#departure ff

[thanatosaria]

andante, andante ✨

[marvelousbuckley]

people often forget that 2 years (edit: it's more than 8 actually omgggg) have passed between Gerrard's departure and Bobby's arrival on the 118. which means a lot of years of off-screen friendship between Chim, Hen, Tommy and Sal. they're all making bets with each others and having fun and going to the bar together.

Hen and Chim like the guy, Tommy is a friend. they even got a cake for him ffs, and Hen shoved him in it playfully. i think this is a great proof of all the growth of Tommy and Tommy's relations with them

[sunsetkerr]

THE TRADE | s.kerr

summary: as your afl season ends, your contract is up- leaving you, the hottest player in the aflw, up for grabs.

pairing: aflw!reader x sam kerr

notes: part one here!

yourinstagram

liked by samanthakerr20, crowsaflw and 18,398 others yourinstagram our third flag, so proud to have spent the last five years with this team. ytfg 💪💪

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samanthakerr20 the only time I will accept you not wearing a west coast guernsey is now ❤️❤️ so proud, go the crows!! ↳ yourinstagram screenshotting this and sending it to west coast right now

crowsaflw we love you #1 ↳ yourinstagram ❤️

user no because im so happy

user they need to resign her ↳ user shes a free agent, meaning whoever bids the most is most likely where she will go ↳ user she can't leave the crows 💔

alannakennedy casually winning flags ↳ yourinstagram its a constant tbh

alexchidiac10 loving the hat in the second pic ↳ yourinstagram its sam's dads 💪 ↳ samanthakerr20 roger was robbed

aflwupdates

liked by user, caitlinfoord and 7,281 others aflwupdates BREAKING NEWS: Adelaide Crows star, Y/N L/N, is officially a free agent. After winning her 3rd flag with the southern club, L/N's contract has not been renewed and she is rumoured to be looking for a new club. It is unknown whether Adelaide is negotiating a new contract with their star forward.

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user im losing it, she can't leave ↳ user I wouldn't be surprised, she doesn't live in Adelaide so it might be easier to go to a club closer to home ↳ user where does she live? ↳ user y/n has a home in perth with her wife sam and their daughter, but flies between perth, adelaide and london (where sam and y/n also have a house) for sam's football

caitlinfoord sick pic though @yourinstagram ↳ yourinstagram ffs caitlin ↳ user caitlin can't resist putting her foot in it 😭 ↳ yourinstagram literally this is my life, come get your dog please @mackenziearnold @alannakennedy

yourinstagram

liked by samanthakerr20, maryfowlerrr and 26,387 others yourinstagram in the off season we party (tillies style)

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mackenziearnold matildas 🤝 the crows ↳ yourinstagram party animals

user SAM AND Y/N HAVE MATCHING TATTOOS??? ↳ samanthakerr20 disgusting really

user seeing the girls let their hair down is so refreshing

user y/n looks in no condition to have caitlin foord on her shoulders, that is one expensive woman y/n- don't drop her please ↳ yourinstagram if I did it wouldn't be an accident

matildas see you at training tomorrow morning ladies!! ↳ maryfowlerrr I can't go out.. I'm sick

samanthakerr20 you little rager, you look so good in that shirt ↳ yourinstagram its 100% off (a sam kerr exclusive discount) ↳ samanthakerr20 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

user we are all freaking out about her trade and she's out here getting off her face with her wife's team mates 😭😭

crowsaflw

liked by yourinstagram, samanthakerr20 and 9,290 others crowsaflw it is with great sorrow we announce the departure of our superstar y/n l/n. five long years with the best, she will be missed on and off the field. truly a force to be reckoned with ❤️ we will miss you, forever our #1.

samanthakerr20

liked by yourinstagram, amysayer_ and 739,298 others samanthakerr20 she's off to continue to do great things ❤️ proud.

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user its so weird seeing them all lovey and not all I hate you ↳ yourinstagram dont worry its weird for me too

crowsaflw our girl! ↳ user but like.. not anymore... ↳ user too soon

kyracooneyx my lord and saviour ↳ charlotte_grant all hail mrs l/n-kerr

samanthakerr20 realising this photo kinda makes it look like you're dead xx ↳ yourinstagram sometimes when im with you I wish I was xxxxxx

yourinstagram

liked by samanthakerr20, aflw and 18,388 others yourinstagram the new diggs

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user STOP ITS OPTUS, SHE'S GONE TO WA

user omg shes going to west coast or freo

optusstadium so happy to have you!

samanthakerr20 who says diggs? ↳ yourinstagram literally shut the fuck up

mackenziearnold physically cannot sit still right now ↳ yourinstagram right now or ever?

user y/n literally tell us, tell us right now

westcoastaflw

liked by samanathakerr20, yourinstagram and 11,938 others westcoastaflw welcoming our new #1!! @yourinstagram blue and gold looks very good on you, don't you agree @samanthakerr20?

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samanthakerr20 DAMNNNNNN 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

samanthakerr20 can finally watch one of your games without wanting to vomit looking at your guernsey 🤤🤤🤤🤤 ↳ yourinstagram 💙💛

user I cannot breathe

user sam got what she wanted 😭😭 ↳ yourinstagram she always does unfortunately

roxykerr20 thank goodness we didn't invest in any crows merchandise 😂 ↳ yourinstagram you never would roxy 😌 I did this solely for you and roger ↳ samanthakerr20 I'll just jump off a cliff then x love you babe

[five-hxrgreeves]

Not Like Quill

PAIRING: adam warlock & fem! quill’s sister!reader

WC: 2.5k (longer than I intended, oof!) 

SUMMARY: after your half-brother and half-sister leave, you’re left to fill in Peter’s shoes on the Guardian team. Unfortunately, Rocket can only see the faults where you lack the qualities that his best friend has. Luckily, though, a certain golden boy is always there to cheer you up.

WARNINGS: slight gotg three spoilers, fluff, angst if you squint.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: so this is my first official one shot AND first time writing for GOTG (hopefully I did a good job.) I saw GOTG3 in the theaters almost a week ago and WOW, was I surprised by Adam!! (I make it a point to not watch trailers to avoid spoilers.) I liked Will in The Dawn Treader but I haven’t seen any of his other movies since they’re not genres I usually watch, but I have been SLEEPING on this man!! I’m now obsessed with Gally (I’ve never even seen TMR but I’ve now read a ton of FFs) and, of course, Adam. So, here’s a one-shot :)

I know that Peter gave Rocket his Zune but in this scenario he gave it to you, his other half-sister. You do have powers but they’re not really mentioned here; if anyone is interested I can make a sequel/prequel.

Part 0 , Part 2

The repairs to Knowhere were going well— or at least as well as could be expected with leaders who bickered as much as the remaining Guardians. Peter and Mantis had left the planet a few weeks ago, leaving everyone quite sad at their departure. But, there were things to do so those that remained moved on as best they could in order help out. You, however, as Peter’s half-sister, had been hit harder by their departures than the others. Mantis and Peter were the only family you had, especially since the group had killed your father (not that he’d been a good one, of course.) Sure, the other Guardians had become like family to you over the years, but they weren’t blood— but this is also the only reason why you decided to stay instead of going off on your own like your siblings.

To make matters worse, the only physical reminder that you had of your brother was his Zune, which he’d left to you since you’d always stolen it anyway. Almost every day since his departure you could be found with the Zune clipped to your belt with at least one— and often both— earbuds plugged in to drown out the world. You busied yourself with helping the rest of the population repair their homes, enjoying the physical work as it tired you out too much to think about your missing family. When you weren’t working, you were training, which is how you (more officially) met one of the newest members of the Guardians, Adam. It hadn’t been the best first meeting, but that was a story for another time.

You were grateful to him for saving your brother so after he apologized for almost killing you, you forgave him pretty easily. Since you wanted to fill up your free time as much as possible, you offered to help train him because although he had powers, he’d barely been a match for the Guardians during the initial fight. You became close because of this and you found that you enjoyed his myriad of questions. You made sure to always be patient when answering him since you knew that the other Guardians were either too busy or would snap at him.

However, that was about the only good thing that had happened to you since the defeat of the High Evolutionary. The only time you really saw Rocket, Groot, Drax or Nebula was when you helped out around the headquarters or went on a mission, and even that wasn’t the same as it used to be. Rocket was a very different leader than Peter; he was, well, smarter, so that was good, but he had yet to acquire any sort of nurturing or encouraging attitude. When they trained as a team to get used to each other (as they had also added Kraglin and Viola to the group), Rocket would veer towards critical rather than critiquing.

“No, on your left, you idiot! Your other left!”

“You call that aim? Blurp could hit the target better than you!”

And, lastly, “that’s not how Quill would do it!”

Ouch. That one was always aimed at you, for anything Rocket could criticize you for. It didn’t have to just be training; sometimes he took it to ridiculous levels, either for the music you selected or the food you cooked. Anything you did, he compared you to your brother. And of course, you loved Peter; along with the other Guardians, he had saved you and Mantis from Ego and for that alone you would love him, but he had left you terribly big shoes to fill and you weren’t even the leader. You tried to hide how much Rocket’s words affected you— usually by keeping your Zune close at hand to drown him out, but they did get you down.

Even worse was his nickname for you. Although it had once been endearing, “little Quill” now felt like more of an insult— as if he knew you could never measure up to Peter. You never confronted him about this since you knew Rocket had a barbed tongue, but after being abandoned by your siblings, his words seemed to hit you harder than before. So, you kept your distance from him as best you could and tolerated it when you couldn’t.

On this particular day, you had decided to make chocolate chip cookies, which Peter had taught you to make on the first ‘Christmas’ that you’d been with the Guardians. You were really missing your brother so you plugged in your earbuds and started on the familiar recipe. In this instance, the kitchen that you were using was communal, so it was no surprise that someone else walked in on you as you baked. You didn’t notice at first, too lost in the music of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Adam had come into the kitchen after following the sweet scent that had caught his attention. He smiled a little at the sight of you standing at the counter, elbow-deep in. . . something. It was golden in color, although lighter than his skin, and flecked with black. He waved to get your attention but as usual, you were oblivious to your surroundings (and you were a fighter?) so he made his way over to you and tapped you on the shoulder.

Feeling the presence of another person, you turned around to see who it was— if it was anyone worth talking to— and when you saw that it was the (literal) golden boy, you sent him a smile and pulled one earbud out of your ear. “Hey, Adam.”

“Hi,” he replied you, still a little uncertain with less formal greetings. “What are you making? It smells really good.”

“Chocolate chip cookies,” you said. “Peter taught me how to make them. Do you want to try some?”

He looked at what was in the bowl curiously. “What does it taste like?”

“It’s sweet. If you liked the smell I’m sure you’d like the taste. Watch,” you instructed. Then you carefully picked up a small bit that had a chocolate chip in it before you at it. You closed your eyes and hummed at the delicious flavor.

Adam copied your action carefully, even going so far as to close his eyes and make the same sound— and then he repeated it more genuinely as he realized how good it was. You grinned at his reaction. “You like it, huh?” When he nodded, you added, “want to help? I’m almost at the fun part!”

“What’s that?”

“It’s where we make the cookies— this is just the batter,” you explained.

After you both washed your hands, you showed him how to form the batter into matching spheres and line them up on the baking tray. As you worked, you talked about the music you were listening to and even transferred your spare earbud to him so Adam could listen as well. Bohemian Rhapsody had become Starless by the band King Crimson. . . and of their better-known members, Adam Belew. You couldn’t help but find it amusing that Adam had the same name, and that one of the lines was “sundown dazzling day/gold through my eyes.”

As he finished forming one of the last cookies, Adam glanced up to see the hint of laughter in your expression. Although he didn’t know what was funny, he smiled back at you. For some reason that he didn’t understand, he was happy that you were happy; it was an emotion that you didn’t really seem to show that often, so the rare chance that he got to see it only made it more special. Your grin widened at you leaned forward to whisper conspiratorially: “now comes the fun part!”

He frowned with confusion. “I thought making the. . . cookies was the fun part,” he said slowly, trying out the new word.

“Sort of, but everyone knows the fun part is licking the bowl!” you exclaimed happily. “Like this.” You scraped some of the remaining batter together until it was big enough to eat before you popped it into your mouth. Together you made quick work of the remaining batter and then you put the bowl in the sink. You’d started the oven earlier, so it was ready for the tray.

After setting the timer, you made a face. “Now it’s time for the worst part: doing the dishes. Peter hated doing them so much that we usually just put them in the contamination chamber and chucked them out to space,” you explained with a giggle. “If anyone asked why we had to buy so many new dishes we just said that Peter was really clumsy.” You finished the story with a wistful look, remembering all the fun that you and your siblings had had before the Snap had ruined everything.

Adam wasn’t sure if doing the dishes was really that bad, but the happiness that had been present while making the cookies had slipped off your face, so he figured that it must be an arduous task. Wanting to spare you the discomfort, he offered: “I can do them, if you want. You did most of the work anyway.”

His suggestion pulled you back to the present and you shook your head. “You don’t have to. Since this is your first time having cookies you can just enjoy them. Next time you have to help,” you added playfully, covering up your sadness as you always did with humor— you learned that from your brother, after all.

The golden boy allowed a small smile at that, although he’d picked up on your habit. “I can wash and you can dry?”

You agreed, and soon the task was done. While you waited for the cookies to be finished you answered a few more of Adam’s questions. You found his curiosity refreshing after spending so much time with smart-ass, know-it-all teammates that wouldn’t know how to ask question if it slapped them in their face. (And yes, you did love your teammates— that’s why you could call them out on their stubbornness.)

The cookies were done about fifteen minutes later and you took them out to cool for another ten before you took one for yourself and one for Adam. You sat down next to him and bit into the warm dessert, closing your eyes again to enjoy it. As much as you liked the batter, the finished cookie was definitely better. Adam seemed to agree as he made the same sound of enjoyment from before, causing you to open your eyes and grin at him. “Good, huh?”

“Definitely,” he agreed, and he was finished with his cookie before you were done with yours.

You saw him eye the tray greedily, which caused you to laugh. “Go ahead, you can have another one.”

As he did so, the other members of the Guardians entered the room, apparently drawn by the same scent that Adam had smelled. Kraglin took his with a nod of thanks, stuffing one in his mouth as he left the room. Viola took one as curiously as Adam had, seeing as she’d never had a cookie either.

“You can take some to the other kids,” you told her— you’d made a double batch since they were pretty popular, so there was plenty. She thanked you as well and took some extra for her friends.

Then, it was Rocket’s turn. After the rest of his reactions to whatever you did, you found yourself holding your breath as you waited for his opinion. It only took a moment before he pronounced: “not bad, Little Quill.” You perked up at that, eyes wide with hope that you had finally done something right— something that Peter couldn’t do better than you. But Rocket wasn’t done: “not like Quill’s, though.”

You slumped in your chair as he took a few extra, oblivious to the effect his words had on you— but Adam noticed. “I think hers are better than Peter’s,” he spoke up quietly.

“Sure, blondie. You ain’t never tried Quill’s though, so ya don’t have a comparison.”

“I don’t need to,” he insisted, glancing over at you. “I know they’re better.”

Rocket scoffed with disbelief but didn’t bother arguing the point (he knew he was right, anyway), and left the room without so much as a thank you. Adam glanced over at your defeated posture; you’d been so confident and happy moments before the other Guardians had come in, but now you seemed to shrink into yourself, as if Rocket’s careless words had physically hurt you. Normally your recovery time after such an incident would be fast so no one else could pick up  on your feelings, but this was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back— if you couldn’t do cookies right, what hope did you have for anything else?

You suddenly felt a warm hand settle on top yours, which had been resting on the counter. You looked up sharply, surprised by the touch— you hadn’t been so much as hugged since Peter and Mantis had left. Adam’s expression was sympathetic, but there was a hint of anger in his golden eyes. “You’re not like Quill,” he said.

Unfortunately, you mistook his words after being so used to Rocket’s insults and looked away. You’d expected this sort of thing from him, not from Adam, and the blow hit you harder than anything Rocket had ever said. “I know,” you snapped, taking your hand away from his. “Thanks for the reminder.”

He gave you a confused look since he wasn’t sure what chord he’d struck to cause your reaction. It dawned on him quickly how his words could have been interpreted and he gently took your hand again as he repeated more firmly: “you’re not like Quill. You’re. . . there isn’t anything to compare. You’re not your brother— Rocket shouldn’t expect the same things from you that he did for Peter.” He hesitated for only moment before he added, “I can. . . talk to him, if you want.”

As he’d spoken, you realized you’d made a mistake and your initial thoughts had been right: Adam wouldn’t use your brother against you. You felt guilty for jumping to conclusions and gave him an apologetic look. Then, his words really sank in; a statement about how special your uniqueness was from someone whose society was literally carbon copies made your face heat up at the impact of his sentiment. You found that you couldn’t look him in the eyes and lowered your gaze to your still-connected hands. “I— thank you,” you said softly. “I just wish Rocket would see that. You don’t have to talk to him— I should be able to do that myself; I’ve been his teammate for longer, after all. But. . . I really appreciate it.”

His expression softened as he squeezed your hand, which inexplicably made your stomach roll nauseously (but in a good way, like when Peter would do loop-the-loops with Milano’s pod.) “Anytime, Little Quill.”

And just like that, “little Quill” went right back to being an endearing nickname.

[heartspin2023]

Le sigh. I feel I must write this ff living in my head despite being taxed for writing time. I reason I have 2 original stories upcoming that are science fiction. Writing this space fam will be my practice. ;p

‘Pics:

Din seeing Luke with his shit eating trouble maker grin, with his son mirroring it perfectly. He had seen Luke and his sister do similar in the past, he had once been warned by Han but it had made no difference it disarmed him just the same.

I am obsessed with the idea that Luke is obsessed with Dins helmet head. And Din may intentionally not fix it after being out of his suit, just to see Lukes amusement.

Din walked quietly to the dining room, it is another early morning for the young Jedi and none of the others are awake. He spies once again no plate for a meal, just a forgotten cup sitting cold next to Lukes elbow. He had told himself today he would push, today he would ask what the matter was. He had told himself it was for the better for all.

What he hadn't expected was his son, awake early himself, reaching up to Luke, eyes large and sorrowful at a trouble that he must be informed to, due to that force link that Luke always speaks of.

He watches closely, as Luke casts those sleep deprived eyes to Grogu, the line between his brow disappearing as he rests his cheek in his hand, a soft smile lightening his gaze.

Din wasn't certain what was troubling the young man, but he knew that he was going to be okay.

AAAND LAST

this one is pretty story specific haha.

Long had it been that the lost twin to the throne, the Prince Skywalker, had been lost to the kingdom. Upon his reuniting with not only his twin sister, but his position in the court of Alderaan, Queen Breha insists there must be celebrations had- once the news is made public.

And the news reached far across the galaxy. To one particular mandalore, who recalled a sharp witted pilot years before. Jarred by seeing his image on the screen inviting him to the celebrations for PRINCE SKYWALKERS introductory ball, something he never thought he would attend.

And, apparent the prince is with the same mindset, abandoning the crowds and eager guests, the gluttonous and wanting politicians, and the news reporters all swarming for some part of him.

Din and Grogu approach him outside the castle garden walls where they had spied his departure.

Okay now Heartspin needs to go work on original projects before writing this. haha

[sanspuppet]

𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 - 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜

-----------------------------------------------

genre: smut (18+ MDNI)

PAIRING: both dom? San x afab!reader

SUMMARY: San feels lonely, and after you unintentionally made him horny, he decides to FaceTime you...

WARNING/ TAGS: Sex call, masturbation, pronouns (like daddy, kitten, baby...)

DISCLAIMERS: english is not my first language so please excuse any incorrect grammar or akward wording. This is not meant to represent San in any way.

A/N: This is my first post, so if you like it please show a lot of support! And if you want to read more content, follow me. I know I struggle a little at writing but i tried to do my best at describing some of my late night thoughts, hoping my english classes helped me 🥲. I'm more comfortable at writing dialogues, so there'll be a majority of them. I started writing this ff a few days ago, and i just finished it (ps: it's 2 a.m, so sorry if u notice smth akward during the last sentences)

----------------------------------------------------------------

You exited the shower, putting on your bathrobes, and doing your skincare routine. You checked the phone, layed on the corner of the sink.

Someone texted you: it was San, you're lovely boyfriend.

"Hi baby! What are you doing? 💕"

You instantly smiled, he was on a vacation with his best friends, and you missed him so much.

"Nothing, I just took a shower." you texted back.

"Can I have the proof? ;)"

You gasped at his reply, but you took a mirror selca, your hand was trying to hide your naked chest.

"Geez! You're making me horny."

You chuckled, wearing your pajamas, before texting him back:

"You asked, babe"

You waited a few seconds for his response:

"FaceTime? I want to see you."

You agreed, laying on your stomach, under the blanket of your bed.

"Hi Sannie! How are you doing?"

"I think... uhm..."

"What? What's going on?"

"I shouldn't have asked you that picture." He chuckled, covering his red face with his hands.

You laughed, and rested your chin on the pillow.

"I turned you on?? My baby's so sensitive haha."

"With that body of yours... you reminded me the night before my departure."

You sighed, feeling your pussy getting wetter, at the memory of that.

"Yeah... i miss you so much." you whispered at him, looking into his eyes, through the screen.

San chuckled, sitting on the chair of his room, placing the phone on the desk.

"You miss me, or do you miss my cock??"

You laughed out loud.

"Don't talk like that! You're making me horny, too!"

You said hiding your face, shyly.

San smirked, then he pretended to sigh.

"Aish, I miss the feeling of your pussy clenching around my dick so much, baby..."

"Shh! Your friends will hear you."

"I don't care! I'm in a critical moment!"

You chuckled, he didn't know how to act, and it made you smile seeing him in that way.

"Jerk you off, then." you proposed.

"How about a sex call??"

You opened your eyes widely, at the idea.

"Are you serious??" You asked.

"Yeah... if you're comfortable with that, but I need to see you naked, if I have to masturbate."

You thinked about it a few seconds, before nodding and taking your blanket off of yourself.

You looked at him, and sensually took off your silk jersey, showing your naked tits, and started massaging them.

He moved closer to his phone, admiring them.

"Fuck, you're always so gorgeous, i love you."

You bit your lower lip, trying to avoid a moan.

"I wish you were here, sucking on my nipples, like you always do..." you murmured.

"God, I would love it..."

You laughed, a small moan left your mouth,too.

"Baby, you're so hot... Can you take off your shorts too? Please..." He asked.

You nodded, you turned back, showing him your ass, after taking off them.

"Do you want me to show you my wet pussy?"

"Wait until I get naked too." San replied, hiking his t-shirt up.

"Fuck, I love your abs, it makes me so horny."

He laughed, unzipping his jeans and dragging them down.

"I know! Seems like you prefer my chest than my dick..."

You chuckled, and took off your panties, you turned back again, positioning yourself in a doggy style, letting him see your wet pussy.

"Holy shit, I'm getting so hard for you."

You started twerking slightly, and bouncing on your pillow.

"You would like to be under me right now, don't you?" You said, feeling his breath stopping at the sight.

"Let me lock the door before stroking myself."

He stood up, heading towards the door.

After a few seconds, he sat down again, looking at you.

"So... Are you ready?" You asked.

"Someone's impatient?" He asked back, giggling.

"Sorry, can't wait to see you pleasuring yourself."

He dragged his hand under his boxers, and started touching himself under them, not letting you to see what was happening under the fabric of his underwear.

"Come on Sannieee... please?" You begged him.

"Mmm, what?" He murmured a moan, his dick already hard for his own hand.

"Let me see your pretty cock, pleaase!"

"Mmm... only if you touch yourself too."

You sighed.

"Uff, why?"

"C'mon! It'll be fun! Jerking ourselves, hearing our loud moans as we're reaching our high together."

You thought for a few seconds...

"Mmm it sounds... fun."

"Yeah it is! Now let me see your fingers rubbing around your cutie pie."

"Na-ah, take your boxers off first."

He nodded, impatiently dragging them down, his red cock standing up, his veins pulsing.

You saw some drops of pre-cum swiping over his tip. You rolled your eyes back, not sure if you wanted to watch or not, that was just making you so horny, and missing him more.

He couldn't wait more, so he started stroking himself roughly, causing him a loud moan.

"Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck!"

You looked at him, with desire:

"How is it? Do you like it daddy?"

"I wish you could fuck me like this, now."

His breath was heavy, his hands keeped thrusting around his dick. You stood up and opened the bedside drawer, taking the lubricant, and laying on your bed again.

You opened it and spilled a little on your fingers, showing them to him.

"Want to watch me while you're fucking yourself?" you asked, chuckling.

"Yes baby, please touch your pussy at my speed."

You nodded, and started rubbing your clit as quickly as he was wrapping his right hand around his cock, up and down.

You moaned loudly, for the pleasure you were making feel yourself.

"Shit! It feels so good, isn't it baby?" San asked you. The sound of your fingers rubbing at your wet clit, made San so horny, that he almost came only for it.

"B-baby i think im cumming, fuuck!" He moaned.

"Yeah daddy, let your friends know how is my naked body making you feel so good." you smirked, grabbing the phone and positioning it right under your tits.

"Fuck im gonna orgasm-"

"C'mon be a good boy and scream my name."

His pace sped up even more, his hand jerking him off relentlessly, making him unable to breath. His body started shaking, as he reached his climax.

"Y-yes! Fuck!" he punched the desk, by the pleasure, his eyelashes pressing at each other as he tried to close his eyes forcefully.

"Mmmmm! Fuck! Y/N! Yes!" he screamed, his cum swiping over his dick, as he continued to stroke himself, not wanting to stop.

"Damn San that's so hot, shit I would love licking your cum off of your cock."

He laughed, weakly, then he licked his index finger.

"How does it taste???" you asked, craving for being there with him.

"So good, kitten."

You looked again at your drawer, intensely.

"Sannie..."

"Yeah?" He replied, dressing up again.

"I-i bought a dildo."

His smile, was replaced by a small pout.

"W-why? I'm not enough for you...? I-I'm not enough big?"

"What? No nono! San you're perfect... it's just that, I bought it for this kind of moment, when I'm alone and I crave for you..."

"What do you mean?"

"I would think of you while using it. And I really want to try it now..."

He thought for a few seconds, before replying.

"Sweetie... it's almost 1 a.m. you really need to sleep, i perfectly know you go to bed at 3 a.m. but this time you really need to rest, please do it for me."

"But Saann! Im not sleepy."

"Yeah you are, I can't tell it by your tired face."

"Aish"

"Listen babe, how about tomorrow you send me a video of you playing with your new toy? I'll send you a video of me at gym, while i work out shirtless."

You giggled, smiling.

"Okey... I'll go to sleep!"

"Good girl, thank you for tonight, it was amazing."

"Thank you, too! Good night Sannie."

"Good night, my baby."

----------------------------------------------------------------

I published more ff, if you want to, you can read them, too. If you have any requests/ ideas for a future ff or pov, don't be shy! Let me know in the comments!

[hand-picked-star]

The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 10

I am not very good at writing ffs. I even read ffs very selectively. But it was an attempt of me to participate in the 13th-anniversary arshi fiesta.

I might be wrong about certain aspects of that age and era, but it's a fantasy, so why not? I don't own Arnav and Khushi and the story is purely fictional and has no relation to any living or dead. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 10

Arnav found himself on the floor at the foot of his bed with his back pressed against the bedpost. The room was silent except for the rhythmic thud of the ball hitting the wall and the soft shuffle of it returning to his hand. For hours, he had been doing it. His arm muscles ached with fatigue, but he couldn't stop. The repetitive motion had a strangely intoxicating effect, a temporary escape from the chaos in his mind.

His thoughts were a whirlwind, racing through every possible scenarios of the future. His brain doing continuous permutations and combination and the outcomes swirling in a relentless loop. As a meticulous planner, He had always drawn comfort from the predictability of his well-laid plans. But now, His carefully constructed world had spiralled into a giant mess. He felt like he was drowning. Despite his best efforts, he was adrift in a sea of uncertainty, struggling to find his way back to solid ground.

" Arnav bhaiya, khirkiyan khol du, subha ho chuki hain."

Hariprakash's voice brought him back to reality. Hariprakash had been by his side for the last two years, taking care of him and the bungalow he rented. He glanced at himself and awareness sank in. His body was reeking. He hadn't bathed in what felt like decades. He had been sitting in the dark. Food and sleep had escaped him. The ship had already sailed, without him. That was two days ago. And there was no ship that could carry him hence.

After reading those lines, he had scooped her up in his arms, careful not to wake her. He had laid her down on the bed gently and sat beside her with his right hand on her hair. His thumb had kept tracing gentle circles on the side of her forehead. He couldn't tell how long he had sat there. He just did, watching her without any sense of propriety. When the house had begun to wake up, he couldn't stay there any longer. But he hadn't forgotten to leave his love on her forehead.

Those two lines had halted his departure, turning his legs into lead. He sat on those lines for the past two days, letting them take root within him and anchor him in place. Probably because he always knew but never dared to accept that they were true for him as well.

For so long, the waves of the ocean had been tumultuous, crashing against his shore, relentlessly battering and bruising his delicate shore. Now, the ocean longed for his waves to calm down, to meet his shore with gentle caresses.

She had always been his shore.

He remembered when she was a little girl, her hand clutching his tightly the first time they had taken the walk. He remembered the day she finally, finally accepted that her parents were gone forever, how he had carried her, heaving and sobbing, holding her close against him. He remembered happier days when she had babbled as she had tried to keep up with his pace. All the conversations they had about everything and anything. And how he could talk to her, even when she had been so young, easier than he could talk to anyone else. He had been her friend, protector, and confidant. He had been the most important person in her world. And, then He had let her believe she had lost that relationship, lost him, because he couldn't act on the love he had for her. He had always loved her. The definition might have changed with different stages of their life, but love had always been there, breathing, changing, evolving. And he would always love her the only way he knew how, with his whole heart, with every fibre of his being, with everything inside him.

Yet he had failed to be close to anything he had claimed to be for her—not a friend, not a protector and clearly not a lover. And he would be damned if he wouldn't go to the ends of the world to rectify the situation.

"What day is it, Hariprakash?"

" It's Monday, vaiya"

Monday. That's mean the court would open. He had to go to the court area to assess the situation. He had to get himself accustomed with the environment before he planned anything.

"Prepare breakfast for me."

Throughout the day, he was preoccupied with meetings and discussions with fellow barristers and various law firms, delving into job opportunities, ongoing cases, and important legal matters. As evening approached, the exhaustion from two consecutive sleepless nights caught up with him. He thought he was hallucinating when he saw her. More surprising was that he didn't know how he found himself outside her college. But, she was there, not just a figment of his imagination. She wasn't looking at him though. Her gaze seemed distant, fixed on nothing. There was shadow under her eyes where once star had gleamed. She was there like a whisper of her former self. But what truly terrified him was the absence of the bindi between her eyebrows. It was as if the very essence of her identity had been stripped away, leaving behind an unsettling void. That small dot, once a symbol of her vibrant spirit was now conspicuously missing. It was a haunting reminder, a silent scream of everything that had gone wrong.

And with that realization, another truth hit him. What people said was true; love can reduce anyone to anything. Never in his wildest dreams did Arnav think that a small, round object could bring him to his knees.

As night approached, he was back at the Rajput haveli, sitting on a familiar bench in the garden where the entire story had begun.

The summer when he was 12, he had been fascinated with the game that the Britishers had introduced. Cricket, they called it. He begged his father, before he went abroad, to buy him a cricket bat and ball, and his father complied. That afternoon, he was playing cricket with Aman and Akash bhai. When he came home, hungry, he searched for his mother and found her lifeless hanging in her room. He cursed himself for going out to play that afternoon.

But right after he found her, an intense shiver took over his body. Why? He didn't know. He just vaguely remembered Roma Chachi wrapping him in a blanket and rocking him back and forth. He wished he could shrink himself to that size again so that Roma Chachi could wrap him in a blanket and hold him tighter once again.

"I love her," he whispered, looking straight ahead. "I can't measure it, but I do love her more than I have ever loved anything else in my life. Do you think my love will be enough?"

In the midst of all the chaos in his life, Roma Chachi had always been the one person who understood him without needing a word. She allowed him to be himself. She had been a mother to him without the title since his mother had passed away. So when he opened up to her Monoroma instantly knew who he was talking about and chastised herself for her oversight. They were her children in every way that mattered, even though she hadn't given birth to them. How had she not seen it sooner? She felt like she had failed as their mother.

She caressed the top of his head. "Ghar, paisa, jaydad sab humari khushiyan ke liye hote hain. Hawaali nahi hai toh ban jayegi, khoa hua naam bhi waapas a jayega, lekin khushi chali gayi toh tum use waapas kaise laoge?"

They sat there in the dark for some time, Arnav drawing comfort and strength from her presence. His determination was solidified by her wise words. Eventually, the mother in her became worried. " tumne din bhar kuch khaya?"

Chuckling, Arnav stood up,''You should go inside. it's late. Chachu must be worried,'' he said as he started to leave but then turned suddenly. 'Please, don't tell Chachu anything. I want to talk to him myself."

But three days had passed without any words from Arnav. Monoroma was worried. What was the boy up to? She couldn't get a hold of Arnav, so she focused on Khushi. Her little 'titli' had wilted like a delicate flower deprived of water and sunlight. Sighing heavily, Monoroma approached her. Khushi was sitting at her desk, pretending to read. Without a word, Monoroma gently took Khushi's hand. The unexpected touch broke through Khushi's reverie, and she allowed herself to be led to the bed. Monoroma sat face to face with Khushi. She squeezed Khushi's hand gently, offering silent comfort and support.

"I want to talk to you about something"

Khushi's face was devoid of any emotions. ''Amma, I am ready. I'll marry whoever you ask me to.''

Khushi's expression shattered Monoroma's heart. She gently cupped her daughter's face and coaxed her to meet her gaze. When their eyes locked, Khushi's resolve crumbled. She collapsed into her Amma's lap and started crying silently. Monoroma moved to comfort her when a knock at the door interrupted them. Aman stood hesitantly in the doorway. Khushi quickly composed herself. Sitting up straight she wiped away her tears.

"Someone's here to meet you khushi"

A astonished khushi asked "Who?"

"Tum khud hi dekh lo."

Arnav stood in the garden with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Khushi noticed with astonishment that he had dressed up. A charcoal grey coat draped over a crisp white shirt complemented by a striking blue tie that made his eyes stand out even more.

"You didn't leave"

Khushi whispered as she moved closer to him. She never thought she would see him again. These past five days, were a literal hell for Khushi. She tried so hard to hate him. But she ended up hating herself for understanding his reasoning. It would be so much easier if she could just outright hate him. Then moving on would be simpler. But against all reasoning, she just wanted him to fight for them. May be it was a little bit naive of her. But the heart wanted what the heart wanted. And her heart wanted him.

Tentative, so cautious, Arnav reached out, hooking one finger around one of hers and tugged her gently.

"I found a house in the city, just a short walk from St. Stephen's College," Arnav started nervously, gazing into her eyes. "Hariprakash,he is my caretaker. He and his wife, Gauri, they will manage the household. "

Arnav swallowed thickly and continued, "Umm..I had applied for jobs at a few law firms here in Delhi, and they have made some offers." His tone grew more confident. "I've also informed my mentor in London that I can no longer continue the apprenticeship." He finished as he gazed at her intensely, taking her hands in his. His thumbs drew circles on the back of her hand while she processed everything he said.

"Marry me, khushi"

Some promises were indeed incredible and dreams did come true, offering beautiful surprises when least expected. Still, Khushi couldn't help but double-check his words.

"What made you change your mind?" she murmured.

Arnav chuckled, looking down at their joined hands," You stopped wearing bindi."

"What?"

Shaking his head, Arnav tried again, "I would rather fight with my conscience than let my decision hurt you anymore." The corners of his eyes crinkled as the spark returned in Khushi's eyes, "And why live in a haveli that others have built when you can design your own?"

Khushi hadn't taken her eyes off him since he started talking. She kept searching, searching, and searching and slowly the corners of her lips lifted up. Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms, shocking Arnav and also the other seven pairs of eyes that were watching them from different parts of the house. They averted their gaze and retreated inside, leaving Khushi and Arnav alone.

"Is that a 'yes'?" Arnav whispered in her ear as he engulfed her in his arms.

"Do I have to spell it out?" her voice muffled against the curve of his neck, her tears soaking his skin, seeping into his pores.

"No," he murmured, burying his nose in her hair. As her scent enveloped him, he felt the tension of the past few days dissolve from his body, bone by bone.

"Have you talked to Babuji? What did he say?"

"He said it's all up to you," his lips stretched into a grin as she tightened her hold even more. "We are being watched, by the way," he whispered, aware of their audience.

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Untangling herself from his embrace, she straightened up. She could already feel the warmth spreading across her cheeks.

"Would you have done that if I had told you?" He questioned her while cupping her face with both hands, gently wiping her tears away with his thumb.

"No," she was irritated yet a smile ghosted over her face.

"Then I'm glad I didn't tell you," he rumbled softly, words meant for her ears alone.

Khushi's cheeks flushed even more as she perceived the shifting dynamics between her and Arnav. With a happy yet accusing look, she dashed inside the house, leaving Arnav alone. Feeling the weight of someone's stare, Arnav looked up to find Mahindar Chachu watching him keenly. Awkwardness wash over him as he struggled to decide where to look under Chachu's penetrating scrutiny.

Mahindar was taken aback when Arnav asked to speak with him, accompanied by his two sons. Arnav seemed unusually nervous. He kept clenching and unclenching his fists. Finally, he cleared his throat and said, " I want to marry Khushi. " His words hung in the air which left Mahindar speechless.

Arnav kept talking, "I understand that my current status and situation may not be ideal for someone like her. But I am determined to work hard till I make myself worthy."

"You all have always believed in me, and I ask you to do so one last time. Let me have her as my wife. I promise I will do my best to keep her happy." He finished speaking, looking up at Mahindar with eyes that were eerily similar to those of his best friend's.

Mahindar didn't know what to say to him, so he left everything to depend on Khushi. From her reaction, it was clear she wanted it too. This left Mahindar even more baffled than before. It wasn't that he didn't like Arnav. He loved that boy and knew he had great potential. But allowing Arnav and Khushi to marry was a risk. It was a decision he had to make carefully. Otherwise what would he answer to her father in the afterlife?

His Khushi had always been full of life, aptly nicknamed 'Titli' by his wife for how she had brought colours into everyone's life with her presence. She had danced like a sunflower in the spring breeze and had spread joy and happiness wherever she had gone, true to her name. But a few years ago, her light had dimmed a little. His little sunflower had somehow withered. Mahindar suspected the pressures of growing up had taken their toll. Then, a few months ago, he was pleasantly surprised to see a glimmer of her former self return. It was around the time Dhruv entered her life. Mahinda thought it was because of him.

And, then, suddenly, all colours had faded from his little sunflower again a few days ago. He couldn't fathom the reason. But seeing the colours return instantly at Arnav's mere words, had soothed his worries to a great extent. Mahindar knew he had to take this risk for her happiness.

For the next few days, he kept a close eye on them and marvelled at the fact that his Khushi was back. All the colours had returned to her wings. He noticed something intriguing as well. He observed how incredibly attuned to each other they were. Khushi's eyes seemed to trace his every move and in return, his gaze always sought her out. Like a sunflower instinctively turning towards the sun and following it across the sky, her face would seek his presence and instantly light up whenever he was near. Mahindar sighed, he could now put his worries to rest.

His little sunflower had found her sun.

Finally.

<previous> | <next>

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @chutkiandchotte @msbhagirathi @titaliya @arshiradio

[thelastaerie]

Post-canon multi-chapter FF fics:

The Berlin Chapter - Takes place two years after Free Fall. A special work assignment sends Marc to Berlin, after he finds out Kay has been living there. Kay enjoys his new life in Berlin and is in a budding relationship with a prominent politician, while Marc is determined to convince Kay to give him a second chance, he still has his whole life back in Ludwigsburg.

A Spotless Mind - This takes place about a year after the original film. Separated from Bettina and feeling alienated in his unit, Marc asks for a transfer to Stuttgart, he is still battling the depression caused by Kay's departure and a drinking problem... one day, he finds Kay working in a bar near where he lives... Though this is another "Fix it" fanfic, it has a twist which some may find implausible, but I have this idea that wouldn't go away, so I thought I'll try to reunite Kay and Marc under different circumstances.

Parting Words - This is a post Canon fic set 10 years after the movie. Marc is now a Sergeant in Berlin’s criminal investigation police department (KriPo), balancing a promising career and a busy dating life. Even though the one regret in his life remains, Marc believes he has moved on - or so he thought until he sees Kay again by chance on the train one morning. Just like before, seeing Kay unravels Marc’s life. It doesn’t help that Kay seems to be doing a disappearing act. Their paths cross when a work-related opportunity presents itself, they soon find out how much has changed and how much has remained the same between them.

Winter Bird - A post-canon short story set between 2-3 years after the original movie ending. Marc tries to move on; he thinks Kay has moved on, so it shouldn’t matter when Frank tells him where Kay is, should it? But soon regrets and memories keep calling, Marc decides to go looking - a trip which could turn out to be a fateful one - for the road to redemption is paved with perils.

The Confessional - This is a post-canon short story.

Leaving Ludwigsburg, his police career and Marc Borgmann behind, Kay Engel decides to have a new career and a new life. His phone number isn’t new but at least he has the sense to block Marc’s number. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Except Marc doesn’t seem to care that Kay isn’t listening. He has made a habit of leaving one-sided messages, treating Kay’s phone like a confessional…

Alternate Universe (AU) multi-chapter FF fics:

Doppelpass - AU story based on Free Fall characters, set in the world of professional football/soccer league in Germany (Bundesliga).  Star attacking midfielder Marc Borgmann has two goals this year: winning the league title and Player of the Year award, until Kay Engel enters his life and makes him questioning everything in his life.  A rising star in League 2, Kay Engel has a secret he has to keep and falling in love with his new team captain is not his idea of a career move.

Doppelpass: How to Solve a Problem Like Mario - Marc and Kay are living their new life in Hamburg. Marc is the manager of St. Pauli football team who has just been promoted to Bundesliga top league. He begins to notice that one of his players, Mario Lüthi, seems to be harbouring a secret; and has taken an interest in meeting Kay.  Set in the “Doppelpass” serie universe, this is a slight crossover with the characters from the movie “Mario” (2018), although you do not need to watch “Mario” to follow this story.

Doppelpass: Christmas coda - Doppelgänger - This little Christmas chapter takes place after Doppelpass’s last Chapter but before the Epilogue.  This is soon after they have moved to Hamburg, when Marc is getting his football management pro licence and Kay is attending university.  In Kay’s POV - Marc and Kay discuss how to spend their Christmas.

Running on Empty - This is a AU story based on Freier Fall/Free Fall characters. Plus a few original characters.  For Marc Borgmann, life is good. He’s about to get married, the security company he co-owns finally hits the big league, landing a lucrative contract to protect prominent businessman, Wenzel Wolff. What he isn't expecting is Wenzel's aloof and ambitious executive assistant, Kay Klossner, who seems to be hiding a secret or two, of who he really is - someone from Marc’s past.  Kay Engel thinks he has the best-laid plans. He is so close to the truth now, all he needs is a bit more time. What he isn't expecting is his first crush, Marc Borgmann, reappearing in his life again, stirring up feelings Kay thought he has long given up.  Marc sees himself as a protector, but he has no idea who he might end up protecting.

Wanderlust - “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” - Marc meets Kay, a charming stranger, during a holiday in a Far East city. And allows himself to break a few rules along the way. It’s okay, Marc thinks. Because they will never see each other again. Right?  Until one day Kay turns up in Marc’s place of business... This is an AU story with Free Fall characters. A semi holiday romance with a closeted bisexual man who is good with his hands, a photographer who is often prettier than the subjects he photographs. And a chocolate Labrador with separation anxiety.

Take Me Home - An AU story based on Free Fall characters.

Sole heir of a large family business empire, Marc Borgmann is used to his jet-set high life. He has deals to make, plans to execute and goals to achieve. He also has a secret. But don’t worry, he already has a solution for it. It’s all under control - he has an agreement with his ambitious girlfriend. Marc likes rules and he follows them. Until he meets Kay Engel on a flight from Berlin to New York, who breaks rules for fun, leaves napkins with cute cartoons everywhere he goes and Marc can’t seem to get rid of him. Or does he really want to? This is more than opposite attracts, this is Kay turning Marc’s world upside down.

The Wayward Son - An AU story based on Freier Fall characters.

Marc has just joined the famous Berlin LKA, his police career is looking up. All he needs now is to meet the right woman, get married, have 2.3 children and a house of their own. The night he meets Bettina, he thinks he has hit the jackpot, she’s perfect. But Bettina isn’t the only one Marc meets that night. There is also this mysterious stranger named Kay Engel who says weird things to Marc and two hours later, he’s working with Marc and his colleagues on a big kidnapping case. Marc befriends Kay over the course of the investigation, soon he finds out the life he planned for himself might not be what his heart really wants…

Canon-Divergence multi-chapter FF fics:

Say Something - This is a canon-divergence fic that starts from and diverts from the original film after the scene when Marc hits Kay. With additional characters.  It is still a “fix-it” story. I’m just trying to explore some “what if” scenarios where the trajectory of the story changes, Kay and Marc make different decisions etc.

Day Zero - This is a canon-divergence story with the assumption that Bettina hasn’t found out about the fake night shifts - so Marc’s affair with Kay remains a secret, even though he has broken up with Kay.  The story starts from Marc returning home after giving the key back to Kay.

Nightswimmers - This is a canon-divergence story. It follows the original film version right up to the forest scene where Marc flees after his first sexual encounter with Kay.

What if Kay never got transferred to Marc’s unit? In this story, they meet five years later in another city. Marc is still with Bettina and their son is five years old. Kay has left the police force and now working as a paramedic.  Marc never forgets Kay and what happened between them has stirred up something in him, although he is still repressing his feelings, he finds ways to cope with it. But seeing Kay again changes everything again.

Once upon a time, chasing after Marc was Kay’s number one goal. But a shattering experience one night has changed his life forever. He thought the chance is lost before it can begin. But seeing Marc again… could this be his second chance?

Canon-Divergence one-shot FF fics:

Someplace New - A one-shot canon divergence. Part of the writing challenge on scenario: Marc returns to Kay’s apartment and Kay is still there.  This is written in both Frank and Marc’s POV

The Key on the Ledge - This is a one-shot Canon-Divergence. Marc goes back to Kay's apartment  as Kay is just leaving.  

Extended scene/missing scene one-shot FF fics:

Ambush - Extended scene and my take on the “Don’t you get it? I love you” scene from the original film.

The Day He Gave Me His Key - Just my musings on the scene when Kay gave the key to Marc. Marc’s POV

A One-off / Ein Ausrutscher - Mostly canon but with added missing scenes. It is the period soon after Marc’s son was born but before Kay got caught  during a police raid.

The Offer - My take on the scenes when Kay offers to go *jogging* with Marc and their encounter in the woods, with additional made up scenes.

*Updated summary of my marc x kay fanfics ❤️

[poppetsisters]

So, what/how do you think and feel about the FF suit that Joseph was wearing in that video message for D23?

I'M GLAD YOU ASKED BECAUSE I WAS GONNA MAKE A POST ABOUT IT!

My gut reaction was that I got a little scared. The combination of white AND black with the base colour reminded me a lot of Professor Impossible from Venture Bros, especially when leaked set pictures of Vanessa Kirby seemingly show her in a black skirt/shorts/it's hard to tell

But let me start from the top. I'm gonna recount a few points in my Valentines Day video but time has given me more thoughts.

Let's start with the Logo on the suit, which is best rendered in the Title graphic. It's such a nice, elegant logo, smooth curves with subtle accent lines. the way the line crosses into itself on the 4 makes it look like a star. It's not sharp like the teaser logo we got (and was used on MoM Reed) but friendlier, bouncier, while still keeping a strong structure.

The colour scheme itself was a surprise to me when I first saw it back in February. Instead of any traditional colour combination, we're getting white on azure, this is a combination I've only ever seen on season 1 of the 90s cartoon.

Unlike my reaction to that show, the choice of colours looked way better than I expected. The blue really pops with the white, and (as I'm sure was intentional) gives them a fun astronaut aesthetic. Honestly, it's such a relief after so many dull grey militaristic MCU costumes that we're finally getting something based on 60s NASA instead.

These suits also look very comfy. I know the actors are for sure gonna have a different opinion on that, but they look snug on the actor's body, not needing any muscle suit underneath to portray strength. I don't know what material the suits made out of, but it gives off something that allows for stretch and warmth, like a sweater. Great choice.

Now let's look at the elements itself. The Logo is clear and readable, something I was nervous about with previous suits having their logo too small. It's centred on a good part of the suit, maybe I would've raised it higher but then it'd be intersecting with the brim, so I'm not gonna be fussy about it.

The brim itself is much wider than I was expecting, and the turtleneck isn't too large, which is nice since you don't want to make the actors have a double chin.

The biggest departure from traditional suits is the white from the collar extending Spider-Man like down the arms. It seems a little odd that a detail like that doesn't connect to the gloves, leaving a blue gap between that and the entrance to the glove. It reminds me of a symmetrical version of the Jim Lee suits from 1997. I'm trying to find a precedent for this design decision in 60s NASA era space suits, but I can't find any. Aesthetically, it feel unnecessary, but maybe they want to call attention to the arms in the design for some reason. Maybe it's something to do with his fire form.

The gloves however being starkly white on the outside and black on the inside do hold a precedent. Some space suits, indeed most practical gloves, use a different material for the inside of the hand to aid in grip. I believe that's what's happening here. The gloves appear to have that same strap that Carlos Pacheco introduced in 2001.

Since we don't get a good shot of the legs, my final notes are on the belt. A friend of mine commented that Johnny has a camera on his belt, but I think the reference is to the Belt-Buckle Solenoid, the micro-beam key that unlocks the elevator to the Fantastic Four's residence. This is a really cool detail to put into the belt, and it's silver colour blends nicely with the while so it doesn't interfere with the colour or shape language.

The last point I want to make, speaking of Sue, is that according to this suit reveal and the leaked Susan Storm pictures, it appears that every member of the team gets a distinct costume, and that's probably for the best. My only real desires is that they should all still look like they're on the same team with a unified colour scheme and logo, which is probably a given but I still wanted to point out anyway.

Overall, this costume is leagues better than the 2015 costumes and even the 2005 costumes. They're bold, colourful, proud of their 60s design heritage, and most important of all, fun!

[jtl-fics]

has it really already been a year since the first ff shitpost???!!! I’m excited to see it out (even if I know a lil bit of what’s to come 😅)

so give the people another itty bitty sneak peak

5-8-24 WIP Wednesday (Open) | Fluent Freshman (FD)

Their merrymaking draws the attention of Nicky. Nicky’s departure from their room draws his roommates along with him. Smith is now doing quite well in the mini games of Mario Party since everyone else who is playing is at least tipsy. Matt and Aaron end up standing on either side of him with their own drinks coaching him on how to best obliterate his fellow foreign language majors during the mini games.

Smith has no idea when Kevin showed up, but does hear Nicky teasing him that he’d been sexiled from the room by Andrew and Captain Neil so Smith feels quite a bit safer. He accepts a drink from someone knowing that Andrew and Captain Neil will be busy for likely the entire night.

More people come and Smith comes in 2nd on Stars due to the bonus stars at the end of the game. Matt is arguing passionately that he would have won if the mini-game star was in play but Smith is just happy to not be in last.

[darkwingdaryl]

Ramza Beoulve is a strange cat to pin down. Politically he’s a member of the oppressive noble class, he and sister Alma are children from their father’s second marriage to a commoner though. One of his two older brothers Zalbag criticizes him as a traitor a one point and blames it on his bad blood. Zalbag in the game is shown to be the more reasonable of the two so I think is safe to assume there was some hidden elitism Ramza had to deal with. That was within his own family so I think it would only be worse coming from any other noble house. So not the cool kid.

His father is known as one of the greatest knights to have lived. You get to see what someone who is considered his equal does on the battlefield in game and those are some big shoes to fill. It’s not just as a one man army though, he is known to be honorable, compassionate, fair, to strive for peace, to uplift your fellow man. True nobility. Ramza wants to be that.

Ramza never shows any romantic interest in anyone throughout the game but since the closest thing to romance is an easy to miss optional scene, a political marriage and implied sexual assault that’s not really a pronouncement of asexuality, or any sexuality. I’m not saying sexual assault is related to romance either just shoving it in here because I think it’s important to note it’s in the game. The absence of any romantic plot or subplot is a departure from every other FF of that era so it’s strange.

Then there is the brother/sister dynamic he’s got going on. Alma is the other child from the second marriage, so it’s not strange at all that that they are so close. What’s really cool is you get to see the dynamic contrasted so much throughout the game with all the other sibling pairs.

So when the time comes that Ramza has to make the choice to go along with what expected of him or what he thinks is right…

“Fuck it, we ball” he states matter of factually and draws his weapon. Love him for that.

His outfit changes as he progresses through the game to match his mindset I think. Chapter 1 he’s in House Beoulve colors, looking a little boyish and oversized, still got growing to do. Chapter 2 and 3 he’s got the mismatched armor colors, light and dark, ready for battle but unsure of what path is correct. Chapter 4 he’s made his decision. It’s him vs the nobility, the church, and gender bent evil angel Jesus and her disciples. Time to bust out grandmas sweater and armor for his arms and legs, cause he’s punching faces and kicking ass but they’ll never touch him. Seriously he can catch bullets at that point(PS1 only) so it’s not even fair.

I just remembered there is a romantic subplot in the game. It’s entirely optional but it’s between a bisexual man who rescues his transgender wife who’s been transformed into a dragon. That’s my head cannon anyways.

[clydesavage-thefox147]

CW//Suggestive Content?

I don't think we realize just how dirty Janus' Spotify Playlist is. We've overlooked it so much. In this little analysis post, I wanna point out the handful of songs that show the sluttiness behind the Snake-Man because damn this playlist shows he can't keep it in his pants. You thought Remus is dirty..you haven't seen Janus...

First is "I put a spell on you" By Nina Simone. This song is believed to be about the poisonous and hypnotic throws of love. The dedication and devotion of love. Specifically a jealous love. Of wanting someone who doesn't want you. I'm not exactly sure who this could be directed to. It could be directed at Roman but I think there's another song that hints to that. Could be Virgil but again, there's another song that could be that as well. Overall a sexy song regardless, come on, it has the word Daddy in it ffs.

Second is "Evil Night Together" by Jill Tracy. This song is believed to be about seduction in the darkness of life. The art of manipulation through allure and enticement. Feeling of intimacy beyond ordinary and the unknowns of seduction. Embracing darker parts of yourself instead of holding back. This song to me seems directed at Roman and what Janus did during SvS. Enticing him with the happiness of the callback and the positive praise he's always wanted. Keeping Roman on a leash of temptation for the betterment and self-desire of Thomas achieving his goals and dreams. With lines like "Who's gonna make you a hero?" It only just further shows that.

Third is "Cabaret: Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret, which features Liza Minnelli. This song is about a young women who has an active nightlife working as a nightclub erotic dancer and performer. She doesn't want her conservative mother finding out about her exploits so she pleads for no one to snitch. It's interesting here because Liza Minnelli is in this and Roman wanted Liza as a wedding performer..and Liza wears an outfit very similar to something Janus would wear...I think you see what I'm going for here.

Fourth is "You're a Cad" by The Bird and the Bee. This song is believed to be about a woman falling for a man, knowing he has a bad reputation. She knows this man wants to be better but she doesn't see a point in him doing so since it's never enough. Even hinting that she could be worse than him, making them perfect for one another and partners in their chaos. She taunts and teases him "Tug at your line" , "Wait by the phone", "You're reckless with my heart" all lines alluding to the fact of attraction. She could and would waste her life on someone she knows is bad for her, she doesn't care. This song is 100% directed at Virgil. With lines like "So now you want the whole world to notice that you've come around, now you expect we'll see how you're really so much better now" and "What's the point pretending that you could be a better man? Just give in since you always end up right back where you began" all hint to Janus being aware of Virgil's departure from the Dark Sides and his attempts to be better and change but he knows Virgil will always fail. Virgil in response with "Ignorance" on his own playlist shows that he thinks Janus is blind to his change. But yeah, very "loving" song towards Virge dontcha think?

And fifth and finally is "Criminal" by Fiona Apple. This song is believed to be about a woman who used her sexuality to exploit and manipulate a man. She feels regret for doing so even if it's what she had to do. This song is basically the musical equivalent of saying "I've been a naughty boy, punish me". Another song seemingly directed Roman. Showing Janus does feel bad for doing what he did to Roman despite it being for the greater good. He knew Roman was sensitive and insecure but that's how he knew to get to him for a betterment. Yes, he knew it was shitty but it had to be done. It also hints to still lingering feelings. Like "oh I'm so bad to you, a villain you say, well why don't you punish me since you like that" You could say it's also directed at Patton with a line like "I've been careless with a delicate man" but that could be Roman or Patton honestly.

So with all of that said, it seems Janus is quite the whore. I mean 2 songs directed Roman in a provocative manner. And 1 song directed Virgil. And just the overall seduction and temptation of these songs shows his slutty nature. Snakes are even common symbols for sexuality. This snake man knows how to play his deck and dick right...or dicks if you believe that lol

[galaxy-brain-rasslin]

I don't really like the use of the word "tribalist" when it comes to the aggressive AEW/WWE fan nonsense. That being said--

The absolute absurdity of the pro-WWE/anti-AEW fanbase of wrestling is something else.

I see posts all the time talking about how "Dean Ambrose needs to come back home."

It, at best, suggests that these fans don't actually care about the performers. They just want to make sure the branding that they're loyal to is still the one on top.

Like this blatantly ignores the fact that Mox has been very open about how unhappy he was at WWE, and that he was going to leave regardless.

"Whether AEW exists or not, I was still leaving WWE. It was good to know the wrestling business was doing so well outside of WWE, but even if it wasn't, I still would have left. If there was no other promotions to work for in the world, I still would have left WWE. If there were no other wrestlers, I would have just started my own promotion, started my own training school and trained my own opponents. I would have re-seeded the wrestling business from scratch if I had to. But the timing of it is just so crazy."

(https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/26848459/jon-moxley-explains-why-left-wwe)

“The timing of it was crazy. I was gone one way or another. I was going to give it all up. I didn’t give a f— if I was never on TV again. I’d go wrestle in a f—ing mask in Mexico in a parking lot if it means having fun again.”

(https://itrwrestling.com/news/jon-moxley-claims-he-would-have-left-wwe-regardless-of-aew-founding/)

I see people all the time talking about how they can't believe that Mox decided to walk away from WWE and all the money. Motherfucker, the man has said he didn't care about that. He was miserable.

He's also clearly enjoying himself with all of the extra stuff he's been able to do. Man wanted to wrestle in the G1. He did, and he was undefeated until he went up against The True Ace, Yano Toru.

The man just wants to go out and wrestle. He's one of the few out there who can (and has) just shown up to whatever indie promotion to just wrestle.

Let the man be happy ffs

[cafeinthemoon]

Ruins - Part XVII

Chapter 17

Wordcount 3,6k

Title Part XVII

Fandom Shuumatsu no Valkyrie / Record of Ragnarok

Pairing Hades x reader

Previous chapters

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16

Symbols ⭕ . ➕ . 💛

Warnings: none

Tagging @holdyourwine @lilacshouko @shirayuki-ayumi (If you want to be tagged in any of my stories, just leave a comment on this chapter or send an ask or a message)

N. A.: So the new chapter is finally out, and with a GIF that I've waited so long to use! I'm so happy! I was insecure about how this chapter would be, since we have some news in it - an important conversation between reader and the former human Heracles and a beautiful surprise to her by the end of it - but everything ended up well. I was afraid of not being able to depict this conversation with the depth and the sensibility it deserves, but I realized that, sometimes, the less is more.

So I hope you enjoy this chapter, and my apologies for "abandoning" this ff for all these weeks XD

An entire week has passed since Hermes’ departure, and during it, you’ve been so busy that the most important matters concerning your future were almost solved. But that didn’t mean you were free from anxiety – and, considering the reasons for it now, you couldn’t expect anything less.

You were sitting in silence in one of the Gardens’ bench, staring at a letter opened on your lap. You’ve received a message from Hermes, delivered by the hands of an elf that morning, in which he told you about his encounter with your family and that he was now returning to Valhalla in their company; if they traveled as fast as yourself when you were sent there, they should arrive by the afternoon.

Yes, of course you were happy with the perspective of seeing your relatives again: as much as you loved staying in the sacred lands, you missed them more than you could tell; on the other hand, their presence meant that the things you were trying not to think about would no longer be avoided.

The fact was that you wouldn’t just leave humanity behind: you were also going to leave the entire world you knew to build a life that was inconceivable for anyone of your kind, in a different plane of existence, and then stay like this forever. Yes, all those ages would be shared with the man you loved, and you were willing to see your love growing stronger as they passed, but welcoming this bless would mean saying goodbye to others – saying goodbye to your family and human friends.

You looked down at the letter and sighed.

Will I be able to make this sacrifice? Will I be able to leave them when the time comes?

***

The thoughts of the morning got you distracted for hours, but if you thought you would get rid of them during your study session, you were entirely deceived.

You were quieter than usual, not asking the same lot of questions, except when you couldn’t avoid it; your answers were short as well, sometimes monosyllabic ones. If Hades found that strange, he chose to wait before pointing it out.

There was a moment when you only noticed how long you’ve been staring at the window when his voice brought you back.

– There’s something occupying your thoughts this morning – he observed – Do you want to talk about it?

When you turned back to him, you noticed he just closed the book in front of him, keeping a hand upon its cover. At first, you considered denying it, but since you knew the issue wouldn’t disappear, you just decided to share it at once. You turned to a pile of three or four books at your right and took one of them from the middle of it, opened it and grabbed Hermes’ message. You handed it to Hades, who passed his eyes over the text and immediately recognized his nephew’s calligraphy.

He read the letter in a minute and finished it with a content smile.

– So, they will be here in a few hours, my y/n – he folded the sheet and gave it back to you – Isn’t it a reason to cheer at?

You took the paper and put it back inside the book with a sigh.

– It would be if the circumstances were different.

Hades’ smile faded a bit with those words.

– I don’t understand. What’s going on?

You breathed deep and leaned your arms upon the table, your hands holding each other.

– In the beginning, I could just cheer at the idea of meeting my family here, that’s true. They will love all of this! – you smiled briefly – But now that the time is coming, I can’t stop thinking of what it will mean for them… and for me. You know, after this… I mean, after our marriage and honeymoon and the rest, I will have to leave them.

A few seconds of tense silence passed before you could continue. When you did, your voice was almost a whisper.

– In a few days, I will no longer be one of them. And, after some time, I will still be here, but they will...

You swallowed. You found yourself unable to finish the sentence.

Hades’ response was to organize all the books you had on the table, as if the day’s lesson was over. He then stood up and went to your side, offering his hand.

– Can you come with me for a moment?

You stood up and put your hand on his palm, in doubt.

– Where are we going?

– To meet someone with whom you can talk about this – was his reply – You see, I cannot help you this time, but he can.

***

When you arrived at the Gardens of Women, most of the girls were having their own lessons with their masters. Many of them glanced at you, and some even greeted you with their hands, while the gods nodded respectfully at Hades.

You took a path that led to one of the hills were apple trees were abundant. On the top of one of the first trees, you spotted a cheerful group of students surrounding a tall, young man with red hair and a large smile. Right now, he was lifting one of his students by his arm, and the other girls were laughing out loud. You remembered him from the party: that was the hero who protected Thebes from the divine wrath by drinking ambrosia and challenging the god of war – Heracles, received in Heaven as a son of Zeus himself.

It didn’t take long for you to understand why Hades brought you to him.

He was once a human like me. Since he’s the only one in this condition here now, he’s the most appropriate person to talk about these matters.

All the girls turned to you and fell silent when you approached, but their master walked down the hill with a smile on his face, meeting you in the middle of the way. Once you were on each other’s reach, he offered a strong hand to the King of the Underworld, and this latter answered the greeting with equal enthusiasm.

– Hades-sama! We didn’t have much time to talk since the party – Heracles put his free hand over the handshaking – How are you doing?

– Busy, as always – Hades laughed, having fun with the informal manners of the younger god; and, glancing at his students, – But I can see you’ve been in the same situation.

Heracles followed his gaze with a proud smile.

– You can say that! – he turned back and finally seemed to notice you – So, what brings you here? Specially in such an enchanting company!

You felt your cheeks getting warm as Hades caressed your hair.

– This is y/n s/n, from Midgard – he smiled with his eyes glued on you – She’s my future wife. You probably remember her from the party.

Heracles confirmed it. A slight change in his manners were sensed when he found out he had a future pair before him. He put his hands on his waist.

– Of course I remember her. There was a small misunderstanding in the beginning, but when she came back, she seemed to finally have fun – and, to you, – It makes me happy to see that everything was solved in the end, y/n-san.

Something in the hero’s tone awakened warm feelings of safeness and justice in your heart, so that the only possible reaction for it was opening your best smile and express the deepest gratitude for each of those words.

– Yes, things ended up in the best way for each of us! – you nodded in respect – Thank you for your gentleness, Heracles-sama.

Before Heracles replied, you heard Hades laughing by your side. You frowned.

– What happened, Hades-sama?

– Nothing – he put his hand on the top of your head – It’s just that you should know that his gentleness towards you has first appeared at the party’s night, and I just realized I haven’t told you this story – he glanced at the other man – The thing is that, after you gave me back the hairpin and left the ball room, Heracles almost got into a fight with Adamas, because my brother saw your reaction as extremely offensive, while he believed we couldn’t make any decision without knowing the reasons behind it. I’ve decided to leave this story behind, since everything ended up well, but now that we three are gathered here, I just couldn’t help it.

You looked at Heracles and saw his face taken over by a violent, red shade, something that brought a smile to your lips: seeing such embarrassed expression in a man like him, who was more of a soldier than anything, was unimaginable until you witnessed it. And you thought it was even cute.

– What I did wasn’t but my duty, Hades-sama. Justice must exist for all of us – he tried to justify himself, still blushing; and, looking into your eyes, – I know how it feels to have all fingers pointed at you, while no one to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Even though you just met him, you knew that was true. After all, Heracles himself was one of you.

– I can only agree with you, Heracles – Hades still had that cheerful smile on his lips – But that fight between you would’ve lasted longer than the party itself, and that’s why I told you both to shut up and just brought my y/n back to the party.

That was your time to get embarrassed.

– You… did this, my Lord?

– I did – was his calm reply; he turned to the other god – So, I don’t want to take more of your time, so let me tell you the reason for our visit. Y/n is about to become my wife and the Queen of Hellheim. Because of this, she will have to pass through Psyche’s ritual, which will take place in the same day of our wedding – he caressed your face, remembering the conversation you had at the Library – However, she has some questions concerning the transformation and her future as a goddess that I’m not able to answer. Given you are the only god who has passed through this metamorphosis here at the moment, I thought of asking for your help in this sense, Heracles.

The face of the Greek hero brightened up with the request.

– Of course you can count on me for this, Hades-sama – he promptly replied; and, turning to you, – Y/n, you’re very welcome among my students. Let’s spend this day together, just for you to become familiarized with us, then we can talk with ease.

You soon agreed with the proposal, and it was established that Hades would take you back before the evening.

He said farewell to you with a kiss on your forehead.

– Don’t hesitate to come and tell me if you receive any news from Hermes-sama – you requested.

– Of course, little one. Though I don’t think he will send anything now – he gave you a second kiss – Take care.

You spent a moment observing as Hades walked away through the same path that led you there, only turning away when Heracles invited you to join the other girls.

***

That day in the company of Heracles and his disciples were one of the happiest you’ve lived while you were in Valhalla, though it was way different from what you got used to by Hades’ side: instead of contemplative silences, books and intimate conversations, you had physical challenges, games and cheerful, loud talking, just like you used to have with your sisters in Midgard. You had mixed feelings about that routine, however: there were some days when you would think it was too much, but in other days you would say it was all you needed; sometimes, spending time with people who were so different from yourself, doing distinct activities, was a healthy way to take a rest from being you. In the end, you were tired, but feeling like you were a new person.

And that was precisely the mood you needed to be in for the conversation you were going to have.

All the girls just went back to the lodge, while you stood behind with Heracles, given you should wait until Hades came back to take you. You sat by a bench under a tree and observed the daylight fading as the conversation followed. It wasn’t as long as you imagined it would be, but it was certainly a conversation which you would never forget.

– You say your biggest fear is not the transformation itself, neither it is leaving Midgard – Heracles was saying – That’s impressive, because I feared them more than I like to admit. In my case, the metamorphosis was so painful that I thought I was going to die. But it couldn’t compare to the pain of leaving the people and the land I loved behind to live among the very beings who were wiling to destroy them. It was a real test of patience for Zeus-sama and the others as well.

You smiled.

– Because I was raised in a port city, with people coming and going everyday and things never being the same, I was always enchanted by the idea of leaving my place behind in order to meet new ones, so leaving Midgard is not really a problem for me – you sighed – The problem… is something else.

– Really? And what is it?

You took seconds in silence before replying. Having talked about this with Hades didn’t make it easier to verbalize what you felt now.

– It is to face the fact that, as a goddess, if I left my new house in the next year to pay a visit to my family and all the humans I love, little would be the changes that I’d find. But, if I did this after one, two, three hundred years, I’d still be alive, but they…

You shrugged.

– I see – Heracles whispered.

– I’m not ready to say this kind of goodbye – you turned to him – Heracles-sama… How did you deal with this?

Just like expected, the god spent a moment in silence before letting you know his feelings towards it. This gave you a new perspective on his moral code that deepened the respect you’ve already had for him: the passage of time didn’t soothe his emotions, as if that very part of him was never touched by the powers of the ambrosia, remaining human instead. Should you expect the same to happen in your case?

– I may describe to you my own experience in this sense, y/n-san, but I’m not sure of how much it would help you – he started – Because, you see, this is not a question of only one answer. One’s case is not the same as their pair’s. To me, treasuring the time I’ve spent in the company of the people I loved instead of mourning the days I wouldn’t have them by my side was what gave me the strength I needed to keep going. Despite knowing I would have all the time in the world, I refused to let my mind live in the future and forget what was still in front of me. Of course, it’d hurt when they would finally leave, but I didn’t care if I’d have to carry this pain with me forever – he turned to you with a bright smile – It’d only mean that I didn’t lose what’s most valuable in myself: my love for them!

You nodded.

– That’s an incredible perspective, my Lord. And a beautiful one, too.

He laughed.

– Yes, I know. And, besides, it has been my support while I’ve worked through the ages, when I’ve met countless people who were in need of justice. I’d never succeed in this if it wasn’t for the feelings I hold for my friends of Thebes, with whom everything started.

The colors of the sky were now more vivid, as the daylight diminished, descending at the horizon, and the air got colder. You looked at the path through where you’ve reached the top of the hill and spotted the tall silhouette of Hades walking up toward you. You immediately stood up.

– Hades-sama is back! – and, turning to Heracles, who just stood up too, – I must join him in my way back to the lodge. I still have work to do today. I have to look presentable to receive my family in the next moments.

Heracles’ eyes brightened up with the news.

– Your family is arriving at the sacred lands? This is really amazing!

– Yes! – you cheerfully agreed – Hermes-sama traveled to Midgard to bring them to our wedding.

A few seconds of silence passed, and your smile faded a bit.

– I think this fear will never go away until it becomes reality – you commented – But talking about this with you was clarifying. Thank you for our conversation, Heracles-sama.

He put his large hands over your shoulders.

– And thank you for your time with us, y/n-san.

You were finishing your farewell when Hades reached you with a playful smile on his lips. He stopped by your side and passed his hand on your hair.

– It seems that you’ve really got along – he commented – I’m happy to see that.

– Indeed, y/n-san is an excellent company – Heracles replied with enthusiasm – My students appreciated the time they’ve spent together, and I share their feelings.

– Let me say that I feel the same about you all, Heracles-sama – you gave him a shy smile.

Hades explained that he wanted to go with you to the lodge, then take you to a walk at the Gardens. You agreed, and you both said farewell to Heracles, who would stay for a while at the outside.

– Thank you for everything, Heracles-sama – you inclined your head to him in respect.

– Thank you for staying with y/n, Heracles – Hades passed his arm over your shoulder.

Heracles replied that you didn’t need to thank him and that it was a pleasure to help, and you started your walk back to the lodge.

***

While walked down the hill, a conversation took place.

– You seem to be in a lighter mood now, little one – Hades was saying – Bringing you to stay with Heracles’ girls was indeed a good idea.

You laughed.

– I agree, though it left me tired like I haven’t been in a long time – you grabbed your own clothes and smelled them – Tired and sweaty.

He shrugged.

– Honestly, if you spent your entire day with this young man as your temporary master and didn’t end up with a least a drop of sweat on your skin, it would have been a mistake.

You ended up agreeing with him.

Little after that, you complained that your feet were hurting. Hades’s response was to stop and take you in his arms.

– Hey! – you let out a little scream – I’m not in conditions of being carried right now. Don’t you mind that I’m in need of a good bath?

– I would say that you just need a regular bath, little one – he joked – You would need a good one if you’ve spent fighting legendary creatures.

– You’re exaggerating! – you laughed.

– No, I’m not – he laughed too – And if you complain once more, I’ll give you a bath myself!

Your face heated up with the suggestion, and you hid your face on his chest. After a few minutes, you fell asleep, only waking up when Hades stopped at your room’s door.

– Are you going to take a walk at the Gardens? – he asked – Or do you prefer to stay here and take a rest?

You sighed.

– I’d like to stay indoors, but I know I won’t be able to rest if I do – and, lowering your tone, – I’m still anxious about their arrival.

– Well, if this is the case, a few minutes outside will do you good – he approached and kissed the top of your head – See you.

– See you.

***

It was a pleasing night you found on the outside, with a sky with no clouds and stars shinning vividly upon your heads, and you were glad you weren’t taken over by the physical tiredness.

– I thought of taking you to the lake, but maybe it’s too much for you tonight – Hades had your arm entwined with his while you walked.

– Yes, maybe it is – you replied, looking around – Still, it would be a waste to stay inside the room with such a beautiful night.

You stopped and sat on a bench after a few minutes.

– My only regret is not having brought a treat or at least something to drink – you were saying – I guess we’re going to be forced to walk to the lake anyway!

Hades laughed.

– Really? – he passed his arm around your waist, pulling closer to him – Don’t you want me to carry you there?

You smiled, leaning in to kiss his lips.

– If you carry on with this, I’ll ended up spoiled, my Lord.

After a moment at the bench, you started walking again, this time to the North of the Gardens, a place you knew to be in the same direction of the Gates of Valhalla, through which you and the other girls entered the blessed land. That place, with the golden gate surrounded by dozens of lamps with the shape of rare flowers, was as beautiful as the Secret Garden, though you rarely visit it, and was perfectly visible from the Gardens where you were now.

And that time, you had all the reasons to be happy to see it, for when you looked at the horizon, you saw Hermes crossing the entry followed by a group of people you knew well.

Your beloved family.

Part XVIII

[aotopmha]

FF16 seems like such a strange game to hate for me.

I always look at this from an identity perspective.

You don't like the gameplay – fine.

Or the story or sidequesting – fine.

But I just don't get the vitriolic part to it, sometimes the insistance that it is inherently hateful.

Yes, people are allowed to hate a piece of media, but aside from that, the more interesting conversation to me is why.

Is it that it depicts the topics it does at all?

Because it shows the slavery, the violence, even if it fiercely condemns them? Or simply shows sex at all, even if it's actually fairly tasteful when it shows up?

This *has* become an incredibly common criticism for any media depicting tough topics in internet spaces (and personally causes me unease because it leans into this trend of puritanism and scraping all art clean of any "dirt", so to speak).

I've been doing some digging on the history of FF because I'm actually fairly new to the series and I actually found some old FF7 thoughts that basically sounded exactly the same as some of 16's currently.

Just like 7, the majority of reviews really liked the game.

But the less positive ones said that the game was "too much" of a departure from what came before. That it had too mature themes. That there was sexual content, exactly the same as 16.

This is fascinating!

I've actually heard a lot of anecdotal talk about how FF7 had a very vocal section of the fanbase hating it for "not being like Final Fantasy" because it was more cyberpunk.

Is it because people have a preconception about what Final Fantasy should be based on their favourite entries?

Of course, other culprits can be the console war, western racism against RPGs created in Japan and disingenuous negativity in the form of clickbaiting, for example, but it's the similarities to how FF7 was recieved at the time of release that really fascinate me.

History essentially repeating from 25 years ago.

What a fascinating series.

[elefsina]

15 days of deity devotion: Artemis

Day 1: Basic Introduction

Artemis is the goddess of many great things and incredibly important to me - and I want to use the next 15 days putting her in the spotlight she so very much deserves.

Who is Artemis?

In literature she is listed as goddess of...

the wilderness, animals & hunting; [1] includes: of the wilds, wild beasts and hunting, forest fires, lakes & springs, fishing, roads, and harbors

dawn & frost;

births, infants, children; includes childbirth, protector of the nursing infant, and protector of young girls

maidenhood & marriage;

maiden dance & song;

disease & sudden death; also includes sickness in dogs (rabies)

healing & good health;

ritual purification;

ancestral goddess and protector of the fatherland;

goddess of the Amazons and Hyperboreans. [2]

As you can see, this includes a great many more aspects than you'd expect. This does not even touch upon her connections to human sacrifice (see: Taurian Artemis), fertility (see: Ephesian Artemis), nymphs (in her retinue, along with other mortals and hunters), and many more that I will touch on these next two weeks.

Famous myths

Artemis’ mother Leto was hounded throughout her pregnancy by the jealous goddess Hera but eventually found refuge on the floating island of Delos. There she gave birth to Artemis who assisted her mother as midwife with the birth of her younger twin-brother Apollon.

Kallisto (Callisto) was a handmaiden of the goddess who Zeus seduced by assuming Artemis’ form. When Artemis discovered the girl was pregnant she transformed her into a bear and exiled her to the wilds.

The handsome giant Orion was a companion of the goddess but her jealous brother Apollon tricked her into killing him with a distant bow-shot. In her grief Artemis placed him among the stars as the constellation Orion.

When the Aloadai (Aloadae) giants tried to storm Olympus, Artemis assumed the form of a doe and raced between them, causing the pair to cast their spears, miss, and strike each other dead.

The hunter Aktaion (Actaeon) spied upon the goddess as she was bathing with her nymphs at a spring. Angered, she transformed him into a stag and had him torn apart by his own hounds.

The giant Kalydonian (Caledonian) Boar was sent by Artemis to ravage the lands of King Oineus as punishment for neglecting her in his sacrifices to the gods.

As the Greek fleet were preparing to sail for Troy, King Agamemnon offended Artemis and she becalmed the waters, preventing their departure. To appease the goddess, the king was forced to sacrifice his own daughter Iphigenia. [3]

[1]: Homer, Iliad; Homer, Odyssey; Homeric Hymn 27 to Artemis; Homeric Hymn 5 to Aphrodite; Pindar, Dithyrambs Heracles the Bold; Aeschylus, Agamemnon 140 ff; Aeschylus, fragment 188; Aristophanes, Frogs 1358 ff; Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae 144 ff; Callimachus, Hymn 3 to Artemis; Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.21; Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica; Ovid, Fasti; Seneca, Hercules Furens 406 ff; etc., etc.

[2] rest of the sources can be found here; link

[3] summary as found on theoi.com

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