#harry is barbie and i've always said it

[petitrry]

this barbie is a mermaid!🧜🏻‍♀️

[hoodharlow]

Used to Be

AN: yes I delete this when it flopped 🤭

Requested? No

Warnings: elopment, angst, a mini me revelation, a proposal, and mentions of break ups. Overall mess 🤭

Word Count:

2016

“Until 2003, you needed blood tests to get married?” Urban exclaimed, reading out loud a brochure for getting married. 

“Yeah, you know how whites are. Always marrying their cousins.” Naya commented. She glanced over to Jack and Sydney. “You're sure you're not cousins right?”

“She was the only witness available?” Jack asked Sydney. 

“Yes,” Naya answered. “I'm also the only one who won't tell a soul. If your parents find out you two are getting hitched, you're both dead.”

“I think I saw a vending machine down the hall. Let's get snacks.” Urban motioned Naya to follow, leaving Jack and Sydney. 

Jack relaxed in his seat and reached for Sydney's hand. “Do you think we're making a huge mistake?” He asked her. 

“No, do you?” She asked back. 

“No.” Jack shook his head. “I love you so much, Syd. I've known since we were ten and you hit my head with the tetherball.”

“It was an accident but I'm glad that it made you come to your senses. Because I've loved you since you stole back my latest copy of The Series of Unfortunate Events from Miguel Casillas in fourth grade.” 

Jack chuckled and pulled her to his chest. 

Sydney hugged him tight, sighing contently. It wasn't how she imagined herself getting married when she was playing with Barbies growing up. But it was perfect. She had the man of her dreams at her side with their best friends. Sure they were barely eighteen and fresh out of high school but they loved each other and that was all that mattered. They didn't have much when they moved from Louisville to Atlanta other than their love, aspirations, and support for each other to keep them going. The rest could come later once Jack was settled in Atlanta. 

For now his parents think he's just visiting Sydney during her summer bridge program at Georgia Tech where she was going to study architecture like her late father. Jack didn't apply to any schools. It wasn't in the books for him. His dream was to be a rapper. He was pretty decent at it. With the connections he had back home that led him to Atlanta, it wouldn't be long for him to get signed. He knew a radio host back in Louisville that sent his work to Atlanta to a producer from home that worked with some huge artists he was a fan of. He had everything going for him. From being minutes away from marrying to the love of his life to working on his music. 

Jack and Sydney have been together since their sophomore year of high school. Though they've known each other for way longer than that. They went to the same elementary school and were always seated together because of their last names (Harlow and Harris). When her dad passed away from a car accident, he was at her side cheering her up when she was down. He was always someone she could count on. 

“When I get my first break I'm buying us a huge plot of land for you to design our home.” Jack said, twirling one of her curls with his index finger.  

“Can it be in Louisville? I don’t want the paparazzi up my butt when you're famous.” Sydney said, pretending to shield herself from paparazzi. 

“Where else would we raise our soccer team? Also the only person that's gonna be up your butt is me.” He huffed out his chest.

“If you're up my butt how are we gonna have kids?” She asked playfully. 

“Fine, I'll be up your butt on special occasions.” he gave in. 

“Okay,” she laughed. 

Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him, kissing her temple. They talked amongst themselves until it was their turn to go up. A woman in a button-up and trousers walked out with a clip board along with a couple a few years older than Jack and Sydney. The groom was dressed in a formal marine uniform and the bride in a simple sundress. Under her dress was the outline of a small bump. 

The woman with the clipboard looked down and read outloud, “Harlow and Harris?”

“That's us.” Jack said, squeezing Sydney's hand. “Forever and always?”

A bright flash burned his eyes. Jack closed his eyes and blinked until he regained his eyesight. He was brought back to the present. To his engagement photoshoot. 

Jack’s knee began to lose sensation with how long he’d been on one knee. 92830 pictures later and they were finally finished with the shoot. He never thought he was going to spend almost a full day taking pictures of his engagement for some magazine spread. Hell, Jack wasn’t even sure he was going to remarry after his divorce with Sydney. But it was the next step for him and Mallory, his fiance. 

Mallory is the niece of one of the higher ups at Atlantic Records. Jack met her at a networking event a year after he signed to Generation Now. He never paid her much attention after that. But if they ran into each other he would say hi. It continued like that until the night his debut album came out. His team went all out and had a huge celebration. 

Jack had to hand his phone to Urban because he was tempted to call Sydney and show her that paid off in the end. He didn't, he wasn't that cruel. He just spent the night drowning his sorrows with tequila and champagne. The following morning he woke up with Mallory next to him. From there they've been inseparable (he couldn't get rid of her). He grew accustomed to her presence and liked being around her.  When she wasn't shoving her phone in his face for her content. When people found out about their relationship, Mallory banked on it and grew a following for her pottery and sculptures. Did people actually buy her artwork? No, but she had over two million followers and that was something for her. 

“Baby, do you want to see the pictures Gianni took?” Mallory asked him.

“It's fine. I'm sure they came out great.” Jack answered. 

He went to his dressing room where his friend and family were. They were there for the proposal but once Mallory started talking about outfit changes and the photographer she brought. 

“Hey,” he said, hugging his mom.

“Hi.” She said curtly. 

His mom wasn't the biggest fan of Mallory. Mainly because she was best friends with Sydney's mom, Miss Esther, and they still talked. They had a brief falling out when Jack and Sydney divorced but according to his dad, they became best of friends once again a few years ago and they would hang out a lot. Jack wouldn't know, he tried his best to never mention them or when they were over at his parent’ place for dinner he'd avoid visiting. But here and there he would ask his mom about them. Maggie made it obvious that she still hoped that he and Sydney would try again now that they're older but that was never going to happen. Especially with how Jack ended things with her. 

“Look mom, I know you're not Mal's biggest fan but we're getting married and I want you to try to be nice to her.” He said. 

“I've never been rude to her, Jack.” His mom said, sipping her flute of champagne. 

“I'm not saying you are or were. I just want you to be more accepting or at least pretend to be. She's going to be my wife.” Jack said frustrated. 

Maggie's ever present frown turned to a straight line, which was a grin in Jack's books. “I have to get going. I'm meeting Esther for something.” 

“Could you hold off telling her about this?” He gestured around them.

“Baby, you're at the bottom of the list of talking topics we have. Don't worry about it.” She smiled sweetly. 

She motioned to Jack's dad and they bid Jack goodbye. Jack went to Mallory who was busy going through the pictures with her friends. He sat with her and pulled her to his lap. She met his gaze and smiled. Jack smiled back. He looked over to where his parents were and felt a shiver go down his spine. He felt uneasy and couldn't figure out why. 

Jack's friends left not much after. They agreed to meet up again for the Louisville soccer game. Jack reserved a suite for them as a way to celebrate that he was engaged. Mallory's friends that flew in went back to the hotel and Mallory was meeting with them for a girls night. They had a few hours before that, so they decided to check out some houses. A new private neighborhood was hosting an open house. 

There were two rows of various gates and fences with no end. They passed four fences when Jack finally pulled up to a house. He parked on the side of the street next to other cars. He opened Mallory's door and helped her out. 

As they made their way to the house, a gate from the house across the house they were going to see opened. A black Mercedes pulled out and parked in front of the small mailbox. That didn't get Jack's attention. The house in the gate did. It looked exactly like the house Sydney would talk about designing for them. He let go of Mallory’s hand and went to get a closer look. 

“Jack, where are you going?” She called after him. 

He waved her off and crossed the street. Just as he approached the house, the gate closed. He looked over to the Mercedes but the windows were dark. He couldn't get a good look unless he shoved his face in the window. A little boy got out of the car followed by a guy several inches shorter than him. The little boy shoved a small key in the lock of the mailbox and grabbed a small box, leaving.

“It's here!” He held up the box triumphantly to the guy. 

“That's great, but we're running late. Your grans are waiting for us, mate.” The guy said in a New Yorker accent. Sensing Jack, he turned around. “Oh ‘llo? Are you here for the open house? If so it's across the street.” 

“I am, but I by chance saw your house and–”

“It's my cousin's house.” He said. 

“Oh, sorry,” Jack began. He cleared his throat. “Do you know who designed it for your cousin?”

“My grandma has pictures of you at her house.” The little boy said, also cutting off Jack.

“Oh thanks.” Jack said, a bit confused. 

“I wish we could chat, but we have to get going.” the guy said. 

He opened the backseat for the little boy. Jack noticed someone else was sitting in the passenger side. He couldn't see their face but he saw a head full of curls similar to the little boy’s. 

“Bye.” The little boy waved at Jack.

The guy nodded at Jack and got in the driver's seat. They sped off and the uneasy feeling he had earlier returned. His stomach churned, but Jack brushed it off. He crossed the street back to Mallory.

“What was that all about?” She asked.

“Don't worry about it, let's go see if this is our future home.” Jack said, placing his arm over her shoulders. 

He looked back once more at the house before going inside. 

*

Jack couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling and it got to the point that he was irritating people around him. He couldn't enjoy the game because he was so distracted. He felt some familiarity when he saw the little boy. He had the same hazel eyes as Sydney. He silently cursed himself. Sydney is the last person he should even be thinking about.

“Yo, is that mom?” Clay asked Jack in a quiet tone, bringing him back to the game.

“What are you talking about?” Jack frowned. 

“There.” His younger brother pointed to the bottom row of the suite across from them. 

“I can't see that far.” He said. 

“You came to a sporting event and sat yourself in the way back knowing you can't fucking see?” Clay shook his head.

He pulled out his phone and zoomed in to where he was pointed at. Lo and behold, it was their mom. Most importantly the little kid that Jack saw in the neighborhood was sitting on her lap and they were sharing a tray of nachos and a hotdog. A seat behind them was Esther, Sydney's mom, and Jorge, her step-dad. 

“Why is she sharing nachos with that kid? In my twenty-two, almost twenty-three years of life, mom has never bought me nachos.” Clay said in disbelief. 

“Those are Syd's parents.” Jack told him.

“Damn Miss Esther is still fineass-OW!” He rubbed the back of his neck where Jack smacked him. 

“That's my mother-in-law, don't be weird.” 

“Ex mother-in-law.” Clay corrected him. 

Jack held up his finger to tell him to be quiet. He pulled out his phone and called his mom. They looked through Clay's phone camera as their mom looked at her phone then hung up. A message came through seconds later that her hands were full and that she'd call him later.

“I bet her hands are full, sharing nachos with some kid and not her son.” Clay mumbled.

He ignored Clay as he went on about how he used to use his birthday money at the concessions stand because their mom never bought him nachos. Jack snapped a picture of their mom and the little boy, sending it to his dad. His dad saw it. The three dots appeared then disappeared. From Clay's phone he saw his mom look at her phone then scan the stadium. Her eyes landed on her sons. She pushed off the little kid and told Esther something before getting up.

“Come with me.” Jack said, pulling Clay from his seat.

“Where y'all going?” Urban asked them. 

“We'll be right back.” Jack said.

They left their seats and walked to the seats their mom was sitting at. They found her pacing and texting frantically.

“Mom, what–”

“Why are you eating nachos with some kid?” Clay beat him to the punch.

“What are y'all doing here?” She asked them, annoyed. 

“What are we doing here? What are you doing here? And with Syd's family?” Jack asked her.

“It's complicated. We'll talk at home. Why don't you go back to your seats.” Maggie said.

“Mom, what's going on?” he asked her. 

“Maggie, what's going on? My mom was–” a voice Jack never thought he'd hear again. 

“Syd?” He said softly.

“Oh my god! You're Jack Harlow!” A girl, a few years younger than Sydney, squealed.

It took Jack a second but it was Sydney's younger sister. She was eight years younger than them. He didn't recognize her. The last time he saw her was right before he and Sydney eloped. 

“Nina, let's go inside.” The guy from the house said, pulling her away.

“Holy shit, Sydney. It's been forever.” Clay said, pulling her into a hug.

“Hey.” She smiled at Clay. 

Sydney took a step back and stood behind Maggie. The door abruptly opened. 

“Mommy, where are you?” the little boy said. He looked at Jack then to Maggie, pointing. “Gramma, that's the guy in the pictures in your house.” 

Clay threw his arms in the air. “What am I, chopped liver?”

*

Sydney tapped her pen against her desk. She was stressed out of her mind ever since she saw Jack at the soccer game. After three years of living in Louisville, she finally ran into him. Part of her was proud of herself that she was able to avoid him for that long. The other didn't know how to feel. She was scared out of her mind though. 

She never planned to tell him that he had a son, Jaden. She didn't even plan to tell his parents, but they found out a month after she moved in when she was dropping him off at her parents. Sydney had just graduated from Georgia Tech and was working at her grandparents’ (her late dad's parents) architect firm. She begged Jack's parents not to tell him. After how things ended she wanted nothing to do with him. It wasn't like she needed him. She made good money working with her grandparents and she had her own trust fund. Jack's parents help around but she never took any financial gifts from them. She doesn't even know what she's going to do know that Jack knew.

When Jaden popped up at the game she left. She had her bag with her so just scooped up her son and bolted out of the stadium. Since then she's been on high alert, looking over her shoulder in case Jack popped up. He already knew where she lived.

The phone on her desk rang.

Sydney pressed the answer button. “Yes?” 

“Miss Hart, your nine am is here.” the firm's receptionist said. 

“I don't have a nine am.” she said into the speaker. “Hello? Clara?” 

Seconds later there was a knock on her office door. Sydney got up and opened the door. Behind Clara was Jack. 

“And here's miss Hart's office.” the receptionist gestured to Sydney. She turned to Jack, fully taking him in. “Would you like anything to drink? We have still water, sparkling water, soft drinks, juice, coffee and tea as well as danishes, croissants, doughnuts, and muffins.” 

“I'll take your hottest tea.” Jack smiled sweetly at the sixty-something receptionist. 

“Sounds good. If you'll excuse me.” Clara said, leaving them alone.

“How the fuck did you find me?” Sydney asked him, closing the door behind him. 

Jack took a seat on the dark purple couch. He picked up a picture frame of her with her dad's parents from her college graduation. In her arms was their son. He couldn't be more than a year and a half. 

He turned the frame to her. “You're not that hard to find. Your grandparents own the biggest architecture firm in all of Jefferson County right here in Louisville. I thought it would've been a more neutral place than showing up at your house.” 

“Jack, this is my place of work.” 

“I want to meet my son.” He said, dismissing her previous comment.

“He's not your son. He's my son.” Sydney sneered. 

“You had no right keeping him from me, Syd.” he snapped at her. 

“You don't get to be upset, Jack. You don't get to waltz into my job and demand shit from me.” She jabbed her finger at him. “You wanted the divorce. You wanted an out because I was holding you back. But ironically enough you were too much of a coward to tell me. You had to get your little fountain entourage to do it for you.” 

“Syd, I don't want to but I will take you to court.” Jack warned. 

“I'm sure your fiancé would love to read about your ex wife next to her unsold engagement announcement cover for People magazine. Congrats by the way.” She smiled sweetly. 

It hadn't even been a week since they took their engagement pictures when every newsstand and grocery store stand were filled with them. Jack was annoyed because he wanted to wait a few weeks to announce it. Mallory and Neelam rushed it to the stands. 

He reached for the stack of sticky notes and pen. He scribbled something on the baby pink post-it then got up. 

“You have three days to decide if you let me meet him or I'll get my lawyers involved.” He handed her the sticky note. “Here's my number. I'll be waiting for your call.” 

His phone began to ring. He pulled it out of his cargo pants. Sydney saw ‘Neelam’ on the caller ID and rolled her eyes. She and Neelam never saw eye to eye. Most of the animosity came from the fact that Sydney was married to Jack. When they finally called it quits, Neelam was the most excited to see it happen. Her Cheshire cat grin had as Sydney signed every NDA and contact would be forever imprinted in Sydney's mind. 

“Your fucking job was to keep tabs on that shit… How could you miss the most important document? Send it fast so we can get it resolved.” He hung up without another word. Jack rubbed his temples. He looked at Sydney and sighed. “Turns out we're not divorced.” 

 

[sideburndanny]

So, with the end of the current hiatus nowhere in sight, the creators of Epic Rap Battles of History have been releasing short videos in which they respond to people's matchup ideas and talk about whether or not they'd do them. What follows are my thoughts on each suggestion.

Dog the Bounty Hunter vs Chris Hansen: Terrible; Dog stopped being relevant years ago and Hansen has no real valid matchups

Jack Sparrow vs Bilbo Baggins: They might be able to pull it off, but the connection is tenuous at best

Malcolm X vs Nelson Mandela: Perfect. Do it immediately

Dexter vs Punisher: Could work, though I prefer Punisher vs Peacemaker

The Wiggles v-NO

Marco Polo vs Zheng Yi Sao: Awesome; the show's always great at spotlighting obscure historical figures, so this would be fun

Sheldon Cooper vs Rick Sanchez: I don't really get their reasoning for passing this one up. "I don't wanna use Rick because his creator is problematic," they say seconds before suggesting Roseanne instead and three years after using Harry Potter

HP Lovecraft vs Mary Shelley: Could work, but Lovecraft might be better suited for a more prolific author

Captain America vs Mussolini: Could work, but I prefer Cap vs Batman

Black Panther vs Catwoman: Unique idea; would be cool to see which versions of the characters they use

Ethan Hunt vs Angus MacGyver: Meh

John Wilkes Booth vs Lee Harvey Oswald: I'm glad they turned this one down; it just sounds very insubstantial. The fact that they each killed Presidents is the only thing either of them are known for

Robin Hood vs Ned Kelly: Sounds awesome; I can’t fathom what Lloyd was talking about when he said Robin Hood can't be made "cool." Has he never heard of any of the non-Disney movies he was in?

Steve Harvey vs Dr. Phil: Meh

The Three Stooges vs The Three Musketeers: IT'S ALL I WANT AND I'VE WAITED FOR SO LONG

Patrick Bateman vs Andrew Tate: Bateman is worthy of a rap battle, but there is no fucking way a disgusting sack of shit like Andrew Fucking Tate deserves to be immortalized in this or any series. Not only is he a monstrous asshole, but since I'd never heard of him before he got arrested, he just comes off as too second-string and his image too fleeting to be remembered after the battle's release anyway. It's like how Sarah Palin and Napoleon Dynamite appeared in season 1; what's the point? Bateman would be better off facing another fictional character like Tyler Durden or Tommy Shelby or Rorschach or Homelander or any other member of the "you're missing the point by idolizing them" club

Miles Morales vs Dick Grayson: A great idea for a battle, but it irks me how they seem to only think of Dick Grayson as Robin, and even then only how he was portrayed in the 60s TV show. Since Dick Grayson's graduation to the solo hero Nightwing and his leadership of the Titans have been the status quo in the comics for decades, and even his TV and movie appearances as Robin clearly show him to be more than the hyperactive goofball that Lloyd portrayed him as in season 2, their lack of research here is jarring — especially considering how diligent they are with their other characters (remember, Peter read every issue of the Dragon Ball manga and watched every episode of Breaking Bad in preparation for the later half of season 3).

Garfield and Jon vs Calvin and Hobbes: Eh, I don't see it. No disrespect to their creators or fans, but they just ain't rap battle material

Metallica and AC/DC vs Slayer and Guns n Roses: I agree with them that a team battle between unrelated heavy metal acts would be unwieldy, but any combination of those four could totally be awesome in a straight 1v1 battle

Richard Nixon vs King John: Could work, but I'd rather have Nixon in a Presidential royale

Barbie vs He-Man: Another "meh" idea, but I'm not fond of Peter's assertion that He-Man is only known for the bad '90s movie when he's appeared in multiple media before and since that have all gained a far more positive reception and a strong fanbase

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday the lovely Scottish actress Sharon Rooney who was born 22nd October 1988 in Glasgow.

Sharon Rooney is one of the most in demand actresses from Scotland, she attended Knightswood Primary and secondary Schools and was brought up in the Temple area of Glasgow, she left school at 16 to pursue a career in acting, but it all started for her 13 years before, as a determined young lady, aged just 3 she set her sights on becoming an actress after a visit to see the pantomime Cinderella in her hometown of Glasgow. She was even being noticed back then, when an elderly lady in the audience commented “Look at her, she’s in her element” Sharon danced away to the songs in the aisle of the theatre! From then on she want to be Ella Mint thinking, I am, you’re right I’m Ella Mint!”

It must have been a daunting and exciting time when Sharon enrolled on a 3-year performing arts course followed by a degree in drama at Hull University. But I am sure a lass from Glesga took it in her stride. She graduated with a BA Hons in Acting, her early appearances were with Harry Hill and in the Tony Roper play The Steamie.

Rooney began performing stand-up comedy, and toured with a play in various schools across Britain. She also starred in the play Direct Devitt: Mammy, a comedy drama production with an all female Scottish cast which ran at the Edinburgh Festival in 2011.

Sharon started picking up roles on TV in film, her first was the TV movie, Two Doors Down in 2013 as Sophie, she reprised the part in 2016 when it returned as a sitcom. Miss Rooney then got her breakthrough part, the lead role as Rachel “ Rae” Earl in the E4 teen comedy-drama My Mad Fat Diary, it ran for 3 seasons. The series received critical acclaim, particularly for its accurate and honest portrayal of mental illness and Sharon Rooney’s performance. The Guardian’s Sam Wollaston heaped praise on oor Sharon saying “Sharon Rooney’s performance in the lead is natural, effortless and utterly believable; she should win something for it”

And win she did! Picking up a gong at The British Academy Scotland Awards, in 2015, it was third time lucky, having previously been nominated the two years before. Other nominations included Royal Television Society for best actress and the Broadcasting Press Guild for Breakthrough act. Sharon nails the accent in the show so perfect that people found it hard to believe she was from Scotland, people on twitter used to tell her that her Glasgow accent was rubbish!

Sharon was ready to give up her dream of being an actress and take up nursing before My Mad Fat Diary, Appearances in Sherlock and another TV movie, Kerry were crammed in-between My Mad Fat Diary as well as a part in the excellent Peter Mullen film Hector along with Ewan Stewart, Gina McKee and Keith Allen.

I love Sharon’s attitude, of her weight she says;

“Even if I wasn’t fat, and I was smaller, people would then say they don’t like my hair. You will never please everybody. You need to please yourself and as long as you are happy, it doesn’t matter. You will never be perfect or what everyone wants you to be. Someone will always find a fault.”

Being a Glaswegian lassie I doubt if she will get much hassle from anyone!

Back to her career and I must shamelessly admit I have not seen her in the film The Electrical Life of Louis Wain as yet, but as I said at the beginning of the post, she is a busy woman, her TV roles continue to pour in, quality shows like Deep Heat, The Teacher and The Control Room have called on her for roles and she is super excited about a film that she has recently just finished shooting with Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling, Margot Robbie and Will Farrell, Barbie will be out next year. Sharon said in a recent interview with Go Radio presenters Grado and Crofty

"I've just finished Barbie! I've spent so long keeping it a secret that I feel like I'm not allowed to say that but I am allowed to say that!”

Miss Rooney has just appeared in the biggest Hollywood film of the year, Barbie. Sharon said it was is her most empowering role yet.Sharon plays 'Lawyer Barbie' in the rose-hued Barbie blockbuster. Next up for thehigh flying lass is a TV series called Nightsleeper, which co-stars a strong Scottish cast including James Cosmo, Sharon Small, Alex Ferns and Katey Leung. Described as a real-time drama, the series is set on a sleeper train travelling to London from Glasgow in Scotland. Two people who have not previously met before must work together to try to save the lives of the passenger.

[kbrick]

Tag Game

Woo, it has been a minute since I've done one of these! Thanks @the-sinking-ship for the tag!

three ships: Uhhhh Drarry. And that's it!

No, for real, this is hard because I am a single-minded crazy person and have trouble leaving my beloveds. I used to be into Jurdan (Jude + Cardan from The Cruel Prince) a few years back. Het romance, so boring, I know. But enemies to lovers, so. In the HP verse, I think Scorbus is really cute. And I'm peripherally into Lunasy.

first ship: Jurdan (see above)

last song: I've recently fallen into a time warp, grunge edition. Been listening to Black and Release by Pearl Jam a LOT.

last movie: Barbie movie, and I cried. What, I'm not made of STONE you bastards

currently reading: Re-reading Perdido Street Station and tbh I'm liking it a lot less this time? not sure why.

last thing i wrote: 

“Can't it wait until Monday?” Harry had little hope of this, but he had to ask.

“Afraid not,” Lisa replied. “Bit of an emergency. Little man blasted a three-foot hole in the wall of the foster family’s house today. They’ll all need to be wiped.”

“Obliviated. We obliviate them,” Harry corrected her (because ‘wiped’ sounded scary, like some sort of Cold War tactic). He thumbed through the file. “Eleven years old. How is this the first time I'm hearing about him?”

Kids this age always got to Harry, for reasons that he both understood and didn’t. Of course, eleven was when his own life had changed forever, but that didn’t really explain why these cases made him feel so frantic, like it was almost too late, like the child might be lost forever if he didn't intercede post haste.

“Honestly, I've no clue,” Lisa said. “I don't know how he escaped our notice until now. He’s clearly got magic juice; it’s been popping up for years by the look of it.”

Indeed, there was a whole stack of incident reports in the file, from various primary schools and foster homes, things that had been labelled as violent behavior or pyro tendencies, but had probably been errant magic.

Yeah, this one had slipped through the cracks.

currently writing: a top secret fic for a top secret fest, and dabbling in the above 'Harry as a Wizarding Child Protective Services caseworker' fic (Lisa is the Muggle liaison between the magic and Muggle parts of the department). Yes, this one will be Drarry, too, and also involves Scorpius.

Tagging @aibidil @moonflower-rose @gracerene @getawayfox @sorrybutblog @t4tdrarry, but please ignore if you've done it already or don't feel like doing it!

[sodamnradd]

Getting To Know You Tag Game

Thank you @simplifiedemotions and @ambpersand for the tag. I never do these because I always assume nobody will care. But I'll give it a go. Tagging anyone who's interested to share!

Three ships: Dramione, Tomione, Jurdan

First ship: I was never a fanfic reader growing up. In addition to YA books, I read original stories on Facebook's Bathroom Wall and Wattpad. Dramione is my first exploration of fanfic. That said, I loved Chair (Chuck & Blair) and Delena (Damon & Elena) from the TV shows.

Last Song: I've been jamming to a lot of Lorde's "Pure Heroine" lately. 400 Luxe is stuck in my head all the time. Also, “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean.

Last Movie: Barbie. Got my pink-fix over the weekend 🩷

Currently Reading: I just finished "Daisy Jones & The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid (fucking fantastic). Currently reading Prince Harry's "Spare". Also, "Fairytale" by Stephen King, "Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo, "The Intimacy Experiment" by Rosie Danan.

Currently Watching: The Summer I Turned Pretty s2

Last thing I wrote: next chapter of Ecdysis (publishing soon!)

Currently writing: I write like I read and always have several different things on the go. (Ecdysis, dhr marriage of convenience fic, some original fiction, drabbles, etc.)

Favorite color: Blue & dark green.

Current obsession: The Summer I Turned Pretty -- I loved the books growing up and I'm obsessed with the depictions of the characters in the show. (Team Conrad x Belly all the way).

Sweet, savory, or spicy? Spice, spice baby.

[steampunkforever]

Going into While We're Young I was prepared for a Noah Baumbach film I didn't like. Heck, no one in it gets divorced til the third act, and the writing is devoid of that sharpness that makes his worst film (Greenberg) still good enough for me to like despite its problems. And yet, by the time the credits rolled, I found that I enjoyed this installment in the Noah Baumbach Divorce Movie Saga.

I've never not been an old man at heart, and so I've always considered my distaste for the hipsters to be the consequence of some sort of inner conservatism or whatnot. Though I enjoy Portlandia, the cultural context belongs to the cousins who I watched match trilbies with tube socks and drink horchata. Those hipsters have grown up now, and, though they continue gentrifying neighborhoods that I want to park cars on my front lawn in (they've even priced me out of all the good E30s I'd park on said lawn), they've aged out of relevance alongside their Harry Potter tattoos.

While We're Young brings it all back, reminding me that my Hipster wrath came from sheer annoyance. These people are insufferable, and their impact on graphic tees alone should be ruled a cultural disaster. These are the people that popularized the stomp clap genre and even still have antique stores trying to sell me scratched Bowie records for $25. For all the film's carrying on over 40something filmmaker neuroses, Baumbach got one thing right: Hipsters have and always will sorta suck. Fleet foxes is good, though.

I didn't enjoy this film at the jump. Baumbach's direction lacked some of the pizzazz I normally expect in his movies, and having to endure the autobiographical self-obsessions of Baumbach's tortured writer/filmmaker/storyteller/artist etc. protagonist gets old after the fourth film. We get it, you have a messed up relationship with personal and professional success. Have you tried writing about Barbies?

Yet by the last third of the film, I was hooked. Noah Baumbach, and I write this while gritting my teeth, knows how to make a sophisticated movie, and this was a solid entry into his filmography. The filmmaking was not understated, but it was definitely sophisticated in a way that I could appreciate. I'll call this a win for Noah.

[haztobegood]

17 and 19 for the ao3 wrapped!!

Thank you! 💖

17. Your favorite character to write this year?

I've spent most of my writing time this year working on my alien!Harry fic. I started it back in 2019 and getting back into this wip has been very fun and exciting. It's not done yet, but I'm hoping to finish it by spring. Here is a snippet from Harry's journal:

After work, Louis and I walked to a sandwich shop down the street for lunch. We talked for almost two hours. He’s very interesting to listen to and has a lot of opinions. He asked me if I’d seen the new Avengers movie, but I haven’t heard of it. He said that I had to get caught up on all the Marvel movies so I am going over to his house for the weekend and we’re going to watch the important ones before he’d take me to see Avengers: Age of Ultron. I looked it up and it looks like a fun action movie so I am excited to see it. I haven’t been to a movie theater yet so that will be a good new Human experience as well. He started rattling off a bunch of names and seemed super shocked when I didn’t have a clue what he’d been talking about. He asked if I lived under a rock, but that seemed like a silly question. I don’t know of any humans that live under rocks.

19. What’s one pairing you want to explore next year?

I am always open to trying new pairings and usually surprised by the ones I come up with! For 1d fics, I currently have Ziam and Zouis wips that I would like to finish up. Outside of 1d, I got an idea to write a Kenpool (Ken and Deadpool) fic after watching Barbie this summer. I don't know if anything will come of that, but it is excellent writing practice to work on something with such distinct characters.

more ao3 wrapped questions here

[uncloseted]

lately i've been VERY confused about gender and sexuality (not mine, just in general, although more on that later). so i always called myself a lesbian because it made sense, im a girl i like girls. about 2 years ago i had a lot of internalized homophobia and i tried to be as feminine as i could so people would think i was straight. and i remember one time i thought "what if i'm a trans man and i'm doing this because i feel like i have something to prove". +

but then i thought "nah, i can't be a man (or non binary) i like girly things too much". but that's awful too. ellen always wears suits and has short hair and she's still a woman. jeffree star likes girly things and he's a man. but now i don't even know what IS a girl/woman. i mean i didn't choose to be a woman and i never had a chance to be anything else. but i don't think i ever wanted to be. even if i identified as "agender" and i still looked and acted the way i do know, society would still

be seeing and oppressing me as a woman, so at least to me, personally, it feels useless. but also, a lot of nb people (most of them are afab) identify as lesbians. it's very confusing. i never had any kind of dysphoria although i felt uncomfortable with my body, periods, and sex but i always thought it was because of shyness, anxiety, internalized homophobia, insecurities and beauty standards. and i have a friend who's studying psychology in university and she told me dysphoria does not exist

trans girls. i think it depends on, like, how "far" they are in their transition?. i think i could be attracted, physically and emotionally but i couldn't have sex with someone with a penis. and i know even the most trans-positive people will tell you that it's ok to have a genital preference and not want to date trans people. but it still makes me feel horrible because it's like i'm seeing nb people as "more woman" than trans women. but also in all honesty it's very hard to "tell" cis people

from nb people. if you showed me a picture of jeffree star and jonathan van ness (or elena and syd from one day at a time, or amandla stenberg and king princess, or sam smith and harry styles) and asked me which one is nb, i wouldn't know. i would probably say jeffree. so i agree that monosexual (straight/gay) people will inevitably be attracted to nbs because nb is a spectrum, and also some people (I think all of us, in some way? maybe it's a controversial opinion) are gender non-conforming but

but don't identify as nb. does that mean we should change the definitions of gay/lesbian, since any gender could have any type of body and look as feminine and/or masculine as they want? do sam smith, jvn, vander von odd/sasha velour/gigi goode (all genderfluid drag artists) have male privilege despite not being men?. should we change the words feminism, sexism, misogyny, male privilege, etc for something more accurate?. honeslty i think a lot of this confusion is actually intrusive thoughts

and me just being an overthinker in general but it's been causing me so much distress that now every pronoun feels wrong and i can't even masturbate. please forgive the rambling, the buts, the incoherence and the ignorance. thanks in advance. oh and please tell me if this comes through in pieces and i will send them again

So there’s a ton to unpack here, but for the record, I’ve had this exact train of thought, too.

I want to preface my answer by saying that I’m not a gender scholar and I haven’t read nearly as many academic works as I’d like to on this subject, so this is coming very much from my personal opinions and less from an evidence-based/academic place. I also want to say that if pressed, I would describe myself as a pansexual gender anarchist (as in, attracted to people for who they are instead of their parts and I think we should get rid of the concept of gender entirely), but I think that sounds a bit wanky, especially since it has almost zero bearing on my everyday life. So I think the concept of sexuality and gender is maybe different to me than it is to other people, and my perspective on this topic might be unusual in that sense.  If anyone reading this thinks what I’m saying is bullshit or problematic, please join in the conversation! I would love to hear what you have to say.

For me, the more I think about gender and sexuality, the more i don’t really “get” either concept. Gender has begun to feel (to me) like one of those Buzzfeed quizzes where you answer a bunch of questions and they’re like, “you’re rocky road ice cream” and you’re like, “I have no idea what that implies except for it’s the collection of traits I chose from the options above”.  

What I mean by that is that gender is a social construct. No traits are inherently masculine or feminine- things that are considered masculine in one culture can be feminine in another and vice versa. 

Especially now, when we’re really moving towards disentangling gender from our world, I wonder what’s left to take the place of those items to define what gender is.  Gender used to be like “feminine is cleaning, nurturing, creating (or Barbie dolls, dresses, and makeup), and masculine is destruction, being powerful, and being ambitious (or football, beer, and video games)”, but clearly that’s not what it means anymore. Ellen’s suits are feminine suits by virtue of the fact that she IDs as female, even though suits used to be considered a male thing.  Jeffree Star’s makeup looks are male makeup looks by virtue of the fact that he IDs as male, even though makeup used to be considered a female thing.  I’ve heard some people say that there are as many genders as there are people in the world. At that point I think we’re just using the word “gender” as a synonym for “personality”, which is fine, but I think we need to be clear about our definitions and what these words now mean and imply about a person.

Going along that train of thought, if gendered words don’t really mean anything anymore, I don’t see the point as identifying as a particular gender, at last not in the abstract.  In practice, our world still sees gender and cares about it, and other people’s interpretation of our gender has very real consequences.  As you say, even if you identified as agender, society would treat you as a woman because you present in a way society considers to be “traditionally feminine”, and as a result, you would be oppressed in the same way women are.  This is why I said that my position on gender impacts my life zero percent.  I can identify as a gender anarchist all I want, but at the end of the day I still get passed up for opportunities because the way I present is read as female.  Likewise, nonbinary people who were assigned male at birth do have a degree of male privilege (or at least, can access male privilege), depending on how well they “pass” as a man.  Sam Smith likely still experiences some male privilege, because they look (most of the time) like what society might consider traditionally male.  Someone like JVN probably passes less frequently, due to his long hair and frequent wearing of what we might think of as traditionally female clothing (skirts and dresses and high heels).  However, the flip side of that is both Sam Smith and JVN risk being even more marginalized than female identifying, female presenting people when they do dress in a gender non-conforming way, because nonbinary identities are less understood and less accepted than female identities are. 

So now that we’ve considered what gender means in relation to society, maybe let’s consider it in relation to our bodies and sexuality.  This is a bit of a minefield so I’m going to try to tread carefully, but again, feel free to call me out if I say something problematic... 

I don’t think being uncomfortable with your body, especially feminine features of your body that are widely looked down upon (for example, periods) or sexualized (physical features like boobs, butts, hips) necessarily makes a person trans or nonbinary.  As you say, those feelings can be a result of shyness, anxiety, internalized homophobia, insecurities, beauty standards, and dozens of other things.  However, it is something many trans or nonbinary individuals experience.  So the question then becomes, where are those feelings of discomfort coming from?  Are they internal to you (as in, your body physically feels like there’s something wrong/those features shouldn’t be there) or external (you feel shame for having those features because of the society you grew up in)?  It can be really hard to detangle internal influences from external ones, given that people who are assigned female at birth learn to hate our femininity and female bodies from a very young age.

I would say that if those feelings are internal to you, then that’s what referred to as gender dysphoria.  Gender dysphoria is a real, ICD and DSM diagnosable condition, and there’s some evidence to suggest that there’s a neurobiological basis for it.  My (very controversial) hypothesis is that gender dysphoria is like other body integrity identity disorders, where there’s a mismatch between the brain’s map of the body and what the physical body actually looks like.  I want to make it clear here that I don’t think being trans is a disorder.  I don’t think it’s bad or that all people who are trans have a body integrity disorder.  I don’t think you need to physically transition to be trans, or that we should pathologize gender/gender expression, or that gender is a binary (hopefully that last one is obvious).  I just think if society has less stringent gender divisions and a less binary understanding of gender, fewer people would physically transition, but some people would still experience a mismatch between their idea of how their body’s sexual characteristics should look and how they physically are.

So then, what does that mean for our terminology?  I think in the context of a world where the meaning of gender is changing, gay and lesbian just refer to genitals (people with penises attracted to people with penises and people with vaginas attracted to people with vaginas, respectively).  Or perhaps we need to separate it out further- maybe you can be romantically and physically attracted to female and male presenting people, but sexually attracted to only vaginas.  Maybe that would fill the gap between being interested in a person romantically and being interested in having sex with their genitals, where you’re attracted to someone without yet knowing what’s in their pants?  In general, though, I think labels should exist to be useful.  I don’t know how useful it is to have a term for “I'm attracted to you, given that you have the genitals I’m sexually attracted to.”

I think under that framework of centering labels like gay and lesbian on genitals, a lot more people are pansexual than would identify that way if you took a poll right now.  In general, I think a lot of people never recognize that they’re pansexual because they aren’t in contact with nonbinary or trans people that they’re attracted to frequently enough to know they don’t actually care about genital preferences.

When talking about other labels like feminism (the advocacy for AFAB and female-identifying/presenting rights), sexism (prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, generally towards female identifying/presenting people. but also towards gender nonconforming people), misogyny (dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against AFAB and female identifying/presenting people), male privilege (the system of advantages or rights that are available to men and male identifying/presenting people solely on the basis of their sex/gender presentation), etc., I think those terms refer to the societal construct of sex/gender that is still prevalent in our culture.  We perhaps need to start using other words to describe discrimination against nonbinary people, but I think the existing terms continue to serve a purpose and it’s not time to retire them just yet.

I don’t know if any of this is at all helpful or if I’m expressing my thoughts clearly.  Maybe it will just add more confusion to your existing thought process, but I hope it helps to minimize your distress at least a little bit.  Ultimately, all of this is kind of made up, so don’t beat yourself up too much while trying to unravel all these different threads. People spend full academic careers and sometimes their entire lives trying to figure out what they believe on these issues.  It’s okay to not have it all worked out or to not be sure in your ideas.  Even for me, this is just where my thinking is right now.  Maybe in the future it will change with new information I learn or as my feelings towards myself change.  Try to let yourself think of this as a journey instead of something you have to already have figured out.

[littleangel4996]

His Favorite Student

Professor!Duncan Shepherd X Reader one shot

Summary: you are one of Duncan's best students. You are never late, never miss a class, nor flirts and asks for help. What happens when he asks you to stay after class.

Warning: Smut, Oral(female and male receiving) fingering vaginal, Spanking, Age difference (reader is 23 and Duncan is like 36) Sir kink , Praise kink, public sex.

Y/n P.O.V

"World War II was also called the Second World War, conflict that involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–45" Professor Shepherd finished after writing down the questions on the board. I've been studying in his class for 3 months and aced an A in his class not missing a lesson in his class. Especially if I get sick I pack myself Theraflu and Tylenol. Most of the girls in my class are always wearing trampy ass clothes such as short skirts, crop tops and don't get me started on how they "accidentally" drop a pen or a pencil and bend over in front of the Professor's desk while he's doing work showing off their pretty pink thongs. 

Ugh, I just want to jump over my desk and kick them square in the face-

"Ms. (Y/l/n)" Professor called out. "What was the cause of World War II?" He asked. I didn't need to look in my book or ask a partner.

"World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland." He grinned pointing at me saying "Right you are" and writes it on the board. I couldn't help the smirk coming up on my face. I can't help it, I love being right and I never gotten an answer wrong in my life.

"Alright another question, Who were the leaders during World War II?" Regina, dressed in a short pink dress showing too much cleavage with brown hair rose her hand up being all flirty and shit. "Ms Smith, go ahead".

"United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, and uhh the United States yeah." God her fucking voice is more annoying than nails on a chalk board. Plus she got it totally wrong. Almost.

"And their names and you're missing three countries" he almost sounded annoyed at her answer. Again, can I kick her?

"What the hell, that is so totally right. I've been studying every night how can I get it wrong!" She exclaimed.

"The Allied powers were led by Winston Churchill of UK, Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Charles de Gaulle of France, and Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman of the US. The Axis powers were led by Adolf Hitler of Germany, Benito Mussolini of Italy, and Hideki Tojo of Japan." I answered.

"And Regina if you weren't studying what's the Professor's pelvic area and trying to get his attention by dressing like a Barbie doll whore you might get the answers right next time". All was heard from the class was "burn" and "damn girl". Professor Shepherd had to quiet down the class and dismissed us having Regina cry while leaving the class. 

As I was about to leave Professor Shepherd stopped me.

"Ms (y/l/n), a word." Fuck me. I've never been in trouble with him but I guess when I called Regina a Barbie doll whore then yeah I guess  going to get a lecture. He gestures me to have a seat and him facing me leaning on his desk.

"So Ms (y/l/n), why do you think it was okay to call Ms Smith a Barbie doll whore" he scowled.

"I'm sorry Professor, she really pissed me off, she doesn't care about this class none of these sluts do. Dressing in their pastel short dress, bright makeup and when they bend over showing their fucking thongs right in front of you're goddamn face" I ranted. His expression softened. He leaned in front of me with his hands on the chair handles.

"Are you jealous?"

"No, I'm just here to learn and not worry about sex or partying like everyone else does" I snapped. He leans back smirking on my answer. 

"I knew there was something about you that I liked. You're self assured, ambitious and intelligent beautiful creature" he complimented. I got up from the chair. Am I dreaming or what because he never complimented me like that.

"Umm, Professor-" he cuts me off with a kiss, grabbing my hips. 

"Please, call me Duncan (y/n)" he breathed. Without thinking for a second I began pulling him for another kiss. This kiss was very needy and passionate. Damn I've always thought Duncan was attractive but never thought of him as a good kisser. I know this feels very very wrong and I'm going against everything I wouldn't do but fuck I want this, I need this, I need him.

I grabbed him by the collar of his black button up, turning around to push him on the chair. I waited for him to take his trousers down but it is almost like he wants me to do it. 

"I'm nothing like the other whores, take off your own damn pants" he was taken aback by my words but managed to unbuckle his belt pulling down his black slacks along with his briefs. My eyes widened at his size and girth. I looked up at him and smirks at my reaction.

"Can you handle it little one"

"You've underestimate me sir" As I got down on my knees wrapping my delicate fingers around his shaft as I jerked it with my hands a little then I take just the tip in my mouth slowly swirling my tongue like a lollipop and taking him fully and stroking him. Hearing him groan just encourage me to go all the way.

I hold the base of his penis with one hand, and play with his balls with the other.

"Fuck, you're really good at this " he complemented and I just winked at him making my movements faster with him grabbing a hold of my hair out of my face so he can have a good look at me. I swirled my tongue as I used the exact amount of suction to drive him insane. He moaned and moaned. Every moan I got out of him was a trophy, only driving me onward. 

Summoning every bit of self-restraint he had, he bade me to stop. "Come up here my pet." he beckoned over to his desk. Without asking I pushed the papers to the floor. I looked behind me and he's still sitting in his chair.

"Now, look at the mess you've made. I'm afraid I'm gonna punish you my dear. Now be a good girl like you've always have in my class and take off those jeans.

"Yes, sir" I replied. I start to unbuckle my jeans, pulling them down slowly to tease him. He knew what I was doing and he wasn't liking it. 

Finally getting the jeans off along with my panties ,pushing them aside with my foot. When I was about to unbutton my blouse Duncan jumped out of his seat as he pushed my hands away and ripping it open to reveal my Victoria's Secret bra. Luckily you can unclip it from the front so he won't have to rip it off so he won't buy me a new one. He takes the bra off me tossing it with my pants and shoes. His hands start to stroke your sides and my fingers slip under your hip bones. I raise my hips to meet his but stopping just short.

"Tsk tsk tsk baby" he said, turning me around as I placed my hands on his desk.

" Now, you are going to count whenever I spank your pretty smart ass and when I do spank you will also say sir" he growled in my ear and I nodded with a whimper.

"*Spank* 1, sir." I whimpered

"*Spank* 2, sir."

"*Spank* 3 sir" I moaned.

"*Spank* 4 sir".

"*Spank* ahh oh fuck, 5 sir please. I need you sir so badly" I moaned. I looked behind me and he gets down on his knees and he starts to devour my pussy with his tongue and mouth from behind as I gripped his desk for leverage.  No man has ever done this with me. All of them didn't know how to please me and Duncan Shepherd, my history professor is having me bend at his desk devouring my pussy like it's water. He starts to lick me up like an ice cream cone and starts pumping a finger inside me. 

"Ever Since you've walked into my class, you're all I've been thinking about" then adds his second finger, curling them as he hits my g-spot. I knew I was ready to cum. I wanted to cum so badly and he knew that. Duncan takes his fingers out of me as he stands up and gives my ass one more slap. 

"Are you ready for me baby" he said, stroking his cock. 

"Yes sir, please fuck me" I gasped as

he plunged his cock hard inside me.  I rose up on my elbows and pushed back against him as I felt his hips slapping rhythmically against my ass.  Duncan grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back against him with every thrust. I looked back at him as we watched each other’s pleasure grow.  His cock was even harder now, and I was drenched with arousal. The look in his eyes was almost feral, and I wanted him to fuck me…hard.

His hands found my breasts, and his fingers coaxed my nipples, and they ached with every pinch.  My clit began to throb, and I thrust my hips with the arousal that was building again inside me.

"You're the only one that interest me" he nipped and sucked on my neck, leaving me a red mark to remind me I'm his.

"Not all those ladies who think they're better than you. You have something that they don't. A brain, and more importantly a fucking personality" he growled in my ear.

"Oh yesss" I hissed. His pace became more faster. 

"Please, I want to cum" I gasped.

"What was that my favorite Student, say it correctly and I may just give you what you like my angel" he groaned.

"Oh please sir, please let me cu-" I was cut off by his hard fast thrust screaming from the pleasure I was getting. 

"Don't you dare cum without me, " he said. Thank God for birth control. "We're gonna cum in 5...4...3...2...oh fuck 1, cum for sir baby cum for me" my orgasm came out of me as I came all over my Professor's cock and thrusted a couple more times in me.

---

We start putting our clothes on. Luckily Duncan had wipes so I wouldn't have to feel sticky. "Well I better be going" I was about to head out of his class then I turned around by Duncan giving me the sweetest, softest kiss.

We pulled away with our heads touching and said " I meant what I said (y/n). You're very special to me. May I take you to dinner on Saturday". I simply nodded. "Yes, Duncan I'd love too" .

A/n: Any thoughts on this? 

Like, comment or reblog and I have one more one shot. 

  @barbie-solecism

@sodanova

@wvntersldr

@kylolangdon

@theghostoflangdon

@miskwaadesiwag

@whysosadmcfly

@creativedogs

@kaccatus

@goddess-of-inferno

@captainskyline

@gracethegeek9902

@castiel-saved-me-from-myself

@amortentiaxo

@langdonsdemon

@poisedphantom

@dyns33

@avesatanormalpeoplescareme

@lvngdvns

@7-wonders

@mytrash-mylife

@myfavouritelunatic

@videogame-addict

[deeahhnuh]

2018!!

I've done this year-in-review thing since 2007! 2007-2012 are over on my old LiveJournal, and 2013-on are right here on my Tumblr. :)

2019 is coming. What?!?!?

Happy almost New Year, Tumblr! :)

What did you do in 2018 that you'd never done before?

Huh... I don't think I actually did anything too different this year! Well, this review is off to a great start, lol!

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

As usual, no real official resolutions - I like having little goals as the year goes along!

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes!! My cousin had a precious baby girl!!

Did anyone close to you die?

My grandmother - Ma - passed away in late November. It's difficult to articulate, mostly because I just can't quite comprehend it yet, how much I will miss her. Ma was the biggest, warmest presence in our family. All of my memories have at least some trace of Ma in them!

One memory that I've recalled a lot lately is of the times we played my Barbie board game, sometime in the late '90s. There were so many wonderful times, but those Barbie game nights with just us girls - Ma, my mom (her daughter), and me - were magical. I would set the game up on the dining room table at BaBa (my grandfather) and Ma's house and we would play and talk and laugh! Ma was in her early 70s then, but her peals of laughter and her face lit up with smiles gave me a glimpse into what she must have been like as a teenager.

That was Ma!! ❤️ She was always up for having fun, for reminiscing about funny memories, for enjoying life. Ma was there for every big event and for all the quiet moments, too. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had Ma for so long into my life. I love her, and I miss her.

What countries did you visit?

None! I really need to get out more, lol!

What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?

Of course there are things I'd like to have, do, and learn in the next year - but I'm happy to say I didn't really lack anything in 2018! :)

What date(s) from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The end of November and beginning of December were marked by sadness and loss, but also with connection and love - my family really helped (and continue to help) one another through a hard time. I feel closer than ever to my fam. ❤️

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Been a Registration Assistant for two years now, and I love it!! Less real-lifey, and actually very goofy - I hit (and passed) 10,000 scrobbles for the year. I haven't hit that kind of high number for a while, so... Achievement!

What was your biggest failure?

Didn't do anything too stupid this year, haha!

Did you suffer illness or injury?

No, yay!

What was the best thing you bought?

I love fragrances, so my fave purchase this year is, of course, a perfume! Calvin Klein Euphoria Amber Gold just smells soooo gooood. It's rich and sweet, kinda syrupy - really beautiful.

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My family. The mama, the dad, the bro - they are so awesome. We're always there for each other - I love them more than words can say!!! ❤️

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

No one really! I've been pretty even-tempered all year, haha!

Where did most of your money go?

Probably perfume, lol! But music is right up there, too. Maybe movies as well! Basically, entertainment!

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Kylie's new album, Golden!! Actually, a few other music faves had new releases too, and I was hyped about them all - Richard Ashcroft (Natural Rebel), Florence + The Machine (High As Hope), Lykke Li (so sad so sexy), Emika (Falling in Love With Sadness), Sarah Brightman (Hymn), and Arctic Monkeys (Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino). Great music, all year long!

What song will always remind you of 2018?

List time!

"Dancing" by Kylie Minogue. Of course! My queen returned with a lovely album this year (see above!), but this seemingly simple first single had to grow on me. I say "seemingly simple" because at first listen, it is! Guitar, stripped-down beat - where's the glitter? It's in Kylie's voice, in how she declares with gusto: "When I go out, I wanna go out dancin'!" A quietly bombastic grower.

"Breathe" by Jax Jones. Catchy and bouncy!

"One Kiss" by Calvin Harris feat. Dua Lipa. Breezy fun!

"In My Mind" by Dynoro & Gigi D'Agostino. Hypnotic!

Compared to this time last year (2017), are you:

Doing really well, kinda like last year! :)

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Quoting last year's year in review: "wish I'd listened to more new albums, and not just compilations." But I loves my dance music comps so much! :O I really think I'll try to listen to more new music in the new year.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Not to be too serious business, but doubting myself. I worry I'm not doing enough, or not doing it right, or could have done it better. I guess a little self doubt keeps you on your toes - keeps you challenging yourself - but I'm happy that as I've gotten older and a tad wiser, and gained more confidence in myself, these worries have lessened. So this year, I did doubt myself, but not as much as last year, or the year before. Here's to an even more confident 2019! ;)

How did you spend Christmas?

Fam, ham, and fun! :)

What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2018?

I managed to not embarrass myself all year, haha!

How many one-night stands?

None, lol

What was your favorite TV program?

Forever a fan of goofy cartoons!

Real Housewives! All of 'em are wonderful trash TV. :) (Gif source!)

And for no good reason I watched every season of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! on Hulu. Cracks me right up!!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?

Put-together and polished, I like to think!

What kept you sane?

Lots of music, movies, and TV. Always up for some entertainment!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nah!

What was the best book you read in 2018?

Ooh, just got a New Year's Resolution for 2019 - read a book, lol.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

I rediscovered some old faves! "Love Today" by Mika has forever been pure joy, "You Can Dance" by Bryan Ferry can't be any smoother, "Spirits" by Jamie Woon stays majestic, "212" by Azealia Banks still slaps, "Reagan's Skeleton" by Yeasayer continues to be massive, and "Watch Out For This (Bumaye)" by Major Lazer is always a banger.

What did you want and get?

Lots of good things - I'm very fortunate!!

What did you want and not get?

Nothing! Like I said, fortunate. ❤️

What was your favorite film of this year?

I didn't see many movies released this year, but I did really like Ant-Man and the Wasp!

And A Quiet Place!

I also saw Midnight in Paris (2011) after years of meaning to - it's such a lovely film!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

32! Little fun things - used CD shopping (a fave thing to do), movies, good meal...!

What three things would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Can't ask for more!!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I've never watched American Horror Story because it seems pretty spoopy and I'm a wimp, but I was going around the channels and that guy who plays the Antichrist lol - Cody Fern - caught my eye. He fine!

What political issue stirred you the most?

There's something new stirring every day, ugh!

Who did you miss?

Ma. ❤️

What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018?

Family matters - not the TV show, although that's good too! I already knew this, but I really really felt it so much this year. ❤️

What quote can be used to sum up your year?

"When I go out, I wanna go out dancin'!" No matter what's going on, I want to try and have a good time and enjoy things! Here's to a 2019 full of goin' out and dancing! :)

[evakfanficsrecs]

Hiiiii 💕💕💕 I was wondering if you have new fluffs to recommend? (as I've already ended the ones on the fluff tag) Anything with a bit of humour, them being domestic fools, teasing eachother and loving eachother very much 😊 Thank you 💝💝💝💝

Hello, lovely!

Right, so… I promised myself I wouldn’t make another fluff list anytime soon since the last one was so. damn. long. and I feel like the amount off fluff I read is just unhealthy, BUT since you asked so nicely…

Here’s yet another masterpost of my favorite newest fluffy oneshots with a little bit of humour, banter, domesticity and so much more :)

Sorry if it gets too long (it will)!

*

It Has a Balcony by sasnillSummary: “We could get our own place,” Isak said, the thoughts forming simultaneous to them pouring from his mouth. “Because - I mean, we kind of live together now, and Noora’s been sleeping on the couch for months, which… that’s really nice of her, but - so if she didn’t have to do that anymore, that would be…” Even kissed him.When they broke apart, faces pressed together so that Isak could feel Even’s breath on his lips, he said, “Would you want to?” Even laughed. He said, “Yes, I’d want to,” and kissed Isak again. So they do.

you bring me home by hippopotamusSummary: Even comes home to find Isak listening to Harry Styles’ album. 

hey good looking, what you got cooking. by milominderbinderSummary: “The first rule of cooking,” Even says, looking Isak very seriously in the eyes and handing him a spatula, “Is to always be prepared for anything.” Isak blinks. He accepts the spatula, but considering they aren’t even stood in the kitchen yet, he’s not particularly sure what he’s supposed to do with it. “I feel like that’s not the first rule of cooking. Isn’t the first rule of cooking probably something to do with not giving people food poisoning or chopping your finger off with a meat knife or something?”

and now my heart is ready by verlore_poplapSummary: Isak’s only eighteen, Even proposes a lot, everybody cries and - surprisingly - no one makes a joke about Isak being a teenage bride.

I Just Want To Say I Love You by sugarbeat24Summary: The 3 times Isak tries to tell Even he loves him with a grand romantic gesture and the 1 time he tries something different and succeeds.

The Adventures of the Snapback by littlemovie (Lejla)Summary: The guy raised his eyebrows, when Isak had not said anything for quite a while, a faux innocent expression on his face, which brought Isak back to the present. “That’s my snapback!” Yeah okay, Isak could have eased a bit better into the conversation instead of yelling in the guy’s face. If possible, the guy’s brows climbed even higher on his forehead. “Excuse me?” Isak could feel the blush spreading from his chest to his cheeks. “I mean.. yeah, that’s my snapback and I want it back.” The guy grinned, “I really don’t think so.”

(Drunk) In Love by verlore_poplapSummary: Isak falls in love at first sight. Too bad he’s drunk off his ass when it happens. 

Who, With Pancakes, Is Poor? by colazitronSummary: When Isak wakes up, it’s to a warm, sunny day, and his boyfriend making pancakes. What could be better than that? 

A cloud of smoke by ForEvenAndEver (yuraxchan)Summary: “I’ve made a list of pros and cons of why you should stop smoking, babe.” Isak grabs a paper folded in four conveniently left on the table the night before, clears his throat and looks at Even to make sure he’s listening. He is, of course. Although, he looks adorably confused this early in the morning. Isak stares at him for longer than necessary, admiring the view of Even with puffy eyes and his hair in disarray, still rumpled from sleep. Or, Isak tries to make Even stop smoking by using his charms as a distraction.

the best place to begin by milominderbinderSummary: It’s funny how fast you develop habits when you live with someone. 

let us cling together as the years go by by sargentblueSummary: It’s been sitting in Even’s front pocket for a while. He could feel the weight of it against his leg throughout the day, and Even feels like it sticks out like a sore thumb, but Isak (or anyone else, for that matter) hasn’t noticed.It’s not surprising, really. Isak is not very observant at the best of times and the only time he really notices if anything is going on in Even’s pants is for very different reasons. Very different indeed. It’s safe to say Even’s a little bit on edge for the duration of the gathering. Asking someone to marry you is no small feat. * (Or: Even proposes on Isak’s birthday.)

It’s easy come, never go by LostInAdmirationSummary: Being a parent was terrifying. It was exhausting and stressful and Isak hadn’t slept properly in weeks. He barely felt like he could take care of himself, so taking care of such a small thing that totally relied on him was truly nerve-wracking. Isak relayed all of this to Jonas during their weekly meet up. It had become more like monthly, since Jonas lived a few hours away from their home town now, and Isak was always so busy. Still, every time they reunited it was like no time had passed at all. Jonas snorted and rolled his eyes as Isak complained. “He’s a dog, Isak, not a baby.”

Dundyne, sval by colazitronSummary: Since it’s summer now, Even suggests they get a summer duvet. A double, of course, because sharing is caring. That means a trip to IKEA.

love must be made, and made new (all the time). by milominderbinderSummary: After moving in to their new apartment together, Isak and Even go grocery shopping for the first time. Featuring: illegible shopping lists, Even’s weird food obsessions, and a conversation about what, exactly, it takes to make a home. 

The Study Buddy by wordsarelifealwaysSummary: uni!au; In this universe, Even meets Isak when he pours Red Bull into a black coffee at 7.15 AM to cope with a morning class. Even’s inner barista is horrified, but damn if the boy isn’t cute.

in the woods somewhere. by milominderbinderSummary: The boy squad go camping for the weekend. Featuring marshmallows, weed, Isak being sappy, jokes about pitching tents, and as always, Isak’s friends being a little bit too concerned with his sex life.

baby we’ve got new love by itjustkindahappenedSummary: coffee shop!au; Isak is hella fucking gay and desperately single, and Eskild wants to change that. Even just has a thing about timing. Coffee shop AU with an ironic amount of tea enthusiasm and a whole lot of pining. 

holiday barbies are fucking expensive by alotofphandomsSummary: As Even was just able to leave, having completely given up on this date, something interesting happened. Some actual adventure came his way. Or, Even is being stood up on a date when suddenly a fluffy haired teen slides into his booth with a stolen Holiday Barbie in the middle of July. 

and you (i want you most of all). by milominderbinderSummary: Five days after moving in with Even, Isak forces himself to leave the I’m so in love and nothing else matters bubble, and write an important essay for school. Unfortunately, he tries to write it while Even is home. And it turns out, Even is very, very distracting.

No problem ♥ I hope you enjoy!

–A