#inclusive pet communities

[phoenixyfriend]

Really? In front of my community horror at the UK court decision to harm trans people driven by JKR's endless money?

Hiiiiiiiii do you want to tell off a company that's small enough to actually listen but not so small that you worry about ruining a person's life?

Look at this email I just got.

Go yell at Colourpop (they also have active pages on tiktok and instagram).

Maybe something like "You claim to be cruelty-free to animals, but what about the real-life humans you're harming? The money this collaboration earns goes directly into pet projects of JKR's, like the recent ruling of the UK Supreme Court that stripped countless trans people of basic human rights."

Maybe throw in a "you've got to be kidding me" or a "less than a month from Pride? And you didn't even do anything for trans day of visibility! Your 'inclusive' marketing rings very hollow when you do things like this."

"When the queer community and all its allies are up in a fury about how this one woman and her IP are hellbent on destroying our lives and the people we love, you choose to advertise the collaboration instead of letting it slowly die out and fade like you should."

(If you want to know about my ongoing crusade to get them to do something about their other problematic collaboration, my colourpop tag is filled with the situation as regards 'hey, can you as a company donate to the Quileute Move to Higher Ground fundraiser if you're going to use the tribe as marketing material for your Twilight stuff?')

[jawusa]

[4t2] Sixam - Secret Alien World for TS2 ^^

Remember my 4t2 Sixam project I started 2 years ago? Which I almost scrapped but revisited sometime last year? ... well, I've got good news for you then. It's finally out now! ^^

Welcome to Sixam!

Sixam Academy is a prestigious intergalactic university on the planet of Sixam that provides special training for aspiring students to become Birth Queens, Colony Drones, or even the latest innovation in alien technology: Pollination Technicians. The academy offers hands-on experiences, collaborative research, and cultural exploration, alongside interstellar expeditions, nurturing a community focused on curiosity, inclusivity, and innovation.

Yes, I recreated the secret alien world from TS4 for TS2 as a custom university subhood! Why as a university subhood you may ask? Well, I tried to keep the original vibes of Sixam of it being an "unlockable"/visitable place your sims can explore rather than a regular neighborhood your sims can live in!

Well, even after graduation, your sims can actually stay and live in the university subhood using Lamare's YAs can enjoy maternity (and all that) mod, as well as Lamare's Pets at University mod!

While technically it's a university, it could easily also be just a downtown or a main hood, as it includes quite a few urban city-style residential & community lots that a main hood/downtown would also otherwise have… just all in sci-fi/alien theme, of course! ;)

Download: MTS | Simblr.cc | SFS

More info under the cut...

Neighborhood Info:

Requires only Uni/NL/OFB EP and no CC were used to build the lots - I made this without Apartment Life EP, so TS2 Super Collection users can also use it, but in the future, I might also make an alternative version as an actual downtown with apartment lots!

No camera mod is needed, yet, still recommended for easier gameplay, especially since some lots were built on skyscrapers and can be hard to view with just the vanilla camera.

Number of Sims: 90 (10 playable sims in 4 playable families, 31 townies, 44 NPCs, 5 dead sims)

Number of Lots: 35 (7 residential lots, 2 Greek houses, 5 dorms, 1 secret society, 20 community lots, where 8 of which are owned businesses)

Gameplay Info:

Speaking of lots, I made lecture halls for every major, which you could use with beestew's Active Classes mod! These are community lots, featuring skill-building equipment and study spaces, with NPC professors (as lot owners) available for tutoring whenever your sims visit.

I also made an optional custom skybox and custom lighting file for Sixam that will make it always nighttime (Yes, you heard right! The sun never shines here on Sixam!) with subtle seasonal color changes - reddish in Autumn, bluish in Winter, and greenish in Spring.

While the empty version should be CC-free, the inhabited version requires the 3 alien skintones (blue/turquoise/violet) from my [4t2] aliens set to keep the TS4 alien characters like Aileen Rauvu authentic. As giving all these colorful aliens the default green skin instead felt as bad as white-washing, say, giving black characters like Olive Specter a lighter skintone for me. An alternative CC-free version with no CC skintones is also available for players who prefer to not have any CC skintones in their games, though.

I also recreated some characters from TS4, especially all the characters from the The Sims 4 Get to Work: Sul Sul trailer. Every character comes with a complete set of ancestors (at least parents) and customized memories, even townies and NPCs! Some also come with interesting lore! Even though, they're just... townies! Oh, and everyone has genetic infant faces! Yayy! XD

Speaking of characters, scripted events don't work in subhoods, but I wrote a text in each family description that somewhat mimic the scripted event notifications anyway. I think this is a brilliant and fun way of introducing new characters, even in university subhoods. All households should also have a complete set of family album pictures that show their lore a bit. ^^

Recommended Mods:

All notownieregen/antiredudancy/nodormiespawn/nossrespawn mods. All university townies/NPCs in Sixam are aliens.. or at least have a very good reason why they're there, but this can easily be ruined if you don't have these mods installed, lol.

bloodredtoe's Mannequin babies can be born mod. To have more variety, I used the mannequin skintone for some of the alien sims. While this mod isn't required, it's recommended to prevent crashes, especially when these aliens have offspring, as there's a chance they could inherit the mannequin skintone.

Squinge's No Townie Memory Loss. Again, townies and NPCs in this neighborhood are highly customized and I recommend getting no townie amnesia mods to prevent their lore from getting wiped out! As there are a few clues in the bios of some of the townies... including long lost twins!

lingeringwillx's Restore Default Names for Sims in Subneighbohoods . This is especially helpful, not only because the townies/NPCs are related to the playable sims, but also, it will help to maintain the alien atmosphere of Sixam with names like Pollination Technicians, Colony Drones or Birth Queens, etc. instead of having EA's default townie/NPC names.

Install Instructions:

This download consists of 3 parts:

Neighborhood itself:

Place the USXM folder into your PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 University/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplate folder

Note: If you have TS2 UC, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection/University Life/EP1/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplate

Note: If you have TS2 Legacy, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Legacy/EP1/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplate

2. OPTIONAL: Custom skybox (& 3 new alien skintones):

Place the Sixam CC folder into your DOCUMENTS/EA Games/The Sims 2/Downloads folder

Note: If you have TS2 UC, it's DOCUMENTS/EA Games/The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection/Downloads

Note: If you have TS2 Legacy, it's DOCUMENTS/EA Games/The Sims 2 Legacy/Downloads

3. OPTIONAL: Custom lighting (for enabling 24/7 nights):

Place the sixam_lot.txt file into your PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff/TSData/Res/Lights folder

Note: If you have TS2 UC, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection/Fun with Pets/SP9/TSData/Res/Lights

Note: If you have TS2 Legacy, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Legacy/EP9/TSData/Res/Lights

Credits:

To EA for creating Sixam in the first place, even though it was originally created for the wrong game ;)

Makers of SimPE (especially with the newest version, allowing creation of customized NPCs!)

Mootilda for all her amazing tools, especially LotCompressor, LotAdjustor, HoodChecker, and her tutorial on how to create a custom subhood template.

Numenor for his AnyGameStarter, allowing for the creation of a Uni/NL/OFB only environment.

@lowedeus for his original skybox, which I recolored and modified to make the skybox season-friendly, as well as @criquette-was-here for the tutorial on how to make nhood objects glow at night.

Gwenke for the original ocean surface nhood deco, which I also recolored and modified to make it glow at night.

@catherinetcjd for all her inspring builds and also for being such an amazing friend. I recommend her Isosceles Apartments, Experiment 4.2, The Colony as well as her Pyramid Commune No. 9 Live, specifically as optional additional lots for this neighborhood. I learned a lot from you in the past few years of neighborhood and lot building!

Creusa Sims for her support and love while I was creating this neighborhood. It was fun discussing some of the lore in this neighborhood with you. XD

@lordcrumps for also being such an amazing friend! It was you who kept pushing me to actually redo the skybox when I wasn't happy with the draft version, lol! And also for your helpful inputs very early on. ^^

@lamare-sims for being such a talented modder and her amazing mods that make living in university subhoods possible in the first place! This concept wouldn't have otherwise made sense.

That's it for now I guess? I hope you have as much fun with this neighborhood as I had building it! <3

[vernonverse]

🏛️ Point of No Return | Yoon Jeonghan

🕮 As a journalism major, your assignment is to write a feature on the 100 years of SVT for The Daily Carat. You expect help from your brother, but instead, he sends Jeonghan—his smug best friend you can’t stand.

ⓘ Paring. Jeonghan x f!reader ⓘ Genre | tags. Brother’s best friend/enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fluff, comedy. ⓘ Warnings. Swearing, arguments, pet names, suggestive. ⓘ WC. 649.

━ This is part of my series ‘The Greeks’ to celebrate Seventeen’s 10th anniversary! All the stories are in the same universe, but you can read them as standalones.

📩 Inbox — Prof. K. Chansung kchansung@caratuni.edu

Subject: Feature Assignment: SVT Centennial Piece

Hi Miss Choi,

Hope your midterms haven’t buried you (yet). As discussed in class, your next assignment for Journalism 321: Feature Writing and Human Interest will be a long-form piece scheduled for the Spring Campus Review.

You’ve been assigned to cover a unique and timely subject: SVT Fraternity — 100 Years of Brotherhood, Legacy, and Change.

As one of the oldest Greek organizations on campus, Sigma Veta Tau has a deep, complex history, complete with controversies, reform efforts, and an undeniable cultural impact. We’re looking for a feature that goes beyond surface-level coverage. Dig into what’s kept this fraternity alive for a century. What traditions have endured? What’s evolved? And, more importantly, what sets it apart today?

You’ll need to:

Conduct multiple interviews (current members, alumni, faculty, campus historians)

Attend at least 2 upcoming SVT events (calendar attached)

Submit a first draft by May 14

Final copy due May 21 at 11:59 PM

This is a high visibility assignment. Our editorial board will be reviewing it for inclusion in the commemorative issue. I trust you to bring your usual insight, edge, and voice to the piece. Reach out if you need access to archives or faculty contacts.

Looking forward to what you uncover. Best, Professor Kang Chansung. Feature Writing Instructor College of Journalism & Communication kchansung@caratuni.edu

——

——

{...}

Interview Excerpt: Vice President Yoon Jeonghan — Sigma Veta Tau Member, Class of 2017

Sitting across from Yoon Jeonghan, one quickly learns that SVT’s charm isn’t just in its brick-covered walls or century-old traditions. It’s in the people, specifically, the ones who manage to be both infuriatingly smug and surprisingly sincere in the same breath.

When I ask Jeonghan what has kept Sigma Veta Tau alive for a century, he doesn’t hesitate.

“We evolve. Not always gracefully, but we do,” he says, arms crossed behind his head, posture too relaxed for the gravity of the topic. “That’s what people don’t get about us. We’re not some relic, we’re a reflection. Of this campus. Of the times. Sometimes a really chaotic reflection, but still.”

Jeonghan is a senior and current vice president of SVT, known for his sharp tongue, unbothered confidence, and—for better or worse—a reputation for testing boundaries. During our interview, he arrives twenty minutes late with iced coffee in hand and offers an unapologetic shrug. But once the recorder is on, his tone shifts. Beneath the sarcasm is clarity and insight.

“People love to point out our past. Fair,” he says. “But I think what makes us different is that we don’t run from it. We talk about it in meetings. We changed our rush policy. We implemented accountability stuff before the school even asked. The Sigma Veta Tau I joined my freshman year isn’t the same as the one I help lead now. That’s kind of the point.”

I ask him what traditions have endured.

“Too many, probably,” he laughs, then softens. “The alumni bonfire. Every year. No matter what. It’s not about speeches or awards, it’s just people showing up. All ages. No ego. You stand there and realize, ‘Wow, this place has held people together for actual decades.’ That hits.”

What sets SVT apart today, he says, isn’t the house or the parties—it’s the level of ownership.

“We don’t pretend we’ve been perfect. We’ve made mistakes. Some big ones. But we fix them. We show up for each other. We let people change. That’s brotherhood, I think. Or the kind that’s worth keeping around.”

In true Sigma Veta Tau fashion, Jeonghan doesn’t offer the cleanest quote, or the most PR-friendly soundbite. But what he gives is something better: honesty that sounds like it’s been aged, tested, and made real within those 100-year-old walls.

Before leaving, he turns and adds, almost casually:

“Also, I looked really good in most of the photos I sent you. Just saying. You might want to quote that.”

{...}

navigation | main masterlist | series materlist & taglist

Every ask & comment gives me life 💗 If you’re enjoying it, don’t forget to reblog—helps so much and gets the fic out there!! Sharing is caring before you scroll!

💌Series taglist: @hoshstruck, @mingyuuulover, @ateez-atiny380, @zealouscookierebeltrash, @pleasetellmenow, @gyuhao365, @auroramilaa, @peter-knows-spiderman, @theidontknowmehn, @bruhmoonlight, @s3oblvr, @coffee-addict-kitten, @nightshadeblooming, @booseoksoonfighting, @li-lilyvi, @headlockimnida, @joanne-127, @paradiseoflosers, @aaronwarners69thwife, @joshujin, @wontechno, @armycarat2612, @wooingmandy.

© VERNONVERSE. I do not condone reposting, plagiarizing or translating my work in any form.

[a-polite-melody]

Framing the discourse surrounding trans men and mascs coining a term for the intersectional oppression that we face as a “transmasc vs transfem discourse” is such a huge pet peeve of mine.

Similarly to how I disliked aspec discourse being framed as “aspec vs LGBT”—before the usage of the phrase “ace discourse” blew up—because of that framing giving validity to the idea that aspec inclusion could be harmful to our community. When, actually, what was happening was that a part of our community that has endured erasure were trying to do things to combat that erasure often through the coining of new terms such as aphobia and were being helped by other people within the wider LGBT+ community, even those who weren’t aspec themselves. And a loud-but-vocal minority of people who wanted to make sure their spot in the “who’s the most oppressed” hierarchy wasn’t disrupted and didn’t want to wrestle with the idea they had unchecked internalized biases got angry and tried to oust that entire identity sub-community and the people who had been supporting them by framing the bid for visibility of aspecs as a plot to overshadow or remove the movements for support of “more oppressed” LGBT people than aspecs.

And… reading the above… I think you can see why I’m making this comparison in how we’re framing discourse.

[mimble-sparklepudding]

Ship and OC Relationship Creative Process Ask List.

I am still pondering how best to approach some sort of "ship" for one of my OCs, but it's proving to be quite the challenge to wrap my head around. So what better way to learn more about how other people approach the topics of sex and relationships with their characters than to put together a little Ask List. Not just focussed on ships between OCs and canon characters, but also open to relationships between your OCs - or your OC and someone else's OC (or OCs, as we are all very polyamory inclusive around here).

Did you create your OC with a plan to ship them with a specific character or another OC? Or was their relationship something that evolved all by itself?

How important is your OCs relationship(s) to their story? Would it still make sense without it? Or is their connection to this other character integral to their development?

Were there any barriers to you establishing your OCs relationship? Perhaps social or cultural stigma? Or a concern that "ships" with that character were already overdone? Or simply a fear of being seen as "cringe"? If so then how did you overcome this?

How graphic or explicit are your explorations of sexual interactions involving your OC? Do you happily name body parts and actions? Or do you prefer to leave the mechanical details to the imagination?

If your OC's relationship involves a gender or orientation different to your own then how confident did you feel about exploring or writing this? If your OC and the character(s) with whom they are in a relationship are the same as you in terms of gender/orientation then was this a conscious decision?

How easy do you find it to write (or otherwise portray) non-sexual affection between characters? This might include terms of endearment, "pet-names", descriptions of cuddling or stroking the other's head in their lap etc.

How important is other people's investment in (or enthusiasm for) your character's relationship? Was this a consideration when you were planning it? Have you ever changed a character's relationship(s) due to other people's response to it?

To what degree do you use your OC as a means to explore your own romantic proclivities (or shortcomings)? Is your OC a self-insert and the relationship a form of wish-fulfilment and/or an means to explore certain fantasies? Or do you enjoy exploring something completely different to your own experiences and preferences?

How confident are you in writing about or otherwise portraying kissing between characters? Did this take practice? How much detail is enough? How much is too much?

Is it important to include tension or outright areas of conflict in a relationship? If so then how do you explore these? Or does this not appeal to you?

Does it matter to you how many other people also ship their OC with a particular character? Would this make it more likely that you will compare your material to theirs? Or does this not enter into your thinking?

How much does your OC's background and origin affect their approach to relationships? Are there specific insecurities or preferences that lead on from their past?

How easy do you find it to write romantic (or sexual) dialogue for your OC? If they are in a relationship with a canon character then how difficult is it to keep these interactions faithful to their established character and communication style?

How do you feel about answering questions about your characters sexual/romantic activities or preferences in character?

Did you build up to your OC being in their relationship? Or did you put them into it quite quickly and then filled in the background in retrospect.

Is there a relationship between characters in another setting that particularly inspired you? What is it about this portrayal that you enjoy?

Does it matter whether other people consider your OC sexually attractive? Did this inform your thinking when you were creating them? Also was it important that you put them in a relationship with a character who is generally considered "attractive"?

Do you have specific music that makes you think about your OCs relationship?

Do you have a sense of how your OCs relationship will evolve in the future? Or is it quite a fixed in terms of dynamics and story?

Is it easy to write or otherwise portray other characters (or OCs) reactions to your OCs relationship? Are these interactions important to your characters story? For example, is the relationship one that can be publically acknowledged?

How important is it that your OCs relationship is "realistic" for the setting in terms of the characters values and attitudes? Or are you happy to explore psychological or sexual issues that might more reflect contemporary concerns?

Do you consider your OC to be sexually attractive? Or pretty/handsome? Would you still be able to write about their relationship if you didn't?

What is something you feel you have improved at in terms of portraying sexual or romantic relationships?

How do you feel about people producing fanart of your character's relationship or ship? If this were NSFW would you want to be asked first?

Other than your own characters' relationships, can you give an example of someone who is particularly good at writing or otherwise portraying romantic and/or sexual relationships? What is it about their work that really stands out for you?

Have you given much consideration to specific "kinks" or sexual likes and dislikes for your character? If so then is this something you feel comfortable talking about or describing?

Is there a particular "trope" for relationships that you especially enjoy - e.g. enemies to lovers etc - and is this something that you set out intending to explore?

Is there something you historically felt (or still feel) awkard about describing in terms of your character's relationships? Whether sexual acts, bodyparts, pillow talk, romantic declarations or using the "L word". How did you overcome this (if you ever have)?

What makes a scene or situation "romantic" in your opinion? Is this something you find easy to portray?

What advice do you have for someone considering creating a ship for their character? Or for someone unsure about writing relationships and/or sexual scenarios?

When portraying romantic or sexual scenarios involving your OC, do you aim to inspire a particular response in the reader or viewer? Whether a warm fuzzy feeling, or getting really quite turned on (or possibly both)?

If you ship your OC with a particular canon character, then what was it about that character that drew you to them? Is it that you have a certain "type" when it comes to shipping? Or did you surprise yourself with who you felt drawn towards? If your OC is in a relationship with another OC then did you change any aspects of either of their backstories or personalities to make this work?

To what degree is your OC a self-insert, particularly in terms of their relationship? Do you sometimes use your character's relationship to explore your own feelings about a canon character or another OC?

How confident are you in writing angst or portraying conflict or tension within a relationship? Or is this something you avoid? If so is this because it doesn't much interest you? Or because you're unsure how to approach it?

Is there a way in which your portrayal of your character's relationship subverts the reader or viewer's expectations? Was this deliberate?

How do you ensure that the dialogue (or other portrayal) of a canon character is true to their personality and (more importantly) way of speaking? Do you spend time studying their "official" dialogue in order to get it sounding authentic? Or did it just come naturally?

What is something you try to avoid - or think everyone should try to avoid - when portraying sex and/or relationships with their characters?

What is your favourite depiction of romance (or sex if you prefer) that you have produced? Or if you haven't produced one yet, then what is your favourite example from another creator?

What, if any, is your biggest source of fear or anxiety when it comes to writing or otherwise portraying romantic or sexual scenarios?

What is something that your friends or mutuals could do to support and encourage you when it comes to your creativity around your OCs relationship(s)?

[starrie-eyed]

hi <3 new pinned intro!

⭐️🌀 nonbinary dyke. they/them. 29. 🌀⭐️

🌀 you can call me starrie or star but im also a sucker for pet names

⭐️ dyke4all!!! safe space for all gender identities and presentations, trans/nonbinary inclusive always, (no cishet men in my dms/asks tho, seriously)

🌀 made this blog to shout into the void and like/reblog whatever shouts back about lesbianism, horny thoughts, and gender fuckery. reblogs of my stuff are not only ok but very much appreciated!!

⭐️ nsft lesbian/sapphic/queer tumblr. cishet men and minors dni!!! 18+ to follow. generally 22+ for nsfw conversations. will block if you fall under my dni/have no age in your bio/pinned.

🌀 asks and dms are open! down to flirt/yap/clown around/join the blunt rotation

i love making friends n flirting n building community so let’s follow each other maybe??

my tags:

🌟💬 text posts and horny thoughts

🌟🖼️ my pictures

🌟🎙️ my audios

🌟🎥 my videos

🌟✉️ answered asks

click below for likes/dislikes/hard no’s ☟☟☟

you might also catch the closest thing to a face reveal i’ll ever do on this app

✅ things i’m into ✅

ig im a switch???? probably??? idk i like making cuties beg for it, but i also like begging for it equally as much. tryna explore the dom/sub dynamic more!!!

pet names - (receiving and giving) a good mix of masculine/feminine titles like good boy/girl, pretty girl/boy plus all the gender neutral ones like sweetheart, honey, baby, puppy???

biting, scratching, bruises, hickeys, choking, impact play (giving and receiving), spitting

toys - vibe, strap, dildo, nipples clamps, pillow humping

intox (weed only for me, if you are into other substances for yourself we can talk abt it before getting into anything)

i’m ok with whatever terms for my body (cunt/pussy/hole/tits/boobs/whatevs), i like calling strap and packers cock/bulge/etc

i will never beat the praise kink allegations tell me i’m doing a good job please

BUT!! at the same time i kinda like it when a pretty lesbian is a little mean to me

breeding (but like not in the cishet puritan let’s make a bunch of babies way. more like in a gay, paint my insides with your cum n try to get me pregnant with your strap - or vice versa - way)

❌ hard no’s ❌

ageplay, urine/feces, incest/fauxcest, master/slave, bestiality, r@pe play

🚦ifs/maybes/let’s talk about it first🚦

mommy/daddy or ma’am/sir (as titles), somno, anal play, heavy humiliation (receiving), intox (substances other than weed/cannabis)

if it’s not on my list of “hard no’s” then i’m pretty much open to exploring 😗

hope to see you cuties around the internet <3

[fanauthorworkshop]

Applications now open!

The Fall 2024 Fanauthor Workshop is a 7-week writing course led by Betts (@bettsfic). The workshop lends a supportive space to writers who identify as fans to receive constructive feedback on fanfiction, original fiction, or creative nonfiction.

Art by @emimayooo 💖

Where & When

We meet weekly over Zoom. You can apply for one of two sessions:

Group A: Wednesdays from Oct. 9 - Nov. 20, 12-2pm EST

Group B: Mondays from Oct. 7 - Nov. 18, 6-8pm EST

What

FAW is a feedback-oriented workshop with the occasional generative session. This means that each week we read 2 pieces submitted by participants, offer written feedback, and discuss them over Zoom. You'll be able to sign up for the week you would like to workshop your own piece, which can be anything under 6k words.

There may be weeks where, in lieu of workshopping, I present external readings and writing exercises. These sessions will be dependent on the number of participants. For example, if we have 10 participants and 6 workshop weeks, that means one week will be devoted to a reading discussion and generative activity.

I developed a workshop model that focuses mostly on affirmations and positivity, as well as descriptive over prescriptive feedback, which is to say, describing one's experience of reading rather than prescribing solutions to perceived problems. We also present improvement-oriented feedback, but avoid negativity, judgment, and pedantry. Week 1 is spent going over the model and how to give feedback.

About FAW

The first FAW was held in 2017 as an independent study in my MFA. I restarted it in 2022 and since then have led 9 sessions with a total of over 50 participants, about half of whom have participated in the workshop more than once.

Participation in the workshop includes entrance into the FAW community, an active Discord server where we host:

Ongoing accountability meetings, where we chat over Zoom about our projects and set goals for ourselves every other week

A monthly longform writing workshop, where writers can workshop any story between 6k and 100k words

A short story club, where we read and chat about original short form works

Events and activities like movie nights and co-op gaming

Scheduled write-ins and impromptu writing sprints

We also chat about writing and craft, offer resources, and share many, many pet photos.

In addition, participants of the workshop receive:

A one-hour consultation with me to go over your workshop feedback, come up with a plan for revision and/or publication, or anything else you’d like to discuss regarding your writing

Open enrollment in future workshops

Priority sign-ups for WTFS (Write the Fucking Story), WIP Cleanout, and other one-off generative sessions

Eligibility

Anyone over the age of 18 who considers themselves a participant of fandom and who is familiar with fanfiction may apply. A stable internet connection is also required.

Cost

The cost of the workshop is "pay what you can" with the recommended amount of $300. To be as inclusive as possible, I don't want money to be a deterrent for anyone interested in participating.

Payment (or notification of nonpayment) will be requested prior to the start of workshop via PayPal, Venmo, or Wise. You can also pay in installments.

Application requirements

To apply, you will need:

An informal cover letter discussing your fan history and goals as a (fan)writer (more specific instructions on submittable)

A short sample of your writing, either original work or fanfiction. This may be previously published/posted

You can apply via submittable. Applications close September 15.

FAQ under the cut

FAQ

Are there any content restrictions to what I can workshop?

The only restriction is word count (max 6k), with the following caveats:

If you workshop a piece in a form other than prose (for example, a script), your peers may not be able to offer constructive feedback on that aspect of the work. Participants are asked only to have a familiarity with prose.

Content warnings are required for each piece (if applicable), and participants who are uncomfortable reading certain subject matter may abstain from your workshop.

What is the time commitment of the workshop?

As a participant of the workshop, you'll be asked to:

Workshop any piece of your own prose up to 6k words, which will need to be uploaded to the group folder one week before your workshop.

Read 2 pieces per week, write out your individual crit, and attend the workshop itself.

What is the timeline of the workshop?

In week 1, we go over the syllabus and do a writing exercise. Weeks 2 through 7 will be a workshop, a discussion of an external reading, or a writing activity. Prior to the start of workshop, you'll be able to sign up for the week you would like to workshop your piece.

Structure of the sessions:

Question of the day

First workshop

Short break

Second workshop

We'll go over my workshop model and the syllabus in week 1.

Do I have to participate in the Zoom meetings (camera and mic on)?

Attending the workshop itself is required, and everyone is asked to offer at least one note of positive feedback on each piece, so mics are necessary. Cameras are preferred but not required.

You can't asynchronously participate, i.e. read the pieces and offer written feedback without attending the sessions.

Can workshop participants submit to OFIC Magazine?

Yes! Part of the reason I run the workshop is to inspire and promote the original work of fanwriters. You can follow us on tumblr @oficmag.

Who is running the workshop?

@bettsfic! In short, I lived a dreary cubicle life as a banker until I found fanfiction at 24. I loved it so much that I quit my job to get an MFA in creative writing. I loved the MFA so much that I became a writing teacher. I have some publications, awards, an agent, and 2 million words of fic on ao3. I don't have a book out yet but I'm getting there.

Currently I'm a writing coach and freelance editor. I also have a lowkey writing-related newsletter. And I've been answering writing advice asks on my blog for 10 years.

If you want an idea of the kind of writing activities I create, last summer I worked with @books on a workshop series which includes craft essays and some fun prompts.

If you're interested in my original work, my short story "Not If, When" is a good representation of my writing. For something darker, check out "Shut Up and Kill Me."

What is the workshop like?

Check out G's experience of attending the workshop. And here's some feedback from previous participants.

One final note: I'm working on updating the copy about the workshop on my website and move it over to OFIC's website. This post and Submittable has the most updated information on the workshop. If you have questions about discrepancies (or anything at all), you can shoot me an ask, DM me, or add me on Discord (I'm bettsfic there too). Or you can email me at ekweeks@gmail.com.

[the-monkeies-girl]

Oblivion. ( Noa x Human! Reader ) Part Fifteen.

oh my god this chapter and then one more what am i going to do with my life. posting two hours early? WHAT.

Title: Oblivion. Fandom: ( Kingdom of the ) Planet of the Apes. Rating: T. ( VERY SEXUAL IMPLICATIONS HERE, strong sexual language used, Ape Mating, Human Sex. You get the drill. ) Pairing: Noa x Human!Reader. Words: 8.8K+ ( WHEEEEE ) Summary: Two days did not seem like such a long time. Hours did not seem like such a long time. But minutes? They seemed to drag themselves into eternity. READ THE SERIES HERE.

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Five Months Later.

“Two more days.” Noa’s voice was as steadfast as it had been, your hair being tangled between the thick fingers of his left hand as your own grip rose to touch against the bandage of thin fabric he had cased around his wrist that was used to ensure that Eagle Sun did not claw at his bare skin, pressing his fur in to his tendons and all you wanted was to be touch the untouchable. The fabric was coarse from use and tattered right around the edges, your eyelids falling shut slowly as the Chimp who held onto your head dredged ahead and let himself sink into a palmful of your skull in order to keep your head positioned for him to see your expression. 

The dim light of the fire in the corner of your small hut was indicative enough to Noa’s internal clock that told him he needed to leave soon; sharing a nest was protested against unless you were in the communal bundle of other Apes that slept together out of a desire of being close or if you were already a Mated pair. You were too private to share in the nature of communal sleeping, something that took the Master of the Birds time to understand but it ultimately fell down to the innate Echo aspect of privacy once more. And well…

“Two more days.” You were self assured in that as you ran your fingers against the band on his wrist before it dropped a small bit as you went against the grain of Noa’s furred forearm. 

“Would not have believed…” Noa started and rubbed the back of your head soothingly, urging you in some estranged way to urge your body forward which you were inclusive to at the time and shifted so bring your body against his own.

Slowly, you were languid in how your thighs parted, Noa’s eyes drifting downwards at the motion that was familiar but held such a touch of aggravated assault against his sense of smell. “When… I offered you to stay… You would become… so important…” “I’m not that important.” You grumbled from deep in your chest, the sound reverberating through Noa as he felt his mouth fall ajar at the tone. You were being… Humble, Noa thought of the Echo word you had taught him. Humble. Low importance to yourself, the leathered skin of his palm moved over your ear and tickled at the top as Noa pet you affectionately before he transitioned to the top of his fingertips against your cheek. 

High importance to the Ape, he felt shell-shocked at his body’s own mind as his weight fell back as if he had no control over the movements. Grunting upon impact drew into your primal desires, your body wanting to follow him down. His spine conformed against the animal pelts that carried your scent, the hue that clung to them was dimly different than the fragrance that was hitting at him now. This one was sturdy and potent, fresh and wet.

He wanted to lap it up with his tongue as his breathing began to pick up, chest rising and falling against your hands as you dangled yourself into a position to hover above him. Noa’s nostrils flared as he drew a deep breath in to coat his lungs and minds in a bid to remember the shifting in your pheromones, unknown to both of you for it had only been captivated a few other times. 

Dragging yourself down with him, Noa felt cross-eyed as you brought your forehead against his own, slotting your longer legs into the crevices by his pelvic bone. Ghosting over his own waist, you never allowed full contact and felt Noa dragging the grazing against your face to your bottom lip where he traced the plump nature and tugged downwards. Like the dream he had been in… When you two met before Death. Noa found infliction towards the action and stared longingly at the flattening of your teeth as you bared him a gentle smile which bounced when he released his touch. 

“Are you… not afraid?”

“I am.”

You admitted with ease, such a crazed juxtaposition to when you first began this journey with the talks of romantic love. How you never allowed yourself to admit anything to him before was such a foreign idea as you felt free as an Eagle now. Noa felt the sensation of your hands against his chest as he fluttered his eyes to captivate you from beyond his thin eyelashes. Hard to see still from the light, but with you so close to him, Noa was able to see that your own irises were dilated before your eyes fell shut. 

The Chimp used the muscles in his neck to touch your forehead more affectionately before he relaxed his neck down and the hooded nature of his gaze underneath his hard browline ran shock down your own spine as you sat fully onto him. Noa noticed. The stiffening of his own self against the placement of your weight was evident as the odd push and pull in his stomach reminded him of being sick from eating too many mangoes. Not unpleasant, he liked the fruit and it always left him a sticky mess that he got to lick off his muzzle and fingers but the Ape felt abundantly full despite the last meal you shared a few hours prior being rather light. 

“Me too.”

He admitted in return, that pinch in his stomach dropping to his navel and with another shuffle of your hips against his own, the fabric of your pants grinding against his fur too harshly and friction based contact was known to both of you, Noa felt it drop to drench his hip bones with unconfined fire. Harder than he intended, a large hand smacked against your hip and pulled you down onto him even further accompanied by a minor lift of his lower half. “It is… confusing.” “We’ll know better in two days.” You whispered in a hushed tone and lifted your body upwards and tossed your head back as Noa rode you against him, fully clothed the both of you as you tucked your hands downwards and into the thin nature of the twined belt that got to hug around his lower waist, the satchel attachment had been forgotten but the belt itself remained against him and you felt jealous that it got to rest so easily against him.

Noa’s mouth popped open at the brashed induction of your hands with a huff, snarling his teeth for a minute lingerance as he felt his nostrils flare once more.. Was this… Echo? It had to be, he thought and looked down, desperate to see the new contact but to no avail as it was done against the darker indentations of his fur.

“Two days.” Noa repeated to you, raising himself onto his forearms and fixed his gaze into your own. Swiping your bottom lip where he had caressed so lovingly just a minute ago drove Noa to stiffen below you once more, feeling a hardness that was getting more desperate between his legs, now casing right against his left thigh and holding itself against the fur there. What… Noa panted and no attempts of breathing were going to help him anymore. What were you doing to him? 

Once again as he had done so many times in the past, Noa looked at your jugular and felt himself grow in a heightened state of notice of the smaller aspects of your body and how it moved, not unpleasant. The usual stifle of your heartbeat against the vein your neck was pounding now, your hands were against his hips and dug into the bone there. More, he yearned for it and grasped the side of your neck and drew his face into the crevice that you offered when your head tilted to the side, the exaltation of your breath against the Apes ear enough to send him into an infinity worth of overdrive.

Echo, Echo, Echo. This was all so Echo! The way that you smelled. Like a flower of sorts… Begging a pee to pollinate.The way you were touching him, your hands so much smaller than Noa’s which were doing nothing more than digging their imprints into your t-shirt bunched hip bones. There was mutual affliction that he was giving back, the fur that was touching any part of your bare body enough to send all of your senses into overdrive and you knew…

Oh how you knew that if Noa was willing, he’d toss you onto your back and take what you wanted him to take. Two days made no difference. Two days… Swallowing hard, Noa’s face twitched at the sound that catapulted from that and earned himself your hands relinquishing their control on his hips to seek elsewhere. 

Noa’s mind was yelling at him as he raised his pelvic bone to get more of what you were offering him. You were barely able to comprehend, your own mouth falling open as you brought your fingertips downwards to the cap between your bodies. Noa--- What… Were you doing!? It felt… Almost… Good…!

Noa growled hard as your touch barely hit the velvety skin of what was stifled against his thigh, your position finally allotting him to spring free from the metaphorical cage it had been trapped in.Noa jerked with the force of his legs that were much stronger than you had bargained for in the first place, your entire form falling nearly flat on your back as you were tossed like a child who was caught with their hand in the berry basket, wide stanced as you looked up at the ceiling of your small hut as the breath was knocked right out of you.

“I-I’m sorry---”

"What was that?!” 

The Chimp was moving away from you suddenly and you had no response, Noa quickly turned his form from you as his large frame left your make-shift nest. Temporary for only two more days as you looked over at his hunched over form. Your mouth flew open as you found no words to properly express anything that just happened, the dawning realization of what you had… Placed your hand on too much in the forefront and it was obvious now as Noa staggered in a curled position as he paced in front of the fire, your eyes looking to where you had your touch only seconds ago and feeling a wash of embarrassment hit your every sense. 

You went too far. You went too far! Noa let you go too far! You let yourself go too far! And he had no idea what had just happened either as you rose to sit up, your heart racing incredibly fast as you squeezed your hand shut, the one that had touched him so intimately as Noa demanded once more. “What was… that?!”

“I don’t know---!”

“Echo thing?!”

“I don’t know!”

“I---” Noa turned so your vision was full of nothing but his back. Hardened breathing was evident in the rising and falling of his broad shoulders. Green eyes that were now acute with the color as Noa was drawn to intense focus, he looked at himself. Between… His legs. What you had done to him. “Need to go. Should have left… When fire… Started to die.” “Noa-” “Will see you in… the morning.”

The Ape was fast to depart, never allowing you the full frontal that you desired to meet his gaze and to kiss his forehead against yours as you had become so accustomed to when Noa would leave you for the night. Instead, your hand now alight with fire, you looked down at it in silence, knowing fully well what had just transposed and felt a small rack of guilt hit you for the confusion it caused. For the aggression of which he pushed you back at it.

Neither of you--- You whimpered to yourself, bringing your knees inwards. Had any idea, your gaze looking at the entryway of your hut, almost like you were anticipating Noa’s return.

A large body collapsed a few paces away from your hut after being carried by rather shaky feet, the shoulders and stomach still tearing into themselves out of the lack of confusion of what just happened and the response that you garnered unwillingly from just touching him. Behind another building that was used primarily to dry fruit and felt the stiffening in his body dissipating with lack of anticipation of your next movements against him.

Arousal was known, at least so he thought. You had attraction to each other that Noa thought was undiluted, normal and returned. This… Tipping his head back, Noa hit it against the wood bundles that created the walls of the hut. His breathing was all over the place as Noa tried to recollect the seconds that he had with you against him, touching him, touching him! Touching! That! Noa clenched his jaw and refused to look down any longer as his clear aroused state fell back into the normalcy of being tucked into the tuft of fur between his muscular legs. Was that how it was with Echo? Noa whimpered softly and growled. That sort of interaction?! That sort of brazen?! Contact!? Different! His mind was yelling at him. So different from what he knew his instincts were telling him. Take you, place you and mate. That’s it! What was that!?

Noa lifted his frame from the hut’s side and paced himself in an aggressive circle. Echo Mating! What… was he going to do…? Getting this worked up from just one touch…? He had two days to figure it out, Noa said finite and stared at your hut. Two days. 

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There was no way to convince your fingers to stop shaking, the very tips feeling almost numb as if you were losing sensation throughout your entire body and it was beginning with the tops of your appendages. Your gaze was innately sharp and focused as you flattened the front of a camisole that you had scavenged so many years ago, surprised that it was still vivid white despite being dredged from the depths of the remains of Humanity.

The remains of whatever past it was that you felt Kin towards and wanted to hold onto for just a few minutes longer. Only that, nothing more, your mind buzzed with exhalation as you sighed. Friends and family were gone; the Humans you had been raised with, nothing more than memories to tell children some day. 

Placing a hand atop of your stomach, you hoped that to be the case so as to not disappoint the Clan you were about to embark in as if taking the signifying Feather from Noa months and months ago was not solid proof of your commitment. As if dying for them was not what you needed to do. No, you shook your head minutely and let your fingers play against the fray of the shirt now bunching around your hip bones.

That was not what you needed to do, and it was clear now in the way that your stare trailed over the ornate and detailed garments that were soon to be placed against your Human bones, sleeping for now against the wooden and carved-rough tabletop to your right. Never once has that happened, you swallowed hard and found it difficult to breathe again as aggressive anticipation took hold over your already racing thought stream. 

Never once had they touched bare flesh, always allotting themselves against the fuller frames of a Female Ape. You were so bare and cold, admiring in the full way that Soona’s were covered so thickly as she moved beside you, not as thickly now as when you were healing as that had been closer to the Winter Months, now you were rolling into the Summer where the prosper of the Season was evident to everyone of the Eagle Clan and was abundantly clear when you had seen the Master of the Birds hours ago in passing and how the sun's rays were now beating down onto his skin, not just the honey-sunken color that clung to the very outer edges of his fur coat.  

They had to be repurposed for you, the cloak of a thousand feathers, gray, white, black and blues rustling like they had been made to take wing into the Sky above, the headdress that had been passed down from generation to generation and beckoned you to do the same if the consummation of your love and affection towards Noa was fruitful, a cusped bicep band of orange, yellow and tan leather, not as thick as Soona’s or Dar’s. All your own.

The significance of a Bond that was never to be broken. Smaller, more dainty in your shoulders and down your entire frame otherwise they’d have been too big. Dar, you looked over at her and let a shuddering breath out, made sure that they fit; taking it upon herself to coordinate the task with the knowledge of how important it was to her Son that there were adaptations made for you here.

Dropping your shoulders and feeling the shift of the thin straps of your shirt drift with your shoulders pressing in on themselves, there was a look of acknowledgement drawn between you and the Mother of your soon-to-be Mate. You thanked her in silence, the feeling heightened when she nodded her head towards you, a smile tugging at the very corner of her lips.

Balling your fists against the bottom half of your shirt, you straightened it once more and felt tears prick at the back of your gaze and was quick to look away with a staggering teardrop down your right cheek which you let dance down the rounded bone and off the sharper point of your chin. Without Dar’s knowledge, she had given you everything you had ever wanted, never knowing how to search for it until it found you, half dead and gave you a purpose greater than that of what any Human could give. 

Everyone… Drawing a hardened breath in to replenish from the reminiscent exhale you released moments ago, you let it linger in your lungs and pushed it down onto your diaphragm to strain at the muscle. Everyone you were about to become would see it, eyes flickering towards Soona for a moment as she recollected you from the throws of anxious terror with a look of assurance.

Thank you, you whispered with your expression, raising a hand to wipe the condensation from your cheek and crease of your eye, softened and acute with admiration with the turning of your mouth into a smile for the Chimp who was helping you through this, having taken her time to explain what the ceremony you were about to step into truly meant and what would happen during. 

You… Parting your lips, your tongue peeped out and swiped against them as racked nerves flooded the front of your mind. You hadn’t gotten to think about what was going to happen afterwards for two days. You tried so desperately to keep it out of your mind but it was eating you alive as you flexed your hand at your side. You had…---- Touched him before being Mated. You felt just a graze, a tease of what was laying for you and there was no basis now for what was going to commence after the ceremony wrapped and you were on your own together.

When Noa and yourself trailed along the dirt path of the Village, the land still scarred but healing like the two of you had been doing from the fire that threatened the distance between you to be so great that there was no chance of memories being made in the future. Your bare feet against the ground that was a mixture of soot and ashen, toes bouncing as Noa dragged you alongside with him, eagerness in his palm as he cusped at your hand, willingness as he laid bare to your flesh for the first time and allowing you to drench your entire body against him without the reserve that had been blistering since the night of his sacred confession.

Sure, you had thought about it many times before and it was so clear in your mind from two days ago when the dam that was caressing everything back was struck with a bullet, holding yourself against Noa’s large body and sinking into him without any fear despite it lingering in your mind that he could take your life if he so chose to. 

And you’d let him, you released a bated breath, you’d let him take it over and over again if it brought him the utmost satisfaction. The tearing of your flesh with bite marks that drew the crimson to the surface for Noa to lap against his tongue, casing his canines deliciously with your essence, the release of nearly two years of pent up desire but there was no assurance on whether or not it would go according to the plan you had imagined when you were in bed alone the night before, letting your imagination get itself worked into a jumbled mess of aggravated worriedness. 

You’d never even seen a Human Male nude, all your knowledge came from books about anatomy that were faded and worn from time, watermarks cased around the edges as your gaze flickered against the pictures. Moving your attention downwards at the fact that you wore clothes and Female Apes did not caused the juxtaposition that Noa had… no idea what to expect with your own body as if you had any clue yourself. And surely… Your mouth ran dry and no amount of saliva was going to help it as you imagined what Noa was going to offer you in return for flashing him, you had no idea what to expect.

Would it… Be like a Human Male? Did the gene that caused their intelligence at all heightened their state of arousal to the point that it was comparable and pleasurable in the same way as Echo mating? Like you had any idea! You yelled inside of your mind, you’d never been touched outside of the contacts that Noa had given you in your states of healing, minor brushings here and there from your time before you left, yearning the return to his side and the flush against you when he admitted to feelings beyond what was spoken before. 

All you thought about before were nothing more than fantasies that yielded mind pleasure, nothing to say towards the heat that you felt when Noa looked at you a certain way during late night conversations that were stretching to you two being alone and taking in a forehead touch that lasted moments longer than any other but remained incredibly chaste, when he’d place his hand on your shoulder and dropping it to the small of your back to let you know of his presence behind you, a consideration to your Echo nature of being startled at times. All of these catapulted and desirable seconds from the last five months were wrecking your conscious mind of any semblance of rationality.

All so fleeting and all so distant now as you were digging a hole into the ground with the knowledge that he soon was going to touch you beyond any of your wildest dreams.

You wanted him to touch you like you had touched him! You… Wanted him to make you his but you had no idea what to expect anymore now that you were so near to it, now that it was so clearly obtainable.

It felt like you were tearing yourself apart with the ideas that were flooding your mind. Brief, surely. Neither of you had done anything like this before and the visceral response that you garnered from Noa before seemed pretty pointed in that direction. Would it be though? You felt your breathing rapid against your lungs, the air doing nothing to help the situation and it felt like you were being smothered from the inside out. Would you not want to make it last for as long as possible? Fingers flicking at your side, you dug your fingernails into your thumb and dropped your eyes once more to look over your body. 

He’d find it… Repulsive, right? Unnatural? You had no fur. Breasts were going to be exposed to a set of golden encrusted and green dominant eyes, fulled and perked with the knowledge that they were allowed to be touched by Noa’s calloused palms. You had nothing to cover yourself with other than a thin lining of small hairs that rose at the attention you drew to the notion that Noa would soon be laying with you as his Mate and a tuft of pubic hair that served to protect what was between your legs---

Between… Your legs… Noa was going to be there, your mind flashed itself into sudden and irrational fear of the highest degree of not wanting to cause disappointment, your heart racing inside of your chest and pounding at your ribcage which flared from drastic change in pace. 

You had been healing well, you knew and tried to bring yourself teetering back to the ground instead of floating off into the Heavens, but at times, if thinking about something that got the blood pounding, it caused your bones to heave with irrational irritability. 

Lightly, you let your hand touch at your thigh, coated now with fabric but then… Five moon cycles ago, Noa had been touching it at this very moment, now fresh in your mind as you wanted to feel that again. You could still sensationalize the pressing ovals of Noa’s finger pads digging into your skin there. Virgin, he had taken something with him that day as you told him that you’d take him as he was. You wanted nothing more… . Together. 

Shoulder to shoulder for the first time towards a nest whose intentions were to hold carnal desire along with the forelonged notion that this was all meant to be. You had not had time in all of this, the attunement of the details of the actual mating. Was it… Appropriate to bring up? To ask Dar or Soona what to expect? Would asking… cause more anxiety or would it put your mind at rest?

Out of the corner of your peripheral fluttered the captivate hue of the sky against the dimmer natural light that was pouring into the small enclosed hut along with the bustle of a crackling fire that allotted the azure color to appear more orange around the creases. Feathers, you recognized them as being from Eagle Sun, held in animation by Soona’s hand as she began whispering gently towards you, aware that you were suddenly terse with keen eagerness that was wafting off in the form of apprehension. 

“Will… all be okay… Noa,” She turned her back to you and you felt another racketeering breath escape your shuddering lips, “Chose his Mate… well. Will make Eagle Clan… Proud.” She was good at maternal reassurance you had noticed in the last five months of getting closer and forming a better relationship, Soona bringing her head in and casing your forehead with a tiny fleeting moment of a touch.

Grinning at her as she pulled away, you grasped her forearm and gave a small squeeze to the muscles below as to say a small ‘thank you’ for calming you down. For taking the time to notice knowing that she didn't have any obligation to do so and she did it now because you were seen as a Sister. Noa chose you, Soona recognized that and brought her hand up to tuck a piece of your hair behind your ear, so Echo was the action but Soona did her best and let her stocky fingertips linger there by the tip of your ear and for that… You were so grateful to find a family when all you had left behind as a Human was taken unwillingly from your grasp. “Eagle Clan already proud.”

Dar explained and gave you a brisked huff of a laugh that Soona returned as she pulled away for a split second and the statement got you feeling more self-assured as you cracked a genuine smile, a tinged pink radiating from your cheekbones. Thick fingers raised themselves fully into your hair now, tucking in the delicate snitch of the feather into the strands, stare captivated in how Soona moved her forearm in front of you to get the feathers to stay in their positions in the braids that catapulted against your head, tangled a few minutes before you put on your based layer of a shirt with no bra or undergarment, underwear and a pair of pants. 

“Noa surely proud.” Soona hooted a laugh that got you into a deeply ingrained chuckle. “Walks around like… He is… King or something.” “He’s not that bad.” Biting your bottom lip, you glanced over at Dar as she rose from her seat and trailed slowly towards the cloak of tightly bound feathers and twine. It was time--- Your mind rang out like a small alarm as Dar met your glance for a moment but it seemed to drag into infinity. “I… Would be proud of him for all that he’s done. I--- Am proud… of him…” “We all are,” Dar’s voice was a brick amongst the most unsteady of Echo structures that were toppling over. Strong and ever so present in their knowledge of the World and what it can do to a person, “As his Mate…” She picked up the cloak and your stomach dropped like a pin at the sound that the feathers made as they danced against each other. Like Eagle Sun flapping to a take-off, you felt afraid to jump from the nest of security, from the netting of Humanity but you were so ready. 

Shoulders heaved downwards in a dance of captivity and self-reflection as Dar placed her body in front of you, her feet digging into the ground in self-confidence of having raised her Son so well, accepting and holding him to her for as long as she was able. With this placement of the cloak against your body would she be telling Noa that he was now yours but you were both welcome against Dar’s embrace if you ever needed it. 

And you knew you were going to as you met her eyes with bolstering confidence that was being stoked like a fire that was falling to Death itself. It felt like you were always going to need it as she grasped your hand with her free palm, the other balancing the cloak and displaying it for all it was worth right in front of you. “You must feel the most pride in him.” Nodding in silence, you squeezed at her fingers and felt a twinge of pain hit at the back of your throat that threatened tears again. “I’ll make sure he knows… Every day, Dar.”

You’d only said her name a handful of times, the intimidating factor of the Mother of the Eagle Clan’s leader always so great and powerful that you were afraid to speak to her so familiarly but that was all torn away in this moment, minutes away now from Dar herself blessing the union in front of the other Apes of the Clan and assuring that there was going to be a future for them all and that their culture was not going to be forgotten. 

Noa would make sure of it. And… making it abundantly clear that you had the same intentions as her Son, you smiled at the Ape Mother, bringing your own forehead inwards to kiss her browline hard, causing an influx of pain to shoot against your eyebrows as your smile tore into a thankful frown of sorts as you shattered a small cry. She accepted you, the palm that was holding onto you reaching and holding onto your forearm tightly and pulled you inwards, you would make sure that the Clan would not forget either. Staggering your feet, you let a choked sob leave your esophagus and crashed into Dar fully, her proportionally longer arm casing against your spine and holding you against her muscles. 

“Need… not cry, my Daughter.” Dar whispered into your ear and pressed you further into her shoulder as you let the tears flow freely for a few seconds as you shook violently, hands reaching into her fur and holding her much like a Child saying goodbye to their prized childhood toy would. Saying goodbye to a piece of yourself for something new, you wanted it so badly but there was still fright in the unknown. What if Noa did not find you as pleasing as a Mate? What if you were only destined as friends? What if--- What--- If!!!

The contact was lost as Dar pulled back to stare longingly into your face, the expression you wore was familiar to her as a thick pointer finger ran against the bottom of your right eye, taking away the tears from your ducts with one swift motion outwards, “Fear is… Normal. This is something… different. Something Ape have never seen---” She corrected herself with a tilt of the head, “Something Eagle Clan has never seen. Echo with Ape. Ape with Echo… Fear is… normal.”

Swallowing hard, you nodded at that and closed your eyes as she wiped at the left side of your face. So Motherly, it made your senses scream at themselves that you were actually allowed a moment of vulnerability in the world where Apes hunted down your kind for the thrill of a game. “What if he doesn’t… like me?”

That was odd; that did not sound like your voice at all, drawing and complaining like a child who was not allowed something they deeply wanted. You knew that you didn't need to worry, it was indicative in the way that Noa stared at you alone that should have left you assured that you were what he wanted but still the idea lingered that you were just a Human and there was going to be an expectation that you drew yourself more into an Ape’s nature.

Save for a few dirt marks that had made its known history against the ripstop fabric of your shirt, you seemed so acutely focused on how the knit looked in the firelight that was dancing against your body, casting shadows against the lashings of tightly bound of wooden spears that sprawled from what seemed to be the depths of the Earth itself and was encasing yourself, Soona and Dar in a warmth of the highest possible degree. 

“You do not see… the way he is around you? Born within Sunset, I know…” Soona was to speak now, helping Dar as she grasped the cusped shoulder piece of the cloak, telling you in silence first that this was the intended way and once Noa set his gaze on you so long ago, there was no turning back for either of you. “Noa is… Sure of what he wants. It will be that way, always. You… Are what he wants. Would not want to be Mated otherwise.”

You had to know that, the cloak rising with your eyelids as you looked and beheld the customs of the Eagle Clan, soon to be your customs. Eventually to be passed on. Peering up at the garment, the shimmering of the feathers reminded you briefly of the stream that danced itself into the significance of your relationship with Noa. Silvers and blues trudged themselves into a dark scape of gray and near blacks. It all came to head at the ocean current as it tugged the fresh water into salt.

You were that stream. So gentle and caring against the land but willing to cut yourself a new path against the sediment and rocks. Noa was the ocean waiting for you. Always waiting for you…

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Anaya felt his darker eyes shade over his best friend. Noa seemed… Remarkably calm for the situation the Ape thought to himself, the cheers and hoots upon Anaya’s arrival subsided into the back of the silent conversation as he twirled a blue feather between his stocky hands, fluttering in and out of his finger tips with skill.

Anaya was able to sense that the soothing output of Noa was radiating with anxiousness as was clear from the fur against the other Chimps shoulders raising in anticipation of being crunched and flattened with the cloak of his Father. Ceremonious in all regards, Anaya glanced at it and narrowed his gaze on the cerulean feathers that were most abundant in color against the otherwise monochromatic garment. 

“You are,” Anaya started his usual chatter, happy around the outside and deeply satisfied within that Noa had found what he had been searching for his entire life, thinking it was a lack he had that caused the adverse drift between himself and his Father but it was simply… An Echo that had been missing from it all. “Nervous.”

That was accompanied by the sign that adjoined the word, Anaya huffing in amusement as Noa scoffed at him as his friend went to grab his shoulder, blowing a small raspberry at Anaya out of defense that was not justified at all as Noa could feel the budding sensation of wrought anxiousness in all of his senses, digging into the skin that laid under a few inches of his fur. 

“Wait until your mating ceremony,” Noa touched Anaya’s chest with a ‘C’ shaped hand and pushed him away in a playful gesture, Anaya hooting at him, arm forward and shooing Noa’s embrace away before ardently grasping at where his friend had made contact with his chest. “You… will be nervous too.”

Reaching upwards, Noa traced his scarred chest and drew a deep tentative breath inwards. His ribs. Healed now, he was grateful but no matter how much Noa tried in the moment, it felt like he were unable to catch his breath at all.  

“Not as nervous as Noa.” Anaya said assuredly, looking over the feather in his large hand before holding it up between their two large bodies, “Echo are different… Than Ape. Must have thought about that… before. How things… Will… Work… Do you know how… They work?”

Noa barked at him faux and playful before it tapered into a small whimper of sorts at the ending of Anaya’s questioning. Grabbing the feather into his own hand and looking down at it with hooded eyes as he let it tickle the very edges of his calloused fingerprints, imagining if your skin was going to feel just the same.

Or even better, Noa hoped. Softer… More… delicate under his touch, yearning with every pore, every whisper that there was something more in store. “Of course… Have thought about… That.” Only leaving out the details of two nights ago, Noa thought to himself and tilted his head to the side. Anaya… did not need to know about that. No one needed to know about that other than Noa and you.

That was all he offered for Anaya who just rolled his shoulders at the lack of detailing. He was curious, Noa could recognize why. There had not been anything like this in the Eagle Clan before and Noa felt a sense of sickened pride that he was the first to take an Echo for himself. 

Anaya was alluding to Female Echo anatomy previously. The intricacies that Noa had thought about before. How you would react to his touch against your sides, pulling you inwards to his chest as he buried his body into your own. There was conscious care towards the scheme that you were going to react differently than an Ape and that… Worried Noa.

How would you react to him? Noa’s body was built drastically differently than Echo Male. Similar, but not the same. Would you not prefer that? Echo Male? Allotted for your size? Careful with their hands? Not afraid of causing unintentional pain? Given the events of two nights ago… It only riddled Noa with more careless nerves. 

What if Noa--- Did not satisfy your curiosities that were obvious enough in how you looked at him? In how you touched him that night, your legs carding themselves around his hips as you kissed his forehead against your own, chest flushing hard against his own and your breasts crunching along his ripped muscles, heady breath against his face as he refused to breathe. Noa would have taken you then and there if he chose to soak in your scent, so poignant and powerful that it urged the Ape to lose all control he had over his conscious mind and actions. 

Noa bit at his self-deprecation for a moment like a ripened and juicy fruit. He should have held you to cure his own insanity and to tell you that it was all returned, that in two days, you were to be Mated and all the waiting would come to a slow and blasphemous end. He should have but your brash movements, so Echo and foreign to him, caused Noa to stiffen as something rose in the bile of his navel. Unfamiliar, he shifted his large body under your touch and tried desperately to get away. Not repulsed but so confused.  

Noa knew what it was now after having to rationalize it the last two days. Arousal. Of course it was, you stupid… Stupid Ape… You aroused him so many times since agreement was reached to court and mate five moons ago. He was blind to feel your hand against his stomach, pressing upwards with want that left Noa gasping slightly. He was naive to see the prickling of his own shaft between his legs that you were yearning to see before Noa was quick to pull away before he disgusted you with what he had.

To admit that there was indeed an aggressive attraction you had towards him and it was undiluted to the point that it made Noa want to go feral. You touched him without care with the intent to get him into a state of acute and catered arousal, Noa was impressed by that… He had no idea it was even remotely possible. Mating was used for one thing within the Apes and to see that you had him lapping at your every motion was a mind-bending cluster of anxiousness paired with exhileration. 

His thoughts ran away from him at times but never that far; he imagined how hot your skin would be against his muzzle, if you’d be receptive of Noa’s bite marks against your shoulder to tell the Clan that you were his intended as he took you in the most basic way that his mind could muster. The only way his instincts really knew how.

Never had he gotten far enough into his own fantasies to think beyond the aspects of more animalistic and primal intents. Pleasure was always there, but not in the teasing glimpses that you had blessed him with. The last time enlightened him too deeply into what you meant when you talked about Echo Mating. 

Two nights ago in your hut, the dim firelight illuminating barely your expressions to each other as you were against him, Noa flattened on his back with you above him. He’d never imagined this… His green eyes dilated beyond all relief as his hand grasped at your sides to keep you near. Never imagined… He stiffened at the hardening between his thighs.

Noa felt like being sick. It was uncomfortable and how quickly he was to sit up and advert away the moment left you reeling beside him as you were shoved off. You held him without fear and if he had been in his right mind… He’d have ravished you over and over again, no care in the world about the Mating Ceremony that was to take place this evening. No care of the traditions that the Clan held. 

It had to have been somewhat similar from what Noa gathered from thinking about that night, Noa now allowing himself to admire even further in privacy as you two were torn apart for long stretches of the days that followed due to the Ceremony preparations. Ape Mating versus Echo Mating. The arousal that scented at him from between your legs. Familiar enough, Noa’s eyes would dilated when it would waft his way and you caught glances. A smile would fall his way, the Ape taking it with stride that it was coming from a place of attraction.

Noa barked at Anaya faux and playful before it tapered into a small whimper of sorts at the ending of Anaya’s questioning. Grabbing the feather into his own hand and looking down at it with hooded eyes as he let it tickle the very edges of his calloused fingerprints, imagining if your skin was going to feel just the same. Or even better, Noa hoped. Softer… More… delicate under his touch, yearning with every pore, every whisper that there was something more in store. 

“Of course… Have thought about… That.” Was all he offered for Anaya who just rolled his shoulders at the lack of detailing. He was curious, Noa could recognize why. There had not been anything like this in the Eagle Clan before and Noa felt a sense of sickened pride that he was the first to take an Echo for himself. 

Rolling his green gaze backwards as Anaya let out a laugh, hard and long from his chest at the admittance he got from Noa, Noa was embedded with embarrassment as he turned his gawk to the side and looked at the headdress that was sitting near the cloak. All things were going to be placed on him in mere minutes. Each, a representation of Noa’s true desire to take you as his Mate for the rest of his time on the Worldly Earth and even then when you two would soar the Skies as the same Eagle afterwards. 

“Have thought of how… it will be… different.” 

Noa nodded and only flickered his gaze towards Anaya who seemed to be waiting in bated anticipation to hear of Noa’s ideas on Echo Mating. Truthfully, Noa drew his canines into their gummy enclosures in his mouth and gritted his blunted front teeth together, he had no clear thoughts about it anymore. Any expectations ran away with him the night you were so willing to touch him. Things would turn out the way that they meant to, he tried to tell himself over and over again but the personality shift from his obsessive nature was tearing apart his mind. 

Obsession told him to think about it; the shift of your body in front of him as you were naked… He wondered… How it must have looked. The obvious out of the way, you had no fur. Your breasts would be bare to Noa’s scrutiny of affection for the first time; not including the glance he had gotten of them when your sternum had been crunched in and Soona and Dar were running a desperate camp to analyze your injuries. What did the spot that wafted your scent towards him look like? He wanted to know. Noa wanted to pin you down and cure all his thoughts and gain the knowledge of it all. It was his for the taking and he intended to take it all to the very edge of Noa’s advantages.

Despite the clothes that drenched your body, Noa felt he could envision it nude if he really thought hard about it but there was that pit of lingerance in his stomach that he held expectations that were unfair to you. The dips of your smaller hip bones, the longer proportions of your legs and the shorter nature of your arms; those appendages he wanted to feel grasping onto him. Ape mating was straightforward, Noa knew that much.

Echo Mating was surely lost to him now despite the conversations he had picked apart from the agreement that lasted to the very cusp of Death before turning into a consensual relationship that had a finish line. You had mentioned a few times that it was prolonged. 

How much? Would Noa be able to sustain himself for you or would there be reserve on his part when his arousal was known to you? Would you… Think differently of him? Shun him? He barely lasted you touching him once--- What was going to happen later this evening when you were going to grab at Noa’s shaft and beg him to mate.

Quickly, Noa looked between his muscular thighs and huffed at what he knew he had to offer for you before trailing his stare to Anaya who had watched the motion from the corner of his gaze with a hooted and subdued chortle and joked towards Noa. “Afraid Echo will not… like?”

“Do not imagine… It is like... Echo Male.”

“Have heard size matters to Echo. And… Echo Male are small---”

Noa chuffed again, feeling the fur against his shoulders rise at the implications of Anaya’s words despite having cut him off in the first place. “Have not heard that before!” Noa shouted at him and drew his body inwards towards his friend to grab at both of his shoulders. “She will not care.”

Anaya laughed at him, drawing a small smile as he uttered to Noa and grasped the hands that were on his smaller shoulders, mere inches away from Noa’s face and taking in the fact that his friend now snapped into an acute panic, “She chose Noa as Mate,” A brow ridge was raised, “Echo obviously does not… Care.”

Noa preened at that assurance from Anaya and released him, Anaya hissing a small bit at the severity of how hard he was grabbed in Noa’s attempt of self-assurance. The headdress that accompanied his cloak captivated Noa’s attention as he tried to bring himself down from the heightened state of anxiousness that his dear friend had presented to him.

Quickly, his chest rose and fell with the whistles and pulls from his nostrils which flared with every breath. The dress.. A bundle of twine that were tightly bundled into a circle with the yellow and oranges that were similar in construction to the leather bicep band that dug into his right upper arm and happily nestled into the fur there. 

Noa knew that his own head piece matched yours in ornate, two feathers resting above and reaching into the air a few inches. Both gray in the color and the blue feather that he was now holding… Noa stiffened and looked down at it with a tear in his shoulders, bringing them inwards in self-reflection. He would place the blue feather he had in his possession between the two feathers that were already on yours. Signifying for the rest of the Clan the Bond that he was making. The Bond that despite no one understanding, they were all so acceptant of. 

Noa’s choice of Mate; as if you had no agreement in the matter. It all rested on you and the Clan deserved to know that, Noa looked over at Anaya with a smile of sorts. That night five moons ago after you ate, that night where Noa laid bare his truest of wants to you with his hand against your flesh, unwavering and determined. His words; less confident now as he replayed them in his mind but from the look on your face as he spoke them to you… The Ape was sure of your answer before you managed to say anything in return.  

“Will tell Anaya about it after?” Noa’s brother chirped playfully and dragged the Chimp right out of his own headspace with the joke that presented itself. “Curious to know… Echo Mating routine. As if the Clan will not be able to hear.” The way that Anaya snorted tore Noa into a small smile as he sat back down, calming his flying nerves as Anaya reached for the cloak to place against Noa’s broad shoulders.

“Will not tell you… anything.” Anaya’s expression fell in fake disappointment, knowing that to be the case as Noa made a joke for his friend as his nimble body twisted and shimmied the cloak in front of Noa’s face. The feathers of the many generations laid on it as he scanned what felt like each individual feather. “Echo… Like Privacy, remember?”

“Not much privacy when Noa… Will….Make Echo scream at all… times of the night. They are louder than Ape.” “No assurance.” Noa rolled his eyes.

“Noa… will offer better things for Echo.” Anaya was positive in his words and gave the other Ape a stern stare. “Need to. For the sake of future Apes. Show Echo… We are… Just as good, if not… Better than the…” Anaya laughed with his crude words, “The small Echo Male offering.”

Noa stared at the cloak that Anaya presented to him, giving a minor shift on his head to allow his best friend to lay it against his shoulders. Green eyes stared into another set of twinning irises as Noa smugly retorted, “Ape are better. Even my Echo knows that.”

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・●・○・ TAGLIST:

@ohwaitimthewriter @hera-annwn @saturnnie-03 @filliandkili @hadesbabygurl @supergoat12 @moonchild1433

@kaenalsha  @unsteady-bitch  @whamsworld

@yummyfanta @nuhteyam @babylockley @edynmeyer1  @callsignwidow  @moonlightnyx @undecidedcookie

[skyrim-crossing]

Discord Server: Inkpot Gods

Greetings everyone! We are an 18+ Cozy LGBT-Ran Community. If you're looking to make new friends, play/talk about videogames, talk about your favourite musicians (Yes, the server was named after The Amazing Devil), share your art, writing or OCs, this server is the place for you!

Hope to see you!

Our growing community offers:

🩵 ⋄ An inclusive space for all cultures, LGBTQ+ identities, systems/alters, neurodivergent people etc!

✨ ⋄ Many channels for discussions. Whether it be about food, art, writing, spirituality, adventure, history, your hyperfixations/special interests, well-being, pets, movies, TV, music or day to day discussion, there is a place here! We love yapping in this server, so don't be afraid to pop in!

🦆⋄ Many channels for different franchises! These include: The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Dungeons and Dragons, Minecraft, Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk, Nintendo, The Sims, Stardew Valley and so many more! More can be added at the communities request!

🌸⋄ We have a wide selection of Discord Bots and Server games! Our server is PluralKit compatible, and are always open to new accessibility bots! On top of those, we have many bots such as: Poketwo, Truth or Dare, Question of The Day, OwO, Pancake, Counting, One Word Story and more! Bots can be added at the communities request!

🪻⋄ We love seeing your OC's, writing and art! We have many showcase channels for your creations and suggestions! We also have a Starboard system! We allow self promotion in a dedicated channel, so share your links!

🍄⋄ We are a multicultural server, with members all over the world. This means that someone will be online, no matter the time of day!

🌷⋄ We have a venting and NSFW channel. These channels are only granted to people who have been in the server for longer than a week, and are well moderated for the safety of our members.

🦋⋄ Exclusive behind the scenes and early access to mine and my partners content! Whether it be an exclusive piece from my novel, or behind the scenes of how I make my social media content, you can find it here. You can also receive updates from @moffkyng 's YouTube channel @confusedyonko 's art posts!

🐾⋄ Lots of fun, cozy emojis! We are blessed to have a boosted server, meaning lots of fun, custom emojis!

[zadr-day]

ALT-ZADR SERVER LINK

18+ entry

Anyone is welcome to join! The server is akin to a clubhouse . We stream movies, play games, stream art, and yap with ZaDr friends across the world!

⬇️MORE INFO BELOW CUT⬇️

Must be 18+ to enter

The ALT-ZADR server is run by helpful and friendly mods who will see to your concerns swiftly and kindly. We're proud of the inclusive and freeing space we have made for this community and we'd love to have your company!

Discord Channels of the Alt-ZADR server include:

- Separation for SFW and NSFW content

- Movie/Media recommendation Channels

- Multiple Channels for chatting

- Meme Channels (duh)

- Debate channels (for IZ and other things)

- Shopping and merchandiser Channels

- Channels for selfies and pets and food pictures

- Multiple Channels for posting Art / Wips

- Art/Writing Channels for recommendations

- Channel for posting Commission info/links

- Channel for posting Donation info/links

- Multiple Channels for posting Writing/ Brainstorming

- A Writing Sprint bot

- Channels for to connecting with RP partners

- Non-IZ related Fandom Channels

- Gender Chat Channel

- Paranormal investigation channel

- Astrology/Witchcraft Channels

- Kin/Alter chat Channel

- Vent Channel

AND MANY MORE!!

JOIN MY FUCKING EMO BAND

DISCORD JOIN LINK

[kerryweaverlesbian]

could you please explain to me like i’m a child why kink should be at pride? i’m asking this very genuinely as someone who is relatively new to pride and gets overwhelmed by this discourse every year. i feel like the arguments against it are very clear but the arguments for seem to just be “well it used to be allowed and i want to continue that, so deal with it”. i don’t mean that dismissively, i’ve just never really seen someone explaining why pride should be inclusive of kink without it becoming very defensive and difficult to discuss.

The rights of kinksters and the lgbtqiap+ communities have always overlapped. Acts are considered "kinky" and "taboo" when they deviate from the expected heterosexual norm - two men kissing was once considered extremely abnormal, disgusting and overtly sexual in the same way that someone in a puppyplay outfit getting petted on the head is today. Neither act is inherently abnormal, disgusting or sexual. Our communities have worked together and continue to work together to increase understanding and empathy over affectionate acts.

When bodies, sexualities and lifestyles outside of the white cis normative patriarchal nuclear family are being targeted we need to stand together for our collective needs (respect, keeping the state out of our consensual sex lives, the right to wear what makes one feel connected to oneself regardless of assigned or perceived gender, a freedom of expression) and we should also stand together in celebration that there's a place for us. Leather bars and other kink spaces have often been safe havens for the LGBTQ+ communities to express ourselves without judgement, and they still are today. Also - there are many kinky queer people. If queer knitting groups are "allowed" at Pride, why not queer kink groups? Sexuality can be a big part of someone feeling connected and celebratory of their sexuality. If Pride has to at all times remain "family friendly" to the standards of the state or general public, then no Pride would ever happen.

In practice, "kink at pride" is not like, people having an orgy on the main stage or whatever it is the more nervous among us are expecting. It would be: people in fetish gear (already a mainstay of pride events), maybe people in fursuits with front zippers (stay cool and hydrated in there, babes), talks and demonstrations of safe/sane/consensual good practice, people in cute collars/leashes (also reasonably common in the pride events I've been to), nonsexual nudity, leather/kink pride flags, maybe some stands sell sex toys.

What is "acceptable sexual expression" and what is "unacceptable/kink" is entirely a cultural norm. There can be huge advertisements of heavily sexualized women's bodies in everyday life, but my friend can't show off her strap at Pride? Why?

In trying to find arguments against to rebut, I found this Vox article which discusses the inherent respectability politics at play, and also This OUT article has the powerful quote:" If Pride is to be a "family-friendly" space, I would ask: for whose family?" which are definitely worth a read for more!

For the sake of argument, let's go through some scenarios, if the things people are scared of happen:

a child at a Pride event does see someone mostly nude aside from a bandana over their privates, and they are doing a sexual dance

Nudity is not inherently bad for a child to see. Children regularly see sexual dances in music videos. This does not negatively impact them.

a child at pride is approached by someone in a puppy mask on a leash, and is asked to pat their head

This is not a sexual act. It is patting someone's head. The child goes 'ah, someone is pretending to be a puppy' and can choose whether to not to pat their head. This does not negatively impact them.

a child sees sex toys and asks what they are/a child hears an adult call another adult "Daddy" and asks why

The responsible adult they are attending with explains that they are toys/games for grown-ups that kids would find very boring. "That's not really her daddy, they're just playing pretend". This does not negatively impact them. (Why parents are apparently so afraid at the very idea of having a conversation with their child is beyond me...alcohol also isn't appropriate for children but it's pervasive in "normal" culture as a "drinks for grown-ups").

a nonconsenting party is involved in a sexual scenario against their will

This would be awful! I agree! This would be an assault, and is not acceptable under any circumstances. It is also, unfortunately, something that is a danger at pretty much all crowded events, kink-friendly or otherwise. This, however, would not be kink at Pride, this would be assault at Pride and should be reported to a trained authority. Banning healthy, joyful sexual expression does not and never has prevented sexual violence.

However...now, don't boo me, but there can be some nuance on this point. What is the line of "involved in a sexual scenario" and "being an audience member"? Am I "involved in kink against my will" if I go to a drag show and they do a shibari routine? Or if they recreate a simulation of a kinky scene that happened to them of shining someone's boots? Or if someone dresses up as a robot and says they want to fuck their laptop and grind on it? Or if they pull out their comically long strap-on and rub it in a willing volunteer's face? (All of these happened at local drag events, all of them fucking RULED!!!! in my opinon haha). I don't think so, but, would that opinion change if they'd visibly climaxed during those performances while staring me in the eye? I don't know! But also - am I "involved in a sexual scenario" if I go and watch Avenue Q and there are puppets simulating sex acts? Or if a performer makes intense eye contact during Cabaret's opening number? There are contexts at play - most pride events that contain overtly sexual performances are going to be appropriately signposted, and all of the above examples are from 18+ shows. This one podcast talks about having seen a (fully clothed) flogging before the 18+ hours (which they highlight as unusual and unexpected, and this appears to be their only personal example of having seen it something they consider over the line at Pride) (I think this is an interesting conversation they have, worth reading the whole thing), were they being involved in a sexual scenario? As spectators to a fully clothed scene, not at all invited into it? I don't know! It's something I'll be thinking about...

I do know! That basing "what is acceptable" on "what makes me and my friends personally uncomfortable" is not a great basis for community organization and event policy. Because what if my friend gets a new friend who is 'uncomfortable' with hijabs. Or fat people. Or trans people. It's not a good way to run things.

a queerphobic person sees and points to it as an example of why all queer people are degenerate freaks who want to sexualize everything and should be locked up

These are people we are resisting WITH our pride. Locking out those who do not fit into their idea of acceptable helps none of us and is harms more of us, because to them, we are all minor-abusing, sick, disgusting freaks who should be locked up no matter how innocuous our expressions of affection and love. If we let fear of what other people might think of our movement leave members of OUR community out in the cold, then our movement is doomed. Kick out the kinksters -> kick out the gender non conforming -> kick out the people of colour -> kick out the disabled -> etc.

To finish - I fully understand why people are defensive around this subject. No one likes being called a horrible freak who wants to inflict their deviant nasty sexuality on the innocent for being or standing up for kinksters. From the above podcast: "People have...this big, emotional reaction to kink. Because again, most people consider it to be very sexual. Most people are very uneducated about it. Most people don’t know what it is, or what it looks like. So, kink where there are children sounds bad to people who don’t really know what that means". Extending grace and listening to the content of someone's argument even when their tone doesn't line up with what you feel is warranted in these discussions will be helpful for reaching understanding. The same respectability politics that seek to limit queer expression can also be used to ignore voices that don't fit a demand for meekness, friendliness or approachability. Which I'm not saying you're doing, it's just something to watch out for.

[scotianostra]

Pavilion Community Hub

Information from the hub itself;

The Pavilion community hub, on Edinburgh's Meadows, was set up as a Community interest company in 2021.

This was in response to an external threat of closure of the pre existing café which had been in operation for 15 years.

The café has always been at the heart of the community. It has provided many platforms for individuals and groups to share the space free of charge for such things as events, socials, workshops etc.

So, to maintain this wonderful resource, and to expand on the good things that could be possible for our community, the hub was fledged.

The main focus of our hub is to provide a space that is beneficial for our local and wider community.

So far this has taken on many aspects.

We currently have space for local school sports equipment, pop up incubation units for start up small entrepreneurs, storage facilities for local artists and a Pet Food Share.

The Hub recognises there is a need for an accessible food share depot.

We see food share as a way to help people who may be on a low income and people who may want to support a zero waste ethos.

With a food share depot we can provide this, and then hopefully expand into offering additional elements.

From food share we could organise inclusive dining, a meal to be prepared by volunteers from the food share products, and served at the hub to be enjoyed by all. This activity brings people together and strengthen the bonds and networks within the community.

In the future we would like to set up some workshops on pickling, preserving and fermentation. Simple recipes to be taught, shared and enjoyed. Enabling people to reduce their own waste, and how to use up a glut of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The depot would also have an information board about food waste and its effect on our environment, and how best to limit this problem at an individual level, encouraging people to be more aware of the problems that occur on a global level from such indiscriminate waste, but also saving the individual money.

[ldysmfrst]

Was it Fate?

This is a reader request by @bethanysnow, who holds membership to my Patreon. Her request is as follows:

"I have a request~ what about San from Ateez getting paired up on a variety show with a designer that is getting popular in South Korea?? For plus size fashion? And I can totally see him just falling head over heels for her~ ^-^"

This is my first ever Reader Request, and I am more than happy to fulfill it as Bethany has been my main support for my story, American Mate!

Pairing: Idol!San x Plus-sized FemReader

Status: Reader Request, One-shot

Word Count: 11,194

Genre: Variety Show Fluff

Warnings: None

Thank you to @cyaspeedy and @animatedglittergraphics-n-more for this story's artwork and banners.

As a plus-sized woman, you intimately understood the challenges of finding stylish and comfortable clothing. The sleek jumpsuits, the simple evening gowns, and the flowy summer dresses that were supposedly one-size-fits-all never quite fit the bill for you. It was this personal struggle that sparked your realization that clothes were an art form, and you were ready to create your masterpiece.

Your decision to launch a clothing line exclusively for plus-sized women was a game-changer. It was a mission that resonated with many, and it took numerous visits with investors and hours of hand sewing before your line took off. The unexpected support from the long-standing House of Schiaparelli propelled your mission to new heights. While the House of Schiaparelli offers women the essence of bold style and timeless allure, your mission was clear–“Everybody deserves clothes they feel good in.”

Your brand's success was a whirlwind. In just 11 months, 17 days, and 18 styles later, you had a summer line ready to go. Your diligence and unique aesthetic caught the attention of some of the nation's top photographers and production directors. Once you pitched the idea to the producing director, it only took a few days to get the ball rolling. 

Like most advertisements, you were blessed to work with some of the top Idols. However, unlike most brands that stuck with just one Idol or one Idol group, you wanted some from different groups because it supported your ideals of inclusion. Your concept was a couple having a date at a cat cafe; your love of furry pets is never-ending, which is reflected not only in your design but also in the ads.

While you had been a fan of K-pop music for many years, you found it easy to work with the different Idols. BamBam from GOT7 ended up adopting a cat from the cafe. Lisa from BlackPink surprised many, but her love for cats and the group's support for the LGBTQ+ community perfectly fit your brand's mission to include everyone. However, it was shocking that your advertisement also included Lee Know of Stray Kids and Yoongi from BTS. 

Soon, your commercial played on screens nationwide, from Doota Mall to Starfield COEX Mall and even Lotte Department Store. 

“Alright, can we please stick together this time?” Hongjoong requests the other members. “We really don’t want to leave Wooyoung at the mall again.”

“Hey! That was a one-time thing, captain!” whines Wooyoung, making the others laugh. 

Shopping with the other members was always easier for San. Despite his onstage presence, he was, is, and will always be an introvert. San has often seen videos of the group with remarks about Ateez being out and about and San looking more like their manager rather than another member. 

This fact makes San proud because he is all about being comfortable and looking good. Yeah, he wears clothes onstage to showcase himself for Atiny, and he loves it. In his everyday life, though, he likes to be comfortable in baggy hoodies and pants, loose shirts, and things that make him feel good but not showy.

Mosing around the mall with the other members, having already bought what he came for, San sees a new ad with Lee Know. Having worked with Stray Kids during Kingdom: Legendary War, he became close with Minho and Felix. Now that he thinks about it, Minho mentioned a new job that he thought San would be perfect for, but he was out of the country at Coachella and couldn’t join. 

Stopping to watch the ad as it replays, the most angelic voice comes over, explaining this was the laugh of a new line called “Byeol” by Y/n, which is exclusively making a one-size-fits-all for plus-sized women. The clothing is eye-catching and flattering. The concept of the ad is charming, and at the end of the ad is you. 

Your hair and makeup are done simply while you are wearing a lovely pant jumper that showcases the curves of your hips, the thickness of your thighs, and the beauty of your bare shoulders. When you say the closing statement, “Byeol, a plus-sized clothing line to make any woman a star because everyone deserves clothes they feel good in,” a smile seals the deal for San.

The visual component of the ad showcasing his friend and a lovely plus-sized woman in a summer dress at a Cat Cafe is long forgotten. The only thing of importance is you, the one who has stolen his breath and heart.

What San also forgets is the rest of his group. It doesn’t take long before Wooyoung realizes the dance master is missing, “Where did San go?”

“Dude, its either you or him that always gets sidetracked by shiny things. Hwa, can you find him please?” Hongjoong asks.

“Fine, but I am taking Woo with me. I swear he has a built-in San finder.” Grabbing the member mentioned, the two go off to find San, “Meet you back at the van!”

Turning a few corners, the two find San staring at the ad as it replays. Wooyoung bumps into San, “Hey San, what's up why did you stop?”

Breaking the stupor he had fallen into, San looks at the two members with a huge blushing smile, “Oh sorry, I just… well, look.” He points to the ad, drawing the attention of his best friend/soulmate and Seonghwa. Once you appear on the screen, it clicks. Both of them snap their attention back to San to watch his face light up and blush color his cheeks. 

“Oh, I see what stopped you. The pretty designer has caught our Sannie’s attention, I see,” remarks Seonghwa teasingly. Wiggling his eyebrows at the younger member, he said, “Y/n, I haven’t heard of that name before.”

“She is new. This is her first line of clothes called ‘Byeol,’” San says while watching you on the ad, wanting to memorize everything he can. 

“She named her line the same name as your cat? Do you think she is an Atiny?” Wooyoung asks. 

“I don't know, but I wanna shoot myself for not pushing for that ad campaign that Minho tried to get me on. I think it was this one. I could have met her, spoken to her even.” San laments. 

“Maybe Minho has a way to contact her, ya know? We are able to get in touch with our brands. I am sure he has a way.” Hwa, always the mother, says with hope.

“That’s right! I have to call him!” San lights up.

“But first let’s get out of here before people start wondering why three guys are staring at women’s clothes and word gets out that we are pervy, okay?” Hwa pushes the other playfully.

Several days have passed, and San is no closer to finding you than he was standing in the mall. Calling Minho had been a bust because, unlike most brands, your brand didn’t want to have long-term ambassadors. Minho mentioned that you seemed to live simply and cared for everyone there like they were your family. Paying for everything, and even holding a party at the end for everyone where you gave everyone a red envelope. 

While he loved hearing how generous and caring you were, he did not love Minho’s affectionate tone whenever he talked about you. Was he interested in you, too, or was it just because of the great experience? Oh no, what if you had someone already?  What if you didn’t want an Idol? What if you wanted someone like Lisa? 

While it drove his bandmates up the wall, San pretty much had all of your advertisements running on replay, but now he was driving himself up the wall without being able to find a way to contact you. You had no social media accounts, your brand’s website was simplistic, and the contact number was for a messaging service. At this point, if it wasn’t for Minho seeing you, one might think you were AI.

Ring Ring

“Hello?” 

“Hey Sannie, it’s Felix.”

“Oh hey, Lix. I am not really in the mood to chat right now.”

“Yeah, I know. Minho and Woo mentioned you have been really down lately because you cannot find Y/n, right?”

“Seriously, they are telling other people?”

“We all care about you, Sannie. Especially Woo, and you should know that. But I think I may have good news for you. Woo said something about you guys taking a small break to get ready for your world tour right?”

“Yeah. Captain thought it would be a good idea. Be fresh and ready for Atiny in America. But what does that have to do with anything?”

“Would you be interested in doing something solo for half of that time? Say a variety show with me and Y/n?”

“No way! How? When?”

“The producers just booked me yesterday, and I happened to run into Y/n and found out she was going to join it as the ‘new up and comer.’ Something about trying to show the world that there are things worse in life than being chubby.”

“That is great! But Lix, how am I going to get on?”

“It turns out S. Coups from Seventeen was supposed to join, but his knee hasn’t healed enough, and now they are short an Idol. So, I may have dropped your name. They should be reaching out soon, and filming starts at the end of next week. Just a heads up.”

“LIXXIE! No way! I have to pack, I have to get a hold of my manager, I have to… I have to go!”

“Bye Sannie see you next week I guess.”

~One-on-one Interview with Y/n~

“Okay, sit there and face the camera. It will be a simple interview. You got this,” the MC, who you recently learned is Sung Hanbin from the new K-pop group ZeroBaseOne. 

Nodding, you sit down, the production team milling around while fixing things like hair, makeup, wardrobe, and who knows what else. “Sorry, this is my first time doing anything even close to this.”

“Not to worry. You were requested by almost everyone here because of your ad campaign and the high marks you got for your debut line. This is my first time hosting a variety show, so we can both have our first together. Let’s start. Fighting”

The lights around the set dim, leaving you and Hanbin in bright stage lights. 

“Hello and welcome to YouPlusMe, the newest variety show where up-and-comers take on challenges with some of the industry's most famous idols. Let us meet one of the “newbies.” She has taken the fashion world by storm with her bubbly personality, strong values, and unwavering determination. It’s time to be the powerhouse behind The house of Y/l/n and the mastermind of “Byeol”, Miss Y/l/n Y/N.”

“Hello! Everyone! I am excited and nervous to be here. I am Y/n. Thank you for all your upcoming support in my first variety show adventure.”

“Miss Y/n, it’s been only a week since your launch and you are already the talk of the town. What makes Byoel so interesting?”

“I think my mission statement and line challenges the conservative fashion views not only here but around the world. Being the talk of the town, as you put it, has brought both positive and negative conversations. I believe that you can be healthy and beautiful without being skinny and petite.”

“What a powerful statement. You are clearly a model for your work and have already stolen the hearts of many. You worked with some very powerful idols for your ad and I have a letter from one of the Idols you worked with, ‘Y/n-ah, Your beauty comes not only from your smile but from your heart as well. I cannot wait for the world to see the diamond that you truly are. I enjoyed working with you and cannot wait to see where you go. Always your supporter, Min Yoongi.’”

A blush creeps up your neck. “Oh my! Mr. Min was a pleasure to work with. Actually, all of the idols who worked on the campaign were professional and seemed to support my ideals.”

“Did you have a favorite idol?”

“Lee Know was the easiest to work with, which I thought was odd. As a card-carrying Stay, he really was down to earth, and once he warmed up, it was nice to see that he wasn’t always the stone-cold Lee Know persona that he is known for.”

“Oh you are a Stay? Did you know that Felix will be joining us?”

“Yes, I did, actually. We met by accident. I was coming and he was going.”

“The show will consist of three teams of two and compete in a series of games. One up and comer matched with one Idol for each team. Wonder if you will be teamed up with one of your Favorite Group Idols.”

“As much as I love Felix-ssi, I don’t know if we would make a good team.”

~One-on-one Interview with Felix~

“She said what? And admitted she is a Stay! Awh… Y/n you break my heart. I guess being an Idol doesn’t save you from that.”

“If you are not on her team, maybe you can use her Stay heart to fluster her into making mistakes.”

“Yeah, no. Lee Know said she gets very focused and didn’t even flutter when she met him. I mean the short meeting we had in the hall, all she did was say hello, introduce herself, and wish me luck in the show. I didn’t even realize she was a Stay.”

“It seems like Y/n is going to be a wild card.”

~One-on-one Interview with San~

“I cannot wait to meet the rest of the contestants for the show.”

“So, San, you were a last moment addition. What made you decide to join on such short notice?”

“Oh, easy, Y/n-shi. I love her clothing line, and once Felix-ah told me she was on this, I knew I had to be here too.”

“Oooo, so have you had a chance to meet Y/n yet?”

“No, I haven’t met anyone else. But hey, I get to work with Felix-ah again after Kingdom and I get to meet Y/n-shi. I say that I am already going to have a good time!”

“I think it’s going to be an interesting show to say the least. We have Felix from Stray Kids, the soloist Eunbi, and San from Ateez for our Idols. For our up and comers we have my ZeroBaseOne bandmate Kim Gyuvin, Ko Chanbin from Namoo Actors, and Y/n CEO of The house of Y/l/n. The teams have been picked by our viewers, so it’s time for them to meet for the first time.”

~Yellow Team Interview~

“Felix-hyung and Chanbin-ah, you were the first team to be chosen by the fans with a whopping 10.8 billion votes. How does that make you feel?” asked MC Hanbin. 

“Shocking, really!” Felix says while blushing.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to be picked at all but I guess there are more BL fans out there than I thought. Thank you, everyone for your support,” Chanbin bows humbly to the camera.

“Between Stays and Yaoi fandoms, I am pretty sure we will become a strong team with their love and support guiding us, right Chanbin-ah?” 

“That’s right Felix-hyung. We will fight for you!”

~Red Team Interview~

“Waaahh, talk about having the advantage. Both of you debuted with K-pop groups because you were able to survive the shows which created them,” comments MC Hanbin.

“Hanbin-ah, you survived with me too! You tell me if this is an advantage or not,” Gyuvin laughs as he points out his leader is the MC.

“Oh that’s right, you both are part of ZeroBaseOne! You are really new to the music industry Gyuvin-ah. Don’t worry. We survived one show, we can survive another,” Eunbi encourages.

It was almost time to meet your Idol partner. So many of the staff seemed to be giddy about your meeting. You could hear their whispers and giggles, but there were a few sneers and looks of hate. Who were you paired with that would cause this kind of reaction?

“Hey, Y/n-shi, are you ready to go? Oh, is that another one of your pieces?” your assigned manager asks. Today, you decided to wear one of the more classic items in your collection. Your shirt is a crop top that feels like you are wearing a cloud on your sleeves. It’s paired with a black pencil-like skirt with a white scallop edge that starts at your ankle and curves around the front to connect to the opposite hip.

“Yes, it’s from the professional line set to come out in early fall. I thought it would be good for the first meeting. Do you think it’s too much?” you question now, wondering if you are toeing the line of the rules and regulations. 

“No, it’s gorgeous. You said it would be available in the fall. I am going to have to watch out for it. I think it would be lovely for my sister,” she praises.

“Oh, before the end of the filming, let me get your number, and I will send you one directly. Thank you for taking care of me!”

“Really? You are so caring, Y/n-shi. Thank you. Now, let’s go before we get behind.”

You walk onto the set and take your seat. Noticing you were the last one, you bow with apologies for your delay, and the interview starts.

Meanwhile, San was the first to arrive on set, his nerves going everywhere. He had learned from Felix that there was now a 50/50 chance that he would be teamed up with you. He wore a simple black suit jacket with black dress slacks and shoes. No one could ever go wrong with black, right?

Next came MC Hanbin, taking his seat with a smile and simple greeting, “Hello San-hyung. Did you know that Gyuvin-ah was on the show too? You met recently right?”

“Oh, he's here too? I didn’t know. Waaa, he would be fun to team up with, but hopefully, he could concentrate. He was so shocked that I was Soft Tofu,” chuckled San.

“He wouldn’t stop talking about it the whole next week. For the sake of my members, I hope you two are not teamed up because he will never stop!”

“Don’t you know who everyone is teamed up with?” San questions.

Hanbin only smiles and nods his head, then follows it with mimicking, zipping his mouth shut.

It takes a few minutes before a slight commotion comes from the side, indicating that the other teammate has arrived. Taking an anxious breath, San looks to see who is coming, only to lose it once you walk around the corner and sit next to him. 

“Y/n-shi, glad you made it safely. Any problems?” Hanbin asks, his eyes shifting between you and San. 

“Oh no problems. Just wanted to make sure my outfit was approved by PD-nim.”

“You're perfect,” San finally says, his eyes never leaving you.

~Purple Team Interview~

“I think Fate might be playing a hand in matching this team up,” MC Hanbin says, which only confuses you.

“Why do you say that? I am sorry but I really don’t know anyone here but Felix-ssi,” you ask.

“I think it's because of what I said in my one-on-one interview. I mentioned that I knew of your work and joined because of you and Felix-ah.” San says with a slight blush dusting his cheeks.

“Oh, well, you know who I am. Can I know who you are?” you ask, wide-eyed and slightly embarrassed to ask the “famous Idol.”

“Sorry! Of course,” San stands and bows. “I am Choi San, a main dancer of Ateez. It is my honor to meet you, Y/n-shi.”

“Oh, sit down, sit down. I am the new one here, and I should bow to you. I have heard of Ateez, but I am unfamiliar with your work. Sorry.”

“Did you know that Y/n-shi is a card-carrying Stay? She has even gotten to work with Lee Know and met Felix,  two out of eight members. Lucky girl. How does it feel not to be recognized, San-hyung?” MC Hanbin asks with a gleam in his eye.

Looking Hanbin dead in the eye, San says, “Y/n-shi may have met and worked with others before me, and that is fine. What matters now is that she is mine.” San glances at you, noticing your tentative smile; he adds, “Go, team!”

~YouPlusMe: Challenge 1 Hunter Hunter~

“Welcome back to YouPlusMe. Today, all the teams are meeting us here at Buggy World in Chuncheon, Gangwon, to play ‘Hunter, Hunter.’ Our teams will not only hunt down other teams and their additional markers but also protect their own.” MC Hanbin walks around showing groups of balloons tied to various trees and ends with the teams wearing protective gear and holding Nerf-like airguns. 

Team Purple is San and Y/n, Team Red is Eunbi and Gyunvin, and Team Yellow is Felix and Chanbin.

Both you and San are dressed in similar outfits. He looks like G.I. Joe but in dark purple. You discovered the team colors before you left yesterday and made one of your workout creations meet the requirements. You are wearing black leggings with a few neon purple mesh cut-outs and pockets. Your top, however, was a mix of dark, light, neon, and sparkling purple straps built over a black sports bra and connected with the leggings.

The other teams were also dressed to represent their team colors. You noticed yours was the brightest, but you hadn’t realized that this was a paintball mission or that you would also be a target. Your manager had tried to talk you out of wearing it, but you made it clear that your entire point of joining this show was to showcase your designs and their functionality for the plus-sized fans. 

“Are the teams ready?” Mc Hanbin asks, followed by hoots and hollers from the different teams. “Good. Now go to your home bases, and when the horn sounds, it's time to play– Hunter, Hunter.”

Making your way to Team Purple’s home base, you take the chance to look around and notice that you can see Team Yellow’s base from here. “Hey, San-ssi. Yellow is right on the other side of the tree line.”

“Good eye! I think Red is on the other side of them. I have been to this park before, and we are on the edge, which can give us an edge. Oh, good. Our base is going to be relatively hidden from anyone trying to come in from below or from the right. We literally can only be attacked from the top.”

“That’s great. Which means we can focus on offense. Get Yellow out of the picture, and then maybe wait for Red to come find us?” you ask San. You looked him up last night and noticed that he is somewhat athletic. He is definitely the muscle-bound one of his group and has done well on other variety shows before. 

Horn blares

“I am down for that. Let's go,” San's smile drops, and you notice it's game time. 

It isn’t long before you come up on your first set of balloons, but you pass them by in an attempt to scout the Yellow base before letting them know you are here. However, that doesn’t seem to be San’s plan, as he starts shooting immediately. You turn sharply uphill to find the higher ground and watch as he plows through the balloon groupings.

Movement to the side catches your attention as you see Chanbin trying to sneak up on San. Quickly, you move and take a single shot to his back, the lights of his vest going off, indicating to him that he has been hit. Before he can turn around to see who hit him, you have already dropped back and are taking out the balloons he failed to protect. 

Once the field is clear of balloons, you move to find San again to regroup, popping the remaining balloons along the way. It isn’t long before you find him and Felix battling it out, hiding behind bushes. This means the Red hasn’t made it here yet and is either on defense only or has gone after your base. This needs to end quickly. 

Considering the terrain and their position compared to yours, you don’t have many options without being seen immediately. You could take the chance and believe that San would find a way to win against Felix so that you could go back and ensure your base was secure, but you also didn’t want to leave him to fend for himself. You made the quick decision to just meet up with San. 

Right before you reach him, something to San’s left catches his attention, and you see Felix step out to take his shot. Without thinking, you leap forward, knocking San to the ground and shielding him. All while shooting at Felix, nailing him in the chest and leg. While Felix’s gear lights up, indicating that he is out, a voice rings through the area, “Team Yellow has been hunted. Team Purple and Team Red, the hunt is still on.”

Looking down, you see San looking at you wide-eyed and blushing. You smile brightly at him as you stand up, brushing yourself off, and say, “Sorry, but you were in my way. Now we have two choices: check Homebase or go after Red. Which do you want to do?”

Shaking his head, he also gets up off the ground. His mind was reeling, not from hitting his head or anything, just from you protecting him and laying on top of him. Trying to think of what to do, he can only say, “Offensive, right?”

“Sure thing. Let's go this way. You kept looking this way, so it might be something,” you say as you crouch down and start to walk… no prowl ahead. San happily follows behind you, watching your back in more ways than one.

Taking out the Red team was simple as they stayed by their base and didn’t hide themselves well. Everyone returned to the lobby after having a once-over by the team to make sure no one was injured and gave a few touch-ups for the cameras. Each team sat together on smaller couches, and MC Hanbin was in his own chair.

“Wow, talk about total domination. Team Purple, you took out both teams and didn’t lose a single balloon. The MVP certainly goes to none other than Y/n-ssi. You not only took out three competitors but over 60% of the balloons. How do you feel?” MC Hanbin asks. The rest clap and San pats you on the shoulder.

“I am honored, really. I think there is a stigma that shooting is a man’s game and that because I am plus-sized, I cannot be sneaky,” you respond, a little timid from all the clapping.

“I don’t know how she did it. She was like a ghost or invisible, and I mean, it’s not like she is hard to miss!” Chanbin says, still irritated to be the first one out in the game. 

At his comment, San looks at him with fire in his eyes. How dare he imply anything negative about you? Felix tugs on Changbin’s shirt and glances at the now-present demon-like San. Trying to backpedal, he says, “I mean, with how brightly she is dressed, I figured she would shine and glint in the sunlight. Come on, neon and sparkles?”

“I guess this just shows us that you cannot underestimate her or her abilities, does it?” San sneers. 

Laughing to ease the tension, MC Hanbin says, “Looks like the competition is on fire! Well, it’s time to rest up because tomorrow you will take on ‘Kitchen Crimes.’ Team Purple, you have an advantage.”

~YouPlusMe: Challenge 2 Kitchen Crimes~

“It’s Day 2! It's time for our next challenge, Kitchen Crimes, based on the American reality show Crime Scene Kitchen and hosted by Joel McHale. Our three teams will have two minutes to search a kitchen where something has been made. Once their investigation time is over, they will have one hour to recreate what they thought was made. Afterward, they will present their dishes to our guest chef,” MC Hanbin informs the audience and viewers.

“Team Purple, you won the advantage for this round. You get to steal thirty seconds from a team’s investigation time and add it to your own. Which team do you pick?” 

“Yellow,” San calls out. His eyes pinned Chanbin in his place. You glance up at San with shock because he didn’t even consult you. 

“Y/n-shi, are you in agreement with your partner?” asks MC Hanbin.

“Umm, yeah. He is the idol and has played these games before,” you smile gently, not wanting to cause a scene. “Sorry, team Yellow.”

“It’s okay, Y/n-shi. We know Sannie is just playing the game. No harm done, right Chanbin-ah?” Felix smiles, trying to play everything off as part of the game. He knows it isn’t, and he is pretty sure his partner knows he put a target on their back with his offhand comment. Felix just hopes that there are no other chances for San to strike out at him and his partner. 

“Eunbi-shi and Gyuvin-ah, how do you feel about the challenge?” asks MC Hanbin, smirking at his ZB1 bandmate.

“Hanbinnie, you know I don’t cook but the world knows that Felix-hyung can make killer brownies. So I am very happy that San-hyung took away some of their time and I just hope that it isn’t a desert dish we have to cook,” Gyuvin says with a whine. 

“I am with my partner on this one. I cannot cook to save my soul. Trust me when I was with IZ*ONE, the members were constantly saving me whenever we had to make something. We pretty much are gonna lose this one,” laughs Eunbi.

“Well, there you have it. Team Purple stole 30 seconds from Team Yellow, and they have 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Team Red follows with 2 minutes, and last is Team Yellow with 90 seconds,” recaps MC Hanbin.

It was show time again, and while you knew cooking was involved, you wanted to showcase your line still. You decided to wear something from your comfort line, trying to show that the plus-size woman can be fashionable but comfortable without looking like a lump on a log. 

The shirt was a tank top made from breathable neon purple material with a built-in bra that had almost as much support as yesterday's sports bra but a bit more silky feeling. The pants resembled parachute pants, with white and neon purple artistically placed spray paint marks. Topping it off was a black trainer and a high-waisted, jeogori-inspired jacket that matched the pants. 

San asked you what you would wear last night at the end of filming. Today, he arrived dressed to match your style, wearing black parachute pants, a deep purple tank top, and a leather jacket. He also wore black trainers but playfully had his hairdresser find a matching neon purple to add as a streak in his hair. 

As before, each team continued to wear matching-colored outfits. However, none seemed to stand out as you were with San. It made your heart soar with the hope that the viewers liked what they saw. But right now, it was not time to concentrate on that; it was time to investigate.

It seems like seconds have passed, not anywhere near your extended time. You and San figured it was a cake with strawberries and a whipped cream topping. 

“What do you think it is?” San asked.

“I have an idea. We both agreed there were strawberries, cream, and really fine flour in it. So maybe we just make a very fluffy cake with strawberry filling and a whipped cream topping?” you responded, chewing on your lip as you reviewed your notes.

“Ah, yeah. That sounds good,” San agreed, focusing on your now red, puffy lips instead of the paper you showed him.

“Do you know how to make any of it? San-ssi? San!” you attempted to get his attention. Once his eyes snapped to meet you, you asked again, “You zoned out on me. Do you know how to make any of it?”

“Only if it comes in a box and Wooyoungie is with me. Even then, we end up ordering from the bakery,” San says shyly. Not only is he embarrassed that you caught him staring, but you also just learn he can’t cook for the life of him. 

“Well, I have tried a few times with a recipe, and I know how boxcakes are made. My mom used to make them with me every weekend, but the filling… I haven’t a clue.”

“That is better than nothing. Let me help get the ingredients,” San says, heading to the pantry. “Wait, what am I grabbing?”

“As you all saw, the investigations went smoothly, and the cooking was a mess. Team Yellow sounded very certain that the dish was Strawberry Shortcake, Team Purple thought it was Strawberry Cake, and Team Red followed their gut with a Strawberry Crepes Cake.”

Now it is time to introduce our Guest Chef,” MC Hanbin looks to the side of the stage. “After 50 years of cooking experience, losing his sense of smell due, and appearing on ‘Chef & My Fridge,’ our guest judge is none other than Chef Yeon Bok Lee!”

“Hello, everyone. It is an honor to be here. I am Chef Yeon Bok Lee, and as a Chef, it is my job to protect the kitchen, but today, it's my job to judge your cooking,” the Chef says with a smile and bowing slightly. 

“Welcome, Chef! It’s our honor to have you. You were the one to make the secret item in the kitchen, right?” MC Hanbin prompts, to which the Chef nods.

“I wanted to make something that always brought a smile to the faces of my guests. It is simple in nature, sweet but not too sweet, and a perfect dish to top off a summer picnic.” The Chef gestures to the table before him, where the lights all focus as a covered dish rises, “Today I made strawberry shortcake for you!”

Mixtures of yeses, noes, and other exclamations at things not being fair come from the competitors. “Oh my, that was a mix of reactions,” Chef muses.

“It sure was, first up we will have Team Red. Please come and present your dish to the Chef,” requests MC Hanbin.

Taking their dish up to the judging table, Eunbi and Gyuvin’s Strawberry Crepe Cake starts to look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Eunbi smiles gently, trying to use her cuteness as a distraction. She says, “Hello, Chef. It is an honor to be cooking for someone as esteemed as you are. We thought with the fine flour and the strawberries, you had created a Crepe cake with strawberry and whipped cream topping.”

“Thank you,” the Chef replies, laughing at the team's appearance. Both competitors are flour-covered, making them more Team White than Red. Your crepe cake has structural problems; half has now slid onto the floor. Shall we taste what we can before the rest follows?”

Gyuvin cuts slices of the remaining crepes and adds whatever strawberries and whipped cream he can find before serving a slice to the Chef and his bandmate MC. Giving them both a cringing smile, he says, “We used fine flour, eggs, cream, sugar, and yeah… it should be good. Umm… Enjoy.”

Both MC Hanbin and Chef cut pieces and inspect the creation before eating. Immediately, coughing and choking start. While the Chef spits out his piece, being a good bandmate, Hanbin swallows his and forces a smile, commenting, “Well, at least it isn’t crunchy or burnt this time.”

“Ah, Team Red, I think you may have mistaken salt for granulated sugar for the whipped cream and strawberry sauce. I will say that your crepes are well made, though, with a good consistency and not overly cooked,” the Chef says before he downs half a glass of water. 

“Sorry, Chef. We ran out of time to taste everything,” Eunbi says as she backs away, embarrassed. Gyuvin just avoids eye contact with either man, taking the disaster of a dish back to their kitchen.

“Next up we have Team Purple. Please bring your dish to the judging stand,” directs MC Hanbin.

You take the cake and walk carefully to the stand, hoping to keep it from dropping it like the other team. Meanwhile, San hovers around you, whispering when it's time to step and encouraging you with small praises of how well you are doing by walking gracefully. You are trying not to turn beet red the whole time because praises have always done something to you, and it's not what you want the world to see. 

After successfully placing the dish down, San and you bow to the Chef. With a large but sweet smile, you say, “Chef Yeon Bok Lee, it is a pleasure to see you again.”

“You know each other?” San askes, ignoring the side eye from MC Hanbin.

“Miss Y/n, it is you. It has been some time now, hasn’t it? How is your family? Does your father still run the little noodle stand back home?” inquires the Chef with a genuine smile. 

“Yes, Chef. It has been a long time and my dad still runs the stand but now he has my brother joining him. Logan-ah is already 13 now and has shown great interest in cooking and baking,” you reply.

“Cooking and baking, you say? I may have to visit your father and brother to see this myself. Maybe he could come and take lessons from me one day. But now, let's see if you have a talent for baking. Eh?” The chef smiles, looking at the well-presented cake.

“Well, Chef, we have presented you with a Vanilla sponge cake with macerated strawberry filling and a whipped cream frosting topped with candied whole strawberries,” San proudly announces.

After inspecting the cake, MC Hanbin says, “Well, it survived the trip here. Please serve us a bite to try out and see if it tastes as good as it looks, hyung.” This is followed by San cutting each piece and serving it to them, including a candied strawberry. 

Following the same procedure of cutting, inspecting, and eating as before, you and San hold your breath. Your hand grips San’s wrist as you await their reaction. San, however, has been watching you since you touched him. He brings his other hand, gently rubs your upper arm, and whispers, “It’s okay. We got this. You did amazing.”

You smile at his words, remembering having saved the poor idol from burning off his fingerprints when he tried to dip the strawberries in the hot sugar to coat them without using the dipping fork.

“Waaaahhh! Such a light a fluffy sponge on the cake. I really wish you had made a shortcake and not a victoria’s sponge cake. A minor change to your egg, sugar, and water ratio and you would have made a delightful version of my strawberry shortcake,” the Chef comments with a slight frown.

“Those strawberries done in two ways is amazing given the limited time you had. I suppose as a CEO and fashion designer, you understand time management well,” compliments MC Hanbin.

“Well, that is true, but I also have someone who was a good boy at following directions in the kitchen,” you say, smiling at San, who only dusts his cheeks a deep rose and stutters his breath. 

Stepping forward, you take your cake and retreat to your kitchen, with San in two, still reeling from you calling him a good boy. Looking at the closest camera, San says, “See, Captain and Seonghwa-hyung, I can be good! Y/n-shi said so!”

“Last up, will Team Yellow present their dish to the Chef and me?” asks MC Hanbin.

Team Yellow shines like the sun because they know they got the right cake. Not only that, but they were the only ones, which means they automatically won. Placing down the cake on the stand, both smiling so widely that their eyes turned into crescents. 

Felix wastes no time introducing himself: “Hello, Chef Yeon Bok Lee. Most know me as Felix, but my name is Lee Yong Bok. It is an honor to have you taste something I have baked with the help of my competition partner, Chanbin-ah.”

“Oh my! We have a significant similarity there, I see,” smiles the Chef.

MC Hanbin laughs, “Not only does he share your name, in a sense, but Felix-hyung is also known worldwide for his brownie recipe. Isn’t that right, hyung?”

“Yes, my mates love it when I make them. Though our trainers don’t like it so much,” Felix giggles.

“Well, I should love to try them another day then, Yongbok-ah. Make sure to reach out when this is all over, ya?” asks the Chef.

“I would be… Yes, Of course. It would be a great honor!” Felix replies, bouncing on his toes with happiness. 

“First, he should try out the cake, hyung,” Chanbin interrupts. We present you with a take on strawberry shortcake. It is made with classic shortcake soaked in a simple syrup made with strawberry juice and topped with fresh strawberries, mint leaves, and whipped cream.”

“I can see that you have a keen eye, Team Yellow. You are the only ones to get it right, Congratulations. Now please cut us a slice, “ praises the Chef. 

After receiving the pieces, inspecting them, and tasting them, MC Hanbin speaks first, saying, “Wow! Your shortcake is so moist with strawberry flavor, and the whipped cream is the smoothest we have tasted. No wonder you are known for your bakes, Felix-hyung.”

“Hanbin-ah is right. You both did a great job with this bake. I can tell you must have sifted the flour and the sugar before incorporating them in, and the idea to make the simple syrup flavored adds a different dimension. Well done. It is clear that you are the winners of this challenge,” announces the Chef.

With bows of thanks and high-pitched squeals of joy, Team Yellow makes it back to their kitchen. 

“I want us all to thank Chef Yeon Bok Lee for joining us today. It was a delight to hear your thoughts on our competitors' dishes—some good and some bad. Team Yellow, with this win, you are tied with Team Purple for first place. Both teams have a chance to win the show by winning the challenge tomorrow, or Team Red, you have a chance to make it a three-way tie,” recaps MC Hanbin.

Looking at Team Yellow, he continues, “As winners of today’s challenge, Team Yellow, you won the advantages for tomorrow’s game, which is– Dance Battle. Each of our Idols will have 24 hours to learn the choreography of their assigned K-pop hit. They then have the next 72 hours to teach their competition partner.”

“In the First game, Y/n is a ninja. In the second game, Felix is a baking master. Now, in the final game, we got this Noona because we are both Idols and are used to learning dances quickly,” remarks Gyuvin to his competition partner. 

“I wouldn't be so sure, Gyuvin-ah. San is one of the main dancers for Ateez and is known for his determination and competitiveness. Not to forget, his dad is a Taekwondo instructor, so I am pretty sure that he has picked up some teaching skills from him,” Eunbi replies. 

~Dance Battle Song Selection~

“Hello, Team Yellow, and congratulations again on your win in Kitchen Crimes!” exclaims MC Hanbin. Both Team members bow in thanks and show their excitement to the cameras.

“It is time for your advantage! As you know, the next challenge is a Dance Battle and your win today allows you to pick the K-pop songs for all three teams,” he announces.

“No way! That is awesome!” Chanbin says, “We can pick an easy song for us and harder ones for the others. I have two left feet so, yeah. Felix-hyung, you know more about these dance challenges than I do, you pick please?”

“I know the perfect songs, easy peasy lemon squeezy,” Felix says with a smirk. 

“Oh, you already know what songs to pick, Felix-hyung?” asks MC Hanbin.

“Yeah, for Eunbi-shi and Gyuvin-ah… we don’t want to give them something easy because they are both idols. I have seen both of them dance, and they are good. So, we pick– Black Swan by BTS,” Felix declares.

“OH! Gyuvin is going to hate that,” laughs MC Hanbin. “It's a perfect choice for them. I can’t wait to see him try to lift Eubin-shi.”

“I think we can handle– My Angel by B.O.Y. It’s already choreographed for two males, and while it’s intricate, it’s not hard. What do you think?” Felix says, looking at Chanbin questioningly.

“Oh! I know that one. Yeah, I can manage that… I think,” agrees Chanbin.

“Chanbin-ssi, you may know your song now but you have to play fair and not start learning it until your dance practice with Felix-hyung, okay?” MC Hanbin warns the competitor, to which he nods in understanding.

“What song are you thinking about picking for San-hyung and Y/n-shi?” questions Chanbin. A smirk plays along Felix’s face while he rubs his hands together.

“Sannie and I have known each other for a while, and I remember he used to struggle with learning dances. For the competition, though, I want to challenge his ability to teach someone else not only to dance but to dance with intense emotion and strength. I want them to dance to– Red Lights by my hyungs, Bang Chan and Hyunjin.

~Dance Battle Idol Practice Day: Eubin~

“How do you practice Black Swang alone?” asked Eubin as she watched the modeled dance practice video. “See that! It’s a lift, and that is a spin. Do you have someone for me to practice with today?”

Eunbin says, looking at the camera, “Apparently, all of the Idols have to learn what they can alone today and then figure out the rest with our partners tomorrow. I just hope my partner is a lot stronger than he looks.

~Dance Battle Idol Practice Day: Felix~

“Well, now I kind of feel bad. I didn’t know that we would be alone for the first part of this dance practice. I thought we were going to be taught by someone. Not teach ourselves.” Felix laments. 

“Lucky for me and Sannie, our dances don’t have a lot of paired movement but more of mirrored or synchronized movements. Sorry, Noona Eubin! If it helps, I know that Gyuvin picked up Work by Ateez really quick according to the members. Soooorrrry!”

~Dance Battle Idol Practice Day: San~

“He did what?” San stands frozen when the producer tells him what song Felix picked for his team. “He does realize what this song is about, who dances it, and the… ahh… maturity level of this dance, right?”

Shaking his head, he watched the video again, “There are minimal lifts, but there are accessories, and touching, and like… Can Y/n-shi dance? Does anyone know if she will be alright with this?” 

He spends most of the first few hours just pacing and watching different videos of the song his “friend” picked for him to dance to with his current crush. While he doesn’t mind learning it or dancing it, especially with you, he wants to make sure you are comfortable with the sensuality and emotions of the dance. 

San’s head just spins, trying to figure out how to remain stage-appropriate while having to run his hands on your body, wrap you in chains, and press against you. His heart is aching as it comes up with a million reasons why you would be able to feel like that with him. 

~YouPlusMe: Challenge 3 Dance Battle~

“Welcome back to YouPlusMe,” smiles MC Hanbin. “While you saw our Idols' reactions to learning what song Team Yellow chose, you also saw that we gave them a dance room, a boombox, and a practice video.”

“We want to surprise you with the reactions and the dance practices with their competition partners. To watch the team practices and additional behind the scenes videos, please check out our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!”

“What kind of competition can we have without a judge? Lucky for us, we have someone who started as a backup dancer Jason Wang. Now, he is known for his choreography skills and has worked with Enyphen, TXT, BTS, and Super M. Let me introduce none other than Mr. Nick Joseph!” introduces MC Hanbin.

“Hello, everyone,” Nick walks about with killer pop and lock moves. “It is a pleasure to be here. I have always been the one competing in these and never judging. I cannot wait to see what the Idols have been able to teach the newbies.”

“Now it’s the time we have all been waiting for. It’s time for… Dance Battles! Team Red is up first with their dance cover of BTS’ Black Swan,” introduces MC Hanbin.

They were dressed in solid black body suits covered with sheer drapes. Their faces were donning black and silver feathered masks. Eubin and Gyuvin lost themselves in the song. They moved around the stage, decorated to resemble a dead forest with fog machines and hanging twinkling lights. They gracefully engaged each other and made the lifts look effortless. It was like they controlled everyone who witnessed it with every beat they hit.

“That was breathtaking,” comments Nick.

“Gyuvin-ah! I never knew you had that kind of strength and elegance! I cannot wait for the rest to see this episode; you killed it. Eubin, how do you think your newcomer did?” asks MC Hanbin.

“He did really well. It took him a bit to trust himself with the lifts, but in the end, he gave 110% and never once made me concerned that he was going to drop me,” smiles Eubin and her partner, just blushing at the praise. 

“Thank you, noona, for being patient with me and trusting me to have the skills not to embarrass you. And Felix-hyung, thank you for the challenge, your song choice showed me that I am capable of more than I realize,” bows Gyuvin.

“Next up, we have Team Yellow. Nick-ssi, this team won the advantage in assigning the songs for the battle today. They chose My Angel by B of You. Let’s watch,” prompts MC Hanbin.

The multicolored spotlights have cleared the stage of everything, allowing the shiny black floor and dark-colored walls to showcase the two dancers taking the stage. Felix and Chanbin are dressed in black-on-black pinstripe suits, soft yellow shirts, and no tie.  

Once the dancing started, it was clear how well the suits fit but allowed for ease of movement. The crisp movements and synchronization between the two were clean and well-timed. 

The newcomer's solo piece only had a minor timing mishap, which was quickly corrected when the idol joined back in. 

“I loved the simplicity and the teamwork between the two of you,” compliments MC Hanbin.

“Mr. Ko, are you a dancer?” the guest judge asks. Chanbin simply shakes his head and then looks at Felix with a frown. Felix simply pats him on the back to comfort him in the moment. “Mr. Ko, I am impressed. I am assuming that the solo went a little off track because it didn’t move with the beat. Am I correct?

Both Team Yellow members nod as a staff member hands Felix a microphone: “Ah, yes. There was a sequence that got thrown off beat in the solo, but Chanbin-ah claims to have two left feet, which is why I chose this song for us.”

“Wow. Great choice of song, Mr. Lee. Mr. Ko, if this is your first time really dancing like this, and you are this good after only a couple of days. Bravo! You have great skills as a student, never lose that in life,” advises Nick.

“So far, Felix-hyung has picked songs that fit the teams well. During the selection process, he was trying to challenge his competitors and give his team the edge,” MC Hanbin tells the guest judge. 

“Ah, I think he missed his mark because Team Red killed it. His team struggled slightly, but we still have one more team left. What was Mr. Lee’s goal for the last team?” inquires Nick.

“He was hoping to challenge San-hyung with a song that would require him to teach not only dance but also the emotional side of dancing. Team Purple has Y/n-shi, a fashion designer.” MC Hanbin answers Nick.

“Oooo, yes, emotional understanding and ability to convey that is key for most duet performances,” comments the long-time choreographer. 

“It’s time! The stage has been set, and our team is in place. Here is Team Purple and their performance of Red Lights by Bang Chan and Hyunjin of Stray Kids,” announces MC Hanbin.

The only light on the stage comes from the back wall, which pulses red. The viewers can see an outline of you kneeling on a four-post bed. Your elegant but staccato movements sync with the deep breathing in the room as the song starts.

A chain in your hands goes across the stage, bringing the focus to San lying on the ground. As the words start, you pull him across the floor as you climb off the bed. 

Meeting in the middle, you pull him to his knees before you, and just as another breath is heard, the stage floods with lights, revealing your costumes.

San is wearing skin-tight black leather pants. His black shirt resembles a leather leotard with strategic cut-outs, long sleeves, and fingerless gloves. The tightness of his outfit shows off his muscular figure and leaves nothing to the imagination. Everything is lined with red ribbons and smaller red chains.

Your outfit is a short-sleeved curve-hugging leather body con dress and booty shorts that match San’s. It is also littered with cut-outs lined in red ribbons. Your forearms are decorated with the red chains you used to drag San across the floor. 

Both of your makeup designers went gothic, using thick black eyeliner, red eye shadow, and deep red lips. San’s skin was flawless and tan, while they used skin lightener on you, trying to bring a bit of a vampire vibe into the mix.

The two of you honor the mirrored dance of the Red Lights music video. Your fluidity and the power of the interactions between the pair of you has everyone shifting in their seats. 

As the song progresses, you both dance back to the bed. You shove San to lay on as you take the focus towards the end. Moving around the bed, you seduce the viewers. Using the chains wrapped around Sans pants as bindings, you connect them to the bottom posts. 

The chains from your arms unwind and connect to the cuffs of Sans's shirt. Using the chains, you guide San in his movements as the bed slides to the center of the stage and starts tilting toward the judges.

The song is close to the end when you latch the chains over to the bed's headboard and raise San’s arms over his head. Using the bed's angle, you slide off the bed. Soon, the bed is standing on end. 

Chains rattle as San struggles against the restraints, hindering his movements. His face is filled with desires and yearning for your touch.

With a deep roll to your hips, you walk up to San and run your nails along his body from his legs up to his abs. 

When the song ends, you lean in, ghosting a kiss over his lips, and then walk away into the night.

San’s deep panting was the only sound heard. 

The lights in the studio come back on. The other competitors and the judges are stunned at what they just witnessed. San has been released from his chains and joins you at the front of the stage. 

The attention without reactions has you nervously nibbling on your lower lip as you look up at San, who smirks down at you with his eyes still dark and dreamy looking. These last three days have been hell for you. 

The first time you heard the song, you were so excited because you loved it. I mean, how could you not be thrilled? Bang Chan was your bias. You already know the dance from the trillions of times you have watched music videos and YouTube dance practices. 

After showing off your moves to San, you blushed as he and the camera crew were floored. San couldn’t wait to make it fit the two of you. He quickly decided that you would be one of the two of you in charge. 

After some discussion with the production staff, the whole thing came together. The hardest part was making the bed work into the dance more than a stationary prop. 

San knew he didn’t want to end it with you and him suggestively on the bed because he wasn’t sure he could stop. When you came up with the idea of taking a more Dominatrix video for the dance and wanting just to leave San locked at your mercy, everyone laughed, but San thought it would be perfect. 

Not only did he want to see that side of you, but he also knew it would keep him in check. Then, he also asked if you could help figure out what the two of you would be wearing. Your creative juices were flowing. 

You were excited to design something for both you and San. You had never made men’s clothing, but it was a challenge you were willing to take on. Everything came together quickly with the help of the show’s wardrobe, production, and props team.

All these thoughts ran through your head as your focus remained on San alone. It wasn’t until the room exploded in applause that you finally relaxed into San and allowed all the jitters to disappear. Everyone is yelling out variations of acclimations. 

“Ok ok okay… Felix-ssi,” MC Hanbin looks at the idol. “I don’t think they struggled with anything with this song.”  Felix is just standing there trying to collect his jaw off the floor. His eyes stare into San’s skull with shock and many questions he cannot ask on air. 

“Miss Y/n, you killed it,” comments Nick. “Do you have any dance experience?”

While still trying to catch your breath, you answer, “Actually, I do.” pant pant pant “In high school, I was in a show choir, did some musicals, and I was part of a hip/hop and stomp club.”

“Period! That is why you know how to work the stage like it’s yours,” Nick exclaimed. 

“You should see you dance the original choreography to this song,” San beamed next to you. “I didn’t have to teach her a thing with that. Our time was spent making the dance more of a duet than a mirrored dance.”

“San-hyung,” MC Hanbin asked,  “how did you feel having Y/n-shi do the killing part in the dance?” 

“Easy.” San looks down at you while wrapping his arms around your shoulders in a back hug. “The moment she walked into the practice room and showed me what she could do, I knew I had to show off what an amazing and sexy partner I had.”

This caused the room to ooh and ahh, to which you tried your best not to blush. You just hoped the heat on your face was attributed to the dancing, not the comments or the feel of San behind you.

“Well, there you have it. Now, Nick-ssi, as our teams all gather on the stage, you have the wonderful job of selecting the winners of today’s Dance Battle challenge. Who is it going to be?” MC Hanbin looks at the guest judge.

“You know, as a dancer and choreographer, I can see so much talent between everyone on the stage. Each team found ways to work the songs chosen by Mr. Lee to their best abilities.”

Nick’s eyes dance over the teams, “Red Team, you swept us up with your grace. Yellow Team, you showed us what rhythm and teamwork mean.  Purple team, you took us on a ride that was powerful.”

“So which team is it?” prompts MC Hanbin. 

“I am going to have to go with… Team Purple!” 

This caused you and San to jump up and down, hugging and congratulating each other. The other teams came over to pat you on the back and personally remark on how great the dance was. 

“Nick-ssi, what was the reason why you finally chose the Purple team?” asked MC Hanbin.

“If I hadn’t known that Miss Y/n wasn’t a trained dancer, I would have thought that this was M Countdown's special appearance. The quality of dance, the passion between the two, and the costume design are top-notch,” explains Nick.

“Want to know something? Y/n-shi not only designed her costume but San’s as well in less than 72 hours,” informs MC Hanbin. “She really is a force to be reckoned with.”

Looking at the camera, MC Hanbin says, “Well this has been an amazing week of challenges for our Idols and our newbies. After three challenges, the clear winner of YouPlusMe is San-hyung and Y/n-shi!”

Cannons go off at the announcement of your team’s win. The stage gets covered in purple confetti as Red Lights starts playing again.

Everyone just grabs random partners and starts dancing. Felix is the one you end up dancing with as he pulls you farther and farther away from San. He wanted to dance some of the music video moves with you to send to his bandmates. 

You do not see San's look of longing and desire as he, too, gets swept away by the others.

After the song ends, you find yourself back in your personal dressing room. You would think you would be euphoric after winning the show, but your mind is focused on something else. 

You came here to show your work. Use it to your advantage and get your line out there. Challenge the Korean beauty standards and start a fire with the Fashion Industry as a whole. Apparently, the universe had more for you in mind, but you weren’t sure what to do about it. 

This last challenge is what broke down your walls. You weren’t expecting to feel something during all of this. You had thought it was just the rush of the competition, the thrill of showing the world who you were and working with someone who was just as excited to be here as you.

You weren’t blind. 

You noticed San from day one; who couldn’t? 

It was easy to dismiss because you wanted to focus on the show. After the first meeting and exchange of numbers, you soon learned that he had a charming personality.  

You found yourself looking forward to filming with him and smiling when he sent a text, but now that it’s over, you feel tight in your chest at the thought of never seeing him again.

It wasn’t until the second day of dance practice that you realized it wasn’t the show that you were excited about but San. Though you weren’t a morning person, it was early for anyone.

Opening the door to the practice room, you froze at the sight. The Idol ran on a different schedule than you, and it was clear he had been there long enough to build up a sweat. 

His face was half covered by a baseball cap pulled low. He wore baggy sweatpants that rode low on his hips, showing the band of his boxers, and no shirt. He was lost in his own world, dancing to It’s You by him and his bandmates Yeosang and Wooyoung. 

His body was moving like water. The body rolls, the hip thrusts, and the floorwork caused such a primal reaction from you that you had to leave. Your mind had gone into San becoming your partner in unprofessional ways.

A knock on the door brings you out of your thoughts. Walking to the door, you finish putting on your jacket and pull open the door. As if conjured by your thoughts, there stands San. 

“San,” you breathe, trying to keep your thoughts from seconds ago to yourself.

“Y/n,” smiles San. He seems fidgety tonight. 

“Thank you for everything.”

“Oh, it was nothing. I had a blast. This was my first challenge with someone who was really good at pretty much everything. It made me feel like I was the newbie of the two of us.”

“Oh, never. You are way too talented to be considered a newbie.”

The two of you stand there in the doorway of your dressing room. San is still fidgeting, and you don’t want him to leave yet.

“Are you going to the after party? I think Felix said something about it being at a Noraebang nearby. I think everyone else is going and may have invited others too.”

“I was thinking about it. I am pretty sure he invited my bandmates and his. It would be a perfect chance for you to meet the rest of your favorite K-pop band. Maybe get Chan-hyung and Hyujinnie to sing Red Lights for you?”

You giggle at the thought but hesitate, looking down and saying, “I would only want them to sing it if you were there to dance with me.”

A shy smile blooms on San’s face. Taking a chance that you might see the hidden question, he asks, “Do you want to keep dancing with me?” 

“I would love to keep dancing with you, Sannie.” You look up, smiling, hoping he means more than what he says. 

“Then, will you be my date to the after-party, and then maybe we can go to dinner some other time, just the two of us?” he asks again, stepping forward. 

Resting your hand on his chest, you lean into his warmth, “I would love to go out with you tonight or any night.”

With a smile on both your faces, San leans in and gives you a chaste kiss—just enough to settle your minds from the roller coaster of emotions you both experienced this week and light up your hearts with the excitement of a future together.

The last thought in your head is that agreeing to this show was more than you expected. You never expected to grow as much as you did, to win, or to find what may be love, but…

Was it Fate?

[rouxenne]

PET Pokémon: Pearl

Meowstic (M), Meowstic (F), Midnight Lycanroc, Naganadel, Lurantis, Beeheyem, Alolan Marowak, Mudsdale

“Originating from a little-known region south of Kanto, here we have Pearlescent Moon! Pearl became a competitive battler as a teenager, quickly rising up the ranks until becoming a champion! She and her partner Rockruff were favorites among fans up until their championship tournament- recordings were corrupted so no one can be certain what really happened, but it must have been serious to have pushed her partner to evolution!” ~Champion Time News

Starting off with Pearl, our main character! She’s the one I have the most planned for, both in terms of backstory and upcoming plot. Pearl takes the form of a protagonist character for a fake Australia-inspired region. Her journey was followed by strange events and oddities, breaks in reality. She became friends with the members of a private internet forum (Evo) during her time in the gym circuit as they compared her current experiences with historic records and discussed battle strategies, and began adventuring alongside her rival Karn when the Ultra Wormhole activity got too risky (becoming partners with him years later).

Pearl’s initial adventure ended when an Ultra Wormhole opened during her championship tournament, dragging the competitors into another dimension. She managed to save them all… barely. The details of the event aren’t publicly known, and Pearl isn’t one to talk about it unless she has to. All anyone uninvolved knows is that it resulted in her Rockruff evolving and awarded her the title of Champion. She’s never been quite the same since this event, dubbed the Championship Crisis, but years of separation and therapy have dulled some of the pain.

In modern days Pearl is still an active Champion-level trainer, and works for the International Police as an Ultraspace specialist. She spends most of her time as a community leader around the region (as is expected of Champions), occasionally leaving to handle reports of potential Ultraspace activity around the world. 

She’s got the largest team by far, and I’ve borrowed from Alola’s pokedex pretty heavily when making it. 

Her two Meowstic are, of course, Nugget and Olive. They were originally her family’s Pokemon, but she took them in after the Championship Crisis. They don’t take the field as battlers, instead providing support with their psychic abilities (and as a form of emotional support to Pearl). Their inclusion does push her team up to eight Pokemon, but in my mind the six Pokemon team limit is actually just a League rule for official battles and a rule of thumb in terms of how many Pokemon a competitive battler can actually take care of at a time.

Her midnight-form Lycanroc is another obvious pick, Tilly! She caught a Rockruff as a starter pokemon and it took on a role similar to Ash’s Pikachu, being immensely overpowered for an unevolved pokemon… up until the Championship Crisis. Pearl also caught her Naganadel as a Poipole during the same event. Most people are unsettled by the Ultra Beast, so it mostly helps out with Pearl’s International Police duties rather than the Champion ones.

And while that does it for all of her directly plot-relevant pokemon, we’ve still got most of a team to go through! Lurantis is sorta based on Pearl’s Empires theme–their arms would make a good scythe for harvesting crops, wouldn’t they? Along the same line, Beeheyem is based on Pearl’s Hermitcraft season 9 theme. I haven’t had the time to watch much of that season, but I’m hoping that it works well with her astral association if it doesn’t actually relate to s9. I’d also love to include a pokemon that references being the Queen of Decked Out 2, but I’m not entirely sure what would make sense for that.

Alolan Marowak was a delightfully easy choice; I’d been thinking that it seemed like a good pick, but couldn’t figure out a reason why… up until Pearl mentioned in a somewhat recent stream that Marowak is her favorite pokemon. Immensely fortuitous! Honestly Kantonian Marowak probably makes more sense than the Alolan form, but for whatever reason I’ve been pretty set on the idea of Pearl having a Mudsdale and I’d like for her to retain some level of type diversity.

[fanauthorworkshop]

Applications now open!

The Spring 2025 Fanauthor Workshop is a 7-week writing course led by Betts (@bettsfic). The workshop lends a supportive space to writers who identify as fans to receive constructive feedback on fanfiction, original fiction, or creative nonfiction.

Art by @emimayooo 💖

Where & When

We meet weekly over Zoom. You can apply for one of two sessions:

Group A: Wednesdays from Apr 9 - May 21, 12-2pm ET [See what time that is in your time zone]

Group B: Mondays from Apr 7 - May 19, 6-8pm ET [See what time that is in your time zone]

What

FAW is a feedback-oriented workshop with the occasional generative session. This means that each week we read 2 pieces submitted by participants, offer written feedback, and discuss them over Zoom. You'll be able to sign up for the week you would like to workshop your own piece, which can be anything under 6k words.

There may be weeks where, in lieu of workshopping, I present external readings and writing exercises. These sessions will be dependent on the number of participants. For example, if we have 10 participants and 6 workshop weeks, that means one week will be devoted to a reading discussion and generative activity.

I developed a workshop model that focuses mostly on affirmations and positivity, as well as descriptive over prescriptive feedback, which is to say, describing one's experience of reading rather than prescribing solutions to perceived problems. We also present improvement-oriented feedback, but avoid negativity, judgment, and pedantry. Week 1 is spent going over the workshop model and how to give feedback.

About FAW

The first FAW was held in 2017 as an independent study in my MFA. I restarted it in 2022 and since then have led 11 sessions with a total of over 55 participants, about half of whom have participated in the workshop more than once.

Participation in the workshop includes entrance into the FAW community, an active Discord server where we host:

Ongoing accountability meetings during which we chat over Zoom about our projects and set goals for ourselves every other week

A monthly longform writing workshop, where writers can workshop any story between 6k and 100k words

A short story club, where we read and discuss original short form works

Birthday movie nights! We also have weekly TV show streaming and a few co-op games running

Scheduled write-ins and impromptu writing sprints

A group quarterly progress tracking sheet that accidentally turned into a micro social media platform

And there are always other things going on, like international snack exchanges, craft exchanges, support during the looming deadlines of fic exchanges, and so on

We also chat about writing and craft, offer resources, and share many, many pet photos. Or as emi likes to say, "Pay the pet tax."

In addition, participants of the workshop receive:

A one-hour consultation with me to go over your workshop feedback, come up with a plan for revision and/or publication, or anything else you’d like to discuss regarding your writing

Open enrollment in future workshops

Priority sign-ups for other generative workshops

Eligibility

Anyone over the age of 18 who considers themselves a participant of fandom and who is familiar with fanfiction may apply. A stable internet connection is also required.

Cost

The cost of the workshop is "pay what you can" with the recommended amount of $300. To be as inclusive as possible, I don't want money to be a deterrent for anyone interested in participating.

At least partial payment (or notification of nonpayment) will be requested prior to the start of workshop via PayPal, Venmo, or Wise.

Application requirements

To apply, you will need:

An informal cover letter discussing your fan history and goals as a (fan)writer (more specific instructions on submittable)

A short sample of your writing, either original work or fanfiction. This may be previously published/posted

You can apply via submittable. Applications close March 9th.

FAQ under the cut

FAQ

Are there any content restrictions to what I can workshop?

The only restriction is word count (max 6k), with the following caveats:

If you workshop a piece in a form other than prose (for example, a script), your peers may not be able to offer constructive feedback on that aspect of the work. Participants are asked only to have a familiarity with prose.

Content warnings are required for each piece (if applicable), and participants who are uncomfortable reading certain subject matter may abstain from your workshop.

What is the time commitment of the workshop?

As a participant of the workshop, you'll be asked to:

Workshop any piece of your own prose up to 6k words, which will need to be uploaded to the group folder one week before your workshop.

Read 2 pieces per week, write out your individual crit, and attend the workshop itself.

What is the timeline of the workshop?

In week 1, we go over the syllabus and do a writing exercise. Weeks 2 through 7 will be a workshop, a discussion of an external reading, or a writing activity. Prior to the start of workshop, you'll be able to sign up for the week you would like to workshop your piece.

Structure of the sessions:

Question of the day

First workshop

Short break

Second workshop

We'll go over my workshop model and the syllabus in week 1.

Do I have to participate in the Zoom meetings (camera and mic on)?

Attending the workshop itself is required, and everyone is asked to offer at least one note of positive feedback on each piece, so mics are necessary. Cameras are preferred but not required.

You can't asynchronously participate, i.e. read the pieces and offer written feedback without attending the sessions. For those who don't want to attend Zoom sessions, I plan to run an asynchronous session in summer.

Can workshop participants submit to OFIC Magazine?

Yes! Part of the reason I run the workshop is to inspire and promote the original work of fanwriters. You can follow us on tumblr @oficmag.

Who is running the workshop?

@bettsfic! In short, I lived a dreary cubicle life as a banker until I found fanfiction at 24. I loved it so much that I quit my job to get an MFA in creative writing. I loved the MFA so much that I became a writing teacher. I have some publications, awards, an agent, and 2 million words of fic on ao3. I don't have a book out yet but I'm getting there.

Currently I'm a writing coach and freelance editor. I also have a lowkey writing-related newsletter. And I've been answering writing advice asks on my blog for 10 years.

If you want an idea of the kind of writing activities I create, last summer I worked with @books on a workshop series which includes craft essays and some fun prompts.

If you're interested in my original work, my short story "Not If, When" is a good representation of my writing. For something darker, check out "Shut Up and Kill Me."

What is the workshop like?

Check out G's experience of attending the workshop. And here's some feedback from previous participants.

One final note: I'm working on updating the copy about the workshop on my website and move it over to OFIC's website. This post and Submittable has the most updated information on the workshop. If you have questions about discrepancies (or anything at all), you can shoot me an ask, DM me, or add me on Discord (I'm bettsfic there too).

[candiid-caniine]

Hey! Long time no see, i know i said id send you a fantasy i thought you'd like but now ive forgotten almost all of it, oop!

Life happened, and uh, i saw that you mentioned your libido being a bit low, which definitely is my case too (im recovering from depression, now that im okay id love to get my FULL libido back, or at least a good percentage of it) do you have any tips on that?

Also any recs of blogs writing in the same vibe as you? (same-ish kinks would be nice but im specifically looking for queer inclusive stuff!) it makes me 10x hornier than the regular video/photo porn!

Hope you're well, you pathetic little thing!

💫

hi friend!! ugh i feel you. sorry i haven't got any advice on regaining ur libido...we just let mine wax and wane as it will, though denial has been a big help in keeping it steady!

i've heard good things abt ginseng and some other herbs. obvs use at your own risk, mind that some herbal treatments can cross-interact with certain medications, remember that pre-packaged supplement pills are often unregulated and may contain toxins, and be aware that some herbal remedies work better on pw certain anatomy than others, and finally that many herbal remedies considered to increase libido are largely untested on trans folx!

finally, sorry it's taken so long to answer this ask...i'm autistic and have been cataloguing lol. i present to you a list of other blog recs under the cut, organized by general vibe! i've tried to primarily include blogs that do their own posts rather than those who primarily reblog :)

note that my headings may provide some context as to what to expect, but you read at your own risk and each blog will typically have its own trigger warnings addressed in the header/pinned. additionally, i've not tagged some of the ppl below because they prefer that "Men DNI" blogs not interact, and idk if "no cis men" qualifies ahah!

all blogs below are queer- and/or trans-inclusive, if not exclusive! there is no detrans/misgendering, at least I don't think - i don't tend to follow those blogs.

hard kinks (blood, knives, etc; includes primarily-cnc blogs):

@puppy-mommy , who also does general t4t kink content, but does state untagged hard kinks!

@visciousest is someone whose blog i scroll when i'm in a Certain Mood ahah,, i won't elaborate

@hell-hound-bites: just. fuck. would drool on his knife blade.

@snuff-fag: its username should give you fair warning as to how wild its content tends to get, so please browse responsibly.

@condor-bait is taking a break right now, and all my love is with him as he takes care of himself. he made me feel so valid and so fuckable as a young trans person learning to love myself in a new way, and i've always been too shy to tell him how much his content meant to me one-on-one (yes, despite its often-extreme themes!), and he deserves as much time as he needs to heal!

@unwillingfvckpuppy for mostly cnc and medical kinks! if you like his style, but not so much their harder content, he also has a more-tame main blog--i just mainly follow/scroll this one!

@vampvictim: top-tier cnc/intox stuff, plus some great knife/bloodplay :)

@cryptidtid is wonderful and holy shit i follow a lot of hard kink blogs lol. incredible

@cnc-pet: i have been following her for a long ass fucking time lol. they post a lot of really good cnc and stories, but you'll also find a lot of aftercare tips and advice on her blog! i really admire blogs who try to balance horny content with best practices

@dollobotomy

general kinky content:

@excessively-queer . just plain old good shit :) there's a good amt of edging and degradation.

@clouded-king was honestly one of my earlier introductions to the queer/t4t kink community on here and how fucking euphoric it can be :) he posts some hard kinks, but generally it's a balance of a lot of different kinks so read his pinned at your leisure!

@ / cottontailx : just good kinky nsft posts :)

@ / digitalpenetration: often specifically t4t which i love!!

@femmelovefemme can step on me :)

@bigothteddies: could not build this section w/o mentioning him :) they had a big influence on my fantasies for a long time!

@hazelj-xoxo: bigtime want her to cuck me. have followed her across multiple blog deletions lol

@transpidered is forever an icon!

@subspaceemo

@writefinch for great stories and text posts

edging and denial, specifically:

@6irlpet is 1 of my go-to hands-down-pants scroll sessions :)

@droolkink is my inspiration!

@flustersluts does exactly what the name implies lol. a good helping of other kink content too :)

@puppycvnt is a 10/10!

@barkwoofbarkwoofbark: we r denial friends imo!!

@strawbrrysub

@blyssful-abyss

@urhighnessbitch is a big fav <3

non-detrans genderplay:

@butchviolence does amazing butch supremacy stuff and i,,, fucking hell. even just seeing their username puts me in a Particular state of mind ahah. they also post hard kinks so be aware as you proceed!

@mtfdomme: i literally just reblogged from her today lol. tbh i want to be their little stupid pupthing. it's not all transfem supremacy undertones/overtones, but that's what i mainly follow her for, plus just general t4t goodness! also, their general personality? and the way she shuts down people who disrespect their boundaries? huge inspiration for me!

@cuntboydestroyer: take me to the animal shelter and neuter me. good lord.

@the-kind-of-dame is the main inspiration for my recent genderplay post lol

@terfbreaking-tgirl (be warned of dykebreaking if that's an issue for you)

@barbarian-lesbian is my other inspiration for the recent genderplay post

@superiorineveryway

weird asf (/complimentary; my favorite type of shit. robots, ND-focused posts, etc):

@specksizedgoddess has introduced me to things i didn't know, like...existed, and that's saying a lot as one of my special interests is kink! never knew how down bad i was to be a tiny buggirl, nor how much i wanted to be someone's stupid little robot... BIG tw tho: there is snuff and gore content here, so proceed with caution if you don't wanna see that!

@sapphling fucked me up real good with some bird!sub bondage posts awhile back lol

@nobelisha: found them through their ghost cnc post so that's why they're in this category ahah! they don't have a pinned so proceed w awareness :)

@devout-cleric: hierophilia/religion kink, and i'm something of an acolyte of hers :) if you've read this far down you may as well know i'm her Little Lamb anon lol

piss/omo:

@latenightomo

@pissheartmybeloved - their URL makes me crack up every time, plus good content!

@hold-it-a-little-longer - good scenarios/imagines!

@ohmyrashi - (i think) my original intro to omo!

monsterfucking/terato:

@septimus-moonlight was my first real introduction to trans-positive terato and i've never settled for half-fun cis-oriented terato ever since :) mind tags!

@eggedbellies as well!

@bredpun doesn't appear to be active lately but still good for a scroll!

@steamandcream

@of-mutts-and-men