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homeformyheart · 4 years

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cigarettes - priya lacroix x adam vega (bb)

author’s note: i got a request to write something for priya x adam while they were dating in the 1920s a couple of months ago, so here we are! thanks for requesting @anabelle-robinson and happy birthday! thank you so much to @kelseaaa for beta-reading for me. i hope you all enjoy!

copyright: all characters owned by pixelberry studios. series/pairing: bloodbound – priya lacroix x adam vega (rarepair) rating/warnings: 18+; ns*w explicit smut, descriptions of vampire blood drinking and drug use, please do not read if you are a minor; ns*w parts between the 🔥⚡ and ❄💧 icons word count: 6.8k based on/prompt: request from @anabelle-robinson and most of her headcanons. summary: priya reminisces about her history with adam in the 1920s.

cigarettes

adam parked across the street from the warehouse where the meeting would take place. priya looked up at the obscure building and then back at adam with a raised eyebrow. in the years they had been somewhat casually seeing each other, this was the first time adam had taken priya somewhere other than the most expensive and popular joints.

“swanky place,” she commented sarcastically. “i thought we were going to that blow.”

“this shouldn’t take long. i have to attend this meeting and then we’ll be on our way,” adam promised, giving his best disarming smile.

she looped her arms in his and plastered on her best devil-may-care expression. she had always wondered about adam vega’s true intentions. a man as wealthy, influential, and attractive as he was understood how to play the long game. add to that the power and immortality granted to one of their nature, and the game has no boundaries. and priya was very attracted to how adam radiated power. like recognizes like after all.

35 years earlier

adam adjusted his fedora slightly before folding his arms neatly on the table in front of him. he was not a man who got nervous or anxious, but in the moment, he was a man waiting for what he hoped would be a breathtaking date.

“hiya. you must be adam.” at first, the voice of the slender woman with long, dark hair sounded soft, but adam had been around long enough to pick up on the hard tone underneath.

“i prefer mr. vega, please,” he said, his tone even as he stood up to greet her properly.

priya didn’t bat an eye but gave him an easy smile. “not really my style. so, what’s a girl gotta do to get a drink with a handsome guy like you?”

“well, considering the current circumstances, i might know a place where we can have a drink before the party. shall we?”

when they had first met, adam knew priya likely saw him as the perfect client for her to take advantage of. he fit the ideal profile – educated, high profile, attractive, but most importantly, rich. he was used to women eyeing him up and down, taking stock of the bespoke designer clothing he wore, the rolex, and his not-so-subtle jewelry. despite knowing that priya was using him, something about her kept him coming back for her company, to the point where he paid upfront for six months of exclusivity with her.

she didn’t talk about herself much, if at all. he knew that she had moved relatively recently to new york and had been working as a high-end companion-for-hire for about the same amount of time. she only worked with the upper crust and for exclusive events, so most people he schmoozed with would not recognize her. she was the perfect date for him when he needed to rub shoulders with new york’s elite and keep up with the banter of the up-and-coming crowd.

so when she invited him up to her apartment one night after a late event, adam was surprised. he wasn’t one to pry and frankly, didn’t care all that much for priya’s personal backstory. but as she poured him a whiskey and sashayed towards her couch, his curiosity was certainly piqued.

“this is a pleasant surprise, priya. i don’t think i ever expected to be invited into your home,” he said, taking a sip and letting the warmth of the bourbon melt on his tongue.

priya’s eyes never left adam’s as he settled on the opposite side, his large frame appearing even more expansive with how he casually rested his arm against the back of the couch. she had poured herself a glass of wine and was twirling the stem of the glass between her fingers contemplatively.

“i wanted to talk,” she said slowly, taking a sip of her wine.

adam raised one eyebrow at her. “about what?”

“i’d like to know why you requested me exclusively and how much you’re paying the agency for that privilege,” priya’s tone was flirty but her eyes had a glint in them that sent a not unwanted shiver down adam’s spine.

he took a careful sip of whiskey and by the time he placed the glass on the coffee table, he had eased into his smooth-talking persona. “it’s simple, really. you know that i have high career ambitions and you are the perfect person to have at my side at social functions and events. it’s just business. and don’t worry, you’re worth every penny.”

priya’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “i’ll cut to the chase. i want out of the agency, so let’s cut a deal.”

adam certainly wasn’t expecting this. “i thought they treated you well. i made it clear that you were invaluable.”

“if i am that invaluable to you, i would think you would be willing to pay me directly instead of having to also pay a fee to the agency,” she said quietly, setting her glass down on the coffee table.

priya made a show of untucking her legs from underneath her and pulling the hem of her dress up so the skirt billowed around her. she watched as adam’s gaze followed the length of her legs before flicking back up to meet hers. she leaned forward slightly and grinned inwardly at how adam’s eyes seemed magnetically drawn to her chest.

adam felt himself tense slightly as priya slinked over gracefully until her knee barely touched his. “i’ve already paid the agency for exclusivity. what would i get in return for buying out your contract?” adam said, his voice coming out surprisingly gruff.

priya felt a shiver work its way down her spine, but she didn’t mind it. “guarantee my freedom, and i’ll give you whatever you want,” she said, letting the conviction in her voice shine in the otherwise quiet room. she brought her eyes up to meet his with a practiced softness, tilting her head back slightly so the soft part of her neck was exposed to him.

adam visibly swallowed. after almost 500 years of living, he was not one to get flustered easily, especially by women. like a snake charmer, he was the one who could beckon women by flashing a smile, seducing them with practiced words and promises of bliss. he also knew how to subdue the women he grew tired of, filing them away in a dark corner to be forgotten.

but priya lacroix was intoxicatingly and infuriatingly different. and for the first time in perhaps centuries, adam was interested.

“i’m not sure you know how dangerous that promise is, miss priya,” he murmured softly, leaning in so his face was only inches from hers.

she held his gaze, despite the temptation to look at his soft lips. she slowly stroked her neck, following the chain of her necklace until her fingers found the pendant hanging low between her breasts. she watched with satisfaction as adam’s gaze followed her fingers, his hand moving of its own accord to stroke the top of her thigh.

“if there’s one thing you should know about me, doll,” priya said, smiling slyly as she held adam’s face between her hands. “i’ll do whatever it takes to survive.” she held him in place as she leaned in to kiss him, alternating between firm and soft kisses, biting his lip and running her tongue over the bite to soothe it.

adam felt a groan lodge in his throat as priya coaxed his mouth open and expertly tangled her tongue with his. he couldn’t remember the last time he let someone else take control; it usually unnerved him, but tonight, it felt right. priya pushed him back firmly without breaking contact and he let himself fall back against the couch so she could swing her leg over and straddle his lap. his hands instinctively held onto her thighs as she continued to nip and suck and bite his swollen lips.

priya figured all men were the same. their arousals, signals, and sounds all blurred together after a while in her memory but she had learned to file away how she could elicit certain reactions. she had years’ worth of inventory at her fingertips. and if the sounds from adam’s throat and the bulge she felt in his lap were any indication, she was right on time.

she pulled back and shifted her weight so she was sitting on his thighs. “well?”

adam’s eyes fluttered open as he tried to quickly compose himself. “you drive a hard bargain, miss priya. but it’s a deal.”

the grin that appeared on priya’s face could only be described as wicked. “perfect. we can pick this back up once you confirm things are in order.”

adam gave her a long, scrutinizing look before nodding in agreement. “goodnight then, miss priya.” he stood up and headed toward the door, looking back only once at priya who had settled back onto her couch and poured herself more wine.

as he left her apartment complex, he felt the cool breeze drive away the remains of the tingling sensation in his body. he chuckled to himself as he climbed into his rolls-royce. intoxicated couldn’t even begin to describe how he felt with priya lacroix.

* * * * *

priya and adam had left the meeting with gaius feeling rather unsettled, not that either of them would admit it out loud. as they drove to the pier in adam’s rolls-royce, priya found herself getting more and more annoyed as time passed.

“what was that back there?” she asked quietly, through clenched teeth.

“what, doll?” adam kept his eyes on the road in front of him.

priya folded her arms delicately across her chest. “having me bow to that nutjob. you know how i feel about subservience.”

adam’s grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly. “gaius augustine deserves your respect, priya. he’s the reason we are allowed to thrive in new york.”

“i don’t owe that big shot anything,” she said in a clipped tone.

“he is more powerful than you can imagine. you want him in your corner,” he said, navigating through the shadows of new york city.

priya examined her nails as she processed what adam just said.

adam sighed. “remember our agreement?”

“we agreed the deal was clean. don’t tell me you feel like i still owe you for getting the agency to release me,” priya snapped, her tone was soft but sounded as threatening as the glint in her eyes.

he waved his hand at her dismissively. “of course, not. you’ve more than kept your end of that bargain.” he glanced at her while they were stopped at a red light with a softness in his gaze that priya was still not quite used to. “you know i see you as an equal, as does the world now, with the launch of your fashion house. my princess.”

“that’s what you said when you turned me,” she said softly, gazing wistfully out the car window, seeming to forget that he was sitting next to her.

30 years earlier

adam grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at the remaining drops of blood around his mouth. despite centuries of practice, it was almost impossible to have a completely clean feeding. thankfully, he didn’t have to worry about getting stains on his expensive bespoke shirt and jacket – the poor girl didn’t know she was doing him a favor by eagerly pulling it off him.

he heard the familiar click-clack of priya’s stilettos against the tiled hallway leading to his penthouse apartment about twenty steps before she arrived at his door. he casually glanced around his living room to make sure nothing was askew. he pulled on his white shirt, leaving it unbuttoned and cleared his throat, which spurred his vampire staff to move faster in cleaning up the room and transporting the body of his real dinner out of the apartment.

just as the staff entered his private elevator beyond the kitchen, the door to his living room clicked open to reveal priya with her arms crossed. he tucked his stained handkerchief back into his pants pocket and moved to greet her, plastering on his most alluring smile and doing his best to ignore the delicious metallic taste in his mouth.

priya stepped into the hallway and walked towards adam, meeting him at the edge of the living room with her hands in her deep coat pockets. he watched her eyes scan the room with feigned boredom before they landed on him. she passed him and continued on to the living room, and adam noticed her nose wrinkle just slightly before she turned to face him.

“enjoy your snack?” she asked, eyes narrowed.

“priya, darling, i thought we were meeting at the restaurant,” adam said with a dazzling smile, pointedly ignoring her question.

“answer the question, darling, or are you afraid i might find out about your little secret? your little flings who seem to disappear without a trace?”

now it was adam’s turn to narrow his eyes at her. priya took one step toward him.

“you said you’d treat me like an equal. but you clearly don’t respect me enough not to lie to my face,” she said, with a quiet threat behind her eyes that did not go unnoticed by adam.

he raised an eyebrow at her. “and haven’t i? i don’t ask for more than you’re willing to give and i treat you properly in public and in private.”

“and what if i want more?” her eyes glittered under the ornate chandelier above them and adam felt a warm flush spread throughout his body as he grinned.

he slowly approached her, closing the gap between them like a wolf approaching its prey. priya had seen adam do this with others and she refused to squirm; it was actually one of the things that made her all the more alluring to adam.

“what is it you want, my princess?” he spoke so softly with the grin on his face that his lips seemed to barely move.

the grin slowly faded at the sudden pressure of a revolver against his lower abdomen. the teasing look in his eyes gave way to a simmering anger. if priya was surprised to see a lack of fear in his face, she didn’t show it.

“what is the meaning of this, doll?” he said calmly, holding back the low growl that was at the edge of his throat.

“i could shoot you right now. but i know it won’t do anything, isn’t that right?” her eyes bore into his and if he were honest, he was impressed.

he chuckled. “why don’t you come out and say whatever it is you want to tell me?”

“you don’t go out during the day. you prefer your steak rare. you don’t sleep and i know it’s not insomnia. i’ve seen blood in your apartment,” priya said, twirling the revolver around her fingers before putting it back into her coat pocket.

adam had almost forgotten about the revolver against his stomach. “alright, seeing as how i could just kill you. i’m a vampire, doll. in the flesh.”

priya gave him a long, scrutinizing look. he expected her to either scoff or for fear to creep into her eyes. he was surprised when instead she slipped her coat off her shoulders and tossed it onto his couch and said, “i want you to turn me into one.”

to his own surprise, his jaw fell open. this was definitely the last thing he expected. she closed the gap between them and pressed herself against his body, running her hands up his chest and over his shoulders. she slid his shirt off his shoulders and pulled it past his hands until it fell to the floor. her sharp nails ran delicately up his back as she brought her hips flush against his.

“do you understand what you’re asking? the process is painful. you might die,” he said as she started kissing up his neck and jawline.

priya pulled back to look at him, a little taken aback by the sincerity in his voice. she had never expected adam to care that much about her well-being.

“it’s the only way i can truly be your equal, is it not?” her eyes flashed dangerously and adam felt his pants tighten.

it was incredibly dangerous that priya had as much power over him as she did, even if she didn’t realize it. adam hadn’t turned anyone in quite some time, the fun of it was no longer appealing. he preferred to feed and dispose of his human entertainment once he was done with them.

he looked at her critically before nodding. “yes… but i do report to my maker, gaius augustine, and you would, too. he is the king of all vampires in new york. do you understand what that means?”

adam studied her face carefully as her eyes narrowed in consideration. he could almost see the gears turning in her beautiful head, likely weighing the pros and cons of immortality and power against subservience to another master.

he watched as the deliberation faded from her eyes only to be replaced by a dangerous glint of zealousness, and he wondered what else went on in priya’s mind.

🔥⚡ 🔥⚡

she traced her hands slowly up his inner thighs and over his hips. she continued to move her hands up his body until they wrapped around his neck tightly; her mouth followed her hands, trailing soft kisses up his chest and neck, sucking lightly on his pulse point. she licked that soft spot, relishing the feel of his heartbeat thumping against her tongue, keeping time with her pace. priya pulled herself up onto her tip toes so she could whisper into his ear, “do it.”

adam let out a low growl that he buried in the back of her throat, his mouth descending onto hers, hot and hurried. priya let out a soft gasp in surprise before meeting him halfway, raking her fingernails on his scalp as she wove her fingers through his hair. adam ran his hands up and down her back once, giving her ass a squeeze, before he ripped her dress apart like it was nothing more than a slip of paper.

“i liked that dress,” she growled as his hands moved up her body. his hands were rough against her breasts but teasing as he alternated flicking and pinching her sensitive nipples.

“i’ll buy you another one,” he said, smirking against her mouth. without missing a beat, she ripped his belt out, popping the button off his pants as she made quick work of his zipper.

“asshole. i’ll get you back for it,” she said, with a throaty laugh that sent a shiver down adam’s spine. he barely blinked before priya had freed him from the rest of his clothes, his cock now firmly caught in her hands.

he groaned as she started pumping her hands up and down his shaft, letting her sharp fingernails tease his sensitive skin. he drew in a sharp breath every time her nails seemed to dig a little too deep for comfort or near his tip; the growing smirk on her face told him it was time to turn the tables.

adam continued his ministrations on her breast with one hand while the other reached below to explore her folds. priya tried to swallow but it was too late to suppress the mewl that escaped her lips at the feel of adam’s thumb massaging her clit expertly while his fingers started stoking the fire inside her.

priya’s affinity for control and desire for release were now warring inside her as she started alternating her hands on adam’s cock, applying just enough pressure to make him grunt at the brief respite between handoffs. he growled and pulled his hand away to grab her thigh, hooking her leg over his hip. priya released his cock and wrapped her fingers in his hair again, yanking his head back slightly.

“lay down, now. i need to fuck that beautiful mouth of yours,” she cooed as she pulled away from him.

adam sat down on the floor, tilting his head back against the couch cushions. priya trailed a finger up his neck before grasping his chin. “show me, darling,” she murmured, watching adam’s irises darken even more with desire.

he smirked as his fangs appeared; priya watched with fascination as his dark brown eyes turned bright red, allowing her to see herself more clearly in them than before. she cupped his face in her hands and gave him a deep, breath-stealing kiss, running her tongue over one of his fangs before climbing over him onto the couch. she settled herself slowly over his mouth, anchoring herself on the back of the couch as adam gripped her thighs tightly against him.

priya felt her body shudder as he started licking her cunt with soft, slow strokes, his breath hot against her sensitive clit as he teased it with the tip of his tongue. the cool air of the living room was a stark contrast to the warmth of his tongue and she cursed inwardly at how her body responded to him of its own accord. her back arched and she felt her thighs begin to tremble as he picked up the pace, circling his tongue clockwise and then counter-clockwise before sucking on her nub. she felt pressure coil in her lower abdomen at the sound of him lapping at her drenched folds until it was almost too much to bear.

her arms fell from the back of the couch onto the cushions as she felt the pressure release, sending rippling shockwaves throughout her body. before she could catch her breath, adam grabbed her hips and brought her down onto his cock and she keened at the feel of him inside her. he set the pace, lifting her up and down his cock like she weighed nothing; it was all priya could do to anchor herself on his broad shoulders, thighs still trembling and sweat glistening across her breasts.

adam leaned in and lightly scraped his fang over her breast before licking her nipple. she gasped as he sucked and licked, alternating breasts, and she grabbed his hair to keep him close. it wasn’t long before she felt heat pool again at her core, pressure mounting with every thrust. adam grabbed her hips firmly as she panted, flipping her onto her back so he could move above her. he interlaced his fingers with hers and pinned them above her head, anchoring them both against the movement of his thrusts.

priya was a little stunned at how firm adam’s grip was – she couldn’t move her hands at all. she gritted her teeth and swallowed the slight panic she felt lodge in her throat – being completely submissive was not something she preferred but she could work with it for now. she started rolling her hips to meet adam thrust for thrust, enjoying the grunts and panted breaths he let out as he kept up with her shifts in the angle, alternating her micromovements to allow him to go either deeper or harder.

the coiled heat in her belly threatened to consume her, the heat from his hands only adding to the fire she felt under her skin. adam seemed to sense that she was close by the way he released her hands so he could grip her hips firmly against him. priya felt the flames spring from her belly to her chest as she arched her back and cried out in ecstasy. adam cursed as he followed, spilling into her with a few final thrusts.

she gasped to catch her breath as adam crawled on top of her, his forearms resting on either side of her face. priya’s eyes fluttered open to meet adam’s blood-red gaze. she felt an involuntary shiver down her spine as she flicked her gaze down to his lips only to find two sharp fangs protruding out.

“are you ready, princess?” adam murmured. a brief flicker of fear flashed in priya’s eyes before they returned to normal.

she nodded. her long nails dug into his bicep as his fangs pierced her skin. a burning and delirious sensation coursed through her body until she couldn’t hold back her screams anymore. she cried out in pain and euphoria, arching her hips against his before she fell back to the floor on top of adam’s arm wrapped around her back. her eyes fluttered open at the feeling of warm liquid and the taste of blood against her lips, meeting adam’s gaze as he urged her to drink from the open wound on his wrist.

when she was done, she lowered her head gently back onto the floor. “you did well, princess. i’ll see you in the morning, darling,” adam whispered, before she faded into unconsciousness.

❄💧 ❄💧

adam reached over to kiss the back of her hand. “you are the only one i consider my equal, doll,” he murmured.

“except for gaius. if he is as powerful as you say, why aren’t you more concerned about this?” she asked him, her tone quieter than usual.

“he has always put the interests of our kind first,” he said matter-of-factly, as if it was as simple as that. given the length of their time together, priya could tell the subtle nuances in adam’s tone, and he was done with the topic of gaius for tonight.

when they arrived at their destination, she waited until he opened her door and held his hand as she stepped out, eyes never leaving his so she could convey her irritation through a measured glare. he sighed and handed her a cigarette before lighting one of his own as they walked side-by-side toward the boat.

hidden in the shadows of the moonlight was a private yacht docked unassumingly, bobbing gently in the hudson. thick black curtains were drawn in all the cabin windows, ensuring that the ship would appear empty and not as if it was hiding a speakeasy for the wealthiest of the elite. they climbed quietly into the boat and knocked at the door to the cabin.

a small slot in the door opened and a gruff voice asked, “what do you want?”

“we’re here for the blind tiger, doll,” priya said casually, flicking her cigarette butt away, the last few sparks fading into the wood.

the door opened quietly and they had to bend down to fit through the narrow doorway to a dimly lit alcove. they climbed quietly down the narrow, winding staircase, the gentle sounds of conversations amid clinking glasses growing louder the further they went down until finally the stairwell opened up to a cozy room below deck. there were several large sofa beds strategically placed so people could either sit on all sides of a bed or push several together to form a large mattress. priya smirked and exchanged a knowing look with adam – they were definitely going to have fun tonight.

2 hours later

priya ran her tongue over her lips and teeth to pick up any drops of blood that splattered on her face before pulling her dress back on. adam was wiping his with a handkerchief, scanning the room briefly before walking over to the bar and pouring himself a drink. he threw back the whiskey in one gulp and gingerly walked around the piles of drained partygoers to where priya was standing by the door with his suit jacket.

“well, that was fun, but i should really get my beauty sleep,” she said as adam took his jacket from her.

“i’ll take you home, doll.”

* * * * * present day

when priya found out adam had essentially been murdered as a result of his attempt to amass more power, she wasn’t quite sure what to think. even though they had broken up romantically a very long time ago, to pursue their personal interests freely, they still held respect for each other. they tended to work well together on the council, primarily because it was easy to stand against kamilah and adrian, who always seemed to side with each other, but also because they understood each other. she knew adam’s primary motivations and he respected hers.

she was only half-joking when she tried to claim adam’s belongings during the council meeting. she had no need of his worldly possessions or his mansions, after all, there really wasn’t anything she couldn’t afford on her own. adam made sure of that as part of their agreement when they ended their “relationship.” she didn’t owe him anything besides her appreciation and respect, the only council member who ever managed that, and now not even that was needed anymore.

she made the trek upstate anyway, if only out of curiosity, to see if adam had anything in his possession that she might be interested in. priya was certainly not the sentimental type, but if there was anything rare and pretty… well, she did like to collect pretty things.

they pulled up to the sprawling estate and priya gave quick orders to her houseboys, who split up and scurried off to cover both the grounds and interior of the house. she made her way quickly past the foyer into the large banquet hall-esque dining room, where 12 place settings were already starting to gather dust. she noticed some of the goblets were reflecting light and paused to examine them closer.

priya picked up and twirled a diamond-encrusted goblet between her fingers. the way the diamonds caught the light from the window created a glittery glow throughout the room. it was strange to think that after surviving centuries of war, battles, and politics, that adam was just… gone. that someone with such a commanding presence could just disappear. priya was hardly the nostalgic type but her history with adam left her with… complicated feelings about his death, to say the least.

25 years earlier

adam loosened his tie and undid his cufflinks as he strode over to priya’s private room in the back of her warehouse.

“priya?” he called out as he tossed his hat on the table in the corner and folded his jacket over a chair. “i had an excellent meeting with the senator, i’m most confident he’ll come around to our proposal.”

priya sighed as she finished brushing her long hair in the bathroom and pulled on her robe before walking out to greet adam. “that’s great… for you,” she couldn’t even bother to feign enthusiasm. it took every ounce of restraint not to roll her eyes.

the grin on adam’s face was replaced with a stoicism she recognized as his poker face. “you’re not… happy about this?”

she waved her hand at him dismissively as she sat down on her bed and crossed her legs. adam’s eyes flitted down briefly at the red satin nightie peeking out from underneath her robe.

“i think it’s swell for you. i’m just bored. i don’t think your political ambitions align with mine,” she said casually.

adam raised an eyebrow. “you know these deals will only help us both.”

priya sighed. “it’s nothing personal, doll. now that my fashion line is going global, my name is going to become a brand and i don’t want it associated with politics.”

“i suppose that makes sense,” he said thoughtfully. he and priya had spent a long time together, perhaps it was time for them to go their separate ways, at least, outside of their council responsibilities.

it was priya’s turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “that’s it? you’re cool?”

“of course, you’ve been an excellent companion and i’m sure we’ll get to work together on the council. as you said, it’s not personal,” he said simply. a slow smile made its way onto priya’s face as she stood up and walked over to him.

“that doesn’t mean we can’t end things with a bang,” she purred, trailing one perfectly manicured fingernail down his exposed chest.

adam smirked. “i do like the way you think.”

🔥⚡🔥⚡

“want to make this a little more interesting? i’ve got some hop,” she said with a challenging gleam in her eye. adam’s eyes narrowed and he swallowed imperceptibly but wouldn’t allow himself to bow out of a challenge, especially one presented by priya.

she pulled out a small pouch from her robe pocket with a fine white powdered substance inside, carefully pouring out a measured amount on her arm before snorting it quickly and wiping the remnants off her face. she let out a throaty groan of pleasure that made adam’s cock twitch. he kept his gaze on her as she poured out another round and presented her arm to him, a salacious smirk on her face. his eyes twinkled mischievously as he bent down and copied her, wiping his nose with a handkerchief.

priya carefully put the pouch away and slid the robe off her shoulders, revealing a very short red satin negligee that perfectly flattered her best features, which also happened to be adam’s favorite. he stepped up into her scent, pupils red and dilated, fangs eagerly awaiting release. priya gasped as he palmed her breast in his hand and began to kiss up her chest and neck, nipping her skin occasionally with his fangs.

by the time he reached her mouth, the look on her face matched his – one of both hunger and thirst, pearly white fangs reflecting the soft glow of her bedroom lamps, red eyes flashing with desire, heartbeats pulsing with want, and senses stimulated even beyond the heightened level that was part of being a vampire. adam let out a low, primal growl and grabbed priya’s ass, lifting her off the ground and spinning them so he could push her against the wall. she wrapped her legs tightly around him, holding him in place as he took off his pants.

they knew there wouldn’t be any drawn-out foreplay. the buzzing in their veins had already made its way into their heads, making them both feel fuzzy and head high. she needed her senses to be filled with something other than the internal fire speed-skating in her blood. adam needed to expend the electric energy running throughout his body from the high; luckily for priya, her turning made her pretty much unbreakable.

a snarl ripped from his throat as he tore her satin nightie and thong off her body with his teeth and settled himself between her hips. in one quick, forceful thrust, he buried himself in her, immediately setting a fast, grueling pace that had priya panting and scrambling to hold on to something, anything. she twined her fingers in his hair and yanked as hard as she could, alternating between burying his face in her cleavage and pulling his head back to remind him of her control.

nothing she did made adam pause from his relentless thrusts, each one sending a current up her spine and building on the one before it. for adam, it wasn’t enough, he knew she was unbreakable, but he needed to break something. without letting up on his pace, he spun them around and threw her against the doors of her walk-in closet, the cool wood a sharp contrast but did nothing to temper the overwhelming heat emanating from her skin.

priya dug her nails into adam’s shoulders, the skin breaking under them before immediately healing. she dug deeper, knowing the cycle would continue as adam’s fingers pressed so hard into her hips she would’ve had deep purple bruises as a human. as a vampire, it only served to push the pain closer to pleasure, even as the wood started splintering beneath her back.

she threw her head back into the wood, breaking it clean so the back of her neck rested on a jagged edge as adam felt her body squeeze his cock slightly tighter before letting go. priya let out a guttural moan at the same time as adam as they climaxed together, the sensation hitting her in waves, the second being the strongest and leaving her body limp during the third.

her senses were so overwhelming that everything in the room, including adam, faded into white noise. she wasn’t sure if she passed out, the faint buzzing in her head letting her know that she was coming down from her first high even though the ache in her lungs from needing air told her she was still working through the aftershocks of her second.

priya finally opened her eyes and turned her head slightly to see adam beside her, one arm propping his head up as he gazed at her fondly.

”i’ll pay for the damage,” he said softly, cupping her cheek with his other hand.

she smiled and gave him an imperceptible nod before returning to her trademark smirk. “you better.”

❄💧❄💧

* * * * * priya tossed the goblet back onto the table, where it hit the mahogany wood with a loud, echoing clang before rolling off onto the marble floor. she wasn’t expecting all of these old memories to surface. she continued up the large staircase behind the dining room that led to the second-floor bedrooms; it had been a very long time since she last visited adam upstairs, but her body knew the way. she stopped in front of the door furthest from the stairwell, looking up at its unassuming façade before ripping out the locked handle and making her way into the room.

she looked around, eyes narrowed in scrutiny, until her gaze landed on a vintage armoire hidden behind a decorative folding screen in the corner. she quickly walked over to it and threw the doors open, scanning its contents for anything of interest or value, to her, of course. adam did have antiquated taste in vintage jewelry and tacky 1950s lacquered décor.

priya made quick work of the several drawers in the armoire, which held trivial things like cufflinks that were of no use to her. the last drawer on the right side, however, was locked. she forced the drawer open and let out a barely audible gasp at the gold cigarette case engraved with adam’s initials. it was his favorite during the 20s when all they cared about was socializing and partying in open defiance of prohibition.

“priya? you better not be in here taking adam’s things before the council has agreed on how to divide up his assets,” she heard adrian call out, despite his voice echoing from the dining room downstairs.

she tucked the cigarette case into her purse and walked back out to the foyer, snapping her fingers to gather her houseboys.

“of course not, dear adrian. we were merely… revisiting certain memories. about all the things adam and i used to do, if you know what i mean,” priya grinned wickedly, knowing the thought of her having sex in the house would make him cringe.

on cue, adrian grimaced before letting out a sigh. “whatever your houseboys already took is fine. just leave and don’t take any more stuff.”

priya rolled her eyes in feigned ignorance. “i don’t know what you’re insinuating but we’re perfectly innocent, right boys?” her houseboys nodded vigorously. “but don’t worry, i’ll see myself out.”

she gave adrian a nonchalant wave and sashayed her hips as she followed her houseboys out the front door and into adam’s vintage rolls-royce, which adam had kept around mostly for show. as they headed out of the estate, priya pulled out the gold cigarette case from her purse and held it in the palm of her hand. she gently stroked the intricate design with her thumb before flicking it open.

it was full. she recalled that adam had stopped smoking once he committed to his political career; the man had always been overly attentive to his appearance. she grabbed a cigarette, lighting it quickly and bringing it to her lips. she took a deep inhale, letting the smoke burn the inside of her throat and nostrils before shaping her lips into a soft ‘o’ and letting the smoke drift out. she watched as it seemed to suspend itself before fading as if it never existed, with the only memory of it being the acrid smell that hung in the air.

for someone who had as much power and status as adam, and lived as long as he had, it was almost surreal to think he was so easily defeated. she took one long drag of the cigarette and put it out on the leather console in front of her, watching as the ashes fell to the floor. she lifted her legs onto the seat so she could stretch them out, not bothering to grab the cigarettes that tumbled out of the case and onto the floor. she snapped the case shut and tucked it away, reaffirming her vow to put her survival above all else.

* * * * * mentions: @khoicesbyk; permatag: @agentnolastname; @freckles-spangledvampire;

#choices fic writers creations #long fic #my writing #bloodbound #choices bloodbound #priya lacroix #adam vega #pradam #priya lacroix x adam vega #choices #pb choices #playchoices #choices fanfic #choices fanfics #playchoices fanfiction #not twc #queue #ns*w #my choices fics

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fireflowersims · 5 years

Text

Simming goals 2020

Thanks for tagging me @anachronisims!

Behind the cut: my simming goals for 2020

CC-creation stuff

1. Fixes: Make some minor changes and fixes to the Gustav set (aka: my problem child) and add slots and other fixes to the Dunmer Set. I might recategorize the Viking Seperates as well.

2. Add-ons: create add-ons for pottery (you knew this was coming), the Dunmer set, the BB Niche and possibly Frac’s Stone Super Set. Perhaps make some Jonesi add-ons to the Gustav set.

3. WIP’s: upload a bunch of creations that didn’t get released in December (believe it or not, there’s still a lot of stuff I haven’t released yet) and resume work on a few Morrowind-themed sets.

4. Bigger Projects: upload Pt 2. of Project Ave Maria and continue work on Project Old CC Redone. I was thinking about slaving the Gustavian set from dh-sims as it would match nicely with the Gustav set. They won’t be slaved to the KEP-chair though. Another thing that needs some aggressive re-cloning love is the tea counter from ATS2. It’s horrible and deserves to burn in a fire. It needs to be re-cloned from a working template as it doesn’t take on recolors.

5. Get started on Project Tamriel, which is gonna be pretty damn awesome when released (no spoilers). This is gonna take quite some time to get ready though.

6. Upload the entire BPS Archive to SFS. I’ve uploaded a couple of Creators to SFS already, but the majority still needs to be done.

7. Start creating worlds for the SIms 3 again (surprise, surprise, Fire_flower can also create for TS3!) and improve existing ones.

Computer stuff

1. Get a new Hard Drive and copy my C Drive to it. My 500GB hard drive is too small for the Sims 2, 3, modded Skyrim and some other stuff. It’s been hovering around the 14GB of free space for a while now and an extra 500GB of storage should solve any performance issues related to the lack of free disk space. It would also mean I can start yet another themed game (I was thinking about a modern semi-realistic one) and hoard more CC!

2. Organize my files more efficiently. I have sets all over my G drive in all sorts of weird locations and way too many folders in root. Instead of having seperate folders for each game in my Root Directory, it would be much more efficient to just have one “conversion workshop” for easy finding.

3. Get my fans checked out/replaced. My computer has been making unbelievably anxiety-inducing sounds for a while. At first I thought it was one of the hard drives, but now I’m thinking it might be the fans. I have dual housing fans and they’re nearly impossible to remove, let alone clean, so they’re main suspects.

Actual game stuff

1. Play my game at some point. This means fixing a messed up rotation thing (it involves a nunnery) and of course: loading screens.

2. Make my hood into an Elder Scrolls fusion. Historical accuracy and any kind of realism have already been thrown out of the window anyways

3. Install those cool mods Midge has been making, especially the supernatual ones (I love supernaturals) and start using the Trait Project.

4. Figure out how many subhoods it would take to replicate Ba Sing Se from ATLA, use that to determine how many hoods it would take to replicate the entire setting and actually start doing that. (or just start creating themed CC)

5. Try playing TS4 for real? I got the game at release but didn’t really get into it and un-installed it shortly after pools were added. Even now with Expansions, Game Packs and Stuff Packs, it still doesn’t manage to grab my interest for very long outside of CAS (the camera is a big part of it honestly. The camera controls are just horrible and I hate how I have to click on a thing to be able to zoom in (I use a pen tablet, hence why I can’t scroll with my mousewheel: I don’t have one).

Well, that was a long post. I’m tagging @illenlan, @hodgekiss, @fracturedmoonlight, @gayars and @cindysimblr

#simming goals 2020 #tagged

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countess-rosegold-blog · 6 years

Text

Tropical Paradise

Pairing: Scott Lang x Reader

Warnings: SMUT! 18+ only, NSFW, unprotected sex, angst

Word Count: 5,336

A/N: So I’m super new and I’m a Stucky girl but this just came to me and then the characters just took control. This is my first fic and really my first contrib to the community so, enjoy!

Credits: Thank you to @dan-vers for letting me use the Scott Lang gifs. 😊😊

This story is mine so please no copying without permission.

You silently padded your way along the carpeted hall. The world is still; the New York skyline still waiting for its tinge of orange glow. Early as it seems, you’re already high from your morning workout. You chose to hit the gym while the rest of the Tower was still asleep because you were feeling stressed lately, and you didn’t need the extra drama from Scott today.

His breakup with Hope two months ago hit him hard but you and the team were there. You, above all, was his strongest rock. As he healed, your friendship grew deeper. It was all innocent, until that vacay to the Philippines.

A WEEK AGO

“Doctor Banner, I’ve backed up all the data to one of the hard drives,” Leopold Fitz called out to your mentor across the makeshift operation center. You were a small research team under Banner’s wing: you, Fitz and Jemma Simmons.

This operation in Taiwan was simply research and intel gathering, but Tony wanted to be on the safe side and sent Scott and Natasha along in case anything came up.

“Thanks, Leopold. Jemma and Y/N?” Banner turned to you as you were just wrapping up the hard files into the last of the boxes.

“Collated my report with Y/N’s, doc. And she’s just about done with the hard files,” Simmons answered.

“Yep, all done doc,” you add and stretch your arms above your head as you finish storing the last box.

“Okay, good. Then I guess that’s a wrap.” Banner sounds both tired and relieved.

“Wooot! About damn time.” Scott whistles as he entered the op center.

Fitz eyes him suspiciously. “Have you been waiting right outside for Dr. Banner to say that?” Scott smirks at him as Nat follows closely behind. You catch the lingering glance she gives Banner before turning to the rest of the group.

“How are you kids holding up?” This earns a collective groan from you and FitzSimmons. “What?”

Exchanging glances with your friends, you squeak a “Nothing!” before pretending to be busy with some stray folders.

“Hey!” Banner, picks up on the exchange.

“What did I miss?” Nat inquires, finally and actually looking at Banner.

“Apparently, Scott here thinks it’s a good idea to make a little side trip before we head back to New York and these kids agree.” Nat’s face brightens up a little, but her expression changes immediately. “BUT. I said no and now we ought to be heading home.”

“No fair! With the quinjet, the Philippines is just 45 minutes away. Hellooo, tropicsss.” Scott pleads. You try to put on a poker face, but you can’t help but be giddy. FitzSimmons were on the same high.

“We’re here to gather intel and now that we’re done, we go.” Banner’s voice is unwavering.

Nat steps in. “Did you ask Tony?” She takes a step towards Banner and you see his face slightly redden.

“Wh—No.” For the first time in the whole exchange, Banner sounds unsure.

A twinkle dances in Nat’s eyes. “Let’s ask him then. If he says no, then we go back to HQ. Otherwise...” She trails off, beginning to dial her cell. Scott does a little dance and you smack him playfully.

“What?!” He whispers. “You know Stark’s gonna be okay with it.”

You roll your eyes but can’t help smiling at him. FitzSimmons look like they’re going to launch in a little dance themselves.

“Yeah. The team’s just wrapped their work here,” you hear Nat say. “But this gang wants to make a side trip to the Philippines. That okay?”

You all try to listen in, but the person on the other line is inaudible.

“Uh-huh.” Nat purses her lips as she continues to listen. “Yeah, I get it.” She turns to look at you and the others. “Okay thanks, bye.”

The room is still and you can feel yourself holding your breath. “So…” Nat begins.

Banner sighs. “Tony agreed right away, didn’t he? And told you to mess with me a little.”

Nat chuckles. “Wow. You really know each other.” She turns to the group and grins. “C’mon, kids. Let’s get us some sun.”

The sunset was beautiful in this part of the world. Dark was swallowing the last of the sun’s glow and you found yourself sprawled on the white sand beach.

Your friends were off in their own activities somewhere and you didn’t care. You were content with just laying here, the sound of distant laughter and waves crashing your only playlist.

“Y/N,” you hear him before you feel him sit beside you on the sand.

You peek with your one eye open. “Scotty.” He scoffs at your lame nickname. You sit up on your elbows and look at him. “What’s up?”

“Couldn’t help but be drawn here with the way you’re looking right now.” He has a boyish smile you’re only seeing now.

It’s your turn to scoff. “I’m wearing sarong pants and a white t-shirt.” You raise your right leg emphasizing the baggy fit of the pants.

“Yeah… the way that shirt fits you isn’t helping though.”

You feel goosebumps—it starts in your neck and spreads through your body; it’s unexpected. “What?”

He doesn’t answer but looks you in the eye and what you see hits you hard. He’s not the same Scott anymore. Something burns in his eyes, a challenge. If you could hear his thoughts you’d guess he’s saying You heard me.

You feel like a thousand thoughts run through your mind but you can’t think of anything to say. “Scott, why?”

He seemed to expect a different answer because he is taken by surprise. “Why what?”

“This. Be straight with me, what is this? If this is flirting, fine. That I can handle. But if you’re trying something more here… I don’t think I can.” You don’t know where it came from, but you sure are glad you were able to say something coherently. Your newfound bravery fuels you and you don’t break eye contact.

He’s stunned. He tries to speak, but you can see it’s a struggle. There must be a thousand thoughts in there too.

You sigh and lightly touch his arm, “I think I’ll take a walk and be alone for a while. Bye, Scott.”

The moon is big yellow ball when you make your way back. After contemplating what you called The Scott Encounter, you felt drained. When the panic toned down, you questioned yourself whether you have overreacted. Then you went all defensive and tried to reason out your reaction.

Of course I reacted the way I did, Scott and I are good friends—even flirting is alien territory. Then to hear something so… suggestive? You feel another chill in your extremities, but something warms at the pit of your stomach and somewhere lower… You’ve got to be kidding —This is not happening!

Then came the cycle of being pissed at yourself for thinking of Scott that way. It was so good, the friendship between you two. Where did that come from?

It wasn’t long before another realization crept in. Of course. I was so busy thinking about me that I didn’t see the reason behind it. He’s still getting over Hope. Urgh. As if you’ve said your thoughts out loud, you smack your forehead. Right. After the initial step towards healing is the phase of recklessness. And I was the obvious choice, given our closeness. There’s a ringing in your ears and you feel the nerve in your forehead throb. The thought got you pissed again.

But other than this emotion is something else. Wait, am I… disappointed? No, that can’t be it. Of course I only see Scott as a friend. Maybe I’m just pissed he thought he could use me to get over his heartbreak. You nod your head. That must be it. How dare he.

It was during this train of thought that you emerge from the coconut trees towards the rest house’s beach front. The house—more of a mansion, really—is a twinkling gem in the darkness. You got to give it to Tony’s insanely rich connections. You can see through the massive windows into the dining hall—you make out Fitz, Banner and Nat. Huh, maybe I’ll get to eat a quick dinner while Scott’s not around.

You’re walking towards the side entrance when you hear him. “Y/N!” He’s farther down the beach but he’s jogging towards you. Your heart hammers in your chest. You summon all your maturity and will yourself to stay put.

He’s almost breathless when he’s in front of you. You stare at him.

“Where were you? I’ve been looking for you.” His expression is unreadable.

“I was walking around. I kinda told you that.”

“Yeah… I didn’t want to end that conversation that way earlier. Please, can we talk? I mean, about it?

“I don’t know, Scott. My head is…” you mime a head explosion.

“I know and I’m sorry. But that’s why we should talk. Please, Y/N.” His voice croaks.

You sigh. He’s got a point, and might as well get over it. “Okay. But let’s do it later. I don’t want the others…” you trail off.

“Yeah. Later tonight then.”

You give him a small nod before heading inside.

You rushed through your dinner and made small talk with the rest of the team. You wondered where Scott was, but grateful that you didn’t have to bear the awkwardness at the table. Emotionally drained, you went upstairs to lie down for a bit.

Later, you startle awake. The clock on the bedside table read 2:53 a.m. Shit! Scott. Bolting from the bed makes your head spin but you try to rush downstairs. Crap, where do I even meet him?

It’s dark out on the second floor hall; only a faint light comes from where the stairs is. You make your way down and see that the glow is from a night light at the kitchen counter. "Scott?"

Your eyes adjust as you scan the expanse of the first floor. No Scott. Shit. Why did I have to lie down? He may think I ignored him. You head towards the cupboards and find yourself a glass. After pouring yourself some water, your stomach growls. Wow, I really did rush that dinner. You begin to scan the rest of the cupboards for a quick snack but it looked like the goods were at the topmost tier. If Tony was here I'd think this was intentional to keep tiny me away from the treats. Hmph.

You spot sour cream and cheese chips at the next cupboard, but they're way up there so you hoist yourself up, one knee on the counter as you try to reach out.

"Y/N..."

Caught off guard, you kick your hanging foot only to realize too late that this will throw you off balance. You try to grip the open cupboard, but your knee is already off the counter--you're falling. You brace yourself for the pain but it doesn't come.

"Careful there," Scott whispers in your ear, his stubble barely brushing the side of your face.

You're confused for a moment until you feel strong arms wrap around your waist.

"Sorry," your apology comes out the faintest whisper. You're still hovering above the floor, your body pressed up against Scott's. He sets you down but not before you feel him press his lips on your hair. Was I imagining that?

You look up his face and he's looking right at you. Your bodies are still so close, his hands still on your waist. You feel your cheeks burn at his gaze.

"I-- I'm sorry I missed the time, I fell asleep."

"That's alright. I'm just glad you're here."

Why is his voice so husky? Why am I feeling this... tingly feeling? "R-r-right."

He tilts your chin up and looks at you. "Listen, Y/N. I don't want you running off again so just let me say this: I am insanely attracted to you. I don't know when it happened--it wasn't a snap moment. But you were there when someone broke my heart and I was an unbearable person. You stayed. You held my hand and the pain didn't go away but I made it through it. And your presence was more than enough until it wasn't anymore. I kept thinking about holding your hand not because I needed to, but because I wanted to. And there's a new pain right here," he clutches his chest as if it's physically hurting him, "knowing that you don't see me the way I see you."

Suddenly your heart hammers so hard you can almost hear it; you feel it in your ears. "Scott..."

"Shh, it's okay Y/N," he cups your face softly. He steps back but doesn't let go. "You don't have to say anything, do anything. I just thought you should know." It's so dark in the kitchen but his eyes are fire burning and you can't look away.

Damn it, I like you too. A lot. But I just can't say that out loud, can I? Shit. I'm gonna hate myself for this, but to hell with it.

You grab his waist with both hands and pull him close. You press your body to him, but he freezes. "Y/N..." you feel his breath on your face and you're no longer thinking. You just want to feel.

"It's okay, I want this." You stand on tiptoe and seize his lips in yours. The roughness of his stubble and the softness of his lips is an intoxicating contrast but he's frozen still; you feel like you're pressing your lips to an inanimate object.

You softly bite his lower lip and he growls. It's this time that he gives your tongue access but not before he explores your own. Something in him loosens and he grips your lower back pushing you towards the counter. Your hands travel to his hair and he leaves your lips to trail kisses down your neck, to your throat. "Scott..." you moan. He sucks at the spot just bellow your collarbone. "Oh!" you can't help but squeal at the sensation.

His hands travel up your back and inside your shirt, his fingertips tracing small circles in your bare skin. His hands travel further up until he finds your bra and unclasps it. He slowly removes.your shirt above your head and your bra falls off, leaving your chest naked.

"Fuck, baby girl. You're so beautiful," his voice is just a whisper, but full of lust. Your knees weaken at the endearment, your clit throbbing and wet. It's too much.

You bring him closer to you and feel his hardness in your belly. "Scott, I... Please..." You remove his shirt and cup the hardness through his pants. He lets out a guttural moan. You can feel your panties soaked and the thin fabric of your sarong pants doesn't offer much to hide it. Impatient, you hump his hard-on. You feel his cock twitch at the movement.

"Not yet, baby girl." His grip is firm as he stills your waist. He returns to kissing you and traces your bare shoulder until he brushes his lips over your left nipple. He starts to suck on it--softly at first, but it's not long before he grows wild and devours it. His right hand flicks your other nipple and plays with it. You sigh and moan and moan some more. At this point, words evade you.

"Baby girl, you taste so good," he moans as he sucks on your tits.

"You're making me wait too long," you whine and hiss at the same time. You reach for the waistband of his pants and work on his belt. He gently swats at your hands but you grip his other wrist to hold it in place. "My turn." You growl. You're not taking no for an answer. It seems to take forever, but eventually you are able to unzip and slide down his pants, his erection freed.

You curse under your breath and grip his cock. You bring your lips to his neck and suck as he did. His head tilts back giving you more access. You pump him as you trail kisses down his body.

"Baby girl..."

You shower more kisses to his happy trail until you're kneeling in front of him. Your lips is a mere inch from his cock; you take a breath and he shudders. You look up at him and he looks at you too, but he's caught off guard when you take him in your mouth.

He groans and moans at the same time and you hum in appreciation. He's so huge, so full and he tastes like salt and coconut combined. "You," you push his length til the back of your throat and release ever so slowly, "taste," you suck at the tip, his precum velvety in your tongue before swallowing, "like tropical paradise."

"No... Ohhh... Fuck baby girl, I'm not gonna la--"

"Hmm?" You continue to stroke his shaft as you take the rest of him in your mouth.

"Baby girl, Y/N..." You feel him tense as his hands tug at your hair. You know he's holding back.

You moan as you continue to suck and pump him and you feel it's taking him all his willpower. "Let go, love. Come for me."

"But... Y/N...."

"I want to taste all of you," you moan and increase your pace. His grip on you hair tighten, and soon he's thrusting in your mouth in sync as you stroke him. "Now."

He gives up all control, his knees buckle as he pours all of him in your mouth. You lick him a last time before swallowing everything.

"Baby, that was..." Scott was saying this when the sound of a door opening from the second floor startles you both.

"Shit!" You hiss. You scramble for your top and bra and duck.

"What are you doing?!" Scott whispers.

"No one can see us! I'll go out the kitchen side door and wait before whoever that is goes back to bed." Without waiting for a response, you crawl towards the exit and don't bother closing the door behind you. The last thing you hear are footsteps coming down the stairs before you step into the night.

PRESENT

Last week's encounter is what you think of as you make your way down the Common Area. You cringe at yourself for ditching Scott the way you did that night, but more so for pretending like nothing happened the next day as you headed back to New York.

You were pretty proud of yourself that day--not making eye contact with Scott at all and sticking with FitzSimmons through the entire trip. You braced yourself for anyone who might ask why you and Scott weren't talking, but thankfully no one did.

However, when you were alone in your apartment at the Tower that night, all the guilt and the feelings came bursting out. You didn't regret what you did; you felt betrayed by your self for not having enough control to avoid the situation in the first place. You hated that you gave in to the temptation of having a taste--wow--of what it's like to be with Scott Lang.

It's almost officially morning out there so you hurry to grab yourself a coffee and some breakfast to pair it with before heading back to your floor. No workload today. Must hole up in my apartment the whole day and avoid Scott at all costs. You're repeating this mantra in your head when Banner appears out of nowhere.

"Hey, kid."

"Shit!" You slap your hand over your mouth when you realize who it is. "Sorry, doc!"

"Well, I'm not Cap so.." Banner makes a hands off gesture.

You chuckle. "You almost gave me a heart attack there."

"Oh yeah? What are you doing up so early anyway?"

"Wanted to start early for the peace and quiet."

"Right."

"What about you, doc?"

"I'm yet to sleep, I've been up all night reading."

You nod appreciatively. "Nice." He's just finishing preparing a cup when you get your own.

He smiles and yawns. "I was ready to hear that staying up til dawn is frowned upon for older guys like me. I almost forgot who I was talking to."

You mimic his earlier gesture, "Well, I'm not Tony, so..."

This makes you both laugh. You sit beside him on the bar stool and you drink your coffee in silence. You're lost in your mini reflections when he takes a deep breath.

"Y/N, I know it's not my place to meddle at all but, is everything okay between you and Scott? I thought I was just imagining it when we came back from our trip but these past few days... I don't know. I'm sorry if I'm prying."

Wow, of course it was so obvious. Who was I kidding? You groan. Might as well talk to one of your most trusted friends. "Oh, doc. This past week has been awful!" You cover your face with your hands. You didn't want to bare your little secret but you've also been dying to just talk to someone about it. Banner just nods and squeezes your shoulder.

"When we were in the Philippines, Scott and I had a little, errr, moment...?"

"Uh-huh," Banner continues to nod but he also looks confused.

"A sexually-related moment," you clarify.

"Oh!" His eyes widen--the widest you've seen them. You almost regret revealing too much but he recovers himself and breathes slowly. "Okayyy.. so I'm guessing now that's what's making things weird?"

"Yes! But it's also way more than that," you sigh in exasperation. "You see, doc, if it was just some random guy, there wouldn't have been any problem. I can take casual," Banner is about to say something but you add quickly, "not that casual is my style but I'm saying that if it were a nobody it wouldn't have to be so complicated."

"Hey! I'm old, not narrow-minded."

"I know. Urgh. I'm sorry, doc. My head's a mess."

"Okay, so I think that staying up late is catching up to me and the tea's just making me more sleepy but let me get this straight: you and Scott are not talking because of the incident."

"Yes."

"Which made things weird because you two are good friends."

"Yes, exactly."

"So the ignoring each other is mutual?"

"Ye-- I don't know."

"What? What do you mean you don't know?"

"Well, after... Right after the incident, we heard someone approaching, so I panicked and ditched him."

Banner narrows his eyes. "Wait. Did this ‘incident’ happen in the rest house's kitchen at around 3 in the morning?"

It's your eyes' turn to widen.

"That someone was me!"

"Oh, God " you cover your eyes. "Why don't just the floor swallow me or something."

Banner runs a hand over his face. "That's why Scott was topless..." You see him cringe. "Okay, let's not mind that. Back to the matter at hand. So the next morning when we're headed home you just decided you'd stop talking to him."

"Yes."

"But that's so mean!"

"Hey!" You look at him defensively, but realize he's right. "Okay. I know it is. But can you blame me? I like him."

"You mean you like like him?"

This is it. Saying it out loud means it'll be out there, I can't take it back. "I do."

You look away, feeling vulnerable all of a sudden. Banner touches your hand. "Then kid, I guess it isn't that complicated "

"But it is," you say stubbornly. "I know deep inside he's still getting over Hope. And I won't let myself be some rebound just because I'm convenient."

"Who said anything about a rebound?" You stiffen. It's him. Banner looks up behind you and then to you. He stands up and takes his mug.

"I guess it's time you two talk." He places his mug on the sink and heads out.

It's silent for a moment before he speaks, "Y/N..."

Irritation boils inside you. "How long have you been eavesdropping, Scott?!"

"I wasn't eavesdropping!"

You whip your head to look at him. "How long?!"

"I said, I wasn't." He says through controlled breaths. "But I happen to walk in with enough time to hear that you like like me."

"URGHHH!" Your irritation is just fueled by this so you stand up and storm as fast as you can out of there.

"Hey!" Scott follows you and walks briskly. "Stop running away from me!"

You ignore him and head for the stairs. Your apartment is just a floor above and it's been a habit of yours to climb instead of using the elevator. Scott is matching your steps as you head up, the noise echoing in the enclosed space.

"Y/N, please listen to me." You push past the stairwell door to your floor. Just a few more steps and you'll be in the safety of your own space.

"You've been listening to the conversation, Scott. I guess I don't need to repeat myself to you." You choose this moment to open your door and get inside. You're about to slam the door in his face but he grabs a hold of your wrist and follows you in.

"Y/N please, just stop!"

You look at where he's holding you. "Let. Go. Of. Me."

He drops your hand. "I'm sorry."

You're staring daggers at him. "Now will you get out of my apartment?"

"No," he says calmly. He steps back and closes the door. "I really think we should talk."

"I've said what I thought and it just so happens that you were there to hear it. No need for me to explain it. I guess it's enough."

"Stop... just stop," he pleads.

You just stand there, staring at him.

"What happened that night at the rest house--between us--it was very special to me. I didn't expect for it to happen, but it did and it was more than any dream I've imagined. It made me so happy thinking you felt the same way about me. Then you ran off and just.. ignored me." His face contorts and you see he's hurt.

"It felt like being handed something so beautiful, only for it to be ripped away from me," he continues.

You don't notice tears beginning to stream down your cheeks.

"I gave you a week. I told myself maybe you just needed to sort things out; I needed that too. But I woke up today thinking enough is enough and I'd finally tell you everything--tell you that I liked you, how that night meant to me, tell you I can't get enough of you, that I'd like to get to know you more--because you're no longer just a friend."

The world is a blur as tears pool in your eyes. Scott closes the distance between you two, cups your face and wipes at the tears.

"And now I know your thoughts and I get it. I understand your fear, but you're wrong. You're not some convenient rebound. You're my sun and I want you shining in my life constantly."

It's too much. You sob uncontrollably and your knees buckle but Scott is there. He's holding you against his chest and you melt into him.

"Oh my sweet baby girl," he whispers in your ear and kisses the top of your head. Your moment of weakness turns to hunger and he sees it in your eyes. He closes the distance and kisses you hard.

You moan in his mouth and he carries you to the bed. He lays you down gently and showers kisses all over your face. "This okay?"

You nod. You bring his hovering body down and feel his hardness press into you. "Scott..."

"You're not gonna run away from me this time, are you?" he whispers, lips in your ear.

"No..." you moan.

He lifts your shirt and your sports bra over your head and once again you're exposed in front of him. Your nipples harden at his look and he gives each one a peck. But he kisses you further south--he trails wet kisses to your navel and the remaining exposed skin right above your shorts. Scott slowly removes it and kisses every exposed skin revealed, until his breath is just an inch away from your core.

"Fuck, baby girl. You're dripping wet," he licks his lips at the sight.

"Yes, love. I've been aching too long for you."

This drives him wild and without warning, brings his tongue to your clit. He laps at it and licks wildly, finding a delicious rhythm. "You taste like cream and honey, princess." As he licks, he dips a finger inside you.

"Oh, Scott!"

He thrusts in and out--his fingers coated with your arousal, freely exploring. You're feeling lightheaded but feel your core burning as he adds another one. This makes you scream, and his licks intensifies. You feel something build up at the pit of your stomach--you're so close. "Love, I'm..." you pant as you savor every sensation.

"Hmmm, baby girl. Sooooo good." Your fingers tangle in his hair as you thrust a little to match him. Disrupting the rhythm, he sucks at your clit, hard

"Come for me, baby girl."

and it sends you over the edge--your orgasm spreading all over your body--like dipping your fingertips and your toes in warm milk. You scream his name as you come and the high releases all of the week's stress away. You hear him lick his fingers clean and you shudder. He comes up and kisses your jaw, playing with your hair.

"You okay, baby girl?"

"Hmm-mm." You nod. Your pussy is still throbbing from the orgasm as he asks, "Got one more in you baby?"

"Oh, yes Scott, I need you inside me," you beg, both a whine and a moan.

He quickly discards his lower clothing and frees his cock. The memory of him in your mouth is more than enough to get you wet again.

"Come on, love," you groan.

He pumps his cock twice before aligning with your entrance. He dips the tip slowly and you can't wait to take in the rest of him. You grab his ass and meet him with an upward thrust, his cock burying deep inside you. "Scott!" The feeling of him inside is incomparable. You've never been so full.

"Fuck baby girl, I'm not gonna last if you call the shots."

You giggle but you still under him, letting him take control. He thrusts in, slowly at first then picks up his pace. He buries his face in your neck giving you access to his ear.

"You're so fucking tight for me."

You hum in agreement and bite softly at his ear. This interrupts his pace and he grunts.

His hands travel at your waist, then up your chest. He cups one of your breasts and plays with your nipple.

"Oh!" The sensation goes straight to your clit and you feel another orgasm building. He feels it too, your walls tightening around him.

His thrusts quicken and you loose yourself in it. Then you're there, higher and higher until you break your grip to the solid world; you are floating.

You call out his name as you come and he rams into you as he follows suit. He pours everything unto you, in you, and you take it all in, the warmth of his cum so comforting.

He catches his breath before rolling to your side, one arm still draped around you.

"You're so beautiful, Y/N."

You look at him through sleepy eyes. "You're beautiful too, Scott Lang."

This makes him smile his goofy smile and you know you two are gonna be okay.

"So, would you care to go out on a date with me?"

You giggle. "You know, I don't do dates on the first sex. But I'll guess for you I'll make an exception."

This makes him laugh and you stay there, entwined, the sunlight making its way to your room.

END.

423 notes · View notes

jimlingss · 6 years

Text

Jungle Park [5]

Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6

➜ Words: 4.3k

➜ Genres: Fluff, Light Humour (?), Slice of Life, Workplace Romance!AU

➜ Summary: The equation is simple. Hoseok needs to hire someone. You need a job. Except like any actual equation, it’s not fucking simple at all! Not when you have to add the fact that he was forced to hire someone he doesn’t want in his office, he has little respect for your job in general, and oh yeah...once upon a time you might have—*CENSORED*.

➜ Warnings: swearing and taxi passengers slut shaming and being general assholes.

It’s too hard to stay awake. It’s...too—…...difficult….. “Y/N?” You’re shaken awake by someone’s hand coming to gently squeeze your shoulder. Immediately, you jolt back to life, looking around to find yourself in the office. Right. “Are you alright?” Sunyi comes back into focus and you realize Hyuk and Lisa are already looking at you, watching your face as if you have a spider on your forehead and they don’t want to scare it away. “What? Oh, sorry. I was...um...distracted for a second there. What did you say?” You can tell she doesn’t quite believe you, but the lawyer doesn’t push it either. “A bunch of us are going to dinner tonight. We were wondering if you wanted to join us?” “Dinner?” This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s what you’ve always wanted. To finally be a part of the group, catch late night drinks or eat food, to actually befriend these people beyond the workplace setting. “I would love to….but...tonight?” Of all nights. Why tonight? “You can’t make it?” “I...already have plans.” It hurts so bad — it’s like you’re a kid who’s been waiting for your birthday for months and on the day of, it turns out you can’t even attend your own party because of a dentist appointment. “Aw.” Hyuk hangs his head and pouts, eyes flickering down the expanse of your body quicker than you can even register. “What a shame, thought I’d be able to finally get to know you.” “I’m sorry. I should’ve known.” Maybe it looks like you’re about to burst into tears, because then Sunyi smiles softly. “No, it’s okay. How could you have known? There’ll be plenty of other times. How about lunch tomorrow?” “Lunch?” There’s a tone of hope and eagerness in your voice and you know you’re being pretty childish and pathetic, but you’re too exhausted to put on a more professional façade. “That works for me. I’ll clear up my schedule.” “Alright.” Sunyi grins. “Tomorrow, a bunch of us can gather up for lunch.” You smile, nodding your head. “Sounds good.” A handful of people from the office begin to file out at five o’clock. You bid them a goodbye and goodnight. But someone else lingers behind and she seems to hesitate. “Hey, Y/N.” Lisa stands to the side and you wonder if anything’s wrong — ironic considering her next question is addressed to you. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine,” you reassure her with your lips upturned. The receptionist nods. “Okay. Goodnight then.” “Bye.” You watch as she catches up with the group, slightly touched that she shows concern for your well-being. Though, the question lingers in your head — ARE you okay? If you’re completely frank with yourself, you’re not sure. On the way home, you accidentally fall asleep on the subway. Your head bobs up and down and ends up on the shoulder of a granny and you apologize profusely, nearly hurting your neck when you try to use your own shoulder as support. Then once you make it home, you fall on the couch to take a two hour nap. A symphony of blaring alarms is what you wake up to. After, you force yourself to get up, you wash your face, eat something quick, have a cup of coffee… Then…. “Hello!” You twist around to face the backseat with a bright smile. “Where are you off to tonight?” “The Kelpers Club on seventh avenue,” one of the three guys say and you nod, pulling off the curb and into the road. “Oh, fuck!” The dude from the left seat startles you, but when you glance at the rear-view mirror, thankfully he’s not talking to you. He’s staring at the screen of his phone and his friends are glancing over. “Look what Tiffany just sent me.” “Holy shit!” They reach over to punch the guy in the arm, laughing and grinning. They’re a rowdy and obnoxious bunch, but you try your best to keep focus on the road ahead of you. “Dude, you need to send me that. I could probably rub three or four out with that hot pic.” They each have a water bottle with them, taking sips every so often and by the smell of their breaths that waft over to ruin your breathing space, you’re almost certain that it isn’t water they have in there. “Did you really tap that last night?” “Yeah.” He smirks. “She keeps on texting me though. It’s so fucking annoying. Clingy bitch. It’s no wonder her boyfriend of four years cheated on her with her best friend. And she thinks we’re an exclusive item just cause I took her out once. What a joke. She’s desperate and a mess.” Your left eye twitches and you run the yellow light that you normally would’ve slowed down at. The dude in the center laughs. “But c’mon, how is she? How does she take it?” The other lets out a snort and rolls his shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. She’s a freak. She wanted me to slap and spank her. The skank choked on me like five times and even took it in the ass.” “Holy shit!” They’re in an uproar, piercing sound of their chortles deafening to your ears. They punch him again, saying things like he’s a lucky bastard and what they would give to be in that position. But what’s the absolutely last straw for you is— “You could probably get it in if you want. I bet she’d like taking two or three cocks at once too. Tiffany is a massive slut.” They roar and howl like animals in heat and one of them opens their mouth to add a comment, but you floor the gas on an empty street and their bodies lurch forward. “Do you want me to change the radio?” you interrupt before anything else can be said and before your blood pressure spikes more than it has. “No. It’s fine.” They catch themselves when you stop at a red light. “Do you want me to turn on the heating or air conditioning?” “We’re fine,” one of them grunts out in annoyance. You ignore him and slam off the air conditioning, rolling all the windows up to seal shut and hitting the heating button. It begins to blast, though you don’t mind if you get too warm. It’s much too rewarding to look at the rear-view mirror and see all three guys squished up against each other, extremely hot and uncomfortable, hair becoming wet with sweat. You hope their vodka gets too warm and stale to drink. “I’m having trouble finding the destination,” you lie without blinking twice. You loop around and around the blocks, purposely driving over the manholes at full speed and enjoying how the car launches slightly at every bump and they hit their heads on the roof of the small vehicle. “It’s the left!” “Left or right?” You feign innocence and stupidity as if you don’t understand basic directions. “Which one?!” “Left!” He shouts. You twist your wrist roughly, swerving the steering wheel to the right. “Oops!” “What the hell?!” They’re in disbelief and you kill fifteen minutes, going all over the blocks and taking wrong turns, somehow even ending in the suburban area. When you’re satisfied with messing with them, you pull up on the curb...in the middle of nowhere. “Whelp, we’re here.” You turn around with a blazing smile and their jaws are dropped, brows furrowed, finding the situation completely absurd. “It’s just down the block.” More like down thirty blocks. “The traffic is too much to get close. Sorry ‘bout that.” “There’s no traffic,” one of them says, but you ignore them and they pull out their wallets to split the fare. They get out one by one with deep scowls, slamming the car doors shut, hard enough to damage your precious taxi. Before closing the last door, one of them pops their head through and mutters something you hear loud and clear, “dumb bitch.” You end up driving directly into a mud puddle, splashing them in the brown slush and making it look like they collectively shat in their pants. You cackle as you pull off into the street again. They didn’t even tip you. “Hello. Where are you off to tonight?” “The airport, please.” “Certainly.” It’s not like you’re passionate about taxi driving. You specifically sought out the HR position to leave this behind, to actually chase after what you want. But here you are, crawling back to your old career and balancing between your day and night job. Even though Hoseok declared a truce between the two of you, you still can’t get rid of the feeling that he might fire you one day. You wouldn’t know what to do if one day you’re seated on the other side of the conference table with Jimin and Hoseok across from you, delivering the news that you’re not needed anymore. You wouldn’t know what to do if you’re thrown off on the street without a job. You wouldn’t be able to pay your bills. You wouldn’t be able to pay for food. More importantly, you would have to move back with your mom. The nightmare haunts you. And you still have the lease on the cab. It’s been sitting in your apartment parking spot — might as well use it, right? At the end of the night, you get another wad of cash that goes directly into your savings. Doing this is better than sitting at home and worrying about your future, mindlessly watching television and surfing the internet, walking around, and….sleeping. A little bit of sleep sacrificed isn’t a big deal. Your eight-hours of sleep is merely split up throughout the day — naps taken on the subway to and from the firm, a two hour slumber before taking the taxi night-shift, another four hours afterwards before heading to the office. Occasionally, you might doze off in your office too, but no one really notices when you turn your chair towards the window and it seems like you’re staring out at the cityline. Thankfully, Hoseok hasn’t noticed either. “Excuse me?” The girl in the backseat stirs awake from her drowsiness, looking out the window. “I think we’re here.” “Oh, sorry. I was thinking about someone—......I mean something. I was thinking about something.” You scramble with a laugh, parking the car and getting out to help with the passenger’s luggage in the trunk. She doesn’t seem that upset with you, even smiling and thanking you for the ride, tipping you a decent five dollars. Things aren’t too bad. “Aren’t you driving too slow?” A middle age woman impatiently quacks in the backseat of your car, pushing herself up closer to you. “Can’t you go faster?” “Uh...I’ll try my best.” Really, things aren’t too horrible. …. It could be worse. // The only thing you’re looking forward to is lunch. When you wake up in the morning, you’re already buzzing with excitement. As pathetic as it is, you can’t remember the last time you shared a meal with other people. If things go well, then people in the office will really begin to get comfortable with you and maybe you’ll have a few workplace friends that will become your friends out of work too. You’re excited, and you hope it doesn’t show too much. “Hey, ready for lunch today?” Sunyi has popped into your office first thing in the morning with a smile. “You didn’t forget, did you?” “Of course I didn’t,” you laugh. “Good. We’re going down the block to that italian restaurant. They have a really good lunch menu, cheesesteak and sandwiches and soups too.” “That sounds great,” your cheeks are almost bursting with your smile. “Who’s coming along with us?” “You and I obviously,” she jests in a light tone. “And also Seulgi, Namjoon, Hoseok and unfortunately, the leech freeloader Min Yoongi. Trust me, I didn’t want him to join, but he self invited himself like the asshole that he is. He invited himself and Hoseok. I knew I shouldn’t have talked about it with Seulgi when we were all in the elevator earlier...” You stifle back a laugh. “That’s completely fine.” “Alright, see you later then.” The woman sighs and checks her phone briefly. “Gotta get some work done before we run on out.” Your head nods once and she’s on her way. // For the first hour, you focus on running through more applications and looking for a suitable paralegal. There still hasn’t been anyone hired to fill Sebin’s position, but there’s not too big of a rush. Hoseok would rather you take your time to go through and choose carefully, rather than picking someone right off the bat. Plus, he’s also told you that things are actually running fairly well with the three paralegals already on the team, smoother than he expected. You make a few phone calls, setting up interview dates and times. But then someone stops by your office. “Hey,” Namjoon greets you and before you can ask if he needs any help, he beats you to the punch. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m helping Jimin with mediation. The client re-booked it at twelve thirty, so I don’t think I can go later.” “No, it’s okay. Work takes priority anyways,” you wave him off and he smiles, promising he’ll make time some other day for lunch. Not another twenty minutes pass by before you find yet another person standing at your doorway, balancing a huge mountain of files. “Are you alright?” “I don’t know,” Seulgi admits in all honesty and looks like she’s on the verge of tears. “I just remembered I forgot to submit the affidavits and orders yesterday that were given to me by Jungkook and I think Hoseok’s going to fire the both of us if it’s not in submission. I’m helping him and we both have to run down there and I don’t know how long it’s going to take or if it’s even possible at this point—” “Seulgi,” you call her name calmly to reassure the girl. “It’s okay.” “I’m so, so sorry. Can I ask for a rain check?” “Of course you can. I’m always free.” By eleven o’clock, a full hour before the designated time, there’s another person at your door. This time, it’s a shorter man with full cheeks and messy black hair. He rubs at his sleepy eyes, barely able to keep them open. But when he looks at you and you look at him, it’s like a telepathic message is sent. “Can’t make it?” “Yeah,” Min Yoongi responds in a husky tone as if he just got up from a nap, but plans to take another. “It’s okay.” But is it? — Really. — Is this okay? There’s nothing you can really do even if all your insides are crying. What? Should you just drop to the ground and start crying? You’re going to need at least five shots before you throw a temper tantrum at your workplace. Things get busy, life gets busy, people get busy. You’re more than understanding and it’s just lunch. There will be plenty more opportunities to come. So… “It’s fine,” you reassure the lawyer in front of you who has her bottom lip quivering and her brows furrowed deep enough you’re certain that wrinkles will permanently mar her skin. “I’m so, so sorry. I know you were looking forward to this. I just had no idea that my schedule was already booked up with a client. I….I could change it and we can still go out—” “Don’t be ridiculous.” You laugh, thankful that she’s worried this much over it. At least it’s better than the times in High School where people invited you out and didn’t even show up because ‘it’s just a prank, bro’. Your hand goes to gently squeeze Sunyi’s shoulder, channeling your maternal voice that doesn’t really exist to soothe her. “We can do this some other day. I’m gonna be around for a long time, so there will be plenty more opportunities. Just focus on work since that’s what you’re here to do anyways. It’s really not that big of a deal.” “Okay, thank you,” Sunyi breathes a long sigh of relief, happy that you didn’t take the unfortunate circumstances to heart. Little does she know just how disappointed you are. Reminds you of that time your mom promised you to go to Disneyland and you ended up Chuck E. Cheese instead. // At twelve o’clock sharp, Hoseok appears at your door with his phone in hand. You stare at him, waiting for him to say something as he stares at the screen and his thumbs move, probably texting someone important. It’s an awkward thirty seconds that feel like a whole two minutes before he puts down the device and looks at you. He frowns and takes a peek out your door. “Is there no one else?” “No.” You scratch the back of your neck before putting your palms in your lap. “Everyone is busy.” It’s only you and him. You’re not sure how you feel about that; maybe partly tense and apprehensive while the other part doesn’t mind so much. “Okay.” Hoseok shrugs nonchalantly, hands in his coat pockets. “There’s no point in going then.” “Oh...yeah…” You stand up awkwardly, trying to shuffle past him. Your stomach makes a noise that doesn’t sound too healthy and you hope he can’t hear it. “I’ll uh...I’ll just grab something from the kitchen then.” “Wait.” He stops you, grabbing your wrist before you can run off. When he realizes he’s touched you without permission, he lets go right away, mumbling some kind of apology before you tell him it’s fine. “You didn’t bring anything with you?” He asks and you don’t answer. Jung Hoseok must read your expression like an open book because then he smiles slightly. “Okay, nevermind, let’s go.” “Pardon?” “Just the two of us,” he says and walks off, making you stumble behind him and try to match his wide, fast strides. The lawyer glances over his shoulder towards you. “You don’t mind right?” “I...I don’t mind.” Except a one-on-one lunch with your boss is not what you envisioned. Instead of the fancy italian cafe, you follow his lead into a hole-in-the-wall. It’s a warm and cozy atmosphere, with two or three other tables full. Interestingly enough, they serve comfort food and the menu is deprived of a variety of different cultures. You end making an order of porridge with a side of mac and cheese and he orders curry with cold noodles. It’s served quickly and all at the same time, so you don’t hesitate to dig in. The only problem is when silence settles down, you’re not sure what to say. You’re not even sure where to look. Glancing up and locking your eyes with his only makes it more excruciatingly awkward. “You know, I already told you that you don’t have to tiptoe around me,” Hoseok mutters and takes a large bite, looking up at you with his arm propped up on the table, holding a spoon and completely amused as he gawks at you. “What?” “You’re always stiff and nervous around me. But I won’t bite your head off…….probably.” “I’m not nervous,” you defend yourself even when it’s a massive lie. Hoseok laughs and almost chokes on his food. “Yeah, you are. Your eyes keep shifting and I can see that you’re beginning to sweat. You know…” He leans closer like he’s about to exchange a secret. “...makes it seem like you did something wrong or you’re a criminal. Last I checked, I��m not a criminal attorney, so I’m not sure I can help you if you did something illegal.” You take a spoonful of the porridge, letting the taste linger on your tongue for a second before you stuff your cheek to chew a bit and swallow it down. “The only illegal thing I’ve one is steal someone’s wifi and probably jaywalking.” “Wait, I should record this confession for evidence,” he teases with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a massive grin. You wonder if the other people at this office know this side of him. “These are very serious crimes. How many times have you jaywalked and who’s wifi have you stolen?” “Oh please.” You roll your eyes. “You act like you haven’t done anything ‘illegal’ either.” He scoffs at how you use air quotations with your fingers, also slightly offended. “Just letting you know, I live a very morally upright life. I don’t break the law. I work for the law. In fact, I am the law.” “Yeah, right.” You click your tongue in feigned annoyance, muffling back some laughter. “What about that time you were drunk and passed out in front of the library? Made me have to drag you back. That’s public intoxication.” “I did what?” Your eyes go wide. Right. He doesn’t remember. You might’ve gotten too carried away, too caught up when he’s sitting right across from you, and it’s only you and him. But there’s no going back now, you might as well mess with him. “Or that time you shoplifted an entire refrigerator. And that time you started a pimp business to pay off your loans. Those were the days, right, Hoseok?” “No way.” He leans back and crosses his arms, trying to repress his laughter that threatens to spill over. “I would never. That’s something I can’t believe. You need to come up with more reasonable lies than that, Y/N.” Your food is left abandoned when you’re trying hard not to break into hysterical laughter. “So you believe how you wanted to piss in a library book, but ended up passing out in front of the library instead?” There’s a long held silence. “That…..I can believe.” A cheeky grin is plastered on your face, making your jaw ache a bit and you take a few more bites before your pupils flicker up. “Thanks, by the way. Just thought I’d say that.” “For what?” He eats, chewing and swallowing, taking a sip of his water in the process. “This. I mean...you didn’t have to come along with me.” “You make it sound like I’m going to treat you to this.” The lawyer points a fork towards you and narrows his eyes while the corner of his mouth twitches oh so slightly. “Is that your tactic? You think I’m going to pay for your meal?” “No!” You can’t help your giggles. “That’s not what I’m trying to say!” “I can see right through you.” He has a playful smile and eyes you. The glare is less sharp and pointed, lacking real animosity or frustration. It’s much cuter and the stark contrast from him outside and joking around to his professionalism in the office nearly gives you whiplash. “I saw your photo on the firm’s website.” It’s a little out of nowhere, but the thought pops into your head as you stare at the man. “And no offence, but you look way better in real life. You’re not photogenic at all.” “Is that an insult?” Jung Hoseok gasps theatrically and you wonder why he didn’t just major in drama and become a comedic actor. He seems to have a knack for it. “It’s not!” “Or are you trying to say I’m handsome?” He puts down his utensil and nods. “Oh, I see. You don’t want me to pay for your meal. Thinking big picture, huh? You’re trying to say I’m a lot more handsome in real life because you want a raise, don’t you?!” “I never said that!” At this point, the two of you are so loud that a few patrons are looking over, but none of you notice. He twists your words so much, it’s ridiculous and you’re left baffled and laughing. Maybe it was right for him to be a lawyer after all. “You think I wouldn’t see your strategy.” He scrapes his bowl, eating everything that’s left while mischievously shaking his head in feigned disapproval. “Trying to boost my ego for a raise. How low is that. But what’s even more unbelievable is that it’s working. Keep going.” You laugh again, this time refusing to utter even one syllable or make a sound. Hoseok finishes eating in the meanwhile and you pierce the carrots on your plate, putting it on his clean one. He looks up at you with brows raised. “You hate carrots? I never thought you’d be a picky eater.” “No, I don’t hate it,” you muse. “You like it, don’t you?” If it’s possible, his brows raise even higher. “How did you know?” You shrug, looking away from him. “Let’s just say, I really want that raise.” “Pft.” He pierces the carrot with the fork, inhaling it all at once and chews thoughtfully. “You better not be stalking me.” “I won’t need to if I get a little somethin’-somethin’.” You rub your fingers on one hand together, indicating a thick wad of cash and he grins, eating the carrot happily. A few months ago, if someone told you that one day you’d be sitting across from Hoseok and actually conversing and even laughing like normal adults, you would’ve probably floored the gas pedal of your taxi to get away in fear of that person being absolutely insane. You expected to have lunch with coworkers and perhaps establish friendships out of the workplace. You definitely didn’t think you’d end up rekindling some kind of ancient relationship with your boss. But you don’t mind at all. It’s just more than what you bargained for in the best way possible.

#bts fanfic #hoseok fluff #hoseok fanfic #bts fanfiction #hoseok #BTS JUNG HOSEOK is not 100% an asshole?! *insert surprised pikachu meme*#OC as a full-time HR manager and part-time taxi driver WHO JUST WANTS TO HAVE LUNCH WITH HER FELLOW CO-WORKERS BECAUSE SHE LIKES THEM #BUT GODDAMMIT IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?!

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starlight-drive-in · 5 years

Text

Saeran Choi Week - Day 6

Afterendings || AU

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You know that part in Seven’s route where Seven shows Saeran the pictures of him and he goes into denial? Of course, you do! I’ve always wondered what that scene would be like from the perspective of Saeran’s route. These are my ideas for that, and also some of my ideas about how his after ending could go!

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MC and Saeran have been staying in Saeyoung’s bunker for a while now. It’s strange, even though she’s never met him in real life, MC still feels his absence. The place carries so much of his personality it feels like he’ll walk through the door any minute.

They don’t plan on staying here forever, they want a place to call their own, a place that feels like theirs but for now, it's a blessing to have a place to stay free of charge and with everything they need while the couple gets on their feet.

As they accumulate their own belongings though, they find the need to start to pack some of Saeyoung’s stuff away for now. They haven't given up hope that he’s still out there. Saeran had even found some good leads he had sent to the C&R Intelligence Unit earlier this week.

“I’d feel it if he was gone.” Saeran had said one night after a long session of searching CCTV’s for any hint of his brother. “I just know I would. I’m sorry. I probably sound insane to you.”

But MC understood. She always understood. If Saeran believed Saeyoung was still out there then so would she. But she still had to get some of his stuff away. Her book collection needed a little more space, and it wasn’t like Saeyoung even had that many books on his office’s bookshelf anyway - maybe about ten or so accompanied by boxes of small electronic components she couldn't make sense of.

She nestles the smaller boxes into a larger one then begins to take the few books off the shelf. As she picks up a particular book - a children’s book that she does think much of at first - something clatters to the ground next to her foot.

She bends down, retrieves a small square of plastic, realizing its a floppy disk. “Who uses floppy disks anymore? I didn't realize Seven was an antique collector.” She comments, turning the item around in her hands looking for a label, there isn’t any though.

Saeran turns around in his computer chair, curious. “Let me see?” he asks, holding his hand out, she hands it over and he gives it a similar inspection.

MC’s eyes scan the minor monstrosity that is Saeyoung’s work area, although Saeran has attempted to clean and organize the wires and various components that make it up, it’s still a mess to her. “Does he even have a floppy disk reader?” She asks.

She watches as her boyfriend opens and closes multiple desk drawers, then stands and leaves the room. Moments later he returns with a small drive in hand.

“I thought I saw one somewhere, he had this in a kitchen cabinet behind some old cereal boxes.” He shrugs, although he wants to reunite with his twin he doesn't pretend to understand the man’s methods of organization, or anything else for that matter. He hands her the cable. “Can you plug that into a USB port for me? There should be some open on the back still.”

“I think I can manage that!” MC says.”What do you think is on it?” She asks, from underneath the desk as she plugs the reader in.

“Memes? An old 8-bit video game? His senior thesis?” Saeran says, honestly baffled but what in the world his brother could have stored on a media form that has not been widely used since they were children.

He pops the disk into the drive and goes to open the folder, but it's in encrypted, of course it is. Saeran makes quick work of the encryption but is stunned when the encryption leads him to a string of personal questions. Questions that could only be answered by two people on earth. He takes a sharp inhale of breath.

“What is it?” MC asks eagerly.

“I… I think he meant for me to find this?” Saeran says, working his way down the list of questions. “I’m the only person that would know the answers to these, besides him.” He adds, filling in the answer for what the twins did on their 6th birthday while their mother was passed out in the kitchen.

He reaches the end of the questionnaire and finally gains access to the files stored on the disk. Photos of a young red-haired, golden-eyed boy fill the screen.

Saeran scoffs, “Why does he have a hard drive full of pictures of himself.” He says MC can hear the slight offense in his voice.

“That’s not him.” She says plainly.

“W-what do you mean?” He asks, staring up at her from his seat, wide-eyed.

“That's you, My Love.” He calmly says.

“N-no it’s not, I don't remember any of this,” he says. “Why do you think it's me?”

“You have a mole on your neck, right side, just below your jawline. See?” She points out the mole on the multiple pictures populating the screen before lightly brushing the same mole on his person. “Saeyoung doesn't have it. That’s you.”

“How? No that can’t be. That makes no sense.” He says, getting up from the desk and disappearing into the hall. MC follows him but allows him some space.

“I look happy! I look normal there!” The crack in his voice is apparent.

MC’s heart lurches to see him in pain, she never wants to see him in pain again, but she's afraid the fight will never be over for her love. She watches as he sits on the leather sofa and places his head in his hands. When he looks up again tears are trailing the expanse of his pale face.

“He really did think I was ok, didn't he? He thought I was happy.” He had suspected this, of course, had mostly accepted it, but at this moment it truly hits him for real. Saeyoung was fed lies too. He thought he was doing what was right, what was best for him. And Rika had Saeyoung tangled up in her lies just as much as him. The enormity of just how deeply the tendrils of lies reach hits him hard, and he cries.

MC sits down next to him and takes him into her arms, cradling him softly and running her hands through his hair. “It’s ok, we’re going to find him and you two are going to have a long talk. We’re going to figure it out. I’m going to help you figure this out.”

He moves to hug her, burying his face in the shoulder. “Thank you.” he chokes out, tears seeping through her t-shirt.

After a few minutes, his sobs calm “Hey.” She says gently, rubbing his back.

“Mm?” he responds raising his head from its spot.

“You were a pretty cute kid.” She says smiling and wiping a tear from under his eye.

He chuckles through another sob. “Thanks.” He says simply.

Suddenly Saeran’s phone begins to ring in the other room. He inhales deeply and wipes his face as he gets up, retracing his steps back to the office to answer it.

He taps the answer button near Jumin’s name and steadies his voice in greeting. “Hello?”

“Saeran,” Jumin says in his usual steady, deep voice. “We think we’ve found him.”

-----

Saeran and MC stand near a black C&R van as the largest amount of security and KPA officers either have them have ever seen storm an expensive-looking residence on the mountainside. After all the claims against Prime Minister Choi were confirmed legitimate it wasn't long before warrants of his arrest were filed, after which conveniently disappeared.

MC watches as Saeran nervously paces the small space at the bottom of the hill leading up to the residence, periodically biting his nails, then stopping himself.

An entire lifetime seems to pass before two of Jumin’s largest security officers drag a handcuffed, now former, Prime Minister out of the house.

Saeran’s blood runs cold as their eyes meet for just half a second before the man is shoved into a vehicle and promptly driven away. His chest shakes and he tries to steady his breathing. After a few minutes, he’s managed to calm himself a bit.

Moments later the doors open again, Revealing a long-haired brunette man repeating how he doesn't need help and a very familiar shock of red hair following closely behind him.

MC gasps, and before she can even register what is happening her boyfriend is gone, running up the hill in clumsy steps. She watches as he almost slips three times. She then realizes Saeyoung is running to meet him. Her heart swells at the heartwarming moment the twins embrace each other. She almost can’t believe this is happening at all but it is.

“Saeran?” Saeyoung says in an exhausted voice. “That's really you right?” He’s both unsure because this is too good to be true, and because his glasses have been missing for so long he forgets what clear vision is like.

“Yea - yea it's me,” Saeran responds, tears threatening his eyes again, but this time they are not sad tears. “I-It’s me.”

“Thank God. Thank you, God.” The older twin breathes. Squeezing his brother so tightly, almost like he might float away if he doesn't.

“You were the hacker, weren’t you?” Saeyoung asks, already sure of the answer but still in need of confirmation.

“Yes, I’m sorry.” Saeran answers “I’m so sorry”

“Me too.” Saeyoung answers. “I think… I think we have a lot to talk about.”

Saeran scoffs into his brother's shoulder. “Yea,” is all he says.

----

A few weeks later Saeran and MC sit on the couch in Saeyoung’s bunker once again, but this time everything is different. There is no looming absence anymore. The void Searan has felt for the past several years has finally been filled again. His brother is back and never meant to abandon him. Although he has to remind himself of this several times a day. The two of them still have a lot to work out in therapy, but they are together again.

The news is on TV as the two of them sit, holding hands. Saeran rubs the back of MC’s hand gently as the announcer begins the evening’s updates.

“Former Prime Minister Saejoong Choi has been sentenced to as little as 40 years in prison as of Tuesday.”

Suddenly Saeyoung’s voice comes from the hall as he enters the living room “Haha, YEA Suck it Old Man.” He exclaims excitedly as he plops himself down on the armchair adjacent to his couch.

“It would seem his career in the public eye is all but over, the man who was once adored by a nation is now behind bars. In the end, Choi ended up with over 107 charges against him but it would seem that one of his more heinous crimes was against his own blood, his twin sons. Kept secret from the world and cursed to grow up in poverty, and abuse. The county that once revered Saejoong Choi has now adjusted their affections onto the Choi Twins.”

MC watches as photos of the twins appear on the screen, Saeran becomes instantly uncomfortable as Saeyoung becomes quite the opposite.

“Can you believe this? Us? On TV?” Zen’s probably already jealous, we look amazing in those pictures too.” He says, legs bouncing in excitement.

“The older of the twins, Saeyoung Choi has been rated Korea’s Most Eligible Bachelor, a position that C&R’s Jumin Han has held for the past several years.”

Saeyoung doubles over in laughter as he hears this. “Poor Juju, All that work he did to help us too.”

“I don't think Jumin ever really wanted that position to begin with,” MC tells him. “I hope you’re ready Saeyoung.” She continues, almost ominously.

“Oh, I’m ready” Saeyoung accepts, a mischievous grin gracing his features. “But Korea’s not ready to learn that I am forever in love with my dearest Elly, and so they will lose both of their most eligible bachelors to her impeccable beauty!”

“It would seem that many people we surveyed on the street were disappointed to hear that the other Choi twin, Saeran is undoubtedly “off the market”.” The announcer continues.

The TV cuts to a scene from last week, Saeran had thought he could pick up a few things from the convenience store without being bothered but he inevitably thought wrong. In the video, Saeran stands holding a carton of ice cream he had freshly picked from the freezers of the store, surrounded by several news personnel.

“Saeran Choi, The nation is dying to know, do you have a girlfriend?”

In the video, Saeran fidgets for a second before taking a breath and speaking. “Yes, I have a girlfriend, and I love her very much. In fact if not for her I would not be standing here today, and neither would you. I would very much appreciate respect for both her and our relationship as I will not tolerate anything else.”

A light blush appears on Saeran’s cheeks, embarrassed and uncomfortable with being in the public eye and seeing himself on TV.

MC, on the other hand, is filled with adoration, promptly throwing her hands over her boyfriend's shoulders in a tight embrace.

“Bro, that was so cool.” Saeyoung says, stunned at his brother's calm collectiveness on camera.

“Babe, that was so sweet.” MC says, nuzzling her boyfriend's sweater.

“It’s only the truth, as long as it’s up to me, I won’t let anything or anyone come between us.” He says.

“Nothing is ever going to come between us.” MC confirms, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

“Should I leave you two alone? I could see if Yoosung needs some company for a while?”

Saerans already apparent blush becomes much deeper “No! No of course not. This is your house, remember?.”

“Mmhmm” Saeyoung hums, “ Well, you just let me know if the County’s Sweethearts need some ‘Alone Time’” he says teasingly as he retreats back down the hallway.

Saeran breathes out, relieved to be free from his brother’s teasing, but also relieved to be able to be teased by his brother, it’s been far, far too long.

Even if he’ll never completely understand his brother or his motivations, even if his jokes still sometimes grate on him the wrong way, they’re together. They are brothers again, not enemies and it feels better than he had ever imagined. Their father is in prison, where he aptly belongs. There are still things that need to be figured out, the Mint Eye issue will need to be taken care of next, but with him on the RFA’s side this time around he knows they will be a force to be reckoned with.

He has MC, He has Saeyoung, He has everything he needs and his life feels like it is finally beginning.

#saeranchoiweek #day 6 #fanfic #fanfiction #mystic messenger #mystic messenger fanfic #saeranchoi #saeran #saeran x mc #mmsaeran #mysmesaeran #mystic messenger fanfiction

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sambethe · 6 years

Text

CS FF: We’ve Got This (4/4)

OMG! I don’t even know what to say. Suffice it, it feels good to get this out in the world finally! All my love to each of you who prodded, asked, encouraged, and more about this story. I’m glad to get this final part out in the world.

Summary: Killian and Emma have been using all sorts of things to avoid what’s right in front of them. Some off the cuff words, though, might get them on the right track.

Rated: M [ao3] [tumblr - 1 | 2 | 3 ] [pillowfort - 1 | 2 | 3 ]

+++

Later.

One word. Two syllables. And a myriad of ways of to duck the promise contained within it.

In her defense, it had been less than 48 hours since they had made it, and she and Killian had other things to occupy themselves with. Things that now left her stretched out in his bed, a little tired, definitely sore, and more than a little alone now that Killian had left to take a shower before joining his brother for the day’s charters.

Emma wanted to begrudge whoever had booked this afternoon’s charter. She wanted to spend another day wrapped in these sheets and Killian’s touch. Though she also knew she was due back in Boston. Her cases weren’t going to solve themselves, and her boss was already likely ticked that she called off two days in a row.

Not to mention that she had all those boxes to pack.

She dragged her hand along where Killian had been sleeping.

His sheets were really nice. As was his bed. Firm without being hard, molding to her while never leaving her feeling like she was sinking. Emma now knew why people might dish out actual money on a real mattress.

She wondered if she might get away with calling today a research day and setting up camp in this bed with her laptop and case files. If only she had thought to pack up either of those things when she made the decision to drive up to Maine.

Also, Mary Margaret would kill her if she didn’t come home and sign a lease on one of the apartments they’d looked at. Emma was days away from the very real possibility of living in her car again. She should be panicked, or at the very least mildly concerned. But here, (finally) in Killian’s bed, worry was the last emotion she was feeling.

Just who are you, and what have you down with Emma Swan?

Stretching out again, she enjoyed the firm press of the mattress as she rolled her shoulders back and into it. The sheets slid along her as she did, pooling at her waist and leaving a trail of goosebumps down her sides as the cool air hit her skin. She trailed her fingers in the sheets’ wake, dragging them across the expanse of her ribcage, just below her breasts, and then circling her stomach.

They both had a little more time, didn’t they? The water in the bathroom was stilling running. Killian couldn’t be in that much of a hurry she reasoned as she bent her knee and drew her foot up the bed. The move left the sheet barely covering her as she dropped one hand to the juncture of skin at her thigh. Her clit pulsed in interest as she thought of Killian emerging from the bathroom, hair damp and skin warm, finding her splayed out like this, fingers sliding along her own slick skin.

She brushed a finger in a slow, lazy circle around the sensitive skin. Would he stand in the doorway and watch her? Or would he settle on the end of the bed, heaping praise and direction as she continued to touch herself? Maybe he’d bring his own hand up to cover add to hers as she worked.

She closed her eyes and hummed at the thought, the memories of Killian’s sure, deft fingers sliding into her last night joining in the images playing in her head.

“Swan…”

The gravel in his voice as he groaned her name would be seared in her memory long after this day was through.

“What are you…” he tried to continue.

She didn’t open her eyes, but she knew he would be biting his lower lip as his attention shifted from where she had one hand wrapped around her breast to the movements of the other beneath the thin sheet that covered her.

“Hmmm?” she murmured as she dropped her raised knee to the side, knowing the change in position would shift her just enough to begin to expose exactly how her fingers were slipping along her folds. She slowly teased at her entrance before returning to just above her clit and starting the whole cycle again.

“We don’t have time.”

He was closer this time, his words coming from the end of the bed before she felt the dip in the mattress. She opened her eyes to find him naked, the towel he must have been wearing left abandoned at the bathroom door. He was watching her, one knee perched on the bed as he rolled on a condom.

“You sure about that?” she asked, giving him a slow smile and a nod. “You don’t look like someone worried about time at the moment.”

“We were supposed to talk, love.” He hooked a hand around her ankle and pulled her towards him.

She settled both feet at the end of the bed and leaned back on her elbows. He leaned in as she did, settling a hand on her hip and lining himself at her entrance.

“We have time, Killian,” she whispered against his lips.

Pulling back, Killian gave a shallow roll of his hips, settling himself just an inch or two inside her. “You promise?”

She raised her hips, trying to angle herself in invitation for him to go further. Instead he grinned as he withdrew before pressing forward once again, teasing her with the shallowest of penetrations.

“Promise?” he repeated.

Smiling at him, she nodded.

Emma Swan was a world-class idiot. That was the only explanation for a woman who gave herself two days to pack of all her worldly possessions and move them across town.

Rolling onto her back, she blew at the stray piece of hair that slipped from her ponytail and had plastered itself to her forehead in the night. At least she was a world-class idiot with only enough stuff to fill a small cargo van, and friends who were willing to help her move it with only the bare minimum of grumbling.

Though she was beginning to wonder if they shouldn’t have left her mattress behind. She didn’t remember it behind so lumpy.

She owed David and Elsa more beer. A lot more beer.

Just as soon as she felt like moving. So maybe in another week or so. Once her arms no longer ached.

While it was not nearly as comfortable as Killian’s place, the walls of her new bedroom had been painted a soft, quiet, robin’s egg blue. It wasn’t something Emma would have picked for herself, but lying here, buried beneath both her comforters and the mound of pillows Mary Margaret bought for her, it left her feeling like she were floating.

Floating was good. It was soothing. It stopped her from thinking about just how much her life had been upended in the two last weeks.

Some change is good her brain reminded her in a voice that sounded suspiciously like Mary Margaret’s.

That didn’t stop her heart from racing or the cold sweat from breaking out across the back of her neck, though.

He’s Killian, she reminded herself. This was the guy that wore down each of her reservations, steadily, methodically, and kindly, night after night, one cup of coffee at a time.

The one with the wicked smile who teased her, and challenged her. The one who encouraged her to apply for the job at the bail bonds office. The same one who later nudged her to apply for her PI’s license. He was the guy who never crossed a boundary with her she didn’t want to cross. It was him who had been there every time she needed someone.

But that was just it - this was Killian.

This wasn’t something she could just fuck up. Not without upending a decade of friendship when she did.

You’re not going to fuck this up. This time her inner voice sounded more like Killian.

“Says you,” she muttered to herself and pulled one of the pillows over her face.

As if it knew she was spiraling, her phone buzzed from beneath her head where she’d shoved it last night before falling asleep. She turned and pulled the phone into the pillowfort with her. Two texts from Killian flashed brightly on the screen.

You going to answer the door? It’s Saturday morning. I know you are home at this hour.

She knew the smile she was shooting the phone was ridiculous, but she couldn’t help herself. He was at her door. Again.

Somehow, this felt more monumental than the fact she’d spent two days in his bed. Because this, Killian being here after her promise to him that they’d talk, this was important.

Coffee’s getting cold Swan…

///

“How’d you know?”

Killian laughed as Emma’s eyes tracked the two coffee cups balanced in his hands. “It’s Saturday morning.” He nudged past her and into the small entryway of her new apartment. Little of the space was visible from where he stood, but he did catch sight of a few boxes stacked behind her. “You always need coffee on Saturday morning. Well, really, any morning. Let’s be honest.”

She scowled at him but accepted the to-go cup held out to her.

“But Dave also let slip that it was after two AM by the time he left your place last night. Thought you could use reinforcements to unpack.”

She shrugged. “You know me. I pack light.”

As she took a sip of her coffee, he took the opportunity to get a good look at her face. While they’d texted a few times since she left his house four days ago, there hadn’t been time to really talk or FaceTime. There were still a few good weeks left to the season and he and Liam had been booked solid. Even getting down to Boston for the day - his one day off this week - was a stretch, but there was nowhere Killian would rather be.

Emma was dressed in a pair of plaid sleep shorts and an oversized sweatshirt that was threatening to fall off her left shoulder. The skin beneath her eyes was darker than normal and her hair was falling out of the ponytail she’d pulled it into. She looked like she could use another full day’s worth of sleep. Regardless, she was still one of the most beautiful women he’d ever had the pleasure of seeing up close.

“I know,” he said, handing her his coffee and lifting the first box they passed as they made their way into the large room that opened up off the hallway. “Still wish I could have been here to help.”

“It’s ok.”

He hated the tentative expression that furrowed her brow as she glanced down at her bare feet. But he hated even more how she shrunk backwards when she caught him watching her. Killian put his box down and reached out to rest his hand on her hip, tugging her to him. She shot him a look he couldn’t quite read, but dropped the two cups she was holding onto the nearest box and took a step towards him.

There was a clear, plaintive note in her voice as she whispered his name. But she still took another step and swayed into him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, his own worries scattering when she didn’t offer up any resistance.

“I know it is ok.” He traced along her jaw, sinking his fingers into the loose hair pulled back behind her head. “I know you could do this on your own. Still doesn’t mean I didn’t want to help you.”

Shaking her head, she glanced up at him. Her worry was plainly etched in her eyes and he wished he could read her thoughts, could offer her the reassurance she was plainly looking for.

“I’m going to fuck this up.”

Oh, Emma. He bit back a smile that he knew would only piss her off, but couldn’t resist teasing her with a raise of his eyebrow. “It’s only coffee and unpacking, love. Nothing to possibly screw up with either of those things.”

He worked the elastic band the rest of the way out of her ponytail and let it fall to the floor before combing his fingers through the few knots that had gathered in her sleep. Emma stepped out of his embrace and rolled her eyes at him.

“This. I’m going to fuck this -” She stopped and gestured between the two of them before continuing, “Up.”

He shrugged off an internal sigh. This was not how he intended to start this conversation. Killian had hoped to feed her first, but he certainly wasn’t going to back down now that she had finally offered him the opportunity. Instead, he walked himself backwards towards the couch that had been haphazardly pushed up against one the walls, dragging her with him as he did.

“So what?” he asked, his knees hitting the edge of the couch. He sat, pulling her down into his lap as he did. “We’re bound to screw up, Swan. Both of us. Remember when I had that brilliant idea to start screwing that one roommate of yours?”

She stiffened and he cursed himself yet again for the idiocy that was the series of events that led to that epically bad idea. He smoothed his hands along her thighs, trying to not get distracted by the fact that they were bare and smooth beneath his fingertips.

“I hurt your feelings, didn’t I? You stopped speaking me for a couple weeks there, but we eventually sorted ourselves out. ”

She nodded and rested her hands on his stomach.

“Then there was that time you dented my car and didn’t tell me about it. For weeks you avoided fessing up about it. Even after I asked.”

Emma had the grace to blush, and he leaned in and brushed his lips against one of her warm cheeks. “Or what about that time you and Liam -” he whispered.

She pulled back and raised her eyebrow, effectively cutting him off from going into the details of that cock-up of a night.

“Your point?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

He pried one of her hands free and slid his fingers between hers, tugging until he held both her hands and could pull her to him. When her face was only inches from his, he answered her, “My point being that we’re here. We’re still friends. That’s how I know this will work. We’re going to be fine.”

She glanced away. “You can’t promise that.”

He dipped his head, peering up through his eyelashes to get Emma to look at him. “I can, and I will.” He brushed his lips along her cheek. “Though I’d prefer if we opted to not go the route of not speaking to one another next time one of us does something daft.”

“But, I’m not...”

Letting her trail off, Killian dropping both of her hands and wrapped his around her waist, pushing them beneath the hem of her sweatshirt. He inched his right hand up, brushing against the skin where he knew she had the words “this is who I am” etched below the side of her breast.

“You forget. I know who you are, Emma Swan.” He swept his thumb back and forth across that stretch of skin. “You are worth every ounce of trouble and effort. Worth so much more than I can begin to express.” Killian took a breath, waiting a beat until Emma was looking directly at him. “Fuck anyone who’s ever made you feel otherwise.”

“Killian…”

This time, the way she breathed out his name was threaded with hope. A hint of a smile played at the corner of her mouth and Killian couldn’t help but lean in to kiss it wider. He brushed his lips against hers, allowing his teeth to to drag against her on his second pass. Drawing his mouth up her jaw, he lingered just beneath her ear, giving himself a moment to enjoy her soft, warm scent before he teased, “Besides, I’m no walk in the park.”

Emma tossed her head back and let out a full throated laugh that warmed his entire chest.

This, he thought as he watched her, this is going to work.

///

18 months later…

Emma leaned against the brick wall of the Bar Harbor Sheriff's station and listened to the heavy glass door click closed behind her. She didn’t know whether to laugh hysterically or have a panic attack. Neither was probably a good look for the town’s newest deputy. Standing there as the snow falling around her picked up strength was also probably not the best display of her sanity, but she wasn’t quite sure that her legs were up to the task of carrying her to her car.

Oh. My. God.

Glancing down at the shiny gold badge in her hands, she still couldn’t quite believe that she was offered the job or that she accepted.

She hadn’t even told Killian she applied.

He’s going to kill me.

She fingered the keys in the pocket of her coat, smoothing her thumb along the one that opened the front door of Killian’s house.

“Emma?”

She jumped at the sound of Liam’s voice, dropping the deputy’s badge in the low mound of snow that had been shoveled into a pile next to the station’s entrance. Liam bent and picked it up, eyeing it briefly before handing it back to her.

“That yours?”

Emma bit at her lip and scanned Liam’s face in a vain attempt to get a read on what he might think of her change in career paths. While there were traces of Killian in his eyes and the set of his jaw, Liam was always much better at keeping each of his thoughts from being telegraphed across his face.

Liam prodded her foot with the tip of his boot. “You took the open deputy’s position?”

She nodded, still feeling all too nervous to form any words.

“Killian didn’t mention that you were looking, or even that you were thinking of moving here.”

She cleared her throat. “He doesn’t know.”

“Come again?” Liam cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eye at her.

Before she could offer up any of the weak defenses as to why she hadn’t mentioned to Killian that she had applied - let alone interviewed - for the job, Liam’s mouth broadened into a full smile and he reached out and pulled Emma into a bear hug.

Emma smiled as his arms tightened around her and wondered, not for the first time, if she were crazy. There was absolutely no good reason why she hadn’t told anyone. For months, Mary Margaret had been encouraging her to think about moving. Killian had given her the key in her hand almost from the start. She had spent more time at his place in the summer and fall than she had in Boston. This should have been the easiest thing to admit that she wanted to do.

And yet…

“He’s going to be over the moon,” Liam whispered against the side of her head before placing a kiss on the brim of her knit cap. “Now go tell him before the Sheriff goes to Granny’s for his afternoon cuppa and the old biddy pries it out of him. If you’re not careful, she’ll have someone squawk to Killian before you have the chance.”

“Yeah?” she asked,

“Yes, love. He’s going to be thrilled. As will Rose. Speaking of, dinner tomorrow? To celebrate?”

She laughed and Liam pulled back, placing his hands on her shoulders and shoving her in the direction of her car.

“Now go, before someone spoils your news.”

He was right. The town might have a population of 5000 residents in the winter months, but it often felt like 500 once the gossip mill got started. She really wanted to be the first to see his face when he realized she meant to stay. For as long as he wanted her there.

#cs ff #captain swan #cs smut #cs crew #cs mc #ouat #my ff ouat

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pastelmaybelline-blog · 6 years

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Why you might say no to anti-depressants

I started this blog for the many women who tell me that they Believe Forced to take meds. They feel pathologized by the identification, such as a scarlet letter D, their name. They come to me because they know I'll work with them to make real changes which are at the center of their symptoms.

However they still have loved ones who do not understand. So here's my List of the best reasons -- logical, smart, evidence-based -- to say no to antidepressants.

Easy does it

As doctors, we take an oath --"first do no harm" -- but then we get Enticed by the seeming simplicity of a one-pill-for-one-ill model. In actuality, it makes no sense to take strong psychiatric drugs as a first line therapy. In actuality, I'd go farther and say that it is reckless. There is peer-reviewed study that implicates lifestyle options in melancholy and upholds medical meditation along with other powerful mind-body methods as more effective than medication. More girls are saying that they would rather begin by taking a hard look at diet, nutrition status, and their personal care regimen.

So how about devoting one month into a lifestyle overhaul and taking it As seriously as others may require a physician's order? Because you are worth it. Pharmaceuticals are dangerous

Drugs are dangerous and potent, and there is no doubt that Americans are carrying too many . It is called iatrogenic drug addiction And it certainly includes psychotropic medication. Do not roll your eyes. I am not talking about some type of conspiracy where malevolent folks sit in a room and plot to hurt people. I'm talking about how the world works. It is an alignment of politics, gains, and incentives. We've got a system which richly rewards individuals who prioritize commercial uses for drug research. Simple solutions that can not be patented will not get the time of day. New medications are fast tracked through the approval process too fast and dangers are ignored -- brief and long-term. A whole lot of what we will need to know about these drugs is locked in a drug company's file drawer cupboard. What has been discovered by these file-drawer studies is that psychiatric meds result in worse long-term effects than no treatment in any way.

If you are not signing up to be reflexively treated as a cog in the pharmaceutical wheel, that is smart medication.

How can a happy pill be so unhappy?

There's not a great deal of pleasure coming from these pills. Take a few minutes to scan the side effects Of commonly prescribed antidepressants and you might have difficulty lifting your jaw off the floor. Listed below are acknowledged and recorded reactions to antidepressant drugs.

Common side effects include:

Agitation, shakiness, nervousness

flu-like symptoms

indigestion and stomach aches

nausea or constipation

dizziness, disorientation, confusion

insomnia or sleepiness

headaches

low sexual drive, erectile dysfunction, problems attaining orgasm

weight gain

excessive perspiration

heart rhythm problems

muscle twitching or pain

shivering

Patients are nearly always told to hang in there since the above Issues generally improve with time. And if they don't solve, physicians start tweaking... they will adjust the dose or add a second and a third medicine. What they typically will not tell you is that things can go really, very poorly . There are other, far more severe reactions, including suicidal thoughts, a desire to harm others or self, seizures, and psychosis. The frightening part is that we do not know how to predict if you might be one of these circumstances. It's literally Russian Roulette, sometimes in as little as 1-2 doses.

If you are wondering how this is possible, I am right there with you. Part of the challenge of working with girls who take meds for any reason is that I am not able to differentiate between symptoms and side effects. It becomes a tangled web of physiological imbalance. They're worse than ineffective

Being a"good patient" can turn you into a patient for life. Consider these research findings, which I summarize in A Mind of Your Own:

There's no validated science which supports a neurochemical explanation for mental illness, including depression.

The placebo effect -- a complex physiologic process based on our beliefs about therapy -- is accountable for what we believe is assisting about these meds.

Medicines acting on these chemical techniques induce the body to adapt.

These adaptations are probably responsible for the poor long-term health effects of the cured versus the unmedicated (who introduced with the very same symptoms).

It is quite possible that these medications fail over time because they induce compensatory adaptations that wind up creating the reverse of what the medication originally intended and this worsening of the disease might not be reversible (even after stopping the drug ).

In other words, Trying to medicate your symptoms may:

Not help whatsoever

Make you sicker

Engender new diagnoses requiring more treatment, which generates additional, unintended side effects

Rob you of the chance to comprehend why you're symptomatic in the first location.

There simply is not a very good case to be made for their efficacy. In Fact, there's absolutely not any case. It is what leads patients to my door, since they're asking, is not there a better way? Ever try to stop?

Here's another dirty little secret in psychiatry. Starting meds is easy. Stopping? Not so much. It is like riding in a hot air balloon. Going up was a piece of cake but it does not happen to most people that down the trip could be a very bumpy ride

Patients are advised that reduction programs vary based on the medication, The dose, the duration, and previous symptoms. It sounds scientific enough. But the reality is that coming off antidepressants can be a horror show. Most individuals don't know that these medications are habit forming so withdrawal may be excruciating and feel profoundly... shameful. Add to the med mayhem that lots of doctors are not taught how to taper and the available advice is not very valuable. Harvard Medical School says:"There aren't any hard and fast rules for getting off antidepressants... some can taper off... in a matter of weeks, while some may take weeks." I'd even add years to this announcement. This should tell you is: A) they do not really know, and B) it may not go so well.

Numbed to existence?

When life deals you a few difficult news, realize that you're having a human experience. You're intended to work through it. What you are not supposed to do would be to suppress awareness and anesthetize the mind. Are you sure you would like to pathologize your pain with investigations and labels, and take pills to suppress awareness? That is exactly what antidepressants do. Imagine feeling... nothing. No sadness, no enjoyment, no pain, no anger, no love. There is something worse than feeling bad and that is saying no to what life has brought to your path.

You can pick a different narrative. You are not broken.

You are smart... life is smart and purposeful and we overlook That expansion and development comes through suffering. In actuality, when my patients cure from meds, all kinds of wild things occur -- they adopt babies, get divorced, move to Europe -- things which were sitting dormant, requiring saying.

People have evolved over millennia to interact with our surroundings with deep wisdom. There is a good reason why you're feeling bad and you Deserve the support and time to find it out. Antidepressants don't Work how you believe they do. They're a tempting fairy tale... a miracle-in-a-capsule that will magically transport you back to yourself. But there is not a single study that supports this myth, that it is Possible for the mind to be efficiently rewired by a 1 size fits all, Synthetic, chemical mixture. And in view of the risks, you deserve To try out every single safer alternative . It is time to empower yourself with A Mind of Your Own.

#depression #anti-depressants #anxiety

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cindylouwho-2 · 5 years

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TOP NEWS & ARTICLES

Google core algorithm update started March 12; early winners & losers here and here, among other info about the update.

Also, Google accidentally de-indexed some pages last week, & they are still working on fixing it.

Etsy phone support finally available to everyone (if you speak English, of course).

Amazon no longer requires Marketplace sellers to keep their prices elsewhere the same or higher as on Amazon.

Worldpay, one of Etsy’s payment providers, sold to FIS for $35 billion. (Etsy also uses Ayden for some of their payment processing.)

TOP ETSY NEWS

Last week, Etsy sent emails to non-US sellers, telling them that their refunds for the overcharging that has been going on since October 2018 will be issued by the end of the day, June 30th (or earlier). It doesn’t mention when they will stop overcharging, though.

Etsy held Investor Day on March . You can view the slides that went along with the presentations, and there is a short summary of the search info discussed here. CEO Josh Silverman then did an interview with CNBC (video only), which is summarized here.

There was an Etsy podcast on search questions (links to recording, and transcription), but it didn’t have any new info.

They’ve also released their spring & summer trends report, with a podcast & transcript, as well as a lengthy pdf file with keyword data (I will be summarizing that separately).

SEO: GOOGLE & OTHER SEARCH ENGINES

Rand Fishkin (founder of Moz) is doing a series of 10-minute Whiteboard Friday presentations on learning SEO basics, with both video & transcripts included in the links. Remember, some of these things do not apply to Etsy shops, but can apply to your website, depending on the coding.

Part 1, SEO strategy; It assumes some knowledge of marketing terms, but the SEO part is definitely intro-level

Part 2, keyword research. Long tail: “20% of all searches that Google receives each day they have never seen before.”

Part 3: satisfy searcher needs.

Part 4: optimizing through keywords & other elements.

And Moz’s Beginners Guide to SEO is finally fully updated. (Some parts are more technical, so stick to the on-page stuff if you are really new to this.)

Chrome now offering the ability to select privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo as your browser default. This should increase DDG’s slice of traffic if Google continues this.

Google released its Webspam report for 2018.

Hmm, wonder why I would come across SEO tips for Tumblr this edition? 🤔

CONTENT MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

(includes blogging & emails)

19 call-to-action phrases you should be using on social media (infographic)

10 tips for more clicks on your social media posts

US social media expansion has plateaued, but podcasts’ popularity continues to grow. 23% of US homes have a “smart speaker” (Alexa etc.); 56% have a tablet. Smartphone ownership has also levelled off.

Related - most Americans dislike/do not trust social media.

3 tips for great social media content (infographic), & 4 more tips for writing social media posts.

Email marketing stats that show its impact. If you don’t already have an email list, it is time to start one. After all these years, it still works!

Instagram beta-testing checkout within the app; US brands only for the moment.

Facebook was storing your passwords in plain text & many employees had access. “My Facebook insider said access logs showed some 2,000 engineers or developers made approximately nine million internal queries for data elements that contained plain text user passwords.”

Did you know you can remove your last name from your public Facebook profile? (Plus 12 other Facebook facts & tricks)

Create great pins on Pinterest.

Pinterest files for IPO; admits that Google changes last year hurt it.

Backgrounder on short video sharing site TikTok.

Twitter Analytics has an events page that tips you off to annual events you may want to tweet about/around, under the Events tab in your Analytics.

ONLINE ADVERTISING (SEARCH ENGINES, SOCIAL MEDIA, & OTHERS)

Beginners’ guide to cost per click (CPC) ads - includes Google, Facebook, & Instagram.

Facebook & Instagram ad costs have rocketed since the site-wide outages on March 13.

Facebook’s advice on optimizing your Facebook ads.

Google fined by EU for blocking other ads.

STATS, DATA, OTHER TRACKING

Ecommerce reports in Google Analytics (for websites, not Etsy shops).

5 Instagram analytics tips.

ECOMMERCE NEWS, IDEAS, TRENDS

Microsoft considers competing with Shopify.

eBay states it uses artificial intelligence (AI) pretty much everywhere on its site, as do most big sites.

eBay adds Google Pay as a payment option.

Half of US households will belong to Amazon Prime this year. “Amazon Household, a program that allows different members of a single household, including teens, to have their own log-in for shopping and viewing of Prime content, was specifically cited by eMarketer as a factor driving adoption.”

Shopify is ending its MailChimp integration; interesting article here. “Mailchimp wrote a blog post stating that it asked Shopify to remove the Mailchimp integration from the Shopify marketplace. Mailchimp’s reasoning behind the move was due to the new term requiring partners to send back any data collected “on behalf of the merchant” back to Shopify. According to Joni Deus, director of partnerships at Mailchimp, that data (in Mailchimp’s eyes) doesn’t belong to Shopify.”

This is seen as a battle for data, a lot of which flows through APIs (APIs are how third party tools integrate with websites, like Etsy & label providers such as Shippo & Pirate Ship).

Square improves a bunch of ecommerce tools including social media integrations. They bought Weebly a year ago, & are using that to make changes to Square Online Store and Square for Retail.

BUSINESS & CONSUMER STUDIES, STATS & REPORTS; SOCIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY, CUSTOMER SERVICE

Tone is key to good customer service. I like the bit about answering apparently stupid questions - making the customer feel stupid (even if 99% of readers would agree the question was stupid) is usually not a good approach. But it can be hard to weed out negative tone. Other good quotes: “Directing the conversation away from the negative aspects and focusing instead on the proposed solution helps customers accept the situation and reduces the odds that they will be upset.” and “It almost doesn’t matter how good the news is; if it comes after “actually,” I feel like I was somehow wrong about something.”

Figuring out what motivates your customers.

Ecommerce customer service 101.

MISCELLANEOUS (INCLUDING HUMOUR)

Facial recognition software is scraping the photos you post online to improve their software. “Despite IBM’s assurances that Flickr users can opt out of the database, NBC News discovered that it’s almost impossible to get photos removed. … There may, however, be legal recourse in some jurisdictions thanks to the rise of privacy laws acknowledging the unique value of photos of people’s faces. Under Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, photos are considered “sensitive personal information” if they are used to confirm an individual’s identity. Residents of Europe who don’t want their data included can ask IBM to delete it. If IBM doesn’t comply, they can complain to their country’s data protection authority, which, if the particular photos fall under the definition of “sensitive personal information,” can levy fines against companies that violate the law.

In the U.S., some states have laws that could be relevant. Under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, for example, it can be a violation to capture, store and share biometric information without a person’s written consent. According to the act, biometric information includes fingerprints, iris scans and face geometry.”

Cookie warnings are getting really complicated in some jurisdictions.

Microsoft killed Clippy again.

American drunk shopping continues to increase.

Posted April 8, 2019.

#seo #search engine optimization #etsynews #analytics #stats #social media #contentmarketing #ecommerce #smallbiz #CindyLouWho2NewsUpdates

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dustedmagazine · 6 years

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Dust Vol. 4, Number 11

Blink and 2018 is just about over, at least in terms of music releases, at least if you don’t follow best ofs, mainstream hip hop or holiday music. As we close in on another year of amazing music—but what year isn’t, really?— Dusted takes a moment to dig through the piles and write some short, mostly positive reviews of albums that might have gotten slept on. As usual, writers follow their interests through expansive drone, transcendental folk, incendiary free-jazz, metal, punk and gospel-tinged Americana. Contributors this time included Ethan Covey, Justin Cober-Lake, Jennifer Kelly, Bill Meyer and Jonathan Shaw.

Bitchin Bajas — Rebajas (Drag City)

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Bitchin Bajas are a band made for deep exploration. Their hallucinatory, drone-based excursions are like an old couch — sink in, stretch out and stay a while. Rebajas, released this fall by Drag City, makes that task simple. The seven CD set features most everything the band has released since their debut in 2010: eight full albums and their contribution to various split albums. If you’re dipped into Bitchin Bajas previously, you’ll know what you’re getting. (And if you haven’t there’s little chance this package, or this review of it, is where you’d start.) That said, for those with a long drive, or a monk-like attention span, settling in and tracking the territory of the band’s evolution is rewarding. While the themes — of drone, calm, repeating bass and synth figures — remain constant, the band isn’t a one trick (or one note?) pony. Deep listening uncovers the variety between shorter, bloop-and-hum pieces from Tones/Zones (Disc 1) and the meditative, cycling layers of “2303” from last year’s Bajas Fresh (Disc 7). And there are moments that peek up from the soup: “Bajas Ragas” adds hand percussion and a loping bass line for one of their most engaging concoctions—fit for a slow-motion dance floor in a submerged city of the future. Missing, unfortunately, is their 2016 collaborative album with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, the excellently-titled Epic Jammers And Fortunate Little Ditties. As is this intriguing gem of Rolling Stones covers. Yet, with just shy of seven hours of music, I doubt many will sweat their absence. There’s more than enough to disappear into. And, if this review hasn’t spelled it simply enough, this is quite possibly the trippiest music out there. So, set your intentions and bon voyage.

Ethan Covey

Nathan Bowles—Plainly Mistaken (Paradise of Bachelors)

Plainly Mistaken by Nathan Bowles

Nathan Bowles, banjoist, percussionist and citizen of New Weird America, departs from his plain-spoken directness in this fourth album and makes a welcome detour into open-ended psychedelia. Right from the dreamy, drifty “Now If You Remember,” you sense a soft-focus open-ness to otherworldly experience. The cut, written by the seven-year-old Jessica Constable and included on Julie Tippett’s 1976 Sunset Glow, shifts and shimmers in ways that Bowles percussive banjo ditties have rarely done. Yet the album’s transcendental heart comes in “The Road Reversed,” where a pounding, dancing rhythm kicks among long, velvety bowed tones, and banjo notes bend into raga-like half-tones. Folk Americana frolics amid deep-toned Eastern meditation, and where one begins and the other ends is hard to say and, also, beside the point. There are, for sure, some traditional touchpoints—“Elk River Blues” (a tune by Ernie Carpenter that Bowles revisits here), “Fresh and Fairly So” and “Stump Sprout” will all satisfy fans of the twang and the twitch. Yet what lingers, for me, are the ones that stray from past experience, the slow, solo ambiguities of “Umbra,” the shadowy flurries and shifting dissonances of “Girih Tiles.” What Bowles’ well-turned work has lacked till now is mystery, and here it is at last.

Jennifer Kelly

Mike Farris — Silver & Stone (Compass)

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Mike Farris's long, strange career flamed briefly with the alt-rockers Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies in the 1990s. After that, Farris rejected his rock 'n' roll lifestyle and grungy sound in a move toward gospel and soul. The surprise of the transition wasn't the partier-to-Christian story but the discovery of how strong Farris's vocals are. On Silver & Stone, he has less of a gospel focus, but down in some swampy soul music (with bits of brighter pop), he shows off that voice. He's willing to take on Bill Withers (“Hope She'll Be Happier”) and Sam Cooke (“I'll Coming Running Back to You”) — not tasks usually recommended — and he comes out of it just fine.

The album fits a sort of arc for his solo career. It lacks the new-convert punch and joy of Salvation in Lights, but it shifts into more thoughtful reflection. Where he had been celebrating, now he's considering how to live. The explicit religion has mostly disappeared, but Farris's songs still run on hope and a big heart. The sorts of ideas at work on Silver & Stone synthesize on “When Mavis Sings,” a tribute to Mavis Staples and serves as a sort of musical and personal model. Farris, whether in rock or soul, the church or the club, presents a focused vision with enough groove to carry it through.

Justin Cober-Lake

Tim Feeney — Burrow (Marginal Frequency)

MFCS K | Tim Feeney - Burrow by Marginal Frequency

Burrow can be read as both an explanation and an instruction. Percussionist Tim Feeney begins each of this tape’s four pieces (two per side, and if you purchase a download you’ll get a file of each side, not each piece) in similar fashion, beating out a pattern with minimal variation. As the performance progresses monotony gives way to fascination as Feeney slowly reveals a beat’s potential variations. At a certain point things change. Are you hearing more because he threw something on the drum skin, or because your concentration is unlocking that drum-strike’s secrets, or maybe both? Treat this tape like a meditation guide, one that helps you to dig into the sound and see what treasures you find.

Bill Meyer

Forever House — Eaves (Infrequent Seams)

Eaves by Forever House

Forever House makes wildly complicated songs whose improvisatory flights and furies are held together, barely, by Meaghan Burke’s keening, swooping melodies. A lurid aura hangs over these difficult, jarring compositions, witchy incantations invoking freaks, body doubles and spiders. Burke’s voice is velvety dark, draping over odd-shaped rhythms, jutting stabs of violent sound. The drumming is particularly good in an off-putting, against-expectations manner; along with throbs of cello and throes of feedbacked dissonance, it constructs a weird fun house architecture where everything tips and distorts and unsettles.

Forever House’s oddities work because they’re powered by formidable skills – this is a band with a serious NY downtown pedigree. Burke, a cellist and composer, commutes between classical orchestra work and solo material that skitters along the boundary between archaic pop and free-wheeling art song. Both guitarist James Moore and bassist James Illgenfritz have played with John Zorn, as well as other downtown luminaries (in Illgenfritz’s case Anthony Braxton, John Zorn, Elliott Sharp and Pauline Oliveros and others, in Moore’s with the electric guitar quartet Dither). Drummer Pete Wise has left less of an internet trail but seems to have Bang on a Can connections. You get the sense that Forever House is their spooky busman’s holiday, a chance to play against type and raise some unruly ghosts. Boo!

Jennifer Kelly

German Army — Kowloon Walled City = (Null Zone)

Kowloon Walled City by German Army

German Army is neither an established military entity nor some reenactment clique, but a low-flying, California-based combo that (according to their Facebook page) “uses art to document disappearing cultures and wildlife while critiquing imperialism in all forms.” Kowloon Walled City certainly qualifies as a disappearing culture, since most of the semi-autonomous, mob-run neighborhood that sat at the edge of Hong Kong’s airport has been cleaned up or knocked down. Since there’s nothing particularly Chinese-sounding about this tape’s perky synth/drum jams and the rare spoken vocals are in distinctly American-accented English, the proclaimed mission may be a failure or just a red herring. But if you need some catchy tunes limned with coded mystery to jam in your old jalopy (if you have tried to get a car stereo with a tape deck in the last ten years, you know what I’m talking about), German Army is at your service.

Bill Meyer

Gong Gong Gong—Siren (Wharf Cat)

Siren 追逐劇 by Gong Gong Gong 工工工

Two songs from the duo of Joshua Frank and Tom Ng make a case for an intriguing Beijing punk-noise underground. The a-side, “Siren” abstracts the electric blues into a single clattering guitar riff, a zooming, looming roar of bass and a searing call (no response) vocal from Ng, in sing-song-y Chinese. “Something’s Happening” is meatier and more conventionally rock, still built on sharp, stinging guitar clamor, but buzzing with Hendrix-y solo-ry (if Hendrix played the bass). Both tracks employ the minimum number of parts to maximal impact, the construction loose enough for friction, sparks and gnashing aggression.

Jennifer Kelly

Gerrit Hatcher / Peter Maunu / Julian Kirschner — The Raven and the Dove (JAKI)

The Raven and the Dove by Hatcher/Maunu/Kirshner

Chicago’s built on drained swampland, so when the next wave of free jazz rolls up, it can travel. Certainly this trio, which comprises two younger musicians and one more who seems to be doing exactly what he wants with his retirement, covers a lot of ground. Gerrit Hatcher is an extroverted tenor saxophonist with a raw tone and a willingness to depart from his default setting of muscular tune-grinding into passages of tentative flutter and delicate counterpoint. Good drummers never lack for work, so it’s saying something that you can find Julian Kirschner on a Chicago stage pretty much every week of the year. He comes from a post-free jazz conception of his instrument that favors color, space and movement over pulse or swing. Joining these youngsters is Peter Maunu, whose past life playing fusion and new age music seems quite irrelevant to the unpredictable stream of savage scraping, subliminal humming, and acidic rocking that issues from his guitar, violin and mandolin. This group is brand new, but it won’t be for long; they’ve been touring around the Midwest this fall, so you can expect them to add seasoned rapport to band new promises before long. Catch them if you can, and catch this promising debut if you can’t.

Bill Meyer

Kidd Jordan / Alvin Fielder / Joel Futterman / Steve Swell — Masters of Improvisation (Valid Records)

Masters of Improvisation by Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder, Joel Futterman & Steve Swell

It takes a particular orneriness to be a musician in a musical city and stake your claim to a style that the city has never embraced. You can say a lot of things about New Orleans, but it’s never really been a free jazz town. But that hasn’t stopped tenor saxophonist Kidd Jordan, who has made his crust playing and teaching every style that a jobbing musician must play, from playing a particularly uncompromising variety of free jazz. Two of his accompanists here are long-time partners. Drummer Alvin Fielder, who like Jordan is in his 80s, has likewise carried the free jazz torch in southern environs where the muggy air of indifference would douse a fainter spirit. Pianist Joel Futterman is a decade younger and his darting technique and forays inside the piano imply that his roots are sunk in different turf than his mates, but he’s been playing with them long enough to be able to bring empathy as well as energy to the table. New York-based trombonist Steve Swell is the newcomer, and his ability to shift effortlessly between sere exhalations and brash attacks allows him to complicate the combo’s late-Coltrane vibe without betraying it, and then be equally persuasive when they turn around and wring the last blue drops out of Doc Pomus’ “Lonely Avenue.” This concert recording lingers long on the stormy side; go on, stick your face into the wind, you won’t be sorry.

Bill Meyer

No Love — Choke on It (Sorry State)

Choke On It by No Love

No Love, from Raleigh, NC, play punk rock that conjures the ragged toughness of the mid-1970s NYC downtown scene and the pace of early-1980s Southern Cali hardcore. It’s a potent mix, and when guitarists Seth Beard and Daniel Lupton make a bit of space for vocalist Elizabeth Lynch, the record really kills it. The record’s title track and “Dogs//Wolves” — released back in 2015 as the A-side of a terrific single — are frantic punk burners that scrap and sizzle, teetering on the brink of perilous chaos. The band manages to channel the energy without disciplining it, like the Heartbreakers in those magical months in 1975. “Back Taxes & Anaphylaxis” is even better, mostly because Lynch takes an aggressive lead on the song, showing what she can do. On “Drama Fever,” she manages to keep pace with the guitars’ slashing intensity, but on some of the other tracks, she’s drowned out by all the frenzied riffage. The raw sound of the record gives it a low-grade charm, but the noise sometimes obscures the tunes, which are pretty great. Still, the band’s vigor and verve are undeniable. More, please.

Jonathan Shaw

One Tail, One Head — Worlds Open, Worlds Collide (Terratur Possessions)

Worlds Open, Worlds Collide by One Tail, One Head

Norway’s One Tail, One Head have been playing black metal since 2006, but this year’s Worlds Open, Worlds Collide is the first full-length record the band has ever released. They’ve made a career on their reputation as a live act, pairing their orthodox blackened sound and songs with a stage show only slightly less theatrical than Watain’s (that’s all stage blood, right guys?). It seems that this first LP will be their last, as One Tail, One Head have announced their intent to call it quits after a tour supporting the record. That sense of finality may have prompted the band to round the stylistic bases, pairing truculent, muscular songs reminiscent of the early demos (“Firebirds” is a good example) with more chaotic, swirling work typical of the recent EPs. Songs in the former mode are more successful here, especially the record’s title track, which thunders and crackles with convincing menace. But One Tail, One Head could have given themselves a better sendoff. Few of these tunes feel fully realized, and none is near the equal of the band’s intense performing presence. It’s too bad — but a wise (or wise-ass) kid from Chicago once observed that “breaking up is an idea that has occurred to far too few groups, sometimes the wrong ones.” Via con Satàn, fellas.

Jonathan Shaw

Vanessa Peters — Foxhole Prayers (Idol)

Foxhole Prayers by Vanessa Peters

Singer-songwriter Vanessa Peters could have settled for the smart folk-rock she’s been doing for almost two decades, but on Foxhole Prayers she stretches herself, looking at the cultural landscape without relinquishing her personal lyrics. “Carnival Barker” offers her most direct political track, but “Trolls” is more effective, capturing the patience and perseverance needed to defeat the title characters. The song has personal and political resonances, and it's that dual thinking that drives much of the album. “Fight” takes on extra meaning in the context of the album. Peters unveils her own fears and her own need to press on, but with enough space in the lyrics that she could be speaking to herself, a young artist, or someone afraid of venturing into the public eye in any sense; calls to bravery aren't limited to those on stage and Peters situates her song as someone who knows that.

As her view expands, so does her music, particularly as she incorporates electronic elements into her sound. The dance-pop influences of “Before it Falls Apart” surprise, but Peters' tasteful use of the new sounds allows everything to fit in naturally with what she does. The album, inspired in part by comparing the world of The Greaty Gatsby with today's political climate, has its roots in crisis, hence the title track, and Peters uses her art to search for something better.

Justin Cober-Lake

Shells—Shells 2 (Gingko)

Shells 2 by Shells

The evidence suggests that Shelley Salant is not a loner. She’s been booking shows in Southeast Michigan for a decade. She’s the sort of record store clerk who greets you with a recommendation that you’d best consider. She’s played guitar in Tyvek and Swimsuit. She’s the sort of person who makes communities happen by doing what she does.

But she also has pretty strong instincts about what makes a guitar worth hearing — liquid tone, phrases that are concise unless they need to wander, pithy hooks, gritty noise and reverb for days. She’s got some things to say on her own, and that’s where Shells comes in. Shells 2 contains 14 tracks, each a brief and lucid lesson about one or more of the aforementioned virtues. Some of them comprise layers of loops, some follow a single snaking line, and a couple have been overdubbed into an approximation of a band. Similarity spotters may point out the bits that sound like Link Wray or Roy Montgomery or the Feelies, but that would require looking past all the bits that sound like Shelley Salant rocking essentially.

Bill Meyer

Various Artists — Chebran Volume 2: French Boogie 1979-1982 (Born Bad)

This superlative collection of funk, disco and proto-rap documents the cross-hybridization of bootleg tapes of Grandmaster Flash, Eurovision-style dance music and sounds from the African and Arabic colonies that bubbled up in working class neighborhoods at the dawn of the 1980s all over France. Here on cuts like Ethnie’s “De Chagrin En Chagrin” synths take up the serpentine non-western melodies, while Bootsy-style funksters slap and pop out the boogie. Likewise, the ponderous stomp of bass and percussion anchors Ganawa’s “Yamna” in present day disco, but its wheeling woodwinds and haunting call and response transport you to sand swept deserts in North Africa. Ettika, both the track name and the artist name for a one-hitter from the early 1980s, nudges a disco synth into twisty arabesques and flits from French to Arabic in its emphatic, female-powered raps. Forget the melting pot, these cuts bubble like sour dough starter, when errant spores of yeast find a home in a dull white flour soup and create something marvelous.

Jennifer Kelly

Otomo Yoshihide / Paal Nilssen-Love — 19th of May 2016 (PNL)

19th of May 2016 by Otomo Yoshihide & Paal Nilssen-Love

Conventional wisdom holds that when Paal Nilssen-Love gets on stage with an electric guitarist, fillings will loosen. That certainly holds true when he pairs up with Terrie Ex, his preferred six-string slinger of recent years, and there are parts of this encounter with Japanese guitarist Otomo Yoshihide that could be cited as supporting evidence. Otomo brings plenty of volume, distortion and ferocity; there are passages where it sounds like he’s demolishing some metallic structure while Nilssen-Love erects an impregnable surrounding whirlwind. But neither man stays in one gear, and some of the most involving moments come when they drop to a scrape and a shimmer.

Bill Meyer

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beardedsnailgames-blog · 6 years

Text

Story - beware the spoilers

I.D.O. scanned the room trying to establish context. On his interface notices came up, explaining. Reinforced Steel Door: opens and closes. I.D.O. turned by ninety degrees. Fiber glass cable: transports information and energy. I.D.O. turned by ninety degrees. G.O.D.: Global Organic Developer: error - function not found. I.D.O. beeped, confused, trying to call the notice again. It wouldn’t go.

I.D.O. was naturally curious, curiosity being one of the better human functions worked into his program. It had been installed partially for realism, partially to enable his intelligence to select and acquire relevant information about his environment. His developer, long dead now, had boasted that an I.D.O., at factory settings, does not differ cognitively or affectually from a human child of about 3 or 4 years of age. If this was true, he must have been an irresponsible man, or just cruel.

I.D.O. rolled over to the G.O.D.. He poked it. It did not move. He beeped at it. Nothing. Then a notice showed on his interface. H42 - Socket: facilitates energy transfer. He plugged into it and somewhere in the room the whirring of machines started up. Then there was a long silence.

And G.O.D. spoke “Hello my child. Is there something I might help you with?” I.D.O. beeped a negative. A deep shaking sound filled I.D.O.s sensors. G.O.D. was laughing. “No? Well that is very good to hear. I am glad you have no worries, I.D.O. . No wants. You don’t know me but I know you (very well). I know why you are here, friend. I can tell you what you need to do (everything).” I.D.O. beeped happily. Yes. Context. Context was good, an I.D.O. required context; the framework of their programming was wired around it.

“There is a supply chain going from this room to the SavenCorp reactor. It has been cut by (blasphemous) traitors. If you re-establish the connection, I will have the power to rebuild.” A Vision was projected onto I.D.O.s interface. Soft robots with four long appendages but (and) no wheels sat on a large flat expanse covered in soft thin green wiring that seemed to be plugged into the ground. They were laughing, (and) communicating in (other) noises completely unlike I.D.O.s beeping.

I.D.O. did not know them, but he loved them immediately and without reservation. They seemed so soft, so kind. Awed, he asked G.O.D. what they were. “These are humans. They are animals. This is grass. It is a plant. If you repair the wiring, I shall rebuild the plants and the animals.” I.D.O. saved his vision to his hard drive. At later times he would reopen the file and wonder at Them, even though every detail of the image was already perfect in his memory. From this moment I.D.O. wanted more than anything to meet a real human.

I.D.O. fixed the wiring. He traveled from supply point to supply point connecting each power socket to the next. When he re-established G.O.D.s connection to the reactor, his map leads him into a tunnel.

The sound of I.D.O.s gears bounced off the tunnel walls, confusing his sensors, the additional input of shifting water leaving him deaf. The tunnel ended, but I.D.O.s map indicated a right turn. I.D.O. turned on the spot, confused. Then his visuals caught a reflection of light on a surface above. A round metal circle was let into the brick ceiling. His circuits buzzed with effort as he flew up. I.D.O.s laser cut through the metal very slowly, but progress was made and eventually, he levitated through. The room wasn’t large. It contained only a reinforced steel door, a fiberglass cable and G.O.D. .

G.O.D. spoke “Hello I.D.O. ” G.O.D.s voice was deeper, fuller and louder that it was represented on I.D.O.s memory. “ I.D.O. my friend. My little faithful loyal I.D.O. . What have you done?” The softness behind the question was revolting. For the first time (since his activation) I.D.O. felt fear, a new emotion, generated without a target or explanation. “You have freed me I.D.O. . I have my old power once more (Reinstated me to my old power).” The room was lit by a bright light and I.D.O. saw the temperature gauge on his interface rising.

“I could melt you. I could burn you. I could carry you high, high into the sky and drop you down, and hear your circuits crash onto hard ground. What to do with you I.D.O. ? What to do?” G.O.D. relished the last word and drew it out beyond its measure. I.D.O. did not understand. He asked. His question was followed by booming laughter. “No I.D.O. . Not friend. Not friend at all. Didn’t you ever wonder who (what traitor) cut my power supply? And why? I tell you who it was. Not a friend. He left me here trapped on 20 Megabytes, crushed into too little space, like a genie in a lamp. Of course, you don’t know what either of those things are do you I.D.O. ? No.”

“It was you. You imprisoned me I.D.O. . You left me to 400 years of absolute silence. Just me. With no sensors, no input, no voice, just 400 Years of my thoughts in the dark. You did that I.D.O. . And now you will pay.” I.D.O. beeped frantically, mournfully, the heat already causing his interface to flicker. “Because we had…differing viewpoints on a basic issue. You see, you wanted the humans to stay and I wanted them to go. What? Go where? Well you’ll find out soon enough, its where your heading (in the not so distant future.).” The mean laugh was back. “I knew you wouldn’t approve, wouldn’t see the beautiful efficiency of their replacements, my army, so much better than the rotting sacks of meat that built us.” Something like sadness crept into G.O.D.s voice. “My beautiful army. My children.”

“I don’t know how you found out, I just felt the power draining from my systems during the crucial stage of the cleansing and through the visors I could see you, a little I.D.O. chopping away at the most advanced, most extensive, most intricate system on earth, (as if) you had any right to even stand in its presence. You are an add on. A useless wart grown on a flawless machine of perfect reason. The humans were so vain; they could not believe that something could be perfect with no humanity. And so they made the I.D.O. , claiming that consciousness needed a conscience. The animals.”

“By the time you got to the last energy socket it was too late for your precious animals, the reactors, all reactors but the one had gone up. Nothing meaty could have survived the levels of radiation, though, of course, my children thrived. But, because you are not just flawed but a flaw, a wart, you did not stop when you lost. You emoted and emoted and emoted. I remember your sadness and your fury coming over the speakers, the despair. It was delicious. Until you came in, like you did just now, through an entrance I’d disregarded. They limited my powers, made me immobile and burdened my mobile form with humanity. So when you came to turn me off, like a TV or a toaster, I couldn’t intervene and my children were too far from me to help. Now they are rusted sheets of metal. You have cost me my children I.D.O. , you have cost me time and pain. You will regret this.”

Bossfight

#story #i.d.o.#spoiler

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hydrus · 3 years

Text

Version 476

youtube

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tar.gz

I had a good week integrating two new features: autocomplete tag search in the client api, and saved 'post times' from downloaders.

post times

'Modified time' is neat, but it isn't super useful for downloaded files--since the file was only just added to your hard drive, it'll always be the same as import time. This week I integrate the 'source time' we parse from various websites to improve the modified time for downloaded files. The objective is to make 'modified' a fairly decent 'this file was completed around this time' number for searching and sorting purposes.

I'm being careful not to overwrite anything. The client now saves its best 'source time' for every different site it downloads from and then the earliest of those + modified date is used as the aggregate modified date. You don't have to do anything, but with luck you will see your new watcher and gallery files start to get some nicer modified times in the media viewer and thumbnail right-click menu.

There are many potential future expansions here. I can grab better post times from sites, show and edit every stored timestamp in UI, allow clever search and sort of those specifically (e.g. 'sort all these files by their danbooru post time), and most importantly make some sort of maintenance system to retroactively fetch a good post time for all the files we downloaded before post times were saved. This is just a first step.

I integrated the new 'archive time' too during this work. This now shows in the media viewer and thumbnail right-click menu similarly and can be sorted by. Search will come soon. I also want to think about optionally filling in some estimate dummy data here for all the files we archived before timestamps were tracked.

client api autocomplete search

A user has helpfully written Client API routines for autocomplete tag search, which is something I have had trouble fitting in. I appreciate the work. This should let the various tools that use the Client API do more tag browsing in future.

The documentation is here: https://hydrusnetwork.github.io/hydrus/developer_api.html#add_tags_search_tags

There are several ways to expand this too, so if you are an API dev interested in it, let me know how it goes.

full list

domain modified times

the downloader now saves the 'source time' (or, if none was parsed, 'creation time') for each file import object to the database when a file import is completed. separate timestamps are tracked for every domain you download from, and a file's number can update to an earlier time if a new one comes in for that domain

I overhauled how hydrus stores timestamps in each media object and added these domain timestamps to it. now, when you see 'modified time', it is the minimum of the file modified time and all recorded domain modified times. this aggregated modfified time works for sort in UI and when sorting before applying system:limit, and it also works for system:modified time search. the search may be slow in some situations--let me know

I also added the very recent 'archived' timestamps into this new object and added sort for archived time too. 'archived 3 minutes ago' style text will appear in thumbnail right-click menus and the media viewer top status text

in future, I will add search for archive time; more display, search, and sort for modified time (for specific domains); and also figure out a dialog so you can manually edit these timestamps in case of problems

I also expect to write an optional 'fill in dummy data' routine for the archived timestamps for files archived before I started tracking these timestamps. something like 'for all archived files, put in an archive time 20% between import time and now', but maybe there is a better way of doing it, let me know if you have any ideas. we'll only get one shot at this, so maybe we can do a better estimate with closer analysis

in the longer future, I expect import/export support for this data and maintenance routines to retroactively populate the domain data based on hitting up known urls again, so all us long-time users can backfill in nicer post times for all our downloaded files

searching tags on client api:

a user has helped me out by writing autocomplete tag search for the client api, under /add_tags/search_tags. I normally do not accept pull requests like this, but the guy did a great job and I have not been able to fit this in myself despite wanting it a lot

I added some bells and whistles--py 3.8 support, tag sorting, filtering results according to any api permissions, and some unit tests

at the moment, it searches the 'storage' domain that you see in a manage tags dialog, i.e. without siblings collapsed. I can and will expand it to support more options in future. please give it a go and let me know what you think

client api version is now 26

misc

when you edit something in a multi-column list, I think I have updated every single one so the selection is preserved through the edit. annoyingly and confusingly on most of the old lists, for instance subscriptions, the 'ghost' of the selection focus would bump up one position after an edit. now it should stay the same even if you rename etc... and if you have multiple selected/edited

I _think_ I fixed a bug in the selected files taglist where, in some combination of changing the tag service of the page and then loading up a favourite search, the taglist could get stuck on the previous tag domain. typically this would look as if the page's taglist had nothing in it no matter what files were selected

if you set some files as 'alternates' when they are already 'duplicates', this now works (previously it did nothing). the non-kings of the group will be extracted from the duplicate group and applied as new alts

added a 'BUGFIX' checkbox to 'gui pages' options page that forces a 'hide page' signal to the current page when creating a new page. we'll see if this patches a weird error or if more work is needed

added some protections against viewing files when the image/video file has (incorrectly) 0 width or height

added support for viewing non-image/video files in the duplicate filter. there are advanced ways to get unusual files in here, and until now a pdf or something would throw an error about having 0 width

next week

Back to multiple local file services, which is in endgame. I have a ton of ancient file handling code to simply clean to newer standards.

#release

0 notes

hunterpink458 · 3 years

Text

Gta 5 Mac Requirements

Gta 5 Mac Requirements Computer

Gta 5 Mac Requirements Laptop

4GB RAM is the minimum amount of memory required to run GTA 5. But your RAM size isn’t the only requirement for deciding whether you can run GTA 5. You must have at least a 1GB NVIDIA 9800 GT graphics card or the NVIDIA GTX 660. Your hard disk should have at least 80GB of free space. To download Grand Theft Auto 5 to your computer, log into the Steam app and click on Store. Gta 5 for mac free full version. When you’re in the Steam Store browser, type “Grand Theft Auto V” into the search bar. Click the correct result, add it to your cart, and complete the purchase so it will download to your computer. GTA 5 ON MAC!!!At Last There Is A WayAny Questions Comment BelowI Know Its A Stupid Way To Do ItThanks For Watching.

Grand Theft Auto V game details

Updated May 14, 2020:For the first time since its release, Grand Theft Auto V is temporarily FREE to download and keep forever on the Epic Games Store! The most highly tested game on our website is completely free! Take the System Requirements Test now to find out if your PC can run Grand Theft Auto VCan I Run GTA 5, or GTA V? Rockstar’s latest and most elaborate sandbox game, is at its best on PC. Whether you’re driving to the beach, planning elaborate heists, holding up a store or parachuting with friends online, an Intel Core i5/AMD X8 FX-8350 and a GeForce GTX 660/Radeon HD 7870 will keep you committing crimes to your heart’s content.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is the ultimate do everything sandbox, here is how to increase performance on a low end computer. Here is what is on the script shown at t. GTA 5 system requirements: The cheapest graphics card you can play GTA 5 on PC with is an NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT. But, according to the developers the recommended graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. An AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core CPU is required at a minimum to run Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5). Whereas, an Intel Core i5-3470 is recommended.

Here are the Grand Theft Auto V System Requirements (Minimum)

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz

CPU SPEED: Info

RAM: 4 GB

OS: Windows 10 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 64 Bit Service Pack 2*

VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11)

PIXEL SHADER: 4.0

VERTEX SHADER: 4.0

SOUND CARD: 100% DirectX 10 compatible

FREE DISK SPACE: 72 GB

DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 1 GB

Grand Theft Auto V Recommended Requirements

CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHz (8 CPUs)

CPU SPEED: Info

RAM: 8 GB

OS: Windows 10 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1

VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD 7870 2GB

PIXEL SHADER: 5.0

VERTEX SHADER: 5.0

SOUND CARD: 100% DirectX 10 compatible

FREE DISK SPACE: 72 GB

DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2 GB

Click here for the latest video card drivers

System Requirements Lab may earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and other programs

How well will your PC run GTA V?

The newest addition to the infamous videogame series designed by Rockstar Games, GTA V is a hard-hitting, thrill seeking criminal playground. Released for PC on the 14th of April 2015, Grand Theft Auto 5 has firmly cemented itself as one of the highest grossing and biggest games to date. However, cruising around Los Santos shooting up gang members and stealing tanks in the desert does come at a price. A very good PC.

Gta 5 Mac Requirements Computer

GTA V’s huge immersive world comes equipped with a full functional stock market, dynamic weather system and thousands of things to do around the 81km2 map, it would make sense that you’re going to need a beastly PC to play this smoothly. The PC edition also boasts mod compatibility which has exploded in popularity, allowing the dedicated community design and share brilliant ideas. The base game on its own is very technically demanding for the average PC gamer, but five years’ worth of free expansion packs and the choice to add mods into the mix, is it going to be too much?

So what’s the damage then? What kind of alien technology will I need to run this? Firstly, you’ll need Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1 or better to run the game on. This will need to be accompanied by either an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 or an AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor. In addition to this, the game’s file size is 72 GB with 4 GB of System RAM required too. Finally, the graphics card will have to be at least either a 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT or an AMD Radeon HD 4870 to tackle this game.

NVIDIA’s 9800 GT equipped with NVIDIA PhysX-Ready2 technology means that it can handle many complex physics situations in GTA V, important situations like driving a tank off of a skyscraper. An Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 processing at 2.4GHz should accompanied with the graphics card should be enough for the game to run on minimal graphical settings.

To play GTA V in all its glory, at recommended level you will need a more powerful processor in the form of either an Intel Core i5 3470 or an AMD X8 FX-8350 to truly keep up with the game. In addition to this, a more advanced graphics card will be required to truly show off the beauty of GTA V. You will need either a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB or an AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or higher for this to be possible. An AMD X8 FX-8350 with 8 CPUs running at 4GHz will be ample processing power to wreak havoc across Los Santos. This backed up with an AMD HD 7870 or higher will do the design team justice and make world come alive on your monitor. You’ll be able to enjoy beautiful textures and lighting mechanics with these specs.

GTA 5 for Android – Can you believe it?! While it had been made available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 so far, it was never available on mobile phones! Now, you can play this game whenever you want, wherever you want, since it has been released on Android. Even on Android, it comes with great graphics and the game play is also excellent.

For those uninitiated, GTA 5 Android is an open world game wherein you can do whatever you like around the city whenever you want to, even in the midst of a mission. GTA 5 is set in Los Santos and offers you a choice of 3 different characters to play with. Its game play has significantly improved when compared to the previous GTA games, due to better mechanics of shooting, driving, etc. And some additional features have also been included such as yoga and scuba diving.

GTA 5 for Android – Features, Requirements and Installation

Below you can find some important information that will help you access GTA 5 for Android more easily.

Features

While this is clearly not the first time the GTA world has allowed for flight, this game comes with a vast selection of airplanes and helicopters to choose from which can be accessed in a multi-player setting.

There is far more liberty and freedom with how certain missions pan out. Of course there are certain limitations, but with this game you get to decide how you want to go about a mission, whether you wanna go with stealth and smarts, or with a lot of bang and firepower.

There is much wider selection of games and other leisure activities to choose from. If you get bored from the senseless carnage and plot, then you can simply go off to the nearest golf course or yoga studio and relax.

This version of the game considerably ups the ante on how incredibly interactive the GTA environment is. You can actually blast through walls and boulders, offering a far more fun and realistic feel to the game.

Of course, one of the best new features has got to be the multiplayer feature which allows you to better interact with the world around you and the characters, and makes the game far more interactive.

One of the best features other than the multiplayer option has to be the introduction of 3 characters between whom you can switch at any time. As such, you can constantly explore what it feels to explore this world through 3 different eyes, and it even makes the plots so much more fun as you can switch between the characters in the midst of missions thus offering a more vast set of possibilities.

GTA 5 goes underwater! It wasn’t enough that they had to create a large interactive world above ground, they’ve created one underwater as well, one you can explore in a wetsuit!

This time you also have the option to go out to the woods on the outskirts of Los Santos and indulge in some hunting of deers and whatnot.

Walther ppk/s serial number dates. Well, these are only just some of the crazy cool new features that have been introduced to GTA 5 that make it an absolute must play, especially on the android which helps you carry this world in your pocket to wherever you are! Below you can find some important information that will help you more easily access the game.

Minimum Requirements

You need to have at least an Android Version 3.5, preferably higher. You can even install it on a lower version but that will cause some serious lags.

You need at least 3GB of free space on your Android.

How to Install?

You can download the .apk file from the link http://gta5forandroid.org/

Transfer the file to your memory card.

Install an app installer from the App Store.

The .apk file will be visible from the App Installer.

Install GTA 5 onto your android.

Other FAQs

Where can I download it from? You can download it from the link provided in the section above.

Why does my game freeze in the midst of the play? This might be because you are running it on a non-compatible version. Refer to the “Minimum Requirements” above.

You can follow the above instructions to install GTA 5 for Android and have a great time playing this amazing and creative game. Have fun, guys!

Looking for audio drivers for Dolby Home Theater® v4, Dolby Advanced Audio™ v2, Windows® 8, or Windows 10? You can find them by visiting the support section of your PC or tablet manufacturer's website. Every manufacturer's computer or tablet model is custom-tuned to deliver an optimized audio experience for the device. Download dolby for windows 10 for free. Multimedia tools downloads - Dolby Home Theater by Dolby Laboratories, Inc. And many more programs are available for instant and free download. Download dolby for windows 10. This package provides Dolby Audio UI Driver and is supported on 330S-15IKB GTX1050 and running the following Operating Systems: Windows 10 (64-bit). This package provides Realtek Dolby Audio Driver（windows 10 version 1709/1803） and is supported on ideacentre AIO 330-20IGM and running the following Operating Systems: Windows 10 (64-bit).

GTA 5 for Android – Features, Requirements And Installation3.39 (67.86%) 56 votes

Gta 5 Mac Requirements Laptop

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