. But I think you will be. Just know that i'll be on your side and support you if you are.”

We were silent for the rest of the dance, both engrossed in our own thoughts.

The song we had been dancing to ended and we left the dance floor together.

Our fathers came running towards us. They both had busy looks on their faces and seemed very happy.

“Oh, no. They've come to an agreement. That shouldn't bode well for us.” Whispered Seonghwa.

I just sighed. I felt like I'd been doing this far too often lately.

Our fathers came to a halt in front of us.

“I and King Park, after much deliberation, have come to an agreement regarding the future of our kingdoms.”

My father smiled at us as if he were giving us a gift. As if we would be happy for the increased power and a larger kingdom

“The wedding will take place next year.” Seonghwa's father added.

If I had tried to find another explanation for my father's words before, I now had to finally accept that I had to marry Seonghwa.

I looked at Jongho, who was standing within earshot of us, and noticed that his lower lip was trembling suspiciously.

Tears rolled down my cheek and yet my voice was firm as I spoke.

“No!” I said firmly.

“No?!” My father asked incredulously. “How dare you? It's not your decision.”

I took a shaky breath and looked my father straight in the eye.

“I'm not going to marry Seonghwa. I don't want more power or to secure our kingdom. I want to love and be myself and I've already found someone with whom I can get all that. So I will not marry Seonghwa just because you want more influence.”

Seonghwa smiled with his head bowed. “I agree with her.” He said simply, but it was more than enough.

“And who is this someone supposed to be?” My father asked angrily.

“Jongho,” I said simply and looked over at my lover to see silent tears running down his cheeks just like mine.

“Your bodyguard?!” My father asked incredulously and I just nodded.

“I'm not asking for your permission or anything like that. I know I won't get it. But I'm with him and you're not going to change that. I'm an adult and able to lead my own life.”

My father gasped indignantly, but I turned away and walked over to Jongho.

I wrapped him in my arms. He was never really comfortable with physical contact in public, so I just took his hand and walked out of the ballroom with him.

We were silent on the way. Tears were still quietly running down my cheek.

When we arrived in my chambers, Jongho closed the door behind him and kissed me in the same second.

The kiss was with more desire than any before it. I clung to him tightly. Jongho held me and my tears slowly dried up.

“I'm so proud of you. You were so brave my little princess.”

I cried again and Jongho hugged me to him.

“I won't let him separate us, ok?” I sobbed into Jongho's shoulder.

Jongho smiled. “I know. You're not going to get rid of me that easily.”

I smiled under my sobs.

Jongho helped me change into my nightgown and brushed my hair as carefully as if I were made of glass.

He helped me into my bed and tucked me in. He kissed me goodnight on the forehead but as he was about to leave, I called him back.

“Jongho?”

“Y/n?”

“Could you… sing to me? So I can fall asleep?”

Jongho smiled softly and sat on the edge of my bed.

But instead of letting him sit there, I pulled him into bed with me, which made him gasp in surprise.

I giggled and he slipped under the covers with me. I cuddled up to him and he hugged me to him.

He began to sing softly to me and the last thing I heard before I fell asleep was Jongho.