#doesn't have a name but i. do not know where he ended up after reorganizing

[myymi]

I’m trying to write an oc for a sonic fic but am struggling rlly bad. I love your writing and wondered do you have any ocs or have tips on how to come up with them?

heyy!!

the way i come up with ocs is by deciding these things first:

what's their purpose

do they any relations with anyone

when do they come into the story

after figuring those out, i like to work on building their appearance, and then moving on to what their personality is (you can also do it the other way around! doesn't matter all too much, this is just what i do lol)

after getting their appearance and personality sorted, i work on their name, age, and stories. backstory, how they met certain people, what their family is like, etc.

so, example:

purpose: to help guide sonic&co. on one of their adventures

relations: they're acquaintances with amy

when they come into the story: when sonic&co. have no leads and aren't sure where they need to go

appearance: male, purple tiger with pink stripes, green eyes, brown boots, wears a utility belt around his waist, brown working gloves

personality: adventurer who has a sweet tooth, really friendly

name: william

age: 27

backstory: growing up, his dad took him out digging a lot to see if they could find treasure of any kind. when his father passed away, william moved on to become an adventurer, hoping to find the treasure his father never could

how they met amy: ran into each other at a bakery and chatted while they waited in line, they occasionally say hi if they're ever at the bakery again at the same time

family: william was an onyl child, and his father passed when he was 12. his mother worked two jobs to try and support them as best as she could

and then any other details you wnat/need you can add on :]

if you're struggling a lot with how the character gets introduced to the story, try working out their backstory first! it can help a lot with figuring out the best way to shove em in

and don't forget to really describe them when they first appear, your viewers only know what you write down so it's important to get the details there!

(doesn't have to all at one time, but try to keep it within a few paragraphs, i found that's what works best for me!! but everyone's different, so expirement with it until you find what works for you <3)

and don't forget, this may not work out for you, and that's okay!! this is just what i do when making ocs, everyone's process ends up a bit differently. so play around with it! reorganize the steps, add some, take others away, whatever you need. but you can use this as a base to work with :]

hope this helps!!

[bookwyrminspiration]

Hey Quil! It's June and I just wanted to say, I love your bookshelf! I can't believe you made it yourself! Everything looks much more organized and accessible now (I hope it stays that way) and I love your stuffed animals, they look so cute! What are their names? And also, I've been wondering about your pets for a while, because again, they looked so cute and seem to have such interesting stories. If you're okay sharing, that is. You don't have to, if you don't want to

June! Thank you!! I am also very fond of this new bookshelf and it was definitely long overdue. I mean I was able to nearly completely fill two entire bookshelves with the contents I had shoved almost entirely onto one, so really I think it's just impressive how I was functioning with the one before. Basically the only shelf that wasn't double stacked was the keeper shelf because I reference those books so often.

I also can't believe I made it myself! I always knew that when I got a new bookshelf I'd want to make it myself so it could match the one I already have because I really like it. However like I mentioned, we bought that corner bookshelf from a closing bookstore that was selling everything they had, and they had it custom ordered from somewhere so there was no way to purchase one.

A few things are different, like you may notice the original bookshelf has holes along the planks and is secured with different hardward, while the new one has no holes and is secured with screws. The original has adjustable shelves but I haven't adjusted them in the like seven years i've had it so I didn't feel the need to add that to the new one.

It's so strange but nice to be able to see all my books at once. I haven't been able to do that for years! Like I can just look over and see oh yeah I have TSOA and the first and third book in the Black Witch Chronicles but am missing the second, like it's so nice to see the spines. I've been relying on a complete catalog I made of all the books I own (and their prices) in google sheets, but now I can have that and see everything! Hopefully the organization lasts, but we shall see! Regardless it's so much better now.

Not all of my stuffed animals on the shelves are named (I'd like to, I'm just particular about names and haven't gotten to every one yet), but I can tell you which ones are! Okay so on the top shelf of the corner one the little giraffe is named Moo (Moo was a gift from my partner) and the red panda is currently unnamed (and was a gift from my sister). On the flat shelf the purple unicorn at the very top is named Majestad (picked it as a prize from the library this summer because it's all wonky and misshapen and I love wonky), the four bunnies next to it are unnamed or their names have been forgotten, the alicorn on the shelf below that is named Glitter Butt, the elephant next to it wearing the Happy Shadow Thoughts shirt is named Ella (both were a gift from a friend who also loved kotlc), the skull and dragon below them are named Mold and Mildew respectfully, and that's about it! There's two other dragon figurines but they don't have names. Then I also have other stuffed animals that aren't all the shelves including but not limited to a sparkly red dragon named Mr. Snuggles (from the same friend who got me Glitter Butt and Ella) and a mini squishmallow named Dexter (named by the company and bought by me because of the name).

I have an M name theme going on with stuffed animals I name, but if someone else names them they're allowed to deviate from that :)

As for my pets, what would you like to know? I have no problems talking about them and shared all their names and when we got them in this post! You wondering about them is just a little vague so I'm not 100% sure how to answer it or with what. Nothing you've done, i just have trouble answering questions like that sometimes. So is there anything about my pets you're curious about in particular? If so I'd love to answer!

[alisonsfics]

sinful dreams

pairing: loki laufeyson x reader

request: “hi!! could you do a smutty loki x reader where they're both avengers and he keeps sending her spicy dreams but she doesn't know it? and she gets mega flustered whenever they're in the same room and he plays innocent but he's secretly really enjoying it” - anonymous

word count: 2.2k

warnings: smut, unprotected sex, sex dreams, mind manipulation, dirty talk, fingering, kinda authority kink

You desperately pushed your hips up against his. Needy whimpers passed through your lips. He pinned your hands above your head, ramming into your naked body.

You could feel your coil snap and your entire body begin into shake around him. He continued to whisper filthy thoughts into your ear.

Your eyes fluttered open, and you realized it was only a dream. You huffed to yourself as you rolled out of bed. You had been having these dreams for a while now. Every night, Loki ended up in your dreams, and they were always sex dreams.

You weren’t sure why it kept happening. You had a crush on Loki for a while, but all of a sudden, he was in your dreams every single night.

You decided to go train to work off some of your frustrations. You left your bedroom and headed towards the elevator. The bell dinged as the doors opened. You didn’t pay any attention, and just walked inside. You had other things on your mind.

“Good morning” a voice said from beside you. Your head snapped up and saw the god of mischief himself right next to you. All the heat rushed straight to the your cheeks.

As you looked at him, the images flashed back into your memory: him throwing back his head as he moaned, his cock burying itself inside of you, and all the pet names that effortlessly rolled of his lips.

“Hi—ummm...good morning” you said, forcing yourself to look at the floor. It was silent for a moment. “Are you alright? You’re looking a little flushed” he asked.

You looked up at him again and that’s when you saw the smirk on his face.

He knew.

The elevator doors opened and you quickly rushed out of them. All you wanted was to work off some steam and avoid him for the rest of the day.

After working out, you decided to retreat to your bedroom. You saw him in the kitchen talking to Thor, and you quickly tried to rush past them.

Thor called out your name causing you to stop and turn around. You saw the same smirk on Loki’s face from before. You walked over to both of them and tried to act like you weren’t about to explode.

“We’re having a movie night tonight. Will you be there?” Thor asked you, oblivious to the tension between you and his brother. Loki tilted his head to the side, waiting for your answer. “Who else will be there?” You asked, curiously.

Before Thor could answer, “I’ll most definitely be there,” Loki smirked as he made you flustered. You quickly shook your head no. “No, I think I’m just going to go back to my room and rest” you said, turning around quickly. You just about ran to your room, so you couldn’t get stopped by them again.

Once you were in the safety of your room, you had to find a way to pass the time.

You had finished reading your book, finished a movie, and reorganized your closet. You had no idea what to do next. You flopped back onto your bed and let out an exasperated sigh.

Then, the door was flung open. Your head snapped to the side. You saw Loki close the door behind himself, with a wicked smirk on his face.

“Hello, my darling. Have you been thinking of me?” He asked, causing you to jump up to your feet. In one of your dreams, those were exactly the words he said before he proceeded to fuck you against the wall.

His smirk confirmed that he knew what he was saying. “How do you know about that?” You asked him, desperate for an answer. When he shrugged, you hit him in the chest.

“I am the god of mischief, dear,” he had a glint in his eye. All the puzzle pieces lined up, and you finally understood. “You put those dreams in my head?” You asked.

You weren’t sure whether you should be turned on or upset. He didn’t respond, but the smile on his face told a different story.

“You asshole” you said, swatting at him. He chuckled while grabbing both of your wrists. He held you completely still, not letting you move a muscle.

“Now hang on. Don’t you want to find out if real life is as good as the dreams?” He asked, grabbing onto your waist. You stood there stunned.

As his hands toyed with the ends of your shirt, you looked him up and down. You were trying to figure out if this was just another prank.

“It’s not a prank, sweetheart” he said, smirking. You frowned. “Get out of my head” you said, crossing your arms. He ignored your words and startled you by attaching his lips to the side of your neck. His mouth lightly sucked on your sweet spot. You shivered under his touch.

He led you backwards towards your bed, until you fell back against the cushiony mattress. You grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling his much larger body on top of you.

“Kiss me” you commanded, not playing hard to get anymore. He couldn’t resist. His lips were on yours and his hands were running up and down your sides. “I thought I was an asshole” he asked, cockily.

You rolled your eyes as you pulled your shirt over your head. “You are, but you’re still hot. It’s not my fault that you fucked me so many times in my dreams. It’s your fault for making me want you so bad” you said, stripping him of his shirt.

His toned body practically mocked you. You prayed that it wasn’t a dream. Your fingers traced over his abs. He smirked as you admired him. The only sound filling the room were your soft breaths.

“Just gonna stare?” He teased. You ignored the annoying comment and grabbed onto his shoulders, allowing you to kiss him. He stopped teasing you as he felt your hips rock against his. He loved messing with, but you were doing things to him.

He cupped your ass through your leggings and gave it a playful squeeze. He pushed his crotch into you as he heard a soft moan leave your lips.

“If you don’t hurry up—” you started to threaten, but were cut off by his lips trailing down your stomach. Your skin tingled as his soft lips grazed over it.

He was enjoying making you desperate, but he needed you just about as bad you needed him. “Did you like the dreams?” He asked, as he slid your leggings off your legs.

“They were so fucking hot” you panted, desperately grinding your hips against his. Your words only fed into his enormous ego. Your finger wandered to his belt and struggled to undo the buckle.

He watched you struggle, smirking to himself. He decided to help you out, so he could finally free his cock from the restraints of his jeans. He undid the belt in a matter of seconds, and slid out of his pants.

“Look at you, squirming underneath me” he mocked. Deciding to have some fun, you palmed him through his boxers. Suddenly, he wasn’t as cocky. A groan escaped his lips, as he jutted his hips into your hand.

“Now who’s squirming?” You teased, flipping him over. He sat with his back against the headboard. You wanted to tease him just a little, so you slowly straddled his lap. His hands found their place on your hips, admiring your body.

You rocked your hips forward, grinding against his erection. You still had your panties on, but you could feel them getting wetter and wetter by the second. He threw his head back against the headboard.

You placed wet kisses along his collarbone. “You’re so wet, darling” he said, slipping his fingers into your lace panties. You whined as his fingers dove into your folds. You started grinding onto his hand. “So desperate. You riding my fingers? Are you that needy?” He mocked, slipping another finger inside of you. You whimpered, his name falling off your lips.

You reached behind your back and quickly unclasped your bra. You reached for his boxers, trying to tug them down. “Slow down, sweetheart. I’m in control” he told you. You felt yourself becoming more turned on as he told you what to do.

He effortlessly flipped you over and pinned your hands above your head. While he loved watching you grind on his lap, he was in control and on top. He had you right where he wanted you. “Look how gorgeous you are” he said, massaging your breasts in each hands. His fingers toyed with your hardened buds.

You let out a low moan as your eyes fluttered close. He knew just how to tease you to make you fall apart. “Please” you begged, resisting the urge to buck your hips up against him.

“Please what?” He asked caressing your cheek. You whined, desperate for your release. “Please just fuck me. No more teasing. I need you” you begged him. He knew the dreams would have an effect on you, but now you were a moaning mess in his hands.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you what you want” he said, pulling your panties off in one motion. The contrast between the cool room and your heat sent a shiver down your spine. He pulled off his boxers, finally letting you see his cock.

You practically drooled at the sight. His tip was red and leaking with precum. Even the thought of having him inside of you made you clench your thighs together. You reached up and gently stroked his cock.

Curses fell from his lips as you caught him off guard. “You ready to take my cock?” He asked you, holding onto his hips. You eagerly nodded.

His pushed his length into your slick folds. You squeezed onto to the sheets and moaned out his name. “You’re so fucking big” you called out, breathlessly.

He gripped your hips, knowing it would leave bruises later. He started to thrust into you, his hips snapping against yours. You could hear him grunt as he pushed farther and farther into you.

The sight of you whimpering under him only turned him on more. He wanted to watch you fall apart, all from his cock. “You’re squeezing me so good. Feel like heaven, darling” he moaned, wrapping your legs around his waist.

You heard Steve and Tony walk by your room talking about god knows what. Loki’s hand was quickly over your mouth, muffling your whimpers. “Gotta keep quiet” he hushed you, but not slowing down his pace.

You heard them both walk away, and he removed his hand just as he hit your g-spot. “Oh—fuck” you moaned, gripping his shoulders. He repeated the action, so you would continue to hold onto him for dear life. He loved the way that you cling to him. You could feel your stomach begin to tighten, he could tell by the way you started to clench onto his cock. He was close too.

The bed squeaked as he rammed into you, chasing his high. “I’m gonna—fuck,” you tried to warn him, but began cumming. You squeezed harder onto his cock. “—almost there” he said, speeding up his pace.

You were incoherent as your vision went white. You wrapped your arms around his neck and held on as he pushed deeper inside of you. You could barely process what was happening, panting as he pushed you past your high.

Your eyes rolled back as tightened his grip on your hips. “Fuck” he muttered as he came. His thrusts became slower as you both came down from your highs. He rested his head against your shoulder as he tried to calm down.

He rolled off of you and laid there breathless. “Even better than my dreams” you mumbled, looking over at him. The room smelled of sweat and sex. “You were magnificent” he said, pressing kisses to the side of your neck.

A sudden knock at the door made you both jump. You recognized the voice that called out your name as being Thor’s. “What is it?” You asked, glancing at the door to make sure it was locked.

Loki chucked at your flustered expression. “I was looking for Loki. Have you seen him?” He asked. You clasped your hand over Loki’s mouth, trying to silence his laughter. “Last time I saw him he was with you” you lied, before elbowing Loki’s side.

He felt his hands up in resignation. “If you see him, tell him I’m looking for him” he told you, before walking away.

You slapped his chest. “He could have heard you” you scolded him. The thought didn’t seem to bother Loki that much. “He wouldn’t be very surprised. You always act flustered when I’m around. I think everyone knows how desperate you are for me” he teased, leaning in to kiss you. You pushed him away before he could.

“Asshole” you jokingly muttered, before rolling out of bed to put your clothes back on. He grabbed your hips and pulled you on top of him. “Who said we were done here?” He asked, before kissing your neck.

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[lostysworld]

Where did you put...? - Kaz Brekker x reader

Pairing: Kaz Brekker x reader

Warnings: none

Summary: Being a friend of Kaz Brekker is a hard job, especially when he starts acting like a child

A/N: I know, that Kaz is probably the most organized person ever. But I only thought of the idea of him trying to find his things, and here we are.

Since you've appeared in the Slat and made your way towards the Crows' hearts, you always did that thing.

Every time when Kaz leaves his documents in his office in the Crow Club to finish his paperwork later, he finds them laying in different order. Different order from his own. Even if it means, that they are sorted into groups instead of being scattered all over the desk.

Every single day Brekker sees the same thing, and every time he knows, that it is you. Annoying you doing annoying things in his office while he can't see.

Once he comes in the room, he finds you sitting in the chair next to his desk. Well, you don't even run from your crime scene after all.

– For how many times have I told you not to move anything on my table?

You lazily raise your head, tearing your gaze from the book on your lap.

– Every time, actually. I stopped counting, - after watching him trying to reorganize what you've done, you roll your eyes. – Come on, Kaz! You'll find your things faster, if I just continue to do them.

– I was doing fine without your organizing, Y/N. And I had every thing on its place.

– And guess why?

You arch your brow speaking about the obvious, than only makes Brekker angrier. Not to drive him mad more, you decide to continue with your book.

But every five minutes nervous rustling from the table side and quiet swearing draw your attention.

You cast a glance to him. It was an early evening, and sun rays coming through the window on the opposite wall light up the desk along with its owner.

Kaz is in hurry, and his hair is a bit disheveled with strands falling down on his face gracefully. You can watch him for hours.

– What are you looking for, Kaz?

– Nothing, - you want to punch him for being so grumpy and angry with you. Everything was fine until this moment.

– Can I help you to find-

– You've already helped!

– Saints, Kaz, stop shouting at me.

You two argue a lot, but every time it ends up with you trying to calm him down. Because if you don't stop the war, it will become a disaster named after Kaz Brekker.

You are his best friend and even with your unrequited feelings towards him, you still want the best for the man.

– Then maybe you should work more and stop messing around here? - you can't be truly angry with him, knowing he tells is out of rage.

– Keeping your desk organized helps to keep it all in you head. In order. Everything is connected, - you are still looking at him with that silky gaze. –Things. Mind. Body.

– Mind. Business.

– You are my business, Kaz.

He falls silent, but you know that his blood is literally boiling inside of his veins. His jaw is clenched tightly and he goes on speaking with you through greeted teeth.

– Just...leave me.

Saints, he can be so stubborn sometimes! You turn to go away, looking over your shoulder at the doorway. Kaz still tries to find something, turning everything on his desk upside down.

Now with all of your attempts to keep this place clean rapidly falling down, you just shake your head and finally leave him.

If this man can pretend he will be better without you, so be it.

The second day in a row you spend in Nina's favourite bakery. The second day in a row you don't come to the Slat or the Crow club. Forty eight hours have passed since the moment when you saw Kaz.

But don't see doesn't mean don't communicate.

'Where is the contract with the merchant about that painting?'

'Did you see my letter to the appraiser?'

'Where did you put my maps?'

In your first day you lost count of small notes, that Kaz sent with his messenger to you. You always answered the same moment and sent the boy back.

Every time Brekker asked if you saw one or another document of his. Today is the second day, and you finally stop doing it. After all he asked you to leave him. That is the exact thing, that you are going to do for the next days.

Finally in the evening you leave the bakery, making your way to one of your friends' house, where you currently stay in.

When the early night falls on Ketterdam you are almost there, when someone's steps behind you make you halt on the spot.

You won't be a member of the Dregs, if don't catch another sound except of these steps. A barely audible clicking. A cane clicking.

You sigh tiredly and turn around facing Kaz in front of you. In the flesh. You just throw your arms up in annoyance.

– Should I help you to find another-

– Come back.

His voice is tired, but firm. And you can say he's serious like never before. You are just staying on your place without a single move towards him. Instead he comes closer himself.

– Come back to the Slat, Y/N.

– Why? To do the work you don't appreciate? Or to argue with you every single day?

He lowers his glance on a moment, and you can catch a strange sparkle in it. Obviously this visit isn't easy for Brekker.

– Kaz? - you shake your head and come up to the man. Now he really behaves like a moody toddler. – Is your office too messy without me?

You chuckle lightly. You could only imagine what a mess he made while searching for what he needed.

– It's too empty, actually.

You can't hold back a sigh of relief. Honestly you hate quarreling with Kaz, and now when he is not angry anymore, you can say, you're happy.

Brekker extends his gloved hand to you, waiting for your response.

– Come back to me, Y/N.

With a small smile on your lips you take his hand in yours and finally shorten the distance between you two. The man's lips slightly turn up in a grin as you two walk towards the Slat.

– When we are there, will you help me to-

– Oh, are you doing this again, Kaz? I can't believe it!

You playfully shove him in the shoulder, and continue you way hand in hand with him.

@tranquilitymoon

[ridiculousravenclaw]

The Life of Elara Ware : Chapter 2

Elara sat on her butterfly patterned bedsheets, a heavy leather bound book in her lap. She was studying alchemy this year and wanted to get a basic understanding of it before school started. She was lost in concentration when her bubble of thought was burst by light tapping at her window. She looked up to see a shabby brown owl rapping its beak against the glass. She smiled. "Hi Errol". Elara crossed her room and opened the window. The old bird half hopped, half collapsed inside. Looking out her window Elara saw it was now starting to get dark. The sun retreated below the horizon casting shadows of deep orange and red across the sky. It was a beautiful summer's evening, a light breeze provided respite from the unforgiving heat of the day. Errol lazily nipped at her hand letting out an exasperatedly quiet hoot. "Sorry boy, here" She detached the tightly rolled parchment from his leg then opened the empty bird cage perched on top of her drawers, gesturing for him to go inside. Errol happily obliged helping himself to water. The Wares family owl Alizeh had to stay in Elaras room as her mother couldn't stand her hooting. But she was currently out hunting and Errol looked thankful for the hospitality.

Elara undid the scroll expecting to be greeted with another message from George, so she was surprised to find it wasn't his handwriting at all. 'Hello Elara. I know George has been in contact with you but I dont know exactly how much he's said or not said so I thought it best to write you myself. You are of course still welcome to come and stay tomorrow. Though I must warn you it'll be a bit of a tight squeeze. My eldest sons Bill and Charlie are home and are in the twins room meaning Fred and George are currently in with Ron and Harry. Oh yes, Harry's staying with us as well I hope you dont mind. You'll be in Ginnys room, but again, tight squeeze. We have Hermione staying in there too. I hope this is all okay with you. I've been told to expect you by flu powder at about 11. Our house is called The Burrow, I don't know if George had said. Anyway it's all still a go is what I'm trying to say and we'll take you to Kings Cross as planned. Look forward to seeing you Molly Weasley'

Elara smiled. The note really was unnecessary but she couldn't blame Mrs Weasleys lack of trust in George giving her all the correct details. She quickly scribbled a reply on the back of the note. 'Thanks again Mrs Weasley this is really kind of you. 11 o'clock. Flu powder. I'll see you then'

It took some convincing and several treats but Elara finally managed to get Errol out of Alizehs cage and attach the note to his leg. She wasn't sure if Errol was quick enough to get the note to Mrs Weasley before tomorrow morning but it was worth a try. She sent him on his way then made her way downstairs to the living room. There she found her mother silently working her way through stacks of documents she had laid out on the sofa. Her long brown hair was wound into a messy bun on top of her head and her black rimmed glasses were perched on the end of her narrow, slender nose. She was wearing grey jogging bottoms and a light blue t shirt that hung off one shoulder. She was sat cross legged, brows furrowed in concentration. She hadn't noticed Elara walk in.

"Watcha doin?" Elara said. Her mother sent several pages scattered across the wooden floor as she jumped in surprise.

"Jeez sweet pea don't sneak up on me like that!"

Elara laughed and stepped forward to help as her mum started chasing papers around the room. "sorry. I wasn't aiming to scare you"

"yeah? then why are you laughing at me?" Her mother retorted as she tried to smack Elara on the backside with a recovered sheet. She tried to put on a disgruntled face but she couldn't hide her smile as her daughter dodged her attacks.

"hey! I'm helping!" Elara replied, smiling goofily back as she hopped out of her mothers reach.

"causing mayhem more like"

Elara folded her arms defiantly, a devious grin on her lips

"fine. I wont help then"

Elara put up her hands in mock surrender and started walking towards the door.

"hey! not so fast. This is your doing so you can come tidy you cheeky bugger"

Elara complied with an exaggerated curtsy as her mother started to reorganize the pages.

"honestly. all I came down for was to tell you I'm going to the Weasleys at 11. now you've got me clearing up like your personal slave" Elara put on her best dramatic sigh which made her mother chuckle.

"think how I feel. it took me ages to put all this in order now I've got to do it again"

"hmm, well if you will insist on throwing things around the house"

"oi!" her mother retorted but once again she couldn't stifle her smile.

"11 did you say?" She added after a moment.

"yup"

"how were you going to get there?"

"flu powder" then at the look of confusion on her mothers face she continued "that's the one where you travel through the fireplace. wosh" Elara flailled of her arms to illustrate.

"oh right. the one that scares me to death you mean?"

"that's the one"

"great!" Her mother gave her a double thumbs up but her eyes showed her disapproval. Elara rolled her eyes.

"mum how many times? it's safe. I've been using flu powder since I was 7. Everyone does"

Her mother sighed, nodding her head reluctantly "I know, I know"

They picked up the last few pages in lazy quiet before Elara went to kitchen to make them both a cup of tea. When she returned she found her mother staring into the currently empty fireplace like she was waiting for something. Elara silently stood by her side handing her a floral patterned mug. She looked at her mothers face obviously deep in thought. She looked almost upset. "mum?"

It was several moments before she answered.

"you know it doesn't matter how impressive and mystical and amazing all this is. Theres still a massive part of me that wished you took after me, not your dad."

Elara couldn't deny she felt offended, and it must've shown on her face

"no no that's not what I meant. Oh hunny your magics incredible and you make me proud every day. Please know that. It's just. I dont know. I can't lie. I'd be a lot less stressed if you just grew up to be a hairdresser or something. Something ordinary. Something risk free" Elara felt confused at the direction the conversation had taken. Quick to defend the life she loved so much she answered

"Well wheres the fun in that? mum I'm perfectly safe in the wizarding world. you must know that. it may still be weird to you but its who I am and its normal for us."

Her mother looked at her for a moment. Then smiled a strange, sad sort of smile. She started to say something, then stopped herself sipping on her tea instead. Elara could see a million thoughts spiraling behind her mothers eyes. Then, finally "yeah. yeah of course you are." Then without a word she turned and left.

As she stood alone in front of the mantelpiece, Elara had the feeling like she was missing something. Then a most unwelcome thought; that there was something her mother wasn't telling her. Her mother had always been a worrier. Fretted over her wellbeing day and night. It never bothered her. In fact Elara Ware had grown so used to her mothers fussing she almost didn't notice it anymore. But now that she stopped to think, since returning from school that summer it'd seemed to get a lot more frequent. Obsessively checking in on Elara through the day. Restricting when she could leave the house, not letting her go alone. At first Elara thought this was just her fear of her baby growing up. Now that she'd sat her exams, chosen a career path, got a boyfriend. But now she wasn't sure. Whatever it was, her mother was definitely upset by it.

The next morning Elara woke up later than she wanted to. She ran downstairs and inhaled some cereal so fast she was sure she must have set a new world record. Then back upstairs for a hurried shower, which unsurprisingly resulted in shampoo in her eyes. Swearing repeatedly and dripping water onto the tiles as she went. Elara stumbled blindly across her en suit reaching for a towel. cursing herself for not putting one out first. Quickly drying herself off she threw open her wardrobe, looking at her limited selection of clothes. most of it was packed in her trunk. She glanced out the window. It was raining and with the rain had brought cooler weather. She picked out her favourite pair of jeans and a loose white shirt with lace criss-crossed across the back.

It was only after she had triple checked her trunk, glancing at the clock and seeing she still had 30 minutes to spare, that Elara finally allowed herself to relax a bit. Mentally scolding herself for waking up late and turning her morning into a mad rush. She was gazing at her reflection in the mirror and without realizing found herself fussing with her hair. She couldn't explain why. Elara had never really cared what others though of how she looked before. Yet there she sat tucking her brown hair behind her ear, the pulling it forward, then tucking it back again. Perhaps it was the nerves of seeing her boyfriend again after weeks apart. After all they hadn't been dating that long when school ended for the holidays. Or perhaps it was the stress of meeting his whole family. But then again she already knew half of them. She may never have spent much time with Ron, Percy or Ginny but they were already acquainted. Then of course theres Fred. the twins came as a pack. you rarely get one without the other and she'd been going to school with them for 5 years.

She tried to shake the nerves, focussing instead on the thing she'd always liked about herself. She gazed into her eyes which were the only ones like them she'd ever known. Her right eye was a cool blue, like a river. Her left eye a pale light green flecked with yellow. The muggle doctors said it was a genetic condition with a weird name she could never remember. it didn't matter. Elara loved her eyes. they made her different. Different was good. She looked at the clock again. 20 minutes. She picked up her trunk which she'd played at the foot of her bed and began to haul it down the stairs.

"you'll write wont you"

"nah I won't bother I'll just leave you in suspense the whole year"

"Elara Ware!"

"I'm joking! I'm joking! C'mon mum I'm in my 6th year now. I'm a big girl. I'll be fine. and I'll be back before you know it."

Her mother sighed and pulled Elara into a bone crushing hug. "I know. I just worry" Elara chuckled "yeah funnily enough I've noticed"

Her mum ignored this "I love you" she mumbled into Elaras hair. "I love you too" Just then Elara noticed the time on the clock "ooh mum I've got to go. its time" Elara wriggled out of her mums grip and stepped into the fire place where her trunk was waiting. "mum the powder"

"oh yeah right"

Her mother grabbed a small clay pot from ontop of the book case. It was peculiar in shape, unpainted and unvarnished. Elara had very vague memories of making it at muggle school when she was about 7 years old. Inside was the floo powder. Elara grabbed a handful and offered one last smile to her mum. "Bye mum"

"Bye darling"

Elara dropped the floo powder onto her feet and shouted "The Burrow" With that she started to spin. Faster in faster as her living room dissolved into a blur of colour. But just before she lost sight of her mother completely she saw it again. The same sad look in her mothers eyes. She was trying to hide it but still it was unmistakably there. Why? what was Elara not understanding? Before she could even fathom the answer the spinning stopped. She was no longer in her living room. She stepped out onto a well worn rug to a wall of welcoming red headed smiles. and there standing the closest the one she was most excited to see. beaming the brightest of all "miss me?" Said George

[nightmule]

Last night's dream was one of those dreams that twists and shifts into many different things. I was at a party thrown by an actor named Michael Pasimedes (I don't know anyone by this name in real life) and I went into a bedroom (not something I'm prone to doing at parties) because I needed something/to do something I couldn't find/do in the main area. A man enters and starts yelling at me that this is his house and what am I doing here and I struggle to explain and apologize but I'm not really sure what to say and I'm thrown off by the factbhes wearing a Spider-Man costume.

Things shift and I'm in a woman's apartment helping her reorganize and decorate it. I believe the apartment is in Manhattan and it's very large with a cityscape view, but all of the rooms are long and narrow with corners at odd angles and little nooks bumped out randomly in the walls. One of the things I'm helping her with is clearing out a roughly 8×10 "closet" to become a playroom/bedroom for her young son.

Suddenly, I'm at work and my coworkers are having some sort of celebratory lunch. My boss tells one of them "look you voted to lower the standards for this sort of thing so don't complain when you buy a rotisserie chicken and it's not 100% chicken!" The coworker offers me a plate of rotisserie chicken and, unsure what percent chicken it actually is, I say "I think I'll just grab something to drink" and walk into a bathroom where I open the cupboard under the sink to find beverages in cans and bottles. I'm looking for a particular flavor I prefer of sparking water but the drinks I find keep getting weirder and weirder. A few of them are supposed to taste like full meals lile that gum in Willy wonka and have ingredients like "2% deep burger extract." Someone knocks on the door wanting to use the bathroom so I just pick a silver can that looks plain and leave but when I take a sip the flavor is strange and wonderful. It's cold even though it wasn't refrigerated and it tastes mainly like cream soda but also minty and herbal with a strange almost unpleasant after taste that makes you want more. I look at the can and it says it's Quartz Crystal flavored and also that it's alcoholic. I'm horrified because somehow I've ended up drinking at work and I don't even drink when I'm not at work!

I'm looking for a place to dump the drink out even though I desperately want to finish ut when I realize I'm back in the apartment of the woman. The organizing and redecorating is nearly complete, I just need to move the spare bed into her bedroom because her son is little and likes to sleep in there with her. "We should really trade that in and get two smaller beds" she tells me. I ask why and she says it would be better to have one bed for each of the children. I'm confident that she's only mentioned one child up to this point but instead of arguing with her I acquire the beds and get the situated in the apartment. The woman facetimes her best friend to show off the improvements we've made and tells me to sit on the bed next to her son's so it's not empty. I knew she only had one kid.

Her best friend turns out to be Mandy Patinkin as he looked in the early 2000s show Dead Like Me, only Mandy is in some sort of dessert wilderness area doing "conservation efforts" which appear to consist of tearing up non-native plants and burying them in red sand. He tells me and the woman that what we've done to the apartment looks great and that the best thing we can do for the environment is to consider environmentalism our religion and preach about it.

On my way out of the apartment there's an indoor garden with some vines growing on trellises and some landscaping stones. The stones are primarily fools gold. Or perhaps real gold though that seems unlikely. I bend down and grab one to examine it before putting it back. Suddenly BP is there looking over my shoulder. "You shouldn't have done that" he says. "I put it back" I say defensively. "Doesn't matter, you shouldn't have done it," He replies. He sounds resigned rather than upset.

We walk together until we come across a large grey (aka dusty, faded black) velvet stage curtain blocking our path. We shrug, part the curtain, and continue. To the left there's a group of people on bleachers, to the right a man gesturing to a tangled pile of chairs and lecturing about design or something. We speed up to get out of the middle of the lecture and come to another curtain. Here there's a man sitting on the floor holding a toddler and a voice over a loud speaker talking about triage and how to properly manage infants in an emergency room setting. This time a curtain starts to drop from the ceiling just past where the man is sitting. I slide on my hip like a baseball player and make it just under the curtain. BP is left on the other side and although it's just a curtain I know that means I am alone. Here there is a woman talking to a small group of people sort of huddled around. She is saying something about how unfinished art can haunt you and how dying just before the curtains opened on opening night of what everyone predicted would be his finest work Michael Pasimedes (there's that name again) as one of the first victims of the pandemic created a ghost of a potential masterpiece and that ghost will outlive him. "I just saw Michael Pasimedes," I think, "he was hosting a party and wearing a Spider-Man costume and yelling at me for being in his room, he certainly hasn't been dead for 2 years!" But before I can tell anybody I wake up.

[survivor-ingary]

Episode 3 - "RIP tribe Jenkins we were too powerful" - Riley

The 3 tribes of Pendragon, Hatter, and Jenkins have been reorganized and condensed into 2 new Hatter and Pendragon Tribes. Tribal immunity is Scavenger Hunt.

The fact I have Brayden and Toph in my merged tribe boosts my serotonin. i have a feeling colin may be someone to keep an eye out for in the future now...

RIP tribe Jenkins we were too powerful. I guess we'll see how Pendragon pans out.

yall doin me dirty putting me with brayden i just hope that by some miracle me him anastasia and ellie can work together? like i still dont know if theyre plotting on my ass vdshibshj i know brayden told anastasia to take me out when this game started oop but lemme see if dis works. i hope riley follows the logic of the old tribe sticking together and thatll be 5 votes. im kinda obsessed with toph like since the beginning of the game he looks like someone i could totally play with so def wanna work on that relationship. ava and nya? i believe? lets say hello and work on those relationships as well. dis is a bit overwhelming but we shall see how it goes

uh... well... i am SCREWED. me and ginny were the only ones separated from the Jenkins tribe... RIP. 4 pendragons, 2 hatters, and 2 jenkins... the main things i see here are pendragon yoinking one of the hatters / jenkins and voting the other off... OR a 4-4 tie... OR they're gonna target one of me or ginny cuz none of us have gone to tribal council yet. this is really dicey, and I need to tread very, very carefully from hereon. (ALSO GINNY BARELY TALKS PLS I NEED YOUR HELP GIRL)

This swap actually turned out pretty amazing for me. I still have Keith and Moth who I worked semi-close with in the pre-swap. Additionally, I've met up with Colin and Babs. A little Raffy magic could keep me very safe on this tribe. I think Kenneth is super fun as he is a newbie AND active. He will definitely make it far in this game. I hope, at the very least, that I can be by his side to make that happen. However, I am wary he might just be making these strong social connections with everyone. As a final note, OG Pendragons have this tribe 4 to 8. That's both good and bad. Good because we have numbers. Bad because that may make people target me very early on just for being a part of it. So, I have decided that if I were to throw any of my OG Pendragons to the wolves it would be Jonathan as I haven't been able to connect with them as well as Keith and Moth. Other than that, I hope this tribe doesn't have to go to tribal all that often between now and the next swap/merge. These people are lovely.

I'm getting a bad feeling about this... Since most of my Jenkins tribemates are on the other tribe, I KNOW they're good cuz we just keep getting W's... so I think there is a good chance we might lose the challenge. I contributed a good amount, so I hope that the target won't be on me if ever we lose the challenge :( I really don't wanna go, and I wanna reunite with Dennis/Ellie and maybe Anastasia and get further in the game.

i worked hard on this confessional

Our tribe did our absolute best in this challenge. I have no idea who is getting targeted if we go to tribal as everyone is so quiet. All I know is that I want to keep Colin, Kenneth, and Keith close to me for this stage of the game. They are the only ones who consistently talk to me. Challenge results: Pendragon wins due to a 10% advantage, Hatter Tribe must go to tribal council the following day.

THANK GOD I FINALLY GET TO GO TO A TRIBAL, ITS BEEN TOO LONG!!!!

Look, before you go to tribal with a group of people it feels like there’s a barrier of game socialization because you haven’t been able to go to tribal with them. But leading up to tribal and after it, a whole new can of worms is available for game talk. Unfortunately it’s an extremely simple vote because Nya has ghosted all of us, but at least we still get to go to tribal so I can talk game with more people even if it’s only a small amount with this easy vote. But who knows, someone might decide to switch shit up!

And also I absolutely love this tribe (Minus Nya cause I haven’t met them) so I’m glad that I get to go forward with this group although I won’t be nearly as happy if we go to tribal again because as I said, I do enjoy this group of people a lot

Moth (Tumblr will only allow me 10 images so player banners stop now, whoops) I believe the only reason I will make it to the next round is because of Raffys advantage. I’d be so screwed otherwise

I like Babs. They got good vibes.

Also I’d kill to know how the other tribe reacted

Dennis in a perfect world i would try to not vote out nya but bdksksksoksks theyve done it to themselves. no need to make waves. unless someone else is secretly plotting on me i think this is about to be an easy tribal. damn one point. miss ellie had her name down on stuff that she didnt do. also overslept that first challenge is she purposey trying to sabotage and play the villain? who knowssss also ive broken my streak of never going to tribe tribal sigh

Toph So what’s happening, I can’t remember the last time I made a confession but the tea yall ?! Soooo the tribe swap happened and my gut was right soooo okay intuition work ! I feel like I really like everyone from the merge and nya as remained inactive since, after losing the challenge it seems like an easy vote but you can never be to safe, I have my little allinnce with Brayden and Ava which is wig and I really dig Ellie , Anastasia, and Dennis too, I’m gonna be so nervous if we have to go to tribal agian because it could be me ! I’m not to sure about Reilly but they seem nice ! I feel pretty good with Anastasia as well and feel we could rope her into an alliance easily, I’m just gonna due my best right now to play the middle, keep my head down and speak positively. I really need to find an idol or something even better just so I don’t have to worry as super much and just plain worry then lol. If anything I’m gonna stay loyal to brayden and Ava the most since there my day one homies. Brayden seems to be close with Anastasia which could definitely help in are favor of having the numbers on are side. But could mean he would easily cut me for her if needed, so that mean I need to get closer with Ava, just to gaurnetee my safety, I have to look out for me this game and only me, making sure the numbers are kn my side I’m constantly on the right side of the vote should help me strageticly float to the end and win my crown thank you very much. I’m also lowkey worried about alliance’s being made right now without me! Everyone seems to be online but my chats are a bit quite but this could be me overthinking things mmmhmm I’m not sure, we’ll anyways it was nice to vent to y’all. :)

Riley Nooooooo I can't believe we lost by just one point. Damn the Hatter tribe's secret bonus point boost >:(

Kenneth I am honestly in such a shock that we won that challenge... Raffy really came in clutch and helped us win AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Now I don't have to worry about being randomly blindsided or targeted for at least a couple more days now pls I just hope we get lucky again and another swap happens where I would be on the right side of the numbers, all prepared for merge domination >:) Raffy Oof. I know the other tribe is MAD because I would be too. Like, we only won because of my advantage giving us a 1 POINT LEAD. That's crazy! Honestly, this works for me as I can still focus o n making strong social connections within this tribe. By the time we go to tribal, I will be so integrated with this tribe that voting me out would do a lot more short-term harm than long-term good. I want to see if Kenneth would start an alliance with me as that is someone I want to work closely with. In this alliance? I have no idea. I'll probably let Kenneth take the lead on that since I want him to feel like he is in charge. Dennis nothing is real

if i go tonight i would applaud it bc i am so sure nya is going. it would be a goop if the vote really wasnt nya but everyone is more or less trying to do the easy thing i think. i just hope she is okay and just too busy for dis.

some time has gone by and im just chilling. im not chilling because i feel safe, im chilling because i dont know what else to do. i cant be all game talk 24/7 because then im an outcast and would get targeted. besides the obvi alliances like a+b and maybe(?!?!??) an e(?!) in there, idk what alliances there are. like there has to be something but i dont have the picture yet. as yall know im not in any alliances in my current tribe besides i guess ellie who i fear is a saboteur lol and most likely working with a+b. a+b are such a double edged sword for me ugh. am i really in their best interests???????????????? am i really in ellies best interest???? do they know about her idol too?????????? likeeeee thats the issue. if im not really in their best interests then im the next to go after nya. i am probs very low if not the lowest on this tribe if dats true. i mean what if i really am in their best interests and theyre all genuinely trying to work with me? idk! if not then im next to go efuhijdhvbf and i fear im probably not.

i really like toph. taurus sun (in the 12th!) gemini everything else king. hes got social game on lock like who wouldnt wanna work with him ?! and hes a cutie ?! ?! ?! but i seen the chart -.- i know what hes doin. i think hes working with ellie. but he reaches out to me and probably others but i like our conversations. (but im sure everyone loves their conversations with toph!! hes great!!!!! friendly ol toph wont harm a fly ?!) i hope he likes me and sees i actually would wanna work with him above all the gorls and chooses me over them too.

ava also knows what theyre doing. saturnian legend. we barely talk but little short bits here and there. i hope its bc theyre busy but im sure ellie is talking to them more than me amongst others too. oop also possible alliance, brayden toph ava who all swapped together. so gotta keep that in mind. but yeah i dont really think im much of their priority esp if theyre on vacay they would hear a name and not stress too much if its mine bc we dont have ties like that.

riley and i talk here and there, had a lil chat today

someone once told me that i just look like someone you cant trust but you can :( sometimes :)

so yeah here i am having lots of thoughts over the last few days.

maybe im not super super invested just yet bc i feel like the rug is gonna get swept out right from under me again :))) also back on my bs telling people im a leo moon. i shouldnt weaponize astrology but hey.

[mustardsavant]

Plance Prompt: Pidge helps Lance find an outfit for asking someone, but doesn't realise that she is the one he wants to ask.

Thank you for the prompt! This found a life of its own, ended at ~2k

Pidge stomped her foot and looked at the time on her tablet for the fifth time. Next to her, Hunk sighed and gave her a helpless shrug, looking towards the mall exit where they were supposed to be picked up at anytime.

“I’m going to go find him,” Pidge was already turning back towards the multitude of shops.

Hunk bit his lip, bending his knees nervously as he eyed the exit again. “Coran will be here soon. And we promised Shiro we would run drills after dinner… soooo…”

“Well, go wait for Coran and tell him what’s up. ‘Lance got lost and I’m going to find him’ or something. I’ll find him, just wait for us at the exit.” Pidge headed down the row of shops without waiting for Hunk’s reply, grumbling about “stupid Lance” and “he just had to go off on his own. Too good for me and Hunk”.

She poked her head into a few of the more cluttered stores, not bothering with the open layout ones. At the escalators, she paused. “He split from us when we were still downstairs, and rode up here.” She stood in front of the up escalator as if she just got off and looked around. He’d only been gone thirty minutes, give or take so he probably wasn’t too far.

She spotted a shop which looked to have Earth goodies, her and Hunk passed up on checking it out earlier because of their limited time- but it was the sort of place Lance could get lost in for hours. Just as she stepped away from the escalators, a familiar green jacket caught her eye on the other side of the walkway.

Lance didn’t seem to be aware of the time as he meandered into another shop. Of all the shops, Lance chose a clothing boutique. Pidge followed him in, noting the two bags already in his hand.

“Lance,” She said in most deadpan voice she could muster.

He jumped, turning around to face her and clutching his bags to his chest. “Pidge. Um. I thought you and Hunk were cool with me uh, doing my own thing.”

“We were, until you didn’t show for the pick-up time.”

Lance groaned. “I still don’t understand why we couldn’t take our own pods.” At Pidge’s incredulous face, he added, “Yea, yea; too high risk, we could get caught, what if this, what if that. Well, I say it’s worth the risk for a man to be able to shop on his own time!”

Pidge leveled a stare at Lance. “Whatever. Let’s go, Coran is probably getting fed up with waiting.”

Lance bit his lip, deflating. “Fine,” He surrendered and walked towards her with his shoulders sagged and bags hanging limp at his side.

“Wait.” Pidge sighed. “We’re already late, a few more minutes won’t hurt. Get what you need here. Quickly.”

Lance blushed and ducked his head. “I don’t know if I’ll have luck here.”

Pidge reached for the rack behind him and plucked a garment of its hanger. It looked about Lance’s size, actually the whole boutique looked to be about human sizes and proportions with only a few styles having more than two arm holes. “See, finding something that fits won’t be hard.”

Lance wrinkled his nose at the orange and green onesie with a sweater-like material. “Yea…. That’s half the battle.”

Pidge shrugged. “If it fits. And it looks comfortable. Not like anyone will really see you wear it.”

“Not… exactly. I found a practical outfit.” He motioned to the bags he was holding. “But… uh… I need something special.”

“Special?” Pidge blinked up at him. Why would Lance need- ooooh, they were going to be checking allies in sector D390 in the coming days, and Gunga City was on that route. Hunk mentioned something about a mer-lady or something. What was her name? She mentally shrugged. “Like, for a lady?”

Lance wouldn’t meet her gaze and silently nodded.

“Well. Let’s find something that will impress her more than your paladin armor…” Pidge moved through the racks of clothes, hiding her disappointed frown from Lance. Flirting was one thing. Lance flirted with everyone- well, everyone except her. Yet, she hadn’t given up hope. But if he was putting effort into something beyond lame lines?

She smiled to herself, weirdly happy for Lance. She only hoped he didn’t get his heart broken. A blue shirt caught her eye, it was reminiscent of an Earth style, though the collar was a more ornate cut. It would suit him well.

“What about this one?” She turned to hold it up for Lance and didn’t see him. “Lance?”

He emerged from a hidden door which led to a dressing room. “I found it. Let’s go.” A pile a white and blue was bunched in his arms and he quickly took them to the shop keep to pay for them. Pidge looked around to figure out what he purchased, but blue and white was in most of the clothing.

“Come on, we’re going to be late.” He grabbed her wrist and briskly walked out.

“Oh, now you care about the time?” Pidge let him drag her out of the store. Her arm felt cold when he let go.

Hunk waved as they came into view. He was leaning against the wall, and pushed off it when they got to the door. “He just now got here.”

Lance smirked, “See, no harm!”

They wordlessly piled into the pod, both Hunk and Pidge sitting across from Lance. Coran was his chipper self as he prattled on about his memories of this smaller mall 'back in the day’.

“I was soooo bored waiting for you guys.” Hunk eyed Lance’s bags, “What was so important anyway?” He pulled Lance’s bags towards him. While Lance protested, Hunk poked into each one. “Clothes? A hat? More clothes? What’s this?” He held up a bottle to examine.

“Moisturizer for my face.” Lance snatched it out of Hunk’s hand along with his bags.

Pidge sighed, staring out the window as the two best friends bickered.

They arrived back at the castle just before dinner. Hunk and Pidge made a beeline for the dining room while Lance ran to stow his bags in his room.

Shiro and Keith were already seated and greeted them when they entered. “Have fun? Buy anything good?”

Pidge slumped into her seat, “No luck.”

Hunk grinned. “I tried some great dishes at the food court.”

“Yea, those were good.” Pidge was infinity happy Hunk convinced her to try some. “You two have fun with Allura?”

They shared a look. Shiro sighed, “I didn’t expect her to want us to reorganize the library. I thought it would be a fun day of reading, maybe find something that could help us.”

“She didn’t even want to break for dinner.”

By the time Lance joined them, the food was already served. He fell into the seat opposite of Pidge and dug in without a word. Hunk shot him a look and mumbled about “annoying best friends”.

Coran came to take their plates. “Now, now, don’t rush off. I have a yummy dessert for you guys!”

Pidge frowned and shot Shiro a questioning look. He wouldn’t have-

She got her answer when Coran burst back in with a plate of cupcakes and sat one with a slim candle in front of her.

“Guys…” She glared at Shiro, who smiled brightly at her.

“Happy birthday,” Shrio and Keith said in unison.

“Happy birthday!” Hunk nudged her with his shoulder and handed her a small bag. She sniffed it and immediately recognized the fudge-like confection they found earlier.

“Thank you!”

Lance blinked at her from across the table. “I didn’t know. Uh. Happy birthday.”

“Happy birthday,” Coran said, distracting her from Lance. She hadn’t even wanted them to know, so why did Lance not knowing hurt so much? “Now, I believe tradition on Earth is to blow out the candle and make a wish?”

Pidge blew out the candle without fanfare, and wouldn’t share her wish no matter how much Coran and Hunk pressed. Truth was, she didn’t wish for anything.

After a short training session with the lions, they all called it a night. Pidge was settling into her room when someone knocked at her door.

She opened her door, finding Allura beaming at her. “Sorry I missed your birthday celebration at dinner. I hadn’t realized it was today… anyway…” She handed her a book. “I hope you like it. I found it while cleaning out the library and just knew you should have it.”

Pidge looked down at the book. It was mostly photos and drawings of plants and small animals. “Allura…”

“Is this…” She recognized the language as Dalterion.

Allura pulled her into a hug. “Trigrel would want her studies to go to the new green paladin. If I find more of her note books, I’ll pass them along.”

“Thank you, Allura.”

“Well, good night.” With that, she left.

Before Pidge could return to her bed, another knock came at her door. She opened it, “Forget something, Allu-”

Lance shuffled his feet. “Uh, hi Pidge.”

“Hi, Lance?” She eyed him from head to toe. “Is this the outfit you bought to impress your lady friend?”

Lance nodded. Pidge took in the outfit, it was almost Altean in style, but without the flash of Allura and Coran’s outfits. It fit him well, accenting his strong chest and lithe waist. The blue brought out his eyes perfectly.

“I think she’ll love it. It’s a little over the top, but so are you.” Pidge was about to wish him good night when Lance sighed.

“Mind if I come in?”

“Uh, sure?” She held open the door for him, taking note of his fidgeting. “Everything alright?”

Lance nodded.

“Sooooo?”

Lance threw his head back. Pidge barely heard his whispered, “Ugh! Why am I so bad at this?”

“Lance.”

“Okay!” Then, calmer, “okay.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Here.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out box with a bow on it. Without looking at her, he thrust the box in her direction.

Pidge took the offered box.

“Happy birthday.” Lance shuffled his feet again. “I lied earlier. I just wanted to give this to you alone.”

Pidge carefully opened the box. “A game boy?” She blinked up at Lance.

“I could only find two games for it…”

Pidge launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Thank you!” She pulled away, “I thought you didn’t really care that much…”

“Of-” Lance cleared his throat, “-of course I care. I spent all day searching for the perfect gift and the perfect outfit.”

Pidge’s brain shut off. “Come again?”

Lance swallowed. “I’m a mess around you. I can’t flirt, I get tongue tied. And I didn’t know how else to… ask you…if…so, I wanted to get you  great gift. As soon and Shiro mentioned your birthday I knew I wanted to find this for you. And you’re a good friend, so don’t think this is just because I like you as more than that. Well, it is. But I get all of my friends great birthday presents, ask Hunk. And-”

“Lance.” Pidge sighed at the man in front of her. “You’re such a dork.” She wrapped her arms around him again. “I can’t wait to play the games. Thank you.”

“Um.” Lance held her loosely.

“I like you too,” Pidge said into his silky shirt. “You could have just told me instead of the fanfare.”

“Psssh. You like it, Pidge.”

“Yea,” She admitted. “And Lance? Call me Katie.”

Thank you again for the cute prompt!