#ft. alder

[hazel-sawyer]

––––– pruning the family tree, act i 

Loneliness was a deep pit. To claw your way out of it, in Panem, would be a nearly insurmountable task; if grief tangled its vicious hands into the fabric of your psyche you were trapped in the cycle:

Learn to live with and without.

Live without tesserae. Live with turning into the oldest sibling. Live without summer days spent in swimming holes. Live with a near-catatonic mother. Live without a shoulder to cry on. Live with little brothers worried that they’re next. Live without a sister. Live with just yourself.

Loneliness for Hazel then bred obsession. If she could play back each second of the Games to identify where everything had gone abysmally wrong for her sister, it all led back to Holland fucking Westbrook. Watching Aspen’s interview and knowing her sister damn well enough to recognize a crush was the first red flag. Then there was the murder – Holland’s fault, even the courts agreed. It felt like every time Hazel even glanced at the Games all her sister was doing was keeping Holland from going completely insane. And what did she get for it? A sword through her rib cage. Holland’s fault. 

Training was all Hazel had to channel a blind rage into. In a year, if felt she was strong enough, ready enough to take on the Hunger Games, she’d volunteer. Grouping in Pepper, who had lost her sister the same way Hazel lost Aspen was easy. Having a guaranteed person to watch her back settled Hazel and made it easier to focus on honing her skills. 

Feint to the right shoulder, cut toward the back of the knee. Duck under, pass back, go corps a corps into a headbutt. They’re down on the ground. Moulinet in order to get more momentum with your swing. Dead. The stronger the swing the less time it would take to kill someone. Major arteries would make sure they’d bleed out faster. If arteries weren’t available she’d go for the gut, gullet, ankle. If she had to tear them from sinew to bone she’d do it. Winning was the only way to make things right for Aspen – the only path Hazel had to clear her sister’s honor.

Hazel walked toward the Reaping, wondering how her sister felt the day she heard her named called. She wore the same dress, they bore the same age now – Hazel drawing nearer to nineteen than Aspen ever would. This wouldn’t be the same experience, she wasn’t literally standing in her sister’s shoes. Aspen was forced into the Games. Hazel was volunteering. 

Each of her hands were taken in a vice by her smaller brothers – this had become their ritual since the last Games. They wanted to hold extra tight to Hazel, ‘In case what happened to Aspen happens to you’. She almost couldn’t bring herself to think of the aftermath of her volunteering, they wouldn’t forgive her and she wouldn’t blame them.

The commotion of the escort for District Seven dipping his hand into the bowl of names brought a hush over the jittery crowd. No one wanted to be a part of the Games. They had more than served their purpose at this juncture and yet the biannual torture remained. 

“Alder Reid.” 

Hazel cut her attention around the crowd, trying to locate who she knew to be one of Seven’s very few Victors. If this were any other variety of lottery, she would almost consider him lucky – what were the odds Alder would be selected twice in such a short span of time? Hazel, however, wasn’t looking to be merciful, this man was in a long line of people who had, incidentally, let the Sawyer family down. Impatiently she began to bounce in place as they dragged Alder onto the stage muttering to herself, “Come on, come on, come on.”

She worried about the potential for cold-feet, not wanting to engage in letting Aspen down. Not in the final thing she would be able to do for her. It wouldn’t be fair. A young girl she recognized as being a part of her brother Teak’s class was called – the same age as Pepper. The poor thing shook and Hazel was relieved to help take her place.

“Are there any volunteers?”

Hazel’s hands lost purchase with both of her brothers, soaring directly into the air. The boys reached at her arms, wanting to pull her hand back downward, pleading softly. Her voice rang out, “I volunteer!” 

Pepper volunteered mere seconds after Hazel. Their plan was working out. They were going to be in there together and – if they were lucky – one of them would get out. One of them would live. 

Her face grew hard as Peacekeepers descended into the crowd, quickly creating a path to usher Hazel and Pepper up to the stage. She approached the side where Alder stood, her chest held high, confidence blooming brightly across her chest, despite the deafening pleas that poured out of the man’s mouth. Even if she had wanted to take it back, it was too late now. 

She would do it for her mom. 

She would do it for her brothers. 

She’d do it for herself

She’d do it for Aspen.

[celestielcas]

Mudroom Denver

Entryway - mid-sized rustic light wood floor and brown floor entryway idea with a dark wood front door

[caseyrussell]

who: @alicealder what: if only i knew... for i do not... where: the holly party!

It's late in the evening by the time Casey settles into the game room - tired of hanging around the backyard secretly sipping from a cup of spiked eggnog for most of the night. He immediately sets upon trying to find a game - something that'll occupy their time a little better than drinking and philosophising. Which, arguably, is most of the conversations he seems to have with Alice. "Y'know, the Monopoly guy has never actually had a monocle," he states over his shoulder, jiggling the box slightly in his hand and listening as the pieces inside rattle around. He'd never really liked Monopoly. Perhaps because he was a little too competitive with it - like the game would be the closest he'd ever really be to being some tycoon, slowly taking over the world with his little fake property empire. "Complete myth, like one of those - uh - Nelson Mandela effects." He finally takes the box from the shelf, setting it down on one of the tables in the room and cracking open the lid before throwing Alice a wry smirk. "Wanna play? Promise I won't go full anti-Marx on you... Karl not Richard."

[foxufortunes]

From: unknown number you’ve been invited to a monsters ball lucky you rabbit

Finally, the fic is out, A Monsters' Ball the pro-exy team MSBY Black Jackals (ft Andreil and some rabbits). Details like team line up and positions, alt jerseys, layers and some backstories beneath the cut.

So, our team line up and some details (and yes, I do have a colour coded spreadsheet to keep track of all this, which Neil and Sakusa constantly mess up by being the wrong year for their age bc they're babies, but ages are rough because no everyone has a declared birthday/age) with some art breaks between:

#4 Captain Meian Shuugo - 29, backliner, 5yrs MSBY, 5yrs college, from one of the country's best high school teams, 1 season as captain, trying really hard to be mature and not find everyone's antics funny, eternal rival to Hirugami Fukurou, captain of the champions, the Alders.

#20 V.Captain Hirugami Shouko - 26, backliner, 2yrs MSBY, 5yrs college, from another top high school, middle child of 2 pro-exy players (two of the earliest adopters before it got big, probably ppl who went to uni with Tetsuji and Kayleigh), younger sister of Alders captain Fukurou, joined the Jackals out of desire to say fuck you to her older brother.

#2 Amani Kanoka - 23, striker, rookie MSBY, 5yrs college, from a private all girls high school that became the best in the country, known as the Queens of Exy, very shy, has a lot of confidence issues, that she handles by being the best on court.

#5 Nathaniel Wesninski - 24, striker, MSBY rookie, 1yr Baltimore Wildcats, 4.5 yrs EAU Ravens, 0.5yrs PSU Foxes, joined the Foxes after only a year playing in a nowhere team but was quickly poached by the Ravens at Christmas that year and was a regular member the team the next year under his real name, very flighty, big fan of secrets, no idea how to handle the Jackals' chaos (they're like the Foxes but without the trauma).

#12 Bokuto Koutarou - 24, striker, 1yr MSBY, 5yrs college, one of the top 5 strikers in Japan in high school, another top high school team, ultimate himbo, might have committed tax fraud, has a word of the day calendar he's trying really hard to use properly, known for super sharp angle shots and for just bodying people and the ball.

#15 Sakusa Kiyoomi - 22, striker, rookie MSBY, 5yrs college, championship highschool team several yrs running, one of the top 3 strikers in Japan in high school, collegiate MVP, Team Japan 2016 squad, Team Japan U19 rep, grumpy baby, very into properly folded handkerchiefs, do not touch, preferably do not interact outside of court, speak to him via his adorable cousin or not at all unless saving him from bugs.

Halfway through the team stats, time for some art. The Away Colours! Maybe the racquets change to white too, idk I couldn't be bothered to recolour them though.

Ok, back to the second half of the team:

#3 Andrew Minyard - 25, goalkeeper, 2yrs MSBY, 3yrs USC Trojans, 2yrs PSU Foxes, best goalkeeper and rookie awards during his rookie season, didn't really tell anyone his plans after university just kind of vanished, only told a handful of people he'd signed for a team, Neil thought he was dead, he has a motorcycle now because city traffic is awful on his sports cars and the stadium is walking distance, sometimes plays defensive dealer.

#6 Inunaki Shion - 26, goalkeeper, 4yrs MSBY, 3yrs college (dropped out to go pro), middling high school only competed nationally once, the vodka aunt of the team, here to get people drunk, instigate drama with the monsters and then sit back and laugh, actually very soft on the youngsters, tolerates stupid nicknames like Inu-san and Wan-san (never get tired of that being translated Mr Dog and Mr Woof).

#9 Adriah Tomas - 27, backliner, 1yr MSBY, a transfer from European leagues, surprisingly fast for his size, just happy to be here, comes across as a bit of an airhead, but is usually right next to Inunaki instigating chaos and then pretending he doesn't understand the language enough to know what happened.

#10 Oliver Barnes - 30, backliner, 2yr MSBY, Team USA 2016/2012 Olympic squads, transfer from America, big friendly softie, dad of the team, actual dad of a 5yo girl, starting to consider retirement into coaching so is happy to spend the end of his elite career with these idiots.

#13 Miya Atsumu - 23, offensive dealer, 5yrs MSBY, Team Japan 2016 Olypmic squad, Team Japan U19 rep, from a top high school, considered the best dealer in Japan in high school, signed straight from high school, a particularly offensive dealer, easily doubles as striker, all rounder (all Jackals are all rounders but the dealers in particular), demanding and thoughtless jerk but not trying to be nasty, can come across as arrogant but is the first to accept his own mistakes.

#21 Hinata Shouyou - 22, defensive dealer, MSBY rookie, 2yrs playing street exy in Brazil, middling high school team on the rise, player backliner in high school despite wanting to be a striker, but learned to play all positions in Brazil, sometimes move position based on what team they're facing, general ray of sunshine, obsessed with exy, does meditation and yoga in the sunrise preferably on a beach.

Ok, team done, have some more art because yes, I did layer these team pics up slowly from the base dri-fit layers to the armour/padding to the jerseys.

The Jackals provide uniform everything from base layers to padding to anything like compression sleeves, knee/arm pads and everything else. Armour is provided by them to ensure it's up to regulation and team standards, the Jackals require some kind of shoulder padding (most of the team has detachable shoulder pads, while Bokuto and Sakusa who prefer more shoulder rotation and just more coverage respectively, where seperate bicep/shoulder pads). I've talked more about armour on older wip posts, but they're based on lacrosse chest pads. Brief version: strikers were shorter, around the vitals, backliners generally are longer on the sides to protect the ribs, goalies have more coverage because duh, and dealers wear whatever they like. Every single one has either hollow rigid or extra padded piece over the centre of the chest because, especially in younger players, a ball to the chest can stop your heart.

And there we go!

[vyvilha]

shchedryi vechir

(ft. @vilha-alder on the third photo)

[sso-montana]

Alder Wolfcake

Hey Ooh If I get too close And I'm not how you hoped Forgive my northern attitude Oh, I was raised out in the cold

Noah Kahan ft. Hozier: Northern Attitude

Alder belongs to @ald3r-wolfcak3

[dapplemoth]

Bramblestar x Jessy hypos?

I never actually finished reading bramblestar's storm so I had to skim Jessy's page a bit.

They have only one kit, a tiger clone named Sharpshade

ft. half siblings Sparkkit and Alderkit :) (originally I intended him to be a young apprentice here but then I realized the timelines don't mesh up so he's a manlet lmao)

More info under the cut

Squirrelflight and Bramblestar do not have a romantic (at the time anyway) relationship in Bramblestar's Storm, it is strictly professional. Because of this, Jessy decides to join the clan and becomes Bramblestar's mate for a while. However the two come to realize that they don't work well together and decide to split up by the time Sharpkit is weaned. They're both able to come up with a custody agreement where Sharpkit will primarily be raised by the clan but Jessy can visit her kit as much as she pleases. Not everyone is happy with just letting an ex classmate barge into camp whenever she wants but eventually they all shut up and get used to it.

Sharpkit has a... relatively happy childhood all things considered, he gets to grow up having three parents (bramble, squilf, and Jessy) and is overall a pretty mellow little guy. Although he's far, far closer to Jessy and his step mom than he is to Bramblestar. He can't help but feel Bramble may...resent him a bit with how much of a black sheep he is when compared to the rest of the Bramblesquirrel family, this fear grows even worse when Squirrelflight reveals she's expecting kits and suddenly Bramblestar barely talks to him anymore. Unfortunately, he is not immune to the warriors trope of 'not telling anyone anything' and decides to distract himself by helping out in the medicine den.

When Squilf's kits are born he does everything he can to make sure she and the kits have the best of care. He almost acts as a second nursery queen, often covering for Squirrelflight whenever she needs to get out and stretch her legs. Bramblestar even starts talking to him more frequently, and he learns new, exciting things about fathers past during their chats together..although some tension still remains.

He is a very good brother to both Alder and Spark throughout their entire lives and always makes an attempt to stay in touch no matter how busy he gets. I don't think he'd ever have a pov role but hes a nice supportive presence within the clan.

In Squirrelflights Hope/ The Broken Code he'd have a more prominent role. In those books he'd be less 'mellow lil dude' to 'I'm breaking every bone in your body if you say something to me or my family one more time'. He calls out Bramble for his treatment of Squilf and starts purposely putting himself between them if he senses things are going south. Sharps relationship with Bramble is already deeply shaken but by the time the imposter situation comes about the damage is irreversible. Like, he realizes Bramblestar was not in control of his actions and technically not at fault but he can't look at him the same way anymore. Sure, he still cares for Bramblestar and loves him, but he can't ever forgive him..not after everything thats happened.

He almost considers leaving Thunderclan for good and living with his mother, Jessy, but ultimately decides he wants to be there for Squilf and the rest of his clan born family.

[cress-meadowforge]

MTO + Playlists (Noah Kahan)

we'll all be here forever.

ft. @sitting-on-the-bottom, @nano-cache, @slate-skylar, @catmillers, @alder-reid, @cress-meadowforge, @greer-morgan, @sheenlux

[mack-montresor]

vox populi alliance (134)

You can't fathom that anything is more important than your own life. You have no idea what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself. But we all play our parts.

This is mine.

ft. @slate-skylar, @bramble--berry, @mercuria-trout, @nettleberry, @catmillers, @cress-meadowforge, @alder-reid, @nano--byte

[burning-thistles-bt]

Alder's Ship Tier List

AT LAST. I HAVE FINISHED IT.

See undercut for names in categories/little blurbs i put in some. Not all have my thoughts at the moment because BRAINDEAD but yeah.

at last!

I would DIE for them:

DarkCherry

Ship Ship <;3:

FireSand

CopperDawn

DawnReed

CinderLizard

NightScraps

SwiftAdder

LongCreek

RavenBarley

SpottedFrost

SilverLightning

CricketGremlin

GrayGremlin

GrayMille

StormRobin

SwiftSwamp

SwiftSwampLynx

SwiftTulip

TallBubbles

TallWet

TallWetBubbles

TallJake

WhiteWillow

ShortStorm

Lowkey ship/Side ship:

BrightCloud

RunningFire

BlueThrushOak

DeadCloud

What Lolling said about them being boyfriends as apprentices and then being awkward deputies has brought them up here lmao

YellowBlue

This is definetely heavily influenced by the OG canon, but sue me! I love old moms with their adoptive son <3

FernCliff

Cute:

BadgerBlossom

RedSoot

BrightCloudSwift

I also see this as a BroTP

SnowCliff

MorningAir

Also BroTP because they are Queer-Platonic <3

ElderMistle

BadgerBlossomRavenBarley

FeatherRaven

RunningRed

BrindleWhiteWillow

BrackenSorrel

LynxSwamp

FeatherShips

FeatherRavenBarley

FeatherBrackenRavenBarley

FeatherBrackenSorrel

PrimroseWood

CinderAsh

ShadeVixen

SwiftTulipSwamp

MudSorrel

FernDust

One-Half

SnowTawny

SoftOwl

TawnyMistle

RowanTawny

BroTP

DarkFire

It's also Complicated TM

ElderReed

CopperCinder

OatSmoke

CopperDawnCinderAsh

PerchLizard

SnowTulip

SnowBramble

SpottedWhite

LongFire

Don't ship in BT context, but I can see it in canon :3

Friends :D

look at me over here friendzoning so many ships lmao XD

DarkRunningFire

It's still Complicated TM

BrambleMistle

ElderCliff

FireCherry

Cherry did have a brief unrequited crush on Fire as a kit

Got over it fast though lol

OakReed

Reedwhisker just likes collecting half-clan friends lmao

MistyFire

FangTawny

Cute, but I mainly see them as friends - although I could get on board the ship :D

RedBrindle

BrindleWhite

CherrySand

CloudElder

CloudFern

CopperAsh

BadgerRaven

FeatherBarley

SwiftAsh

NightPrimrose

RunningBarley

TurtleTawny

OneAir

TallDawn

TallSand

Frenemies

DarkRunning

CloudSwift

MouseLightning

SandCreek

By Frenemies I mean they butt heads at times hehe

It's Complicated

CreekOliver

BrambleSquirrel

BlueOak

TawnyGorse

No spoilers but...it's complicated 👀

FeatherGray

CricketLynx

RedTiger

FT Apprentice Group

CreekOliverLong

PPKK Apprentice Group

GraySilver

SmallSpeckle

Justice for Speckletail 2k23

NightSwamp

WillowAsh

ShortOscar

FuzzyRobin

FuzzyRobinPatch

RaggedYellow

RippleGray

TigerSasha

GoldenTiger

Toxic but Intriguing

BrindleBeach

BrownApple

CindersLightning

CindersWhispersLightning

BlackMisty

Lolling hit it on the nail

All about the divorce couple vibes here

OneWhite

OneSmoke

FuryLightning

SnowThistle

In Lolling's video, she says that she sees their relationship as not "Snow making Thistle a better guy" but "Thistle making Snow a worse person" and I'm in that same boat :)

Also Burn in Hell because Thistle deserves nobody <3

Also also yes I agree Lolling Snow bitch-slapped Thistle at his nine lives ceremony it's canon we don't make the rules (yes we do-)

DarkTiger

BlackTiger

FrostLion

The flavor Lolling has been throwing at us specifically :)))

LightningShips

GrassLightning

OakThistle

Oakheart is ThunderClansexual and we don't make the rules lmao

though it's also Burn in Hell because again, Thistle deserves nobody :)

TigerLeopard

Unrequited Beloved

OneFire

CherryCreek

FeatherBracken

RobinLizard

SedgeLightning

RedFrost

BlueThrush

WhiteTiger

Tiger got brother-zoned so hard it's funny XD

WhiteSilver

LizardPrimrose

RedWhite

SilverAir

DustLynx

Crack

BrachioMisty

LeopardLightning

WhiteAir

SilverCinders

SilverCindersLightning

SilverLightningGray

BellCreek

TigerScourge

ThrushOak

GrayWhite

ShortStormOscar

No Opinion

CindersWhispers

CopperRunning

BlueSpotted

BrightSwift

GrassAir

FernWolf

Fernshade beloved <3 but we barely see her and Wolf's relationship, even though we can conclude they are probably very cute together <3

AshThorn

FeatherRobin

FernThorn

RedBrindleWhite

FeatherRavenGray

FeatherGraySilver

PikeRobin

PerchRobin

SpottedBrindle

SpottedScourge

SpottedTiger

SpottedDead

CloudSpotted

BrokenBlack

OneBrush

I haven't read Onestar's super edition so I have zero clue who Brushpaw is lmao

WhiteLeopard

TornScorch

ThornCliff

SmallFuzzy

RunningStone

MoonPatch

WillowAshWhite

LittleOak

CedarNight

FuryMinty

FuzzyPatch

DeadAsh

DeadAshAir

RobinSpeckle

MallowVole

GoldenPatch

Burn in Hell

like Lolling, I like these ships as they're supposed to be - toxic - but also i want them to burn in hell <3

you can guess who they all entail probably lol

BlueThistle

GrassThistle

PerchThistle

FinchDawn

FinchBubbles

FrostThistle

SpottedThistle

ThistleVixen

ThistleShade

ThistleShips

WhispersLightning

QuinceThistle

MapleThistle

WillowTawny

RippleFinch

RippleLightning

WillieMinty

Minty deserved better tbh <-says one of the two people who screwed up her life

[ker-bee]

9500 ft in Alder Creek, White Knob Mountains.

[lilacveiledsea]

Show Stopper

Rekindled love ft. Suna x fem!reader, slight Atsumu x fem!reader

A/n: Part of @hishalo s “it’s always been you”collab

Word count-4K

Warnings- swearing, alcohol

Love is a strange thing, it’s not always for everyone. You think you meet “the one” at a young age, and things don’t go the way you both thought they would. It was sad really, everyone back then saw how much he loved you, now you sit and wonder what you could’ve done better, what could’ve been. Sighing, you placed the old framed photo of you and your high school boyfriend Suna Rintaro back down into the box. You thought you had gotten rid of them all, but one ended up staying behind. Never did you think your parents would send it with the rest of your stuff from your childhood bedroom when you got your own place. You would think that 3 years would be long enough for you to get over him, but the thing is, you really loved —scratch that— love him. No one treated you the way he did, nobody loved or cared about you the way Suna had… Shaking your head to clear your daze, you finished unpacking the box, putting the picture into one of your desk drawers for later. “I wonder what he and Kita are up to nowadays” you asked out loud.

After high school you lost touch with the former captain and middle blocker, but kept in touch with the Miya twins. As if sensing your curiosity, your ringtone started to blare from your speakers as you got a call, from none other than the Atsumu Miya. “Jesus Christ!” Standing up, you answered the call. “Yes ‘Tsumu? Can I help you? It’s almost midnight.” “Y/N! So glad you’re still awake! I need a favor please…. Hehe, it’s funny actually.. Umm I kinda need you to be my date to an event that MSBY is having me go to, there’s going to be a lot of other teams there as well and I don’t want to go alone.” Atsumu insisted. “Why me? You have a lot of fangirls that I’m sure would love to go—.” Before you could finish your statement Atsumu interjected, “No. Only you, and that’s final. Please! Help your bestie out here!” he whined into the receiver. Sighing as you made your way to the living room couch, you reluctantly agreed. “Who’s going to be there and what do I need to wear? I haven’t unpacked my closet fully yet…” “Don’t worry about dress code, I’ll handle that. And the attendees will be a lot of people, obviously MSBY, I think the Sendai Frogs will be there, so will the Alders and maybe EJP. The event is tomorrow night… I know it’s short notice, but I forgot about it until Omi was talking about it in the locker room after practice today.” Knowing the faux blonde, he was probably rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke that sentence. “Ok ‘Tsumu, I’ll go with you.” Just before he could say anything else, you added, “BUT! But, you need to come over and help me finish unpacking this weekend, deal?” He hummed in response. “Ok I’ll see you tomorrow Y/n, I’ll bring you your dress around 6 ok? Bye!” After saying goodbye you went to get ready for bed.

Just like he said, Atsumu showed up at your apartment at 6, with two garment bags in tow. “The event starts at 7:30, I’m gonna get ready here as well.” he said as he toed off his shoes at the entrance. As the both of you got ready you couldn’t help but stare at the stunning dress Atsumu had brought you. It matched his suit perfectly, a deep burgundy red, floor length gown, with gold accent threads throughout, cutouts on the sides of your waist, and a knee high slit going up your left leg, he even got you matching shoes. Walking out of your bathroom, Atsumu looked you up and down, “Damn! I was right to trust my managers with picking out your look, you look amazing y/n!” he said as he buttoned his jacket. The two of you took a couple of pictures in your mirror, his arm around you, pulling you close by your waist (mostly to deter the fan girls). After posting a couple of your favorites to his socials, you headed to the hall where the event was being held.

The hall was packed, from players, to coaches, to even the owners of the teams. The main floor was brightly lit, while the tables all had a soft glow to them which made it almost romantic like. this was way out of your comfort zone so you held onto Atsumu’s arm as he walked in. Once fully in the crowd, Atsumu removed your hand from his arm and pulled you to a wall away from most people. “Stay here, I’ll be right back, I promise! I’m going to go find the rest of MSBY and I’ll come get you after ok? It shouldn’t be too long and if anyone finds you first, call me. I have my phone.” He said as he pulled you closer to his side. Leaning down he whispered, “I love you, I’ll only be gone for a few minutes, ok?” Before you could respond to him he left. The shock was evident on your face, why would he say that? Does he like you more than best friends or is that an “I love you” in a friend way? Either way, you didn’t know what to think, you’ll just ask him about it later. Shaking off the initial shock, you started looking around at the people around you, there were a few that you recognized, the guys from the Alders, some from Sendai, and two you couldn’t place into a team. “This is way too much, I either need Atsumu to come back or a drink, maybe both..” you muttered to yourself and you pulled your phone out from your clutch purse. Just as you were going to start scrolling through your socials, you felt a tap on your shoulder. “Excuse me?” the person asked to get your attention. Looking up you saw none other than Kiyoomi Sakusa. “OH! Omi! Hi, did ‘Tsumu send you over?” you questioned. Shaking his head no, he started to look around, “I thought he was with you, did he really leave his date behind to find the team?” he asked in exasperation. As you were going to respond, a strong arm pulled you close, at first you were panicked, but then a familiar smell took over your senses. “Sorry n/n. That took longer than I thought!” Spinning you around to face him, he handed you a drink. “Here ya go! Thought you could use it.” he said, laughing. Smiling at him over the glass, you whispered a small thank you. “Atsumu! You asshole! You just left y/n alone?? In a place where she only knows a few people??” Sakusa argued. Looking over to his fellow teammate, the setter just rolled his hazel eyes. “OH shut the hell up Omi, it wasn’t for that long, she’s fine.” he retorted, while undoing the button on his jacket. The two teammates just gave each other stern looks before the setter pulled you guys to the table with the rest of the MSBY team.

It had been about 45 minutes since your best friend had brought you to the table with the rest of the team and he was nowhere to be found again… He had left 15ish minutes after making sure you were situated and comfortable with the rest of the team. “HEY! HEY! HEY! Y/n! Where did ‘Tsumu go?? I thought he was your date for tonight?” Bokuto shouted as he made his way back to the table with Kuroo in tow. Shrugging your shoulders in response, the owl-like male sat down next to you. “Hey, where’s the bathroom?” you asked the table. They pointed you in the direction, but what you weren’t expecting to find was your date pushing another woman up against the wall in the dimly lit back corner by the bathrooms. Letting out a gasp, you stumbled back a little bit, into a person nonetheless.. You don’t know why you were shocked.. It’s not like you and Atsumu were dating, but a small part of you thought that with him saying “I love you” your relationship may have been able to go to the next stage and you’d finally be able to get over Suna.. This shock felt more like a betrayal than anything else… Why bring you as his date if he was going to just hook up with random women throughout the night. Warm hands on the slightly exposed skin of your waist are what brought you back down to earth. It’s then you remembered you stumbled back into a person due to your shock. “Whoa, are you alright? You almost took a fall there.” That voice! Your eyes widened in recognition, your savior sounded just like your first love… Though you haven’t heard that voice in years. Slowly turning around in the strangers grasp, you came face to face with exactly who you thought. “Suna…” you breathed out. The man gave you a look of confusion. “Yes? Do I know you?” he questioned as he looked you over. He needed to do a double take, you saw his eyes grow as he slowly started to remember you. “Y/n….hi.” he stammered out. His face and yours started to grow warm at the realization that he still had his hands on your waist. He removed his hands hastily and rubbed his neck nervously. “Hi Rintaro. How have you been?” The situation you just witnessed starting to fade from your mind.. Or so you hoped. Your voice along with Suna’s caught Atsumu’s attention. Seems like he was finished with the women he was with. “YO! What the fuck do you think you’re doing talking to her?!? You shouldn’t be near y/n!” Atsumu snarled as he approached you both. He immediately stood in between you with a protective arm outstretched in front of you. “Hello to you as well Miya…” Suna said unenthusiastically while rolling his green fox-like eyes.

Atsumu has always been protective of you when it came to Suna after you both broke up in third year. “That is enough!” you exclaimed as you made your way to Suna’s side to look at Atsumu. “Babe, no. He shouldn’t be talking to you! He broke your heart, he forfeited all his right to you when he left you.” the blonde male mentioned as he tried to get you back behind him. “Babe?” Suna whispered to himself as he looked between the two of you. Atsumu calling you babe really messed with your head even further than the “I love you” comment did. Shoving your best friend further away from your ex, you pulled him down to your level. “Let’s get something straight here Miya Atsumu.” you said sternly before continuing, “1. You don’t get to call me “babe” after what I just caught you doing! 2. I can protect myself! It’s Suna. He won’t hurt me. So shut up about it. 3. We’ll discuss what happened earlier and right now later. Because you have fucked with my head way too much tonight. Now get back to the table with the rest of the team, I’ll be there soon,” with that you pushed him away from you slightly. The smile you gave him was something he wasn’t used to; instead of warmth and love radiating from it, it was now cold and almost emotionless. The tall male had a dejected look on his face as he turned around to face you one more time before walking away.

Turning to face Suna, you smiled. “I'm so sorry about him… he’s been very protective of me ever since we broke up.” He understood, he would do the same if he had been in Atsumu’s place. “Don’t worry about him, it’s understandable” he waved off your concerns. “I just want to say, you look beautiful tonight, even if he doesn’t want to stay by your side. Which by the way is stupid, who wouldn’t want to be seen with you on their arm?” Rin said as he led you away from the corner you were both in. Laughing at his remark you placed your hand on his arm, “Thank you, that's very kind, but Atsumu doesn’t need me on his arm. Yes I may have come with him, but with what I witnessed before literally bumping into you, I don't know what to think anymore.. But enough about that!! How have you been? What are you doing now?” you asked, with a sudden change in emotion. Suna went on to explain his life during the past three years, going pro with volleyball, the hardships that came with it, how his family was doing, but there was one topic he avoided and that was relationships. That made you curious, how did a pro athlete not have a girlfriend? With all the fangirls around you’d think he’d fall for one. It’s the same thing with you though, avoiding talking about relationships as long as you could. Talking about life without one another made you sad, this used to be the person you would go to for everything, yes you had the twins and Kita but Suna was the one who understood you the most. Sure you have Atsumu now but you’ll always have a special connection with Suna. The fox-eyed male had taken you to an empty table further into the venue. Pulling out your chair, he bowed a little bit as you sat down. Laughing, you smiled at him as he sat next to you. “Stop me if this is out of line,” Rintaro started, “but despite what has happened in the past, I could be a better boyfriend than him, I’d never leave you alone, glued to your phone, especially in a room full of professional athletes who could take you home.” with the way your brows furrowed, he assumed it was due to confusion so he continued “I saw him come in with you, leave then come back a few minutes later with a drink. I promise I'd be able to do the shit that he could never do. I saw him with multiple girls tonight that weren’t you.” Sighing he reached over to hold your hand, “Y/n, what are you doing with someone like that? He doesn’t deserve you…” Lifting his head, he met your eyes. You couldn’t help but notice how mesmerizing the man in front of you looked in the soft candle light emitting from the few candles at your table, “Suna what do you mean? I'm not dating Atsumu. Actually, scratch that, I have no idea what he and I are at the moment..” sighing you tighten your grip on his hand. He took this as an opportunity to reach over with his other arm and pull your chair closer to him, he could sense the uneasy, sadness radiating off of you. Removing his hand from your grasp, he wrapped his arms around you in a comforting hug. “What do you mean by that exactly?” he whispered as he slowly started to pull away from the embrace. The soft breath on the shell of your ear made you shiver. You really didn’t want this hug to end so in an effort to keep his arms around you, you pulled slightly on his white suit jacket. His stance faltered slightly as he regained his balance so as to not fall on top of you. “What I mean is that he said he loved me and then called me babe after I caught him with the other woman.” Was it smart to confine in Suna after not speaking for 3 years? Maybe not, but he was slowly rebuilding your trust in him so you could only hope this wouldn’t come back and bite you in the ass.

After telling him everything that had happened with Atsumu, you also mentioned that you hadn’t dated anyone since your break up because nobody felt right, they didn’t treat you the way he had. His eyes screwed shut as he raised his head heavenward. Chucking slightly his checks started to dust themselves crimson. “I haven’t been with anyone else either, girls always try to get with me, especially after taking off due to EJP. The amount of love proclamations I get on a daily basis is insane. Whether it be in person during meet and greets, at games, or through my dms, none of them are real in my eyes.” he revealed as he took a sip of the maple liquid in his cup. He had brought you both drinks after your revelation. Swirling your own glass you looked around yourself. The party had started to get loud, it seemed everyone had a couple of glasses of liquid courage and started to let loose. Even Sakusa was up and on the floor with the rest of MSBY. Suna had noticed your smile fade just as quick as it came when you looked around, following your gaze he found Atsumu with yet another woman. Pulling your attention away by placing his hands on your face, he smirked as he felt your cheeks heat up at the sudden close contact. “Look at me, don't look at him, he’s not worth it.” Suna insisted. Looking up at him with glazed over eyes, you gave him a tight lipped smile. ‘You wouldn’t be like this had it not been for the asshole you called your best friend.’ Suna thought.

Just then he got an idea, whether it was the liquor in his system or just the pettiness in his system, he was going to go with it. “Hey, baby. Let’s go dance, yeah?” he suggested with a mischievous grin on his face. Offering his hand to you as he stood up from his chair, he saw the happiness spread throughout your features. “Baby, huh? Haven’t heard that in a while.” Taking his hand he pulled you up and guided you through the throng of people to get closer to MSBY, not that you were paying attention to that. All you could think was ‘man… this is what I’ve been wanting all along.’ Placing his hands on the exposed skin of your waist, you wrapped yours around the back of his neck. He took this opportunity to pull you as close as physically possible. You two were so close you could feel his heartbeat against your chest. The two of you swayed to the beat of the music, lost in each other’s eyes, not paying attention to anything or anyone around you.

From across the room a certain Miya was watching this with jealousy and anger burning in his eyes. The way your burgundy dress was cascading down your body, the way your hair was basically glowing under the lights, it was ethereal. Anyone could see it, you were a show stopper, but it should’ve been with him in his matching suit, not with Suna in his white one. The woman he was with was completely out of mind as he couldn’t help but stare at you.

Suna caught Atsumu’s eye as he spun you. He smirked. “Hey, n/n? I’m sorry about what’s happened in the past, I’m sorry that I was stupid enough to leave you in high school. Can I have a second chance? Can we start over?” he whispered as he brought his face towards yours. You were so close you could feel his breath on your lips as he spoke, his confession had you shocked. “Yes” was all you were able to mutter out in response. Smiling, he spun you again, once you were in front of him again, he asked, “Can I kiss you?” Awaiting your response he once again looked around to catch Atsumu staring. You nodded your head in agreement just as he pulled you towards him by the back of your head. The kiss was filled with a fiery passion, one that was years in the waiting, it felt like you were in a movie, with the way the rest of the event faded into nothingness as you lost yourself in the lips of the one person you’ve always loved. Once you pulled away, you leaned your forehead against his in an attempt to calm down. “I love you Rin. I always have… I’ve missed you so much.” you mumbled. “I love you too Y/n.” he whispered as he went in for a second kiss.

He motioned with his head back to the table. As you went to sit down, a familiar voice called out your name. “Y/N!!” Looking around as Suna placed his jacket around your shoulders, you saw an upset Atsumu making his way towards you. Suna stayed standing in a protective manner, waiting to see what was going to happen. Once the blonde had reached your table he calmed down a little bit. “What was that!” he growled. “What was what?” you innocently asked. Throwing his arm out to point to the dance floor, “That! The dance, and kiss with your ex boyfriend” he put emphasis on the “ex” . “He’s no longer my ex ‘Tsumu..” you began as you pulled the jacket closer to your body, “...we’re back together. It’s what I’ve always wanted and you know that.” Placing a comforting hand on your shoulder, Suna looked over to his former teammate, “Why do you even care Atsumu? You’ve left her alone all night in favor of other women, so?” your boyfriend argued. “Because she’s my best friend Suna! That’s why! You left her, why do YOU suddenly care so much huh?!?” he replied with a glare. “I don’t have to answer that. If you can’t be happy for her, then don't say anything.” You saw the way he faltered at the words, he kept opening and closing his mouth trying to find a way to respond to the remark. Reaching out, you grabbed his arm, “ ‘Tsumu, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you rendered speechless. But Suna is right. Please. Just let it go. We will talk about tonight later this week ok? I'm tired and I would really just like to go home… so decide amongst yourselves as to who will be taking me. I don’t want to get in between this.” The two men then looked at each other and had a silent conversation. “I’ll take you home y/n, it’ll give us a chance to talk some more.” Suna finally answered. Smiling at the two men in front of you, you stood up to get ready to leave. “Ok. ‘Tsumu I’ll see you tomorrow when you come to get your things ok? Have fun with the rest of the night and we can discuss everything over lunch yeah?” The setter agreed as he hugged you goodbye. “Come on, let’s go.” Rintaro guided you with a gentle hand on your back.

The drive back to your apartment was peaceful and felt familiar, the domestic feeling of it all was lovely. Opening your door for you, he helped you out of his planter seat. “Thank you for bringing me back home Rin. I appreciate it.” As the two of you approached your front door he stopped you from going in, “Of course, it's the least I can do. Y/n? Thank you for taking me back.. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make you happy and to make sure our relationship goes smoothly. I love you. Good night baby.” he gushed as he placed a sweet kiss on your cheek. “Good night.” You smiled as you slowly closed the door as he walked away.

Love is an interesting thing, it will always find its way to you, whether as something new, or something that has found its way back to you. Hopefully this time around with Suna, will be your forever.

© lilacveiledsea 2022 : Please do not claim, modify, copy or repost/translate any of my work on this site or any other site this includes TikTok and YouTube!

Comments, reblogs and feedback are greatly appreciated!

[sparrowsingsstories]

💕 self-love time! talk about which ones of YOUR creations (edits, artworks, fanfics) you like the most then send to other creators to do the same 💕

Thank you @theartofblossoming! Warning - long post ahead!

Currently, it's a toss-up between Cry Mercy (which has a chapter ready to upload, but uh...I need to upload it) and Sparrow's Story (Fly Away Little Bird) and Frankie & Beau's story.

Cry Mercy because...yeah, this story has been pulling me along for well over a year now. We're over 150K words (I think), I'm getting into the last 1/3 of the story, and I'm looking towards part 2 - which I'm tentatively titling No Mercy. Mercy is just great to write. So much emotion, so much grit, so much poly craziness. And incorporating SS2 has been interesting. A new way to look at the game and plot. Of course, this story started the insane OC creation between @alder-berry and I and the weird and wonderful Jamaica Plains settlement so yeah...I have a lot that I love about this one.

Fly Away Little Bird and Sparrow are dear to me. So very dear. She's my favorite OC. She encompasses so much of who I am, what my struggles are, my hopes and dreams and more all wrapped up in a 4'9" package. She's morphed from a character who was made on a whim into somebody living and breathing and worthy of a story of her own. One that will span Cry Mercy and end with No Mercy. A story about found family, loss, love, friendship, and growing. She's dear to me and when her story is done, I will probably mourn it. I've never written a story about a character I love so much, and yeah...yeah.

Frankie & Beau's story (title to be determined still). Alright. Frankie is my second most beloved character. I mean - it's really close here. She's all of my Southern wrapped up in my religious trauma (poor Frankie) who found love in an unlikely place and now has to go home to realize it was never home to begin with. Her story spans from Jamaica Plains to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas and then up into the Cascades of Washington state. Besides Darcy in Fly Away Little Bird and Grace Williams, Sparrow's adopted mother and @alder-berry's most amazing character ever, Beau just has my heart 110%. Look - if Beau Adams stepped into my life right now, I'd just go with him. He's just...he just IS. A man who doesn't want to kill anymore, but for the person he loves, for his family, will kill anybody. And for Frankie? He'll ride that motorcycle to hell and back if she asked. Not that she would. Though going to Texas kinda feels like it. Hah.

[mountrainiernps]

Landscape Language

Thicket (noun) – a dense growth of shrubs

Mount Rainier is known for its old-growth forests, but along rivers or other area of disturbance you will likely find thickets of fast-growing trees and shrubs. A common species is red alder (Alnus rubra). In partnership with bacteria in their roots, red alders can remove nitrogen, an essential element for plant growth, from the air and "fix" it (store it) in their roots. This allows alders to colonize rocky riverbeds that have few soil nutrients and are unsuitable for most plants. Alders are fast growing and can quickly transition from thickets of shrubs to become trees up to 80 ft (25 m) tall.

NPS Photo of red alder thickets along the Carbon River. ~kl

[cress-meadowforge]

MTO + PROPAGANDA | 2023 MUN OF THE YEAR

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.” ― Aldous Huxley (clearly discussing the merits of Kaye's expansive written works)

ft. @hestiaember, @cade-bentley, and @alder-reid

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Saturday 27 June 1840

3 50/..

11 ½

incurred a cross last night thinking of π all the things given out by 4 40/.. and I ready at 4 ¾ fine morning R16 ½° and F68 ¼° at 4 50/.. a.m. – off from Suramaskaia (Suram) at 5 17/.. at 5 34/.. good road left to Akhaltsikh and good village and a little farther (right) very picturesque old castle on fine high jet of rock and good village at its foot – at 6 village and old castle and about 10 minutes soon commence the ascent and pass of the low, beautiful wooded range of hill that separates Georgia from Imeretia – winding not very steep road thro’ forest – A- and I alight at 6 16/.. having come perhaps 200 yards uphill – at 6 ½ at top of a flat or plateau – all sides beautifully wooded – beech, aspens, a few pinus Sylvestris on tops of hills, and mixed, but not many, with the other wood – the road lined with white cluster-flowing red berried large maple-leafed shrub I know not at home that grew near the great leaning Elm – and with rhododendron ponticum (the 1st time I have seen it in these parts) – and with oak and beech hornbeam in abundance – very beautiful – and elm, and honeysuckle, (and wild pear and apricot? trees) and hazels and luxuriant common laurel (1st time), and privet – the 2 last and the rhododendron honeysuckle and hazel forming the beautiful thick under wood fringe on each side the road – the rhododendron not exceeding 3 or at most 4ft. high – none like the 5 and 6ft. talked of by colonel Broussiloff – got into the carriage again at 6 55/.. – walked 2 or 3 little bits afterwards and from 8 5/.. to 8 20/.. down and up and down hill, and here the fine gorge opens out a little – Elder and privet alder in flower near the stream and seringa studded with its pretty snow-white flowers – did not observe exactly where the stream began – 2 or 3 ft. wide at 1st and not more than 4 to 6ft. wide for a long while – probably we had it on beginning the actual descent – no stream before 6 55/.. – but probably we had it soon afterwards – at 7 or soon afterwards – It was 9 before we got down to the river a little bit of selvage on the other side .:. a little bit of opening – at the neat little station house Molitskii post at 9 ¼ the 1st station in Imerétie – charming drive from Suram here – fine wooded worthy-of-Pyrenees gorge – a bridge that we crossed ½ hour ago or more over deep ravine plunging into our gorge and wooded above and below, reminded me of the devils’ bridge over the ravine that plunges into the gorge ½ way between Pierrefitte and St. Sauvuer – very fine day – sun hot – the niecest tidiest cleanest coolest, neatly-estraded room I have seen in the Russian dominions expect the one at .............. going to Baku – breakfast – each our saucer of cold boiled rice and figs in ¼ hour and most excellent water till 9 40/.. – the clear beautiful little river running close below at the back of the house – off from Molitskii post at 9 55/.. beautiful wooded gorge, and still our river that we have had from the top (from 2 to 3ft. wide to now 4 or 5 yards I wrote this last sentence now at Koutaïs Monday 29 June at 4 10/.. p.m.) – at 10 50/.. bridge over our river and nice stream from little branch valley from the left joins it – by and by another glen and stream and fine old ruin of castle high on point of rock right – our more stream and little lateral valley afterwards – at 12 20/.. at Begiugorskii – nice little station house – one larger room and one smaller opening into it both neat and clean and divanned as at Molitskii post – could sleep here

quite as well as there – still in the gorge – merely bits of green pasture at the riverside now and then – many carts with large outres of wine and horses with packages – beautiful little partly wooded partly cultivated basin-valley in which our station house stands – at the last station and here  little necessary at the back across the open court like space   it is a clean table like bench over a wooden tub and I did a tolerable big job very comfortably – off from here (Begiurgoroskii) at 12 55/.. – from this pretty little basin the valley becomes rather wider tho’ still narrow and beautiful – I had stopt the carriage once or twice the last stage for a single strawberry or 2 that the passersby had left ungathered and this stage I got out several times – once or twice when the wheel was locked, and watched the rock and hillside (left) (the river generally close below us left the 1st 2 stages) and afterwards right) the river now right, and gathered perhaps in all a dozen or 20 strawberries    a few plants, but overcome by the luxuriance of brambles and other vegetation – I had walked perhaps 10 minutes or ¼ hour at 2 when passed thro’ a lot of 33 Georgians (one soldier with them) at work cutting down the hillside left (reddish, marlyish soil with a few stones) and throwing it down the steep (right) into the river to widen the road – we had passed men at work on the road, 2 or 3 times before, early in the morning, on the Imeretien side – at 3 ½, in the now nice broadish stream (river) still close below us right, a man or 2 setting a stick-fence across the whole breadth for catching salmon or what? desperately hot now at 3 ½ - at 4 5/.. another basin valley and picturesque ivy-covered old ruined castle almost hid in ivy and creepers – at 4 25/.. leave our river for ¼ hour and turn (left) uphill shrubbed  with rhododendron mixed with bracken fern and  oak etc. but no rhododendron high (5 or 6ft.) as colonel Broussiloff spoke of – a low shrub here not more than 2 or 3ft. high at most – a pretty small leafed St. Johns’ wort in flower and very pretty on the rocks today close along our road and all along today – the large white convolvulus  flower common as a creeper and beautifully relieving the dark green foliage of laurel etc. etc. -  ½ hour from last station 1st notice a little box and holly – at 4 40/60 down at our river again and alight and cross it on a [rade] fixed on 3 long small boats – our carriage and 3 horses on the rade at 4 46/.. – beautiful view upwards and downwards – the whole of this stage very beautiful – one of the most drives I have ever seen in my life – first ½ narrow, wooded, deep, rock-gorge – 2nd ½ narrow wooded branchy valley of toad often a corniche cut out of the rock, and the narrow river filling the whole of the bottom – ferryed over by rope and pulley in 5 minutes – beautiful clear water and excellent – tasted it – George and Doman and the teleaga and 3 horses came over after us – the Station house about a couple hundred yards from the ferry – arrived at 5 – capital place – divanned and cool and 2 nice rooms – might have had strawberries gathered and perhaps fish – might have had a comfortable meal and good might – breakfasted at Simonskii – and dined at Koutaïs – but A- preferred going forwards – a nice civil woman

// brought us   Wednesday 1 July    a plate of strawberries but old gathered and not good – however ate them and gave her a 30kop. silver piece – she looked and I fancied seemed to want more – called George – Domna came – explained – she said the woman had asked if she was to have all that! yes! not for the strawberries   3 times more than they were worth, but for her civility etc. then asked for a little milk, and she

SH:7/ML/E/24/0137

Koutaïs

brought me a small glass of yellow boiled milk which I drank and afterwards ate a cold hard-boiled egg – off at 6 – cross one branch of stream at 7 ¼ and then the other (50 or 60 yards from the 1st) and over both at 7 20/.. and then 4v. from our next Station (Simonskii) – after and from Kvirilskii the valley widens to 2 or 3v. and afterwards to perhaps 6 or 7v. wide wooded and cultivated – and beautiful – at Simonskii at 7 47/.. – 2 rooms divanned as at the 3 last stations but like an oven, and not neat and tidy looking as before – told A- to give George silver ruble for the 2 Cossacks and 2 ab. for the 2 drivers – threw myself down upon one of the divans, and slept till tea (dinner) at 9 10/.. – left a cool comfortable station house, and nice civil woman, and at an hour when we could enjoy something to eat, for this stewy place, and a meal a this hour when  I can enjoy nothing but am thirsty to death – very fine day – to be off at 6 in the morning – why? why all this harass for nothing? R19 ½° and F76° on the floor by my mattress-side (at my bedside) now at 11 ½ p.m.