#i do really miss horseback riding though!

[evieelyzabethh]

Hey can u do a spike smut

I have another Spike smut fic coming so I'm gonna use this to drop my sfw and nsfw Spike headcannons because fun fact, the buffy brain rot is real and I have over 100 pages of buffy reboot material. anyways...

warning: not proofread

sfw:

Spike purely smokes because he thinks it makes him look cool. I think when it comes to vampires, they either physically cannot feel the effects of drugs or are lightweights. He hates the smell of smoke, hence the duster jacket, and refuses to smoke in his crypt because of the shit ventilation

Speaking of smoking, William was most definitely asthmatic. He had no friends in boys school because too much physical movement sent him wheezing. He did enjoy horseback riding though

He has poetry stashed somewhere, I just know it. Under some slab of rock or rolled in some random alcohol bottle pirate style, it's somewhere.

Spike would love an English major or anyone who has a hobby aligned with creative writing. This doesn't mean he'd automatically show you anything he's written but he'd be more open to the possibility sooner rather than later.

Very picky with what he steals/wears. He will not just put any old rags on. He dressed Drusilla and he is a fashion icon and I stand by that

As for him with a partner, I do think he is the type to fall first and incredibly hard

I think how familiar you are with one another would dictate a lot. If you were a Scooby, I wouldn't say he'd keep his distance, but he wouldn't be super outright with his affection. There'd be some playful banter here and there, dare I say some flirting, and maybe even some gift-giving every now and again. He's like a crow, he'd be the type to drop things on your windowsill just because it reminded him of you

If you two didn't know each other, he'd most definitely be the stalking type. Every time you're walking home from school, there WILL be a dark figure following you around. You're getting harassed by some rando? If you paid attention to the newspaper, you'd see they mysteriously went missing. You can go from eyeing something while window shopping to it magically ending up on your doorstep

Never the one to make the first move. He wouldn't say a word unless he was 100% confident that you liked him back, and even then, there'd be a lot of hesitation

He would love a forward partner. Someone who makes his insecurities melt away and who he doesn't have to worry about them ever getting over him. When he loves, he loves forever. He has all of time to love you and his ideal partner would be someone who wants to spend all of time with him

He is such a romantic!!! I think he would be so into matching couples costumes or just matching outfits in general. Super into domesticity wherever he can get it, decorating a home together, cleaning together, cooking together, doing anything together

Since he can't have a job, I do see him being a house husband. It gives him something to do during the day. Wears a 'kiss the cook' apron and pouts if you don't give him kisses while wearing it. I headcannon that he spent time all over Europe, including France, and had some really good pastries at some cafe that closed like 200 years ago and made it his life's mission to recreate them. The grocery bill is high but it makes him happy

Valentine's Day is his absolute favorite holiday and he makes a big deal of outdoing himself every year. Not in terms of money or extravagance, but meaning. He treats every day as a new one to know more about you. It's not enough to know your favorite color, he needs to know the exact shade, exact hue, and exact context you love it in. He knows your allergies, remembers your favorite outfits, and keeps track of your cleaning habits so he can make everything shiny and new when you forget yourself. He becomes a master of all trades to make you whatever you want exactly how you want it

He does really like Halloween, too. He's a huge fan of the Scream movies. He dislikes when horror movies try too hard. Being so used to gore, blood, and guts, he prefers a funnier, more unserious scary movie

Speaking of blood, he starts out against drinking from you. He used to only do it to kill someone, or at least with the intent to cause harm. He didn't trust himself not to get overwhelmed and hurt you. But I feel like at some point he either gets hurt on patrol or his stash gets low and you both forgot to restock and he has to. It was a very close call, and he couldn't bring himself to even look at you after the fact. He only warms up to it if it's necessary. He avoids it, but there are always slip-ups. He has bitten you during sex a few times when he got a bit too into it. He says he refuses to do it unless it's for your pleasure

He is so obsessed with you, if you couldn't tell. You're his favorite person, favorite scent, favorite taste. Not to be slightly yandere on main, but he would kill for you and kill himself if he wasn't enough for you. Never leave you. Never hurt you. Spike would never.

nsfw:

He is neither an ass or tits guy, he's just a 'you' guy. Absolutely everything about you gets him going. You think it's funny at first until you're trying to eat a bowl of spaghetti and he's staring at you, hard. It's not his fault the stray sauce around your lips looked like blood and vampire you is a very hot concept to him

You guys have to own a house. The noise complaints would be too much and you'd get evicted. I do see him as more of a groaner than a moaner, but sometimes it's just too much and it's both. Sometimes it's just one hand gripping the pillow your head is resting on, the other on the headboard, and his head in the crook of your neck practically whimpering as you milk his cock

You also have a tendency to get pretty loud, and as much as he loves your voice, his super vampire hearing can't take it sometimes :(

Doesn't really matter the position, but it's hard and he's so big. You can feel him in your damn ribs and it's choking you up. You don't even realize how loud you are. It's not until you hear his raspy voice in your ear. "I know, love, I know. It's a lot, but I need you to be a bit quieter. You're hurting me." And you pout a bit and try to mumble apologies that just sound like gibberish. You try, futilely, but surely he must understand that you can't help it. Not when it's this good. He whispers again, rubs where your belly bulges from his dick, but it doesn't seem to work. He eventually flips you over to shove your head in the pillows and you were far too out of it to complain. You like it a bit rough anyway.

As mentioned previously, he is a biter. He can't help it, it's instinct honestly. Its not like you mind, you clench even harder when he does. The sudden smell of iron is drowned out by the stench of sex and sweat, and the piercing feel of his fangs into your neck only stings for a bit. He makes up for it by licking up whatever spills <3 Being with a vampire was always going to be at least a little painful

He likes his hair pulled. You're fingers in his hair in general is heaven on earth, but being pulled around a bit is nice

Has a thing for tearing your clothes off. He really does like being a vampire, feeling big and strong in a way he was never able to when he was human. There is a feral piece of him, maybe its the demon inside him or it was always present, but seeing your clothes in pieces after the fact just scratches the itch in his brain

Speaking of brain, enjoys giving and receiving head equally. Being absolutely obsessed with you, and very secretly obsessed with the taste of your blood, he could die happily with your cum on his lips. Between your legs is his favorite place for real. As for receiving, it's his favorite way of shutting you up in any scenario.

Bruises. Everywhere. Hickeys. Everywhere. He's possessive but not exactly an exhibitionist, they end up along your collarbones and your thighs. Places where they can easily be hidden or revealed

Plays old music because he's old. He refuses to use modern technology because he likes his old as dirt aesthetic but definitely plays sexy orchestral music. I simply do not believe him to be an RnB kinda guy

He likes seeing you in his clothes after!! Going back to the whole love for domesticity thing, it just feels right. He's, shockingly, not always a horny fuck in the morning. Sometimes it feels more right to just look at you, the pretty after sex glow on your face, your messy hair, your cheeks pressed into the pillow. If you get up before him and put on what he had on the night before, it just completes the picture.

When he is a horny fuck in the morning, it's still just as soft and slow as the non-sexual mornings. He likes to be the big spoon simply because it's easier to slide his dick between your thighs and hold your tits at the same time

[majesty-madness]

Within the Cover of Night - Arthur Morgan x reader (sfw)

Summary: At first, she thinks it’s nothing but her imagination; that because of the life she lives, she’s letting her paranoia get the better of her. And then she’s snatched up in the dead of night by a pair of unfamiliar hands. 

Word Count: 3600+

Warnings: established relationship between Arthur and Y/N, horror themes, kidnapping, stalking, violence, blood, injury, cursing, pissed off Arthur, crying, attempted rape, mentions of sexual assault, panic attack, attempted murder, serial killer, hostage situation, brief escape, comfort 

a/n: Not proofread. Hardly anything happens in this part, the next part will be much more intense.

Main Masterlist

HOUR TWO

HOUR ONE

For a while now, she had been meaning to ride out into Strawberry but the camp has been a little too hectic as of late with the whole moving again thing. 

They had just gotten settled at Clemens Point, one of the more muggy spots but still beautiful nonetheless. 

With things quiet, Y/N felt she finally had an opportunity to venture a bit so that afternoon, she packed up her horse and headed right out. 

Thankfully it was a clear day out, not a cloud in sight coupled with a light breeze. These were the days she admired most, nothing crazy just a nice warm day and a cool wind blowing through her hair. 

It’s what made her love this country. 

Around twenty minutes passed, when Y/N could see the edge of Strawberry in the distance, maybe about a couple hundred yards, before a voice yelled out. 

“Help me, please!” 

Her head jerked to the side of the road, seeing a distressed man looking up at her and waving his arms about. “Oh please Miss, help me.”

“What’s the problem?” She immediately asked following his plea. 

He sighed drearily. “My horse got scared by a snake and threw me right off! I tried to catch myself but I hurt my leg in the tumble. If you could give me a ride back to town, I would be very grateful.”

Y/N outwardly cringed, not sure she was willing to do what he asked. “I don’t know, sir…”

“Please Miss! I’m staying in a small hotel just in Strawberry. It shouldn’t be that far from here…” He desperately explained, planting both hands together in what looked like prayer. 

Y/N looked back up toward the road, eyeing the distance it would take to travel into the town. Truthfully, it shouldn’t take any more than ten minutes on horseback. 

Loudly, she sighed and shook her head. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to take you back to town.” 

“Thank you so very much, miss. I really appreciate this!” The man gleefully exclaimed as he scrambled on the back of Y/N’s horse. 

Once the man had got on back, Y/N noticed her horse beginning to act fidgety, jerking her head back and forth while occasionally pawing at the ground. She had thought that was odd but Y/N continued with tugging on the reins and leading her down the dirt path. 

As soon as Y/N’s horse, Maple, began a steady sprint the man spoke. “I’m lucky you came by when you did, Miss or else I might’ve been stranded with a twisted leg.”

“I’m sure somebody would have come by eventually.” 

The man laughed out loud, almost too loudly. “Maybe, but regardless, I'm still glad you stopped. I do apologize though, I have a terrible sense of direction so who knows how long I might’ve been lost.” 

Already Y/N could see the front gate leading into Strawberry at the end of the road. “I guess you do; Strawberrys’ just down the road here.” 

The man’s grip on her shoulders tightened the slightest bit. “My ma always said to stick to the path cause I was always gettin’ confused. I’ll never learn, I suppose.”

Y/N said nothing, instead took note of his slowly tightening grip on her. It wasn’t becoming obvious per say, she happened to feel the difference in pressure. 

“Lay off a little there, sir.” Y/N thought to herself, keeping her eyes focused on the road forward.

If this man kept persisting in his hold on her, she may say something about it but as soon as the thought entered her mind he hadn’t made another move to tighten his grip. 

Perhaps he was scared of falling off the horse. 

“Those were good times though, riding down the trail with my ma. I’ll tell ya, she knew her sense of direction.” The man continued to babble on and on. 

“Is that right?” Y/N replied nonchalantly, pretending to be engaged in what he was saying. 

“Oh yes, Miss. She was the one that taught me everythin’ I know.” 

Then Y/N’s horse passed the gate to Strawberry, heading right to the center of town. The man kept talking, like he didn’t know how to stop. 

“It was always just ma and me; the thing I remember most about her was how pretty she was.” 

Y/N hummed, finally stopping next to the hotel only a few feet away. 

However, the man didn’t make an immediate attempt to hop off or make any kind of gesture that he was getting down. Suddenly he leaned forward, lips nearly touching the shell of Y/N’s ear and whispered to her.

“But I think you are the prettiest thing I ever did see.” 

The sound of his lowered voice sent chills up her spine, a cold sweat to form on her forehead. Every nerve in her body stopped functioning altogether and all she could do was sit there. 

Before she could push him off her, he quickly jumped down and waved her goodbye. “Farewell, Miss. I know we’ll be seein’ each other again.” 

When Y/N flicked her eyes up to meet the man’s, she no longer saw a helpless person with a piss poor sense of direction, now she saw a physically able man who knew exactly what he was doing. 

If that smirk on his face wasn’t any indication. 

Y/N felt a spell of fear wash over her as she watched him sturt away, leg working perfectly. 

Fighting back the disgust settling in her stomach, Y/N jerked the reins towards the town entrance. Her instinct to hurry and gallop right out of there, but another part of her mind reasoned that since she rode all the way out here, she should at least check out what she wanted.

She reasoned however, if things got wary then she had her gun with her. Nothing a well-aimed bullet couldn’t fix, specifically a possible pervert who didn’t know how to keep his hands to himself.

Y/N made sure to go a bit of an obscure way to the local shop, going around the back of the wooden buildings, keeping her horse close to the exits. 

Surprisingly, for a small town shop, it looked very extravagant inside in a rustic kind of way. The floor and walls were shiny with polish, lanterns lining the expansion of the building, colorful woven rugs covering parts of the floor, framed windows paired with lacy curtains and small aisles of different kinds of items neatly placed on every shelf. There was even a corner of the room where people could sit and enjoy the company of a fireplace. 

It was real nice. It almost made Y/N forget what had happened only minutes ago. 

As she browsed the kinds of products the store had, she caught sight of a luster shelled ink pen. 

She’d heard about these; the new kind of pens where you didn’t need to dip into ink, instead they had their own ink inside the pen itself. She wasn’t quite sure how they managed that but it intrigued her. 

Looking at the unique design on the outside of the writing utensil, her thoughts drifted to Arthur. 

Maybe he’d like something like that. 

So without contemplating it for too long, Y/N bought the pen and headed right out. 

As she approached the back exit of the building she suddenly remembered why she had entered from the back in the first place when the familiar rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her hand had raised to grab the doorknob, but froze for a second while she thought on all the possibilities that could happen as soon as she stepped out. 

Y/N raised her other hand to the revolver in her holster as she poked her head outside. She looked to the left then the right to discover nothing there. Not even a stray animal. 

Once that reality sunk in, she relaxed her arms to her sides and headed back to her horse hitch a  few feet away. 

At first, things seemed fine on the way back to camp, however the longer she rode, the more unnerved she felt. 

Even as she came upon the trail that led to camp, there was something wrong. Her horse had been fussing about the entire ride back, making more noises than normal, fidgeting, acting anxious and that told Y/N things weren’t right. 

Her horse was not easily frightened, but whatever was happening was really bothering her; enough to make her move about like a scared child. 

Before she stepped fully onto the trail, Y/N forced the animal to a stop and turned her a bit. Her eyes stared into the treeline in which she could barely see five feet into. 

She hadn’t realized she’d done it, but Y/N had slowed her breathing down, hearing only the silence of the forest. 

Her gaze bounced around the patches of grass, bushes, tree branches, and such seeing nothing yet suspecting malevolence lurking in the approaching darkness. 

One second…two seconds…three seconds….four…five…

She began to sweat fiercely. 

Six…seven …eight…

The pounding of her heart reached her ears like thunder in the sky, rushing over her whole being.

Nine…

She wanted to look away, but didn’t want to at the same time; feeling if she looked anywhere else she’d be doomed. 

Ten.

Y/N tugged hard again on the reins and forced her horse to take off in a mad dash for camp, away from the deep forest. 

Though Y/N wasn’t the one running for her life, she panted out with a heavy breath nonetheless. The hypothetical chance of someone following her causing her fight or flight response to kick in. 

It was by no means logical as she had no way to prove that there had been anyone beyond the treeline as her subconscious seemed to believe, although the sensations that surfaced were no less scary. 

In those short seconds, her brain came to a conclusion and didn’t like what it saw. 

But what did she see? What did her sixth sense pick up on that she just couldn't understand? 

What. Was. Wrong?

As soon as her horse made it into the camp, she slid off the animal before she’d come to a full stop and stared off into the distance behind them both.

Her eyes trailed over the path she took, and waited for something to happen. But after all that, nothing did happen and as far as she knew nothing was going to happen. All she could hear were the voices of her fellow camp mates and the occasional animal calls. 

She blinked a few times before shaking her head and walking off towards the center of camp. Y/N hadn’t realized it but her brain sent her straight to Arthur’s tent where he sat on his cot, jotting down something in his journal. 

He immediately heard her steps making a b-line for him, and the moment he noticed it was Y/N he smiled but it quickly faded when he saw the expression on her face. “Darlin’?”

She wasted no time in plopping herself onto his lap and curling into his chest, face tucked to his neck. 

The sudden display of seeming affection nearly caused Arthur to drop his journal onto the ground, so he quickly tossed it to his cot. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” 

She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck to pull herself even closer to him, making Arthur let out a slight grunt as she held onto him tightly. 

Instead of trying to further prod her into speaking, Arthur chose to settle his hands on the small of her back to keep her steady against him. And he continued to hold her for several minutes, feeling her muscles relax as time went on. 

“Did something happen?” He whispered between the two of them. 

Y/N took a deep breath before finally lifting her head to gaze up at him, eyes shining with tears. “Sort of.” 

“What do you mean?” 

She shrugged, finding it difficult to find the words because now that she knew she was safe with Arthur she felt a little silly for reacting like this. “I..was on my way to Strawberry earlier today, because I heard they had these new steel pens, and on my way there, this man came along shouting that he needed help.” 

Arthur began softly rubbing his thumb on a non-specific spot on her back as she spoke to quell the worries that plagued her. 

“Said he fell off his horse and hurt his leg, asked if I could give him a ride back to town. At first I wasn’t too keen on the idea but I felt guilty if I just left him stranded, so I let him hop on the back of Maple. I didn’t think much of it, but Maple started acting funny.” Y/N mentioned, lips pulling together in a frown. 

“How do ya mean, what’d she do?” Arthur asked in the silence between them as Y/N paused. 

Y/N let out a little huff, dipping herself further into him. “She was fussing about, making noises, pawing at the ground, stuff like that. Most things don’t bother her and since the man didn’t look all that threatening I thought maybe she was tired.” 

Arthur quietly nodded, waiting for her to continue with her story. “He kept going on about how he had no sense of direction and that his mother taught him everything he knew and for some reason, he mentioned how pretty she was. Said, it was what he remembered about her the most.”

“Then what?”

He could see the unease swimming in her eyes just by looking as she recounted what happened only a few hours ago. 

“Then he leaned in real close, and whispered into my ear: ‘I think you are the prettiest thing I ever did see.’” 

Immediately, Arthur’s stomach dropped while suppressing a cold shiver from crawling up his spine at the implication behind those words. 

Even though he hadn’t witnessed it, he couldn’t help the disgust rippling through him. Far too many times had he heard of the awful things done to women in saloons or back alleys where no one paid attention; far too many times he had seen the attempts men made at them when they thought there was no one around. The gunslinger in him would flourish with a rage at the idea of a man harassing some poor woman minding her own business, and promptly beat them within an inch of their lives for the simple fact that it was exactly what they deserved. And that was for women he didn’t know, now imagine what he’d do for the woman he loved, the woman he secretly promised his life to. 

God help any man who threatens her. 

“Did he do anythin’ else to you?”

Y/N quickly shook her head, leaning back into him again. “No, he just hopped off and walked away like nothin’ happened. And when he was walking away I noticed that his leg was working perfectly fine so he wasn’t even hurt to begin with.” 

Arthur let out a contemplative sigh, hands moving once more to create invisible in her skin. “I’m sorry, darling. There are some real bastards out there.” 

All Y/N did was nod, choosing then to sit quietly on Arthur’s lap, not uttering anymore words for a while. They spent several moments basking in each other’s presence as each ruminated on their thoughts. 

“Would it be alright if I sleep in your tent tonight?” Y/N asked promptly. 

Before Arthur said anything, she continued. “I know that it’s a bit sudden and we’ve never slept in a cot together but I really don’t want to be alone. And you make me feel safe.” 

His heart thumped with affection, giving her back a few pats and pressing a kiss to her hair. “I appreciate that, darling and of course, you can stay with me. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

“Thank you.” 

Arthur rocked her back and forth a few times when he spoke again. “Though, I can’t promise you’ll get a good night’s rest sleeping next to a big ol’ idiot like me.”

“Don’t you go saying nothing like that. It’s not true.”Y/N pouted, sticking her arm out to point him in the side where she knew he was sensitive and based on the way he tensed under her hand, she knew she got him good.

“Ah-alright, darling, I won’t go saying anything like that.” 

She poked him one more time causing him to reach down to quickly stop her, glancing down to see her bottom lip jutted out like a child’s. “You better not.”

With that, the rest of the evening carried on as normal with the exception of Y/N sleeping next to Arthur that night. Well, more like on top of him considering how small his cot truly was, but she didn’t mind in fact, Y/N liked that they got to be so close in such a vulnerable position. It was also thanks to the unexpected development that she managed to wake up the next morning with a calmness. 

And when Dutch had come to her once she was awake and walking around about a possible job, she didn’t feel the least bit worried. However when Arthur stated he was tagging along, she didn’t try to dispute it instead was thankful for his presence. 

On the ride to the nearest town, they chatted about this and that, the worry that plagued her long forgotten even as night fell and came the final decision for the night. 

“Are you sure, sweetheart?” 

Y/N nodded. “Yeah I’m sure, I’m feeling better today so I think I’ll be alright sleeping in my tent tonight.”

Arthur nodded silently to himself for a few seconds. “Alright then, but if you change your mind you’ll know where to find me.”

Promptly after, Arthur returned to his own tent for the night leaving Y/N to her’s. She stayed up for quite a while almost until the campfire outside had dwindled to small flickers of light and everyone else was asleep. This was a normal occurrence as she was a bit of a night owl but eventually she too became drowsy and without hesitation, laid out across her bed roll. 

Her eyes drifted to the ceiling of the canvas house, thinking on the events of the day where nothing particularly interesting happened and then, she fell asleep. 

________

A harsh pressure being pressed tightly against her neck is what woke her from her slumber. Her eyes quickly popped open, scrambling to fight off whatever was choking her in the dead of night. 

But the grip was too strong, no matter how hard she tried to peel away what she figured was someone’s arm, she couldn’t loosen the hold. 

Who was this person? What did they want? 

The darkness slowly started to creep in on her vision as she began to feel light headed and just before she passed out, she heard a familiar voice.

“You really are the prettiest thing.”

Off in the distance, Charles stood on night duty. These shifts were never entertaining but he supposed that was a good thing especially when you run with a gang of outlaws; himself included. 

Charles walked back up the path a bit, towards camp just to see if anything was amiss. He hadn’t noticed anything in the forest surrounding the camp, however when his eyes drifted over to the horses, it piqued his curiosity. 

Most of them seemed…antsy, like something spooked them. 

Already alarm bells were going off in his mind so he grabbed a lantern from the center of camp and began to walk along the numerous tents creating a semi circle around one firepit. He made his rounds first over to Lenny’s tent, seeing he was fine then to Abigail and Jack’s, then to Sean’s and up until he reached Y/N’s which sat between Sean and the other girl’s tent. 

He wasn’t sure what made him stop but his instincts screamed at him to take a closer look, something was off. 

Silently, Charles apologized to Y/N for the ill manners of barging in and pulled back the front flap of the tent only to see Y/N missing and the entire backside canvas cut completely in half. He stepped inside of the tent, hurrying out the back to discover drag marks and footprints that were far too big to be Y/N’s. 

Immediately he understood. 

Charles ran out of the tent out into the middle of camp, shouting for everyone to get up while making a b-line to Arthur. From the shouting, Arthur had already begun to stir. 

“Arthur, Y/N’s gone.” Charles stated matter of factly. 

The words went in one ear and out the other. Arthur, for a moment, thought he wasn’t even speaking english. “What?”

“Y/N’s gone, she’s not in her tent. Someone ripped open the back, and now she’s gone.” Charles explained with a sense of urgency. 

Now Arthur was awake, and as soon as the words settled in, he thought back to what Y/N had said the day before. 

“He kept going on about how he had no sense of direction and that his mother taught him everything he knew and for some reason, he mentioned how pretty she was.”

Arthur jumped up from his cot, running back to where Y/N’s tent lay now undisturbed, and nearly toppled the whole thing over when he pushed his way inside. 

“Then he leaned in real close, and whispered into my ear: ‘I think you are the prettiest thing I ever did see.’” 

He saw what Charles was talking about, not only was the entire back wall of the canvas material cut in half, the items inside the tent had been thrashed around as if someone had put up a fight along with tracks in the dirt leading outside into the trees. 

Y/N had been taken.

________

a/n: ran out of time so I had to break this into two parts, sorry ya'll! I'll try to be better about this in the future.

[heyhihellosworld]

𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮

Trent Alexander-Arnold x reader

Word count: 6.2k

Summary: Trent would do everything for his daughter even if it's out of his comfort-zone but maybe something, or someone can make it more bearable.

Warnings: Single parent, talk about non-present parents, horses, angst, smut, fluff, dad!trent, young pregnancy (19/20)

Notes: I don't know but this idea just came to me randomly when I was in the stables and I just find it funny to see these out of place parents, especially dads so yeah. Random but fun to write

Being a single parent wasn't always easy. Trent found it hard to be as present as possible, to spend as much time with his daughter as he wanted and still succeed in his football career. It took a lot of time, effort and help but he managed well, being the best dad possible and still develop in his football. It took a toll on him but he wouldn't trade it for the world.

Since he had been a little kid football had been his life, his goal and the only thing that mattered. For so long it was all that consumed his life, until Ella came along. It was never the plan, never his intention after the one-night stand he'd had but it happened and after a rocky year he had full custody of his baby.

After that his priorities changed because he was no longer alone, he couldn't be selfish anymore, he couldn't think about himself because he had a little girl at home. A little girl relying on him for food, comfort and love and suddenly, she was what mattered the most.

Less to say Trent didn't have a lot of free-time, already juggling more than the time could wrap up but he didn't really miss anything, he felt complete. The only thing he sometimes missed was dating. Going out was nowadays almost impossible, even though his brothers and parents tried to help out and babysit as much as they could he didn't feel fine with leaving her in their responsibility too long knowing they already helped out more than they should. Trent hadn't dated someone in what felt like years nor had he gotten any action regurarly. He didn't mind it, but he could miss it some days. Not only the sex but the social life outside of his work. That's why it felt like a blessing when Ella got older and he had to engage in some of her free-time activities. It wasn't like before of course, this was mothers and fathers with their kids not drunk idiots in a club in some VIP-room. But it was still some kind of social life, some people he could talk to and sometimes hang out with outside of the footballpitch.

For him it was obvious she would play football. It was what he'd anticiapated for a long time but the little girl said no. She didn't wanna play football, she wanted to take horseback-lessons, and as the nice father he was he didn't pressure her into anything but said ok, she would get to take her horse-riding lessons if that was what made her happy.

The four-year old was over-joyed, not Trent. He was as far away from his comfort zone he could imagine when he stepped onto the yard with his estatic daughter. It was muddy and bloody cold but he didn't say anything, just smiled at Ella who blabbered away.

Anything for her

It was all he repeated in his head to get himself to not jump into the car again.

He could hear his teammates laughing in his head as he stood in the small house which apparently was called the club-house. When he had told them about his daughters wish he had got his head nagged in with teasing, but hey, anything for her.

He got informed of how it worked, where the list was, where the different buildings were located, how he handled the horse, that he'd have to fix it up before riding.

He nodded along pretending he understood just fine before walking after Ella as she hurried into the stable. The smell was the first thing that hit him, then the horses. What the fuck was he doing here, why hadn't he asked somebody who knew something about this to take her? Well probably because she had been so excited for him to come along.

"Look, look!" Ella prompted, grinning from ear to ear as she pointed to one of the horses "Which one am I having? Which one daddy?"

Trent shook his head "Uh, what was his name? Mons?" "Monty!"

Trent hummed, nodding as they walked along the line of horses, "Here it is" he told her and she squealed with excitement at the tiny, fat little horse that stood in the box, glaring at them from inside.

Trent stood a few meters away as one of the people who helped out in the stables showed Elle how to tack up. He could feel the stares as he tried to look at what they were doing, trying to memorize but nah, it was too much stuff. Ella almost bounced on the spot as everything was ready, Trent yet to touch the horse that was still glaring at them.

-

Trent sat on the cold tree stand as he watched his daughter wiggle around on the horse. If it wasn't for the biggest smile on her face he would've tried to talk her into something else but he couldn't, and it didn't matter how bitter he felt. He would have to learn and show up, put on his well practiced fake-smile, for her.

-

"Are you really Trent Alexander-Arnold?"

The sound of his name made him look up, taken aback by the mention. He hadn't even thought about being spotted or recognised here which he of course should have.

"Eh, I am" he choke before he even located the woman who spoke but when he did he felt like his choked reply was just right. Before him stood a beautiful woman, she didn't look like a mom, for sure not. She looked about his age, maybe a year or so younger than him.

She was absolutely stunning, her beutiful face held a warm and almost teasing expression. Eyes glimmering, like she was mocking him for his whereabouts.

"Wow" she hummed, sitting down next to him so naturally it almost made him envy her confidence. "So what in the world brings the famous footballer to the stables?" She asked, seemingly unbothered but the smirk she tried to hide leaked through, making him pull a grimace at her.

"Well, my daughter wanted to take horseback-lessons... so I took her to do it, silently hoping she wouldn't like it but now I guess this is my new place to be" he muttered and she chuckled softly "That's sweet of you"

Trent shrugged his shoulders, looking over at her as she sat so casually but still looked so elegant and beautiful. "What about you?" "Well I also happen to have a daughter who loves this stinky hole" she hummed, peeking his interest even more "Really?" he questioned, his eyes full of interest as she hummed "yeah, why?"

"No no I just... you look young to be a mother" he revealed, pulling a smile from her "thank you, I guess. But I was young when I got her" she admitted, making Trent nod along "How old are you?"

"23" she answered shortly making him hum "And what's your name?"

She chuckled, giving him a loopsided smile as she raised one eyebrow "Why are you so interested?"

Trent shrugged "I just am, you're not gonna tell me your name?"

"Y/n, it's y/n" she answered politely, a silence settling over the two as they watched their children try to lead the horse in the right direction.

--

It had been a stressful afternoon for you, hurrying home after work to make it in time to Amelies riding-lesson. But you'd made it, not quite on time but good enough.

Amelies riding lessons was nothing you'd been too big of a fan of, not only because you knew nothing about horses but also because it was darn expensive. But of course you couldn't say no to your precious daughter when she so sweetly asked you, so now you found yourself on this tree bench every week, looking as your daughter held the biggest smile on her face, and it felt worth it.

"I don't mean to be forward" you voiced quietly after a few moments, "It's fine" he hummed, turning his attention to you, bracing himself for what he knew was coming.

He was even more beautiful face to face, so close up, than on the tv-screen and you still had a hard time realizing it was actually the football player sitting next to you on the stable stand.

You had of course read gossip sites and rumors about him and his daughter, some saying he was indeed secretly married and other saying it was a failed one-night stand leading him to be a single parent. You didn't know what it was but you were intrigued.

"Are you married?"

Your question didn't surprise him, his eyes fleeting back from watching the group to you again. "Well-no"

"No?"

He shook his head, curls flying all over the place, your face told him you wanted to know more and he gave in, he knew darn well about all the rumours flying around about him and his daughter, and especially about the mother. "I am not married. Me and Ella's mother is not in any committed relationship. In fact it was a one night stand, ending up in her calling me and telling me she was pregnant and after a long hard time she pulled out, and I am now a single parent"

You hummed "is her mother in the picture at all?"

"Rarely, whenever it suits her" he shrugged, not really understanding why he told you all this. "What about you?" You chuckled bitterly "Nah, I was in a relationship when I got pregnant, but like I said I was young, barely 19 and our relationship was as serious as they are at that age so when things got real he bailed"

"So, do you have any contact?"

"No, I haven't really heard from him since I told him I was pregnant, I forced him to meet her once" you told him bitterly, the air tensing but you didn't mind and neither did he. It was nothing secretive and something you both had moved on from so talking about it felt like a natural part of an introduction because it was a big part of who you were, big part of your families.

When the short lesson was over Ella was bouncing as she ran up to Trent. You stood next to him, waiting for Amelie whilst continuing to small-talk. You couldn't help but smile as he kneeled down to scoop her up in his arms with the brightest smile. "Did you enjoy it princess?"

"I love it! Thank you daddy" he chuckled as he let her down again "Of course sweetie, are you all done now so we can go home and cook?"

You watched as the little girl nodded before looking away, Trent saw it aswell "It's okay, we can stay a little longer" he smiled at her shy look making her face lit up again "I just wanna say bye to my friends" she replied, kissing his cheek before running up the small bump into the stables again.

You felt like pouting at the sweet interaction but stopped from it seeing they were strangers and it would probably put him off. "She is really adorable" you smiled as he stood up again, smiling small.

"Thank you"

"Have you been here for a long time?"

"Here?"

"Have your daughter been riding for a long time?" he corrected making you hum "Well nah not that long, a couple of months" you answered. More than that wasn't said and it felt like a small relief when both of your daughters came running down from the stable giggling, breaking the sudden awkvard tension. You smiled at your daughter, her hapiness making you happy.

"Mommy, did you see?!" she squeeled as she raised her arms as a sign for you to lift her up which you did with a grin. "I did see, you were really good today" you smiled, loving her happy face as she bubbled with hapiness, all giddy.

You put her down when she started to wriggle, packing down all the things in your stable-bag. "Mom"

"Yeah" you hummed "Do you think I can play with Ella some day?"

You looked up, smiling softly as you paused "I'm sure we could fix something some time" you promised making her smile again, breaking away from the small shy energy. You could see that she was tired, even though she was blabbering and bouncing the tiredness started to droop onto her.

When she yawned you chucled, picking her up which she gladly accepted, snuggling into your shoulder.

You waved goodbye at Trent who smiled your way before stropping Amelie in the car to drive home.

Since that first time in the stables Trent and Ella went every week, every week coming to seek you out, ask you about your week and how you'd been since last time.

What in the beginning was a dreadful day for Trent slowly started to become an enjoyful one. You liked the stables just fine but it didn't get worse by seeing Trent.

Whenever he wasn't there it was a huge disapointment, something you were all to aware of.

He had became a good friend, your daughters spending time outside of the stables as well which prompted you to meet more than once a week.

The attraction was there, always but of course you never went with it since the kids were around and dating with a kid or even more so sleeping around whilst having a kid was not something you found appropriate or fair for her at the moment so you didn't do anything, didn't say anything and if he felt the same way he didn't say it.

You learnt more and more for every time you met and got more and more smitten. You understood why everybody was fawning over him so bad. You'd always liked him on the pitch, enjoyed watching him play but this was something completely different than that.

It was a sunday you realized how smitten you actually was with the guy. He had suggested to meet up for the kids to play so you could watch football together. It was United against City so the expectations where high as you sat in your sofa together. The girls in Amelies room playing.

He had been such a softie, resting his hand on your thigh as you sat closer than appropriate, conversing and laughing about the game. He told you stories about himself, about Ella and it was all so soft.

His eyes had been warm and he had been so sweet, cooking all of you lunch and helping you fix the new coffee table you hadn't put together yet. It had felt so domestic and it had made you realize how much you actuallly liked the guy.

But you hadn't spoken a word about it. It was too complicated to get involved with anyone. No man had gotten introduced to Amelie except from her dad but other than that you had stayed far away from that part of you. Only ever being with someone when Amelie wasn't home.

It was a delicate matter with kids and you didn't want to risk anything, plus, you had no idea if Trent even liked you in the slightest so you just kept your mouth shut, enjoying what was now.

A rare evening without Amelie or work was spent out. You were still young, still enjoying the thrill of a good club with friends so the bar was the place to go.

Your best friend begged to go to this new open bar, more similar to an night-club than bar but you didn't mind.

The first hour was spent upstairs in one of the more reserved booths, drinking and gossiping, spilling the recent tea and of coure the main topic was Trent.

She was dying to hear about it and you were dying to telll her. "No way he said that" she gasped, clapping her hands "Wow you go y/n, this is honestly wild"

You giggled, swallowing the rest of your drink "I know"

"What's next then? You almost kissed in his car and now?" "Now nothing" you sighed, shaking your head "What do you mean nothing"

"I mean that I haven't heard of him since then"

"Well text him then!" she exclaimed "I dont know" "Oh come on y/n you gotta do it, you are so smitten by him already and you never meet anyone"

"Lets drop this topic for tonight" you decided, sweeping the hard parts under the rug for now.

"Fine, let's go down and get the party started for real" she beamed sensing not to push you further right now.

"Yes please"

She giggled, hooking your arm with hers as you went down the sketchy stair to the club area, the night club you needed.

-

You were deep in your cups which was why you weren't sure if you actually saw who you thought you did or if you were hallucinating

"Y/n! Is that Trent??" your friend gaped making you realize it was actaully Trent and you gigggled, pulling her along with you as you tripped up to him, facing him with a bright smile

He was with a couple of friends, some you would probably recognize if it wasn't for the slight womble in your head

"Y/n??"

Trent eyed you up and down with a giant smirk, sensing your drunkness but he too were deep in his cups, immidiately dragging both you and your friend to their table.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, handing you another drink and pulling you to sit on his lap as there was limited space on the table he and a couple of his friends shared. Your friend immideately hitting it off with some of them.

"I have a rare night out" you grinned

"How convinient, I have to" he revealed, squeezing your thigh where your short dress had ridden up.

"How convinient" you smirked right back at him, your eyes dropping down to his lips a little too often

It wan't long until you couln't resist the urge to kiss him anymore. The clear part of our head would probably stop it right now because it was compliacted, you had Amelie, you couldn't just date around and bring people here and there but the rational part of your brain wasn't working right at the moment. Only wanting some sort of normality, some sort of attention tonight and Trent gladly gave it to you, so you took it.

The soft kiss turned heated, passionate and neeedy, hands grasping desperately at each other as your turned around on his lap. Only when the people around you started to make noises did you break apart for the moment, enjoying the night on his lap, his mouth on yours and hands caressing you whenever the moment allowed it. It was something completely different like this, when the kids wasn't around, when neither of you had to take the parent role, when you both were deep in your cups and didn't hold back. It was something completely different but so relieving.

--

He asked you out, actually asked you out. Not asking for a playdate with the kids, no. Alone, with you and it felt like the nerves would explode. You had met him for months now but it felt different after the bar meeting.

It had been heated, promising more than just parents of two friends. No, that had showed you he wanted more as well. The kisses shared, the touches ad the late, drunken question to come home with him. It all indicated that he wanted more of whatever it was between you.

You read his text again. You had agreeed on dinner in his flat. Neither of you wanted to do something public. Still it felt nerve-wracking. You hadn't been at his place before, always at yours for various reasons.

You hadn't gone home with him that night but what if he wanted something in that way tonight`?

did you want anything like that? Hell yes

How did you act with him, alone? Without being drunk

What do you wear to something like this?

You had no idea

After what felt like forever you finally emerged from your car outside of his complex, wearing sweats and a hoodie as he had told you after asking and making your way inside.

It was darn expensive, exclusive, luxaury celebrity building. You felt hella out of place, not only because of your clothes as you got escorted up to his floor. The secod you saw him though, it felt okay. The smile twinkling in his eyes as he welcomed you inside.

-

"This feels a bit weird" you smiled, sitting on his big comfy sofa. Stretching out your tired body on the comfortable furnitor.

Trent chuckled, pursing his lips "Well"

"Not bad" you promised "But weird, I'm not used to be alone with you. It's always the girls or the horny mums"

At that Trent couldn't contain his laughter "Horny mums?"

"Yeah you should hear them talk" you scoffed, shaking your head at them.

"I do, trust me" he chuckled, plopping down next to you in the sofa with two glasses of wine. "I just choose to ignore them most of the time" he smiled, handing you one of the glasses.

Your eyebrows raised as you turned to him with an unimpressed look "most of the times?"

"Well yeah, I mean I did not ignore you, did I?" he teased, showing his beutiful smile. Your eyes rolled "no but I'm not talking about how hot it would be to be fucked by a footballer or how perfect your back looks to scratch"

"Why don't you though?"

You choke on the wine you sipped, spluttering it out in your lap as you tried to contain yourself with laughter You looked at him deadpan, "you want me to?"

His shoulders shrugged and his face pulled a grimace, smirking at your flustered state "I wouldn't mind it"

"Really?" you hummed, looking at him from under your lashes while sipping your wine. Gaining your confidenece back "Oh Trent, I wanna scratch your back while you fuck me so hard" you ironized with a high-pitched voice.

Trent laughed, raising his glass towards you "Take away the irony and we are home"

You couldn't help but give him a bright smile, leaning your head towards him before straightening up to do your real performance. His eyes followed you amusedly as he watched you clear your throat before you repeated "Oh Trent, I wanna scratch your back while you fuck me so hard" but only this time you tried to make it sound real, moaning out the words with an additional moan afterwards.

Trent's amused face dropped slightly as you smirked at him "Better?" "Mhm" he nodded, giving you an impressed look "Wow, that's actually wild" he hummed causing you to laugh at him, shaking your head at his dramatics "That explains how you women are so good at faking things"

You hummed, nodding "Sure but you can hear a clear difference from an fake moan and a real moan"

Trent hummed, pouting his lips in thought "well sure"

You pursued tour lips "Do you know the differences?" Trent shrugged "Sometimes, I think most of the times I can tell"

"Have someone ever really faked it with you?" you giggled, "Sure" Trent chuckled, internaly palming himself for revealing that to you.

"Why?" "I don't bloody know, I guess they didn't like it?"

You laughed "Oh poor Trent, are you not that talented in bed?"

He only scoffed, giving you a face that only made you laugh harder "I'm sure am talented enough"'

You giggled, crawling closer to him before settling in his lap. It didn't feel weird, you had been in this position before. You wanted to take it one step further, wanted to be with him.

"What if I need proof?" you whispered, your voicie low and all serious as he swallowed, giving you a heated gaze "Well I think we can fix that, don't you think?" "I was hoping" you smirked, immediately atttacking his lips with yours.

His hands fell on your ass, pulling you closer as your hands tangled in his curls.

Screw all the complicated shit, screw all responsibilites. You would fix it all later, talk it all through later. This wasn't bound to change anything, except it was. You felt more than you wanted to admit.

Screw the feelings, you needed him right now and he felt the same.

His hands started to undress you, flinging your hoodie off and you let him but when his hands left your boobs and started to tease your underwear you stopped him.

"Hey" you mumbled, immideately grabbing his attention, brown eyes searching yours for any signs that he'd crossed the line.

You gently stroke his neck, smiling at his attentive expression. "Did I do something?" he asked softly, relief filling his body as you shook your head. "No no, I just-" you began, looking away from his intense gaze

"What?" he murmured, gently angling your face so that you looked at him again.

Your face felt warm as he looked at you "I-I just haven't had sex in.... forever" you admited shyly

"Forever? you do have a kid, right?"

You giggled loving how he tried to ease the embarrsament as your lips graced his shoulder. "A year" you clarified, looking away from his face as he raised his eyebrows in supriese "Really, wow I feel like i've been in a dryspell forever but a year... I would've alredy have cum now"

You giggled again, hiding your embaressment in admitting this to your lext lay but Trent was different. It wasn't just some hook-up, it was Trent. Someone you already had found a liking towards. Someone you felt comfortable with and trusted, someone you didn't feel embarrassed around.

He kept a loving smile on his face, kissing your cheek sweetly before speaking again. "It's nothing, as long as you want this we can take it as slowly as you want to and if you don't, we don't" he mumbled softly against the soft skin of your shoulder.

"I want to, just... take it slow" you breathed out, his head noddding in recognition as he continued his ministrations on your neck and collarbone. Leaving marks like a teenager would on your sensitive skin. It made you giggle, plafully pushing him away but he just gave you his millon-dollar grin and continued, knowing you liked it.

You started to ease into it. Not feeling as stiff anymore as you moved your body against his, making him let out an apreciative sound. "Yeah?" he mumbled, a word so short but still so hot to hear from his lips.

His hand creeped down your sweatpants, gently teasing the hem of your underwear, tripping under the waistband only to crawl back up. It was all a part of his slow show and you started to realise what you had really asked him.

You kissed him sweetly, passionately but soft. Searching his mouth with yours, hands grasping on his broad shoulders, slowly creeping down to finally feel his gorgously sexy abs.

His breath fanned your jaw as he watched your face every movement, only slipping his hand into your panties for real when you made strong eye-contact with him, pleadig with your eyes for him to keep going.

And keep going he did, finally lettig his fingers stroke over your swollen clit. His fingers moved expertisely, knowing exactly where it would feel the best and where to be to drive your mind absolutely crazy and needy.

He was so focused on your face as you let him play with you, enjoying it way to much to ever ask him to stop.

When your mind started to function again you let your hand slip under the waistband of his calvins. Quickly wrapping around his hard dick to give him some attention as well. Too soaked up in your own for quiet some time already.

He didn't complain, his eyes closing briefly and a hard breath escaping his open lips as you stroked him firmly. Trying to focus on him whilst he brought you to the edge, slipping two fingers inside of you.

Your body had gotten completely loose now. Moving on it's own accord, not caring anymore, not controlled by nerves but pleasure.

He could see exactly when your orgasm started to climb to it's top. Not daring to stop as your voice pleaded him not to. Your hand stopped aroud his dick, unable to focus as your orgasm washed over you. The sounds you let out fell deaf on your own ears, not to Trent's who only got harder as your body shook, fingers slowly retreating as you came down. Not wanting to overstimulate you at this state.

"Okay?" he smiled softly, the giggle you let out sounded free and happy "more than okay" you smiled, leaning up to kiss his lips lovingly. Hand resuming it's pace on his hard cock.

Soon enough you tugged at his boxers, wanting them off, wanting him inside of you.

He let you do what you wanted, helping to take off his boxers as he helped you out of your sweatpants. His hands gently cupped your breasts over your brah as you looked at each other. "You sure you want this?" he hummed, needing the consent "Yes, you?" you hummed back softly, "All I wanted to do since I first saw you" he consented, bringing a smile on your lips as he guided his tip to your entrance.

He rubbed oer your sensitive nerves, giving you time to relax again from the initional reaction to feeling his dick against the place you wanted him.

"Relax yeah?" he hummed softly, kissing over your chest, smiling against your skin as you complied. Relaxing your body against the soft material.

He fially pushed the tip in, your breath catching in your throat at the stretch. His lips a nice distraction, your arms wrapping around his shoulders as he kissed you passionately. Breathing in and swallowing your sounds.

It felt like an enternity until he finally stopped, fully inside you. You panted against his lips, trying to take in the feeling of complete blizz.

Fuck you had missed this

"Move" you breathed, his hips immediately following your words as he slowly started to thrust inside of you. Taking it slow as promised but it felt just as good as anything else. It wasn't about fucking the life out of you, it would be time for that later. No this was about connecting, making eachother feel pleasure and love and wow did he manage well.

You felt like all you could do was moan and whine, your body writhing on the soft cushions as he gave you all he had, rolling his hips into yours, filling you completely with each deep thrust.

He reached places you didn't even remembered you could or knew. It felt like you were floating on a cloud as his mouth found your skin again.

"Fuck I'm sorry" he breathed harshly on your jaw as he kissed his way up

"What?"

"I-I'm gonna cum" he breathed making you giggle out a moan "Fuck do it"

His fingers found your clit, gently stroking the sensitive nub as he quickened his pace slightly. His hips started to jerk as he got closer to his release, soon coming to an complete stop as he came, taking you with him in the blizz.

It felt like you blacked out. Letting your eyes fall close as he slipped of to the bathroom, helping you clean up and change clothes to sleep. He didn't bother making you brush your teeth or go to the toilet. You were already half-asleep so he just crawled down into the bed again. Kissing your shoulder and whispering soft praise for you as you drifted off to sleep in his comfortbale bed and warm embrace.

--

Awkvardness settled in your body as you looked down on the steeming hot cup of coffe he'd just handed you.

He looked as free as a bird, not an ounce of regret or questionmarks visable in the way he moved around the kitchen

You didn't regret it but now the hard conversation were bound to happen, the conversation you'd dreaded since you started to feel something about him. But again, he didn't look cornered at all, he looked the oposite to you and that also made you question this, question his feelings.

It wasn't long until he broke the silence, turning to you with an look you couldn't really decide if it was scolding, angry or amused. Maybe something inbetween it all.

"Why are you awkvard?"

He popped the question, just like that, cornered you even more than you already felt as you squirmed on the tall bar stool you sat on at his kitchen island.

"I'm not" you tried but he only chuckled, giving you a soft smile. "This dosen't have to be as hard as you make it out in your head"

"I dosen't?" you half mocked him but he stood his ground, shaking his head "No, it dosen't. I really like you" he stated, like it was the easiest thing ever to say

"And I think you like me too so what's the problem? Our kids already love eachother so why just not take it slowly, ease into it with them, keep it on the low, see eachother more and then move forward step by step. It dosen't have to be that hard. I'm sure of my feeling, it's not something casual or temporary"

You sat quite for a while "Well when you say it like that it sounds like the easiest thing in the world"

Trent chuckled, coming loser to you "It's not the easiset thing in the world but I like you too much to not give this a try"

You smiled leaning over the island to kiss him gently "I like you" you mumbled against his lips, feeling them curl into a smile against yours.

--

Sundays couldn't get better than this, the sun was out, mood happy and the birds were singing. Trent's hand in yours made a warmth spread in your chest. The girls ran in front of you, playing tag in a fit of giggles.

The soft morning had woken you up in the right mood, waking up alongside Trent was bound to wake you up in a good mood. Early morning sure but the way Tren't had made love to you first thing after waking up made your mood hit the good roof.

"I love this" you hummed, watching up at his beutiful smile under the baseball cap he'd pushed down over his curls, not wanting to be recognised.

You'd made it official, but not public. He had asked you to be his girlfriend one late night in front of the tv, cozied up together on the sofa. It had been only one clear answer on your tongue and since then things had changed for the better.

The worry of affecting your kids had been one that had proved not to be a problem, the girls already concidering the other best friends. Trying to explain had been a bit harder the girls not completely undestanding why they spent so mch time together at eachothers houses but they loved it neitherless.

"Me too" Trent hummed, glancing up at the girls "And I love you" he continued, turning to you again, tilting your head up to gently kiss you, a kiss you couldn't help but to smile into, holding his chin gently as he kissed you softly, intimately.

"Daddy!" "Mommy!"

You broke apart, giggling as you turned to your kids "Why is your daddy snogging my mommy!" Amelie protested but Ella only giggled making Amelie start to.

"Where have you learnt that word?" you asked her pointedly, her eyes blinking up at you "Trent told me it" she defended before they were off again.

"You taught her the word snogging??" you turned to him with a scoff "What?!" he exclaimed "The girls were using the word fucking so I told them not to say that and to say snog instead, choose your word woman!" he defended making you laugh "Okay okay, snogging is much better than fucking"

"Exactly" he smiled in victory as you continued to walk.

You'd never felt this kind of peace before in your life. It had always been something, something unsettling. But right now, right now it felt like peace, like nothing was hard or confusing. Everything was clear and you were happy, happiest you'd ever been.

And it all felt like it was coming together, peace had finally landed.

[honkceasar]

Hi I have an absolutely insane amount of random ass pd headcanons that I’ve decided to unleash onto the world today so here’s part one of my insanity!!!

-Ashe plays guitar, can’t remember if this is canon or not honestly

-Will taught himself guitar after Ashe got possessed, tries to learn his favorite songs (absolutely CANNOT play my famed disappearing act, much to his dismay)

-Will collects and cures bones as a hobby, has a necklace with Henny’s skull on it and a couple bones from Vyncent’s world

-Ashe is that genre of autistic person that doesn’t make a lot of facial expressions, so the most uncanny part of the trickster is seeing these over the top expressions on her face that he personally would NEVER make

-William is a horrible driver because he has glasses and refuses to wear them (this is also why he doesn’t yell at Dakota to wear his, he’d be a hypocrite)

-William likes to sew but he’s so unbelievably slow at it. He wants to have like proper patch pants, but it takes him too fucking long to put that many on there so instead his pants only have a couple patches on them made with old jeans and fabric paint

-Vyncent would def do horseback riding as a hobby, he probably misses when he would do it at home

He’s also definitely brought the boys with him to do his horse girl shit

-Ashe is really good at drawing!!!! I feel like she’d be one of those people that has a killer marker collection but doesn’t use them that often cause he does digital art

-William is absolutely addicted to caffeine you can’t tell me he isn’t

-While Ashe was gone Vyncent took his beanie and William stole like all his fucking clothes. They’re all too big but he doesn’t care, nor does he plan on giving any of them back

-Dakota definitely has chew necklaces but they don’t last long cause he fucking destroys them

-Vyncent and Dakota both vocal stim so fucking loud dude (I can’t decide if I think Will does too because Charlie does irl or if William actually would)

-Dakota gets night terrors about Williams death

-Dakota struggles with reading but he likes audio books, he’d probably listen to some with Ashe’s headphones when they’re on a particularly long road trip. Idk what type of books he’d like though. I could see him liking the Percy Jackson series but I can’t explain why

-Vyncent’s one of those guys that wears layers no matter the weather and somehow never gets too hot

William also wears layers when it’s hot out but he’ll be sweaty as a motherfucker and like. Dying

-William was a tech theatre kid, definitely ran lights and got very specific about color washes

-Dakota used to be a babysitter before the hero stuff to make some extra cash, he’s always been good with kids

[scionshtola]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Prompt 1 - Steer

pairing: Corisande Ymir/Y'shtola Rhul rating: G | word count: 854 words notes: some rodeo au to start us off :> Part of Y'shtola's first day on the ranch

“Is this really necessary?”

Y’shtola looked down from her seat in the saddle—were horses usually so tall?--and met Corisande’s friendly gaze. Their arms bracketed Y’shtola, one hand still holding the reins and the other resting on the horse’s body behind the saddle, which made her feel somewhat more secure.

“You’re working on a ranch, miss,” Corisande replied. “You should know how to ride a horse on your own.”

“Are there no other ways to get around the ranch?” She had seen several pickup trucks on her way in this morning. Surely they were just as capable of getting them around the property.

“Riding’s the easiest. Besides, the Haillenarte’s own a lot of land, and some places you can only get to by horseback. With all the research you talked about doing on grounds, Miss Rhul, I know you’ll want to see them.”

Y’shtola narrowed her eyes at them, and only got the same friendly smile in return. But the sincerity of their expression, framed by soft red fringe and two braids that hung sweetly in front of their shoulders, and their polite but firm insistence on referring to her as “miss”--which, to her surprise, she found rather charming—set her at ease. 

The appeal to her work on the ranch grounds did not hurt, either, which Corisande seemed to know, as she held the reins out to Y’shtola before she had given her assent. Y’shtola took them and squared her shoulders.

“There’s no need to worry, Pepper is a sweet horse,” Corisande said gently, patting the horse’s flank. Her black coat was flecked with a yellow that glinted in the sun. “She’ll do most of the work, once you learn how to steer her.”

For the next forty five minutes, Corisande taught her exactly that. She showed Y’shtola how to hold the reins properly between her fingers; how to guide the horse into a turn by opening her arm in the direction she wanted to go, keeping the other steady to avoid drifting as they walked around the paddock; how to use her legs to do the same. 

“I think you’ve got the hang of it,” Corisande said the next time Y’shtola pulled Pepper to a stop at her side. She gestured for Y’shtola to follow her across the paddock on horseback, opening the gate and letting them through. Y’shtola watched as she loaded a few small bags onto Pepper’s saddle, before taking Y’shtola’s own backpack and slinging the straps over her shoulders. “I think you’re ready to see the whole ranch now.”

Y’shtola only had a moment to feel satisfied at how quickly she had learned before Corisande pulled herself neatly into the saddle behind her, her hands politely on Y’shtola’s waist as she settled in.

“We’re to share?” Y’shtola said in surprise. “Don’t you have your own horse?”

“This is my horse,” Corisande replied, her amusement evident in her tone. 

Y’shtola fought the urge to roll her eyes, even though Corisande could not see her. “You know what I mean. Why did you teach me to ride, if you were going to ride with me anyway?”

“It’s a good skill to have out here,” Corisande said. “What if something happened to me, and you needed to get back for help on your own? Cell service isn’t particularly reliable out here, you know.”

“Do you anticipate becoming incapacitated? Is there perhaps another, more competent hand to guide me in your stead?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” Corisande said. That the statement was not itself a question, and that they sounded far more amused rather than irritated, strangely pleased Y’shtola. 

She pushed the feeling to the side before she answered. “Yes, I do.”

Corisande laughed, and the gentle sound of it in Y’shtola’s ear brought a slight smile to her lips. 

“You learned to steer a horse at little more than a trot. For now, if you want to see as much as you can today, it’s best you let me take the lead. If that sounds alright to you, miss, then we will be on our way.”

Y’shtola couldn’t argue with that—she had been able to make her way around the paddock with no assistance, at a speed that would not take them very far around the property. And now that she had gotten over her surprise, she could admit to herself that Corisande’s earlier point was equally valid—it was good to know, in case of an emergency.

“It sounds fine to me,” she acquiesced, and relinquished the reins to Corisande. 

Their hands brushed hers for a moment, a warmth in the touch that did something strange to Y’shtola’s stomach. She tried not to think about it, but with their arms around her, she had no choice but to lean into their chest. With unfortunately heated cheeks, she realized she was very aware of all their points of contact. Their chest to her back, their legs fitted together, their biceps framing her waist. 

When Corisande nudged the horse into motion, Y’shtola took a steadying breath, willing the warmth in her face to fade, and let her guide them to their destination.

[merlucide]

HIII!! okay i saw your post abt having four months to “look good” and just to preface — i’m sure you’re already absolutely beautiful regardless but as someone who kind of did smth similar i figured i would share what helped me lose weight and look better and be sustainable about it without being restrictive or unhealthy (since that’ll lead to rebounding and regaining the weight as well as a host of other possible health issues which we don’t want 🙂‍↔️). disclaimer i’m in no way considered a professional or anything this is just what happened to work for me!! so take it w a pinch of salt (and also i hope this isn’t intrusive or rude or anything 😰 ik you asked for help but also idk since we’re not mutuals or anything i hope i don’t sound like a jerk or weird KFDNKSS feel free to delete if i do!!)

so the biggest thing to remember is no food is necessarily bad or good it’s really about portion control and eating things in moderation!! i’ve lost weight while having chips and dessert every day 😭 if you want to be super scientific and guarantee you’ll lose weight you can calculate how many calories per day you need to maintain your current weight and then figure out what deficit you need to be in to lose it (lots of calculators online to figure this out) and measure food appropriately but to be honest this can make eating stressful and it’s a very hard mindset to break out of even once you’re at your “goal” so def be careful with that!! honestly just being cognizant of what you eat and only eating when you’re hungry instead of bored/thirsty (top tip is just drink a glass of water when you think you’re hungry and if you’re still hungry afterwards then you should 100% eat!! and if not then you were probs dehydrated) would probably be sufficient too

in terms of working out (resident gym lover here) the key is that it’s better to go less times but be consistent than trying to go everyday and burning out and quitting entirely!! i go to the gym 2-3x a week and then i have a horseback riding lesson once a week so i never really exercise more than 3 or 4 times a week which would probably make hardcore gym bros freak out but 🤷🏻‍♀️…if i’m ever too busy and miss a day (or an entire week LMAO) i don’t freak out either because muscle memory is strong and you won’t lose everything that quickly!! just get back to it when you can and remember that even going and only doing half of your exercises is better than doing none at all (i had a lot of trouble w the all or nothing mindset where if i didn’t feel up to doing EVERYTHING i was like ok well might as well not go but it’s been really helpful to remember that a lighter day is better than nothing)

as for the actual exercises i do i usually warm up with cardio which isn’t necessarily recommended but i do what i want and what works for me so idgaf 😭 when i first started working out i would go on the treadmill at a 12 incline and 3 speed for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on my mood but now i usually do a 15 incline because 12 is too easy…this is def dependent on you though find what works for you/what you enjoy and stick with that!! in order to get the “toned” look you’ll have to lift weights…trust me i hated the idea of lifting at first but it’s honestly pretty fun and you don’t have to go crazy!! i just use dumbbells KDJFJSJS nothing massive by any means just enough that i feel like my muscles are actually working 🤩 you don’t have to do a ton of exercises or use a million machines or anything either — just pick a few that you like doing and that target diff parts of your body (i really like RDLs, squats, and lateral pull downs) and stick w those ‼️ there’s also a million beginner’s guides to lifting with videos for form and all online that you can access for free too so definitely a lot of resources 🤞🏻 but if you’re not into the whole treadmill + lifting vibe then just pick any form of exercise you enjoy and be consistent with it because again even if it’s not as perfectly suited to weight loss or toning or whatever you will get 1000x more results if you keep exercising than if you do smth you don’t enjoy and quit within a couple of days

ALSO make sure to stretch after you workout!! i think i read somewhere that you build 300% more muscle if you stretch after exercising which idk if that’s true or not but why not do it if ykwim…also it helps if you’re lifting because your muscles can get tight and be more sore if you don’t stretch them out afterwards 😨 and music always helps like if you listen to hype music (i always go for meghan thee stallion) it makes working out sm more fun and enjoyable!! and as a side note i know personally i struggled a lot w gym anxiety and even now i hate being perceived at the gym but you really just have to remember that everyone there is doing there own thing and you have just as much of a right to be there as anyone else!! so ignore anyone who’s being annoying but also keep in mind that you’re probably overthinking it and no one is really concerned w what you’re doing ☝🏻

OKAY that was so much omg like i said if any of this doesn’t resonate def disregard it and also if you feel uncomfortable please feel free to ignore and delete this!! i wish you luck and you’ve got this i’m rooting for you!! but please remember that things like weight are arbitrary and at the end of the day the most important thing is how you feel about yourself — as long as you believe you are a baddie you will exude baddie energy no matter what 🙂‍↕️

oh my goodness

thank you so much 😭😭

This is seriously so, so so helpful 😭🙏

ugh this makes me feel so much better tysm😭 seriously this is such great advice tysm for taking the time to tell me this

I head to the gym about 2-3x a week I’d say and focus on legs and cardio ig?? I’ll def do the incline on the treadmill (weights scare me but I’ll woman up 🫡)

tysm for all of this info + and the kind words you made me feel very good 😭🙏

edit: do you know any good free websites to find which deficit I should do? 🫠

[lovecarisi]

Mistakes We Knew We Were Making

Chapter 7: Fever Dreams

Being back home in Greenwich is strange but beautiful. Two hours from your Brooklyn neighborhood and it feels like a different world, a different time even. The worst part is that people on the street know you, whether you like it or not, and you have to be accommodating and approachable, always. Your family is well-known in town, your father, a prominent lawyer himself, your mother, a former showjumper turned homemaker who has been active in the community all her life, the most charitable woman you’ve ever known. 

One could say you were a spoiled child given the wealth of your family but your parents had taught you that self-worth, confidence, values and morals, had nothing to do with your economic status. If you wanted something, you had to earn it, proof that you deserved it first, it wasn’t just handed to you—You wanted to take up horseback riding? Well, you had to get up every morning at 6am for months to clean out stables first to show that you were serious about it. Even during your summer holidays. 

Your parents had supported you financially, yes but you were taught to never take it for granted. Although you had domestic help around the house, they were to be treated with respect, as part of the family, not your personal servants. You were to assist them with chores around the house and garden, run errands with them and your mom, and your older brother had to do the same. You joined your parents for volunteer work in your free time, you learned early to part with toys and clothes to donate them to children who were less fortunate. It was just how things were done in your family. Material things never meant that much to you, and apart from a few family heirlooms, you don’t own anything really expensive, even though your mom insists you should go shopping for a few designer suits and dresses for your job. It’s the least exciting thing you can think of. 

Your brother Levi is the only one in your family who knows about Dominick. The two of you have no secrets, and even if you did, he is too damn nosey. He thinks Dom is very dreamy and incredibly handsome and you’re stupid for not getting serious with him. And you gently remind him that he’s never had a serious boyfriend in his life so he shouldn’t really be giving you advice. And he argues that all the good men are straight, apparently, referring to Dominick. You have to give him that. Your brother being gay was never a big deal in your family. Your parents knew from a very young age and embraced it, and you had always been proud of him, supported him in whichever way you could. Against bullies at school, narrow-minded folks in town, assholes who lived in the dark ages. You had gotten into physical fights over it in junior high. Luckily, things had started to calm down by the time you were in high school, and it helped that your mom and dad made it clear to everyone that if people messed with their kid, they would ruin their lives. And they meant it. 

You spend the days with your family doing all your favorite things: eating seafood, bitching about your conservative neighbors, going for long horseback rides with your mom, and discussing your dad’s biggest cases with him until way past midnight with a bottle of Whiskey. And of course, more talks about Dominick with your brother. Which makes you miss him, even though it’s only been a few days but you resist the urge to call or text. It’s just two more, come on, you tell yourself. Don’t be such a Hedonist. What did Shakespear write in All’s Well That Ends Well? My poor body, madam, requires it: I am driven on by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives. Oh yes, you finally figured it out. You’re a Shakespearian comedy. 

Maybe it’s all the stress of the last few weeks or just the beginning of the annual summer flu you seem to catch every year for some reason but by the end of your last day with your family you don’t feel so good. Your parents beg you to stay but you hate how they fuss and you need to get back to the city, ill or not. As you sit on the train back to New York you are shivering, even though it’s 90F outside, and by the time you get back to your apartment you definitely have a fever. Fuck. 

With the bags thrown down in the hallway, you strip off your clothes, just to dress in your warmest pair of pajamas, and head straight for your bed where you wrap the covers around yourself tightly, still shaking. You have a banging headache and your throat feels scratchy but you really can’t be bothered to get up again to make yourself some tea or find some medicine to combat it. Your entire body is hurting. For now, all you want to do is sleep. Yet before you can even close your eyes, your phone rings. It’s Dominick.

‘What?’ you answer, realizing you’re already losing your voice.

‘Damn, you okay?’ he replies, car’s honking in the background. ‘I’m on my way.’

Oh no, you had forgotten. The day before you had texted him your ETA back in the city and you had agreed he would come over. That was before you started to feel like fucking death. 

‘Shit, Dom. I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m like…dying, I think. Pretty sure I got the flu or something. I’ll call you when I feel better, okay? Sorry, babe.’ You really are, you were looking forward to seeing him. 

‘Fuck, it’s okay. Feel better, yeah? Let me know if you need anything.’ he says and you think it’s sweet how concerned he sounds. 

All you can manage is a ‘hmm’ before you hang up and pull the blanket over your head again. In a way you wish he was here so you could snuggle up to him, his warm body. His arms around you would make you feel better, and provide some comfort. But you don’t have this kind of relationship, you take care of each other in other ways but not like this. 

You bury your face into the pillow and sigh, if either of you would want to change it, you could. All you want out of this relationship is what you have and that’s it. And you finally drift off to sleep, curled up into a ball.

The doorbell wakes you. You curse and whine and look at the clock; you’ve only been asleep for 45 minutes. Can’t a sick girl get some rest? For a moment you consider ignoring it before it rings again and you decide you can’t. Everything feels like slow-motion as you unwrap the blanket from yourself and get up, making your way to your door where you can already hear a soft knocking. Ugh, maybe it’s your old lady neighbor looking for her cat again, that beast always escapes and you have let her in on occasion to feed her some canned tuna. You open the door a crack to peek out and it’s Dominick, smiling at you. Oh, what the fuck? Seriously? What part of ‘I’m dying’ did he not understand? You really aren’t in the mood for his shenanigans right now. 

‘What are you doing here?!’ you ask, voice even raspier than before and it hurts to speak but he ignores you, pushing his way past you into your apartment. 

‘I don’t want to hear any protesting or whining, just do what I say and let me take care of you, okay?’ he says and you notice he’s carrying two huge bags straight into your kitchen. 

What is happening?

You follow him, confused as to what in the world is going on right now. He puts the bags down on your kitchen island and starts unpacking. Containers full of what looks and smells like chicken soup. Bottles of Pedialyte and ginger ale. Four boxes of tissues. Ibuprofen. Cough syrup. Nasal spray. Decongestants. Disinfectant. A warm water bottle. Biscuits. Honey. Fresh fruit. At least four different kinds of tea. All your favorite snacks. The latest editions of your favorite magazines. There’s so much stuff you can’t even register all of it. It truly looks like he went and robbed a CVS. You look at him in awe, in fact, you’re aware that you’re pretty much staring at him in shock.

‘You forgot to get yourself one of those nurse outfits from the costume store. I’m sure you’d look pretty hot in one.’ you say, shaking your head. You have to make a joke about it, otherwise you might start crying. 

‘Yeah well, they were all sold out but if I order one on Amazon it might be here by tomorrow.’ Dominick replies with a smile.

This can’t be real life, you think. This must be a fever dream. That’s right. You fell asleep wishing he was there and now you’re dreaming that he showed up in your kitchen ready to nurse you back to health like a superhero doctor hybrid of a perfect man that you never knew existed. He can’t really be here, doing this. Doing all this for you. Your mind is racing and you can feel yourself getting emotional but he gives you no time. 

‘Right, sit down. You’re gonna eat some of this soup, take some medicine, and then back to bed with you. Have you checked your temperature?’ he feels your forehead. ‘Yeah, you definitely have a fever. Here.’ He pours some of the soup into a bowl and grabs a spoon from your kitchen drawer. 

The sight makes your stomach turn but you know you have to eat, and Nurse Dominick will make sure you have a few spoons full at least. So you sit there, absolutely astonished by this whole scene, trying to sip the soup while he is leaning against the counter watching you, with a worried look in his eyes, like he’s somehow responsible for you and your wellbeing. When he heard your voice on the phone, telling him you weren’t well, he instinctively acted, not even thinking. It was such a boyfriend thing to do and he wasn’t your boyfriend. Maybe it wasn’t appropriate, maybe it was blurring the lines but he didn’t care. The thought of you sick in bed all alone had been too much for him. Nonna Carisi had taught this boy well.  

After making sure you’ve had enough to eat, drink, and had taken the meds, Dominick tucks you in and you’re surprised when he settles next to you with a book. It’s only then you notice his backpack in the corner of your bedroom. 

‘You planned ahead, huh?’ you say, looking up at him.

‘Well, I have to make sure you get better. And work is slow but I brought my laptop just in case. I can stay for a couple of days.’

‘I’m gonna get you sick too.’ you cough into the blanket.

‘Ah, don’t worry. I hardly ever get sick. And if I do, you’ll feel better by then so you can take care of me. How about that?’ he reaches out to gently stroke your cheek and you welcome his touch. 

‘Deal. But I’m gonna make sure I have that nurse outfit.’ you reply and he giggles.

‘I’m sure you will look a lot better in it than I would.’ 

It still feels crazy to you that he’s here. That he has gone above and beyond for you like this, is now by your side to make sure you have everything you need. You feel overwhelmed by what he’s doing for you, no man has ever cared for you like this and you’re not even together. Obviously you care for each other in a lot of different ways, it’s true, that you are important to each other, that you do mean a lot to each other. Even if it isn’t love. You share more than your bodies with one another. It’s more than just fucking. It’s just not enough. 

‘Will you read to me until I fall asleep?’ you ask, and he agrees.

You love his voice. It’s so soothing. And you snuggle up to him and he reads from White Nights by Dostoyevsky, how perfectly ironic. 

______________

The next day you feel even worse. The fever has taken a hold of you and you’re shaking like a leaf even though Dominick has gotten two more blankets out of your storage closet and wrapped you up in them, in addition to the warm water bottle he bought. He kept checking on you all through the night like a worried mother hen, making sure you had enough to drink and your temperature didn’t get too high. All you can do is apologize because you truly feel bad and he tells you to stop over and over again. And you sneeze for the hundredth time, exhausted, and he grabs a fresh box of tissues and clears away the mess of used ones you left on the nightstand and the floor. He must truly like you a lot.

‘I bet you don’t think I’m so sexy anymore.’ you croak from your nest of blankets and he laughs, kneeling down next to you.

‘Believe me, nothing can make me think you’re not sexy. Nothing. You’ll always be sexy.’ Dominick assures you, kissing your head.

‘You have a snot fetish I don’t know about?’ 

‘Maybe I do, who knows. I’m just glad you still have your wicked sense of humor, so I know I have nothing to worry about.’  

He disappears into the kitchen and warms up some soup for you and you thank him a thousand times even though you only manage a few spoons before you grimace and he puts it away. 

‘Just know I’m gonna take you to plenty of barbecues and feed you steaks and potatoes for weeks once you feel better.’ he warns but you’re already half asleep again. 

The day goes by and you don’t know what time it is; you wake and fall back asleep, and wake and fall back asleep. Dominick is there, feeding you whatever it is you might need, handing you tissues and medicine, rubbing your back, cooing you like a restless infant. Even though you honestly feel like utter shit, you enjoy him babying you, in fact, you absolutely revel in it. 

You curl up to him like a cat, your whole face pressed against his arm, holding on to it like he is your last lifeline. In that inbetween state of dreaming and fevering you’re not sure what you’re muttering to him but you’re sure it’s something that doesn’t make sense or makes all the sense. And he either takes it or leaves it. Perhaps it’s all the things you’ve always wanted to say to him but have kept unsaid until now, things even you have been unaware of. Or perhaps it’s simply the same excuses you have been repeating to yourself for months. 

Either way, he doesn’t let go. He tightens his grip. He tells you it’s okay.

‘I promise, my sweet. I’ll make it better. I’ll make it all good.’ he whispers, and back to sleep you drift.

_____________

It takes you another day to feel a bit more normal again. Dominick never leaves your side. You find him in the kitchen making himself a cup of coffee as you get the next morning, finally free of the fever. 

‘Well look at you.’ he smiles, apparently happy to see you made it out of bed.

‘No. I’m pretty sure no one wants to look at me, Dominick. Not even you should have to. I need a shower. A bath, actually.’ you say, sniffing yourself.

‘Yeah, might be necessary.’ he agrees with a smirk.

‘Just say that I stink.’

‘You don’t stink, you just…don’t smell as deliciously as you usually do.’ he shrugs and sips his coffee while you blush, feeling slightly embarrassed. 

That’s your cue to walk away and draw a bath. 

‘I would still eat you out!’ he calls after you and you roll your eyes.

‘You’re disgusting!’ you call back and hear him giggle. 

And fifteen minutes later he’s sitting next to you as you soak in the hot water, watching you scrub away the sickness. He could have gone home by now but for some reason he‘s still here, making sure you really are alright. You thank him sincerely for taking care of you for the past few days and he says it‘s no big deal, acting all coy when he knows it‘s had an impact on you, on you both. The many unspoken words between you could fill their own dictionary, all hanging in the steamy air of that tiny bathroom. You‘re aware you will rewind the tape and it will be of no significance in the long run. 

Because there is no long run. 

You‘ve accepted the impermanence of it all by now. Yet you savor it when he runs the soapy washcloth over the skin of your back while humming some Johnny Cash song you don’t quite recognize, and you wish this was your daily routine—and then he washes your hair and you love how his fingers massage your scalp even though it’s something you never enjoyed when someone else had done it before. You feel like a new person as you climb out of the tub and he wraps you up in a warm towel before dragging you back to the bedroom, where a fresh and clean bed awaits you. 

‘Can I…now?’ he asks and you’re confused for a second.

‘Can you now, what?’ you ask back and he pushes you down on the mattress, grabbing your legs and pulling you towards him as he kneels down at the edge of the bed in front of you. 

‘Eat you out.’ he smirks, kissing the inside of your thigh and you shudder. ‘Unless…you’re not well enough yet.’ 

‘Oh, I’m well enough!’ you reply enthusiastically and he laughs, making you laugh too.

And it’s only when you feel his tongue on you that your laughter turns to moans, and you involuntarily flinch at the sensation. He wraps his arms around your thighs to hold you in place in a strong grip, burying his face in your cunt, murmuring ‘Hold still, my sweet.’ before flattening his tongue on you again. You can feel your arousal dripping out of you already, and he laps it up, his mouth trailing through your folds. Your hand wanders down, grabbing his hair, pressing his face tighter against you and you can feel him smile, proud to see you come unglued. 

‘I promised to make it all better, didn’t I?’ Dominick breathes against you.

‘Yeah,baby, you did. You did.’ you breathe out.

He delves his tongue into you, seemingly worshiping your taste and all you can do is hold on to him, the bedsheets and let that feeling take over. 

‘God, I love that pussy. So pretty, so tasty.’ he moans, spreading your legs a little more, his mouth so hungry on you. 

‘It’s all yours, Dominick.’ you whisper, biting your lip as he looks up at you, his face wet with your juices, a feral look in his eyes. 

He sinks two fingers into you, slowly fucking you while his tongue plays with your clit, sucking hard, then softly, making you gasp, then pant. It makes you giggle just how fucking greedy he is for you.

There you are, from a post-flu mess to his sexy vixen again within an hour. It’s that easy with him. And the noises he’s making, like he’s eating the most delicious meal of his life, makes your pleasure even more intense. His fingers curl inside you, exactly over that spot, and you whimper his name, your voice shaky. 

‘I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you. Fuck, someone will have to drag me away.’ Dominick admits, kissing and licking you as your whole body begins to tremble at his words and actions. 

You don’t know what to say in response to that. In all honesty, you know it’s true. You’ve had the same thought so many times. Hearing him say it makes it so much more real. So much more painful. But it’s always such a fine line between pain and pleasure. Frantically, you push him away from you and sit up to kiss him, tasting yourself on his lips. You grab his erect cock through his sweatpants, stroking him, begging him for more and he pulls off his shirt, getting rid of the rest of his clothes in record time. 

The sex is tender, and it feels like he’s still taking care of you in a way and you let him. 

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

thank you so much for proofreading this chapter @eltrujillo <3

[teddybaeran]

4 and 5 and 7 and 9 for Mix! 😁🤍

Squeee, thank you!

4. What did they do before they became a crusader? Did they have a job, an occupation?

Answered just now, here!

5. Do they have a family? If so, what kind? Do they miss them? Do they still have hope to see them again?

How could you ask me this 😭 Yes, yes.... hitting hard right away, I see....

Mix had a family. He had two sisters - one older and one younger. He had two parents. They were noble, but in a place where nobility often had strong opinions and always argued about them. Where funds should go, who should be in power, which wars to fight, which animals to protect...

The problem was that as time went on, other families began agreeing with each other, and Mix's did not. They became the outliers, the only ones disagreeing with everyone else. Today, Mix wonders whether someone was influencing the rest but couldn't get to his parents, and who they might have been. But at the time he was just a child. He focused on his lessons and his hobbies. He loved getting out of the house... using his horseback riding skills, survival, and archery and pushing all three to their limits for solitary excursions with no company but his horse. Gods, did he love these trips.

Until he came home from one and found his entire family dead. Their bodies not even removed - like walking into a crime scene. Frantically he checked them all, tried to save them, but it was too late, he was too late.

So, the question asks, what kind? Well, yea. There are many kinds So, after his pre-game Rambling Era, throughout the game, he builds his Forged and Found Family. First with Lann he decides he can treat the guy as a new little sibling who can't survive without being bonked on the head periodically. Then Ember - he swears he will protect her like he failed to with his original family. His heart breaks for her almost more than it does for them, and he will protect her with his life. His dedication to her knows no bounds. Woljif he can't seem to make heads or tails of - what I do know is that Woljif successfully convinces him that he needs protecting, but Mix overpivots and sticks Woljif away from combat and even lockpicking to protect him. Poor guy gets no treasure. Sosiel, Mix respects so much and sees him as a peer in many ways but who should still be protected, especially from himself and from needing to break any rules from his god. Daeran.... Mix instantly warms to Daeran before even meeting him, just from hearing about him and their similar stories. He wants to pull himself and Daeran towards each other and even recognizes some of his own old coping mechanisms in the beautiful and complicated man. But it's their first meeting, when Daeran decides he will join the fight without even being asked to, because he can tell he is needed, that Mix falls for him, seeing him as not only someone to protect with his entire being, but someone who actually deserves it and doesn't demand it. After the Hulrun events, Mix swears to listen to Daeran no matter what. So what family role does that give Daeran? Well I suppose love interest. But we'll see, I'm not that far in the game yet. But suffice to say that Mix is already consumed with affection for this beautiful, lonely guy.

7. Is your KC religious? If yes, which deity do they follow? If not, what is their view on religion?

Mix does respect some gods. Erastil was a hard decision, as he respects Erastil's role in the past of protecting mortals. Of course, their common interests also intrigue him - hunting, spending time in nature... But Mix wouldn't worship a god. He's just not built that way, obeying things without questioning why, without finding his own solutions that may or may not please said god. He really values his independence and always has. Even though he regrets how far he's taken it in the past, he doesn't regret it enough to give up his independence fully. Well, not for just anyone.... 👀

He doesn't judge those who are religious any more than he judges those who blindly follow laws...... And of course, how he feels about both depend on the laws/gods they choose. He will be careful around them all.

9. Do they have hobbies beside the crusade? Any passions or skills they have?

Mix studies a lot, honing his skills. One topic is anatomy, so he can heal. He doesn't use magic to do it, he studies and learns and carries around tools for healing. It would be nice to be able to prevent death. Another would be practicing his riding, shooting, even sometimes he practices close combat in case he ever needs it.

He also has a passion for jewelry. Mostly - depending on his era and mood - he will wear spiked jewelry, though sometimes he loves elegant pieces. He enjoys browsing shops, picking things out for himself and loved ones. Does Mix seem down? Take him shopping. He also likes making his own jewelry - metalworking is a passion of his in a lot of AUs but I haven't decided yet if it fits in WOTR...

I already talked about this a lot, but he loves going out into the wilderness and just spending alone quiet time enjoying nature. Exploring. Discovering. Sitting by a fire on a mountain or on a beach. He might enjoy it with a loved one too.

Is it a hobby to stay up all night, ready to fight the demons of your loved ones' dreams? Maybe. He always has hot chocolate ready...

He loves listening to music, especially with a beautiful view. Ready poetry. Getting lost in his thoughts. Appreciating art, especially if by someone he loves or on a topic he finds intriguing or important.

HHHH and so much more, to be honest >.<

[weebsinstash]

Just some more ideas for sone stuff Mr Rich Douche Yandere would do to his darling/the Reader

--apparently hair elastics like ponytails can technically damage your hair, so if you use them he insists on tying your hair up with silk ribbons and other soft materials (and wants to do it himself obviously)

--doesn't let you swim in public pools or public bodies of water besides the ocean and even then that's on private property. Not only does he not want to have to share your half nude body with anyone else, but, poor people can be dirty and gross to the point of being another species in his eyes. And not to enable him but have you ever read those stories of people who don't bathe before going into pools because they believe the chlorine is like a shower? 🤢

--really, activities that require you touching other people or sharing things with other people just strike him as unsanitary and "you're too good for them anyways". He kind of thinks all poor people in general are trashy and you're just an exception, perfect to him in almost every way. No buffets, no public gyms, no bowling, no clubbing, no strip mall beauty salons/spas that might have dirty equipment, no sports events not in a private box, like, the list goes on and on

--pressures you into having "real hobbies" aka things he approves of, likes himself, and/or can do with you, but are usually like, rich people bullshit: painting, golfing, teaching you to play a classical instrument, archery, horseback riding

--dresses you in only the best, kind of excessively. Once you enter a serious relationship with him, he'll make you forget what jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers even are. Absolutely buys you new clothes to throw out and replace anything you owned before him.

--you know how some yanderes will go as far as to collect tissues, they're so obsessed with anything you've touched or owned? Not his ass! If it isn't super sentimental to you or something you use often, he slowly replaces everything you own with things he's bought for you. Only the best for his baby 🥰 and also no traces of your past can be allowed to remain. He's all you need now right? so let's get rid of all those things given to you by people who came before him. You don't need those useless old memories...

--none of your friends are good enough for him and he'll heavily discourage you from spending time with them, even outright bribing them/threatening them into avoiding you.

--wants to get married and tie you down basically right away, but he's calculated enough to at least kind of wait and make you love him first. If he's a noble, he'll pull strings for another noble to adopt you or something to "legitimize your status", and if he's a king or emperor he may just ignore the laws to let you be directly at his side and not a mere concubine. Who's gonna stop him? He's literally the man in charge

--i like to imagine at some point in the relationship you're living with him in one of his homes and he's in his office with his multiple computer monitors that he uses for work, and he's just sitting there watching you through security cameras to see you in your private moments, simply craving and consuming every last detail about you no matter how personal

--when he's away, you're assigned private security because he's wealthy/important enough that you could be kidnapped. He definitely overplays the possibility of danger when you bring up doing anything that loosens his control and surveillance, though. He'll tell you it's only because he treasures you much and has to keep you safe

--all im saying is that he's "leader of a country" level rich and money can achieve anything. That ex-boyfriend you bumped into on a date with him? Missing without a trace, the cops don't even investigate. Relationship go south and you run away? A black van rolls up while you're on the sidewalk and you get taken right back by men in black suits who are being paid way too much to mind if you bite and scream. You start cracking under the pressure if all his expectations and say you'll leave him? Threaten to hurt yourself? Hippity hoppity your body is his property, and he's sending you to a private clinic where they'll force meds into you and monitor you while he finishes his business affairs and sets up a nice little "vacation home" for you both to "take time off" and for you to "clear your head". He's thinking an island, something nice and remote....

[thesconesyard]

Where the West Begins

25. Sea of Dunes

“This is really where ye live.”

Scotty grinned and looked over at his brother on horseback next to him.

“Aye,” Scotty replied with a happy sigh.

“It’s so… so empty,” Robbie said.

They had ridden beyond the ranch towards the hills to the north.

“Of people I mean,” Robbie said quickly. “So much space compared to Aberdeen.”

“Aye, I had enough of people in London,” Scotty said with a frown. “And when I came to the States, the eastern cities were all the same. I had to go further.” He looked at Robbie and shook his head. “It was too tempting to go back, and I didn’t want ye harmed.”

“I wish ye had,” Robbie said softly. “I didn’t even know where to begin searching for ye after the MacLeods were killed.”

“I missed ye everyday,” Scotty said, blinking back the prick of tears in his eyes.

“Aye, same bhràthair.” Robbie actually wiped across his eyes.

“It’s good here,” Scotty said, swallowing back more emotions. “Jim runs an excellent ranch and he’s a dear friend. Everyone here is. We’re a bit like a family I suppose.” Scotty gave a soft chuckle. He glanced over and saw a frown on his brother’s face.

“Hey- I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” Robbie said. “I know what ye meant.”

“Robbie, if I had known, I’d have been back in an instant,” Scotty said earnestly. “I made that deal to save your life. It was the hardest choice I ever made.”

“I know,” Robbie said with a sigh. “And I appreciate what ye did. But— it’s hard to not think ye moved on, when ye talk about yer friends here as family.”

“Never! I meant what I said; I thought about ye everyday!”

“I know and I missed ye. I’m sorry—”

“No, I'm sorry for saying it that way and making ye think that.” Scotty looked at Robbie, chagrined.

Robbie nodded, then looked across the land in front of them again, grasses gently waving in the breeze.

“It’s beautiful here. Not like Scotland, but a different beauty,” said Robbie.

“Aye,” Scotty agreed, glad to move on from their previous conversation. “We can turn here and go towards the canyon. Ride along it for a bit before we head back.”

“Lead the way,” Robbie smiled.

“We had a shoot out at the canyon last summer. It was after we found Jaylah and went looking for her family…”

“The poor lass,” Robbie said as Scotty finished telling him how Jaylah had ended up on the ranch.

“It’s been quite a year actually,” Scotty said. “We had a man come who robbed us and then tried to take the ranch by force. He’s locked up now and half his gang hanged.”

“I thought maybe ye’d escaped all our youthful misadventures.” Robbie looked at his brother with wide eyes.

“I thought so too.”

“Does everyone who comes here have some terrible secret?” Robbie asked lightly.

“Well,” Scotty said slowly. “Most of us ended up here running from something. Don’t expect everyone to go telling their tales though.”

Robbie nodded.

“This land just goes on and on,” he said. “Those grasses waving remind me of the sea as I crossed it. I just can’t believe how open it is.”

“I miss all of Scotland’s greenery, but I do love it here,” Scotty told him. “Len asked me once why I never referred to it as home, but it was because of ye. Now, it really is home. And I hope ye’ll think so too at some point.”

“Knowing ye’re alive…” Robbie let out a happy sigh. “I could maybe make it here. It’s very different though…” Robbie cleared his throat.

“Here.” Scotty reached back to one of his saddle bags and pulled out a bottle. He grinned as he held it across to his brother. “Help keep the dust down.”

Robbie laughed as he took the bottle of amber liquid. “Ye brought whiskey?”

“Celebrating getting to show ye around,” Scotty blushed.

Robbie took a drink and handed the bottle back. Scotty had his own drink and put it back in the bag.

“So,” Scotty began with a sly look in his eyes, “did ye break any hearts coming here?”

“Nae,” Robbie laughed. “Nobody wants to get close to an old conman.”

“Ye aren’t old lad,” Scotty chuckled. “And ye gave up the unlawful life. There wasn’t anyone?”

Robbie sighed and for a moment Scotty regretted asking.

“There was a lass for a while.” Robbie shook his head. “I thought maybe… It didn’t work out. How did ye and Dr. McCoy end up together?”

Scotty huffed out a laugh. “We were each circling the other. I thought he and Christine were together. It took that bloody thief coming here for us to realize.” Scotty lowered his voice. “I didn’t tell ye this— but I think Len was jealous of him.”

“He doesn’t seem the type,” Robbie said in surprise.

“Aye, and there wasn’t anything to be jealous of. We turn here,” Scotty said. “That’ll take us back to the ranch.”

“This has been such a nice ride,” said Robbie. “I’m so glad Dr. McCoy wrote to me.”

“Aye, I am too.”

The brothers smiled at each other and kept riding.

[autobot2001]

Horseback Riding

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Transformers Rating: E Pairing: Drift X Jamie Description: Vivian's neighbor invites everyone to ride horses. I think I just added to my fanfiction universe.

Day 16; @fluffyfebruary: spontaneous @fluffbruary: neighbour | desire | horse

“…. you’re welcome to come ride my horses,” Drift hears a mech talking to Vivian. How strange. Drift thinks, but Vivian appears to be calm. He doesn’t think he needs to see the mech as a threat to his friends. “That sounds good. Are you aware there are eight people in my house right now? Friends are staying over as they often do.” “Not a problem, ma’am. Let me know when you’re coming.” As Vivian closes the door, the man turns and heads downstairs. “Spontaneous, but it’ll be fun,” Vivian smiles.

Sunstreaker had to be convinced to join the others for horseback riding. The others are interested. Crosshairs and Drift worry that Jamie is just saying she wants to go out of fear of being forced to go. Even with the lack of cues that she doesn’t want to go. While concerned about whether Jamie chooses to go, Drift desires to ride with her without the others.

The neighbor’s home is five miles away. It’s a quick two-minute drive.

The man watches four cars pull into his driveway. The Autobots and Jamie learn Vivian’s neighbor is Lucas Harris. While the Autobots refer to each other holoform using their Cybertron names, they know each other’s chosen Earth names. They have slight concerns about making mistakes. They don’t want Lucas to know who they really are yet. “… there are six trails,” Lucas explains, “the property is fenced in, so you don’t have to worry about staying off the property.” Lucas gives everyone a map of the property and trails. The Autobots and Jamie are worried, seeing Lucas has a business. Concerned, he just bought the property to start his business. Even with the five miles of forest separating the two properties and the unlikelihood that anyone would walk the trails the Autobots made in the woods. “I don’t think this is a security risk,” Vivian assures them, “we have security around the property, though, so we’re prepared.” “We’re not hiding, and I doubt this guy is working for the cons,” Drift argues. The conversation is dropped.

Lucas matches everyone with a horse and teaches how to prepare the horse for riding. Jamie and Vivian watch the Autobots struggle. Hoping Sunstreaker doesn’t get angry. Next is a quick lesson on riding a horse, Lucas thought. With five people to teach the basics of riding a horse, the lesson takes an hour. Everyone is ready to go on the trails near sunset. Drift desires to watch the sunset with Jamie. Seeing there’s a field on the property like on Vivian’s.

Drift pays close attention to the trails, hoping he doesn’t miss the trail he and Jamie have to go down to get to the field. Crosshairs smiles, having a good idea of what Drift is up to. He’s happy Drift has been doing better the past few days. His concern is the longevity of the good mood.

Drift signals Jamie to turn left when they reach the path. As Drift directs his horse to turn left, he’s certain he sees Crosshairs looking back and smiling. Jamie follows Drift to the open field.

There’s a place to tie the horses and keep them from running off. The two make it time to sit on the grass and watch the sunset. “I could do this every day,” Drift smiles, and he hugs Jamie on his lap.

“Where’d they go?” Sideswipe asks. “I don’t know,” Crosshairs tells him, “they have a map. They’ll be back.” Lucas isn’t worried about two missing riders and horses, despite having just met everyone. He shows everyone what they should do when they’re done riding their horse.

Drift and Jamie return to the barn as the last minutes of light pass. The others had already gone home. Lucas is in the barn, feeding the horses. The two lead their horses into the barn. Jamie already told Drift what they have to do. Lucas watches as they tend to the horses and locate the stables. “Looks like it’s dinnertime,” Drift comments as he leads the horse into the stable. The horse makes a sound as if responding, “I wonder if he’s complaining?” With the two horses taken care of, Drift apologizes to Lucas, who tells him he’s not mad. “It’s impossible to steal a horse here,” he jokes, “you’re all welcome to ride the horses again. It would be wise to call first if you wish to ride during business hours. I’d like to ensure everyone rides the same horse when they come.” Drift and Jamie thank Lucas and head toward Drift’s alt mode.

“That was fun,” Drift smiles as he drives home. “Yes,” Jamie smiles.

They make it home for dinner. “Look who finally came home,” Sideswipe teases. “Really?” Sunstreaker scolds, “leave them alone.” The friends talk about going back to Lucas’ home and riding horses. To Vivian, this is another opportunity for the Autobots to learn to trust humans. She’s unsure if they struggle to trust new recruits at the N.E.S.T. base, but they are concerned about Lucas.

“So?” Crosshairs asks later that night when Jamie is asleep. “She had fun. I don’t think she felt forced.” “Why do I feel like there’s a but?” “I worry how long until my good mood is ruined? Jamie has been doing a little better.” Crosshairs doesn’t know what to say while worried about his friends. He hugs Drift. The two think they should talk, but it’s the same conversation every time that doesn’t help them. They are happy with the good day. They go to bed.

[innytoes]

Road Trip AU / bonus points if it involves the GPP

-Ever since he was like eight, Willie has had this idea in his head that when he was 18, he was going to go on a Road Trip Across The States To Find Himself. Even though he's pretty confident in who he is now, he doesn't want to let down Tiny Willie.

-Except he's kind of maybe sort of part of this great big Polycule. And if he invites Alex, who honestly looks like he could use a Coming Of Age roadtrip, he has to invite his other boyfriend. And his boyfriends' girlfriends and girlfriends. And their girlfriends... and boyfriends. It's complicated.

-So clearly his idea to steal one of Caleb's cars... ahem find a car and hit the road isn't going to work. But doesn't want to give up on his dream, and he also doesn't want to leave everyone behind. What if they figure out they don't really miss him?

-Reggie finally teases it out of him, but Luke's the one who is most enthusiastic about it. For a hot second, Willie is worried his big adventure is going to be co-opted by some kind of music tour, but it turns out Luke just thinks it would be really inspiring.

-"And it'll be one last summer all together before everyone does their own thing," he adds shyly. Because yeah. Julie and the Phantoms is pretty much set to explode onto the music scene, but Flynn is going to head off to college. So, shockingly, is Carrie, after Dirty Candi crashed and burned their senior year.

-Carrie is the one who comes up with the solution. By which she means 'throws her dad's money at the problem' and suddenly they have a converted bus which is... like a tour bus-camper van-tiny house combined.

-She admits she knows it's not exactly the rugged living Willie envisioned, but she shows him that inside the storage, there's room for a bunch of tents so they can still go camping and stuff, too.

"You're going camping?" he asked.

"Obviously not, but you guys can and I'll make sure nobody steals the bus," she rolls her eyes.

-They set out and it's different than Willie imagined it, but also better. Like, he never expected that him and four of his friends would have to get their special Driving A Giant Ass Tourbus licenses beforehand, but it's better than Carrie's idea of bringing a driver. That's not very coming of age at all.

-There's people to bicker about the music with. He doesn't have to do all the driving, so sometimes he can just sit and watch the scenery. There's always someone to snuggle with, at any hour.

-They do a lot of things and go a lot of places that Willie never really thought about. Kayla and Flynn seem determined to hit up the weirdest tourist traps. Luke knows all the best music-y places to go. Julie keeps them updates about every region's cryptids, because her brother keeps sending her links. (Of course their giant fortress has perfect wifi.)

-Reggie really flourishes when they get to 'yeehaw country' and he makes them all go horseback riding with him. And line dancing. And there may be a mechanical bull that gets a lot of use while they're there. Even if Alex is worried they're going to break something until Reggie coaxes him on with him.

-Watching his two boyfriends on a mechanical bull together Does Things To Willie, okay.

-Okay, so maybe watching Luke on the mechanical bull also Did Things To Him, but he tried to avoid thinking of that.

-Between the mechanical bull, swimming in the lake at the park they stopped by, the campfire sing alongs, and seeing Luke in something other than IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC mode, Willie is like: oh no I have a crush on my boyfriend's boyfriend.

-Of course Luke is still wrote songs, scribbling away in his song book, plucking at his guitar at rest stops (no guitars or skateboarding in the enclosed space with no escape while we're hurtling down the highway, they'd established.) But he also made time for all of them, and indulged every group photo in front of World's Biggest Bowling Pin or Ball Of String or what not, listened attentively to Reggie geeking out over a comic book exhibition they stumbled upon, and agreed to stay with Kayla while the others went on the Big Scary Roller Coaster so she wouldn't have to sit alone.

-And maybe there's more to Luke than meets the eye. They end up driving through the night together and talk, really talk, and yeah.

-Alex is the first to notice and just gives Willie a fake judgemental look. He and Luke never worked out romantically after they dated when they were fifteen, but he still knows the appeal.

-Reggie is over the MOON when Willie maybe kind of confesses it on one of their private walks. They all make sure to spend time together one on one, either splitting up to do different stuff when they hit a big city, or just going to different places to get food.

-Of course his stupid boyfriends do everything in their power to get him and Luke alone together over the next week.

-By the end of their big coming of age road trip, Willie may not have found some mythical version of himself, but he did find a new boyfriend.

[aroaceconfessions]

Do you think autistic people would make good hunters? It's for a fanfiction.

https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/43239

https://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=163789

https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/autism-stone-age-evolution/

Wrong type of aspec blog, but as an autistic former community college anthropology student here’s my two cents:

I think it’s possible for an autistic person to be a good neolithic hunter, but there’d be some challenges. Here’s a few things you might consider if you’re writing an autistic character as a stone age hunter:

Since hunting as a group requires non-verbal communication skills I think that could put an autistic person at a disadvantage. It could be mitigated by a lot of preplanning and deciding on specific hand signals beforehand, but we might miss things because we avoid eye contact.

A common autistic trait is a heightened sensitivity to senses, which would be a mixed bag in hunting. On one hand, they might be better at tracking animals through their senses, but hunting environments may also be overwhelming to an autistic person, especially with the added stress of being responsible for your community’s food and just the adrenaline rush that someone is bound to have while hunting. I think it would be interesting to see how an autistic hunter would respond to different hunting environments. Like participating in a buffalo run vs hunting a deer in a forest with a spear would be very different experiences. 

Speaking of weapons, I do think the type would matter more with an autistic person. Motor difficulties are common so I think the weapon will matter. They might not be great at coordinating with a knife, but we might hyperfixate on something like archery and get really good at it. Then there’s types of hunting that don’t require a weapon at all, like the buffalo run I mentioned before. That one often involved riding on horseback, which would be another interesting dynamic because strong bonds with animals is another autistic trait that could be explored. One time my class got to use atlatls and I was the only non-athlete to hit the target, though I’m not sure if that was an autistic thing.

I definitely think autistic people would be in the planning aspec of hunts, we tend to be creative and do a lot of thinking (as evidenced by this response lmao). That and making/designing tools. Of course if we really got into it the perfectionism would be another struggle, but that’s something that’s bound to happen with pretty much anything any job or activity we enjoy. It would be interesting to see how they’d deal with the anxiety in that situation.

From my understanding humans would’ve only worked a couple hours a day then, which is a lot more manageable for autistic people than the 40+ hour weeks of today. It would give us a lot of breaks, which is great for preventing meltdowns and burnout.

[cornflowershade]

Tagged by @airenyah ☺️

1. Are you named after anyone?

Nope!

2. When was the last time you cried?

This morning. For like literally two seconds because I was reallyyy tired and didn’t want to wake up early lol. (Last time I cried for more than two seconds was two days ago.)

3. Do you have kids?

I have 99 of them!!

(I work with a group of kids. I do not have any of my own.)

4. What sports do you play/have you played?

I am… not a sports person. I lose games of tag to first graders. I did however do horseback riding for a while as a kid, which I was actually quite good at! Sometimes I miss it, though I have no idea if I’d still be any good after so long.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Sometimes, though it’s not my main mode of humor.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Mmm… maybe a combination of their outfits and of their personal aspect/vibe. (Do they seem friendly etc.)

7. What’s your eye colour?

I have brown orbs that stare inquisitively into your soul until you let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding.

(Sorry for the bad fanfic. I’ll leave.)

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings :)

9. Any talents?

Video editing, art, writing, making up games, hula hooping, sewing, and retrieving small objects fallen down storm grates using nothing but a paper cup, a stick and a shoelace. (I have done this twice. With flying colors!)

10. Where were you born?

The U.S.

11. What are your hobbies?

Fanvidding, sewing, cosplay, obsessing over fictional characters/ships.

12. Do you have any pets?

No, but it would be cool to have one someday! Maybe a dog?? but on the other hand that would mean I have to take care of it which might overwhelm me…

13. How tall are you?

I think it’s about 5ft 4” but it’s been a while since I’ve checked. This is my best recollection, though. Fun fact, I’m the tallest in my household BUT I still have to get others to reach things off tall shelves for me because my arms are short asdghj

14. What was your favorite subject in school?

I guess I liked algebra a lot? Then when I got to college I liked a lot of subjects! Like my wildlife toxicology class and my video game design class and my feature writing class… there was a lot of fun stuff.

15. What is your dream job?

How am I supposed to know this asfgjkl. I am exploring the idea of teaching, though. We’ll see, I’m still figuring life out honestly, and I feel like there’s no Perfect job. But what I’m doing know makes me really happy which is why I’m considering that general arena.

Tagging following people: (no pressure!)

@soundwin @distant-screaming @lamonnaie @softneomiro @celestial-sapphicss

[sankttealeaf]

race to the finish line

fandom ; six of crows

summary ; While laying low from the law, Jesper and Kaz partake in a (sort of) friendly horse race.

other info ; part of the @grishaversebigbang's mini bang event! find the art from @maxe-murderer HERE and from @beani-ed HERE

Also posted over on AO3

Luck had refused to be on their side that night. It wasn’t even in the room the crows gathered in to plan out their sting of heists, which was the first sign that things were going to go wrong. The second sign things were going to go bad were the increased patrols of Stadtwatch in the area they were staking out. A few loud noises, broken glass and a lost hat later, the crows were hightailing it out from the city, chased out by the law. At some point in the chaos they had stolen a few horses, so their escape was quicker than on foot.

Kaz knew of a place where they could lay low for a while - he always did. It was near the south of Kerch, on the outskirts of Lij, a small farmhouse he had purchased a while ago. His family home to be exact, and the rest of the group had no idea.

“The owners of this place aren’t home, right?” Jesper asked, dragging a finger through the thin layer of dust that had settled on the table. “The last thing we need is to be on the run again.”

“Of course they are.” Kaz pulled out a chair, amused at Jesper’s face falling in shock. “Who do you think owns the place?”

Jesper blinked at Kaz, piecing together what he had just said in his mind. “Wait, you’re a homeowner?”

“I’m everywhere.” He hadn’t planned on revealing this place to the group this early on, or ever, actually. But times called for a hideout that was unknown by the law, so this card had to be played.

Nina shut the doors of the cabinets with a heavy sigh, sliding into the seat Jesper was about to take. “You didn't stock up on food, though. I missed out on dinner for this heist.”

“I hadn’t planned on needing to use this space. You should’ve packed some snacks.”

“I didn't know we would be in hiding, Brekker,” Nina huffed. A small box was placed in front of her, and she gave a look to Matthias, who shrugged.

“You get hungry during heists. I packed some cake.”

There wasn't much to do in the farmhouse or the surrounding area, and with Ketterdam on high alert after their plans went awry the crows found themselves looking for anything to do. Which is how Wylan found himself being thrown head first into riding lessons, taught by Jesper.

“I’d rather just watch you ride,” Wylan said, turning back to Jesper who was ushering him towards the horse with glee. “Really, Jes, I’m much better at watching.”

“No, no, I refuse to leave here until I’ve taught you all I know about horse riding. Now, up!” Jesper gestured to the saddle, ignoring Wylan’s look of disappointment. With a defeated sigh, he hoisted himself up onto the back of the horse, already regretting this decision.

Jesper knew a lot about riding, but not enough about teaching. He called out commands and ways Wylan should adjust in his seat, only to be met with confusion and frustrated yells from the other. It had taken them half an hour for Wylan to even consider walking, and even then he was telling Jesper that it was enough for him.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Jesper?” A voice spoke from behind them. Jesper turned, spotting Kaz standing by the fence.

“What do you mean? He’s learning.”

“You can’t keep still in the saddle. Last time I saw you on horseback you fell off.”

“Shut up. I’m a great teacher. And an even better rider.”

“History proves otherwise.”

Jesper glared at Kaz, the comments to his riding abilities bruising his ego. He adjusted his waistcoat as he stood upright. “I could beat you at a race.”

Kaz raised an eyebrow. “No, you couldn’t.”

“So, any bets on me?” Jesper asked, looking down at the rest of the group who had settled themselves along the fence by the makeshift starting point. Silence. Jesper frowned. “Thanks, really, I appreciate it.”

“My bet’s on Kaz,” Nina said with a nod of her head in Kaz’s direction. “Look at him. If a man ever looked at me like that, I’d follow his orders. And I never follow orders.”

“I’m also with Nina on this one. Kaz has my bet,” Inej added, giving an apologetic look to Jesper. “Sorry, Jes.”

“I’m wounded. You’re awful, the lot of you!” He exclaimed, a hand over his head in mock hurt. 

"You have my vote," Wylan said with a smile.

" Finally . Someone knows a winner when they see one!" Jesper gave Wylan a wink, as Kaz mounted his horse, ready to get the race started.

"Just don't fall off." Wylan gave Jesper a supportive thumbs up, as everyone slowly turned their gaze to the only person who had yet to place a bet - Matthias. Nina gave him a nudge, and he sighed heavily.

"Neither of you are worth placing actual money on to me-"

"How honourable of you to not take part in a friendly bet," Nina interrupted, rolling her eyes at how he always seemed to find a way to take the high ground.

"Fine." Matthias looked between Jesper, who was eagerly awaiting a vote from him, and Kaz, who was waiting for the race to hurry up and start. Matthias pointed. "Kaz."

"What? Why?" Wait - don't answer that, I don't think I can take it!" Everyone knew Jesper was exaggerating the hurt he was feeling, it wouldn't be a Jesper problem without big theatrics and an attempt at making a tear roll down his cheek for extra points. Luckily for the group, Kaz moved to place himself at the starting point and began to list off the rules of the race. One: no cheating. Two: stay on horseback for the entire race. Fastest wins.

Inej gave a countdown, and on 'go' the two galloped off down the dirt path, leaving the rest of the crows in the dust. They watched the two race off and once they were both out of sight, Wylan spoke up.

"Shall I make some tea while we wait?"

The road diverted off into a small forest, as Kaz has mentioned during the pre-race talk. At the moment they were neck and neck, but as the road narrowed Jesper managed to pull ahead, letting out a loud cheer as he passed Kaz.

"I told you I'm going to win!" Jesper exclaimed, not noticing Kaz slow down as he rode off ahead, brimming with excitement at being in first place.

Kaz knew this area well, having grown up here as a child. He remembered a little trail off the beaten track he and Jordie used to explore, and how it would loop around towards the end of the main trail, close to the finish line. Kaz clicked for his horse to move towards the bushes, knowing this would be faster for him. Jesper would not see it coming. 

The overgrown branches were becoming a bit of a bother as Jesper struggled to keep them from hitting his face, and he turned around to see if Kaz was having the same problem.

The road was empty. Kaz was nowhere to be seen.. Did he take a wrong turn already?

"This is really nice tea, Wylan," Nina said, lounging back on a lawn chair she had found somewhere, the tea poured into a whiskey glass she had also found somewhere , topped with a tiny umbrella. "Would pair well with some ginger biscuits."

"Are you sure you didn't want it in a teacup?" Wylan asked, giving Inej a smile as he finished pouring her a cup.

"No way! This makes me feel fancy, like I'm at the races watching actual horsemen riding and not… those two," she replied with a wave of her hand towards the general direction Kaz and Jesper rode off towards. “We should go to the races one day. I will make it happen.”

“Kaz is banned from the racecourse,” Inej said, and Nina raised an eyebrow at the statement.

“How do you get banned from the races?”

Inej knew the real answer - he had attempted to steal one of the winning horses and replace him with an untrained horse and let the chaos ensue. Somehow his plan was uncovered, and now he was not allowed back. Nina was waiting for a response. She shrugged. “He never told me how.”

The conversation ended there as Matthias rejoined the group with some more chairs. He and Nina had checked the small shed earlier, and she left the moment she found a chair for herself.

"I found another one of those chairs under some boxes." He placed it down for Inej to sit on. Under his arm were two fold out stools, and he gave one to Wylan.

"Wonderful! Now it feels like a real party." Nina grinned, handing her plate of cake and her drink to Matthias as he sat down so she could lay back.

The trail twisted and turned through the forest, and Jesper could only assume he was still in first place. It was hard to pinpoint when Kaz disappeared; he was going to bring this up to the rest of the group to see if it came under the “no cheating” rule. He had to be cheating. The trail began to straighten out now, the treeline becoming less dense as he approached the end of the forest. If he sat a little taller, he could make out the farmhouse in the distance. The final stretch, and Kaz was still nowhere to be seen.

“C’mon, girl. We’ve got this,” he mumbled, spurring his horse to go faster. He could taste the win. Out of nowhere, breaking through the treeline came a familiar black horse, a smug Kaz on his back. He was a good few feet in front of Jesper now, much to his dismay. 

“Hey!” he yelled out with a frown. “That’s not allowed!”

“There was nothing in the rules about taking a shortcut. It’s useful to know the area you are racing in, Jesper. You might just find an advantage,” Kaz replied, amused to see Jesper get so worked up over a loophole.

“No, no! That was cheating, and you know it! I’m going to tell the others.”

“You have no proof.”

Kaz was now past the break in the treeline, and Jesper knew if he didn't close the space soon he was going to lose. He couldn’t lose. Not to Kaz. Not to stupid Kaz and his stupid loopholes.

“They’re close,” Inej said softly, rising from her chair to look down the road. She was right - the faint sound of hoofbeats running down the dirt path could be heard. The four were quick to set down their cake and tea, rushing over towards the finish line to get a good look at who would be crowned the winner. From their position, it seemed like Kaz and Jesper were neck and neck, neither managing to get ahead of the other. 

“Who looks like they’re winning?” Wylan asked, looking at Matthias as he was the tallest and had a better view.

He shrugged. “I can’t tell.”

“Kaz has to be. He hates losing,” Nina suggested.

“So does Jesper,” added Wylan.

The horses grew closer, and the four stepped back to give them enough room to pass. Inej was crouched by the finish line, ready to take note of who passed first. It’s not too long before they both cross the finish line.

“I knew I would win!” Jesper proclaimed loudly, pointing over towards Kaz. “How does it feel to lose, huh?”

“Ask yourself that, I clearly crossed first,” Kaz replied, confident that he was the real winner. He didn't need to exclaim it like Jesper was.

“No way, I won.”

“I planned to be a head in front of you. I won.”

They both turned to Inej.

“You crossed at the exact same time.” How they managed to do that, she had no idea. Jesper began exclaiming how unfair that was, and how he was demanding a rematch. There was no way they crossed together like that!

“The horses are tired, Jesper,” Kaz said as he dismounted, Jesper following shortly after. “And I refuse to ride anyone else’s horse.”

With a sigh, Jesper gave Kaz a defeated look, knowing there was no way they were going to settle this without a rematch. “Call it a draw?”

Kaz waited a moment, just to make Jesper worry he was going to say no. “Draw.”

With them both accepting the title of winner (and loser, but neither of them said much about that part), they joined the rest of the group in drinking tea and eating cake. A good way to lay low from the law.

[alltimefail-sims]

A story in two parts... 🙃

The Apple Nectar actually ended up being okay quality though! Not too shabby for Lea's first attempt.

As promised, my thoughts on nectar making are below the cut ↓

The nectar making skill is built slowly and gained at a much slower rate than horseback riding, for instance. I'm assuming that's because it's a 5-tier skill instead of 10-tier skill, but Lea didn't level up to level 2 until 4 or 5 bottles later. 🥴

That being said: even a poor, unaged bottle of nectar goes for 55 simoleons. That's a good profit, especially if you're growing your own produce, so it's a lucrative skill right off the bat. Considering that Lea can't get a job because a horse and a ranch are basically a full-time job, it's nice to have a skill that can help pay the bills. I also love the "aging" rack because, surprisingly, it's functional! Hallelujah! I'm so tired of getting a plethora of cute, decorative objects that serve no function or even go as far to allude to an actual skill without providing it (I'm looking at you, woven basket decor items - but more on that later). However, I had no idea how long it took to age a bottle of nectar. I'm guessing it is worth the wait and will increase the price, quality, and potency when consumed...but I'd had a bottle of apple nectar put away for a few days and it still hadn't aged. (I just looked it up and Google says 1 week, which feels reasonable in "sim time." I was worried it would be longer.)

I do wish there were a few more animations while making nectar just so it could be more interesting to watch, but honestly I don't think it takes that long to produce a bottle in comparison to other skills in the game (like gardening... GOD growing and tending crops in TS4 is excruciatingly tedious). Plus, if you have the "rancher" skill, you can sometimes get additional bottles out of one nectar-making session, so that's really nice. Visually, I'd compare this skill to knitting and cross-stitching due to its repetition, and if you're wondering what it looks like... well, the trailer shows it all lol. I don't think there's much to it: they stomp a little, fall, get up, repeat until the nectar is complete. Then they step out, seal the bottle, and the bottle goes into their inventory. There are some pretty funny expressions you can get though (outtake below).

Because this skill's animation is pretty repetitive and simple, I think they should have thrown one or even two more skills in there. After all, this pack is $40. Basket weaving, as I mentioned above, would even used a similar animation to an already existing in-game skill (cross stitching) so I think this would have been fairly easy to implement. In fact, I'm still shocked it isn't a part of this pack. There are some good decorative objects and CAS items that allude to Native culture, but by and large the pack lacks actual substance to represent actively living in these cultures - I think skills like basket weaving or pottery would have been a great way to add substance to the pack AND create an opportunity to talk more about Native American cultures and pay proper homage to their traditions and skillsets. I would have loved seeing elder native sims mentoring young sims in basket weaving like they can do with knitting, for instance... that would have been so adorable. 🥺❤️ It just feels like a real missed opportunity on their part. One recipe (smh) and a couple decorative objects/cas items are a good start, but more could have definitely been done. If modders can implement these things for free, game devs should have no problem implementing these features. ESPECIALLY when you consider the pack's asking price... and I stand by that!

All that being said, I am pleased with this skill and find the animations cute, but it's certainly not intensive enough that they can justify it being the only skill in the pack separate from horse-related skills. (Which, for the record, I don't really count because that's the whole selling point of the pack. Anything horse related should be a given).

I'm not trying to diminish the amount of work it took to animate and implement horses - I haven't experienced many bugs personally, and I know adding an entirely new living creature with customization and personalization is tedious. Even so, I still don't think the full price is justified. Comparing it to Cats and Dogs, I think this EP missed a lot of good opportunities to implement a new career, skills, and gameplay. I even feel like we could have gotten some new dialogue interactions, or even a spiritual/cultural trait related to Native American ideologies or customs (kind of like the child of the island/child of the ocean traits we got with Island Living) but I've yet to see many notable additions in that regard. If this pack was a $20 game pack I think I would feel totally different. I'm having fun, but I would never be able to justify spending $40.

SO... would I recommend it? Honestly... so far, yeah. I would just snag it when it goes on sale for $20 (or through other means. You do you). $20 is the price it should have been in the first place. But I am shocked at how much fun I've been having. The CAS and Build/Buy is really good, maybe my favorite in a while (but I'm into the rugged, dirty, western style quite a bit... if that's not your thing, this pack won't do anything for you). The horses are cool and in my experience after playing it for a few days, they're animated really well (surprisingly... I thought this pack would be 'My Wedding Stories' all over again). I also love this world. It's right up there with San Myshuno, Brindleton Bay, and Windenburg for me.

Coming up: I'll be taking Lea into town- she's a loner, but it's time to force her out of her comfort zone so she can make some friends. (Plus, I really want to see the new dance floor animation haha.)

Like always, if you read all that, I have big big love for you. I leave you with a little kith upon your head (or a respective big thumbs up if physical affection is not your jam).