#it better turn out perfect and glue free

[marlynnofmany]

Anybody else remember that Garfield strip where Jon is making a model ship? The one where he makes a mess, slams it on the table in frustration, then it's all shiny and perfect while he's covered in glue?

That has certainly been A Mood with a certain writing project lately.

[xinxiaogato]

— snip! snip! snip...!

summary. the hairstyle of the guy with indigo eyes was very specific: a short jellyfish cut that ended at the base of his neck with wispy, sparse bangs lined up in the front. however, what would happen if your boyfriend gave someone free rein to a pair of scissors near his head?

love interests. gn!reader x kabukimono, scaramouche, and wanderer. (separately)

warnings. cursing, jealousy, unedited, and a lil spicy during wanderer’s part.

word count. 3,506.

note. let’s pretend both niwa and the nameless child (named “isamu” here) are alive at the same time for this fic… you are referred to as “reader” by the way!

꒰ 傾奇者 ꒱ — kabukimono

your cutie patootie of a boyfriend always burst through the door after working at the forge and embraced you as if centuries had passed since the last time you saw each other.

but today, for some odd reason, when you heard the familiar squeak of the front door, that squeak wasn’t followed by the usual croon of your name and a rush of footsteps toward you. instead, you listened to kabukimono wordlessly pad into the bathroom…

and he didn’t come out.

concerned for his well-being, you quickly made your way outside the room he barricaded himself in and knocked on the door twice. “kabukimono?” you called for him. “are you all right?”

silence.

and then you heard him sniffle.

“y-yeah, i’m okay,” his voice returned meekly. “please don’t worry about me…”

your heart squeezed tightly in your chest. “wait, are you crying?"

"..."

"kabukimono, please let me know what’s going on. we can work it out together. you know that.”

you prepared to give him space if there was no reply, but the door creaked open shortly after. you took that as an invitation to walk in but was abruptly glomped by him, his face buried into your chest.

“kabukimono!” startled, you tried to gently push your boyfriend off, but it was like the two of you got stuck together by adhesive glue.

“what happened?” you asked with what breath he hadn’t squeezed out of your lungs.

kabukimono was so, so embarrassed. half of the reason he refused to budge was the shame for not greeting you properly…

…but the other half was the atrocity that had become of his front bangs!

previously, niwa had noticed them getting a tad too long to the point they were poking into kabukimono’s eyes, so like a good samaritan, niwa suggested to give them a little trim. 

kabukimono should’ve protested a little harder when he saw niwa take out scissors the size of gardening shears.

“n-niwa…!” quivered kabukimono as he gawked at himself through a shard of glass.

“i’m so sorry, friend; this is all my fault! but it doesn’t look too bad?”

“…niwa, reader is going to break up with me.”

niwa offered up his bandana for kabukimono to wear home, but kabukimono knew he’ll have to face this dilemma head-on sooner or later.

however, the closer he got to his and your house of wooden veneer… the more he dreaded your reaction.

“kabukimono…” you said softly, which turned his stomach. “…may i see your face?”

“…”

against his better judgment, the wandering samurai peeled his face off of your clothes and angled it so that you could glimpse his bangs, which were much shorter than you were accustomed to. your lips parted in mild surprise as you took another second to process this.

“…i look terrible,” kabukimono murmured in the silence, tears pricking his bluish-purple eyes. he knew he was seconds away from bidding his quaint life with you goodbye. “p-please don’t leave me…” he added underneath his breath, his fingers gripping onto you tighter like you were about to disappear.

…so this is what he was trying to hide all along.

you let out a little “pfft” that captured his attention and then smoothed back his short bangs to plant a kiss as sweet as summer fruit on his forehead.

“kabukimono, you look perfect,” whispered you with only love in your eyes.

for the first time that night, kabukimono looked up and donned a gaze of profound intensity that felt like it was sucking you in. he really loved it when you said his name with your voice; it made him melt into a puddle. 

“i’m not gonna leave you over something this silly,” you continued, making him scrunch his face when you booped his nose. “besides, it’ll grow out.”

“really?” he croaked.

“really. now how about you wake up isamu while i get dinner ready?”

kabukimono blinked away tears that had threatened to spill down his cheeks earlier. you always dispelled his worries in a flash no matter how trivial they were. why did he ever have doubts in the first place? you were his sanctuary—the end-all to his anxiety of being abandoned. “okay!”

꒰ 国崩 ꒱ — scaramouche

slam!

that sound of the door to his bedroom was nothing to sneeze at, but the fact that the fatui harbinger didn’t greet you with a kiss on the lips as per usual was. hell, you didn’t even get the chance to see his face when he came home. that either meant he was really angry or really tired, and whether he joined you for dinner was up to you to test the waters.

tonight, you were feeling brave. how could he turn down your infamous chicken katsu?

“scara!” you exclaimed, wiping your hands on a towel before approaching the lion’s den. “i made dinner! or would you prefer a shower? or perhaps… moi?”

“…”

“i know you’re in there. at least give me a sign that you’re alive.”

“...”

“scaramouche! scaramouche! will you do the fandango?”

“...”

“sc-scara, there’s a fire in the kitchen!”

“…”

“seriously?”

well, you supposed you should’ve saved that one for later. you used that excuse last week to lure him out.

heaving a sigh, you turned on your heel to accept eating alone for the night when scaramouche suddenly whipped the door open and encircled his arms around you from behind, pulling a shocked you to his chest and locking you in place.

“if you turn around, we’re breaking up,” he grumbled into your ear.

“huh!?” you thrashed around in scaramouche’s grip to no avail. “that’s not something you can just decide on your own!”

“don’t care. if you saw me—!”

if you saw him, you would most definitely laugh, and the last thing scaramouche wanted to be was a laughing stock to his lover. of course he would cast aside his ego when it came to your reputation, but archons forbid you seeing him as something pitiable. not if he could help it.

“don’t you realize i’ll be more upset if i didn’t get to see your handsome face, darling?” you whined with futile tugs and twists at his wrists. “as to whatever happened, it can’t be that bad!”

oh, it was bad. really bad.

“the most important thing is eye contact!” declared his colleague with the irritatingly bright locks of orange hair. “after all, there’s a saying that eyes are the windows of the soul. how else are you supposed to communicate your feelings to them?”

“...dude, you don’t even have light in your eyes,” scaramouche responded. “why should i take advice from you?”

“what does that have to do with anything?”

sandrone’s massive puppet smacked tartaglia upside the head as she scowled. “stop making a ruckus, and just cut the balladeer’s bowlcut already. he looks homeless.”

“yes, i don’t think we can handle the sixth harbinger’s lamentation about his relationship much longer,” arlecchino grumbled, her eyes turning so far upward that they almost rolled right out of the room.

“none of you guys were even supposed to know about it!” scaramouche roared with fury practically emanating off of him.

this outburst had all the other partygoers of the tsarita’s banquet turning their heads. they couldn’t believe their eyes, but it was true. all ten executive heads of the fatui were gathered together in one place (fly high, signora). even the harbingers themselves never thought something like this would happen if it weren’t for you, who scaramouche had introduced and (to his dismay) had made them all smitten toward you. even the tsaritsa thought you were pleasant.

the fatui harbingers could not refuse your suggestion to have “team bonding events”—this gala being one of them—and the animosity between these lieutenants have actually lessened over time (by a hair’s breadth).

“i can use my water blades,” tartaglia offered, who thrusted his hands forward to summon them.

scaramouche’s hands balled into fists, ready to clock the eleventh harbinger before he even had the chance. “no. a thousand times no! don’t even get those things close to me if you want to live, you asshat.”

“what… transpired this?” whispered pulcinella, unable to keep up with the youngsters’ energy.

pantalone took it upon himself to explain the situation. “word is that our dear reader complimented the hairstyle of a subordinate working underneath the balladeer,” the regrator informed as he pushed his neck-strap spectacles higher up the bridge of his nose. “since then, he has failed to complete a single assignment.”

revealing his sharp canines, dottore snickered. “in spite of that, it truly is miraculous that the kid found someone who could get past his ironclad exterior.”

columbina hummed in agreement. “it is miraculous that anyone even likes him~!”

they eventually resorted to a pair of scissors that dottore had in his coat pocket (dottore was almost disappointed when il capitano reminded everyone that he carried one), and after some convincing and straight up fist fighting, it was decidedly pulcinella who got on a stool to give scaramouche a snip.

and pulcinella… doesn’t have the best eyes.

“if it’s about your dark circles, it’s okay,” you reassured scaramouche back in the present. “i’ll always accept you the way you are.”

“i don’t have dark circles!” in a fit of rage, scaramouche spun around to glare at you while blinking several times in quick succession and—lo and behold—gave you front-row seats to pulcinella’s botched job at cutting his bangs, which now ended halfway down his forehead. scaramouche felt his heart drop into his stomach at the sight of your widened eyes before he shoved his hat into your face and stormed off.

“w-wait, scara!” you chased after him to the living room, and he still refused to face you. “that was what you were worried about me seeing?”

following that was a silence that thickened the air. you walked up to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. “hey… i like guys with short hair, you know?”

…

…

…

“...but that damn skirmisher had long hair,” your boyfriend grumbled.

ah. this confirmed your suspicion that he overheard you speaking to his underling. little did scaramouche know that you had just been asking about your boyfriend’s whereabouts that day (but of course the balladeer anxiously spying on you the whole time made it impossible for you to locate him).

“i also like guys with blue hair and blue eyes.” you went to stand in front of scaramouche and placed his kasa hat back onto his head before squishing his face with your hands. he furrowed his eyebrows and tried to pull away, but the almighty harbinger became weak before you very easily. “i like guys with red eyeliner. a big hat. a haughty attitude. i like you, darling. and nothing is going to change that.”

scaramouche clenched his jaw and looked down at the floor dejectedly. “...how can you stand it though? you just said my attitude is haughty. is that… fine?”

“i’m still here, aren’t i?” you smiled. “and i’m not going anywhere. even if you went bald.”

“...do not allow that image to form in your brain, reader.”

“it’s too late.”

“reader!”

but despite the irritation laced in his voice, his lips were curled into a smile reserved only for his lover’s eyes. he liked you, too, and nothing was going to change that.

꒰ 放浪者 ꒱ — wanderer

“lesser lord kusanali.”

the dendro archon whirled around and almost let out a breath of relief at the sight of you entering the sanctuary of surasthana, your fingers intertwined behind your back. “grand sage, it is good to see you,” nahida greeted earnestly. “i’m sorry for contacting you on such short notice, but you were the only one i could think of reaching out to.”

“really?” you cocked an eyebrow as you descended down the white stone walkway. not at all did you mind chatting with nahida when you had the chance, but if you were the only person capable of solving her problem, it must be serious. “what could be the matter?”

“well… it’s rather a long story.” scratching her cheek, the dendro archon recounted what took place that morning.

“what are you thinking about?” the little archon questioned as she and wanderer strolled along the outskirts of the city.

wanderer kicked a rock that had the misfortune of being in his path. “you and i both know the answer to that,” he stoically replied.

“has it been that long since you and reader have seen each other?”

those words made something in wanderer’s chest feel a foreign pang, one that only occurred when he envisioned your face.

“i know that they’re busy with official affairs,” he scoffed, coming to a full stop. nahida followed suit, looking back at him with a hand to her heart. “it just can’t be safe for humans to stay cooped up inside of their offices all day long.”

nahida knew the nonchalance in wanderer’s tone was just a cover-up for how much he missed you, and the archon was all too familiar with that feeling. “wanderer—”

“i’m gonna make them regret prioritizing their work over me.”

with a tip of his hat, wanderer started trudging back the way they came.

“hey, wait!” she rushed after him and clung onto one of the blue fabrics dangling from the back of his head covering, which yanked him back toward her.

“what?” he deadpanned.

“how are you planning to make reader regret it?” she asked her disciple, anxious about letting him out of her sight.

“...”

wanderer recalled overhearing a conversation in the grand bazaar. a woman was fawning over her husband’s new appearance, who shaved off his beard earlier that day because he wanted to surprise her, and it was like she fell in love with him for the first time all over again.

wanderer wanted you to fall in love with him all over again.

“haircut,” he grunted.

“haircut?” nahida echoed.

“i want a haircut.” wanderer blatantly pointed at his head.

nahida took a moment to process his request before breaking out into a smile antagonistic to his scowl. “leave it to me!”

“and that was my first time cutting someone’s hair…” concluded nahida quite dejectedly. “...so you can imagine his fury when he got his hands on a mirror…”

“oh, archons,” you muttered right in front of her, slapping a hand to your face. “where is he now?”

“i’m not sure… i think he grumbled something about curling up in a corner and never seeing a single person again before he flew away.”

the only place you could imagine he escaped to was your shared home together in sumeru city, which was the biggest decision you two had carried out together in your relationship so far. however, you had no idea that the house became such a lonely place for wanderer. anguish squeezed your heart as you pictured him eating dinner alone, pretending the food was satiating like you had suggested in the past because he had wanted to be more human. “like you,” he had said.

“please let the other sages know i am taking an early leave,” i said, pivoting on my heel. “lunch is on me tomorrow!”

“good luck!” nahida called out to you, and as you pushed through the doors of the sanctuary, you felt like you grew wings right there and then.

when was the last time you inhaled a breath of fresh air…?

you dashed home as fast as your little legs (that had been stationary for what? six days?) could carry you home. along the way, nilou stopped you to discuss performing for the people in aaru village, cyno wished to speak about dispatching additional soldiers to monitor trade in the caravan ribat, and al haitham wanted a vacation(?)

however, you had to direct each one of them to your p.o. box because there was one request that waited to be fulfilled for a long, long time.

“babe!” you exclaimed, stumbling a bit as you peeled off your shoes at the doorway. “babe, are you home?”

silence. every step you took further down the hallway entrance felt like stepping onto an eggshell, and your mind started to wonder. was he not actually here? where could he have gone then?

“babe—”

in a flash, you were tightly enveloped by a pair of arms that knocked the wind out of your lungs. you almost lost your footing if it weren’t for the wall right behind you while, in front of you, your lover’s shaking eyes were trying to immortalize every detail of your face onto the canvas of his mind.

“reader…” wanderer mumbled, his cold hands cupping your cheeks like they were made of glass. “you’re here.”

a complicated feeling began to creep up inside of your chest. you didn’t even have the heart to “pfft” at his bangs that looked like a kindergartener had cut it (which wasn’t far from the truth). the crooked ups and downs of his bangs were the least of your concerns.

“i’m so sorry, wanderer,” you whispered as you reached up and gently held his wrists. “i’ve been so busy with attending meetings and approving requests that—”

“shut it.”

wanderer leaned in and hungrily captured your lips with his, and it didn’t take long before they began to trail butterfly kisses down your jaw and to your neck. his grazing teeth coaxed small noises from your mouth as they made light work of your sensitive skin.

“wanderer, wait…”

he pulled back momentarily to look you dead in the eye. “i have waited far too long,” wanderer snarled. “just let me have you, reader…”

you could not risk losing the ability to walk like last time. an idea came over you in that moment to break the spell clouding wanderer’s eyes with lust and desire.

“i’M gONna mAke tHem rEGret pRioriTiziNg thEir worK oVEr Me!” you cried out dramatically as if you had been fatally wounded.

your allusion was so out of character that it completely caught him off guard. as wanderer pressed his lips into a thin line, he created some room for jesus between his body and yours and asked in a contemptuous voice, “did lesser lord kusanali make you come here?”

“of course not. i’m here because of you, babe.” you chuckled. “did you think i wouldn’t notice all the subliminal messages you planted in your works?”

wanderer’s eyes widened in light of that. “you read the scholars’ papers?”

“not typically, but i asked the sage of the vahumana darshan to provide me with yours,” you clarified.

you adored the way your partner wrote—even if he always acted like crafting those essays together was a chore. reading his dissertation on societal issues in inazuma was actually how you two crossed paths, as you voraciously sought the author behind it. who would have predicted that the aloof, cold stranger nahida introduced to you as “hat guy” became your clingy mess of a boyfriend years later?

“whatever, don’t pull that disappearing act on me again,” he snapped, flicking your forehead in an odd display of affection. you held back a few colorful words from the sheer strength he put into that finger.

“it’s not like i was trying to avoid you,” you stated. “plus, i would argue that you disappeared, too, babe. even our archon couldn’t surmise where you ran off to.”

“well, you knew where to find me.” and that’s all that matters, he chose not to add.

a soft laugh bubbled from your throat as you directed your attention back to what made him disappear in the beginning. “hey… there’s no need to doll yourself up to get my attention.” you gently swept his silky bangs to the side. “you are always on my mind and even more so when we’re apart.”

a hush descended over the world around you two as wanderer squinted his troubled eyes and averted them to the floor in deep thought.

he could not kid himself any longer. you, a measly and pathetic mortal, had successfully slipped past the outer shell he built to fool irminsul into believing that he was not an individual worthy of loving, existing, redeeming.

“...”

“wanderer?”

"...rea..."

reader, each day felt longer than the last without you by my side.

i never thought i would have a person in this world who wanted me as much as you do.

 if i had to thank beelzebub for one thing, it would be creating me so that i could meet you.

you are the center of my universe.

“teyvat to wanderer…?”

but wanderer would rather die than say allat. hmm, maybe he’ll put those heartfelt words on paper so that you can read them in your office, giggling and kicking your feet.

in the meantime, he settled on dragging you to the bedroom. “you’re getting punished anyway.”

“wha…!? wait, wanderer!”

but on the inside, you were so happy that it didn’t matter if your boyfriend had to fly you to the akademiya every morning for the next several days. you wished for nothing to take away the beautiful smile you could see creeping onto his face.

© xinxiaogato. please do not translate my work without permission or attempt to plagiarize it.

[muddyorbsblr]

gestures & rain checks

See my full list of works here!

pre-story author's note: Yes I am very aware that it's been a solid month since Valentine's Day. Yes I am still posting this 🫡

Summary: It feels like your friends are getting plucked away from you one by one as their respective (or in Nat's case prospective) partners make grand gestures to ask them to be their Valentine.

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word Count: 4.8k

Warning/s: language (nope still not sorry, Rogers); mentions of alcohol; tooth-rotting fluff; gun use [let me know if I missed anything!]

Things to be aware of: Morgan being a precious beb; himbo!Thor hours; lowkey sad Reader hours; chaotic group chat vibes in the end

You always had a distaste for this day. Valentine's Day. To you, it was the one day a year that you would do everything in your power not to step outside because it reeked of flowers and chocolate marked up to the heavens for merchants to take advantage of last minute gift shoppers hoping to make a gesture big enough that their crush would let them score at the end of the night. Or guys buying extravagant and ridiculously large arrangements to make amends for wronging their partner as if a 10-foot tall teddy bear was gonna magically press some Undo button of him going on Hinge or Tinder and talking up a dozen other girls on the side.

There was one year that you let slip around Nat and Wanda that this day "smelled like a cemetery" with all the bouquets that bombarded you the second you exited the perimeter of the Compound. Hell, the second you left the main section that housed you and the rest of the Avengers. And you stood by that opinion stubbornly, mostly because you'd only ever witnessed flowers being given when someone was desperately trying to glue back together the pieces of a severely damaged relationship.

And also because no one had ever given you flowers in your entire life. Or chocolates. Or a teddy bear. All your past relationships were with men who were still mentally and emotionally boys that believed emojis and gifs sufficed and were as good as the real thing. Nary a single soul had ever actually spent a lick of time or effort to give you something that told you they deserved your time and effort in turn.

And after so many years of being barely an afterthought, the day just felt like this entity that you resented to an irrational degree, where all you wanted was to lay in bed and wait it out until the clock struck 12 and it was February 15th. Then you could go on a hunt for all the overpriced chocolate that suddenly got their prices slashed by 50% or more.

That was the plan again for this year, had it not been for both Nat and Wanda barging in to your apartment and practically dressing you up like you were their own life-sized definitely seen some better days Barbie doll. "Come on, we can go and have a Galentine's Day 2. Maybe hit up a club and get some free drinks…" the assassin trailed off, zipping up your dress and playfully swatting your ass to nudge you forward. "March on, soldier."

The common area was nearly bare and eerily quiet when you all got there, which made perfect sense considering that most of your teammates who were happily committed to someone were off spending their day together, probably executing their own personal twists on those cliched gestures of adoration. Knowing Tony, that would probably consist of a two-storey tall stuffed bunny or a lavish new vacation house as a nice private little getaway spot for him and Pepper when they wanted to have a date night.

Only Morgan and Shaun were at the big dining table by the kitchen, the little girl working on bracelets with the martial artist nursing a cup of coffee while he handed her beads to add to her work. "Whaddup, Ten Rings…Baby Stark," you greeted them, ruffling his hair and pressing a kiss to the top of your goddaughter's head. "What're you two up to this fine completely ordinary day?"

"Oof, I take it you're gonna be spending the day watching a bunch of couples be all extra lovey dovey just like me?" You threw him a look, squinting your eyes at him that had him throwing his hands in the air in surrender. "No need to mentally squish my head, Y/N, we're on the same side, I swear," he chuckled, scooting over to the other seat so you could sit next to Morgan. "How about this, karaoke later tonight? Just us and anyone else that doesn't have a date with dinner and co--" You swatted his arm to get him to stop talking, not so subtly signaling in the little girl's direction. "I mean…adult balloons?"

"Wait how come you have special balloons?" Morgan asked, looking up from her activity book and earning barely stifled chortles from both Nat and Wanda. "Why can't I play with them? I like balloons."

You leaned back in your seat, making a motion with your hands as if you were wiping them clean of the whole conversation. "I'm not helping you out of this one, buddy."

He scratched the back of his head, obviously backed into the corner with his own words. "Eeeeeh…put a pin in that and ask me again when you can order a beer, Baby Stark."

The child pouted at both of you, slumping down in her place at the table and slipping back on her princess pink headphones before focusing all her attention on her activity book again, grumbling something about how grownups shouldn't have conversations around her if they didn't want her to ask questions. Valid enough point, but you still weren't going to be the one to give her her first lesson in Sex Ed class a good decade ahead of time.

"Anyways…" Shaun poked at your side, calling your attention back to him. "Karaoke, ladies? We can pick up Katy and Wong before we head over and sing some Disney duets and gorging ourselves on shots and nachos--"

"Hold up, Wong?" You all turned your attention to Stephen, who'd just walked in to the common area. "This I gotta see. You guys have room for one more?"

"Sure thing, as long as you use your sling ring to help us get into Tony's private stash," you quipped, taking a sip of your coffee. "There's no way I'm getting through this day stone-cold sober."

"Or we could go for the really hard stuff and break into Thor's stash of mead from Asgard before he depletes his supply." He showcased the ring in question with a wiggle of his fingers. "Just a portal away."

"I like the way you think, Strange."

"You can all cease your scheming to pilfer my liquor, my friends," Thor's voice boomed into the area, a bounce in his step as he made his way to the coffee pot. "I would happily supply you all with two barrels if that would be enough for your gathering?"

"That's perfect, Thunder. Thanks." You started to tuck into the breakfast plate served by the Compound kitchen staff, mumbling your next question to the blond god. "What've you got planned with Jane for today?"

"Ah." A wide grin stretched across his face at the mention of his girlfriend, the sight both warming your heart and pinching it at the same time. A bittersweet reminder that in the midst of romantic plans with sentimental or grand gestures, your plans involved getting shit-faced with your fellow single friends. Plus Wanda and probably Vision. "Well, I have employed the aid of Wilson to order an ornate bouquet of Jane's favorite flowers which should arrive this morning. Then for lunch I shall prepare her a meal."

"Lunch?" Wanda questioned, tilting her head to the side. "Forgive me if I overstep, my friend, but aren't the romantic plans usually made for dinner?"

"Well, yes…but Jane has graciously agreed to adjusting our schedule for this day so that I may spend the time after lunch aiding my brother in a gesture of his own." A lump formed in your throat at the words. "It seems he wishes to get into the spirit of the holiday, and I am simply ecstatic that he came to me asking for a helping hand."

"I asked nothing of you, you over-muscled oaf," you heard the raven-haired god call out from the main entrance, two large packages hovering a few inches above the ground blanketed with a glow of green from his magic. "You volunteered when you imposed yourself in my space and hovered over my phone."

"Pfft, semantics," Thor waved off, already making his way over to Loki so that he could do some more apparently unnecessary volunteer work. "Are the flowers in one of your parcels?"

"I like flowers!" Morgan chirped from her seat, bouncing in place with bright excited eyes. "Prince Loki, can I help? Please?"

He let out an exaggerated sigh, a trace of a fond, amused smile betraying his facade. "Very well, little Stark. Come along."

Your goddaughter squealed, skipping over to Thor and placing her tiny hand in his. "Uncle Barbie, tell me who his princess is?" He leaned down to whisper the answer in her ear, making her sprint in place with even more excitement. "I promise I won't say a word."

"Barbie? Like your doll, little Lady Stark?" You could practically see the wheels turning in Loki's head from learning about the nickname.

Morgan nodded her head vigorously. "Auntie Y/N came up with it. She calls him Macho Barbie." She proceeded to talk about how you came to give the blond Asgardian the nickname that bizarrely stuck to him more than "Point Break" ever did, said god looking like he already dreaded the coming days -- maybe even years -- now that his brother knew that little tidbit of information.

Once they'd all made their way up the stairs and you could no longer hear the little girl's chipper tone, realization sat heavy in your heart from her reaction to whatever Thor whispered to her just a few seconds ago. Whoever it was that Loki was going to make this grand gesture for, it was someone that Morgan knew enough to the point that she couldn't contain her excitement finding out who the woman was.

It was someone in SHIELD. Maybe even someone in the Compound.

"You good, Babes?" Nat's tone was cautious, approaching you like you were a wounded animal, teeth bared and ready to pounce if she so much as breathed wrong.

You answered with a terse nod of your head. "There is absolutely no fucking way I'm getting through today sober."

"Y/N, dude, I'm sor--"

Bang

"What the fuck?" All eyes grew wide at the sound, your body stiffening as another shot rang out, reverberating throughout the common area. "FRIDAY? Threat assessment," you called out, already readying yourself for combat once whoever was outside made their way to you in the compound.

"No threats have been detected," the AI answered simply. "There seems to be no living target for the gunman."

You could only manage to repeat your words. "What the fuck?" Shot after shot rang out, an interval of three to five seconds between them. Each deafening bang making you flinch, your head spinning with possible explanations on why FRIDAY didn't deem the supposed attacker as a threat. "Where's the target then?"

"Shots are being fired at the training area, by the track field, Agent Y/L/N." You all started to make your way to the area, everyone still on high alert despite FRIDAY's findings.

"Y/N?!" You shared a look with everyone else in the room at the sound of Loki's voice calling out for you, the god looking frantic as he appeared at the top of the main staircase, a sigh of relief escaping him once he saw you standing at the bottom. "You're alright," he exhaled, hurriedly making his way down. The quickening pace of the gunshots had him squaring his shoulders, stepping in front of you and marching toward the sound.

"We've handled way worse than gunfire, Laufeyson, you don't have to lead the defense," you told him with a touch more bite to your tone than you intended, irrational jealousy coursing through you knowing what he was preparing for before he started charging down the stairs. You sidestepped him and started walking toward the training area, brows furrowing together when you saw that from where you stood, the marks from the bullets digging into the ground where forming some sort of shape.

"It's a message…" Wanda mused, angling her head to and fro to see if she could get the whole picture from the ground. "I'm going up, I wanna see what's worth risking Pepper's wrath with all the lawn work she has to commission now." She held her hand out to you, wordlessly offering to take you up with her, an offer that you gladly took, clapping your hand over hers, both of you giggling as your feet lifted off the ground.

Once you two had risen high enough, it was clear what the message was. The shots had been positioned so that the markings would take on the shape of a heart, and the ongoing shots were creating initials. "N…" you read along, barely able to contain your excitement when you saw that the next letter was an R. "Natasha Romanoff!" you yelled out, the assassin's eyes lighting up with a mix of giddiness and curiosity as she tried to look at where the gunshots could've been coming from.

You did your best to turn your head, trying to see who was behind the gesture, kicking your feet in the air once you saw the gunman. "What? Who is it, Y/N?"

"It's Barnes," you squeaked, giving Rogers a reckless wave when you caught sight of him jogging toward all of you with a megaphone in hand.

"Natasha Romanoff," Bucky's voice boomed through the speaker system, making the usually cool and collected former Russian spy put a hand over her mouth to hide the way she was steadily turning pink from how flustered she was. "I know I have a long way to go to make up for how we first met, but I think you're swell and I'd like to try starting it off with maybe dinner tonight?" Both you and Wanda squealed and held each other tight mid-air watching her nod her answer, running over to her once your feet touched the ground again.

"You two won't be pissed if I take a rain check for tonight, will you?" she cautioned, still a wistful tone in her voice from processing what was happening.

"Absolutely not, you go enjoy your date. More drinks to go around and all that," you told her with the biggest smile. "But tomorrow night we're all staying at my place and you're giving us a full report."

"And remember to wear the red lacy underwear," Wanda teased with a comical wiggle of her eyebrows, earning her a poke to the ribs from both of you.

Nat pulled away from the two of you, walking back toward the indoor gym with Steve walking alongside her, starting to talk about how his best friend had been trying to work up the nerve to ask her out since he got sworn in to the team nearly a year ago. From the sound of the conversation, it seemed that Rogers was divulging some information that Barnes probably swore him to secrecy not so long ago.

"And then there were seven," Shaun spoke up, walking toward  you and the sorceress and clapping a hand on each of your shoulders. "Thor came through and left the barrels in the kitchen for us."

You were about to start talking about the food arrangements when the sight of Wanda's husband flying toward you all with a bouquet of camellias and hydrangeas in his hand. "Wanda, my love, I owe you my deepest apologies."

"Whatever for, Vis?" She broke away from you and Shaun to greet the synthezoid, placing her hands on his upper arms as he pulled her in for a chaste kiss.

"It did not occur to me that you might have wanted to make plans for today until Mr Stark had gone into detail of his own itinerary today for his wife," he explained, handing her the bouquet. "Unfortunately I cannot procure a reservation for us tonight, but I still wish to do something for you. Would you allow me the honor of making you a meal and perhaps watching a movie in the private theater?"

You and Shaun gripped each other's hands like you were high schoolers watching their best friend get asked out on their first big date, shaking and pushing each other over the sweetness of the gesture. "I don't need fancy restaurants or pretty flowers, Vis. Getting to spend time with you, especially after everything that's happened to us, is more than enough. I just need you."

The Sokovian turned back to face you and Shaun, a touch of guilt in her expression. "Rain check? I'll bring extra snacks tomorrow night to make up for it?"

"Don't worry about it, Babes," you reassured her, both you and the martial artist waving off her worries. "Enjoy your evening."

The couple have you a curt nod and a smile before happily flying away hand in hand back to their apartment.

"And then there were five," you and Shaun said in unison, walking back to the common area to load up those barrels that Thor left for tonight's 'festivities'. When you got to the kitchen area, Morgan was adorably sitting atop one of the barrels in question, feet happily swinging in the air with a big smile on her face.

"Off the goods, little Stark, we're not risking you getting drunk your dad's gonna kill us," Shaun said in a panic, already lifting the little girl up and off the barrel and making her squeal and giggle as she giddily exclaimed "I'm flying!".

"If you really think that she can get drunk from osmosis, we have a lot to talk about, sweet little summer child," you joked, walking up to one barrel and starting to push it toward the garage. "Think you can use that ancient mystical ring magic for makeshift wheels so we don't bust out our lungs lugging this all the way to your truck?"

"I can assist you, darling." Your skin bristled at the sound of Loki's voice, taking every ounce of strength you had to not stiffen or recoil at his use of the word. He was only saying it out of habit. Probably a remnant of his upbringing as a prince on Asgard.

He didn't mean it the way you wanted -- more than anything -- for him to mean it.

"No need, Laufeyson, I've got it from here," Strange butted in, conjuring an energy shield with his magic that he slid under the barrels, starting to wheel them toward the garage. "Carry on. Oh and friendly advice, man to god? Your future girlfriend, you know, the one you're making this big gesture for? She might not appreciate you calling other women 'darling', so I highly recommend kicking the habit while it's still early. Avoiding future battles and all."

The god sucked his teeth, the action causing his jaw to clench and sending your thoughts someplace they had no business being. You had no business thinking about another woman's man that way, no matter how hot he was.

"I will remember that. Thank you, Strange," he said softly, making his way back up the stairs.

"Thanks for the save," you muttered, opening the door to the garage for the sorcerer to guide the barrels through. "Don't think I could've gotten away with being on Bitch Mode with him a second time today. Not like I can help it, though. Some lucky Midgardian bitch is gonna be his by the end of the night."

"Pretty sure you're the only woman I know that considers being Laufeyson's girlfriend a good thing."

"Yeah, Y/N, like I know he's on our side and everything but most days he still has me on edge. Like passing him on a bad day's gonna get me a stab in the ribs, not a death glare like normal people," Shaun concurred, nudging your shoulder to hopefully stop your lamenting before you got in too deep. Again.

"I'm really down bad, huh," you sighed, letting out a little yip when a portal to the dark dimension appeared just a few feet in front of you. "The fuck--"

"Hey Strange," a reverberating ethereal voice called out from the portal, and then a tall woman with platinum hair with beauty that you could only describe as 'dark celestial' stepped out. Her eyes trained on the sorcerer next to you. "Heard that today's something of a holiday in this dimension. Figured it might be a good idea to stop by and maybe you could show me around your uh…" She turned to you and Shaun, both your jaws slack on the ground. "What's this place called again?"

"Avengers Compound?" Shaun said at the same time that you blurted out, "New York?"

"Compound York?" She raised an eyebrow at the two of you, amusement coloring her face as she gave you both a once over.

"Eherm…no," you answered her, chuckling nervously and shifting your weight between your feet. "This structure here is Avengers Compound, which is in Upstate New York. New York is a city, but also a region…and a state…?" you drifted off, already feeling a pinch in your head from trying to explain the best you could. You looked over to Shaun. "The more I try finding the words to explain, the more I realize how complicated it actually is. Save me."

Stephen stepped forward. "How about I just take you on a tour around New York, then?" His face stretched out into a wide grin, clearly unable to hide his giddiness over the knowledge that she crossed dimensions to be with him today.

"Is that…New York the city, the region, or the state?"

"The city. New York, New York. There's a whole song about it and everything I can play it for you in the car." He proceeded to drape his arm around the dark sorceress, leading her to his car further down the expansive garage.

"Your little human friend is right, things here are complicated. Downright confusing." She looked back at you and Shaun again as they walked away, hand in hand. "It was nice meeting you both! Stephen speaks highly of you all," she called out, her majestic voice echoing throughout the area.

"You're really pretty!" you blurted out in response, causing her voice to melt into a chuckle, telling her partner how she found you 'adorable'. You threw your head back and groaned toward the ceiling. "I'm a fucking dork."

"At least you're an adorable dork," Shaun shot back, nudging your shoulder and lightly touching the back of your head to get you facing forward again. His phone chimed with a text notification. "Katy. Her shift's over, she said she'll get us a room for eight. I'm texting her now to get a smaller one." He held up his hand, palm facing you. "And then there were four?"

You sighed, clapping your hand against his, your friend giving you a reassuring squeeze once you did. "And then there were four." You jerked your head toward the apartments. "I'll just go change into something that involves 'eating pants' and I'll meet you down here in ten."

The walk back up to your apartment wasn't that long, but it still felt like it with how quickly you slipped back into your lamenting over how your friends had such an eventful day today. Nat had her very public grand gesture. Wanda had her husband trying to cook human food in the name of spending time with her. Strange had his girlfriend literally rip a hole between dimensions to get here.

"And all I have waiting for me are two barrels of mead and karaoke microphones," you muttered, walking through your front door and begrudgingly unzipping your dress from the back. You were just about to half-stomp your way to your closet when something on your bed caught your eye.

Three shiny roses lined with gold, tied together with a gold ribbon at the foot of the bed. A large heart-shaped box of chocolates at the center. And a little teddy bear dressed as a bee with red antennas that had hearts at the end, at its fluffy little feet was an embroidered message. "Bee mine".

"What theeeee fu--"

"Y/N," an all too familiar voice called out from behind you. The air left your lungs at the sight of Loki in a form-fitting forest green button-down tucked into onyx black slacks, tucking his hair behind his ears before smoothing his hands over his shirt. "You're early--"

"What're you doing--Was this you?" you babbled, gesturing at the gifts on your bed. For a second, your heart beat erratically, the thought that maybe this was for you, before reality and logic sunk in. "Okay I think I know what's happening…"

"You do?"

"Yeah, you got the wrong apartment. Gimme a minute to change and I can help you move all this over to--"

The rest of your words died in a little squeak at the back of your throat, the god closing the distance between you two with a few long strides, framing your face in his hands and placing a tender fleeting kiss to your lips.

"Those tokens of my affection are exactly where they belong, little mortal," he murmured against you, tracing up the bridge of your nose with his lips until he pressed a kiss to your forehead. "As am I."

You let out a shaky breath, fighting against the urge to melt in the god's embrace as he snaked his hands around your waist. "The gesture your brother mentioned this morning…this?" He proceeded to press kisses down the side of your face, his warm exhale as he whispered 'yes' into your skin making you light-headed. "This is for me?" you gasped out, whatever was remaining of your logical brain smacking the rest of you with how stupid a question that was.

"Who else would it be for, darling?" He pressed a kiss to your jaw, tightening his arms around you and pressing your body against his. "There is no other in this or any other Realm that could have captured my heart so completely." He kissed the corner of your jaw, making his way down the side of your neck, holding you tighter to keep you up when your knees finally buckled from the sensation. "I did this for you, because I wish to ask something of you. That you become mine as much as I am yours."

"M-Mine?" you stammered. "Y-You're mine?" Since when? How come you didn't get this particular memo? Could've saved you a lot of turmoil and nights spent alone staring up at the ceiling trying and failing to hypnotize yourself out of being into him.

He kissed the tip of your nose, resting his forehead against yours. "I have always been yours, darling."

Your hands traveled up the length of his arms, like you were grounding yourself and trying to tell yourself that this was real. He was really here and he was telling you the words you wanted more than anything to hear for who even knew how long at this point.

He's here, you thought to yourself. And he's mine.

There was only one word that you could muster up in that moment. "Yes." I've always been yours, too.

Karaoke Dreamin' on Such a Winter's Day group chat

myfirstnameisagent: Don't kill me but…rain check?

busboy10: Are you kidding me, Y/N?? You said you'd be down in 5 minutes tops and we're gonna meet up with Katy.

nromanoff: Sweet, now you're gonna have a story to tell tomorrow night, too.

myfirstnameisagent: Actually about that…rain check on tomorrow night, too? I'm kinda not there right now…

busboy10: There?? What do you mean "There"?? How'd you get out the Compound without me seeing you? Or whoever the hot date you're ditching me for is?

imjustwong: Where is everybody? We ordered nachos.

myfirstnameisagent: Yeah…I'm not in the Compound…or in New York…any of the "New York"s. Might not be for the next week. Maybe more. The three of you better not drink all the mead in one go.

busboy10: ??????

thevision: Agent Y/L/N, my wife is showing many signs of distress over her inability to contact you. Your phone seems to be going straight to voicemail.

thewanda: Y/N WHERE ARE YOU I HEARD A BANG FROM YOUR APARTMENT ARE YOU OKAY??

myfirstnameisagent: Babes, I'm fine. That was just the Bifrost.

thewanda: EXCUSE ME??

nromanoff: BABES WHAT--

pointbreakbarbie: My friends, I heard the Bifrost be summoned near Lady Y/N's abode. Is there an emergency? Must I make my way to Asgard to assist?

myfirstnameisagent: Thor your brother said if he finds you here I have permission to stab you, don't even fucking think about it.

thewanda: I REPEAT. EXCUSE ME???

busboy10: Y/N are you in Asgard?? With Loki??

myfirstnameisagent: Yes. And yes. See you in two weeks.

thewanda: He better use that healing magic on your legs so you don't walk funny.

A/N: It took me a whole month to write this because real life was trying TKO me in the work department and also I got sucked in to the worlds of Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and Delicious World and I've been too weak to even attempt time management 🤣

I'm working on stuff tho I swear it 🫡 Horny bitches cuts are in progress, stories are in progress…lots of progress 😅😅

Also for reference, this was the lil stuffed bear that Loki gave Reader:

and the roses looked like this:

'everything' taglist: @simplyholl @loopsisloops @imalovernotahater @coldnique @loz-3 @huntress-artemiss @salempoe @vickie5446 @athalialaufeyson @lokiprompts @kats72 @kikster606 @asgards-princess-of-mischief @lokixryss @thomase1 @mischief2sarawr @lovingchoices14 @goblingirlsarah @iamlokisgloriouspurpose @creationsbyme @maple-seed @mjsthrillernp @ladyofthestayingpower @mygfloki @sititran @glitterylokislut @ozymdias @fictive-sl0th  @lokidbadguy @mochie85 @silverfire475 @joyful-enchantress @elizabethmidnight2017 @holdmytesseract @smolvenger @gigglingtiggerv2 @lokidokieokie @lunarnights95 @superficialdomina @kmc1989 @november-rayne @goddessofwonderland @buttercupcookies-blog @peaky-marvel @lokiified @tom-hlover @dryyoursaltyoceantears

[piratefishmama]

Forgiven Not Forgotten | Part 7

Never let it be said that the Harringtons knew how to go small. They didn’t. The quaint little two bed they’d been living in was always going to be temporary if Steve came home. Even if it was now… technically theirs. It was a nice house, perfect for many a small family, which technically they were.

But they were also… filthy stinking rich.

The Harringtons didn’t really know how to go and stay small. Which is why by the following weekend, Eddie’s release from hospital looming upon them and the two bed house feeling more and more cramped by the day, they already had a cash offer in place on a five bedroom estate in Bloomington.

Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a finished basement games room, just under eight acres of land, a pool, and an extra little pool house outfitted as a detached bungalow on the property.

The little house they’d lived in… given it was theirs, well. They had no real plans for it yet. Selling it on was a potential, it was too far from the estate to even contemplate handing the keys to one of the families linked to theirs through their children’s shared trauma, although that’d be a nice gesture on their part, the idea of separating their kids after such an ordeal?

Nope. They’d clung to each other. Kept each other alive. They needed each other.

One of the reasons they even chose the bigger property was because “It’s big enough for you all to be there.” That’s what Lynda had told Steve when he’d asked about it. “It’s not going to happen for another couple of weeks, so the house is still going to be a little cramped with everyone in it, but…”

“We have no intentions of separating you from your family, Steven.” John finished for her, nodding over Steve’s shoulder to the multiple sets of eyes watching them. “Like your mother said, what we have now is too cramped, this new place will have plenty of room for everyone.”

“And… what about when their parents turn up?” Because it was a when, not an if. “Just gonna go back to an empty house?” They were operating on when. Nevermind that they’d never seen their parents get out of Hawkins. Nevermind that the only parent they knew for certain was alive and well outside of Joyce and Hopper, was Karen Wheeler, Ted having put himself between his kids and a Demogorgon during the early days and hadn’t come out as the victor. It didn’t matter that they’d seen horrors beyond anything a child should have to witness.

The kids needed to operate on when.

“Then we’ll help them find homes in the area, but until then, the house will be… a home base of sorts. A comfortable starting point for all of you so you’re not too far away from each other, it’ll never be an empty house, Steven. I know it might look like we’re just spending money for the sake of it but… it’s not like that anymore.” They weren’t doing that anymore. They’d found a better way than being away from home all the time. John worked from a home office and delegated important tasks and jobs to others to free up his time, and Lynda decided she wanted to be at home.

They were just glad Steve was allowing them to just decide to be there for him all of a sudden. He didn’t have to.

“…Forgive me if I still doubt that.” No amount of tearful apologies could erase all that history “But thanks, for… for thinking of us. It’s true, we kinda stuck together like glue after Mr Wheeler…” he trailed off. After they’d gotten Karen and Holly out of that house while Ted held back that shaking door, huge, clawed fingers tearing through wood. He still remembered Holly’s screams, still remembered Karen crying, begging them to go back as Nancy and Mike dragged her out, Holly running straight to Steve. “We were never far apart from each other.” It’d be weird without them, unsettling when the dust finally settled. When parents returned to claim their kids.

“And you wont be.” John placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, firm, squeezing it in comforting reassurance. “You won’t be.”

~~

“Aaaand this is your room.” Had it not been for the fact that Eddie had been in a coma for the last god only knows, where he could, with rules, conjure ridiculous shit, he’d have probably assumed he was still out.

He had a room. In what was essentially. A mansion. But he’d never seen it before, so he wasn’t still in his funky little void because he wouldn’t have been able to conjure it.

Only what he’d seen, only places he’d been.

He had his own room. Bigger than his old one at the trailer because of course it was. Currently empty of personal belongings, void of personality, but Steve was holding boxes. Boxes with stuff in them, rolled up tubes of paper, stuff wrapped in newspapers, and he was setting those boxes down one by one inside the room. “…What’s in those?”

“Shit we saved from the trailer, it’s not much but… it’s something.” Eddie silently turned to just. Stare at him. Brows furrowed, confusion so evident Steve had to ask “what?”

“…How long has it been since I died, Steve?” He had to ask again, just to be sure of something, even if it was a weird question to ask.

“Bout two years, why?”

“… And in that time, Hawkins basically ate shit, right?”

“Yup, where’s this going?”

“How’d you save my stuff for that long? Why did you save my stuff for that long? Shit couldn’t have been easy to keep safe, right? So… why?” Steve fell silent, his jaw shifting, lips pursing, visibly going through all the possible reasons he could have saved that stuff, all the reasons why he would have saved that stuff, all the potential excuses, the boy would be terrible at poker.

He settled on shrugging his shoulders.

“Because I did. Because I could. Like I said, it’s not much.” It was so much. Not quantity wise, no… Steve was right there wasn’t much in those boxes, probably why Steve could carry multiple at a time but it meant so much. Steve obviously wasn’t going to go into the why’s or the how’s with him though. He was going to brush them away, without answers. “We saved some mugs, there’s some posters in here, uhh, I got a bunch of your tapes and your deck, I wish I could say I saved your guitars but… I’m sorry man, it was just too risky carting around something that could make noise. I think… they might still be there but—”

“It’s fine, Steve… this—this is way more than I could have asked for.” He could always get a new guitar, eventually. It’d mean saving up somehow, or using some of the hush money that the government had promised him for signing, he was planning on using that to find Wayne though.

It’d been over a week, the hospital had slowly been cleared of survivors, the Sinclair’s were the only parents who’d made it thus far, having been staying with Sue’s sister a few towns over doing the exact same thing as the Harringtons. Waiting. Hoping. Praying for news on their kids, any news. Anything.

They’d taken the Harrington’s offer to stay in the converted pool house with Karen until they could get housing arranged, the kids staying in the main house with everyone else.

“Yeah well… we’ll sort you out a new one eventually. Can’t leave the bard without his instrument, right?” Eddie’s wide eyes were on him again, a beaming smile spreading across his lips, dimpling his cheeks, stretching the scar tissue on his jaw, and Steve had to look away, he had to, because otherwise he just might fall again, and he couldn’t… he couldn’t make that mistake twice.

“Be still my beating heart, was that a D&D reference, Harrington?” He could feel the warmth seeping into his cheeks at the attention, as Eddie leaned in a little closer, got into his space, it’d been so long since someone had paid him any attention. Even if it meant nothing to Eddie, even if he was just being silly, be still his own beating heart.

“Maybe. Now get to unpacking your shit.” He put the last of the boxes down on the bed, purposefully turning away from Eddie to hide his reddening face, to hide what he knew Eddie had never wanted to see. “We’ll be heading out into town in an hour to find us all some new clothes, maybe some new stuff for the rooms too. Hop to it.”

“You’re not gonna help lil ol me unpack? I just got out of hospital!” Eddie called after him as Steve made to leave the room.

“With a clean bill of health! You can manage a few boxes!” And he was gone. Running away. Like a coward.

[queen-of-reptiles]

𝙺𝙽𝙾𝙲𝙺𝙾𝚄𝚃

description: In which one of laia and y/n have always aggravated one another and it all comes to a head at the derby

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laia aleixandri x female reader

disclaimer: I am in now way saying laia is bi-sexual or lesbian, this is all fiction

warnings: language, angst, it is a little spicy

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y/n just posted

liked by ellatoone, alessiarusso99, and 239, 765 others

tagged ellatoone, 1maryearps and katiezelem

y/n Ready for the blues ... ❤️

view 12, 762 comments

username1: Come on!!! UNITED ❤️❤️

username2: awww look at Ella! 🥹🥹

username3: Cannot wait for our yearly y/n x laia showdown

^

username4: don't even ! I am so excited lmaoooooo 😂😂

ellatoone: jesus is that what I look like?

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y/n: yh I know, hideous 😩

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ellatoone: little shit 🤨

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alessiarusso99: HAHAHAHA 😂

1maryearps: was this before or after you had pelted me with water??? 😶

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y/n: before :) 😌

katiezelem: ❤️

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y/n: love youuuu

lauren_hemp: Excited to see ya! 💙

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y/n: omg same!! ❤️

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username5: always forget they are besties! 😂

username6: show em how its done!!

username7: Star girl!! 🌟🌟🌟

username8: LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

lj10: 😚

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y/n: 😚

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manutd women just posted on their story

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lauren_hemp just posted on her story

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y/n just posted on her story

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twitter/ X

username1: this game is so violent jesus ☹️

username2: y/n's on fire tho, so I don't care tbf 🔥🔥

username3: NUTS LAIA SHE HAS JUST NUT MEGGED LAIA 😭

username4: GO ON! ZELEM PEN

username5: jesus Laia is really gunning for y/n today, she better watch out! 😑

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y/n grunted once more as she sprawled out along the floor, Laia huffing in annoyance as the ref gave her a final warning before a card. The foul was given and a free kick set up.

Katie stood behind y/n hands on her shoulders as she whispered encouragement in the girl's ear. It was 1-1 and two minutes before half time.

y/n breathed in, pulling back before sending her foot through the ball and off to the left of Keating, the next bulging as y/n let out a shout of triumph.

Ella got to her first, flinging her thinner frame onto her, screaming in happiness as united crowded around the midfielder. The group all parted, moving back to their positions as Laia walked past y/n watching her.

y/n couldn't help but send a wink Laia's way finding considerable joy in the way the vein in her neck bulged in annoyance. Laia's jaw clenched, clearly troubled with the way she gave away the free kick.

The whistle blew soon enough and the crowd was engulfed in a sea of red as the cheers bounced. The united girls walked toward the tunnel, several pats being bounced off of y/n's shoulder.

Laia moved past y/n, her shoulder pushing past as she walked toward the Man City room and y/n scoffed, noticing they were the only ones in the corridor.

"Grow up Aleixandri." y/n warned the girl, pulling at her ponytail.

"Learn to take a hit, l/n." Laia hissed back, y/n turned on her heel facing Laia as she smirked.

"Learn not to give the free kicks, and I wouldn't score them." y/n winked before walking into the changing room, a string of Spanish curses following her.

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The second half was no let up from the first, City came hard and fast, and Laia was once again harsh to y/n and stuck to her like glue, but y/n had enough by then.

She started jostling back, her tackles rougher than they could have been, her shoulder's definitely bruised from the amount of contact they had received.

Laia had made a great run, her shot was perfect, and it would have gone in, if not for the sliding united midfielder who cleared it off the line and into Ella who booted it away.

Laia let out a yell of annoyance as she watched Mary hug y/n in relief, grateful for her all or nothing attitude as she flung herself to the ground to stop a goal.

The corner was prepared and Laia pressed her back against y/n's front, Laia's shoulder just blocking y/n's view due to their height difference.

y/n huffed in annoyance as she placed her hands on Laia's waist, in between all the shoving in the box her movements were completely unnoticed.

"Is it weird I quite like having you pressed against me like this?" y/n whispered in Laia's ear, just as the corner was taken, stunned completely, Laia paused.

Mary caught the ball and y/n was already gone. Katie received the ball from Mary, and while Laia tried to sprint back to her position, y/n had received the through ball from her captain and hammered it home.

The gleeful laugh let out by y/n was drowned out by the screams and cheers of the crowd. However, Laia could not hear them, all she could hear was her own blood, pumping in her head.

"That was not fair." Laia hissed as y/n jogged past her, but the player ignored her completely, setting herself in her position.

The whistle blew and y/n intercepted a pass from Jill, sending it through to Ella, just as a hand gripped her wrist and she was sent flying back.

"What the fuck?" y/n asked Laia, hands flying up as she raced to her feet.

"Oh, did that hurt?" Laia mocked, eyes sparkling as Ella moved y/n away, muttering calming words as Laia scoffed at her booking.

Not even two minutes later, she made another anger driven tackle. y/n was the only one up the pitch, she had slid through Greenwood and began a run down the right wing when she felt it.

Weirdly enough, Laia had meant to get the ball, she had not intended to hurt y/n in the slightest, but as soon as she caught her ankle she knew.

y/n all but flipped, her body colliding with Laia's, temple into the Spanish girl's elbow and y/n was suddenly on the floor un-moving. Lauren yelped, kicking the ball out of play as she ran to her best friend.

"What are you doing that for?" She yelled at her teammate who couldn't speak, only watch the trickle of blood which had formed from a cut on her brow.

"I- I..." Laia began, but the whistle blew and the familiar red card was shown at her, the girl sighing and walking off ignoring the boo's that followed, her mind only on the girl who she had just crumbled before her.

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twitter/ X

username1: jesus that was a bad tackle 😶😶

username2: lauren is so worried as well, I don't blame her, it was so crazy 😳

username3: I have never seen someone fold like that.

username4: The fact it is five minutes after and she has only just woken up is horrifying. 😥😥

username5: what was Aleixandri thinking???

^

username6: She should spend more time off the pitch for it, it is a straight red offence really

^

username7: you can tell she didn't mean to do it, she as white as a sheet when she realised and then instantly cradled y/n's head. It was a mistake

username8: Hope y/n is okay! ❤️

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manutd women just posted on their story

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y/n groaned again, annoyed by the aching in her head as she tried to block out the lights of the locker room. Ella had packed her car for her, but the midfielder had demanded that she shower before she went home.

Ella had offered to drive her back, but she had denied, saying Lauren would because they lived together anyway, and her blonde best friend was not upset about the game, merely worried for her injury.

The stitches which sat above her eyebrow were uncomfortable and tight as they pinched her skin. y/n pulled her final shoe on and walked toward the door.

There were many things y/n kind of expected, Laia Aleixandri to be waiting outside the locker room, was not one. She had her nail in her mouth, biting nervously.

"Are you okay?" Laia asks, as soon as she sees y/n who sends her a confused look.

"Yeah, concussion out for a few weeks due to its severity." y/n nodded, her voice low as she rocked back on her heels.

"I see." Laia nodded, she then sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." She adds.

"Yeah, well you'd been gunning for me all game, didn't realise you would actually get a shot." y/n chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.

"You make me so mad, do you know?" Laia asks, and y/n chuckles slightly.

"Yeah, I got that honestly." She hums and Laia sighs.

"So quick, so strong, so good." Laia lists, her eyes almost hard with annoyance. "So pretty." Laia adds quietly, but y/n could hear it.

"You think I'm pretty?" y/n teases Laia, but the woman did something she hadn't expected.

"Yes. Gorgeous in fact." Laia hums, stepping forward, and in her panic, y/n pretty much falls against the wall behind her, as Laia brings her feet to touch y/n's the bodies so close to touching.

y/n couldn't function her entire brain had been pushed into overdrive by the sweet scent of Laia's perfume, which seemed to cling to her like a frightened child.

"Where's that sharp tongue of yours now, mi amor?" Laia asks, the Spanish slipping off her tongue made y/n's eyes roll in pleasure, which Laia watched with a smug smirk.

"Please." y/n whispered, letting her smug attitude sink below as she tried to focus on anything other than Laia's lips hovering above her own.

"Please what amor?" Laia whispers.

"Bésame." y/n whispered, Laia was clearly shocked at the use of her native language, assuming y/n didn't know Spanish. She would be right mainly, y/n only knew a few words, 'kiss me' being one of them.

Laia paused and y/n pressed up, their lips meeting with power, heads tilting, hands gripping at whatever would steady them, for y/n it was Laia's broad shoulders.

For Laia, it was the slight dip in y/n's waist, her hands gripping tightly and pulling her close as she leaned down and further in. y/n's tongue traced along Laia's bottom lip.

The Spaniard opened her mouth and y/n expected to be able to enter it, but she had other ideas, sliding one hand from her waist to slide her fingers across y/n's chin, Laia took control.

y/n couldn't think as Laia infected her, with her touch, her kiss, her scent, all she could think about is doing this for the rest of her life, if y/n was put on this earth to kiss Laia Aleixandri and only Laia, so be it.

The two pulled away, panting and holding tight, delicately Laia brushed her thumb over the stitched on y/n's head and sighed as she pecked her lips.

"We'll come back." a voice says and Lauren turns away, trying to grab Ella who had paused mouth open wide.

"No we won't." Ella denies. "What the f-"

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y/n just posted

liked by 1maryearps, ellatoone and 398, 789 others

tagged laiaaleixandri

y/n let her win

view all 12, 783 comments

username1: wtf 🤯🤯

username2: They're hanging out????

1maryearps: I don't get how you make your photos so aesthetic? 🤨

^

y/n: I will teach you my young padawan! 😚

username3: maybe they became friends after the derby

username4: why do I kinda ship??? 😌😌

^

username5: OMG enemies to lovers, ficlet, 6k words omg I would love it 😭🩷

ellatoone: she throws a right tantrum if you don't

^

y/n: yeah figured that one out!

^

laiaaleixandri: lies!

alessiarusso99: damn and with how much you like winning that must have hurt...

^

y/n: didn't hurt as much as I thought

username6: has anyone seen y/n's eyebrow in the new training vid?? it looks awful!

^

username7: I am sure it is healing!

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laiaaleixandri just posted

liked by, chloekelly, marialeonn16 and 381, 120 others

tagged y/n

laiaaleixandri if you want to get a girlfriend... knock her out!

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y/n just posted

liked by, alessiarusso99, katiezelem, and 401, 288 others

tagged laiaaleixandri

y/n please don't try what Laia suggested... next time just talk to her!

comments disabled.

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END !

loved writing the ficlets for this one i won’t lie!!!!!

-

Queenie xx

[drasilfaemir]

SUN'S OUT TONGUE'S OUT

My entry for the Unsounded Fanworks Contest and tribute to the bestest girl Pantoffel! If you like it please give it a vote!

Edit: Holy shit you guys! I won?! Thanks to all who voted and hope you enjoyed it!

In the meantime, here are some detail photos and a breakdown of the work that went into making it under the cut, featuring the bestest boi and model, my pupper Sharky. Scroll to the end for a special treat!

The saddle is real leatherwork at a tiny scale. Everything patterned, wet-shaped, dyed, finished, and assembled by yours truly. The saddle blanket is custom-made to match as well. The seat of the saddle is stitched to the base just at the front and back to allow the pieces to move in relation to each other for a more comfortable fit.

The pommel and backrest are both modeled and 3D printed by yours truly as well, with sports tape for the fabric on the pommel. Both are attached using rivet backings set through hollow points in the prints.

From the back more detail can be seen for the backrest. It is wet-shaped and stretched over the base, and then flathead pins were cut short and turned into the tiniest nails to nail it in place. No glue was used at all in it's construction.

The collar was constructed so that it fit around Sharky's head and then the tension in the straps under his legs pulled it tight. Those straps are attached to loops placed in the stitching with lobster clasps. Much of the construction is hidden in his majestic chest fluff, but a good chunk of it can be seen here.

And now on to his co-star, Captain Emil Toma!

This was a Finn action figure that I did heavy modifications to. Original details were mostly sanded off for a vaguely person-shaped base thar I then sculpted details back onto with epoxy-putty. Even his face recieved a bit of shaping to change the underlying bone structure to match Emil better. All of the original joints still move save for his left wrist, which needed to be sealed in place lest his hand fall off. The gun the figure was holding was replaced by his sword. I decided to stick to mostly early/mid-comic designs, picturing this as a toy a Crescean kid might play with before the events of the comic take place.

From the back we can see the leather pouch which was hand-stitched together and attached with a rivet back. It's fully functional and can store approximately 4 quarters in it. The scabbard was 3D printed with a peg for attachment purposes and the parts that 'hold' it to the sash are clothing tags.

The sash itself is fabric and held in place with fashion tape. Edges were melted to seal them and then folded under to allow me more control over how they wrinkle. The badge is hand-sculpted from the same epoxy-putty used to modify the body. It's about as tall as my thumbnail and I have never wished for a resin printer more ardently than when I was sculpting it with a straight pin.

Proportionally the two of them are nearly perfect together! But, regrettably, the figure was too heavy to sit in the saddle on his own. Especially on a dog that can out-run a dalmatian! Hence why they were photoshopped together for the final image.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of the utter insanity that has been my free time for the last few months. I actually started this before the contest was announced...and through some setbacks and bad timing of life events still didn't get done until the last minute. As promised, here is your special treat!

[ragingbookdragon]

Like Waiting For Rain In A Drought, Useless & Disappointing

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No one had the courage enough to stop the hell on heels that they’d come to recognize as the Colonel’s girlfriend. And from the way she was dressed, a skintight black dress, red heels, along with her hair and makeup done to perfection—someone had forgotten date night. But who could’ve blamed him? They’d managed to get a lead on a big cartel safehouse, it meant more rats out of the dark.

She strides past the guards and into the meeting room, the group all looking up at the intrusion. Her eyes were locked on the man in the center who cursed under his breath, the curse of a man who knows he’s fucked up beyond belief.

“Mi alma,” he starts but she beats him to it.

“I can’t fucking do this shit anymore.” His expression turns crestfallen as his shoulders start to droop; he knows exactly what she means. Waiting for a soldier to come home or to be there when he says only for an emergency to come up. God, he’s seen so many of his men’s relationships fall apart because of their job.

“I can’t keep waiting for you to come back and make good on promises. It’s like waiting for fucking rain in the middle of a goddamn drought. Useless and disappointing.” She stares him down. “I can’t keep sticking out and hoping for you to be here, Alejandro, especially when you’re not giving me anything in return other than a fucking, ‘I’m sorry, I promise I’ll do better’.”

The other men are all witnessing the breakup with an air of awkwardness, and Alejandro is starting to round the table.

“Mi alma,” he tries again but she glares at him.

“Do I look like I’m fucking done talking?” he shuts his mouth, surprise coloring him—only two women have ever spoken to him like this, his mother and his sister, well three if you count Valeria, but he isn’t. “When I’m done, then you can talk, but until that moment, you shut the hell up and listen good and goddamn well.” She lifts something from her side, slapping it on the table; their eyes glue to it, a bouquet of red roses and a white one in the center. “Those are for you. Happy One Year.”

Alejandro feels shame creeping up his neck and cheeks, coloring his dark, tanned skin crimson. “Lo sien—”

“I don’t want sorry, Alejandro. I want action. Your words are useless without your action to follow. Your words are your worth but for god’s sake they aren’t worth fucking much right now are they?”

He finds himself and meets her gaze. “I can’t change who I am. This job? Saving Las Almas? It is my life. It is my action.”

“I know that.”

“You knew this when we got together. I made this clear that Las Almas would always be here until I die.”

“I know that too.”

Alejandro falters. “Mi alma…I don’t know what I can do to make this up. There are going to be more and more nights like this in the future. I love you,” he confesses to her. “But if this is the breaking point, I understand. Mi alma, te libero,” he says softly, hands and chest aching to take her away and pull her into him, coveting her with all he has.

“I don’t want to be free.” She frowns. “I can’t walk away from this, Alejandro.”

“Why not? Mi alma, there is someone better who can give you their time. Who won’t string you on promises he can’t make good on all the time.” It burns something wicked in his chest to say that. The thought of another man touching her makes his heart almost ill with anger and jealously, but his mind is screaming at him that she deserves to be happy with someone who makes her happier than he ever can.

Her expression turns thoughtful and she admits, “Because if I walk away, I’m going to spend the rest of my life knowing I walked away from the greatest man to ever live. I’d rather die than walk away from you, Alejandro. There is no man that can replace the love you make me feel.” She sticks her hand into her purse, slapping something on the table; his eyes widen at the sight of it, a small black box. “Open it.”

He does as she says, with shaking hands, eyes widening further at the thick gold band resting in the center. “I…I don’t…”

“Marry me,” is all she says. “The only way I’m going to keep doing this is if I know that my husband is going to come home at the end of the night. Not my boyfriend. Not some easily breakable tie. If you want me? If you want this? We’re going to forge something unbreakable.”

Alejandro stares at her and she stares back, gaze honest and open, like windows into her soul.

“But if you say no, or that you need time to think about it…you’ll never see me again. Choose. Right now. Keep the job and me or keep the job and lose me.”

He looks down at the band, shining back up at him and he picks it up, sliding it on his finger. “Does this mean I have to take your last name, mi alma?”

She grins as cheers start to erupt around them and from outside the door where the soldiers had gathered to watch the carnage. “Not unless you want to, novio.”

Alejandro pulls her into his arms, smiling at her. “I’m sorry I missed dinner.”

“Eh, I’m not mad anymore.”

“I’m still going to propose to you, mi alma.”

“I’m sure you will. But I’m also telling your mother you missed our anniversary.”

“Oh Dios, por favor no le digas a mi mama.”

“I’m so telling mom.”

[snek-panini]

It's been ages since I had a new book to post, but I finally got through my art block (craft block?) and finished some of the ones that have been languishing, cover-less, on my desk for months. To everyone who liked my last post about the copy of The Machine Stops that I made, thank you! But that was my first book ever, more than two years ago, and I make much better books now! Here, I can prove it:

See? This is Wine Fraud and Other Worthy Pursuits by ImprobableDreams900. It is (unsurprisingly, to anyone who knows me) a Good Omens fic that I asked to bind way back in February. It's a short-ish fic (14k, no slouch but on the short end for this size book), very well-researched and very in character all the way despite being an AU. Though if you're primarily coming from the TV fandom it will be a bit of a departure, as this is a book fic and predates the release of the miniseries. It's not overtly romantic and everyone has more bite than in TV!fic, more in line with book characterization. I love the romantic stuff but there's so much of it, and this was refreshing in comparison.

More pics under the cut!

Endpapers have vintage novelty corkscrews on them. I saw this Florentine print on the Hollanders site while looking for something else and knew I had to have it for this project, it's perfect. And because it's a small book I have tons of it left. The actual front cover is lokta paper, which I hadn't worked with before and am not sure I liked. It's super soft and doesn't seem like it'll be very durable, and it didn't like folding around the board edges. It seemed to get very feather-y as it was handled, shedding little fibers. Though I also experimented with waxing and burnishing the paper to make it waterproof and that might have had an effect. The black spine is book cloth, and the title was done with heat transfer vinyl. This was only my second experiment with HTV and I feel like I still have a lot to learn.

Spot the oopsies! I got the book cloth misaligned and didn't notice till after it was glued down. It's straight but overlaps much further on the back than the front. You don't really notice it unless you look from the top down like this though. In the second photo, you can see where the text block slipped while I was trimming it and I ended up with one signature slightly shorter than the others; it's the last one on the right. Remember to glue before trimming, I guess. It doesn't really bother me; I actually forgot it was there until I took this photo.

Interior photos, title page and first page of text. The artwork was a free download from rawpixel, turned out very nice. I couldn't find any chapter ornaments I liked for this one, so I kept the typeset simple and I think it suits the story well. Understated. Elegant. Exactly what you expect to be there, like a good forgery.

I enjoyed working on this, and it's wonderful to have finished projects to post about again. I can't wait to share the next one.

[modestbirdwizard]

Fix your shit, or make it better anyway!

Everyone has had that little something in their life that was just perfect in everyone, suited to it's task, purpose, and the user's personal preference… and everyone has also had that thing break on them, followed by years of white whaling for a better replacement. Learning to fix your shit is essential in an era that lives and breathes e-waste and demands us to be connected, and while the vast majority of cellphones are hard to fix and difficult to even open, there ARE plenty of other devices in our lives simple enough to engage with that the layman stands a chance.

Tools, example projects and places to look for guides under the jump:

Fixing old ipods, restoring butchered record players, game controller customization (or fixing joystick drift), turning your favorite headphones into a cable-swappable gaming headset , or making the perfect version of a computer keyboard are all possible with a relatively small set of tools and a small investment of your time. For almost any given tech project, you only need a few tools to get into, out of, and through the guts of any electronic device.

Tools of the trade:

A soldering iron (A pinecil or a TS100 are great choices for those who need something small. You will see even cheaper irons that look like they plug directly into the wall, but these are NOT soldering irons, they are the end component of a soldering station, a much larger kind of iron for more serious users. They do not have heat control and are DANGEROUS if not used with a soldering station.)

A set of spudgers, picks, and pry tools (Not the cheap plastic ones that come with every single tech repair component, though you'll need those too, they are basically free in the quanitity that you'll need them.)

Most important of all, a solid multi-bit screwdriver set for this purpose. (The ifixit mako kit is the golden god here, but don't be fooled: this array of bits in these sizes can be had for as little as 12 bucks. That said, investing in your tools is an investment in yourself.)

A set of precision tweezers

A bottle of 99% Isopropyl Alcohol And for the more complex jobs:

A basic multimeter (This is mostly used for diagnosis, looking for broken circuits and finding the voltages of various components.)

A Heatgun/hair dryer (More useful for specific tasks, such as removing Surface Mount components which tend to be very, very small.

With these tools, the world is yours. A word about soldering: People act like this is an insane skill to possess, something best left only to the most dedicated techno-wizard and warlocks, but that's simply not the case. It's actually as simple as using hot glue safely. I'll defer to Big Clive for better instructions than I could write. It's pronounced saw-dur, by the way.

I'd also recommend his account for the great resource that it is generally. While he doesn't get into the specifics of repairing any device, Clive does tear downs that show the general techniques you'll use to get inside of different gadgets. Extremely good second screen background noise.

For specific instructions for your device, you should check out ifixit. They have the largest database of tech repair guides online, though something tells me that an open, wiki-style option would be a fantastic idea. They also sell parts and specific tools you may need for a given task.

Sometimes, repairing your tech is as simple as cracking the case and swapping a hidden microSD card for a much larger one, or actually just unplugging one battery and installing a new one (kind of makes you wonder why they say they can't be repaired and glue them down). While I'd argue that most tech can be fixed, there are sadly some things that are just beyond the dedicated hobbyist. Chief among those are airpods and other small devices of that type. While they can certainly be opened and repaired, it's just incredibly fine work and I wouldn't recommend it. If a task seems too daunting for you, try checking with local phone shops to see if they offer repair. The cost of a replacement is usually much greater than the cost of a fix.

If your tech is unusable and in to be replaced, trying to fix it cannot possibly break it more. Give it a go!

[ren-from-mars]

The awaited shrink plastic earring walkthrough (NOT A TUTORIAL!! DO SOME OF YOUR OWN RESEARCH PLEASE)

Hello hi hello! I've made a few pairs of earrings now, and especially on the Black Book pair I've gotten a few folks asking for instructions on how I did it!

The images are sorted by number so I could fit them all in one post. I am also still very much learning as I have only made a few of these myself, so please do your own experimentation and research to better understand the processes!

Let's get right into it !

I start by making up the rough idea in the size I would like the finished product. This will be my reference for all measurements.

I then use my shrink ruler (a 10cm by 10cm square with markings, then shrunk for a fairly accurate translation of size) to figure out the rough dimensions of the un-shrunk design.

I use the centimeter measurement to draft the rough size and shape of the design.

Connect the lines together with each measurement.

5. Make the design more fluid/more alike the original design based on the drafted shape.

6. Repeat the same for any extra shapes. The moon circles needed a 2cm diameter.

7. Place the shrink plastic over the design, and trace the rough shape onto it using any form of marker. non-permanent is preferred.

8. Lay out the pieces, and dont forget to flip the designs if applicable.

9. Start transferring the design onto the shrink plastic using the markers of your choice. Hold the cut plastic over the template to get accurate markings.

10. Wait for the marker to dry around the edges of the design before doing the next colour. This applies no matter what sort of marker you are using.

11. To get mirrored designs, finish one and flip it over, then use that as the new template.

12. finish the pieces, and add back designs if applicable. Use a hole punch to make space for the jump rings.

13. Shrinking time! use a heat gun to shrink the plastic according to its attached instructions. Be careful of heating up metal/pliers/tweezers, they get Very Hot Very Quick

14. I use UV resin to set in the design. I use a toothpick to spread the resin, then cure it under the UV light. Refer to individual product instructions for curing time, it varies heavily!

15. Gather and assemble any extra pieces, such as beads, jump rings, earring posts, and base pieces.

16. place two pieces on an opened jump ring, then close it to lock in the positioning. Make sure the pieces are in the right direction!

--Not pictured- Glue the earring posts on the back of the earring. Not applicable with hook earrings

17. do the same for the bottom pieces, once again ensuring they face in the correct direction. Jump rings can be undone, but it weakens the metal to be constantly bent.

18. Display and wear!

And the finished Product!

Once again, do some of your own research, This is mostly just my personal guide for how I make earrings currently! The same logic can be applied to charms.

A few things I have learnt-

Use permanent marker where possible. Paint pens like the ones I have used will shrink unnaturally, and crack on the surface meaning it is even more necessary to seal the design.

Make your own test square- different brands of shrink plastic will shrink differently, at different ratios and sometimes unnaturally. It is also a good opportunity to test how your markers work on the plastic, and which thicknesses are best for fine details.

Don't expect them to turn out the same each time- If you are making multiple of one design, remember that it is by hand and not a perfect manufactured piece. There will always be variations, so go into it with that knowledge.

Use each pair as a learning experience- Now that I've made this design, I know that I would like the wings to be larger by about a centimeter, so I will adjust the template before making a new one. Always learn something new from it!

Feel free to ask any questions, I am more than happy to answer! I do hope to sell some earrings in the future, so keep an eye out for that as well!

REQUESTED TAGS! @im-not-a-l0ser @strangeandinteresting

[somediyprojects]

DIY Honeycomb Shelves

Project by Sarah and Josh:

These honeycomb shelves came our way at a perfect time — not only do they satisfy my need for cheerful spring colors, but they also provide a great storage solution to alleviate spring-cleaning woes. Sarah and Josh, the creative husband-and-wife photographers behind Arrow & Apple, whipped up these pretty hexagonal shelves for free using salvaged cabinet doors and brackets. They really lucked out on the color palette of the old cabinets, and I love the mix of painted and unpainted pieces. Luckily, recreating this look is easier than you think. Thanks for sharing, Sarah and Josh! — Kate

Josh and I just moved from a two-bedroom house to a tiny 250-square-foot cabin and were in severe need of practical storage! We have so much wall space, so Josh decided to take advantage of it. Also, Josh has this secret dream of keeping bees, which inspired the shape of the shelves. I absolutely love the way the shelves turned out because the design gives our cabin a little more character, and it’s sturdy enough to house all of our library books! — Sarah

Materials

wood at least 5″ thick and 10″ long (we used reclaimed cabinet doors)

wood glue

L-brackets and screws

brad nailer with 2″ brads

table saw

chop saw (to cut angles)

paint (if you want to paint your cabinet with different colors)

Instructions

1. If your wood has hardware in it, such as screws or handles, be sure to remove it before ripping the wood.

2. Cut the wood to 5″ wide strips, and then cut to 10″ long. The angles of each strip are cut to 30º, keeping the long side at 10″. Depending on how big you make your shelf, some ends might need to have matching angles rather than opposite angles. If we were math geniuses, we might be able to explain it better. (See the figures above and below — it’s a little confusing!)

3. Be sure to fit all the pieces together first before permanently attaching them. It will probably need a little sorting around to get the perfect fit.

4. Apply wood glue to both ends, then pin ends together with brads. (See Fig. 3 above.)

5. Once the shelves are assembled, screw the L-brackets into the bottom of four or five of the shelves for good support, and make sure that when you hang them, you go for the studs! [Editor’s Note: To conceal the brackets, paint them the same color as your wall after you install them.]

Note: Altogether, it took Josh about 4 to 5 hours, from cutting the wood to assembly. The wood glue needs to dry overnight before you put it up in your home, but the extra time is worth it!

[asheewrites]

Sick Call for Healer 3

After two failed tries, Raphael finally managed to turn the doorknob. And then started to climb the stairs behind the door. The walls were… painted. Creative, in a way, certainly full of birds. In trees, bushes and other greenery.

Certainly not done by someone with much expertise in the matter. Simply glancing at them, the creatures were anatomically correct. But had no sense of artistry.

It looked like a sketchbook on a wall. Unfinished.

Quite a few different species, sometimes with annotations for proper identification or close ups of wings. On a wall.

The hungry-looking cardinal over the door on the upper floor was something else.

Asmodeus certainly had enough time to look at everything, since his ‘host’ was moving in a bit of a snails pace, holding up a finger to take a break, leaning against a wall.

This angel certainly was not healthy. And definitely had a fever, judging by the temperature she emitted alone. The second door was opened in one try. And they stumbled into… a room.

It had high ceilings, plants crawled up the walls, the whole ceiling was made of glass. It already felt cold just seeing it. It was cool, too.

At least there was a sofa on the side of the room. Clutter-free except for pillows and a blanket. A perfect place to deposit an ailing angel with a desperate need to sit down. He gently led her down to she cushions and sat down next to her, made sure she had a blanket to curl up in.

With a confused expression, she did take the blanket and wrapped herself in it, legs pulled up against her chest. The shoes fell on the floor sometime later.

Raphael might be able to talk a little bit later. Which presented an opportunity to observe… the room. The pull-out couch – facing a TV and some electronics - was the only place clutter-free. The room was not untidy – everything seemed to have a place. But apparently Raphael had hobbies.

The couch table was filled with half-filled journals, magazines and…a laminator. The first shelf was dedicated to textiles with a sewing machine, countless needles, a miniature loom (of all things), enough wool to produce several quilts, many unfinished projects – and quite a few finished ones. The next shelf? All kinds of artistic material – pencils, coal, acrylics, watercolours, canvases, scraps, scissors, glue. Next up: Pottery, airdrying plasticine. Funnily enough, he also spotted a 3D printer. It made him smirk. But there were lot of painted figurines next to it. The next shelf was filled with so many books. With annotations… Several pieces of sports equipment… something like a greenhouse…  and that was only what he spotted at first glance.

And then there were other rooms – one actually had a door. It went into a laboratory, she had said something along the lines. The other rooms simply had no doors. One was a bathroom, at least the tiles said so. One was a bedroom, at least according to the many pillows strewn about…

No kitchen.

A light cough next to him brought the attention back to the angel, she looked intensely miserable and said: “I… did not realize that letting you in… means you see this place.” She blinked slowly, looking very unhappy with herself. “It’s… it’s not for visitors.”

Asmodeus looked at her, looked at the mixture of certainly well used equipment all around them and chuckled: “The couch is big enough for two, is it not?”

Some tension left her already weak frame.

“Are you going to paint the walls in here, too?” They currently were still white.

And just like that, she relaxed completely, looking feverish, but more like her usual wide-eyed self and said: “Wanted to get… better before. Got distracted. I’m better with music than with pictures.” She coughed into the blanket, groaned and put her head on her knees.

“Well, time for soup”

[revelnail]

Nailing the Trend: A New Era of Press-On Nails

In recent years, the world of nail art has witnessed a remarkable transformation, as nail enthusiasts and beauty aficionados are turning to press-on nails to express their unique style. Gone are the days when achieving stunning nail designs required a visit to the nail salon, hours of meticulous work, and pricey appointments. The rise of New Press on Nail's has made it easier than ever to achieve stunning, salon-quality nails in the comfort of your own home.

Nail Press-On have been around for decades, but the innovation and creativity behind them have undergone a significant evolution. Today's press-on nails are not just a convenient solution for those seeking an instant nail makeover; they're also a testament to the fashion-forward, DIY, and sustainability movements that are sweeping the beauty industry.

Why Are Press-On Nails So Popular?

Convenience: Press-on nails provide a quick and convenient way to change your nail style without the time and commitment required for traditional acrylic or gel nails. Whether you're preparing for a special occasion, trying out a new trend, or simply looking to add a touch of glam to your everyday life, press-on nails are ready to serve.

Customization: With press-on nails, the possibilities are endless. You can find an extensive range of shapes, colors, and designs to suit your mood, outfit, or the season. Whether you prefer elegant, understated designs or bold, eye-catching patterns, there's something for everyone.

Damage-Free: Unlike traditional nail extensions, press-on nails don't require harsh chemicals or drills to apply. This means you can enjoy beautiful nails without damaging your natural ones. Plus, they're easy to remove without any residue or mess.

Affordability: Press-on nails are an affordable alternative to salon visits. You can enjoy a variety of looks without breaking the bank. In fact, with proper care, a set of quality press-on nails can be used multiple times.

The Evolution of Press-On Nails

Press-on nails have come a long way in terms of quality and design. Modern press-on nails are made from high-quality materials, providing a more realistic appearance and longer-lasting wear. The days of flimsy, ill-fitting press-ons are long gone. Now, they are meticulously designed to fit comfortably and securely, giving you a seamless look that rivals professional salon work.

Tips for Using Press-On Nails:

Prepare Your Natural Nails: Start with clean, dry nails. Use a nail buffer to gently roughen the surface of your nails, which will help the press-ons adhere better.

Proper Sizing: Select press-on nails that match the size and shape of your natural nails. If needed, you can file them to fit perfectly.

Adhesive Application: Apply nail glue or adhesive tabs (which are less damaging) to the back of the press-on nails. Press them onto your natural nails and hold for a few seconds to ensure a secure bond.

Customization: Don't be afraid to get creative. You can mix and match press-on nails, add nail art, or paint over them for a personalized look.

Maintenance: To prolong the life of your press-on nails, avoid activities that can cause excessive stress on your nails, such as heavy lifting or harsh chemicals.

Press-on nails have undoubtedly revolutionized the beauty industry by offering a convenient, cost-effective, and stylish alternative to traditional nail enhancements. Whether you're a nail enthusiast or simply looking for an easy way to elevate your style, press-on nails are the perfect solution. So, why not embrace the nail art trend of the future and start nailing your look with press-on nails today?

[bonfire-at-the-crossroads]

This one has kicked my ass for a couple of days now.

It looks simple, no?

The poster is original and does not belong to me. I was told “just a frame, no “border” ( What this translates to is - no mat)

Here are some of the problems as they cropped up.

Antique frame with original gilded liner - no glass - WRONG SIZE, and must be cut down.

The liner was broken, un-joined - when I measured the poster I added 1/8” allowance so the fit-out would slip nicely into place. When it came down to my tiny, wonky saw, and crawling around on my hands and knees - I decided to not risk cutting and re-joining the vertical 3/4”. Figured I’d let it be and add a small black slip-mat around the entire piece to even up the margins.

Sawed the frame apart, glued and clamped overnight, original nails pounded back into the corners to hold them tight, veneer re-glued, sanded and waxed - it looks good. The liner was a beast and demanded hot-glue to hold the corners together. Damn thing is warped and out-of-square, but I fitted it into the frame anyway because it’s part of the original…

Turns out the poster of out of square too.

Bought glass at the frame shop in Sligo - €30.

When I fit the piece into the frame, the liner (which I’ve lined with acid-free tapes to keep it from damaging the poster) pushes down on the art, and it buckles upwards. I’ve already had to use Filmoplast P tape for hinging the art to the mount, because the paper is so transparent that regular hinges would show through.

Adding the small slip-mat to even out the border margins - only makes the cockling WORSE.

I’ve tried all my tricks, even slept on it, - and this is the final and best solution. I’ve added a slice of black 4-ply matboard at top and bottom - and slipped the art underneath to hold it down in place. It isn’t belly-ing up (yet?) and the poster is safe and secure.

I HATE THE UNEVEN BORDERS

And whether the client will be happy with the fact that it is not entirely what he asked for “no borders” - but I’ll be damned if I can do better.

I omitted the last few hours of adjusting the slips to look even next to the gilded liner - which is almost a full half inch out of square.

All this work - and it still ain’t perfect. Shoot me.

[health78694]

How do I calm irritated skin?

How do I calm irritated skin?

- July 04, 2023

How do I calm irritated skin?

Quiet disturbed skin can be accomplished through different strategies and cures. Here are a powerful methods for relieving and quiet disturbed skin:

Scrub Delicately: 

Utilize a gentle, scent free chemical to clean up or impact the region. Keep away from brutal cleansers or cleaning agents that might additionally aggravate the skin. Wipe off with a delicate towel as opposed to scouring.

Apply Cold Pack: 

Spot a perfect, cold washcloth or ice pack enclosed by a material on the disturbed region for a couple of moments. The cool temperature can assist with decreasing irritation and give prompt alleviation.

Saturate: 

Apply a delicate and hypoallergenic lotion to hydrate and calm the skin. Search for items that are explicitly figured out for soft or disturbed skin, ideally with fixings like aloe vera or chamomile.

Stay away from Aggravations: 

Distinguish and keep away from triggers that might be causing or disturbing the skin bothering. This might incorporate unforgiving synthetic compounds, scents, certain textures, or over the top openness to intensity or cold.

Use Oats: 

Colloidal oats can actually alleviate tingling and disturbance. You can clean up by adding finely ground oats to tepid water or make a glue by blending cereal in with water and applying it straightforwardly to the impacted region for 15-20 minutes prior to washing.

Apply Aloe Vera: 

Aloe vera gel has relieving and calming properties. Apply a meager layer of unadulterated aloe vera gel to the bothered skin and allow it to ingest. Rehash a couple of times each day on a case-by-case basis.

Abstain from Scratching: 

Tingling can additionally exasperate aggravated skin. Make an honest effort to oppose scratching, as it can prompt more irritation and possible disease. In the event that fundamental, you can delicately pat or tap the irritated region to reduce the sensation.

Keep Hydrated: 

Hydrate over the course of the day to keep your skin hydrated from the back to front. Hydrated skin is less inclined to bothering and can mend all the more successfully.

Wear Breathable Textures: 

Settle on baggy, breathable apparel made of regular filaments like cotton. These textures permit better wind stream and lessen rubbing against the skin, limiting bothering.

Counsel a Dermatologist: 

On the off chance that the skin bothering endures, deteriorates, or is joined by extreme side effects, looking for clinical exhortation from a dermatologist is prudent. They can give a legitimate conclusion and prescribe explicit medicines or meds customized to your condition.

Remember, everybody's skin is one of a kind, so it's vital to find the techniques that turn out best for you. On the off chance that you have a background marked by sensitivities or delicate skin, it's generally really smart to play out a fix test on a little region prior to applying any new item or solution for guarantee similarity and keep away from expected further bothering.

Related Searches:

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Health and Fitness Skincare

Read More:

[kendrixtermina]

(you shall know them by their fruits)

Here is what strict parents think they are teaching you:

- “caution”

which is the cloak of control,

which is the godess of plausible deniability,

which is the ancient family heirloom of terror,

the hand of some long dead man,

striking me, through striking you,

some jerk I never met,

striking me through the generations

as if you were nothing but a conduit

- “responsibility”

which means no fucking mercy ever

which is to fetishize hardship for the sake of harship

if you don’t burst your ass,

how will you get to look down upon others,

and dismiss them into shutting up,

by pointing by how much you’ve burst your ass?

You will self-flaggellate and love it, he proclaims.

- “manners”

which is the merciless fly-swat squashing

of any hint of feeling,

or individuality,

any hairsbreadth short of perfect machine obedience,

flawless performance, delivered

with the shiniest plastic-fake smiley face

how dare I get my blood onto his shirt while he was stabbing me

- “success”

which is to run in an absurb little hamster wheel,

stick behind, carrot ahead

which is that everything you are must be boiled flat

and reduced down to single numbers,

that deviation from the norm is never going to be tolerated

unless it can be exploited

- “morals”

whatever thats supposed to mean,

coming from the likes of him:

I suspect the essence of it

is mostly caligulingus

Here is what they actually teach you:

- how to listen for footsteps

how to shrink into the ivy on the patterns on the wallpaper

how to arrange yourself precisely in eclipse with the furniture,

to expell your breath to avoid even the the appearance of a sound

I was never one with the magic to anticipate his moods

I had to make do with the cruder things

to sense the coming of dread

- how to appear very, very busy

how to be sucked into the book

how to abstractify into the creases of the keyboards

into ideas of historical perspective,

argued ideologies, deep far inside where nothing can touch

where nothing is certain

how to worship the god of doors,

and moan for his help when you tear them down

- how to hide what you love

lest you tear it, lest you mock it,

lest you fashion it into some kind of useful parody

chiefly serving to bash me over the head with

lest the sow be handed pearls to fashion into a necklace of meaning

the alternate story or person,

the cutting comparison of why im not better than this or that

- why not to trust anybody

for any word can turn around,

any praise of today can flow into the mocking of the morrow,

as a river reaches sea, as words of love,

torn from all the walls:

As a child’s pathetic handicrafts

being thrown into a deserving bin of rubbish

about lacking the benefit of the doubt

- why it’s a shame to need anything

for not a thing is free.

Not a thing comes

without a fishing hook

without the barbs

bleeding you scrambled to pull out the blade,

and well found out it was serrated

there is no coming out clean

there is no cauterizing the wound

there is no debt-free saving grace of independence

that would absolve you of everything

- why your efforts do not matter

not in their towering faces

not if it isn’t an A baby,

not if you’re not this random prodigy from the article

that he printed out ostensibly just to hurt me

remarkably identical to that one pair of bullies

but instead of throwing the glue into my bag,

you hurled it straight into my heart

and now the pages stick together

cannot be disentangled without tearing

the words still there,

but unable to be read

- that your words don’t matter

Everything is a trial,

but I would not allow your court prosecutor into my head

instead, the satanas, the adversary,

the well-bedicked substitute

I would lick that gladly, where the foreskin attaches.

I would swallow just anything that isn’t you

believe what I need to believe

erase you in words,

mightless as I was to keep you from laughing down my ramblings

- that you are better off alone.

For what if you weren’t?

I cannot fall. I cannot stumble.

I cannot be seen stumbling,

if where I’m falling is your arms

is your spidertrap vice grip

give me freedom or give me death

give me anything,

but anything if yours.

Touch me and I’ll bite your fingers of.

- that love isn’t real.

For if it is, what could be worse?

You did it all because you love me.

That was your carte blanche.

Each day I cry in gratitude

to be so exceedingly unlovely

my uglyness you’ll have to tear from my broken fingers,

and all of the things that repulse.

If this is love, I don’t want to be loved.

If this is love, what could be worse?

- that reality is a joke

If mocking me is nothing

then I am nothing.

The tree is felled though the axe is not dulled,

though the greenwood remains yet still preserverd by mycorrhizhae

All that you did to me, that was nothing.

Hate is Love, and pain is bliss

control protection,

the obvious dubious, the blurry clear

I’m beginning to think all of those rules

and laws of nature

may just be made up as some sick, cruel joke

of which I am the punchline

nothing in being makes sense