#horizon catwalk

[nerd-artist]

Beta in a custom outfit crafted by her new family ✨

[cookiekurimu]

Catwalk

Art by Cookie

[jobean12-blog]

The Perfect Fit

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Word Count: 1,025

Summary: Bucky finds the perfect moment for something perfect. 

Author’s Note: This amazing idea is all thanks to my sweet Kate @breakablebarnes and her awesome brain, thank you for sharing my lovely! I fell in love the moment she mentioned it and I hope you all do too! 💕I went the domestic fluffy love way for this one bcause sometimes these small moments are the biggest. Thank you all so much for reading! Much love always! ❤️❤️❤️ Divider by my sweet Daisy @firefly-graphics thank you love 🥰

Warnings: sweet fluffy love and alpine

Gif NOT MINE: if anyone knows who made it please let me know and I will happily credit it properly, thank you 💕

“Hey Doll, have you seen Alpine’s leash?”

You stick your head around the edge of the wall and look around.

“Umm, I thought it was hanging by the door like always?” you muse.

“I know, me too,” Bucky replies as he shuffles through the shoes on the floor.

“Buckkkkkk,” you whine.

“Yea doll face?” he answers.

“Have you seen my white Nike sneakers? I thought I left them in here,” you shout from the bedroom.

“They’re right here baby doll,” he says, hooking his thumbs into the heels and holding them up for you.

You come wandering into the living room and pluck them from his fingers.

“Thank you,” you say with a kiss to his cheek.

“But where is that leash?” he mutters.

A loud crash has you both jumping up and rushing into the kitchen. Your eyes roll before the words come out of your mouth.

“ALPINE!” both you and Bucky chide when you spot the cat perched atop the refrigerator looking down at the leash that’s now on the floor.

“He pulled it on top of the fridge again,” Bucky grumbles.

“At least we found it,” you shrug.

Bucky smiles and reaches up to get the cat, carrying him in the crook of his metal arm.

“Come on buddy, time for a walk.”

Alpine meows and rubs his head on Bucky’s arm, purring softly.

You slip your sneakers on and grab your bag, opening the door while Bucky sets up Alpine. The white fluffy cat trots out the door like he’s on the catwalk and you can’t help but giggle.

“He loves his walks,” Bucky smiles.

“To be fair, so do I,” you say, taking Bucky’s outstretched hand.

The three of you mosey along down the sidewalk, the summer heat subdued now that the sun is starting to set and the sky is alight with pink and orange hues.

“Want to walk down to the Brooklyn Bridge Park?” Bucky asks, giving your hand a squeeze.

You nod and curl into his side, laying your head against his shoulder.

Alpine trots contentedly in front of you, his tail swishing back and forth as he carefully watches the comings and goings of the city.

By the time you reach the park the sun is at the horizon and a splash of pink is spreading out across the darkening sky like a rolling wave.

You walk down to the pathway that meanders by the water and breathe in the salty air.

“Your shoe is untied doll.”

“Huh?” you ask, looking down at your feet. “Oh yeah. That’s ok.”

You start to walk but Bucky tsks and hands you Alpine’s leash.

“No, no. I can’t have you tripping and hurting yourself,” he says. “I’ll tie it.”

He kneels down and gently pulls your foot forward, carefully working the laces through his thick fingers.

“What would I do without you Buck?” you whisper.

“I think you could manage to get your shoes tied at least,” he teases. “Gimme the other foot. I want to make sure it’s tight.”

“You’re the best,” you tell him. “You know that. I’m so lucky to have you.”

He looks up at you, his breath catching in his throat at the way the setting sunlight dances on your skin, bathing you in an ethereal glow and making your eyes sparkle like stardust.

“I love you doll.”

“I love you too Bucky.”

Alpine weaves his way through Bucky’s legs, rubbing on his calf and purring for attention. It makes your smile widen and Bucky’s heart skips a beat, the beauty of you and the moment taking his breath away.

Just the kind of moment for which he’s been waiting.

“Heya doll face?” he asks, still on his knee.

“Yea Buck?” you giggle.

“So, I’ve been wanting to find the right time to ask you something…and this might just be perfect.”

You make a small gasp, covering your mouth as tears instantly fill your eyes. His lips turn up into the softest lopsided smile and your heart flutters anew.

“I…uh,” he starts before clearing the emotion from his throat. “How you look at me, the way you are now, it makes me wonder…where do I belong if not right here. Right next to you, breathing you in, this love. The right words are so hard to find because they never seem like enough. But I just know…there’s this beating in my heart, and it sounds like you and this ache in my chest…it feels like you and you are everything I could ever dream of.”

A single tear rolls down your cheek and his fingers twitch to wipe it away but there’s one more thing to ask.

“Will you marry me?”

You nod ‘yes’ frantically, choking back more tears before you throw yourself into his arms. He catches you, holding you against his chest as you pepper his cheeks with kisses and run your fingers through his hair. He sits on the pavement and wraps you up, pressing you closer.

“Bucky,” you whisper, resting your forehead to his. “Bucky…”

Silent tears roll down your cheeks and now he wastes no time to gently brush his thumb across your skin.

He takes your hand in his and rubs his thumb over your left ring finger.

“There’s only one problem,” he says, giving you wide eyes. “I don’t have the ring with me.”

You throw your head back and laugh.

“I don’t need a ring Bucky. I’ve got you.”

“Baby doll,” he breathes out. “I know but I want to give you everything…”

“You already have,” you interrupt, kissing him quiet.

When you pull away he smiles against your lips.

“I do have an idea though…”

You watch as he brings his hand between your bodies and slides the black hair tie off his wrist. He holds your left hand in his and loops the tie around your ring finger, twisting it several times before it’s tight enough and won’t fall off.

You lift your hand up to your face and wiggle your fingers.

“It’s absolutely perfect,” you cheer.

Alpine agrees with a meow and jumps up onto Bucky’s shoulder, smooshing his head under Bucky’s chin.

@book-dragon-13 @christywantspizza​ @dreamlessinparis​ @goldylions​ @hiddles-and-skittles​ @hiddles-rose​ @jhangelface0523​ @loricamebackyetagain​ @loki-laufeyson-1054​ @lookiamtrying​ @maladaptivexxdaydreaming​ @nano--raptor​ @rebel-stardust​ @seitmai​ @justile​ @randomfandompenguin​ @weekendgothgirl​

[angel-with-paper-wings]

The Siren’s Song

A super quick one-shot I threw together after being inspired by this amazing art done by nipuni!

This takes place while Erik the siren/merman is in Persia and working for the Shah, and Nadir is charged with making sure he is cared for and ready to suit the Shah’s whims. I hope you all enjoy and thanks again to nipuni for the incredible art and idea!

Rating/Warnings: rated T, tiny amount of gore, references to murder

The sun dipped just below the west horizon, painting the Mazenderan sky a bright blood-red. From the window of the great Persian palace overlooking the Caspian Sea, the sunset’s glowing splendor made for a breathtaking view. A single figure stood at the window; Nadir watched the light disappear below the horizon with a heavy sigh. With the end of the day came one of Nadir’s most important duties, one that he either found mildly enjoyable or extremely unpleasant. The probability of either outcome was as unpredictable as the waves in the sea below him. 

Nadir tipped the last of his cup of tea into his mouth, letting the flavors cradle his tongue for a moment before turning away from the window. He then walked through the halls of the fine palace towards the kitchen. The Shah had spared no expense in the construction of the lavish building, which served as His Majesty’s personal home in the region of Mazenderan. Nadir Khan held authority of the property when the Shah was not present, and as such was in charge of the strange rituals that occurred within the building. Or, more accurately, below it.

In the kitchen, Nadir prepared two small baskets of sustenance, then took them and proceeded to the entrance to the palace’s cellars. Down the dark stone steps he treaded, so accustomed to the path by now that he could walk it without the aid of a lantern. He arrived outside a large wooden door with a ruby-encrusted doorknob. Willing his heart to stop beating so fast, he turned the doorknob and opened the door.

Inside was an enormous room, with dark stone walls lit intermittently with torches. The floor of the room was almost entirely missing, replaced instead with a great pool of black water. The surface of the liquid was eerily still and presented no indication of how deep it was. The stillness, coupled with the obtrusive feeling of unknown, gave any who entered it a chill along their spine.

Nadir felt the feeling wash over him again, but let it pass with a practiced air of calm. He stepped forward from the doorway onto the stone platform that formed the edge of the pool. The platform extended forward about three meters, before stopping at the water’s edge. However, a thin stone catwalk, wide enough for a single person to stand on at a time, extended out along the surface of the water, stopping in the center of the great pool. Simply standing on the platform near the door was terrifying enough, but many enemies of the Shah had found themselves being urged out onto the slippery catwalk to meet a ghastly fate. No one in their right mind would step foot on that catwalk, even if they were unaware of what lay beneath the water’s surface; even now, Nadir felt his primal defenses tensing and urging him not to step forward. But he had done this many times before.

He closed the wooden door and let the loud slam echo off of the stone walls. He then stepped forward across the platform with purposefully heavy footsteps: one, two, three, four, five. With a deep breath, Nadir then stepped forward onto the catwalk. He kept his movements slow and scanned the water carefully with his jade-green eyes.

Once he was almost at the edge of the walkway, he became aware of a strange sound surrounding him. It was so faint he did not notice it at first, but by each passing second it grew into a low droning note, half-breath and half-music. It seemed to rise from the water itself, the surface of which remained smooth and black as ink. The soft humming wove itself into Nadir’s mind, pulling him closer and closer, but he fought to keep his legs steady on the platform and his eyes fixed on the water. His voice called out into the chill air of the room, breaking through the humming with a single word.

“Erik?”

At once the humming stopped. Nadir looked around for any sign of movement below the murky water.

“You’re late,” a voice called from behind Nadir. The Persian man jumped and almost slipped on the stone catwalk, hissing out a curse. He turned around to see the figure of a man—well, a man’s head and torso—sitting atop the edge of the stone platform. Where his hips would have begun, the pale skin faded into black scales: the beginning of a long black tail that at the moment remained hidden beneath the surface of the dark water. The top half of the siren’s face was covered by a sculpted white mask, and the bottom half was curled up in an unsettling grin, his yellow eyes unblinkingly fixed on Nadir.

“I had to finish my tea,” Nadir muttered. “But I am not one to forget my duties.” He held up the pair of baskets in his hands.

The yellow eyes shifted to rest on the basket. Erik’s eerie grin widened, his thin lips pulling back to reveal two rows of razor-sharp fangs. Without warning the siren plunged himself into the water, barely leaving a ripple in his wake as he disappeared beneath the surface. The room became deathly quiet again, until Nadir saw a shimmering out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look down at the water next to him, and watched the spiny points of fins dragging along just under the surface. The whiplike tail then flipped out of the water, sprinkling Nadir with a spray of droplets. The man grumbled and wiped his face bitterly.

He whipped his head around to the other side and saw the siren’s head poking out of the water a few feet off of the catwalk, the sly grin frozen in place. Nadir knelt down on the stone walkway and said, “You make this quite difficult. Although I’m sure that is the intention.”

Erik scoffed. “You offend me, Daroga. It is always my intention to make guests feel comfortable when they visit my home.” He brought his bony elbows up to rest on the stone catwalk and craned his neck to see what Nadir was rummaging with in the basket. “What have you brought for me to break my fast with today, hmm?”

Nadir let out a huff as he extracted a large fish, freshly caught. He avoided meeting Erik’s eyes as the siren’s tongue poked out from between the thin lips, dragging across the dagger-like teeth. In the other basket, Nadir revealed his own meal: seasoned lamb kebab with rice and flatbread. At the sight of the “human” food, the siren turned up his nose. “You’ll spoil my appetite, Daroga,” he whined, inching himself further away.

Nadir gave Erik an amused glare while he sat and took a bite of the bread. The siren made a face of disgust before turning his attention to his own meal.

The strange pair began to eat together; at one point, Nadir looked up at the siren, but immediately wished he hadn’t. Erik’s mouth was rimmed with blood, and Nadir’s stomach turned as he watched the long tongue swipe hungrily over his fangs, wiping them clean of fish. “How is your new invention coming along?” Nadir asked, attempting to distract himself from the rather frightening image.

Erik’s yellow eyes sparked. “Perhaps you could tell me,” he said mischievously. At Nadir’s questioning look, he added, “I just tried it on you.”

Nadir frowned. “The humming?”

The siren nodded. Behind him, the fins of his long black tail splashed excitedly in the water. “I have found a frequency of sound that most humans find relaxing, even intoxicating. Amplifying this signal allows it to pass through water with relative ease, reaching their ears without them realizing the source…until it is too late.” The fang-filled grin flashed across his face again.

Nadir nodded in understanding. He wouldn’t lie, it made him a bit disappointed inside to know that Erik was capable of such ingenuity and artistry, only for it to be exploited in the name of causing torture and death. He sighed to himself.

“What about you, Daroga? How are things faring in the world above?” Erik asked as he set aside the bones of the fish and began picking at his fangs with one slender finger.

“Well, the Shah is having trouble finding a replacement vizier, one that he finds more trustworthy than the last.” Nadir couldn’t help his eyes from glancing over to where the scaly black tail shimmered and swished beneath the water. The last vizier, after his betrayal to the Shah was discovered, had found his death in this very room not a week prior, his neck snapped within the elastic force of that same strong tail. Nadir inhaled a deep breath to clear his thoughts. “As such, His Majesty has found himself under a lot of stress. He questions the loyalty of almost everyone around him. Because of this, I imagine you’ll be getting more…visitors soon.”

At Nadir’s last statement, Erik’s eyes darkened. “Visitors,” he spat the word with disdain. He pushed himself off of the stone catwalk and sunk lower into the water. He began to effortlessly swim in a circle before Nadir as he spoke impatiently. “There is no need for petty euphemisms, Daroga. I know what my role is to the Shah. I am his royal executioner; he sends me those he hates the most, the ones he wishes to see die the most agonizing deaths. And much like you, I am not one to forget the duties assigned to me.”

Nadir met the siren’s burning yellow gaze. “That is not the only role you fulfill, Erik,” he assured firmly. “You are an architect, the greatest Persia has ever seen. Your creations have brought wonder and beauty to many, not just terror and destruction. Trust me, you are valued much more than as a simple executioner.”

Erik’s tail lashed through the water, and he practically leapt forward until he was in front of Nadir. “Then why does the Shah keep me in a shallow tank and feed me like an exotic pet? Do not dare lie to me, Daroga, for I know my true worth in this country.” He slowly slid back into the water, turning his black-spined back to Nadir. His hand drifted up to touch the edge of the porcelain mask that hid half of his face. “I know my true worth…in this world.”

Nadir watched Erik with great pity within his noble and generous heart. After a quiet moment, he reached a hand into the inner pocket of his coat. “I believe you requested this a few days ago,” he said softly.

Erik turned his head around, and his eyes widened as he looked upon the object in Nadir’s hands. It was a large book, leather-bound with gold letters forming a title across the cover. He eagerly swam closer to find out what it said. “Italian Architecture of the 16th Century,” he read. His fingers reached up and snatched it from Nadir’s offering hands; he opened it up and began looking through it quickly, paying little attention to the small drops of water from his wet hands soaking through the pages. “Fascinating.”

Nadir smiled at his eagerness. “I suppose I’ll leave you to it, then. Enjoy your evening.” He have a small bow before standing and waking back along the catwalk to the stone platform.

Just as he reached for the door handle, he heard the voice behind him again say, “Daroga.” Nadir paused, before turning back around.

Erik slowly swam forward, cutting through the water like glass without leaving a single ripple. He reached the edge of the pool and pushed himself out with his wiry arms, resting the base of his tail on the stone platform. In the torchlight, Nadir could see the scars that slashed across his chest and shoulders, the way his ribs and joints protruded plainly from under his greyish pale skin. Despite the nocturnal darkness that rimmed his golden pupils, Erik’s eyes appeared soft as they focused on Nadir. “You have my thanks,” he whispered timidly.

A warmth erupted in Nadir’s chest as he took in Erik’s quiet words. With the corners of his lips turned up in a smile, Nadir gave Erik one final nod before opening the door and climbing back up to the world above.

[voidpetrova]

accessory — jeremy gilbert x reader

☄. *. ⋆

content warnings and genre: swearing, cheating, using, sex, age difference: in this story, everybody is above the age of 18, but jeremy is significantly younger than you by about 10 years. this plot is derived as one of the subplots in desperate housewives — drama, angst, smut

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

synopsis: you were once of mystic fall's most popular ex-models, something you has given up to pursue a luxurious life with tyler lockwood, who was loaded and willing to spend it all on you. of course, you were nothing but an accessory to him, so you had to find a way to cope with that. loose morals led to something more with a certain gardener of yours

word count: 2,5k

✧.*

the sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the picturesque town of mystic falls. the quaint streets were lined with elegant houses, each harboring its own share of secrets and mysteries.

among these houses, nestled behind intricately designed gates, was a suburban mansion that seemed to radiate opulence and luxury.

you were once the talk of the town, a renowned ex-model whose stunning beauty graced the covers of magazines and billboards. but fame had its price, and you had grown tired of the constant spotlight. it was in the midst of this weariness that you met tyler lockwood, the scion of one of mystic falls' wealthiest families. his charming smile and the promise of a life of extravagance had enticed you to leave the world of cameras and catwalks behind.

tyler swept you off your feet, showering you with lavish gifts and romantic gestures. on your third date, he presented you with a dazzling diamond ring, proposing in a whirlwind of passion. the prospect of a life filled with riches was alluring, and you found yourself saying yes without truly knowing the man behind the wealth.

as time went on, however, you couldn't ignore the growing emptiness within. it became painfully clear that you were nothing more than an accessory in tyler's world, a trophy to display to his peers. the extravagant parties and designer dresses masked the shallowness of your relationship.

amidst this facade, a different connection began to form. jeremy gilbert, a young and enigmatic gardener who tended to the mansion's sprawling grounds, caught your eye. tyler had hired him in order to give him a project—something to focus on in order to help overcome his addiction. his quiet demeanor and soulful eyes revealed depths that were missing from your relationship with tyler. a shared smile turned into stolen glances, and before you knew it, a secret affair blossomed—a forbidden escape from the confines of your gilded cage.

as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the mansion's gardens, you found yourself torn between two worlds. the world of luxury and convenience offered by tyler, and the world of depth and emotion offered by jeremy.

tyler's announcement of his impending business trip came as no surprise, yet it still weighed heavily on your heart. as he stood in the grand foyer, clad in a perfectly tailored suit, he smiled that rehearsed smile of his and promised new dresses as compensation for his absence.

“darling, i've got a few days of meetings out of town, but i promise i'll make it up to you with a shopping spree. how does that sound?” tyler's voice was smooth, his words a well-practiced melody that masked the hollowness in his sentiment.

but all you wanted was his presence, not extravagant gifts. the gilded cages of the mansion's rooms seemed to close in around you, suffocating you with their emptiness. frustration bubbled within you, and you struggled to hold back your feelings.

“i don't need new dresses, tyler. i need you here, with me,” you managed to say, your voice laced with a mix of anger and desperation.

he chuckled condescendingly, his eyes dismissing your sentiment. “come on, love, you know how important these deals are. i'll be back before you know it.”

As Tyler headed outside, his words of criticism for Jeremy's garden work pierced the air. Jeremy's usually calm demeanor faltered, his excuse about equipment issues ringing hollow. You noticed a gash on his finger, a telltale sign of his hard work in the gardens.

tyler's voice grew louder as he berated Jeremy for the unkempt grass, unaware of the real reason for the gardener's distraction. you could see the pain in jeremy's eyes, both from the wound and tyler's harsh words.

desperation and sympathy tugged at your heartstrings. “tyler, he's hurt. i have some bandaids in the kitchen cupboard,” you interjected, your voice firm yet gentle.

your husband dismissed the situation and left in a hurry, and the moment the door closed behind him, you followed jeremy inside, your heart heavy with compassion. his injured finger was surprisingly delicate as you held it gently, pressing a soft kiss to the bandaged wound.

jeremy's eyes met yours, a mixture of gratitude and longing reflected in them. in that fleeting moment, the air between you grew charged with an unspoken connection—a shared understanding that extended beyond the facade of your respective roles.

he pressed his lips against yours, bandaged finger raking through your perfectly blown-out hair. “you're husband's a dick.” he murmured, pulling you in closer as the kiss deepened. you couldn't help but giggle. “tell me something i don't know.” you replied playfully, your fingers tracing the contours of his cheek as the kiss deepened.

his arms encircled your waist, pulling you impossibly close as if he wanted to erase any space between you. the taste of his lips was a bittersweet addiction, a forbidden solace you both sought in the midst of your complicated lives.

as the intensity of the kiss grew, a magnetic pull drew you both towards the grand staircase that led to the upper floors of the mansion. each step you took was laden with anticipation and a mixture of guilt and desire that seemed to echo through the hallways.

his hand held yours, guiding you up the stairs as your lips remained locked in a passionate embrace. the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the echoing sound of your racing heartbeats. with each step, the weight of your secrets and the allure of forbidden love deepened the connection between you.

reaching the top of the stairs, you found yourselves standing in front of your shared bedroom door. the room held the promise of stolen moments, a sanctuary where the boundaries of your lives could momentarily blur. without breaking the kiss, he pushed the door open, and you both stumbled inside, the intensity of your emotions guiding your actions.

the door closed behind you with a soft click, the world outside now completely shut off. the room was illuminated by the gentle glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting a silvery sheen over your surroundings. the air was thick with anticipation, a heady mix of longing and trepidation.

he pressed you against the door, his lips leaving a trail of fervent kisses along your jawline and down your neck. his touch was both gentle and possessive, his bandaged finger tracing patterns over your skin, leaving a burning sensation in its wake.

with each stolen touch, the barriers between you crumbled, leaving only raw vulnerability. his hands slid down your sides, his touch setting your skin ablaze as he held you close. the world outside ceased to exist as your fingers tangled in his hair, your kisses becoming a symphony of unspoken promises.

his voice was a husky whisper against your ear, sending shivers down your spine. “does he make you feel like this?” he asked, his gaze searching yours for any sign of reciprocated obsession.

your response was a lingering kiss and a shake of your head, a silent affirmation of your desires. In that moment, words were unnecessary—the connection between your bodies and hearts spoke louder than anything else. your fingers worked together to rid each other of the confines of clothing, the vulnerability of your naked forms mirroring the raw honesty of your feelings.

when he climaxed, all you felt was pure bliss. how you had responded to his earlier question was nothing but true—tyler never made you feel like this. he never made you feel good about yourself, loved. he never pleased you the way jeremy did. every touch was laced with love replacing lust, every kiss toying with admiration and desire. he wanted you and treated you in all the ways tyler was unable to.

you rolled onto your side, propping yourself up on your left elbow as you turned to your nightstand, retrieving a cigarette from a brand new box. you could feel jeremy's eyes of admiration on you as you placed it between your lips, lighting it up cautiously. you took a drag before turning back towards him, a soft smile playing on your lips as you met his watchful gaze.

“can i get a drag?” he questioned, only half-joking. you rolled your eyes playfully before taking another long drag and leaning the cigarette against a crystal ashtray. “oh, no,” you mused, leaning back into his touch. his smile was evident as you teased him, inches away from his lips. “you're much too young to smoke. take it from a wrinkly old woman.”

he knew you were joking, but he couldn't help taking offense in your name. “how can you say that?” he questioned you. truth be told, you weren't old enoigh to be his mother. but he was a nineteen year-old boy, and you were a year away from turning thirty. the age difference, despite your youthful beauty, knew how to turn heads. “you're not that much older than me, and you're the most beautiful woman i've ever met.”

you couldn't help but blush at his touching words, closing the gap between your lips. the kiss was filled with hunger, a round two working its way to take you out at your knees, until the familiar sound of a car pulling up in the driveway filled your ears.

your heart raced as you quickly pulled away from jeremy, your senses immediately on high alert. you exchanged a concerned glance with him, both realizing the potential consequences of being caught in such a compromising situation.

with a sigh, you quickly sat up and glanced around the room, your mind racing for a way to salvage the situation. “it's tyler,” you whispered urgently, referring to your husband. panic crept into your voice as you hastily grabbed your clothes and started dressing, your thoughts a jumble of fear and guilt.

jeremy's expression darkened as he realized the gravity of the situation. he scrambled to gather his own clothes, his fingers fumbling in his haste. “what are we going to do?” he asked, his voice tinged with desperation. you could see the mixture of hurt and fear in his eyes, knowing that this situation was a stark reminder of the complexities of your affair.

as the sound of footsteps approached the bedroom door, your heart pounded in your chest. you exchanged one last look with jeremy, a silent understanding passing between you. “we can't let him find out,” you whispered, your voice cracking with emotion. with that, jeremy slipped out the open window just as the bedroom door swung open.

tyler's entrance was marked by an air of arrogance, his demeanor haughty as he glanced around the room. his gaze lingered on you, and you forced a smile onto your face, hoping to appear nonchalant despite the guilt that gnawed at you. “darling, i thought you had your trip,” you said, feigning surprise.

his lips curled into a smug smile, his eyes glinting with a mixture of possessiveness and indifference. “i forgot some documents.” he replied, his gaze lingering on you a moment longer before he turned away. you exhaled a shaky breath, relieved that he didn't seem to suspect anything.

as he walked away, you sank onto the edge of the bed, your emotions in turmoil. the encounter left you grappling with the choices you'd made and the tangled web of emotions you were caught in. and as you looked at the closed side door, you couldn't shake the feeling that things were spiraling out of control, threatening to expose the fragile balance you'd managed to maintain for so long.

disguised with a headscarf and sunglasses, you made your way to jeremy's house the following day. the weight of the situation hung heavily on your shoulders as you knocked on his door. when he opened it, his expression a mix of anticipation and dread, you took a deep breath and he motioned for you to step inside for privacy. you were relieved to find that his aunt and sister weren't there.

“i need to talk to you,” you began, your voice soft yet urgent. his shoulders slumped slightly, and you could see the worry etched across his face. “is everything okay?” he asked cautiously, his eyes searching yours for answers.

you took a moment to gather your thoughts before continuing. “tyler's starting to get suspicious. he's been asking questions about you, and i'm afraid he might catch on if we continue meeting at my house.” jeremy's brows furrowed in concern, his relief evident. he likely thought you were about to end things between you two.

“what are you saying?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and sadness. you reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm, trying to convey your sincerity. “i'm not saying we're ending anything. but we need to be more careful. we can't afford to be careless, especially now that tyler's suspicions are aroused.”

relief washed over his features, and he nodded in understanding. “so, what do we do?” he asked, a flicker of hope in his eyes. you gave him a small, reassuring smile. “we need to continue, but we have to be smarter about it. we can't meet here anymore. and jeremy, i need you to actually do some gardening. it'll help throw off tyler's suspicions if he sees you working around the property.”

he grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “you mean i have to do real work instead of sneaking around?” he teased. you chuckled softly, your heart warming at his playful tone. “exactly. it'll give us the perfect alibi.” the tension that had gripped you since the morning started to ease, replaced by a renewed sense of determination.

jeremy stepped closer to you, his expression shifting from playful to intense. “so, where do we meet then?” he asked, his voice a low murmur. your gaze met his, and your heart quickened as desire flared between you. “i have a place in mind. it's private and far away from prying eyes.”

je leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to yours. “good,” he whispered, his voice husky. in that moment, the world around you seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you and the electric connection you shared.

as your lips met in a heated kiss, the worries and complexities of your situation melted away, replaced by a consuming passion that defied the odds stacked against you. when you finally pulled apart, both of you were left breathless and wanting more.

“i have something for you,” jeremy said, a playful smile tugging at his lips. he reached behind a nearby plant and produced the most exquisite rose you'd ever seen. its petals were a vibrant shade of red, and it seemed to glow in the sunlight.

“it's for you,” he murmured, his gaze intense as he handed you the rose. “it's the prettiest one i've ever seen, just like you.” your heart swelled at his words, and you held the rose close, your emotions swirling like a tempestuous storm.

for jeremy, this was no longer a meaningless little affair. you could now clearly see, he was falling in love with you.

[novamariestark]

Cowboy on a Segway

[A/N] this was written on my phone. There may be spelling mistakes, either due to my fat thumbs or autocorrect.

Summary: you and Madison have been alone since the start. You feel completely responsible for her safety. One day you two meet Columbus and Tallahassee. When they invite you back to their camp, you have a little drink with Tallahassee

Warnings: 🔞, piv (unprotected sex), age gap, Venice mentioned as your name but you can change it, oral, poorly written smut

Word count: 3641

Fandom: Zombieland 2: Double Tap

Pairing: Tallahassee x reader

For the past several years, the abandoned mall had been your home. You had managed to scavenge and collect enough supplies from the various small businesses tucked away within its walls to keep yourself fed and tended to during the winter months. However, your resources were now running dry, and you had come to the realization that it was time to venture outside of the mall and find some more provisions elsewhere. Despite the availability of other housing options, you had chosen to make the mall your home, with the only problem being your persistent little sister who had taken up residence in the freezer. Your living quarters were situated on a catwalk hanging down the ceiling of the mall, which provided you with an excellent view of all the shops and stores below, including the one that your sister wouldn’t leave.

You sighed as you encountered yet another zombie. This was typical for any journey outside - always a few of them that either had failed to make it to wherever they were going, or were too comfortable where they were. You had become used to the sudden adrenaline rush of preparing to face another one of the undead - a reflex that you had grown accustomed to over the years.

You raised your trusty axe, ready to defend yourself against the rotting corpse lurching towards you. In one swift motion, you brought the axe down on its head, cleaving it in two. The putrid flesh and bone crumbled under the force of your blow, leaving a mess behind. You wiped the axe clean on your pants and continued on your way, the cold air filling your lungs as you breathed.

But what if something happened to you? What would happen to your sister without you around? The thought crossed your mind, as it often did, as it was a constant and understandable fear. You felt a bit protective of your sister, and you wanted to make sure she was safe no matter what happened.

When you got back to the freezer, you found it empty. You realized you had been gone longer than expected and your heart sank with worry – had something happened to her while you were away? You scanned the horizon for any sign of movement. You quickly dropped the supplies through the door and set off to look for her.

‘What part of stay here did she not understand?’ you asked yourself aloud. Even before the world was overrun by drooling, undead freaks, you were looking after Madison. In some ways, she was like a toddler, you couldn’t take your eyes off her for a second.

A scream and a gunshot caught your attention, sending your heart into an indescribable panic. You knew who had screamed and terror beyond compare had you sprinting towards the source. Your sister's safety was your sole priority and with that in mind, you cocked your own gun, ready to shoot whoever was attacking her.

The distance between you and the source closed with each step you took, until you could hear your sister's voice coming from a candle shop. You stopped behind a board when you saw a – cowboy? On a segway? ‘How tired are you?’

“Don’t mind me,” he said, putting his gun away.

You stopped outside the doorway and peered into the shop. You make your presence known to the cowboy and stand beside him to find your sister hugging a curly haired boy. A stranger. Typical.

“Maddy!”

She released her hold and turned to you, “Hey Venny, look. Humans!”

“Yes,” you said, drawing out the word longer with a sarcastic nod of your head, “That’s why they’re talking,”

“Is this your dad?” Madison asked, turning towards the curly haired kid she had just been glued to. Gesturing to the man with the Segway and cowboy hat. God you loved cowboy hats.

“For shit’s sake, slightly older, better-looking friend,” he corrected. You loved older guys too but being stuck in a mall after the world ended, didn’t give you much of a social life. In fact, the only person you’ve had contact with was your sister, and sometimes you could feel yourself losing IQ points.

'My name's Venice,' you said, introducing yourself as you held your hand out eagerly for the man to take, desperate for any kind of physical contact. He placed his big hand in yours and introduced himself.

“Tallahassee.” He replied, he nodded his hat towards curly, “Not his dad,”

“Didn't think so,” you smirked, almost unable to take your eyes away from him.

He raised his brow and turned to you, his lips forming a smirk to match yours, “Oh yeah? How?” He challenged.

You looked him up and down, “Well, you’re handsome,” you shrugged then you looked over to curly, “And he’s… well I don’t want to be rude,”

“He’s a little spit-fuck, I know, Darlin’” the nickname caused shivers to dance along your spine. He looked around the shop, “You live here?” he asked you, but your sister answered for you.

“No, Paul Blart. I live in the freezer in Pinkberry, mm-hm,” she replied with a giggle, “It keeps the zombies out. Though it is awfully chilly,”

“Ever consider... turning it off?” Tallahassee asked, even though he was sure he knew the answer.

“Couldn’t find the switch, like anywhere. I was hoping the electricity would run out.”

Curly then added something about how the dams 'keep giving us power' and Tallahassee had quipped, 'Apparently not brain power.' You couldn't help yourself, and snorted in agreement, quickly trying to hide your laughter behind your hands, lest your sister discover that you were making fun of her.

As she spins to face you, her smile fades in an instant. “l feel like you’re being super judgey. Like, I’m getting a real anti-me vibe off you.” she says, pointing at Tallahassee

“Are you?” Tallahassee retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he mimicked the stance of a teenage girl. His voice had even adopted a slightly higher pitch.

“Oh, my God. There it was again. That’s hurtful. I’m like really good at surviving,” Madison whined.

“What are you talking about? You barely leave the freezer. That’s hiding not surviving,” you told her.

 “What about food?” Curly asked, standing beside Madison, “How’d she get food?”

“How do you think?” You asked, pointing to yourself, “Door to door service,”

“I carry a can of mace with me everywhere I go,” she says, “And I can run really, really, really, really, fast. I used to do a lot of hot yoga and Soulcycle and…”

“Cardio!” Curly blurts out, stopping her annoyingly long ramble, “Sorry, I do a lot of Cardio too. It’s actually my number one rule, which is dorky,” he said, to which you nodded, with a quiet ‘yes’ falling from your lips, which apparently the hot cowboy heard, if the throaty chuckle was anything to go by, “But I’ve got a list of rules for surviving Zombieland,”

“Really? So do I!” she yelled in her annoying peppy voice

“You have rules?!” he asked, getting excited.

“Well actually, it’s mostly just ‘Stay in the Freezer.’” She said, twirling a piece of her bleached blonde hair.

“Yeah, and you can’t even follow that rule,” you grumbled.

“Oh and ‘Don’t Eat Nuts.’ ‘Cause I’m allergic. To nuts,” she added.

Curly smiles at Madison as if she charmed him, “We’ve, uh, set up camp just down the road,”

Tallahassee tries to catch Columbus’s eye, waving his arms around, mouthing ‘no’. he wouldn’t mind you coming to their camp. But your sister? No, he’d rather slam his balls repeatedly in a car door.

Curly ignored Tallahassee and continued, “At the White House, care to join?”

“The White House?! I’ve always wanted to visit the seat of government!” Tallahassee shoots Columbus a look.

Tallahassee turns on the segway and you turned towards Pinkberry where you left your supplies, “Aren’t you comin?”

“Aw dang, you noticed me trying to dump her on you,” you said in mock defeat, earning another chuckle, “I am, just getting our things,”

“I could come with you, watch your back,”

“Is it only my back you want to watch?” you asked, catching him off guard, you shrugged, muttering “Shame,” before walking off.

You walked through the hall of empty shops. The only sounds were your footsteps and the whirring of the segway.

“You know, your boy isn’t going to have any backup if he’s attacked,” you said to him as you opened the freezer door, sticking your hand in to grab the supplies, “Just one more stop,” you said before grabbing a rope that dangled from the ceiling and climbing up to your “room.”

“You lived up there?”

“Yup, so I could keep an eye on her,” you said, pointing to the yogurt shop, “Found a cool spot years ago but she wouldn’t leave. Figured if I left it turned on, she’d change her mind. She didn’t,” you explained.

“Wait, you knew you could turn it off?” he asked, you smirked and nodded.

“Why do you think she never found the switch?” You asked, pointing to a poster on the wall.

“You hid the switch?”

“Like I said, I was trying to get her out,” you shrugged. Tallahassee laughed. Although he did wonder why you didn’t just leave her and go off on your own. He guessed it was the same reason he kept Columbus around, not that he’d tell anybody, “That’s everything,” you said before climbing down the rope and jumping to the floor, “Let’s go,”

***

Soon you were at the White House. That was now, white and green. You had tuned out the list of rules that Curly was rambling on about and your sister walked beside him as if she were a golden retriever and he had a treat in his hand.

“And rule fifty-three - ‘Wet-naps.’” He said pulling some out of his back pocket. You rolled your eyes and looked to Tallahassee.

“Does he ever stop?” you asked, he shook his head as he stared at the back of his head, a murderous gaze in his eyes.

“I can’t believe you keep all this stuff in your head,”

“Thank you,”

“It’s amazing,” she said, she stopped and turned to Tallahassee causing you both to come to a stop, “You know, you’re really lucky you found someone so smart to take care of you. Most people your age get left all by themselves, and that can be so hard,”

Tallahassee closes his eyes, the vein by his temple pulsing, he punches him in the chest, “I am so lucky.” He dragged him away, “Can we have a little summit in the Oval Office?”

“You guys. I can’t believe we’re in the White House. This is soy random,”

“Will you shut up? Please?” you looked around the space and spotted a statue, “Look, go introduce yourself,”

“You know why she’s still alive, right? Zombies eat brains. She don’t got one,”

“It’s true, she’s having a conversation with one of the statues right now,” you said at the door,

“In fact, the statue is smarter than her,”

“See,” Tallahassee gestures to you, “I’m not the only one,”

“If she’s so bad, why have you put up with her for so long?” Curly asked you.

“I could ask him the same question about you,” you said nodding to Tallahassee. Curly opened his mouth to say something but you didn’t want to hear his voice anymore, so you continued,

“Maddy’s my little sister. Like it or not, I’m stuck with her,”

“Oh,” Curly said.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, it’s just she’s um you know, like really, y-you know and you’re like y-you know, like him,”

“You know I could kill you, right? Without even moving from this spot?”

Before he could respond, your sister walked in, “Could you maybe give you a tour?” she asked, she looked around the room, “Woah, this is the Oval Office. Wait, why do they call it that?”

“For the love of God, take her on a tour,” you spat out, you needed a break from her. You were starting to miss your little paradise that hovered above ground, that gave you much needed peace. A place to escape before your sister’s squeaky peppy voice forced you to put a bullet in your head.

The two rushed out the door and a hand with a glass appeared in front of your face, you took the glass and downed the alcohol in one, “Thanks, needed that,”

“I can tell,” he said pouring you some more, “It seems yours annoys you more than mine does,”

“7 years in that shithole with only Maddy, I mean I love her, she’s my sister, but God I’d have a better conversation with a poodle,” you said, downing another half glass of whiskey, “I’m sorry, you don’t want to hear this,” you popped the glass down and headed for the door, “I’m going to find us some rooms, far away from you guys, give you some space,”

“You don’t have to, relax, have another drink,”

And you did. Or 5.

***

You and Tallahassee were swapping stories about your 10 years of Zombieland. You were sat on a chair, and he was opposite, sprawled out on the couch, you had to stop yourself from staring as his shirt lifted up higher every time he moved, displaying his abs and v-line.

Soon you heard noises coming from above, “Oh my God,” you groaned.

“I believe that’s what she’s supposed to say,” Tallahassee pointed out.

You rolled your eyes and downed the last of your drink. You don’t know what it was that caused you to be so bold and confident, probably the whiskey, but you stood from you seat and straddled Tallahassee’s hips. You lean in close, your warm breath against his ear “When was the last time someone took care of you?” you purred.

His eyes meet yours, a hint of surprise swimming in them. He smirks, his rough hands finding their way to your waist, pulling you in closer. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into,” he replies, his voice husky.

“I don’t?” you asked innocently. He growled and without hesitation, he swiftly pins you down, caging you beneath his powerful body, his eyes burning with raw intensity.

Tallahassee pauses for a moment, his intense gaze locked with yours, “You say the word and we’ll stop,”

“What word? I wanna avoid it,” you smirked up at him a mischievous glint in your eyes.

Tallahassee chuckled darkly before bending his head, his lips finding your neck. His hands traveled up your back, massaging and kneading the muscles there, making you arch into him further. You moaned, feeling his hot breath on your skin as he suckled a trail up your neck to your earlobe. His teeth gently nipped at it, sending a shiver down your spine.

Breathless, you look deep into his eyes, her voice dripping with desire as you plead, "Fuck me," Tallahassee groans, One hand pins yours above your head, the other travels under your shirt. His calloused fingers trace your silky-smooth skin, his touch leaving a burning trail. He undoes the button of your jeans, yanking them halfway down your thighs. Without wasting a second, he pushes your dampened panties to the side, easing a thick finger between your dripping folds. He kisses your neck and along your jawline as he thrusts two fingers expertly inside of you.

Your back arches off the couch, a strangled moan escaping your lips. Tallahassee's thumb teases your clit, circling and pressing until you're on the brink of ecstasy. He leans forward, capturing your lips in a fierce kiss as he begins to thrust his fingers deeper inside of you. You can feel his erection pressing against your hip, hot and hard, and you ache for him to be inside of you.

He started to increase the intensity as he felt your body twitch, responding to each of his movements, “Please,” you whimper, wanting more. Practically begging for it.

Your pleas didn’t go unanswered. He placed one more kiss on your lips before sliding down your body, your eyes following his every move. He pulled your jeans down the remainder of your legs and threw them across the room. As your eyes were looking to see where they landed, you feel something warm and wet seep through you folds. Snapping your head back to him, you see his face buried between your legs. His tongue swirling around your lips as if he’s trying to mop up every last drop of your slick. You can’t help but let out a moan as he bites, licks and sucks at your little bundle of nerves. Your hips buck involuntarily causing him to rest his free hand on your stomach to keep you still.

His hand returns, sliding up your abdomen, cupping your breast and squeezing gently. He licks you one more time, tasting the sweetness that coats his tongue, before looking up at you, his eyes dark with lust.

He stands up and starts stripping himself of his clothes. You clench your legs together to get friction as his cock springs free.

"Like what you see?" he asked, his voice husky and rough. You nod, unable to speak, as your gaze drifts down to the thick length of him. You quickly climb off the couch and onto your knees in front of him.

He groans, his hips jerking forward as you take him in your hands. Your fingers wrap around his shaft, stroking up and down the length of him, marveling at the heat and the size. "You're so fucking beautiful," he breathes, his eyes watching you intently.

You look up at him as you continue to stroke him, feeling his skin slide over your palm. His gaze meets yours, and for a moment, you feel like you can see straight into his soul. You lean forward, taking his cock into your mouth, feeling the velvety smoothness against your tongue. You close your lips around him, taking him as deep as you can, and begin to bob your head up and down.

His hands run through your hair, cupping your head as he watches you work him. You can feel the way he trembles, the way his hips jerk forward as you suck him deeper, the way his breath hitches in his throat. You know he's close, and you want nothing more than to feel him come in your mouth.

Pulling back, you look up at him, your chest heaving as you catch your breath. His eyes are half-closed, his head tilted back, his expression one of pure bliss. You reach out, tracing a finger along his cheekbone, feeling the warmth of his skin against your fingertip. "I want to feel you inside me," you whisper, and he groans, his hips jerking forward again.

He helps you to your feet, his hands on your waist, and guides you back to the couch. You climb onto the cushions, legs spread wide, and watch as he positions himself between your thighs. He brushes a stray hair out of your face, his thumb tracing your cheekbone, before leaning down to capture your lips in a deep, passionate kiss. His cock presses against your folds, and with one smooth motion, he pushes inside of you.

You gasp, feeling the stretch of his length as he fills you. He groans, his hips stuttering as he begins to thrust, the rhythm echoing in your core. His hands move to your hips, holding you steady as he takes you roughly, your body meeting his thrust for thrust. Your breath comes in ragged gasps, your nails digging into the soft cushion beneath you.

He looks down at you, his eyes dark and intense, his expression a mixture of lust and possession. His lips find your neck, sucking and nipping at your skin, leaving a sting that feels almost as good as the thrust of his hips. "You're so fucking tight," he growls, his words vibrating against your skin.

You arch your back, meeting his thrusts with equal force. Your nails scrape down his back, leaving a trail of red lines on his skin. You can feel the tension building inside you, the familiar ache spreading through your core. "I'm close," you gasp, your body trembling with the effort to hold back.

He groans, his hips moving faster, his cock thrusting deeper. "Cum for me," he urges, his lips finding yours in a bruising kiss. You shudder, your orgasm washing over you in a wave of heat and pleasure. Your inner walls tighten around him, milking his cock as you cry out his name.

His thrusts grow jerky and rough, and you feel the warmth of his release deep inside you. He groans, his body shuddering as he empties himself, his hips still moving even as he collapses onto you, pinning you beneath his weight. His breath comes in ragged gasps, his chest heaving against yours.

For a moment, you're lost in the afterglow of your orgasm, feeling the weight of his body pressed against yours, the heat of his skin seared into your memory. You luxuriate in the intimacy of the moment, reveling in the way he moves against you, the way he feels inside you.

He rolls off you, collapsing to the side, still breathing heavily. You watch him, tracing a lazy finger along the lines of his chest, admiring the play of muscles in his arms and shoulders, "I don't remember it feeling that good,"

"What?"

You laugh, turning your head to look at him. "You know what I mean."

"I think you mean, round 2," he smirked.

"Oh really?" you asked, a smirk of your own painting your lips, "You think you're up for it, old man?"

He swiftly pins you down again, "I'll show you who's an old man, darlin'"

[A/N] I feel like it didn't turn out as good as i imagined.

[hearts-hunger]

i'm trying to write out the highlights of last night without crying and/or just giving a play by play of the entire show, but here are my thoughts about starcatcher opening night 🩷

- seeing them standing all together when the curtain dropped was earth-shattering to me. i can't even tell you the amount of joy and excitement and emotion i felt seeing them like that.

- every single song from starcatcher was ten times better live. which means that the songs i didn't like before i love now, and the songs i liked already i have now sold my soul to.

- jake's outfit had me in a chokehold. could not stop talking about how hot he looked.

- josh coming out in the LA strange horizons outfit almost killed me, and then he was singing mtm on the catwalk under that spotlight, and he looked like an actual angel. like, otherworldly.

- nash strange horizons outfit my beloved :') that was my first gvf show and it was so special to have him wear that again!!

- jake and josh playing with the spotlights and goofing around and running back and forth on stage 😭 and sammy and jake playing back and forth on the bass and guitar 😭

- when josh said “before, tonight was just a dream; tonight, it is a dream come true” he is truly the sweetest most darling most precious boy ever

- josh said they might have some mistakes with the set (as he said, “what we in the business call fuck-ups”) and they did, i thought jake looked a little pissed at one point because his guitar was out of tune hehe but they recovered smoothly and made it a great show

- heat above was like a warm hug. the very first time i heard it was live, and that was a really good time of my life when i was first getting into gvf, and being able to sing it again with josh and everyone was like coming home to a place i had really missed.

- lover leaver???? when i tell you i could not have been more shocked. we shrieked and sang the whole thing.

- the only part i didn’t love was that everybody's attention was distracted during danny's solo, because everybody was watching the b stage instead of him. he killed it, and i loved his cute little dramatic swoosh to direct our attention to the b stage.

- the b stage being like a campfire sing along, sam piano, unchained melody, danny and jake joining them, danny guitar - unparalleled. it was so intimate and lovely, like getting a glimpse into the close bond they share with each other.

- anthem and flower power are like my white whales of gvf live songs, and i can't believe i got to hear one of them. i cried. we all cried.

- danny and josh singing woyaya together was probably my favorite moment of the whole night. there was something really tender about the two of them, big brother and little brother, singing harmony to josh’s special song. now it’s danny and josh’s special song :')

- the rainbow we did for josh during light my love, and the swaying together and singing, and josh getting emotional afterwards? devastating, truly.

- shirtless josh????? need i say more

- every time jake went towards the catwalk, he smiled. he's the cutest. he was so confident and happy and just glowing with it.

- also, the archer (extended version) ????? were those new lyrics?? i couldn't make out what was singing but we were freaking out

- we were like four rows away from the catwalk, and seeing jake and danny walk by to get back to the big stage was like “oh holy fuck they're real??”

- the stars and sparkles and fireworks and just everything about the stage setup was so magical and wonderful

- “farewell for now” felt really personal, like josh really meant that they had tried hard to make it a special night for us and were so happy to share it with us, and we meant it too when we sang it back. i love farewell for now as a tour tradition song that we and the boys are singing to each other.

i'll probably think of more, but for right now, those were the high points of the show for me. it was my third gvf show and absolutely the best one so far. it really felt like i was being welcomed home, like a reminder that life is full of joy and magic and music. it really was like seeing old friends and being asked to stay and talk a while. i'm so happy just to exist in the same time as josh, jake, sam, and danny. it's such a privilege to share in the magic of their imaginations, to be invited to sing and celebrate with them, to really know that they love us and we love them. everything about this show was a love letter, from them to us and from us back to them, and i’m so thankful to have been able to share that love with them and everybody who has been seen and shown love through their music 🩷

[aalissy]

Modeling

Day 8 is doneee!! It’s a short, fluffy lil chapter for today as per usual haha. I hope you like it! Lemme know what you think :)

AO3

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city of Paris, Adrien Agreste, the famous teenage model and son of renowned fashion designer Gabriel Agreste, found himself in an unexpected situation. He was about to don the latest creation from his father's atelier, but this time, it wasn't for a high-end fashion show or a glossy magazine spread. No, this time, Adrien was modeling for none other than his classmate and best friend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

She had just gotten an internship with a high-end designer and had been so proud of herself that he couldn’t help but feel just as pleased with her work. Even if a small corner of his mind was displeased that she was even more busy than usual. 

But when Marinette had come to him the other day, an adorable pink flush to her cheeks as she asked him if he’d be willing to model one of her designs, of course, he said yes. 

He had always admired her talent for fashion design. Her unique sense of style, combined with her creativity and attention to detail had earned her a reputation as one of the most promising young designers in Paris. So, he couldn't resist the opportunity to support her and see her work come to life on the runway.

“An opportunity to model a Marinette original. How could I say no?” He had winked, feeling a slight sense of satisfaction at watching her pink flush turn just a shade darker.

As Adrien slipped into the first outfit that Marinette had designed, he was struck by the precision and craftsmanship of the garment. The attention to detail was remarkable, with every stitch and seam carefully executed to create a stunning piece of artwork. Adrien couldn't help but marvel at Marinette's talent as he adjusted the collar of the jacket.

As the lights dimmed and the music began to play, Adrien stepped onto the runway, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. He had walked countless runways before, but this was different. This time, he was showcasing Marinette's designs, and he was determined to do them justice. After all, this was her first big show. He had to make certain that this was his best show yet!

As he strutted down the catwalk, Adrien could feel the eyes of the audience on him, and he knew that Marinette's collection was a hit. The gasps and whispers of admiration from the crowd confirmed what he had known all along, that Marinette had created something truly special.

With each outfit change, Adrien was amazed by the range and versatility of Marinette's collection. From chic and sophisticated evening suits to funky and bold streetwear, her designs were a reflection of her own unique style and vision. He could see her personality shining through in every piece, and it made him admire her even more.

Throughout the show, Adrien couldn't help but steal glances at Marinette backstage. She was a flurry of activity, adjusting hems, pinning fabric, and giving last-minute instructions to the models. Her passion and dedication to her craft were evident in every move she made, and Adrien found himself falling even more in awe of her talent.

As he got dressed for the final look of the night, he couldn't contain his emotions. He clapped enthusiastically, along with the rest of the audience, as Marinette took her bow. Her smile was radiant, and he couldn't help but be utterly captivated by her beauty and grace.

After the show, Adrien rushed backstage to congratulate Marinette. She was surrounded by well-wishers, but when she spotted Adrien, her face lit up with delight. She approached him, and Adrien found himself at a loss for words, surprised to find himself turning pink as she gazed up at him with a pair of sparkling sapphire eyes.

"Adrien, thank you so much for modeling for me," Marinette said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You were amazing out there, and I couldn't have asked for a better muse."

Adrien scratched the back of his neck, feeling a surge of pride at Marinette's compliment. "It was my pleasure," he managed to say, finally finding his voice. "Your designs are incredible, Marinette. You're truly talented."

Marinette's cheeks reddened at Adrien's words, and she looked down bashfully. "Thank you," she murmured. "Coming from you, that really means a lot.”

Putting his hands on her shoulders, he squeezed them gently, causing her to look back at him. “I mean it, Marinette. You did such a great job tonight. All of Paris was looking at your designs. Someday soon you might even surpass my father.”

She giggled, her face lighting up with amusement. “You should watch yourself, then, Agreste. I might be putting you out of business.”

He threw his head back in a loud laugh. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Adrien then leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Oh, but don’t worry,” Marinette said after he moved back with a wink. “You’ll still have a job as my most treasured model.”

“I can’t wait,” Adrien said, a beam growing on his face as he imagined days of working with Marinette instead of his father. That would be the dream. 

Her mouth opened to say something else, but before she could, a voice frantically called her over. “Marinette, there’s someone who wants to talk with you!”

She winced, her gaze darting back and forth between the two of them before she sighed sadly. “I’m sorry, Adrien. That’s my boss. I have to go. I’ll see you in class tomorrow though, right?”

“Of course.” He nodded, watching with fondness as she gave him a grateful smile before moving over to talk with her fellow co-workers. It was absolutely awe-inspiring how motivated she could get. It honestly reminded him of a certain superheroine...

Stepping out of the building, Adrien shivered slightly as the moon slowly rose over the Parisian skyline. Luckily, his bodyguard was waiting outside and he got to climb into the limo before he could get too cold. 

Leaning his head against the window, his thoughts drifted back to Marinette once again. He couldn’t wait to see her again tomorrow. Hopefully, now that the last day of her internship had finally concluded, they would be able to hang out with each other more. 

Maybe... maybe he could take her to go get Andre’s ice cream this weekend. Yeah, that sounded really nice. With a plan settled in his mind, he straightened up, a warm, fuzzy feeling settling deep within his chest at the thought of this weekend.

[charlesharrymackenzie]

Her Dreams/Her Destiny

Her  Dream  Her Destiny

Water Color Splashes Brush  Strokes  Arches Momentum Motion

Lines Shapes Square Pear Hourglass

Bodies Bodies Clothes Clothes

(Cardboard… Everything is cardboard They’re all cardboard… You relate to some people…. But you shuffle them like cards…)

Frame  Plan Vision  Painting Picture Destiny

(Crowds & Crowds & Crowds You join the invisible current in these swimming crowds Pungent Sweat  & Sticky Drink  & Glancing eyes)

Garments; Gowns, Blazers, Hats, Bras. Photoshoots, Catwalks, Paris, Milan, Tokyo.

Daytime: Dreams Dominate Nighttime: Strobe, Lasers, MDMA, Red bull. EDM, TRANCE, TECHNO. Warehouses,  Bunkers, Forests, Parking lots.

Men: Shoulders, pecks, hips, pelvis, sweat, (His. Neck. Your.Neck)  Body: nothing.left.for.sleep.dreams Timberlands  Or Stilettos  Or Flats Your bed rarely touches naked feet

Daytime  You: Sketch, paint, design Think, ponder, refine Men You draw men  but You draw men  like  playing cards One-two-three “Go fish” Men All Deficient Somehow Too Old Too Young Too  Rich Too  Poor Stupid Smart Careless Caring Careful You need to be careful

Silk, Cotton, Cashmere, Lace. Worn it  All. Made it All.

Lipstick, Mascara, Diamonds, Pearl, Nothing. Worn it all. Designed it all.

A Glass Menagerie  Colored by flesh  Everything  On Display You can  Touch  But you can’t Hold What You See Is What You  Get What You Get Is NOTHING.

Women, I’ve tailored all types. Men, I’ve met all types. Bodies,  I’ve studied all bodies. Mortuaries.  Fitting rooms. Bedrooms. Square shape, Pear shape, Hourglass shape. Square face, Oval face.  Shoulders  like  Mountainous  Horizons  Necks Like Trees Or Stumps I’ve seen it all. I’ve fucked it all.

All  Shapes  Haunting  Outlines No time To sleep dream  I must… Outlines  Haunting Outlines

Men White  Lines Women White Lines Men & Women Lines & Lines & Lines Spread all over the hotel room  Men & Women Some clothed Others naked All distractions  No leisure  All distraction The human form? I am the greatest...

But I am the greatest alone.

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Pillar of Fire

https://www.patreon.com/empyreaniris?fan_landing=true

https://starr-fall-knight-rise.tumblr.com/post/182501791735/master-post

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jzEIdDAB4omdO2JcQVMObfrhLJ5kX4ONmSsLypM1ks0/edit?usp=sharing

The results were instantaneous, as soon as Kazna’s hand came down on the switch,  she opened the floodgates to the very depths of hell. All down the length of the tunnel, plunging into the core of the planet, gates began to slide open and lock back, rattling like dominos as the heat began to spill upward. Burning orange light poured upwards from the pit as the last gate slid open far beneath their feet.

A pinpoint of orange light flared to life and then grew, clawing its way up the pit walls and toward the sky.

Adam threw himself back away from the pit’s edge.

Ramirez grabbed Krill by the back of his armor and hauled him to the catwalk. 

Just in time

A wall of pure burning orange energy erupted from the pit, cutting like a laser into the heavens, lighting the ground from horizon to horizon in the fiery light of millions damned, their souls fleeing towards the blackness of space and Apollyon’s open arms.  And with it came heat, incredible and terrible. The breaches in Adam’s armor were immediately fuzed shut, while the skin beyond was scorched to deadness, cooking him where he sat.

He screamed, not even the opiates in his blood able to stop the incredible pain.

Like burning alive.

But as the suit fuzed shut, Fealty was able to block the remaining heat as he rolled away from the pit’s edge.

Adam found himself lying on his face against the superheated metal, waves of energy washing over him as Apollyon’s pillar of light cut a tear in the fabric of nature, dwarfing him in its power and immensity. Sparks rolled in slow curtains past his face, and smoke danced like the shadows of the dead come to haunt him. He rolled onto his side, and up towards the sky. The beam was too bright to look at it, turning the sky orange, but towards the edges of the horizon, past the smoke and wispy cloud cover, he could still see flashes, the silhouette of gods fighting in the vastness of space.

Ash rained from above, drifting toward the ground like lazy snowflakes on a winter’s day. He grimaced and squeezed his eyes shut, but instead of finding the back of his eyelids, he saw nothing but an ash-stained battlefield and a red sky pierced by the cries of the dying.

Even in the end, his sins come back to haunt him.

He squeezed his eyes even tighter, but all lamentations and prayers were useless now. Not when God was fighting a losing battle.

And had been for a long time.

He understood that now.

Apollyon had been gaining a foothold for centuries, pulling away the architect’s power, corrupting his greatest lieutenants; slowly tipping the scales in his favor. Why else would the architect have been forced to ly on a ragtag group of ineffectual constructs to save them?

He had rolled the dice and lost.

Adam had been the losing bet.

Tears rolled in a stream down his cheeks as he called up memories of all the ones he loved.

His children, Astra, Nyx, and Kay, Sunny, his family, his friends, even his dogs.

Another short sob escaped his throat as more sparks came to rest on the metal next to him.

He had failed them.

It would have been one thing if his life had just ended, but now he would be alive long enough to ponder it before they all died. 

His eyes had gone hazy with tears, enough so that when the silhouette parted the smoke, he didn’t immediately recognize who it was, just a black figure against a wall of fire.

But then the figure crouched, gripping him by the arm, “This isn’t over?”

Adam blinked back the tears vision resolving.

Before him, fire-blackened and war-stained stood Angel Ramirez. Most of his face was obscured, but Adam could see his eyes behind the clear visor of his helmet, honey gold and burning with the reflection of orange fire.

“Get up.”

Behind him, another shadow appeared from the smoke, hulking, but also limping badly. The red cross on his armor had burned away leaving behind only an impression, but Krill, was still alive.

“I am not done,” Krill said, and his anger burned just as hot as the energy around them.

Adam gripped Ramirez’s hand and allied the man to haul him to his feet. 

Void energy roared around them a mixture of fire and screams directed toward the sky… and the distant conduction ring.

Suit operation capacity 7%

The conduction ring.

It was after a sudden realization that Adam was forced to beat himself up for not recognizing it sooner.

Apollyon hadn’t won.

Not yet.

They hurried to the end of the catwalk, where the permanent portal was still glowing with a hazy black marbling. Lanus stood before it, his golden carapace burning with energy from the column behind him. The golden light of his maker power warred against the void energy but somehow managed to stand its ground.

And then another silhouette.

Her white armor was stained black now; only her golden eyes were visible as she rose like a specter from the smoke, the goddess of war come to judge worlds. She took a step, leaving an ashen footstep behind her. Her spears were gone; her weapons were gone, but even without these things, she was no less of what she was.

Perhaps more so.

They did not wait and did not waste time.

Together they stepped through the portal, vanishing from the face of the planet, and appearing almost instantaneously a dozen or more AU’s from the planet, sailing along the outer current of Sagittarius A’s event horizon.

Below them, the great eye of the black hole dominated the sky, an incomprehensible flat disk of darkness so profound it could hardly be called black at all. The disk of the event horizon was a blazing ring of light in bands and shades of color: one to surround the outer edge, while another band of light cut across its center,

It made no sound, but Adam could imagine the roar it might have made.

And from its depths, spilled Apollyon’s tendrils, like the roots of a diseased and twisted tree, gone sick with years, fed on the decay of darkness and hate. 

All around them, lights flashed, as apparitions of the architect appeared and vanish at intervals around the outer edge of the event horizon, though they never dared to move closer. The light from the churning even horizon and the light from the architect was enough to illuminate the deck of the conduction ring, no more than a simple warp ring, meant to redirect the power towards the center of the black hole. On the outer edge of the event horizon, a series of warp engines were being used to keep them from falling too far into the gravity well, past the point of no return.

If any of them were to fall.

It would be over 

There were two options.

Destroy the ring and sacrifice everyone on it, or redirect the ring in the opposite direction.

Yet

Light can only travel so fast, and the energy pillar was still some way off.

They had time.

If only just a little.

And of course, there was one other thing to take into consideration: Kazna stood at the control deck, black cloak casting a shadow over the dim illumination behind her, the dark horns of her armor curling upwards towards the sky. A trail of orange blood staggered its way to Kazna's feet.

Light from gravity mats glowed up from the catwalk, and the space before them was hazy with an artificial atmosphere, allowing Kazna to stay alive despite the damaged nature of her armor., and granting them the unlucky side effect of being able to hear her speak.

“It is over, you have lost.” She said, her voice raspy with her own blood.

Sunny stepped forward trodding upon a puddle of her mother’s blood, “It’s not over, not yet. You are one and we are five.”

Kazna chuckled, wheezing past the blood in her throat, “Is that what you think.”

She stood leaning away from the console and planting her feet hard against the ground. Slowly she raised her hands to either side and tilted her head back towards the sky, the black hole churning silently behind her.

And then shadows erupted from her skin, tearing away from her body like peeling skin. Even the black of her cloak peeled away from her reaching out with alien limbs toward them. They did not detach from her body, seemingly forced to keep contact with her at all times, but still, by the time she was done she had several more limbs, and at least two more heads, all comprised of writhing shadow.

Her true eyes burned gold.

“I am never alone.”

[nerd-artist]

Talanah in Tenakth armor.

This might be the start of a series where the Horizon characters wear other tribes outfits. Suggestions accepted.

[whovianwatchingstartrek]

A Whovian Watches Star Trek for the First Time: Part 045 - The Mayweather Family

Star Trek: Enterprise - Season 2 Episode 20 - Horizon

Finally a Mayweather focus episode! And this time we get to meet his family! Enterprise is stopping by an uninhabited system, and Travis is requesting leave to visit the ship he grew up on. Unfortunately, his dad recently passed away. Travis's actor plays grief really well, and the scene between Archer and Travis talking about his dad in the 0 Gravity room was really touching. Travis's actor is clearly capable, so it really is a tragedy that it's taken this long for him to get a moment that stuck around in my head like that.

I kinda like that the Ship's movie nights have become a running plot thread through series, and previous movie nights get brought up in relation to current ones, like how here Trip teased T'Pol over enjoying the Western in The Catwalk. It's a really small detail, but I'm loving seeing where this pseudo-sub-plot goes. Seeing T'Pol trying to find any excuse whatsoever to get out of going to the movie night was hilarious, and so was her trying to avoid admitting she enjoyed the movie.

I really loved how rough the Cargo ship was in comparison to Enterprise, the Shakeyness, the random repairs in the corridor, the just generally more lived-in aesthetic! I loved it.

There was a lot of tension between Travis and his brother, clearly about Travis's place in Starfleet. Paul has clearly built up a lot of resentment towards Starfleet. A previous episode in season 1 did touch on this, but it's so much better to see it from a perspective closer to our core cast. Their reconciliation at the end was well earned, and again, touching to see.

There was a great action scene where some ships attacked Horizon, and it was really nice seeing how a less battle-ready ship deals with that kind of situation. Horizon can't fight back, it's not heavily armed, and it can't run, it can only reach Warp 2, so the crew have to either make sacrifices and or think smart.

This was a pretty good episode, and I loved that Travis finally got some action! I hope they continue to treat him like an actual character.

[giffingthingsss]

New Enterprise Brunch 

Seasons one and two condensed into one long thing. I watched through my old playlist and made a few minor changes. 

1 - Broken Bow 

2 - Strange New World 

3 - Fight or Flight 

4 - The Andorian Incident

5 - Silent Enemy

6 - Unexpected

7 - Sleeping Dogs

8 - Cold Front

9 - Shuttlepod One

10 - Breaking the Ice

11 - Acquisition

12 - Shadows of P’Jem

13 - Vanishing Point

14 - Shockwave

15 - Carbon Creek

16 - Dear Doctor

17 - Minefield

18 - Dead Stop

19 - Cease Fire

20 - Singularity

21 - Fusion

22 - The Catwalk

23 - Horizon

24 - Regeneration

25 - The Seventh

26 - The Crossing

27 - Stigma

28 - First Flight

[vinyls-and-valentines]

Man, I could really easily revisit my Battery City and make it cooler because like. The Slums are nothing like the rest of city. The Slums still more or less have the same architecture as they did during the Wars, bar the total number of buildings, but the rest of the City is that large window white concrete abstract geometric pattern type of utopian futuristic architecture mashed with some Jetsons catwalks but wider and more secure and weaving through the City like a spiderweb. The kind of perfect that gives you no reason to look up. The kind of perfect that feels eternal and untouchable. The kind of perfect that gives you no room for questions because why would something be wrong?

And, like, cityfolk are right when they say the Lobby is miserable because it is miserable. It is miserable in the way being sprawled on the bed in your childhood bedroom and accepting you are going to die in your hometown is. It is resignation, but not giving up hope entirely. It is miserable people dragging miserable people down, or trying to fuck up your life in the most dramatic way possible so even if you're not remembered at least something about you is, or pushing through drab day after drab day riding on spite and nothing else. It is being painfully aware no one wants to stay there for more than a quick getaway, but having your feet glued to the pavement.

The Zones are no better, don't get me wrong. Killjoys are angry. Killjoys are young and they think their way more righteous than the rest. The Zones are so fucking massive no moral compass will keep you from losing yourself in the shifting lines of the horizon or the bright lights of a stage. Killjoys are, in their own way, as much of a crowd of miserable people as folk living in the Lobby, but unlike them they are so fucking terrified of it. They can't resign because what is the use of a song if nobody hears it and what is the use of war without conflict? They can't resign because then they would have to face the fact that there is no cause. That what they do is pointless, if a waste of everyone's breath

[kestrelofink]

not a specific story or line but like ...pacrim hyerim commentary from the Director 🤲

Sorry this took a while, oh god there's SO much I want to say...

Pacific Rim is my comfort movie. It's fun cheesy action that leans into its ridiculousness and is achingly earnest about it. It's about how love will power robots taller than skyscrapers and save us from forces we can't hide from. It's about how the mortifying ordeal of being known is not so terrifying when it's with someone you love.

And so when I get the chance to bestow upon my favourite ships the highest honour I can give them, I write them in a PacRim AU.

Spoilers for Strangers in the Light and Is It Going Too Fast for You, as well as bonus trivia on how I named the Jaegers Echo Centauri and Horizon Rite below the cut:

I actually came up with the PacRim AU idea before I decided who to write it for. The image that came up in my head was of a pilot sitting on a catwalk shrouded mostly in darkness, small and vulnerable, feet kicking into the drop below, a few orange-hued lights in the distance lighting up a Jaeger that stared back, huge and intimidating.

It's a way of saying: this fic was always made to be a story of parallels and contrasts, but you'll see as this commentary unfolds.

I knew that I didn't want to write something about two pilots, just because it's been done so incredibly well by a few other writers and I didn't want to take the spotlight away from these pieces that really did inspire me to add to the LOONA PacRim collection (some of my favourites include Eden Forsaken, We'll Swallow The Sun, sink into me, and will you unearth me from the water). There's also something INCREDIBLY compelling to me about the relationship between someone who builds things to be destroyed, and the person who destroys the very thing someone else loved enough to build, over and over again. So it was clear to me that I should write something about a pilot and their engineer. From there, it was just a decision of who to write in, and what journey they were going to go through.

Hyerim came to me in a bit of a surprise, really. I knew I wanted to explore grief (which is a pretty common theme in a lot of my fics; exploring loss and the place the character feels they play in the world, the sense of unmooring that comes with losing a pillar in their lives) and so it made sense to me that both of them experienced grief, but in different ways: the engineer cannot do anything to protect her loved ones directly because she's made of flesh and heart and her flesh parts with a sigh under a kaiju's claw, and the pilot can do nothing but relive the way her copilot died, still hooked into the system. Hey, what if instead of one dead copilot, we had two? And what if Yerim is the only surviving member of Odd Eye Circle? Wouldn't that be cruel?

There's a running joke my beta and I have between ourselves that Jungeun "just has the kind of face that makes me wanna hurt her a lil, you know?". In every fic she's been mentioned in so far, she's either dead or we know she will die. As a long-time fan of Lipsoul, I didn't want to leave either of them alive to mourn the other, especially because I needed Yerim to be the focus rather than Jinsol. So... I killed her off. I suppose the silver lining is that I could give Yerim the experience of feeling every sensation of both getting gouged out of the cockpit by a claw, and drowning. But no, in all seriousness, I also wanted to play a little with how Lipsoul are both younger siblings and Yerim is the only older sibling in OEC, but how she's so well taken care of. And now she doesn't have that anymore. Again, grief.

Part of the joy of writing a pilot, too, is that you get to give someone the power to kill gods. Power that could so easily kill thousands too, that could hurt so many by accident. Picking Yerim was the perfect choice because she's at once so incredibly powerful in her dancing and singing, but also unbelievably graceful. How do you balance these two seemingly opposite aspects? How can Yerim hold something as delicate as someone's heart in her brutish robot hands built to bring down titans?

Picking Hyeju came out of this line of thought. Olivia Hye in the LOONA lore as a foil to Heejin, as a destroyer and wrath contrasted with light and colour and creation. Hyeju in the clips we have of her interacting with others, showing love by doing things for them and having a very soft side. I really wanted to bring that out in juxtaposition with Yerim's contrasts of violence and grace. Giving her the role of engineer building because she loves her pilots, because she wants to keep them safe, because it's what she can do to protect them and her family, that just made sense.

It just also made sense to me because, in real life they feel like a bit of an odd pair: Hyeju with her tsundere-esque projection of herself, Yerim as eternal sunshine, ENFP personified. And yet, they still work so well as friends. To me, Hyeju will always be a story of contrasts and finding unexpected middle ground.

Okay, shall we review quickly?

Yerim: here because of love (wanting to carry Lipsoul's legacy and finish the job) Hyeju: here because of love (building Jaegers to protect the pilots she cares about, equipping them to protect the people she loves in the city) Yerim: experiencing grief (lost both copilots to a kaiju) Hyeju: experiencing grief (can't do anything herself to directly affect the safety of her loved ones, regular folks or pilots) Yerim: lives at the intersection of ostensibly opposing qualities (dances on a razor's edge between violence and grace) Hyeju: lives at the intersection of ostensibly opposing qualities (projects as being tough and no-nonsense, but genuinely cares a lot and loves through creation) Yerim: looks at the Jaeger as a tool of protection, but as something that could do so much harm Hyeju: looks at the Jaeger as her ultimate declaration of love, built to protect and save

Ultimately when the program closes and Yerim is left deeply unsatisfied knowing she won't get to carry Lipsoul's legacy with her every time she steps into the Drift and finally end the threat to earth for good, and Hyeju is left unsatisfied knowing she won't get to have a hand in protecting the ones she loves most, the story becomes about having a shared grief to carry together.

All this time, they have been grieving slightly different things together and finding solace in midnight banter overlooking this place where their agonies collide. Now, on this cliff overlooking a new day, already familiar with the ways the other mourns, they get to share a new loss, but also a new joy: they're freed from the duties and responsibilities that have tied them there and kept them from moving on, and they get to choose where to go from there.

And they choose to leave together.

At the end of the day, PacHyeRim (as I've come to be very fond of calling it) is about finding love and understanding where you least expect it, about navigating grief together, and about choosing joy for yourself. It's two people walking parallel paths and realising the journey is less long when you do it with someone. That they can reach into the space between them and find the other's hand to hold.

It remains my favourite series I've ever written, and barring some pretty insane things happening, there should be one more piece in this series coming out next year that I am very excited for. This series has brought me a lot in joy and friends and I'm looking forward to sharing the end of this series with readers.

Thanks for the question, hope this rather long-winded answer gave you some fun insights as to my writing!

As a treat for reading all of that, have this little tidbit on how I chose the Jaeger names!

Echo Centauri: named after Alpha Centauri, which is actually made of three stars: Alpha Centauri Alpha Centauri B, and Proximal Centauri, often just called Alpha Centauri C. To the naked human eye, A and B are close enough together in proximity and far enough from us that they appear to be a singular star. That's Lipsoul. Alpha Centauri C is small enough you can't see it with the naked human eye, but completes the triad of this star system It also happens to be the nearest star to our Sun. And so Echo Centauri is a Jaeger made of three, but first of two so close you can't separate them, and the story's narrator is the third, the closest one we can get to. And then Echo because it's cool and also bats.

Horizon Rite: I picked Horizon because some of my favourite sunrises and sunsets are yellow and purple, which is perfect because this one is piloted by Hyunjin and Yerim. I chose "Rite" because I think this is how Yerim reminds herself every time that she brings Lipsoul with her into the Drift every time. She considers it her duty, like a funeral rite she will carry out until either the Kaiju are dead or she is, to live out their legacy. And I think Hyunjin understood and gave her seal of approval without hesitation.

[vendettamuses]

⚔️ @unlikely-valentine // Continued from here  ⚔️

It’s been a while since their first case together, and they still visit. A rare occurrence, but it’s always nice to find someone like yourself out in the wastes. Mostly, they quietly enjoy each other’s company. Indulging in much-needed silence after a case, fishing up prewar sudoku puzzles and trying to solve them, sitting out on the dented tin roof of the Valentine Detective Agency.

The latter is the activity tonight. The war didn’t make the stars any less beautiful— If anything, they’re clearer now due to the low light pollution. On occasion, one of them will throw a random thought out into the air, but mostly, they just enjoy the constellations overhead.

Until something significantly larger and closer to the ground than a star rips a hole in the sky, tearing a path through the clouds. It looks to be on fire, but they only get a glimpse of it before it disappears over the huge wall surrounding the city.

…

…

And then it erupts into a burst of fire on the horizon. Not quite nuclear, but definitely devastating to anyone nearby that thing.

“…Well, shit.”

Rayn seems more than just a little stunned at the sight. The glow of the satellite streaking across the sky illuminated everything for a few brief moments, before blazing out like a dying star breathing its laugh breath into the void of space. It was as dread-inducing as it was awe inspiring.  Left her frozen like a deer in headlight.

Until it crashed somewhere, the boom of the impact making her cringe and shrink back a bit. After a moment, she slowly stood and dusted herself off with a sigh. It had been such a nice evening. She’d so been looking forward to wrapping up a long day with a bit of much needed rest. But it looked like that wouldn’t be happening.

“Come on then,” she patted his shoulder, walking towards the edge of the roof and hopping to land hard on the catwalk below. “We better go see what that was and if anybody’s hurt.”

Wasn’t often Rayn went off to investigate a scene like that. But she supposed it was better to make sure it was safe for the people of the Commonwealth before they inevitably went poking around the site for themselves.