#it is quite difficult to not pose like a gay little fish

[miss-katsune]

yall know those little icons of your character in the match result screen, right?

I just remembered they have a full pose in the files.

And they reminded me of something..........

[stevie-marlowe]

STEVIE MARLOWE is a TWENTY-TWO year old GAY AGENDER, TEY/TEM, here in Firebrand City. People say tey looks a lot like KIERSEY CLEMONS. Tey are INQUISITIVE but can be STUBBORN. Tey is a HALF-MERMAID TRAITOR in Firebrand and tey works as a COURIER AT SWEET DREAMS.

content warning: rape

I: The Love Story

The mermaid had seen him before, kayaking through the mangrove swamps or on the shore with other humans, speaking gently but enthusiastically. She listened on occasion—he spoke of habitat encroachment and pollution and how nature was not a toy. Once she watched him administer medical care to a manatee that had been struck by a boat propeller. The creature still perished, but he tried so hard and wept over the creature’s body when it was done. He was as good as a human could be, which was more good than her tribe would give them credit for.

Her tribe was one of the last holdouts—sticking to the safety and hiddenness of the wilderness rather than risking the novelty of the surface world. Humans were danger, more so than any barracuda or hurricane they might face on their own. But still, she slowly fell in love, watching him from afar. Later she would realize she too felt the call of the surface world and had centered all her desires in one man to make it seem reasonable, or at least containable. But, back then, the only word she knew for the feeling was love.

One night, she lay with him and to her surprise, found herself with child, despite considering herself too old for such a thing. This was horrifying, at first—the shame that would come to her for bearing an abomination—but then she thought of her lover and how happy he’d be at such news. Besides, she belonged to an extremely isolated tribe, one that shunned undersea society just as much as they themselves were shunned.

She’d loved all of her children so far and this one, a freak though it was, would be no different. The mermaid desperately tried to return to him, but he fled at the sight of her, at least until she showed him the child they had made—a perfect, unholy mix of water and land.

II: The Discovery

Growing up, Stevie’s father was overprotective of tem, never letting tem swim in the ocean, despite the fact that it was the only thing tey wanted to do. The waves called to tem and the water seemed like home. He quit his job as a park ranger, and they moved to Miami where he became an aquarist. He said it was because there were better schools in the city but every once in a while, late at night, when he had had too much to drink, he cried about how much he feared losing tem and Stevie knew it was about the sea.

As a teenager, tey was constantly sneaking out and getting into trouble. Tir father supported tem most of the time as tir grades were good and tey was a star on the school’s track team (he had said no when tey had asked to be a swimmer). Despite being popular, Stevie felt never felt quite like tey belonged. During the waking hours, tey assumed it was just part of being closeted about tir sexuality, but when the sky was dark and the moon was full tey knew it was because tey belonged in the sea.

When tey helped tir school win the state track championship the team celebrated with a bonfire party on the beach. Tey brought two cases of beer and, soon enough, most of the party-goers were drunk and tey could finally—finally!—slip away. Tey waded out into the ocean and it felt right. A massive wave pushed tem underwater and, though tey struggled to hold tir breath, tey found tey somehow didn’t have to.

More miraculously, tey wasn’t alone. A school of beautiful women wish fish tails surrounded tem, offering tem friendship and, best of all, understanding. Stevie took their hands and was led off into an underwater paradise where tey learned about who tey was and how dearly tir other family had missed tem. It didn’t matter that tey was a freak—and now tey knew what kind of a freak tey was—so long as tey had the chance to explore. Tey didn’t surface for two months.

III: The Truth

When tey returned to the surface tey found that the war had come to Florida and any hope tey had of a normal life was crushed. Tir father was relieved and delighted to see tem, so much so that he couldn’t bring himself to be angry at tir disappearance. Instead he begged tem to run away a second time, to go deep into the interior, be it the forest, the desert, or the mountains. Anywhere away from here; tey could pass as a human so long as they stayed away from the sea. Stevie argued that he should come to the ocean, that there were beautiful limestone caves with air pockets large enough to live in, that tir mother still loved him. At that last declaration, he broke.

The pain and fear he had so diligently hidden from his child rushed out of him and he told Stevie that whatever story tir mother had told tem wasn’t true, that she had attacked him and while Stevie was the best thing in his life, that night was the worst. How angry he was that one night had taken the everglades, his favorite place in the world, and turned it into the stuff of nightmares. That he never dated women anymore because he could still see piece of tir mother—his attacker—in everything they did. That, while humanity had done more than its fair share of damage to the world and that he wished for a peaceful coexistence, he still felt a sharp crack of joy every time he saw a dead finfolk on TV.

Stevie held tir father than night, being his little girl one last time. As much as tey loved him, tey couldn’t deny what tey was, but tey didn’t tell him that. Best to have one last night before he went to Arizona and tey returned to the sea.

IV: The Tragedy

When tey returned to tir ocean family, tey found that most of tir tribe had scattered and tir mother was dead. A shiver of sirens had attacked them, resenting their pacifistic nature, their neutrality in the war for control. and, worst of all, the harboring of a hybrid. Tir mother stood strong, singing praises of tir father and that they should give humanity the care and love he had shown the natural world. She was killed for that, as was most of their tribe. Stevie mourned tir new friends but, after hearing the story of tir birth, couldn’t bring temself to grieve for tir mother.

Only one of tir family tribe was still there, tir youngest sister, the weakest one, the one tey had grown closest to. She had hidden when the sirens came, and has waited—not for Stevie in particular, but for something. Tey had the solution—tey and tir sister would move into tir father’s apartment and be human or mermaids, depending on who was in power. Tey had gone fifteen years believing tey was human, certainly tir sister could manage it just for a little while. Aside, tir father’s apartment had enough nooks and crannies for them to hide in if someone came a-knocking.

They lived like the teenagers they were, messy and indulgent despite the war. The two were happy, despite their grief, and Stevie was delighted to show tir sister the wonders of city life just as she had shown tem the majesty of the ocean. The good times didn’t last, however, and when a gang of drunk humans broke in an ransacked their apartment for the second time, they fled to the ocean—they might not be so lucky the next time and tensions were rising. 

V: The Wandering

Life in the sea without a tribe or family to rely on was difficult. They kept to the shallows, hiding away from known mermaid hunting grounds and close enough to the shore that Stevie could run aground and pick up supplies when things got desperate. Tey saw how badly tir sister was doing, but tey could never manage to persuade tem to either pick out a new life on shore or to travel deeper, where the best food was. The first refusal is because she feared for her life. The second was because she was ashamed of Stevie.

Tir sister begged to go to Firebrand. She said it would be safe and that even slavery would be more comfortable than the life they were living. Stevie doubted that, but tir sister was the only family tey had left. The only person tey had left. Eventually, inevitably, Stevie gave in. Tir plan was for tem to pose as tir sister’s human friend. After all, tey was good at passing. Tey’d done it for years and, as long as tey stayed dry, tey didn’t think tey’d be discovered. It was a foolish hope, but one tir sister unscrupulously encouraged.

When they reached the gates, Stevie appreciated how brave her sister had been, coming to Miami with tem after the deaths of almost everyone she knew. Tey’d never love her more than in that moment… especially as, immediately after they arrived, tir sister abandoned tem. Tey said tey understood and some days tey really did. Stevie’s hybrid status was found out immediately and, even with the collar on, people could tell.

Still, tir sister was right—slavery was better that slowly starving to death. Tey was kept comfortable as injured or hungry workers weren’t nearly as effective. Still, it was a lonely existence. Other slaves had to hope of a kind Superior taking them in, but no one would want an abomination like Stevie. Still, tey holds onto the tenuous dream that someone—most often tir sister—would swoop in and save tem.

[fink-le-freak]

@mikey-putrid and I have this weird little desert town we created called Halflight and I want to share some of the character blurbs we wrote for the citizens

Notable Locations Within Halflight

-Halflight General Hospital

-Halflight Public Library

-Halflight Grammar School

-Halflight Town Hall

-The Flock and Feather

-Dragon's Keep Games and Comics

-Feline Good

-Pins N' Needles

-Ink Addicts

-Rose's Antiques

-Theodore's Oddities and Enchantments

-Kelly's Judo Club

-New to You

-Sunny Valley Nursing Home

Dr. Elsie O'Dalaigh, 54: The town's most beloved doctor. Her dry wit and eccentricities may put you off at first, but she's a very warm and wise woman and should you fall ill or find yourself hurt, you will be in good hands. She's originally from Dublin and has a fair number of stories to tell from her wild youth in Ireland. She has an affinity for all things macabre but especially spiders. You might find her dozing off on her porch swing or enjoying a cup of tea with a friend. You're always welcome to join her and her spouse for dinner.

Dr. Ivan Vasilevsky, 39: A sickly doctor who recently came to town from New York City because the air quality was better for his lungs. He's very brilliant but hardly friendly and very private. Because he's fairly well known, patients come from across the country seeking his care. The only person he seems friendly with is his nurse, Cameron.

Dr. Andre Jimenez, 34: An anthropomorphic parrot surgeon at Halflight General Hospital. He's a total social butterfly and loves to talk, talk, talk. He has trouble keeping secrets and falls into gossip frequently. He's well liked by all his colleagues, all but Dr. Vasilevsky that is.

Johnathan "Johnny" Ross, 20: A cowardly and sensitive young man with a passion for piercing. Though only an apprentice, he's very knowledgeable about body modification and keeps his own piercings immaculate. His motorcycle is also kept in pristine condition. He's also quite shy and is hardly ever seen without his girlfriend, Loretta.

Venus Estelle, 31: A laid back frilled lizard woman that claims to see the future through the smoke from her pipe. She's very transparent and sees no reason to keep secrets about herself. She has nothing to hide. She has a passion for music and plays drums in a local punk band, The Heart Electric.

Kaisei "Kai" Kelly, 56: A very stoic and serious judo instructor. His father was a boxer in Ireland and ever since childhood, Kai has been enthralled by martial arts. He fancies himself a train enthusiast and has a large collection of model trains in his home. His serious nature and brute strength can make him rather intimidating but his husband Rodney finds him cute. He visits his family in Kyoto every spring.

Rodney Kelly, 59: The gym teacher at Halflight Grammar School. Originally from Edinburgh and standing a diminutive 5'2", Rodney more than makes up for his height with personality. He's encouraging, kind, hyperactive and loud. Very, very loud. Fitness has always been an important part of his life, even at nearly 60. He does his best to make gym class a fun place for all instead of a source of bullying and stress for those who don't like team sports.

Jeremy Fox, 19: A brilliant college student neck deep in conspiracy theories. He's very paranoid and distrusting, often to his detriment. He wants to prove to his professors that aliens exist though none of them will give him the time of day. When he isn't studying or trying to prove his theories, he can be found practicing his bass guitar or stargazing. He and his older sister like to unwind by smoking pot and watching sci-fi movies. He's one of Johnny's closest friends.

Jodie Fox, 23: Jeremy's cheerful, supportive yet ditzy older sister and roomate. She let him move in with her after their parents kicked him out for being gay. She doesn't understand a lot of what he talks about but she's happy he's passionate about something. Her bedroom is filled with Care Bears merchandise and colorful collectibles. She's rarely seen without her sticker covered roller skates. The two siblings live in the apartment right above Johnny and Loretta.

Sunny McIntyre, 30: An anthro horse gym rat and fitness trainer. Her cheerfulness is contagious and her motherly nature makes her easy to talk to. Her thick southern drawl might make it hard to understand her though. She always looks on the bright side and doesn't have a pessimistic bone in her body. In addition to being a die hard Bon Jovi fan, she enjoys fishing, hiking and hunting. She also hosts a transgender support group at her house.

Junichiro Oguma, 46: An overworked and underpaid pharmacy technician. Though very good at what he does, he isn't really a people person. He's rather grumpy and has little patience for foolishness. He's infamously difficult to work with due to his perfectionism. He holds himself to ridiculously high standards and gets upset easily when he fails to meet his own expectations. His wit is drier than the desert itself.

Edward Dowler, 68: A retired illustrator living comfortably at the Sunny Valley Nursing Home. He takes his sketchbook everywhere and may sheepishly ask you if you would mind posing for a portrait. He's a gentle soul and a firm believer in the power of pacifism. He's very close to his adopted daughter and three grandsons.

Joanne Lawrence, 47: The owner of Joanne's Diner. She bought the place almost 20 years ago and turned it into a comfortable, 1950's style diner popular among bikers and travelers. She's very blunt and hates wasting time but if you treat her well, she'll treat you well. Threaten her livelihood however and you will pay dearly. Regulars might call her Mama because she takes such good care of them.

Dennis "Moose" Bowen, 52: The cook at Joanne's. He's a people pleaser and will do whatever a customer asks to make sure they enjoy their meal. Hearing someone say they didn't like his food is like a knife through the heart. He prefers to stay in the background and not call too much attention to himself. Joanne calls him Moose because of his large size.

Hilda "Mouse" Calhoun, 21: A demon waitress at Joanne's. Contrary to what you might believe, she's very down to earth and sweet. She's not here for souls or bringing you to damnation, she just wants to serve pancakes and save money for beauty school. Her petite build makes her the Mouse to Dennis's Moose.

Wally Mack, unknown but born before 1956, mentally and physically around 21-24: A living humanoid shadow that can usually be found on a wall at Joanne's. He's chatty and perky and loves to dance. He's able to interact with others through their shadows. If Wally was to touch your shadow's shoulder, you would feel it. He likes to play harmless pranks on Dennis.

Tiffany "Tiff" Cain, 25: An anthropomorphic eagle bartender at her father's restaurant, The Flock and Feather. She also volunteers to work with children with special needs on weekends. She's very patient and a daredevil at heart. Her straightforward, casual attitude makes guests comfortable and keeps them coming back. She may be seen skateboarding around town.

Hisao Nakajima-Stewart, 33: The recently appointed head librarian at Halflight Public Library. He's rather sarcastic and moody but becoming a father has softened him up. He's very passionate about high fantasy and hosts Dungeons and Dragons sessions at his house every week. He spoils his chihuahua, Kotori, rotten with all kinds of pretty dresses and toys. He loves his husband, daughter and newborn son dearly.

Delwyn Morgane, 29: An employee at Dragon's Keep Games and Comics. When his shift ends, he dons a full suit of armor and obsessively hunts down dragons, or at least tries to. He's yet to actually kill a dragon. He's quite handsome but has a few screws loose. He plays Dungeons and Dragons with Hisao and friends every Thursday night.

Klaus Brunsvold, 70: A quiet and hardworking man originally from Norway. English is not his first language but he's slowly improving thanks to his coworkers. Though he might look imposing, his warm smile puts people at ease right away. He works at the cat cafe, Feline Good, as a barista and gleefully serves customers fattigman and slices of ostekake. Goria says he has "big grandpa energy".

Jonas Ostergard, 61: A blunt, reclusive man that's easily recognized by his towering height and voracious appetite. Standing 8'2" in comparison to his wife's tiny 5', he's one of many oddities in this town. He's absolutely enthralled by zombies and robots and fills notebooks with detailed diagrams regarding them. He's often seen at the Flock and Feather, chatting up a storm with his friend Tiff. He has autism, ADHD and intellectual disabilities.

Jamie De Luna, 18: A scrawny young man enamored with anime and martial arts. He's a bit hotheaded and immature but nonetheless determined to become an MMA fighter. His younger sister Tala is his biggest fan and supports her nerdy big brother all the way. He loves cheesy kung fu movies and takes them very seriously. He thinks very highly of his judo teacher Kai and seems to think of him as a father figure.

Goria Stout, 15: A high school student and part of Hisao's Dungeons and Dragons group. She's partially an ogre, 25% to be exact, and admires her ogre grandfather greatly. However, at the same time, part of her has been made to feel ashamed of her pointed ears and blue skin. She's rather lazy and self centered, but occasionally shows a more warm side. She wants to study magic and become a feared sorceress but just doesn't have the natural ability to do so. She frequents the comic shop and is the only one that believes in Delwyn's quest to slay a dragon.

Wesley Eldridge, 19: The bratty and materialistic son of billionaires left to play in mommy and daddy's mansion. His parents are constantly traveling the world, so he spends his days lazing about and relishing his family's wealth. He's notoriously snobbish and will have no part in anything, or anyone, he deems beneath him. He's had a fondness for unicorns since he was a child and even owns a purebred Irish unicorn named Divinity Diamond. He's very protective of her and has no qualms about sending his guards after you if you dare harm her.

Renwick Ozul, 25: E-boy and aspiring model with a sour disposition. He's distrusting of others and keeps people at a distance, except for his close friend Missy. Despite his cold and calculating online persona, he's quite insecure and struggles with his body image. He can be rather rude and nasty but has his moments of vulnerability and kindness.

Chelsea Montgomery, 23: A quiet young woman who keeps to herself. Some people say she fades into the background. She's very creative and resourceful, cleverly finding solutions to most problems she faces. Her interests include anime, cosplay, drawing and video games. She's great with kids and would like to be an art teacher one day.

Dallas Silvers, 27: A monster hunter and unofficial sheriff of Halflight. She's bold and quick witted, outsmarting any beast that threatens the town and quickly subduing it or killing it. Her talent with a rifle is nigh unmatched in town. She's the second oldest of 11 children and adores her older brother, the bounty hunter Smokey Silvers. She finds it difficult to be open about her feelings but loves her family dearly.

(Characters below belong to my friend @mikey-putrid, follow him he's cool)

Brody Erickson-O'Dalaigh, 47: The town's resident maternal figure and unofficial monster hunter (or befriender, really). Their spunky, adventurous attitude often gets them into shenanigans, but they always manage to pull themself out. They are kind and loving towards everyone. No matter who or what you are, you are always invited to Brody's for a nice meal.

Landon Borowick, 26: Brody's, often unwilling, sidekick and a security guard at the local mall. He's a cowardly young man who would rather stay home and get stoned, but thinks of Brody as his hero and therefore ends up getting dragged along on their adventures. Despite his fearful nature, Landon is a physically intimidating person who will do anything to help a friend.

Darcy Cooper, 16: A rough and tumble student at Halflight Grammar School. Darcy moved to Halflight with her mother to open up a bakery, which doubles as their home, and she often makes deliveries on her bike. Her warm and friendly personality helps her to make friends easily. Usually covered in bandages, Darcy loves practicing stunts on her skateboard, as well as watching anime and playing video games.

Loretta Sims, 20: Johnny's girlfriend, aspiring cryptozoologist and collecter of cool antiques. Loretta is shy and timid, preferring to blend into the background and not draw attention to herself. She loves spending time in the forest and working on her ever growing scrapbook. She's never far from her beloved boyfriend.

Cameron Payette, 28: A nurse at Halflight General Hospital and Dr. Vasilevsky's live in assistant. Having grown up with 15 disabled and ill siblings, Cameron has developed a love of helping people, keeping them healthy and cheering them up with a silly song on their trusty ukelele. During their off time, they enjoy video games and sci-fi movies.

[maggieisalarrie]

18 by aclosetlarryshipper

Harry hates Golden Boy Louis and he's pretty sure the feeling's mutual. It's too bad they're forced into parenthood together during the home ec baby project.

Featuring accidental fathers, an improv performance gone wrong, and an altruistic game of spin the bottle.

(15k) 

Ain't That A Kick In The Head! by lesbianharrie & wreckingtomlinson 

“Well.” Niall unlocks his phone. “It wasn’t getting the traction I wanted on Snapchat. So…I tweeted it.”

What.

“You tweeted it,” Harry states, nearing a state of brain dead. “To your ten thousand followers.”

Niall nods, handing Harry the phone. “You’re a meme, Harry.”

“I’m a what?”

“A meme. It’s like an internet—”

“I know what a fucking meme is, Niall! Why did you make me into one?”

Niall has the fucking balls to cackle at that while Harry looks at the mess his former friend created. Videos of him screaming at Tomlinson about Tide Pods and his ass are being quoted and combined with memes to a create a level of memeception Harry has never seen before. That isn’t even including the thousands of tweets of him falling up the stairs remixed with random Top 40 songs.

~

In which Harry’s a disaster gay who doesn’t know shit about soccer, Liam drinks too many blue raspberry Coolattas, Niall knows everyone, Zayn looks dead, and Louis is Not Happy about sharing his breakout moment with “Drunk Hawaiian Guy.”

(22k)

More under the cut! 

All My Friends Are Here by abrighteryellow 

He is about to decline, though. If he has to sit through forced merriment, the least he can do is avoid participation at all costs. He is about to, but then the guy with the microphone is looking out into the crowd. He’s saying things, too — about rules and prizes and team names. At least, Louis assumes so. He can’t really hear him over the ringing in his ears.

“Alright, mate. I’ll play.”

A pub quiz has invaded Louis’s favorite dive. Fortunately, it comes with a charming host.

(3k)

all we are is a bittersweet sundown by loupancake 

Sequel to chances under the purple sunrise by loupancake

After the death of Harry's father, the merman king of the Atlantic Ocean, Harry has to step up and prove his strength to be the next true king. With the company of Louis, who he's been writing letters to for three long months, they embark on a quest throughout all the oceans before the last of the late king's magic runs out.

(101k) 

Caught My Attention by kassio

Reason #27 - Your one chance with a celebrity.

When he managed to stop ogling Harry's body and look up, the first thing Louis noticed was that Harry’s face was probably the most perfect face he’d ever seen. He’d seen him in that film, but he was even better in person. Maybe it was the smile.

The second thing he noticed was that that smile was directed at him. He’d been caught staring. Harry’s smile only widened when Louis locked horrified eyes with him. He tilted his head curiously, and his eyes flicked down Louis’ body. “Who’s this?”

Louis had been around long enough to know when someone was checking him out. He hadn’t expected to see that look from Harry fucking Styles.

(13k) 

chances under the purple sunrise by loupancake 

Inspired by & Based on Neon--Diamonds' Fanart “You’ve been taking my shoes?” Louis asked, scoffing. “I paid a lot for them!”

“How unfortunate for you.” Harry smiled bitterly. He peeked over Louis, eyeing the hook that still had the worm.

The red box was open right next to him. Harry saw that inside, it had a couple of transparent containers that were filled with worms, too. He eyed Louis skeptically before nodding. “Right. I’ll give you your, er…. little boats back if you let me have the tub of worms.”

A groan crawled out from Louis, his head falling back and his eyes landing up at the clear sky. “I need those.”

“They’re food for myself and others, not to be used as bait.”

*

Or the one where Harry is a merman, prince of the Atlantic Ocean, whose curiosity and healthy envy takes over him and he steals Louis' shoes every time he fishes.

(29k) 

Enjoy The Ride by 2tiedships2 

“Stop sulking and get up. I have a proposition to make.”

“Niall?” Louis questioned. “Do you think I should put glow in the dark stars on my ceiling?”

He looked over and found Niall giving him an unimpressed look.

“So, no?” Louis asked. “No stars?”

“We’re going on a road trip,” Niall stated.

Louis looked back at his starless ceiling and waved farewell to Niall. “Cool. Have fun!”

“No, you idiot.” Niall let out a frustrated sigh. “You, me, Liam, and Harry.”

Louis glanced over to Niall and back to the ceiling. “Who’s Harry?”

Or the one where Louis, an omega more than tired of being treated as lesser than alphas, is forced on a road trip by his beta besties only to meet Harry who might just be the alpha he never knew he wanted.

(11k) 

Every Piece of You (It Just Fits Perfectly) by allwaswell16 

Louis has settled into his job as the reigning monarch’s charity representative as well as his life as a reluctant member of the royal family, but what he wants most is for his relationship with Harry to become something more.

Harry finds himself as consumed as ever by his career as a high fashion stylist, but he vows to make more room in his life for Louis. He’s decided he’s going to start the New Year off with a ring.

A remix of ‘Why Can’t It Be Like That’ by taggiecb that takes place one year later.

(8k) 

I Didn't Fall For You (You Fucking Tripped Me) by allwaswell16 

These days Louis tends to steer clear of dating alphas. He’s dated too many knotheads in his time, and he’s ready to just focus on school and his friends and his pet monitor lizard, of course.

Too bad the alpha next door won’t take a hint and stop using the worst pick up lines of all time on him. He’s really got to stop laughing with him--and talking to him and walking to class with him and letting him bring him coffee and tea and gifts for his lizard and watching Netflix together and...

(15k) 

In All Its Imperfections by BriaMaria 

From: Louis Tomlinson To: Undisclosed Recipients

Hello!

I’ve asked the front desk and you lovely folks are the ones who are on the same level as me in the car park. I found a to-do list today that looked somewhat important because it has lines of poetry scribbled at the bottom that seemed like they might be for a card project. The stationary has a moose in a canoe at the top of it (and he is quite adorable). Let me know if it’s yours!

Cheers!

“Oh. My. Fucking. God,” Harry whispered, his eyes darting over the sentences again willing them not to make sense. They did, they did make sense. “Oh. My. Bloody. Fucking. God.”

The next thing he knew he was on the floor, staring at the ceiling, with a very concerned Liam hovering over his head.

"What happened, mate?" Liam asked.

Harry just pointed to his computer.

Liam bent over Harry’s desk to read the email. “What? This isn’t bad. Is that your to-do list? Did you finally come up with the inside text for those cards?”

“Leeyum" he groaned. “It’s what’s on the list.”

“Oh,” Liam paused for a beat. “Is it dirty stuff?”

Harry nodded.

There was more silence. And then, “Dirty stuff with Louis?”

(15k) 

Inconceivable by alivingfire 

Sometimes, Harry thinks, there's something there. The spark in his belly isn't just happening to him, surely. Surely Louis feels that rush too, that blossoming heat in his blood when their fingers brush.

But no. No, Louis treats Harry like a best friend—and it's an amazing thing, so wonderful, Harry wouldn't trade his friendship with Louis for anything—and there's no room for anything else. Not between them.

But Louis adores Niall. It’s clear, obvious in their comfort together. Harry and Louis still have something that keeps them from that, something making things more loaded with possibility, more intense. Like magnets with the same pole, an invisible force pushing them back—maybe that’s Harry’s crush, a barrier keeping them apart. Louis and Niall’s friendship is easy, whatever is between Louis and Harry is something else. Weighted.

Which is fine. It's good. Niall clearly loves Louis back, so it's great.

And Harry can just keep lying to himself for the rest of eternity.

Louis and Barbara Tomlinson are twin brother and sister. Harry's in love with Louis, Niall's in love with Barbara, and they both go by Tommo. It gets a little confusing.

(23k) 

Just To See That Smile by homosociallyyours 

It's Coming Out Week at university, and Harry's taken on a lot of responsibilities to make everything run smoothly. Finding his roommate's boyfriend attractive is making that a bit difficult, unfortunately. It might help if he realized that said boyfriend (Louis) is really just there to help said roommate (Liam) figure out if Liam's crush (Zayn) likes him back.

But that would make things too easy.

A fic where a hastily faked relationship and a lot of miscommunication almost ruins a perfectly good dance.

(7k) 

Love's On The Line, Is That Your Final Answer? by PearlyDewdrops 

Harry can’t believe it when Louis, the boy he’s always had a tempestuous rivalry with, asks him to be his boyfriend. Well, pose as his boyfriend, that is—for a new television game show in which young couples are quizzed on how well they know each other for a jackpot of thirty grand.

Reluctantly, Harry agrees—because he's got student loans to pay off, hasn't he? What's the harm? And he can totally deal with keeping his secret thing for Louis under wraps too. This is all just to win some money. It's fine. No big deal. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, everything. Obviously.

(53k) 

Maybe, Baby by thoughtsickles 

It all feels too easy, too good to be true. It all feels like a scene from Louis' daydreams, the kind of life he'd always imagined he'd have when he was younger and bored at his momma's work, sneaking around the hallways of the maternity ward until the nurses let him in to hold the babies. He'd felt so important being allowed to touch them. He'd told them stories of the lives they were going to have, houses with nice wallpaper that wasn't peeling, yards filled with sunshine and flowers and grass that never went yellow. A hammock to nap in, cuddled up with his husband.

You can't stay here, he tells himself, but Baby doesn't want to listen.

****

Louis runs away. Harry finds him.

(16k) 

Once Upon a Dream by objectlesson 

“M’not gonna half-ass our fake relationship,” Louis almost snaps, voice sharp with a defensive edge, like Harry wandered too close to a bruise with needy fingers. “Now kiss me again. We’re gonna make every shitty tourist here wish they had stayed in the Midwest. We’re gonna burn Disneyland down with our gay. ”

Harry shuts his eyes and opens his mouth, because he can’t fucking say no to Louis.

--

Or, a fake dating AU where everyone is lying and they happen to be at the Happiest Place on Earth.

(27k) 

Own the Scars by crinkle-eyed-boo (KimmieRocks)

“But I don’t belong here,” Louis insists. “Why do you say that?” James asks. “These people are all drug addicts and alcoholics,” Louis shrugs. Something sparks in James’ eyes. “And you’re not?”

Louis has never felt like he was good enough: for his stepdad, for his life-long best friend, for the life he's supposed to want. After an accident that nearly costs him his life, Louis' parents send him to rehab where he’s forced to face his demons. On the long and difficult road to recovery, Louis must confront the truths he’s been avoiding about his future, his relationships, and his sense of self-worth. Because before he can love anyone else, he’s got to learn how to love himself first.

(145k) 

signs and wonders by scrunchyharry 

On the surface, it looks like Louis Tomlinson has the perfect life; after all, he has the whole package: a white picket fence house (well, his doesn’t technically have a white picket fence, but work with him), a wife, a daughter and a dog. He has it all and he’s not even 30, yet.

On the surface, he could be the happiest man in the world.

The thing is, he never wanted this life. There was this boy, see, this Harry Styles, whose arrival made Louis question everything he thought he knew about himself. Before Louis could pursue it, though, before he could be brave and ask the boy out, one moment of bad luck on prom night, one single lapse of judgment, shaped his life in a way he never would have chosen. Between doing the right thing or turning into his own absent father, he knew what he had to do, even if it meant burying his dreams under the weight of a premature adulthood.

That is, until he receives an invitation for his school’s ten year reunion and sees that Harry will attend.

Could it be his second chance at happiness? At what cost?

(29k) 

Staring Across the Room by allwaswell16 

Harry Styles has a great life. He’s a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library, he’s got wonderful friends, and he loves cooking, green tea, yoga, and his collection of bow ties. He doesn’t mind that his life seems a little structured, maybe even a little boring. But when Louis Tomlinson joins the library staff as the new Installation Coordinator, things become a lot less predictable. Louis gets under his skin right from the start, bossing Harry around, making noise during story time, and eating the last cupcake in the staff lounge. Louis may be almost offensively attractive, but Harry will not be succumbing to Louis Tomlinson’s charms, even if the rest of the library staff have.

(27k) 

Stars Will Align For Us by 2tiedships2 

"The serial monogamist is single," Niall said by way of introduction when he sat down across from Harry in the canteen.

Harry sipped his chocolate milk. "What are you going on about?"

"Your alpha dream boat," Niall said. "That tiny little footie player? I heard from Hannah that he's broken it off with his boyfriend so he’s single and ready to flamingle. Now's the time to make your move."

Harry sipped his chocolate milk harder to keep himself from replying.

Or the one where Harry is an omega at a loss of how to get past his pining and gain the attention of Louis...especially considering the alpha is always in a relationship.

(16k) 

The End Should Be A Good One by bananasandboots 

It doesn't feel like falling in love, the way it had felt the first time around, easy, simple, almost like floating, wrapped up in a whirlwind of touches and kisses, late nights spent laughing breathlessly into each other's skin. This feels broken, complicated, like every move carries the weight of their past. Like the floorboards beneath them could collapse at any moment. This doesn't feel good.

Or, the one where Harry loses the love of his life on New Years Eve and finds him again, six months later, ready to open some poorly-stitched wounds.

(43k) 

through the jungle through the dark by YesIsAWorld 

Louis and Harry were best friends, until they weren’t. Five years after they last spoke they’re forced to drive cross-country to visit an injured friend. If they can’t get over the past, it will be a very long week together.

(13k) 

Wild Love by purpledaisy 

“Good,” Julia says, clearly pleased to have them both uncomfortable and unable to look at each other. “Now, I only have one more question before you can go. What are you planning to do when this experiment ruins your friendship?”

“We said we’d stay friends no matter what,” Harry says smoothly, his chin lifting in defense.

“That was our one thing going into it,” Louis agrees. “Stay friends no matter what.”

Julia raises a perfectly manicured brow, “That’s all fine and good. But I hope you realize your emotions aren’t going to realize this is an experiment in the end. If one of you falls for the other and finds out those feelings are not reciprocated, you’re not going to be able to laugh it off as a social experiment. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do this, I’m just hoping you’ve considered all of the possible outcomes.”

- AU: Two best friends try to date each other for forty days. It's supposed to be fun until emotions make it complicated.

(131k) 

Worth a Thousand Words by TheIfInLife 

“Look, I’m learning some new stuff!”

My name is Louis. My favorite color is green. I like movies. Do you know sign language?

Harry huffed grumpily. Why are you learning sign language?

“Because, I want to be able to talk to you.” Louis looked small, gripping tightly at the steering wheel.

Why?

You’re my friend. Louis signed shakily, having to try it a few times before getting it right. And well, Harry just snapped.

We’re not friends. I don’t know what makes you think that we’re okay but we’re not. You stopped being my friend once you found out that I went deaf. I don’t know if this is your way of ‘making up for it’ or if you think that hanging out with the deaf guy and learning a bit of sign language is your ‘kind deed’ to the world but I don’t want to be your charity case and I don’t want to be your friend. or Harry went deaf at 5 years old and Louis just wants the chance be heard.

(8k) 

[foundtheworl]

New Post has been published on Found The World

New Post has been published on https://foundtheworld.com/top-must-try-thai-foods/

Top Must Try Thai Foods

Thai foods have made a name for itself everywhere. Even if you have never been to Thailand, it’s likely you’ve sampled some version of Thai cuisine in a western restaurant. If you’re lucky enough to have the chance to visit Thailand and sample some authentic Thai foods, you will be very surprised at how different the real deal is!

The staple of Thai foods is rice; the different types, how to cook it, what to put on it, or what to combine it with. In fact, in Thailand when you want to ask someone if they want to eat something you don’t say “Do you want to eat?” You say, “Do you want to eat rice?” It is assumed that rice is a part of every meal, so this is how the question is posed. Every dish on this list is either made from rice or served with rice!

Food in Thailand is a huge part of the culture. There are dishes that are so unlike anywhere else in the world, you’ll wonder how they ever created such strange but delicious combinations.

There are four words that can be used to describe most of Thailand’s main dishes; salty, sweet, sour, and spicy.  Whether it’s a salad, soup, curry, or stir fry, get ready to test the limits of your taste buds and indulge in some of the most delicious and flavorful food in the world!

  Spicy Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

This dish is one of my absolute favorites of Thai foods. Originally coming from the Issan (northeast) region of the country, this salad is now consumed nationwide.

To start, an unripe papaya is peeled and grated. When papaya is not its usual ripe-and-ready-to-eat orange color, it’s a light green or off-white color with a sour taste. Some places will grate a little carrot into the mix too. Then diced tomatoes, a few pieces of garlic, fresh green beans, a few peanuts or cashews, a few hot chili peppers, lime juice, sugar, and fish sauce are crushed together with a mortar and pestle. The papaya is then added for a final toss.

The real art of Som Tam is knowing how much of each ingredient to use. Usually this salad is made very spicy, unless you otherwise specify. When I order it, I always say “pet nid noi” or “prik nueng, ka!”, which means “a little bit spicy” or “one chili, please!”

This salad is usually combined with other side dishes to compliment a main meal. It can, however, be quite filling if combined with shrimp or chicken and paired with sticky rice.

FYI: some places will make the same dish, but substitute an unripe mango for the papaya. Slightly different taste and just as good!

  Spring Rolls (Bah Bpee-ya)

Deep fried Thai spring rolls are perfect if you’re craving something sweet and salty. They’re a quick, cheap, and crunchy snack that can be found at many street stalls. They’re also great to order as a shared appetizer if you’re eating out. You’ll find them on most restaurant menus.

Most spring rolls contain a minced pork filling if they’ve been pre-made at a street stall. However, it’s possible to order them vegetarian style in a restaurant. The typical ingredients include the minced meat, muang bean noodle (thin and clear), and bean sprouts. You may also find some grated carrot in there occasionally.

Served with a tangy sweet and sour dipping sauce, these are the perfect snack or warm up for your main meal!

  Massaman Curry

One of Thailand most unique curries is actually not one of the traditional Thai foods. Massaman curry is thought to have been derived from Persian culture long, long ago. Its name, which stems from the word Muslim, could have been influenced by nearby Islamic countries like Malaysia or Indonesia.

In any case, Massaman is a rich and mild curry that is simply irresistible. It’s the Thai foods equivalent to hot bowl of chili or chowder son a cold day.

The magic of Massaman is in the curry sauce, made from coconut milk, cinnamon, cumin, and nutmeg. The other ingredients vary, but you’ll usually find either chicken or beef Massaman combined with potato, carrot, peanuts, and bay leaves.

Massaman, like all Thai curries, is served with a plate of plain steamed rice. It some traditional southern towns (like Surat Thani), you may find Massaman served with roti, which is like fried dough. This is a real treat.

  Fried Noodles (Phad See-Euw)

Not to be confused with Phad Thai, which is one of the most cliché things you can order as a tourist in Thailand.  Phad See-Euw is the more authentic version.

This is a savory dish of sticky, wide fried noodle dishes. The noodles start as white rice noodles (called “sen yai”) and are then combined with garlic, Chinese broccoli (dark-green veggie), soy sauce, sugar, and one egg. Usually combined with chicken (“gai”) or beef (‘nu-ah”), but it can also be made vegetarian (“mai sai nu-ah”) if you choose.

Fried together in a wok and you’ve got the tastiest noodle dish in Thai foods.

  Noodle Soup (Goy-Tee-Ow Nam-Sai)

The Thai version of good, old fashioned, chicken noodle soup. However, nothing about it is comparable to a tin of Campbell’s.

When ordering this dish, it’s good to know a little Thai, because you can create your own. Thai soup varies depending on the broth, the noodles, and the additions. You can pick the type of noodles – wide (“sen yai”), thin (“sen lek”), yellow (“sen ba-mee”), glass noodles (“wun sen”), etc. You can also pick the type of broth – clear broth (“nam sai”), spicy broth (“tam yam”) are the most common.

With the broth and noodles chosen, the next is step is fillings. Chicken or beef can be added, different types of vegetables, dumplings, and what’s known as fish ball. These have a consistency that’s tougher than tofu with a medium fishy taste. They’re strange, but common in Thailand.

The soup is served with an array of flavorings like vinegar, dried chili flakes, sugar, and crushed peanuts for you to garnish your own soup. You are the master of your soup domain!

Tom Yam Zaab, an example of a spicy broth soup with beef and plenty of coriander!

         Coconut Chicken Soup (Tom Kha Gai)

This is another type of soup, bordering on curry, and one of the most unique dishes in Thai foods. Tom Kha Gai’s base is a mild, slightly sweet, creamy coconut milk broth. Added to the base to get the unique Tom Kha taste is ginger, lemongrass, and lime leaves.

Mushrooms, tomatoes, and onion are usually mixed in as well. Chicken is added, and there you have it!

Served with rice (of course), this is a filling and satisfying meal.

  Fried Rice Omlette (Khao Klook Kapi)

This is a different version of fried rice and good to order if you’re really hungry. Fried rice is standard all over Thailand, but an omlette stuffed with fried rice is something special. Yes, it sounds strange, but the salty, savory combo is great. Not to mention, ridiculously filling.

You start with the traditional Thai fried rice combination of rice, egg, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and lime juice. The omlette is prepared separately, then the fried rice is wrapped up in the omlette. Picture a calzone – except the folded over crust is the omlette and the cheesy pizza filling is the fried rice!

  Don’t forget about DESSERT! Thailand loves sweet treats and you’ll never find a shortage of delicious delectables. Some may not be what you’re used to, but there are two that cannot be missed!

  Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Nee-ow Mamuang)

Unlike anything you’ve ever tried. Mango sticky rice is probably the best-known Thai dessert, and capable of satisfying even the strongest sweet tooth.

The dessert combines sweet mango and slow cooked sticky rice in coconut milk. The rich flavor of the rice mixed with the sweet tang of the mango is a brave combination only Thailand would have thought to try. I thank them for it!

    Banana Pancakes (known simply as “pancake”)

This freshly made pancakes can be had at any time of day, but they’re a perfect dessert if you feel like sharing something sweet.

The best pancakes are made at the small street stalls, usually manned by one or two people and a large flat wrought iron hot-plate. Most places have a variety of filling to choose from, but the most popular is the banana pancake with Nutella and garnished with condensed milk.

The dough is put on the hot iron and fried. The banana is sliced and added inside and then the pancake is turned over on itself. The outcome is a square, crispy, fried piece of delicious dough. The larger square is then sliced into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

If you opted for Nutella, it’s spread on the surface of the pancake. It’s completed with a drizzle of condensed milk, which forms small pools in the fried dough. It’s packed with calories, but no one every complains!

  Once you start, it’s difficult to get enough of Thai food. The flavors and combination of ingredients (fish sauce and lime juice – what?!) are drastically different from any western-style food. But somehow it works – really, really, well.

These are just a few of my favorite Thai foods, but there are countless others that deserved to make this list. It’s nearly impossible to choose! The best way to discover your favorites is to try them all yourself!