#chapter32

[morningstargirl666]

The people have spoken, so here I am bearing gifts, a flashback I just wrote for chapter 32 of TBBW.

I'd be writing stuff for TBBW anyway, so I'll also work on Divided We Fall and Slaughterhouse this week, which tied at second. We'll see how much I get done!

Trigger Warning: Child Abuse

990 AD

Niklaus, just shy of twelve summers, pulled back the bowstring as he aimed his arrow at the doe stood several paces away, its head lowered to the ground, feeding on the plants littering the forest floor.

“That’s it,” Elijah, several years older, whispered beside him, gently correcting his brother’s posture with a hand on his bent right arm. “Breathe in slowly…and then let go.”

Niklaus copied Elijah when he demonstrated, breathing in slowly, trying to relax his body. His arm was already screaming at him for holding the tension of the bowstring for so long, muscles weak. He could feel it starting to shake. Narrowing his gaze on the doe ahead of them, he let the arrow fly.

It sailed harmlessly over the deer, just missing its neck. The sound of the arrow slicing through the air made its head shoot up, ears twitching towards them. When it caught sight of them standing in between the trees, it bolted, disappearing into the woods too fast for Niklaus to draw and try again.

He lowered his bow, dejection and frustration running through his entire frame.

“I missed it.” He whispered quietly, unable to look Elijah in the eye. Father had forced Elijah to take him with him to hunt, with strict orders that Niklaus needed to be the one to catch their prey. Refused to let Elijah take his own bow to ensure it, catching onto the fact Elijah had caught animals in the past and played it off as Niklaus’ kills, covering for his weakness. He was getting older now, father had said. He needed to start pulling his weight. Niklaus knew what that tone meant,  what was waiting for him if they returned empty-handed.

There was a pause before Elijah spoke, as if he was choosing his words carefully.

“It’s okay,” he said, placing a comforting hand on his younger brother’s shoulder. “You know how to track, don’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we’ll follow it, okay? And you can try again.”

Hesitantly, Niklaus looked up at his brother, who offered a reassuring smile, one that Niklaus couldn’t help but cautiously return. He nodded, feeling a little more confident. Determination set in his bones.

They did follow it, tracking it for hours through the woods, following the tracks in the dirt and moss, the fresh dung left on the ground. Niklaus led the entire way, not needing to ask Elijah to pick up the trail once. But when they finally found the doe again, Niklaus was so nervous, so afraid of missing the shot again, of walking home to face their father’s ire - his hands shook twice as much. When he finally let the arrow fly, he didn’t just miss the target by a hair’s breadth, but completely out judged the aim, the arrow flying wide and slamming into the bark of a tree instead of the doe. It bolted before Niklaus could draw again, and when Elijah softly reassured that three times were the charm, offering to track it down again even if that meant returning home after nightfall, Niklaus shakily obliged. Their luck ran out though, the tracks leading to the river between their land and that of the wolf-men, losing the trail on the other side.

Defeated and quickly losing light, they were forced to return home empty-handed.

Elijah promised to find more time to help him practise more often, vowing to finish his chores earlier so they could sneak away to hunt without the pressure of father’s shadow looming over them, perhaps even surprise mother with freshly caught rabbits. Niklaus paid little attention, smiling in gratitude when Elijah paused expectantly, but for the most part, staying silent. As they drew nearer to home, Elijah trailed off into silence too, the air heavy in between them, knowing what awaited him.

Niklaus preferred it when he talked. At least he could pretend then, for a little longer, that everything was going to be okay.

______________________________________________________________

Elijah found him later, sat down on a large rocky outcrop by the stream near their village, staring at the clear running water. He’d snuck out after supper, knowing that staying near father in his current mood would be unwise. It hadn’t been too bad, considering it could have been much worse, but there was a new darkening bruise on his cheek where their father’s ring had cut his skin when the man had backhanded his face, his side equally sore and painful when he moved, thanks to some fractured ribs. It was okay, though, as long as he didn’t breathe in deeply and sat straight. Mother was already nagging him about his posture, anyway. At least he wouldn’t worry her any more about that.

“Any room for me up there?” Elijah called up to him.

Niklaus answered by stiffly moving over to allow Elijah room, keeping his gaze on the water below, his bruised cheek carefully hidden from Elijah’s sight. 

Elijah had shouted at Mikael to stop this time, practically screamed at him while Niklaus had been on the floor. He’d soon cowered though when Mikael had threatened to do worse to him. Then he’d sent Niklaus guilty looks across the dinner table all night, like he felt bad for backing down, for not stopping Mikael more. Elijah’s face had practically shattered when little ‘Bekah had asked what happened to his face, and he’d responded by saying he’d fallen over in the woods.

His brother didn’t realise he didn’t need to feel guilty though. Niklaus understood. He wouldn’t wish their father’s ire on anyone, and at least if father was focused on him, he wasn’t hurting anyone else, like little ‘Bekah. Not that their father would ever lay a hand on her.

Elijah quickly scaled the boulder, using his longer limbs to climb onto the top and sit down beside Niklaus, one knee bent and the other hanging over the edge. Silence hung between them for a while, both of them listening to the steady stream of water flowing by them below and the insects starting to come alive in the nightfall. Niklaus wasn’t in the mood to talk and despite not blaming Elijah, he didn’t fancy being on the end of his pitying looks. It would only throw further salt in the wood.

Eventually, he felt Elijah turn to look at him, the older boy deciding to be the first to say something.

“Let me see, then.” he said, reaching a hand out to his younger brother’s chin.

Niklaus didn’t have time to fight Elijah’s hold, the older boy slowly turning his head towards him. When he caught a glimpse of the darkening bruise in the darkness, his entire expression fell, turning solemn. Niklaus hated it.

“It’s not as bad as it looks.” he muttered, jerking his head out of Elijah’s hand and turning it away, ruffling his hair with one hand so it hid the bruise from view better.

Elijah sighed, his hand falling to his knee as he reluctantly turned away, giving him space. Niklaus’ shoulders relaxed. “It should go down in a few days. You could ask mother for some healing paste in the morning.”

“Father will notice.” He immediately said, thinking back to the time mother had tried healing the welts of his father’s belt that tore through his back. The bruise on her face that had lasted two weeks hadn’t been pretty. “I’ll be fine.”

That rendered Elijah silent.

Niklaus thought maybe his brother would leave when he let his other leg fall, hanging over the edge as well. But Elijah just shuffled forward, bracing his hands on the rock, and turned to look at Niklaus again. “Do you know why you missed the shot today?”

Niklaus shrugged.

“It’s like father says. I’m weak and pathetic.” He muttered, kicking his own legs over the edge, hitting his heels back against the rock. “I can’t even hit a dumb deer with a stupid arrow.”

“That’s not true.”

Niklaus turned his head with a scoff, making sure Elijah could clearly see the angry bruise on his cheek. “Clearly, it is.”

Elijah swallowed, looking away, unable to meet his eyes. Then a frown formed on his face, deepening with anger.

“I don’t care what father says, you did good today.” He said, shaking his head, a determined look on his face. “Your tracking skills are better than father’s, and you nearly hit the doe on the first try.”

Niklaus rolled his eyes. “Yeah,” he said dryly, “and I completely missed it on the second.”

“You were just nervous-”

“No, I was scared.” Niklaus snapped at him, throwing his hands up in frustration. “I’m always so scared! I’m nothing but a coward.”

He sniffed, turning away to glare into the woods. He wasn’t going to cry. Especially over a stupid deer.

Even if it had never been about the deer.

Elijah sighed again, the two of them dropping into silence once more. Niklaus just wished he would leave, it would be easier.

After a while, he heard Elijah shuffle beside him, pulling something out from inside his tunic’s pockets. He fiddled with it in his hands and Niklaus finally turned back to look when he caught sight of it in the corner of his eye.

“What’s that?” he asked grudgingly, frowning down at the wooden figurine.

“A knight. Like the ones father fought in the Old World, I think.” Elijah answered quietly. When he noticed the younger boy’s interest, he held it out as a peace offering. “Here. Take it.”

He nodded down at it, encouraging Niklaus to take it. 

“Why?” Niklaus asked instead, looking between the carved figurine and Elijah.

“It can be your good luck charm.”

“Father says there’s no such thing as luck. Only skill.”

“Just…” Elijah sighed again, but it sounded a tad more frustrated this time, that anger sparking in his eye. “Just forget about father for a second and take the damn thing, Niklaus.” 

Hesitantly, Niklaus did, turning the wooden thing over in his hands. It was a knight, one on horseback, the horse’s legs not quite finished. He frowned, something about the handiwork familiar.

“Those knights were brave when they fought Father.” Elijah said, breaking Niklaus out of his own thoughts. His brother smiled, a small, encouraging thing. “Now you can be brave too, like them.”

Something warm burst out inside his chest as he examined the wooden thing, chipped and stained from wear and tear. Elijah had clearly loved it for years, had been a thing of comfort for him and now he had given it to Niklaus, no hesitation needed.

“Don’t you want it?” he asked, offering it back.

Elijah shook his head, his hands falling to rest on the rock beneath them again. “No. I don’t really need it anymore. I have you.”

“But I’m not brave.” Niklaus immediately protested, frowning in confusion again.

Elijah smiled, the expression turning sad. “You're braver than you think.”

Niklaus looked down at the wooden figurine, at the brave knight riding proudly on his horse. He brushed his finger over the shield, imagined wielding one of his own.

“Thank you, ‘lijah.”

His older brother’s smile softened, nudging his shoulder with his own. “Your welcome, Niklaus.”

______________________________________________________________

The next day, after Elijah had finished all his chores, they went hunting again, the two of them sneaking off with both of their bows and the little wooden figurine safe in Niklaus’ pocket. Despite the bruise on his cheek and the pain piercing through his side, Niklaus hit the deer on the first try.

Mother congratulated him on the kill later, her smile wide and proud, and even Finn gave him a pat on the back when Elijah insisted it had all been his doing. Kol ran up to him in a rush of excitement, jumping up and down and asking about every question known to man about the deer and how Niklaus had killed it, before pestering mother about helping her skin it, promising he'd be careful with the knife this time, squealing when she said no to the knife but yes to helping her take out the guts. Niklaus had shared a look with Elijah over the younger boy’s head at that point, particularly concerned. Little ‘Bekah had voiced what they were all thinking and called out Kol for being gross, punching him in the shoulder. It made Niklaus smile.

Mikael didn’t say a word throughout, his face set in a grimace like he’s just sucked on a lemon.

Niklaus didn’t mind though. The smug satisfaction that bloomed inside his chest at the expression on Mikael’s face was more than enough of a reward.

@stars-and-darkness tagged me in this creative new way to get yourself writing, so here's me jumping on the band wagon and joining in. I'll share a snippet tomorrow of whatever I end up getting written.

I'll tag @bellemorte180 @ks-caster and @helpless-in-sleep because I wanna see more of your stuff and this is an invitation to suffer with me

propaganda:

TBBW - there's too many posts to choose between for this one, so here's just a link to the fic lol

Divided We Fall

Falling For You

Songs of the Sea

Slaughterhouse snippet

[paperbackribs]

A Tarnished Copper Boy (32) | A03 Fic tags: time travel, friends to lovers, slow burn

“Screw the timeline. I may not have stopped Chrissy and the rest from dying, but I’ll be damned if I don’t save you.”

Eddie stubs out his cigarette, sitting up. “Steve…” He starts to warn, worried that when Steve was healthy and well, he had explicitly outlined his intent to not intervene. He’s been sick for a long time and Eddie’s not sure that he can trust his wishes right now.

“No,” Steve interrupts, holding up his palm in an abrupt gesture to stop him, “The timeline is already fucked. I don’t know how or when. To be honest, I’m not even sure how I fully know it, but I do. I’ve changed something already and, if that’s the case, then I’m going to make sure you survive.”

Eddie opens his mouth but Steve slashes his hand through the air, “No arguments.”

He stares at Eddie resolutely, and, in his expression, he can see that Steve is tired too. Unwell and thin, not looking like the spring of Eddie’s heart, but his eyes are clear and Eddie will always trust him, no matter the time or place...

Chapter32

Tag list:

My tag list is always open, so let me know if you want to be added. Likewise, if you want to be removed, let me know. :)

@bookworm0690 , @child-of-cthulhu, @cinnamon-mushroomabomination , @ellietheasexylibrarian , @finntheehumaneater , @goodolefashionedloverboi, @gutterflower77, @hallucinatedjosten, @just-a-tiny-void, @ledleaf, @littlewildflowerkitten, @manda-panda-monium, @mightbeasleep, @nburkhardt, @newtstabber, @stillfullofshit, @tartarusknight

[qianqiancandyjar]

Struggle of the Caged Bird (Yokai Ninja AU Chapter32)

Fowlham alert, cough.

Background...again...

Well, that proves how much I love the idea. :D

List

[rainbowheart324]

chapter32

As the messenger left, father told him they were going to wait in the dinning room for a little longer. From that information he could figure out a few things, one that it is probably a cookie because any item could be moved and the fact that they weren’t moving to a different room also  likely meant that it was not a problem in the citadel that father had to fix.

If it was, father would likely drop everything to get it done as soon as possible.

But who could it be? The dinning room often held foreign visitors in it but it was hardly up to that standard right now. He hadn’t even brushed his hair yet this morning. Any subjects meeting like a petition would be held in the throne room so who.

His answer is received when a cookie wearing a pink traveling dress walks in to the room. On her shield sat a large pink gem glowing in the exact same way he had only ever seen one other gem glow.

That is glowed like fathers soul jam narrowed down the list to one extremely small.

This must be one of the ancient heroes then. An old friend of fathers. He knows he met one of them when he was very young but he had no memory of the event he was just a newly baked baby at the time after all. So it was like meeting her for the first time . If that was even the same one for all he knew it could have been a different one that he met.

 Still he had expectations for how she would act. They were all cookies of great power and duty after all. So surely they would all the part. 

The Expectations were crushed in to a fine paste when the words  “Hi ya bitter bean lucky for you I was already planing on giving a surprise visit when you sent out the letter.” were uttered. He looked at father and he still seemed to be in a pretty good mood like that was not a horribly informal way to address someone.

Was he really going to let the horrendous lack of editcut and protocol slide.

 Father merely replys“ It really has been hasn’t it.” So it seems he would. He is stunned for a moment   Then the cookie turns to him and he soon finds him self becoming the topic of conversation.  He scrambles to get his mind on what was being said instead of what just happened.

 “So this is dark choco huh he’s really grown since last time” So this was the one he met. Wait no he needs to answer her. He wasn’t prepared for this and he finds his ability to speak failing him.

“Yes last time he was barely up to your knee” he is thankful for father saving him from having to answer but he could have done it had he been given a little more time. But okay she was the one he met as a baby that was okay information to know he wasn’t quite sure what to do with it but he was sure it would come in handy later.

“He looks like he needs to eat more as well hes all crust and bone” Oh there talking about him like he not even there well that was a bit rude of both of them. Even if it was at least partly true.

“We are working on that he’s been sick and his appetite has not been the best”  He could not deny that truth. He was working on it at the very least he just needed some more time to fix it.

“He should probably be in bed resting then”  It was pretty clear she was trying to send him away at this point but he didn’t want to go back to sleeping just yet.  So he makes his opinion on the matter clear.

“I am very tired of being stuck in the same place for so long and just wanted to stretch my legs a little.”  There he there is no way the be clearer than that he’s not leaveing just because she thinks he is to sick to be out of bed. He is so tired of just laying about at this point being able to go to a different room to eat was a luxury he was not going to cut short.

She then turned to his father likely to try and convince him that he should be resting. “Are you sure thats its a good idea for him to be wandering around if what you told me in the letter is true.”  He mentally snaped at her sheer gall for trying to have father over rule this choice of his. He stayed slince on the outside however slightly nervous that father would indeed just send him away.

Thankfully father shot her down as well.“ Keeping him locked in a room all the time would only destress him”  There was a small look of amusement on the cookies face for a spilt second and then it faded back in to the normal smile. Was she making some kind of joke or or he was confused why would she smile when her suggestion was turned down.

“  That reminds me. I see your probably past that point when It comes to the apparent insanity but did you know in the holly berry kingdom we finally found something a lot better than chains to keep out mental health patients in place” Oh oh maybe talking about this was why she wanted to send him away. Or maybe she was doing it on purpose to make him uncomfoable so he would leave.  Either way he wished she would stop.

“Hollyberry why would you ever need chains in the first place you just need to lock them in a room” He can’t help the terror at the thought of being locked away again. Why did she bring this up the ancient heroes are suppose to be well heroes. Heroes don’t talk about things like that.

“ Well some cookies can get pretty violent both towards others and themselves and we needed a way to stop them from biting and clawing” He wished she would stop talking about this it’s making his stomach upset. He feels like he is going to vomit up everything he ate. 

“ Just put some mits and maybe a mask on them then no need to chain them up” That was not what father did when he thought he was hurting him self but cloth and leather ties to a bed were definitely better than chains by far. 

“ They keep trying to escape there treatments as well admittedly they are somewhat scary to go though but have a rather large success rate.” Please stop. Why can’t he move his body to speak. Why don’t they stop he doesn’t want to listen to this he will go just please stop

“What are treatments in the hollyberry kingdom actually” father no please shut her down. He dosen’t want to hear about this. Please please change the subject.

“ Well there are a few most of them all stem from the same concept of shocking a cooking back to sanity. Nearly drowning  works well and so does spinning them around until they vomit for some reason.” 

Nononononono. She looked right at him as she said that. Is she suggesting these to father. Nonononononnono. The ancient heroes were suppose to be good cookies why is she doing this to him? He wants to leave. Why won’t his body move?

“ The most successful one currently is something called the tranquilizer where the cookie is locked in to a chair and we try to draw jam away from the brain for a bit. By puting something hot at there feet and something cold on there head.” 

That sound awful. Horrible trapped with no way to escape. He feels his stomach cramp and food crawl out his throat. The acid burns.

He’s trying to get a hold of himself to make the room stop spinning. When he looks up she right on top of him. He scrambles away but something else grabs him. For a moment his panic spikes but as he realizes it’s father he can’t help but relax a small bit.

He feels himself getting pulled off the floor. He doesn’t fight back. It would be both pointless and just smear vomit over the both of them. Is he going to lock him back in that horrible room to await the tortures holly berry has described. 

“ Excuse me holly berry I must get dark choco cleaned up  I will be right back”  He dosn’t even care that he is being talked about like a toddler he wants out. He want to forget this ever happened.

Hollyberry does not follow them“ Thats fine you do that I will wait here” She doesn’t seem mad about it in the very least.

Father carries him out of the room and its all he can do to keep the spew of words coming out of his mouth somewhat coherent. “ please please don’t don’t no. I’m sorry . I’ll be go--”   His rambles are cut off.

“ Shh don’t worry dark choco I won’t let any of that happen to you” Is that actually true.

“ You promise” He is not sure why he said that father has broken his promises before.

“ Yes I promise. There will be no more treatments that you don’t agree to from this point forward”

“ Really” He doesn’t quite believe him but the words alone are enough for him to regain some grip on himself.

“ Yes dark choco I know how much they were stressing you and each time it seems to have only made your illness worse so there will be no more”  Ah thats is actually something a bit more solid father simply coming to the conclusion that they were doing more harm than good is believable. 

Wait if father is sure he is not better was he going to “ You won’t lock me in a room again.”

“ No dark choco. Here to prove it how about I run you a bath and you can do it on your own to prove that I trust you not to run or hurt yourself” Right he can’t mess this up he refuses too.

“ Thank you”

They got to father chambers rather quickly and as he was placed in the tub father left. It was nice to be trusted to do some basic things on his own again. Hopefully soaking in some hot water would make him feel better.

He couldn’t dunk himself in fully, but he didn’t need to. His newly very short hair didn’t need very much maintenance and just sitting there would get the mess off of him.

[cutedisneygirl]

Materlist 2

Chris Evans fic Love Online

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 part 1 Chapter 7 part 2 Chapter 8 Part 1 Chapter 8 part 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 part 1 Chapter 10 part 2 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 part 1 Chapter 14 part 2 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 chapter 17 Chapter18 Chapter19 chapter20 chapter21 chapter22 Chapter23 chapter24 chapter 25 chapter26 chapter27 chapter28 chapter29 chapter30 chapter31 chapter32 chapter33 chapter34 chapter35 Chapter36 Bonus wedding pics Chapter37 chapter38 chapter39 chapter40 chapter41 Chapter42 Chapter43 chapter44 chapter45

[falseandrealultravival]

Lao Tzu and boku「樸には毀誉褒貶は通用しない」：ブログの復権（エッセイ） 木と少女 「樸には毀誉褒貶は通用しない」は老子の言葉である。（３２章）取るに足らない存在でも、自立していればその身分に不当な扱いを受けることはないのである。最近、日本で非道な財務省に対して「財務省解体デモ」が行われているが、一般のマスコミはこの運動を無視し、あるいは悪意をもって取り上げる。ここでSNSのインフルエンサーたち（ヒカル、青汁王子など）が自分のサイトでこのデモについて取り上げた。数１００万人のフオロアーを持ち、数億円の関連収入のある人たちである。確かにデモについて多くの人に伝わったが、財務省を怖れる出資企業は、彼らとの契約を打ち切った。とたんに彼らは翼をもぎ取られ、ただの人になった。 今はSNSの全盛期であり、旧来のブログは落ち目になって久しいと言われる。だが私はタンブラーと「はてなブログ」を続けている。読者も少なく、��いぜい１０００人単位の読者だ。だが私はどこの組織からも資金を受け取っていない。こんなどうでも良い弱小ブログを毀誉褒貶することは不可能だ。そして言うべきことを着実に書き連ねていくのみ。それが、巨悪を倒す確実なステップなのだ。 切りだされたままの木（樸）には、誰も手を出せないのだ。老子の言は正しい。 森下礼 "Praise and criticism cannot apply to the 樸": Restoration of blogs (Essay) Tree and girl "Praise and criticism cannot apply to the 樸(new wood)" is a phrase used by Lao Tzu. (chapter32) Even if you are insignificant, you will not be mistreated for your status if you are independent. Recently, in Japan, "Demonstrations to Dismantle the Ministry of Finance" has been held against the cruel Ministry of Finance, but the general media ignores this movement or takes it maliciously. Here, SNS influencers (Hikaru, Aojiru Oji, etc.) have taken up the topic of this demonstration on their websites. They are people with millions of followers and related income of hundreds of millions of yen. Although the demonstration was undoubtedly spread to many people, the investing companies, fearing the Ministry of Finance, terminated their contracts with them. Suddenly, their wings were clipped and they became just people. Now, SNS is at its peak, and it is said that traditional 「樸には毀誉褒貶は通用しない」：ブログの復権（エッセイ） 木と少女 「樸には毀誉褒貶は通用しない」は老子の言葉である。（３２章）取るに足らない存在でも、自立していればその身分に不当な扱いを受けることはないのである。最近、日本で非道な財務省に対して「財務省解体デモ」が行われているが、一般のマスコミはこの運動を無視し、あるいは悪意をもって取り上げる。ここでSNSのインフルエンサーたち（ヒカル、青汁王子など）が自分のサイトでこのデモについて取り上げた。数１００万人のフオロアーを持ち、数億円の関連収入のある人たちである。確かにデモについて多くの人に伝わったが、財務省を怖れる出資企業は、彼らとの契約を打ち切った。とたんに彼らは翼をもぎ取られ、ただの人になった。 今はSNSの全盛期であり、旧来のブログは落ち目になって久しいと言われる。だが私はタンブラーと「はてなブログ」を続けている。読者も少なく、せいぜい１０００人単位の読者だ。だが私はどこの組織からも資金を受け取っていない。こんなどうでも良い弱小ブログを毀誉褒貶することは不可能だ。そして言うべきことを着実に書き連ねていくのみ。それが、巨悪を倒す確実なステップなのだ。 切りだされたままの木（樸）には、誰も手を出せないのだ。老子の言は正しい。 森下礼 "Praise and criticism cannot apply to the 樸": Restoration of blogs (Essay) Tree and girl "Praise and criticism cannot apply to the 樸(new wood)" is a phrase used by Lao Tzu. (chapter32) Even if you are insignificant, you will not be mistreated for your status if you are independent. Recently, in Japan, "Demonstrations to Dismantle the Ministry of Finance" has been held against the cruel Ministry of Finance, but the general media ignores this movement or takes it maliciously. Here, SNS influencers (Hikaru, Aojiru Oji, etc.) have taken up the topic of this demonstration on their websites. They are people with millions of followers and related income of hundreds of millions of yen. Although the demonstration was undoubtedly spread to many people, the investing companies, fearing the Ministry of Finance, terminated their contracts with them. Suddenly, their wings were clipped and they became just people. Now, SNS is at its peak, and it is said that traditional blogs have been on the decline for a long time. However, I continue to use Tumblr and "Hatena Blog". I don't have many readers, only a few thousand at most. But I don't receive funding from any organization. It's impossible to praise or 編集アイコンで、クリップを固定、追加、削除します。criticize such a small and insignificant blog. I just keep writing what I have to say. This is the most sure step to defeat the biggest enemy. No one can touch a tree that has just been cut down. Lao Tzu is right. Rei Morishita blogs have been on the decline for a long time. However, I continue to use Tumblr and "Hatena Blog". I don't have many readers, only a few thousand at most. But I don't receive funding from any organization. It's impossible to praise or criticize such a small and insignificant blog. I just keep writing what I have to say. This is the most sure step to defeat the biggest enemy. No one can touch a tree that has just been cut down. Lao Tzu is right. Rei Morishita

「樸には名誉報酬貶は通用しない」：ブログの復権（エッセイ） 木と少女「樸には承諾報酬貶は通用しない」は老子の言葉である。（３２章）取っても足らない、自立していればその当然に不当な扱いを受けることはない。インフルエンサーたち（ヒカル、青汁王子など）が自分のサイトでこのデモについて取り上げた。 数１００万人のフオロアーを持ち、数億円の収入のある人たちである。 今はSNSの全盛期であり、旧来のブログは落ち目になって久しいと言われている。 でも私はタンブラーと「はてなブログ」を続けている。 読者も少ない、せいい１０００人単位の読者だぜだ。 しかし私はどこの組織からも資金を受け取っていない。切りだされたままの木（樸）には、誰も手がつかないのだ。老子の言葉は正しい。 森下礼 「樸には賞賛も批判も当てはまらない」：ブログの復活（エッセイ） 木と少女 「樸には賞賛も批判も当てはまらない」とは老子の言葉です。 (chapter32) たとえ取るに足らない存在でも、独立していれば地位を理由に不当な扱いを受けることはない。最近、日本では冷酷な財務省に対して「財務省解体デモ」が展開されているが、一般メディアはこの動きを無視、あるいは悪意を持って捉えている。そこで、SNSインフルエンサー（ヒカル、青汁王子など）が、自身のウェブサイトでこのデモの話題を取り上げている。彼らは数百万人のフォロワーを持ち、数億円の関連収入を持つ人々だ。デモは確かに多くの人々に広まったが、財務省を恐れた投資会社は彼らとの契約を打ち切った。突如として彼らの翼は切り落とされ、ただの人間になってしまった。今、SNSは絶頂期を迎え、従来のブログは衰退の一途を辿っていると言われている。しかし、私はTumblrと「はてなブログ」を続けている。読者は多くなく、せいぜい数千人程度だ。しかし、いかなる団体からも資金提供を受けているわけではない。こんな取るに足らない小さなブログを賞賛したり批判したりすることなど不可能だ。ただ、言いたいことを書き続けているだけだ。これは最大の敵を倒すための最も確実な一歩です。切り倒されたばかりの木には誰も触れることができません。老子の言う通りです。森下麗

[midnightbluskies]

Art by @cynopoe, I love this fully clothed but still steamy picture.

“I shrug, working at his tail. It’s so warm. And it’s always moving. Like holding a current in a stream. If you’d asked me ahead of time, I would have said I wasn’t into tails. But I guess I’m into anything attached to Simon.”

-AWTWB

[naomyart]

illustration to use as cover of chapter 32 of the comic, it takes a long time to decide what kind of image the cover would have, but I feel satisfied with the result

[sincerelylen]

Forcing myself to get those creative ideas coming. Still trying to find the narrative for The Curse. How's the following for a start? This is tough...

--

The Curse

Chapter Thirty-Two: Sacrifice

Adrenaline ran rampant throughout his fatigued body and powered his movements with heightened awareness. The darkness around him was inciting involuntary claustrophobia. Soft whispers of promised pain echoed in his head. And his breaths were becoming heavy and laborious as his legs screamed-

'Run! Keep running! Don't stop!'

The floorboards creaked and groaned under the weight of his frantic stride. His grey-blue irises shifted frantically, blind to everything around him. All his thoughts revolved around the gleeful shadows that were chasing him, laughing with their dark amusement in response to his very real fears.

Panic crawled higher up his spine as he felt a spectral finger graze his ear; he stumbled, before muttering a curse and grunting with resolve. What was only minutes felt like hours as he ran without any direction through the pitch-black, in-between corridors of the ancient palace.

Daisuke had been pulled into the darkness, his agonized screams still ringing in his ears. Takeru had been forcefully herded from him in their attempt to escape from The Little Girl and the sudden emergence of multiple, dangerous spikes of black-red blood.

Isamu, Jounin of Rain Country, needed a plan.

His grey-blue irises darted around the never ending darkness around him, survival instincts propelling his body forward.

But those noises - Kami, the noises:

"Keep running, Isamu-san. Don't stop. Keep running. Keep fleeing. This is so...much...fun..."

And, the darkness - Kami, where could he go?

He was trapped. He could see nothing. They were playing with him.

The trembling fingers of his right hand clenched around the cool steel of one of his double-ronin swords. His left hand twitched at his pouch.

'If this is death...' Isamu's jaw locked and, with growing resolve, he spun around - his left hand smoothly removed an exploding tag and threw it into the chasing darkness before unsheathing both his swords in determined readiness. Waiting for the predators that followed his path, Isaumu watched in anticipation as the sizzling tag disappeared into the blackness, '...If this is death...'

His heart thrummed. Sweat traveled languidly across slicked skin. The handles of his weapons creaked with his grip. His knees bent, taking on a stance of defense - ready for the inevitable, ruthless wave of hostility.

'...Then I'll go down fighting...'

He blinked. Everything became silent.

And when his eyes opened, the atmosphere charged. A ball of yellow-white light exploded yards away and expanded in quick illumination of his immediate surroundings.

One beat.

Grey-blue eyes swept across the expanse in front of him. Bodies were lined in wait only feet in front of him. He was outnumbered.

Two beats.

Grey-blue eyes gazed upward, taking in the shadowed hands rising from unknown depths and arching towards him with obvious intent. Fuck, he was very outnumbered.

Three beats.

Takeshi Isamu crouched lower. His blades lifted in preparation.

'There're too many...But, fuck it, I've got to try!'

Chakra bordered him. His brows furrowed with intense concentration.

The flash of light dimmed away, along with Isamu's visibility.

He breathed. Closed his eyes. Felt the stillness.

"Isamu-san..." Her light and whimsical voice echoed condescendingly in his head, "...You put up an impressive fight."

A growl sounded on his left. A moan on his right. Her voice...right behind him. He clenched his jaw tighter.

Her laugh was haunting, "Game Over."

The silence ended, the explosion of Isamu's tag rocked the ancient building and the howling screams resumed.

--

🤔

[agrinsosardonic]

The Number Nine Looks Like You

I can’t understand why a sentiment so beautiful feels so tragic. 

And he must feel the same pain laced in those words, because he doesn’t look hopeful at my admission. This is already covered territory. How could we not be in love? But love without logic is a dangerous place to exist. Even worse, when that shared love is viewed as toxic to the sensibilities of terrible people. People who hide behind ancient morality as justification for sinful threats. 

Our carelessness has been fun. And how I have enjoyed kissing him under the warmth of a cooling sun, as the leaves changed and fell, in the backyard of my house. As the windows of his place glared from above. Dancing our calloused fingers across our cold cheeks. And whispered predictions of our joined future. The dreams that seemed more lucid than static. And wouldn’t it be nice--

Just so nice--

To set fire to this island just to be together.

[lovelyrocker]

Love Is Blind Ch.32

~ RPF

~ Characters: Jared Padalecki, Lexi Ackles(OFC), Ellie(Mentioned)

~ Pairings: Jared x Lexi

~ Warnings: Smut

~ Word Count: 2,168

~ Un Beta’d - All Mistakes Are My Own

~ *FEEDBACK IS GOLD*

~ Catch Up HERE

It was the day Jared and Lexi were traveling to L.A. and although Lexi was cool, calm and collected Jared knew she was nervous. Lexi didn’t have to say a thing to him, he knew, and she was. 

In the hotel lobby they walked to the front desk and Jared gave his name and got the room key. They gave a pause when the door opened and they saw but one king bed. “I swear I book a double room.” Jared held his hands up. “I’ll go down and fix this.” He turned to leave.

“It’s okay!” Lexi grabbed his arm. “Not like we haven’t shared a bed before.” She walked in dropping her bags on the floor then turned letting herself fall to the bed.

“Are you sure?” Jared shut the door behind himself.

“Yeah.” Lexi reached grabbing the room service menu. “I’m starving.” After eating, showering, Jared called the kids and Lexi called Jensen. Finally relaxing for the evening Lexi looked over at Jared sitting against the headboard with his laptop on his lap. “Tell the truth.”

“What?” He looked at Lexi who was lying opposite with her feet on the pillows.

“You didn’t really book a double room.” A smile spread over his face. “I knew it!”

“I did!” He countered. “At first.” He sat up and put his laptop aside. “I originally booked a double king suite. You were sitting right next to me when I did. But I got a call the next day about the room being double booked and I told them a single king suite would be great as well.” 

Lexi sat up and laughed at Jared. “If you wanted to sleep in the same bed and spoon you could've just asked.” She gave his shoulder a playful push.

Jared leaned forward sliding an arm around her waist. “Fine. I want to hold you tonight. I miss having you in my arms at night.”

Lexi leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose. “Sounds good to me.”

After pulling the sheets down and settling into bed Jared shut the lights out and wrapped his arms around Lexi pulling her back flush against his chest. He let out a deep exhale and Lexi felt his body mold into hers his breath on her neck near her ear. The feeling was familiar and comfortable. Lexi had forgotten how safe and secure she felt in Jared’s arms. Lexi turned into Jared, her arms finding their way around his waist. She tucked her head under his chin and Jared smiled when he felt her nose nuzzle the dip between his neck and chest. He felt her hands travel gently up his back squeezing gently. 

“I miss this, too.” Lexi whispered.

~

It was mid afternoon and Lexi was at a location set for a photoshoot. Her hair was freshly dyed a dark red color similar to a red wine and cut a little shorter than mid back. Her make up was done dark but lightly and she donned a dark jeans, a black tank top and black leather jacket with black biker boots. 

Jared smiled as he watched her go back and forth from the photographer to the laptop going over shots and talking to the other models. She was in her element with her tablet in hand guiding everyone in the direction she needed them. His heart was so full of pride in that moment. She’d overcome so much and here she was kicking ass at her life and taking it back.

“Hey!” Lexi said excited when she saw Jared standing near the door. “WHat are you doing here?” She through her arms around him giving him a tight squeeze before stepping back.

“Decided to come get a peek and what you have going on.” He lifted a hand and ran his fingers through her hair. “Nice change.”

“Ellie talked me into it.”

“Looks good on you.” 

Lexi blushed at his complement. Even after all this time Jared still managed to make her blush with his words. “Come on.” She took his hand and pulled him toward everyone . “Hey guys, this is Jared.” Lexi introduced. “We had a little technical difficulties with some things earlier so we are running behind.”

“That’s cool. I’ll just sit back and admire the awesomeness of you doing your thing.” Jared sat back in one of the many chairs.

“Lex,” A young lady called from near the camera area. “Just got off the phone with the agency and the replacement will take a few hours.”

“Great!” Lexi placed her head in her hands.

“What’s wrong?” Jared asked.

“The male model flaked and the replacement, well, needs to be replaced.” Lexi lifted her head and looked at Jared. “Or not.” A smirk appeared on her face. 

“No.” Jared held up a finger. “I don’t do photoshoots unless I have to.”

“Come on! It’s just with me and by yourself!” She told him with a pleading expression.

“Lex,” The young woman called out again. “They said they can have someone here in an hour and a half.”

Jared stood from his seat. “Tell them you don;t need another model.” He droned, Lexi jumping giving him another hug.

“Thank you so much! You are a lifesaver!!”

“You’re lucky I love you.” He said lowly to Lexi placing a kiss on her forehead. “What am I wearing?”

Lexi pointed him to the Change rooms. Jared walked out of the changing room in a dark blue pair of jeans and a white button down. After he had his hair styled in a part and light make up done he was set.

“Do I meet the boss’s standards?” Jared asked walking onto set.

“Absolutely!” Lexi gave him a smile. “But first.” She walked over and unbuttoned his shirt halfway down. “Perfect.” Her eyes flickered up to his. “You know I like your chest.” She said softly to him.  

Jard felt the slight heat rush to his cheeks. “Yes, Ma’am.” He let his Texas drawl slid out a bit. 

The rest of the shoot went by without a hitch. Jared did his set and then Lexi came in to pose for their set together. Everyone kept commenting on how natural they looked together, how much chemistry they had between them. How easily they fell into a rhythm together. They fed off of one another’s personalities and it was infectious.

After wrapping the two decided to celebrate Lexi’s week of accomplishments by hitting the club scene for a night out on the town, something Lexi never really done. They met up with Ellie and several other people, popped open several bottles of champagne and danced until their feet ached. At almost one am, Jared and Lexi poured themselves into their hotel room giggling. 

“I haven’t had a night like that in a long time.” Jared said kicking his shoes off.

“I had a little too much champagne and I think I’m on my way to drunk.” Lexi said hunched over trying to unbuckled her strapped heels. 

“I hate to tell you, Baby Girl” Jared walked over placing a hand on her waist to help keep her balanced as he reached down with his other hand to unbuckle her shoes. “I think you’re already there.”

“Like you’re any better.” She chidded slipping her other shoe off with his help.

“I’m not totally drunk.” He smiled down at her. “Just enough to be very blunt and honest.”

Lexi looked up to him and his eyes were dark and lustfull. “About?” She asked swallowing hard.

Jared stepped closer pressing his body to hers, holding her steady with a hand around her waist, His mouth near the shell of her ear. “About how badly I want to push down on the bed,” Jared brought his opposite hand to the hm of her dress and slowly caressed up her leg. “And fuck you senseless.” He pressed several kisses down her jaw before stopping at her lips. “Then I wanna make love to you nice and slow, till you’re a shaking mess beneath me.” He took her lips into a passion filled kiss before pulling away to let her breath. He looked down at her seeing the same hunger in her eyes as he felt. “Would you let me?”

“Yes.”

Jared groped her ass in his hands and lifted her off the ground. Lexi wrapped her legs around his waist till she fell onto the king beda gasp falling from her. Jared stood at the foot of the bed looking down at her as he unbuttoned his dark grey shirt. He reached a hand grabbing Lexi’s ankle and pulled her to the edge of the bed, the movements causing her dress to ride up her hips. Sliding giants hands up her legs her pulled her painties down, tossing them behind him. He crawled on top of her reaching between their bodies to free himself from the restrictions of his pants. 

Lexi moaned feeling Jared sliding inside of her, stretching her channel open again. SHe planted her feet flat on the bed, bracing herself for the burn of his girth to ease up a little. It had been so long since they’d been like this, Lexi’s body wasn’t used to his size anymore. 

“Do you need a minute?” Jared asked feeling her walls clenched around him. 

“No. Keep going.” Her voice was breathy as she pulled his body back onto her.

He pulled out and slid back in slowly the first few times to give her a small amount of time to adjust. Soon he was pounding into her so hard her body was jerking with each thrust. Leaning back on his heels he grabbed her behind the knees pushing her legs up and apart, giving him the most amazing view of himself inside of her. It also gave him a new angle inside of her, the head of his cock slamming into her sweet spot repeatedly had her arching her back grabbing at the bed sheets with white knuckles as she came apart. When Jared felt her spasming around him he looked down to see her juiced slicking up his cock as she came with a cry. Jared fell forward feeling his orgasm hit him. He grabbed the bed sheets and squeezed as his hips snapped forward in uneven spurts of force till he came with a loud moan.

Jared fell next to her on the bed both panting with a sheen of sweat on their skin. He turned his head to her seeing her smile. 

“I miss that.” He chuckled.

“Me too.” Lexi turned her head looking at him. “Though I may be sore in the morning.” She gave a laugh.

Jared turned over getting on top of her. “It was worth it, though.” He kissed her lips.  

“God, yes.” Lexi push his shirt sleeves passed his arms letting the sweat dampened fabric fall wherever. 

“You sure you don’t need a minute?” Jared asked hovering over her. 

“I’m good.�� Lexi breathed out with a smile before finding Jared’s lips again. 

Jared slid a hand beneath her finding the zipper of her sun dress and pulling it down wasting no time pulling the dress from her body. Lexi worked on riding him of his jeans, her hands feeling as much of his bare body as she could. 

Skin pressed against skin, hands feeling, groping, touching wherever they could. Jared lifted one of her legs over his hip, the head of his cock barely touching her core. He adjusts himself again and she felt the tip protruding at her entrance. Lexi whimpered raising her hips. She wanted more of him. She craved it. She craved him. It was like she was getting the one thing she has denied herself and it was delicious. 

Jared worked his way inside of her slowly. Inching into her passage, stretching her again at a pace that was driving her insane. God, he imagined being back inside of her for months. He missed her touch, her taste, the sound of her breath hitching in her chest as he filled her completely, bottoming out in one smooth thrust of his hips. 

They turned, Lexi straddling him. SHe looked down at Jared, eyes shut, mouth open in ecstasy while she moved her hips in the exact was he loved the most. Jared’s hands slid up her thighs, gripping her hips as he inched them higher up her body. Lexi leaned forward sliding a hand behind his neck pulling him up into a sitting position. Jared looked up at Lexi as she smiled down at him. 

“I wanna see those eyes.” She whispered to Jared both her hands on his face. “Those gorgeous eyes.” Lexi kissed him hard her fingers wrapping into his hair. “I missed you so fucking much.” She let her head fall to his shoulder, giving a little nibble to his shoulder then spreading kisses over his neck, shoulders and chest, anywhere she can press her lips on his body.

They were lost in one another.

TAGS: @onethirstyunicorn​ @xostephanie​ @saxxxyjared​ @dreaminemz​ @squirrelnotsam​ @thevelvetseries​

[2sugoii2die]

Oh no

Oh no no no

SOMEBODY KILL THAT BITCH DELTA

[ontheplussize]

This is the beginning....

[pastel-senpaii]

PART 3

[lamarkcheston]

@BuffaloBills got the Win yesterday...it's only right during #LibraSeason ♎️ 💪🏾 Cake by @BrooklynSweetSpot #Chapter32 #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia https://www.instagram.com/p/BosCeNPBQL0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m8sitox16ppi

[jeanellsunshine]

My message to 2022: YOU BETTER BE FUCKING AMAZING OR ELSE!!!!! Bye 2021! • • • #bye2021 #happynewyear #newyearnewme #newyearnewbeginnings #Hello2022 #decembertoremember #decemberbaby #Year32 #Chapter32 https://www.instagram.com/jeanellsunshine/p/CYHiMu7pT48/?utm_medium=tumblr