#it's SO delicious. oh wow this person is like a person from a book (SHE CALLS HIM DODGER!!!!) oh wait they also happen to be REAL...

[baezdylan]

BEST thing about jess and rory is that they're good at the friendship aspect and they're bad at the romantic aspect, but in reality these 2 concepts are sooooo unbearably intertwined for them so it's pretty cool to watch them be... human about it... you can't arrange this by genre it's not your CD collection!!! (i'd argue that you could never do that with CDs either yet it's sooooo HUMAN TO TRYYYYY and jess tries to do that with his CDs on the show. i know it wasn't a success :)

[drvirgus]

Behind bars

Non Idol! Minji X Convicted! Reader

Description: Coming out of Jail is never easy. Y/n even would say its harder then even getting into Jail. What happens when she lives with a Person that absolutely hates Criminals? What even got her into Jail? and what happens if she starts to like the person that hates her?

Chapter: try not to hate her

Masterlist

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I groaned irritably upon hearing my alarm go off. Time had run out, and I had some questions that were simply too difficult for me to answer. It wasn't surprising, really. Essentially, I was doing tasks meant for a class above mine. Unfortunately, I had also been out of school for nearly six years, which meant I had almost completely forgotten the material.

I sniffled slightly as I felt something run down my nose. I immediately pressed my tissue, which was already somewhat bloody, against my nose. Tilting my head back, I tried my best to stop the nosebleed. 

The stress was really getting to me...

The test was already scheduled for mid-February, and it could only be taken twice a year. To pay for the test, I used the allowance that Minji's mother gave me. However, I promised myself to put every single Won back, and if possible, even a bit more.

I tossed the tissue into the trash bin behind me, which was already filled with several used tissues. Sighing, I checked myself in the mirror. Hyein would be coming, and if she saw me like this, she would only worry again.

Right on cue, the door opened, and immediately, I heard the loud voices of my sister's friends. A slight smile formed on my face as I saw the five individuals. Although Minji claimed she would be busy, she came along anyway. Undoubtedly, to "protect" Hyein from me.

"Welcome," I greeted them as usual. Danielle looked around the store with fascination. I watched her pick up one of the products and immediately check the price. "Oh wow. Only 100 Won?" she exclaimed, eyebrows raising in surprise.

I smiled, closing the book behind the counter. I approached the five individuals. "Alright, have a seat, and I'll whip up some cup noodles for you," I said with a smirk, gesturing to the counter by the window where they could sit.

I watched as all five took their seats. A smile played on my lips. "So, tell me what you don't like," I asked, immediately locking eyes with Minji. "Nothing spicy or salty," she responded, to which I nodded. "Well, I pretty much like everything. I'm not a picky eater," Hanni replied with a grin.

Haerin and Danielle also mentioned they didn't particularly dislike anything. However, Danielle did point out she doesn't like Hawaiian pizza, although you wouldn't find that here anyway. My eyes turned to Hyein. "I don't like seafood," Hyein declared, causing my eyebrows to raise in surprise.

"Don't you?" I asked. "But... you used to love it. At least, you did," I added, but burst into laughter when I noticed the younger one's expression. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Okay. It won't take long," I said, heading over to the cup noodles.

I immediately noticed all five of them pulling out their phones.

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"So," I said as I brought the two cup noodles to the counter. I noticed each of them either pocketing their phones or simply setting them aside. Checking which flavor was which, I announced, "These are for Haerin and Danielle," and handed them over, observing as Minji immediately passed the cup noodles further down.

Swiftly, I fetched the remaining three and distributed them accordingly. "Here. It's best with the kimchi; makes it more delicious," I commented, pushing the kimchi closer to them and into the center. A slight smile formed on my lips as I watched each of them take their first bite simultaneously.

Danielle looked up at me with wide eyes. "Hmm. This is quite tasty. Must be expensive, right?" she asked, eliciting a chuckle from me. Minji was the only one who continued eating, seemingly uninterested in our conversation. I shook my head, smiling. "No, Danielle, it's not expensive," I replied.

Observing the youngsters enjoying their meal, I returned to the counter. I settled into my chair, opening my book once more. My eyes scanned every letter and question meticulously. Another sigh escaped my lips as I tallied my points and unfortunately realized I hadn't met the minimum score. Biting my lip, I stared at my score for a brief moment, placing my pen beside the book. I closed it just as new customers entered.

"Welcome," I greeted with a smile, standing neatly at the counter. Briefly, my eyes met the youngsters', who seemed to have finished their meals. I offered a polite smile to Minji, but she averted her gaze, now engrossed in a conversation with the others.

As I noticed the customers who had just entered glancing at the young girls, I saw one of the boys begin to smirk and nudge his companions. Soon after, he gestured with his head toward Hyein and her friends. My eyes narrowed as I recognized that disdainful look.

It was a look I had seen many guards give...

I watched as the guys approached the others, a smirk on their faces. "What are such beautiful ladies like you doing in a run-down convenience store?" one of the guys asked, placing his hand on the table. My brow furrowed as I began to make my way over.

"Trying to escape from people like you," Hanni retorted, rolling her eyes visibly. Haerin was quick to agree, while Hyein let out a sigh, thankfully seated right in the middle and next to Minji. That somewhat eased my concern.

"Oh, come on. I'm sure you'll have a blast with us," the man beside Danielle chimed in, placing his hand on her shoulder. Danielle recoiled instantly, shooting him a disgusted look. "If I were you, I'd let go of her now," Haerin warned, her voice notably deeper than usual.

I chuckled softly seeing the man retract his hand from Danielle's shoulder. I smiled politely, "You should leave now. These girls are all underage," I skillfully lied, prompting two of the three men to glance in surprise at the girls. Only one met my eyes.

"Well, they look older," he replied, causing me to sigh, "The police might see it differently," I replied with a smirk. I noticed the two men attempting to persuade their friend to leave, feeling the gaze of the five girls upon me.

"What about you?" the man in front of me asked, and the other two hesitated. "Hey, isn't she the ex-con?" one whispered, loud enough for all of us to hear.

So, the word had already spread.

"Yes, I was in prison," I admitted. "Do you know why?" I asked, clearly amused. The man smirked and took a step closer, eyes locked onto mine. "I castrated a guy," I lied, but it was enough to make the three men visibly uncomfortable.

With wide eyes, one of them said, "Um... we should go," and they hastily exited the store, with the other two following suit.

Turning my attention back to Hyein, I offered a smile as they looked at me in astonishment. Both Hyein and Danielle seemed to look at me with admiration. "You all should head home. It's not safe at night," I advised, looking at each one of them. I ruffled the younger one's hair, and Hanni seemed to enjoy the gesture.

"We really should head home," Minji agreed, standing up with the empty cup noodles in hand, which made me chuckle. "I've got this," I reassured. "Text me when you all get home," I added more seriously, looking at each of them.

"What about you, Unnie?" Haerin asked, her eyes filled with concern. I smiled wider, "Don't worry about me. Just make sure Hyein gets home safely," I joked, but my gaze immediately landed on Minji. She scoffed, "Of course, I will," she replied, reassuringly.

[kittyball23]

Hi is it okay if you write a story about baby branch and Floyd

It sure is 😊

Remember (a Trolls fanfic)

Dear Diary,

It’s been a pretty quiet evening at home so far, and I guess there’s a few reasons for that. For one, I guess it’s no secret that I’m the quietest among my brothers (they say I should assert myself more, but I find that I can’t - it’s just the way I am 0.0). Also, my older brothers aren’t here at the moment, and the bro that IS here is sleeping on my lap (it’s a little hard to write right now, but I can manage). I’m guessing you’re probably wondering where exactly my older brothers are. Well, John Dory is out running some errands with Grandma, so they’re hitting the grocery store and a few other places (plus, JD DID say he was going to try and get supplies for some new costume ideas he has planned for us and our band, BroZone).

Spruce is out on a date. He ran another one of his competitions, and the winner this time around is a girl named Doreen. I’ve seen her around town a bit, and she seemed very excited to be able to be with him. As for Spruce… I don’t think I could really say the same :( But, regardless, they were heading out to Senior Frosty’s. A lot of us like to go down there for some sweet treats (personally, I think Grandma’s stuff is the best, but they’re okay too ^_^). Spruce’s favorite is the Tropical Sunset sundae, which is an ice cream that I think is made from vanilla, with some kind of fruity syrup and chunks of pineapple on top. It sounds pretty tasty, but my personal preference is the strawberry delight (an underrated flavor, but delicious nonetheless!)

Clay headed off to another one of his sad-book club meetings. He’s sorta told me about them before, but I’m a little nervous to go to one, if I’m being honest. If it’s about sad books like he says, I’m probably gonna be in tears the whole time! I guess I’ll just have to make sure that I pack a lot of tissues when I do get the chance to accompany him :)

That leaves me and Branch, like I mentioned before. We had some fun with all kinds of activities around the house.

We frosted some sugar cookies that Grandma had baked earlier in the day (Branch got a little messy with the decorating, but he didn’t mind). We played some games (the usual - hide-and-seek, tag… freeze tag) and sang some of our band’s songs together. I’m very proud of him. Even though he’s only a couple years old, he’s got a great falsetto going. Golden! I can tell he’s going to be an amazing singer one day, and I can’t wait for him to start performing with us. John Dory thinks he’s ready, too. A few days ago, he actually suggested that we should start arranging for our first tour. Spruce and Clay agreed, and it’s going to be so exciting!

As Floyd tapped his pencil to his chin, pondering what to write down next, the light weight on his lap began to shift. He immediately put his journal down, and watched admiringly as Branch cutely yawned and stretched.

“Hey, Branch,” he cooed softly, stroking his brother’s delicate little cheek. “Did you have a good nap?”

The baby blinked up at him, rubbing the sleep out of his large blue eyes and grinning his sweet little one-toothed grin. “Uh-huh!”

Floyd chuckled and ruffled his rich blue hair. “That’s good.”

“What did you do, Floyd?” the small Troll asked curiously.

“Oh, I was just writing in my journal,” he said, showing him the book that he’d placed at his side.

“Ohhh,” Branch mused, cocking his head. “Can I see it?”

“Sure thing,” Floyd replied fondly, opening it up and allowing Branch to flip through the pages.

“I write all kinds of things in here,” the magenta-haired Troll explained while the baby stared in wonder. “Ideas, stories, wishes… but do you know what my favorite thing to write about is?”

“What?” Branch asked, his eyes twinkling with interest.

“All the stuff I do with you, and our brothers.”

“Wow! Really?”

“Definitely,” Floyd answered. “That way, when we want to remember something special, it’ll all be right here.” He gave him a little side hug that Branch happily leaned into with a giggle. Then, the little blue Trolling thought of something else.

“Do you write songs in there, too?”

Floyd nodded. “Yeah, I do.” Then he smirked. “But you know, I’ve been having a little trouble trying to finish the one I’ve been working on. Do you want to help me?”

His baby brother’s face lit up. “Yeah!”

And, as he and Branch made another cherished memory - harmonizing together and creating wonderful new melodies - Floyd made sure to recall every little detail of their experience so, in that way, he could notate it in his journal for them to always remember.

[mimisempai]

You were always on my mind

Summary

An innocent question from Muriel about Crowley's sketch of the Mona Lisa leads to an unexpected reaction from Aziraphale, and allows the angel and demon to talk about a past they do not share.

Notes

The characters of Leonardo and Salaï are based on their characterization in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

On Ao3

Rating G -  1494 words

"Crowley?"

The demon, who was watering his plants, turned to Muriel and saw that they were standing in front of his precious sketch of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

As he approached, Muriel turned to him and, pointing to the painting where the inscription read, "Al mio amico Antonio dal tuo amico Leo da V." they asked, "Were you really friends with Leonardo Da Vinci?"

Neither of them saw Aziraphale, who had stopped to put away a book in order to listen to Crowley's answer, for he himself knew nothing of the origin of this friendship.

He had seen the inscription "To my friend Anthony". But he had chosen to ignore it, or rather to ignore the odd feeling it aroused in him.  

Leonardo and Crowley sat across from each other over a drink, both quite intoxicated, but still lucid enough to talk.

Crowley looked around at all the sketches of the same woman, then pointed to one hanging on the wall and said, "That one, that's the best, even better than the finished painting. 

He pointed to the canvas on the easel.

Leonardo rested his head on his hand and replied, "I got her bloody smile right in the cartoons, but it went all over the place when I painted it. Her husband had a few things to say about it when he was in yesterday, but, like I told him, Signor del Giocondo, apart from you, who's ever going to see it?"

Crowley chuckled, "Well said! Leo, if it's all right with you, I'd like to buy this from you." 

The demon pointed to the sketch pinned to the wall and added, "I'll give you eleven florins for it."

Leonardo shook his head and said, "Antonio, canaglia! I want twenty!"

"Fifteen!"

Leonardo held out his hand and replied, " Deal. Now, explain this helicopter thingie again, win you?"

Crowley shook his hand and explained.

"Wow. And what was he like?"

Crowley replied with a gentle smile, "An interesting guy, much more open-minded than people of his generation, and way ahead of his time even before I told him a few secrets. The kind of person you don't forget."

Aziraphale briskly closed the book, causing Muriel and Crowley to turn at the noise. Then, pretending not to see them, he put the book down and returned to his desk, feigning concentration on a manuscript while seething inside.

He hadn't liked the look on Crowley's face when he had spoken of his "friend." He hadn't liked it at all.

Crowley and Muriel had continued to chat in front of the painting, but Aziraphale tried not to pay attention, and soon, lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice that Muriel had come out.

"Angel?"

Aziraphale tried not to show his distress as he turned to Crowley.

The demon continued, "Maggie asked me to give you this."

He showed him a plate with a slice of apple pie and continued, "She said she made it for you to thank you for your little arrangement. How about a little break with a cup of tea?"

Crowley was so thoughtful that Aziraphale felt even worse for being consumed by jealousy. He nodded and followed Crowley to the round table, avoiding looking at the painting as he passed.

He sat down at the table where Crowley had placed the plate and a steaming cup of tea. The demon sat down not far from him, a mug of coffee in his hands.

Aziraphale avoided his gaze and took a spoonful of cake. The cake was delicious, but given his state of mind, Aziraphale had to force himself to show his appreciation.

Crowley, not fooled, frowned and asked, "Angel, is something wrong?"

Aziraphale said hesitantly, "You never told me about your friendship with Leonardo Da Vinci."

"Oh, that? Well, you see, Angel, sometimes so much time passed between our meetings in the past that, amidst all we had to say and do, there wasn't room to cover it all. I had come to Florence for some temptations, but, as usual, the ingenuity of human beings in matters of sin surpassed me, and I found myself here with nothing to do. One evening, in a tavern, I made the acquaintance of his assistant, Salaï, who told me that I had the type of figure his master liked to draw, and dragged me to Leonardo's studio. And after that evening, when I bought the sketch of the Mona Lisa, we met again several times to drink and talk, he was much more enlightened than his contemporaries, clever and an excellent artist as well as a good drinking companion".

Aziraphale, growing increasingly annoyed, replied, "And besides, he knew your name was Anthony, or should I say Antonio."

He couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice and Crowley noticed and asked him bluntly, "Are you by any chance jealous, Angel?"

Aziraphale didn't answer and looked away.

"Angel?" insisted Crowley, who had moved closer.

He grabbed the Angel's chin, forcing him to turn his head toward him, and said softly, "Because if you are, you should know that you have no reason to be jealous. Leo was already involved with someone."

Azirapahel replied in a sulky voice, "But you liked his company."

Crowley replied in an amused tone, "For the reasons I told you. I even told him about you."

"Don't make fun of me, Crowley!"

The demon protested, "I'm not laughing at you. Just listen. The love of his life was his assistant, Salaï, which is ironically short for the Italian word "saladino," meaning "little devil." Which he was, by the way. He really had Leo wrapped around his little finger.”

"Leonardo, I'm going to have a few drinks with my friends, don't wait up for me tonight!"

Salaï blew him a kiss before closing the door behind him to the sound of the artist's light laughter.

Crowley turned to him and asked, "Is there a... special bond between you and this brat?"

Leonardo shook his head, "He's just my assistant."

Crowley raised an eyebrow and replied, "If he were just an assistant, you wouldn't have to specify, mio amico."

Leonardo took a sip of wine before replying quietly, "My past has taught me to keep those aspects of my life, private."

Crowley replied gently, "You need say no more."

Leonardo smiled and replied in a cheeky tone, "You know my biggest secret, tell me something about yourself, Antonio."

Crowley waited a few seconds before answering, also smiling, "There's this person, he's annoying at times, we're very different and don't often agree, but he's the only person I feel close to and have absolute trust in. We're a bit like two sides of the same coin, and it's only on the edge that we can meet."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Huh?"

"Antonio, mio amico, what are you doing here with me? 

Crowley didn't answer and Leonardo continued, "La vita senza amore, non è affatto vita. A life without love is no life at all. It doesn't matter what kind of love it is, maybe you don't know, but if it's the only person you feel close to, that's who you should be with."

"You see, Angel, you have no reason to be jealous, he even sent me to you. He probably saw the nature of my feelings for you long before I did." 

Still holding the angel's chin between his fingers, he leaned over him and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. Then, pulling back a little, he continued, "You know, even when we haven't seen each other in centuries, you've always been in my thoughts. Especially since Job, there has been this other someone who went with his side as far as he could. Like me. Alone together, but aware of each other, so not quite so alone."

Aziraphale smiled and, placing his hand on the demon's cheek, said softly, "I'm sorry for my irrational jealousy. 

Crowley shook his head and, leaning into the angel's hand, replied gently, "There is nothing to forgive. If anything, it's rather flattering. But more seriously, it shows us that there is so much we don't know about each other."

"You're right, and after hearing what you just told me about him, I'm glad you had a friend like that."

This time it was Aziraphale who leaned in to give Crowley a gentle kiss, and when he pulled away, he had a cheeky grin on his face as he said, "And thanks to that, I can boast that I'm the owner of the only bookshop to have an authentic Da Vinci hanging on one of its walls."

They both laughed, then the angel picked up his spoon and resumed enjoying his slice of apple pie while the demon took a long sip of coffee.

Their unoccupied hands sought each other across the table, intertwining their fingers. 

They looked at each other, smiling knowingly, aware that they had cleared another small hurdle.

Just talking and listening.

Learning together.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Ineffable Growing Love series : here (After season 2)

Ineffable Husbands masterlist : here (Before season 2)

[daisydoesfanfics]

|Confession|

Kaveh x fem!reader

Description: Kaveh, your best friend, has been crushing on you since your school days. Alhaitham had enough of him ranting about you so he pushes Kaveh to confess.

Genre: Fluff, romance, friend to lovers

Warning: None (pls let me know if there are any)

A/N: OKAY SO, it's been a while. My school year is almost ending and I finally have some motivation. (Definitely didn't have a wheel decide this for me...) Enjoy!!!

Does Kaveh like you? That's an understatement, he loves you. For how long? Longer than he could imagine. He first thought that you were just nice to him, nothing special. So he returned the favour, because that's what friends do, right? He then started falling for how sweet and beautiful you are. He brushed the thought off, thinking that it was just a silly crush. But he started getting jealous when other scholars flirted with you. He started thinking about you 24/7. He started day dreaming about you. Kaveh knew that he didn't just like you, you were his everything. You understood him so well, better than anyone else could.

Alhaitham groaned as he listened to Kaveh complain. "And he even winked at her!!" Kaveh practically yelled from across the table. Alhaitham rolled his eyes, not putting his book down. "Worst part is, she blushed! She blushed!! Do you know what that means?!" Kaveh was telling Alhaitham about the events earlier that morning. Long story short, a store owner was flirting with you. "Hey, are you even listening??" Kaveh asked in an annoyed tone. Alhaitham put his book down and looked at Kaveh seriously. "Kaveh, she was just flustered. Anyone can blush at that, even if they don't like the person." Alhaitham sighed. "Just confess to her already." Kaveh's eyes widened at Alhaitham's suggestion. "No! What if she rejects me?" "What if she doesn't?" Kaveh slumped in his chair. Fine, he'll confess.

As you were doing your paperwork, you received a message from Kaveh.

'Hey, can we have dinner later? I want to hang out with you!'

You smiled and picked up your phone and replied with a short: 'Sure! I'll see you there at 6 pm.'

A few hours went by and you decided to get dressed for your meet up with Kaveh. You picked a simple outfit (I'll leave this to your imagination.) Kaveh on the other hand was panicking. How was he going to confess? What will he do if you say if you didn't feel the same way? Alhaitham tried to calm him down and reassure him. (It didn't work.) Kaveh rushed to the restaurant 10 minutes before the agreed time. He waited a few minutes and when he heard your soft voice calling out to him, he couldn't help but feel giddy yet nervous at the same time.

"Kaveh!!" You said sweetly before sitting down across from him.

"Miya, wow... You look... Great." He smiled shyly. A thin tension is felt in the air as you both stayed silent for a while. He finally speaks up, clearing his throat. "So, let's order? I'll pay this time." He took two menus and gave one to you. "Am I dreaming or are you actually going to pay?" You laughed before opening the menu. "I'm kidding. Anyways... I'll have pasta. How about you?" Kaveh blushed a bit at your teasing before answering. "I'll have steak." The waiter soon comes and collects your orders.

The next few minutes were filled with you two laughing and catching up with each other. The nervousness and anxiety he had earlier was now gone as he was more comfortable. The food was given to you both and it was delicious. The restaurant light glowed a faint yellow, setting a calm and somewhat romantic mood. You two talked more about work, the past, and other useless stuff.

"Oh, it's getting late now." You glanced at your watch. "You're right. How about I walk you home?" Kaveh offered. You nodded and smiled. You both stood up and gathered your stuff. As you two were walking to your house, you notice him being a bit more silent than usual.

"Are you alright, Kaveh?" You stopped walking on the sidewalk. Kaveh sighed before turning to you. "I can only do this now, so I have to make it worth it. I love you, Y/N... I've loved you for so long now. Your hair, your smile, your kindness, your eyes, your lips... Everything about you is so intoxicating in the best way." Kaveh's confession caused you to slightly open your mouth in surprise. "Kaveh..." Before you could finish talking, he intreupted you. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way. I just had to tell you..." You grabbed his hands and held them in such a soft and secure way that it made him feel so safe. "I love you too. I just never told you because... I was scared... And I-" Kaveh intreupted you once more, but this time not with words but with a soft kiss.

There you both were, holding each other passionately and lovingly in the dim light of the street lamp. How perfect~

[faithfromanewperspective]

sugar coated brain (the fluid ain’t to blame): unraveling Conor Aurelian

I don’t know if this is me admitting to have read embarrassingly little in terms of Actual Books since I turned 18 but. Wow. I loved sword catcher, and for once I was there eating up the plot rather than only relating to the characters so much I was obsessively hoping for a happy ending for them. 

I’ve said before that sword catcher was good, so good it’s almost above fandom discourse (like a Beethoven symphony perhaps, you think twice before making arrangements of a masterpiece like that) but even the best symphonies deserve, actually they’re honoured by, critical analysis of the phrasing and melodies and that which are used. And this is a Cassandra Clare book after all. The beauty comes from beautifully (read: realistic, somehow more human than real humans idk I’m blown away every time) constructed characters, and then from the plot. Which was character-driven and so, so delicious, but we’re not talking those kind of spoilers this early in the game. 

While I’ll admit that Kel was the most relatable character, followed by Lin or maybe Ana, there were some things about Conor that just cut a little too close in ways I hadn’t thought about in years. Taking me back to some worldbuilding of my childhood, a ‘reluctant princess’ I came up with based on feeling trapped and overprotected and that fantasy world has long since been archived in my head and it’s entertaining to think this weird kid in western sydney who didn’t get to run quite as wild as some of the other kids (but still did get to run quite wild) felt like that when we were the furthest thing from royalty. I didn’t expect to be reminded of that in an adult fantasy book, but here we are, and I’m being entertained to see all the different takes on Conor: some driven to fascination, some to annoyance, and somehow in the 5 of us who’ve actually read sword catcher already everything in between. 

But let’s be real for a second: who hasn’t heard the ‘oh you can’t be depressed you have everything you need’ and been like. Really hurt by it?? Who hasn’t sat among know it all adults in their younger years who would just judge the hell out of other young people who supposedly ‘never got to hear no’ and now they have ‘no resilience’ and ‘no wonder they’re having problems’? Referring to people you actually relate to and thought, well this definitely isn’t a safe space to be vulnerable I’ll just suffer in silence? I’ve grown up enough now to see Lin’s trauma behind the way she says this about Conor but part of me is still a little mad at her. As for Conor?? He’s everything I’d expect from someone in his position and I actually don’t think the majority of it comes from ‘never hearing no’ and ‘getting everything he wants’ but rather the things that those try to make up for: a lack of real autonomy over his life, not being allowed to feel Normal Child Feelings, having no one he can relate to and see as an equal, a heavy burden of responsibility before he was ever old enough to understand it, and the many levels of fuckery that’s all done to his parents making them not just emotionally unavailable but frivolous, trying to maintain their own autonomy and connection doing silly little rich people hobbies that just make the divide between and resentment of them vs Every Other Person greater (constant stargazing or Decoration and Control). Sugar-coated brains: how could they not be when everything revolves around you but there’s so little you can actually do but pursue the pleasure you’re told you’re entitled to? 

I didn’t expect to be this mad at the royal family culture within SC but when I look back on it I’m not surprised. Not when the setting of the book is on the edge of a revolution, the unraveling of a society that feels so much like today and allows me to zoom out in a way that makes my little revolutionist heart happy. But oh, the angst and the bad decisions as the world teeters on that razorblade. The lives that are lost in the fray. I don’t know what’s happening in our world now but after Cast Long Shadows and an arc I know that she’s proud of (our dear Matthew Fairchild) I do trust Cassie. And in the meantime I’ll let her convince me of what I already know: the lives of nobility are simply pawns in a much bigger game no one (except maybe Ana) knows how to take the reins of, and the life of a pawn, no matter the luxuries, is a sorry life indeed. 

This little revolutionist brain of the 2000s had one thing right, and I feel vindicated to see it in such clarity here: the relationship between social class and genuine connection. From the stark contrast of the opening with Cas and Kel, even also Mari and Lin, against the disaster that is the royal family, it couldn’t be clearer to me: when you’re nobody, when there are no expectations of you, you can be who you really are. Maybe not in the eyes of the authorities, and that’s an important distinction to make, but there’s no need to pretend around your nearest and dearest and sometimes that’s worth so much more than hypothetical safety. Because yes you can get away with things when you’re rich but you’ve also got more people trying to assassinate you for who you are specifically rather than just running the risk of getting killed because you’re unlucky and too unimportant for anyone to think you’d be missed. When you’re royalty (or just have parents with really high expectations or are a gifted kid even) you’re given a mold to grow into and no one really asks if that’s who you really are: why would they, when their worldview depends on you being exactly who they want you to be? So if you’re not it you pretend and even with those, like your children, who are close enough to see behind the ruse, you never quite show them who you really are either. You can see how that would drive one insane. You showcase that the only way to exist is to mask until you snap, or lose the ability to be yourself at all. Which leads me to the second type of sugar coat. 

(And I’m quoting songs as my inspo behind this post as always, title quote is empty wallets by 5sos and I’m about to move onto sugar coat by little big town aka the band with an irl fairchild in it): this sugar coat is politeness and etiquette. There’s a quote somewhere in Kel’s narration I believe that I can’t find but basically views social etiquette and the like as you know. War strategy or something, which is another little segment of the reminder it’s cassie writing this and there’s a lot of accidental neurodivergence, or neurodivergence existing in a world so very different to ours, because that’s a very neurodivergent way of viewing it imo. And in this case, the sugar coat is like a constructed mask you spend your whole life trying to perfect, wear it as it’s handed down from your predecessors: in Conor’s case, lilibet (passed down from my mum, she wears it so well, put it on my shoulders said it’s colder out there than you think/would I recognise myself, would anybody else, if I took the damn thing off and burned it up?) who does make the frivolity and politics of being queen into her whole personality. She’s equally a pitiable and annoying character for that. 

But as for Conor? He’s a Cassandra Clare Created (TM) young man. Of course he can’t quite manage this kind of sugar coat business. The politeness, the etiquette, the little social dances: he longs for real connection (and now we’re back in empty wallets territory, get you high when I’m high, so we see eye to eye: to me this sums out how he makes connections with those who are nowhere near his equals but he wants to have some sort of equal footed connection with: Kel and *[redacted minor spoiler, see below cut]). He’s snapping from the pressure of it, and that’s exactly the kind of driving force for the narrative Cassie uses excellently. We see him coming undone, and hate it (or at least I do) but hope maybe, maybe it’s the path for liberation for him from the life that’s obviously making him (more) depressed (than he otherwise might be), and as the audience we don’t care if the kingdom burns down for this, as long as it doesn’t cause too much collateral damage. And we know it’s going to be a wild ride to get there. 

I don’t reckon this is obvious to everyone else but it is to me, with my experience of Christianity and life and just everything that if you’re a leader in any way, you’re a better leader for being liberated in yourself, having autonomy and appropriate boundaries and Conor has none of that and he’s coming undone and yes there’s a lot of other characters (who I will post about later) with their own arcs and A LOT going on (seriously it’s so deliciously complex and so much more so than tsc ever was with maybe the exception of tec which is kind of adult fantasy anyway). But oh. She really knows how to deliver, all through the first book and I can’t wait to see what the next one has to offer!! And to me the characterisation of Conor is just proof on how expertly the whole world of Castellane and it’s stories is being carried out. 

BIG GAP CAUSE CUT ISNT WORKING

*and Lin later on, kind of

tagging: @daisymylove and feel free to mention anyone who might like it in comments/reblogs!

[taschamonnii]

More Than A Woman - Part 3 (Finger Licking Good / Jolene) 

Read Part 1 & 2

Read part 4 & Part 5

You x Shirley Carter (70s-80s Southern Housewife Original Character  - Elizabeth Olsen) 

*Disclaimer/Summary: This completely Fictional Character is based on the way Lizzie plays old-fashioned Housewives. (Some inspo is taken from WandaVision, I Saw The Light, and Love & Death) This character is in no way a portrayal of any real-life people. Audrey Williams and Candy Montgomery were real people that Lizzie has portrayed for entertainment purposes in tv & film. This story is not about them. I just want to see Lizzie play a 70s-80s housewife that is secretly Gay and stuck in a religious small-town in the South. Since she has never done that but has played the part of perfect housewife I decided to make my own character.* I will be using edited pictures from the characters she has played and unaltered gifs since it's way too hard to edit those.*

Character Description since this is a made up character: mid length-wavy-dark brown hair (think more the length in I saw the Light like it falls to her collar bones but the deep dark brown from goth Wanda era, Emerald Green eyes, Wears form fitting dresses and high waisted pants and skirts.  

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Angst/Smut/Fluff

TW: SMUT, 18+, Cheating on husbands to be GAY together,

I am so obsessed with Lizzie playing housewife that I made a playlist! More Than A Woman

AN: This is Part Three to this Original Series

Word Count: 4,424

Imagine This:

Today Shirley made lunch and brought it over in an adorable red checkered picnic basket. You are excitedly waiting in your living room until she gives you permission to enter the kitchen. You have heard about her famous cooking skills from almost everyone in this town. 

You can hear cupboards opening and closing and are so tempted to try and sneak a peak but know better. She threatened you with no kisses if you didn’t stay put.

“Do you need help finding anything?”

“No, I’ve got it! I like the way Theo has organized the kitchen; it's similar to mine.”

You smile. “Oh good God! You can NEVER tell him that! He would gloat about it forever. It was such a huge ordeal organizing that damn kitchen.”

She laughed “Sounds like you two have a lot of fun.”

“Oh we are trouble honestly but we make it work.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

You heard  the sound of a drink being poured and the glass cups clinked against the table and your excitement peaked. She cleared her voice and took on a more playful tone that accentuated her southern accent.

“Honey, lunch is ready!”

“Coming darling!”

You shot off the couch and rushed toward the kitchenet. As you rounded the corner you stopped dead in your tracks at the sight in front of you. She had shown up to your house in tight high waisted blue jeans and a red checkered shirt that matched her picnic basket. However as she stands next to the table she sports a dangerously low cut tiny little black nightgown that only goes to her mid thigh and a black see through shawl that goes to the floor.   

“Wow, you look delicious.” 

She smirks and your eyes widen as you realize you said that outloud. You stutter a bit, “I me-meant lunch looks…No I was right YOU look DELICIOUS.” 

She plays with the shawl and moves toward what has become her chair. “Well, I’m finger licking good. I am.”

Your eyes widen in shock “Oh I KNOW you ARE!”

She shakes her head and sits down. “I think today you should get more than just a taste.”

You move to your chair sitting before your legs give out on you. “Shirley Carter, you are killing me!”

“Oh, I sure hope not. I kind of need you alive. Now come on, eat.”

“Yes ma’am!”

You moan at the taste of the wonderful meal she has made just for you. You would have exaggerated your reaction to the food regardless but it’s really that good. 

“This is the best lunch I’ve ever had, Shirley! Truly this is a fantastic lunch. Thank you.” 

Her smile brightens as she finishes the food in her mouth. “I’m glad you like it. I enjoy cooking.”

You nod “I can tell. You’d have to enjoy cooking to get this good at it.”

She laughs softly. “Next time I am teaching you how to cook something.”

“Oh really? You sure you’re ready to take on that kind of risk?”

“I can handle you.”

Her smirk is evil and so damn sexy.

“If you are gonna talk like that we are not going to be able to enjoy the rest of this food.”

“Is that so?”

“You are killing me!”

“I already told you. I need you alive.”

“Yet here you are continuing to try and murder me.”

She bites her bottom lip and smirks. “It’s not my fault you are so fun to mess with.”

You can’t contain your laughter and it makes her laugh with you. Light conversation and playful teasing continue as you both finish the delicious lunch and clean up. You cherish the compatibility the two of you have as you clean up. You can't stop glancing at her as you dry the dishes and put her dishes back in the basket. She catches your stare and you can feel your cheeks flush.

"Why the look?"

"You are just so beautiful. I just really like being around you." 

She tilted her head to the side as she dried her hands. "Y/N."

You moved toward her and she turned her back to the island counter and leaned against it with a soft smile. You placed your hands on her hips softly. She moved her arms to rest on your shoulders. 

"Do you understand how gorgeous you are?"

She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head no. "Hmm-mmm."

You pick her up and set her on the island counter. Her legs squeeze around you. You lean in and kiss her neck. "You are breathtakingly gorgeous."

You move your lips down to her collar bones kissing lightly. "You captivate me with everything you do."

Your lips travel down to her exposed cleavage kissing a bit more firmly. "I can't help but stare when you are around. You are the only thing I want to see." 

You suck her skin leaving the lightest bruise and she moans as she runs her hands in your hair. She leans into your kisses arching her back ever so slightly into you. She is soft in your hands. Her long legs have pinned you close to her by wrapping around you tightly. 

You nip a bit too hard and she throws her head back "AH!"

She pulls you away from her chest by your hair and her gaze is intense. Her pupils are wide leaving thin rings of green. "Fuck Y/N! Take me to bed right now."

You grab her hips and slide her to the edge of the counter and her legs squeeze around you tighter as you pick her up and hold her ass to keep her in your arms. She squeezes your shoulders and tucks her head in the crook of your neck. Her lips press against your skin softly at first. You manage to get to the hallway of your bedroom before your knees start to feel weak from her kisses. You press her up against a wall and take a deep breath. "Fuck, Shirley!" 

Her mouth opens against your neck and she sucks and bites at your skin leaving marks. You grab at her ass tighter and rush toward your room. You push her up against the door roughly and she breaks from your neck to capture your lips. The kiss is passionate and hot. Her tongue dominates yours as she pulls at your hair. You manage to get the door open and rush to your bed. You go to set her down and fall on top of her when her legs keep a tight hold around your waist. She breaks the kiss and stares into your eyes. "I want your tongue inside me."

You smirk down at her. "Mmm you're going to have to let me go then."  

Her legs release the death grip they had on you and you stand up and quickly remove all your clothes. She sits up and quickly removes her black nightgown, tossing it to the side. She lays back as you crawl into the bed between her long legs. 

You kiss up the insides of her toned legs and she sighs. "Slow go slow." 

"Tap me twice if you need me to stop or say red. Yellow and I will slow down. Green and I will keep going. Okay?" 

She nodded "yellow I've never."

"Shh it's okay I got you."

You continue to kiss up her legs and get to her inner thighs then stop and lift yourself up to kiss her lips. Her hands tangle into your hair. You move your kisses down her neck and chest. You hold one breast in your hand and kiss the other. You pinch her nipple between your fingers and suck and bite softly on the other. She arches into you "ah ah Y/N!" 

You bite and suck and flick your tongue over her stiff nipple and pinch the other then swap and repeat. You moan against her because she is so soft and warm and you can't wait much longer. You want to taste her so bad!

You move your kisses down her abdomen and try to control the urge to bite her and leave your mark all over her. You leave light marks and kiss lower and lower slowly. You hover over her center and look up at her to catch her staring intensely. "Green?"

She nods her head yes but you don't move until she gets the hint "G-green."

You slowly lean down and kiss her clit softly. "AH!" 

"Mmm."

You open your mouth and run your tongue through her slick folds. She tastes so fucking good that you can't contain your moans. You run your tongue up and down slowly. She squirms and moans and you have to hold her hips down with one hand to keep her in place. One of her legs is spread out to the side a bit and the other has come to rest on your back. You open your mouth more and surround her clit, sucking it lightly. 

"Fuck oh ah ah ah! Fuck Y/N!" 

You can tell it is not going to take much by how much her legs are trembling. You moan into her, sending vibrations directly to her clit. You suck harder and flick your tongue in a pattern that has her legs flexing. Her heel digs into your back and you hope she leaves a bruise. She arches her back and cums but you don't stop. You move your tongue to her entrance that is pulsing and contracting around nothing and press your tongue in to get as much of her as you can. Her breathing is hot and heavy. 

You want more so you move and press two fingers into her. You move your lips back to her clit and suck hard then soft in a pattern pulse that matches your fingers thrusting in and out of her. You curl your fingers every time you flick your tongue over her clit. She moans and squirms her legs squeezing around you. You feel her walls tighten around your fingers and keep moving as best as you can as she tightens completely before you feel her release. The second she releases your fingers you replace them with your tongue and feel your own walls contract around nothing as she squeezes you and you get her sweetness directly from the source. She cums hard and with a scream. 

"AAAAHHH! OHFUCKGOD AH AH FUCK!" 

You can feel the mess she's made but are too focused on getting every bit that you can to care. Her legs fall limp on either side of you and she breathes heavily. "Fuck Y/N! Sensitive Ah!" 

You feel her pull your hair and lick her softer until she forces you up. As air hits your face you can feel how wet your chin is and lick your lips. She looks at you with a devilish grin and pulls you up to kiss you. She licks your lips and kisses your chin softly sucking her sweetness from your skin "mmm."

You collapse on top of her and breathe her in as her long fingers run over your back. After a while you are not sure how long, she squeezes you to get your attention. 

“I want to make you feel that good. I mean that was the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had.”

“Do you mean you want to try that specifically because I already came when you came around my tongue.”

“You came without me touching you?”

“Oh yeah, feeling and tasting you brings me so much pleasure.”

She bites her bottom lip and you can see it in her eye right before she flips you over. As she settles on top of you she kisses your lips and then starts a trail of kisses down your chest and torso. She lays down between your legs and just the sight of her there looking up at you with so much hunger has you on edge. You take a deep breath trying to steady yourself but it’s no use. She kisses your inner thigh and you know you are going to die like this.

She sucks on your inner thigh and bites at your sensitive skin. “Oh fuck!”

She does the same to the other thigh and you know she has left her marks claiming you as hers. Ever since you told her about your marriage she has been leaving her mark all over you and you never want her to stop. Except right now it feels a bit like torture to have her lips so close and yet so far from where you need her. She slowly hovers over your core and glaces up at you. She keeps eye contact as she slowly leans down and plants a soft kiss to your hot wet clit. 

She explores slowly and it's building you up. Her lips and hot breath have you melting. You feel her tongue softly press against you and it's almost too much. She keeps glancing up as she tries different things. Small and wide circles. Flicks. Long licks. She reads your every reaction. Every breathy moan. 

She moves back to your clit and sucks on it then releases it and soothes it with her tongue. You can't keep your head up any longer to watch. You throw your head back and your back arches. 

She continues the pattern loving the effect she has on you. Your muscles begin to strain and tighten. Far too quickly you feel your legs tremble and have to fight not to squeeze around her head as your body shudders and the tight coil in your lower abdomen releases. 

“Fuck Oh FUCK!”

She sits between your legs in awe as you catch your breath. “You know, you are pretty finger licking good yourself, Y/N.”

You can’t control your laughter and it makes her laugh with you. 

She gets up and turns on the little radio you have on your vanity and then she moves to snuggle against your side. You wrap and arm around her holding her tight and close and she runs her fingers softly over your chest.

Time slows and you are not sure how long you lay there but you could spend the rest of your days like this. Just listening to the radio softly as you cuddle her in your bed naked and blissfully spent. 

The song Jolene by Dolly Parton plays over the radio and you can’t stop the grin that takes over your face.

You sit up and straddle Shirley's hips as you begin to sing the lyrics to her with a playful tone. 

“Your beauty is beyond compare with flaming locks of auburn hair, with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green, your smile is like a breath of spring, your voice is soft like summer rain and I cannot compete with you, Shirley.”

She laughs and you lean down to kiss her. You part but stay leaning over her. “It could literally be about you! Well minus the hair.”

You run your hands through her dark brown hair and smile. “Needs to be a bit more on the red side but I like this color.”

Her smile is adorable and you hope your mind is memorizing every detail of just how pretty she is when she's happy. 

“I dyed my hair red once, for a bit, it was really long then too.”

“Oh I must see pictures of that! Please say you have pictures of that!”

“I may have some pictures but you have to promise not to make fun. I was going through a bit of a hippie phase.”

“We’ve all been through that phase.”

“Miss Dolly is right, well sort of, you could easily take anyone’s man or woman but Dolly should have written it like she was in love with Jolene.” 

She tilts her head to the side as she looks up at you and you can see it in her softened gaze that she feels it too. You lean down and kiss her softly because looking at her loving gaze is too much right now. 

“We should shower. I have to pick up the girls and now I need to find pictures in my scrapbook for you.”

You nod and get up. You offer her your hand and she takes it. You pull her up and squeeze her in your arms before leading her into the bathroom. The silly atmosphere you shared last time plays in your mind and makes you smile like an idiot at her. Luckily she gives you the same cheesy smile in return. 

You grab the soap. “Can I wash your back?”

She nods and turns away from you. You want to memorize all the random freckles. You lather the soap and softly wash her back with sudsy hands. Her shoulders visibly relax and a soft sigh leaves her lips as she leans into your touch. You rub the soap over her shoulders but massage her muscles as you do it. Your hands travel lower and she sighs as you continue to massage her sore body. Her lower back feels tight and you apply a little more pressure making her breath out hot and shaky. You continue your efforts to her fine ass. “Mmm, Y/N.”

She turns around and bites her bottom lip as she looks at you “No funny business we haven’t got the time.”

You give her your best innocent smile “I was simply washing your back.”

She shakes her head but her smile gives her away. “Mmm-Hmm.”

You get more soap in your hands and run them over her shoulders and down her chest to her breasts. You squeeze them playfully with a smirk and continue down to her hips. You watch the soap and water drip down her body and can’t help but be jealous of the drops. Your thoughts are broken as she steps closer to you and lifts one of her long legs up to rest on the edge behind you. You massage soap down her leg and she sighs, closing her eyes for just a moment to enjoy the warm water and the touch of your hands. You do the same with her other leg and soak in the image of her as best as you can because something about water dripping down her skin is everything and your mind wants to keep this memory forever. She rinses off and you just watch in awe as her muscles flex. When she is all clean she moves from under the water and takes the soap from you which finally brings you back to reality. 

She gestures with her index finger to turn around and you do as you are told. You relax as you feel ehr rub the soap over your shoulders and down your back. She massages you like you massaged her and playfully smacks your ass. You turn to look at her with a cheeky smile “Mrs. Carter!”

She looks around. “Who me? I didn’t do anything.”

“Oh sure!”

She puckers her lips trying to contain her smile and it makes your soul happy. She can be so serious sometimes but her silly side is everything. She continues washing your front and decides to continue her shenanigans as she giggles your breasts in her hands. 

“Are you having fun?”

“Oh I’m having the time of my life.” 

You grab her wrists and pull her closer kissing her silly crooked smile with your own smile playing at your lips. “You are lucky you are so cute!”

“Oh yeah?” She tilts her head “Does that mean I can get away with anything?”

“Like you didn’t already know that.”

“Mmm I mean I do but I like hearing it.”

“Oh of course you do. You just love to torture and tease me!”

“I would never!”

You shake your head at her sarcasm and splash water at her. She looks at you shocked and then splashes you with water and you both break out into laughter. 

>>>>

As you walk her to the front door you play with the picnic basket in your hands. You don’t want to say goodbye. You know the second she is out of your sights reality will come crashing down on you. Hell reality already is crashing down on you. 

She takes the basket from you. “It’s been a pleasure.”

“Yeah.”

She sets the basket down on the side table you have by your front door and takes a step into your personal space. “Hey whats-” 

“-Nothing.”

“Well, obviously it’s not nothing.” 

She runs her thumb over your jawline and sighs. “What is it?”

“I-just.” You shake your head no and grab her hand removing it from your face. “I miss you already. You get to go back to your little family and I’m just left in an empty house.”

“I see.”

She sucks on her bottom lip for a second contemplating. “Why don’t you come over in 15 minutes? We can’t be like this, but I could show you my scrapbook and the girls like you. Maybe you could get them to do their homework.”

Your face brightens. “Are you sure? You were so worried about all this before.”

“Well, I've been thinking. We can be friends and you were right now one even noticed at tennis practice that you kept staring." 

"I was being discreet!"

"Honey, you are so obvious. Luckily for us the small town minds are clueless."

She pecked your lips. "See you in, 15! Bring your own scrapbooks."

She grabbed her basket and turned to the door leaving with a pep in her step. 

>>>>

When you pull up to her house the girls are outside racing back and forth from tree to tree. When they see you they automatically race to you. 

"Y/N!" "Y/N!"

They yelled in unison as they ran to hug you. The embrace made you smile and little did you know but Shirley was melting watching the encounter from the window. 

"Race you to the door!" 

You took off in a mad dash. "Losers have to do their homework!"

"No fair!" ~ "Cheater!"

You make it to the door in time to turn around and stick your tongue out at them. "Sorry girls I'm just lightning fast." 

They ran into your arms together and in unison whined "You cheated!" 

"I would never!"

You usher them inside to find Shirley coming down the stairs with a silly smile plastered across her beautiful face. 

"Hi, Shirley! Found these two trouble makers outside they don't belong do you do they?"

"Hmm nope my girls are little angels. Couldn't be mine." 

In unison. "MOM!" 

You broke first laughing and they all joined in. "These two angels lost the race and are now going to go do some homework."

"Oh is that right?"

"Y/N cheated!" Marissa said. 

"Yeah it was so not fair!" Madison added.

"I saw from the window it seemed pretty fair to me. Now scoot." 

She shooed them with her hand and they ran off down the hall. 

"Would you like some tea? Or a cookie, baked them yesterday." 

"You had cookies and didn't bring any earlier! Yes I want a cookie!" 

You follow her into the kitchen. Glancing around at all her decorative little things. You run into her as she stops abruptly. You step back quickly "sorry sorry."

You clutch at your bag and she turns with a soft smile on her lips. "It's okay."

She looked over your shoulder down the hall and pulled you to the corner of the kitchen. She leans in and pecks your lips and whispers "relax." 

You nod and she pecks your lips quickly once more then lets you go. "Did you bring your scrapbook in this handy bag?"

She pulls on the strap across your front. "Sure did!"

"I can't wait to see yours."

She moved to the cupboard and grabbed two glasses. She fills them with iced tea and hands you one. 

She turns to her kitchen island and grabs a bright orange Tupperware container. You follow her to the table that has some cute books set out on it. She sets the container down, takes a sip of her tea and sets it on a flower coaster.

You follow her lead and set your drink on another flower coaster. "Your decorations are cute, Shirley." 

"Why thank you." 

You pull your scrapbook out and set it infront of you as you take a seat. She smiles and sits next to you. She pulls a pink and orange book over and opens it. There in a pretty pink paper with hearts is a collage of pictures. Shirley has long red hair. She is dressed in oranges and reds and is just glowing. She looks so happy. She's pregnant in a few of the pictures with the girls and it says M&M born 1970 right in the center. Part of you wishes you had been here 8 years ago to see her in person but the other part of you is happy you didn't have to live through seeing her happily start her family. 

"Wow you were not kidding about your hair."

"I've tried a variety of things."

She flipped through pages and books to show you as she spoke. "I did a sandy brown, really short for a while then went blonde for a bit. I tried a perm but I hated that."

You gawk at the pictures, she is so beautiful in all of them it doesn't matter what she's doing or wearing, what color or style her hair is, she looks stunning in every single one. "Wow you can pull off any look."

"Oh please let me see yours." 

She takes your book and opens it smiling at your wedding pictures. You and your husband look adorable and very cute but in an innocent sort of childhood friends kind of way. Which now that Shirley knows makes her sort to hold back her laughs. "Wow you two look-" 

"Ridiculous. I know."

"I was going to say cute. Thank you very much!"

"Oh sure." 

"I was! You two look like you're playing dress up as kids but definitely cute."

"That's what it felt like honestly." 

She nodded. You flipped through pages and pages sharing stories and laughs. You smile and compliment her on how perfect her girls are seeing their baby pictures and growing into the cuties they are now. They look just like her. 

It truly isn't fair that you can't have this life with her. You'd give anything to just be John. 

AN: I just really want to wake up as Robbie Arnett. 

Shirley's Scrapbook 😍🥰

[cherri-limeade]

Go Look Another Way

Hozier/Fem!Reader with fluff and smutty elements + some angst also hozier is a werewolf but reader doesn't know hehehe. No y/n It's too much work and it's in 1st person. It's divided into 4 chapters but I wrote it all at once. Enjoy! :P

Chapter 1

Getting ready for a date with Andrew this late in the day was odd. Sure, its only 5 o’clock but he never liked going out at night. I guess my idea of stargazing tonight was too good to pass up. We missed the full moon a few weeks ago but tonight is a new moon, meaning the stars will be extra bright and beautiful. I try to pick out a cute outfit even though I know it’ll be too dark to even see, but it’s the thought that counts.

Shortly after finishing my makeup and packing my purse, I hear a light knock at the door and I answer it to see my boyfriend, Andrew, so tall he’s almost the height of the door.

“Evening, love.” He plants a kiss on my cheek as I welcome him in. He reveals from behind his back a small sprig of forget-me-nots. “Saw these down the road thought they were nice so I brought you some.” he smiled with his announcement o his gift.

“Oh my gosh, Andy! Thank you, these are beautiful.” You’d think for how big his hands are he might’ve crushed the stem even the slightest bit, but they barely even look picked. As if the flowers jumped themselves into his hand, excited to just be held by him. “Give me one second, I’m gonna put these in a book and press them.” I gave his hand a squeeze and ran down the hall to my guest room/study to put the flowers under the heaviest book I have. “Alright, are you ready?”  I said as I came back out of the room and took his arm in mine as we walked out the door.

“Alright,” Andrew sat in the drivers seat and turned toward me, “I was thinking we’ll stop by the store for food and wine, then set out our blanket at the creek?” He asked me to make sure I was good with his plan.

“Sounds perfect.” Anything he says sounds perfect. “Should I go grab a basket for our food?”

“No need.” He smiled and pointed to the backseat where an old picnic basket sat, a beautiful wicker basket with brown leather straps engraved with a delicate floral design.

“Wow, where did you find this?” I almost yelled. He just chuckled.

“It’s my mom’s, I found it the other day in the attic and figured I’d finally take you up on that stargazing idea.”

—

At the store, I picked out some crackers, honey goat gouda, and italian dry salame. Andrew’s picks were a delicious lavender wine and some grapes for the cheese. It was blue hour by the time we got to the creekside spot. Far enough away from the town that light pollution wouldn’t interfere too bad with the stars. Venus soon showed up, burning brighter than normal. She was followed by Jupiter, then Mars, then Saturn, and very soon the sky was littered with stars.

It was nearly pitch black outside, but looking over, I could see the shine of my lovers' eyes. I turned on my side, gazing at Andrew’s side profile. He must’ve sensed my staring, because he looked over at me, green eyes boring holes in my heart.

“Can I kiss you?” I asked, sheepishly. We’ve been dating for a few months, but I still like to ask every time. Makes everything feel new.

“I wouldn’t want anything else, love.” He wraps his arm around my back, his hand cradling the back of my neck as our lips touch. He kisses so sweetly, and softly, and with so much passion that makes every kiss feel like our first. I bring my hands up to cradle each side of his cheeks, feeling the soft stubble move under my touch with every kiss he deepens.

—

Chapter 2

The rain outside the window provided such nice ambience. I sat in my living room with Andrew. I’m sitting on a green loveseat, packed in with pillows and blankets, and Andrew in a chair by the light of the window. We both sat with comfortable silence, broken up by the occasional hum of Andrew, who was writing. I hear him shift in his seat and look up at me.

“Yes?” I half look up, finding a spot in my book to stop. He gives me a comforting smile, though I suspect more for him than for me.

“Ah, nothing. I’m just stuck.” He reassures. “Just looking at you for inspiration.” I sense somethings off but I just let out a soft chuckle.

“Do you want some tea?” I get up from my oh so comfortable spot. “I’ve got a new blend from that local tea shop, very relaxing.”

“No, I think I’m fine.” He checks his watch and looks out the window. “I should get going soon, hate to drive in the dark.” I frown at his declaration. I walk towards him and put my hands on his shoulders, pressing against his chest. We both let out a comforted sigh.

“You sure you don’t want to stay over? It’s no trouble.” I look up at him, now wrapping my arms around his neck (to the best of my ability.) His hands wrap around my waist and he sways back and forth.

“I wish I could, darling.” His hand takes mine and he presses a kiss to it. “I’ve got to meet up with Alex early tomorrow at my place.” He just seems… off somehow.

“Yeah I know, every month.” I sigh and walk to the couch to fold the blanket I was using. Andrew comes up behind me and settles his chin in the crook of my neck. “Wait, I’ve got an idea,” I turn around and take his hands. “Why don’t I come with you? I’ll just sleep through your time with Alex if its so early.” He looked taken aback by my sudden enthusiasm.

“Ehm,” He looked away, “maybe not tonight, love.” He seemed nervous at the thought, I’ve spent the night before, so why would he be nervous right now?

“Oh uh, alright.” I said with a hint of disappointment. He seemed saddened but somehow relieved. “Here,” I broke the short silence, “let me make you some tea for the road.” He gladly accepted and sat down at the kitchen counter.

—

Chapter 3

“Hey, love!” Andrew answered my phone call with a welcome surprise.

“Hello, darling. So random question that has nothing to do with anything at all,” I led to my question, “what are you doing tonight?” I could hear him chuckle a little bit at the silly nature of how I asked.

“Well, it’s the month so probably going to bed early to meet up with Alex in the morning.” He explained.

“Well thats a shame, because tonight, my love,” I sang, “is Friday the 13th!” I suspect he might’ve had to hold the phone away from his ear with the excitement of how I announced the date.

“I suppose it is.” Andrew laughed.

“So, I was thinking a movie night tonight? We could still go to bed early if you need but I could come over and we can watch a scary movie!” There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

“Ehm, sure.” He sounded hesitant. “Eh, just one condition, you leave before dark? I hate the idea of you driving in the dark, especially on this date.” He explained. “You don’t know the weirdo’s out there, you know?” He seemed to over explain but I had no complaints, it’s a movie night tonight!

“Alright! But if you have a condition I have one too.” I bargained. “I pick the movie.” He laughed softly.

“Alright, love. See you tonight.” And the phone call ended

—

I arrive at Andrews’ place at around 4 pm. Before I can even knock, Andrews’ door swings open to reveal him wearing shitty vampire fangs and making spooky sounds. I look at him for a moment, trying to keep a face of judgement, but ultimately failing and laughing at his stupid joke. We both laugh and he welcomes me in with a kiss.

“Okay! Before I put the movie in, I need you to guess.” I hide the dvd behind my back so he cant sneak a peek.

“Hmm, do I get a hint?” He asks for me to narrow it down.

“Your hint is 80s’ horror.” His eyes light up with excitement and he smiled wide.

“Ehm… Lost Boys!” I shake my head no. “Evil Dead? The Thing. Christine! The Shining?” I just kept shaking my head. “Jesus, woman, what is it?” He asked defeatedly.

“Get prepared. For!” I dramatically announced the movie. “An American Werewolf In London!” He seemed upset he couldn’t guess it.

“Not my favorite movie ever, but I suppose I’ll give it another chance.” He smiled nervously and leaned back on the couch. I put the DVD in the player and started the movie, cuddling into Andrew.

During the movie, he kept his arms around me but couldn’t stop fidgeting with his hands like he does when he’s nervous. I looked up at him with concern but he didnt seem to notice, he was staring at the window.

“Are you alright?” I asked and paused the movie. He seemed to snap back and looked at me with confusion.

“Eh, yeah- yeah. I’m alright.” His words, usually said with purpose, trailed off. “It’s almost sunset.” He said, but not to me. He looked back at the window. I readjusted to face him, taking his arm off of my shoulder. He didn’t notice. He just kept fidgeting and staring out the window.

“Hey, Andrew.” I lightly cupped his cheek to try to get his attention. “Do you need me to leave?” I tried looking in his eyes but he just kept staring out the window.

“Why would you leave?” His words were soft, barely audible. Was he drunk? Even drunk I’d never seen him like this.

“You told me to leave before dark, remember?” I kept trying to look at his eyes. He snapped back.

“Dark! Yes.” How sudden he came back startled me. “Yes, you need to leave. I’m sorry we couldn’t finish the movie.” Why was he hurrying? Was he scared?

“Andy! Andrew, what’s going on are you ok?” I attempted to ask but he was almost forcing me out of the door.

“I’m sorry you just really need to go, I need you to be safe.” He was looking around erratically. “It’s a dangerous day.”

“Andrew!” I near shouted at him, and he stilled. My hands grabbed his face. “I’m worried for you, do I need to call someone? The ambulance? Just- slow down. Tell me what’s going on.” His breathing was heavy, his arms hanging by his side. His eyes were locked on to mine, he looked scared, sorry, tired. His eyes became droopy and his whole body fell, nearly crushing me with his weight. I tried to lay him down on the floor and put a pillow under his head. His phone on the side table started ringing, it was Alex.

“Alex! Thank God come over here right now! Andrew’s fainted and I don’t know what’s going on!” I tried to slow down but tears were filling my eyes.

“What? You’re still there? I told him having you over tonight was a bad idea.”

“Alex what do you mean?”

“Don’t worry about it, just go home. I’m on my way now.” I heard him mumble under his breath “he was supposed to tell me when she left 20 minutes ago.”

“Alex? I’m not leaving my boyfriend like this-” dial tone. “Alex? Godamnit he hung up” I heard Andrew groan from the floor and rushed to him. 

“Andrew? Hey it’s ok I’m here.” i pet his hair and pressed my forehead to his. “I’m here, it’s ok.” His breathing was heavy and hot on my neck, his whole body sweating. He made little groans with each exhale, almost growling.

“You’re, so, nice.” His voice was lower than I’ve ever heard. He hummed in that low growl as I played with his hair. He sat up, and I sat back on my knees, giving him space. He looked at me with what I could only describe as hungry eyes, but beyond that was- fear? “Hm- You, need- ugh- to, leave.” His voice sounded two-toned, monstrous. His head hung low but he held it up just enough to look up at me through his messed hair.

“I’m not leaving you, Andrew. I love you too much to let you suffer alone.” His growls were sometimes replaced by a whimper, what seemed like an attempt to fight whatever was going on.

“Please- ugh- please just, ha- go. You’re, m-making, it- ugh- worse.” I could barely understand him.

“What’s getting worse, Andrew?” In what felt like a second he was pressing me against the couch, still sitting on the floor. He buried his head in my neck. I didn’t know what to do, run? Push him off? Comfort him? I just stayed there, paralyzed. He moved his head slightly, lipping at my neck. “...Andrew?” He just hummed- or- growled- in response.

“Say it again.” He said softly, speaking into my neck.

“What? Andrew-” He groaned.

“Yeah.” He breathed. “Again.” I hesitated.

“A-Andrew.” His breathing got heavier. His lips roughly kissed my jaw, neck, collarbone. He was rarely this rough, it was- nice.

“Do I have to repeat myself?” He spoke into my jaw. He was kissing harder now, almost biting. I repeated his name and every time it was followed by a groan. “I need you, love.” As his mouth moved on my skin I felt something sharp digging into me where his mouth had been. There it is again. And again. He’s… biting me. And biting harder. His teeth feel like they’re sinking into my skin.

“Andrew, ow, stop biting so hard!” I pushed him away by the chest. He was still looking at me with those eyes. Hungry but scared.

“I-m, sor-ry.” His speech was broken.

“Sorry for wh-” I could’ve sworn his canines were bigger. “Andrew?” He buried his face in his hands. His hands. Did he have- claws? Finally, Alex burst through the door.

“Why are you still here?!” He shouted at me.

“No- m-my, fault.” Andrew was still struggling to speak. He was on all fours now, sitting back on his knees but hunched over. His back looked like it was rippling.

“Goddamnit, Andrew! It’s fine- It’s fine.” Alex was stopping himself from yelling at his friend. “Alright, You’re gonna have to help me now, he’s too far along for me to do this myself.”

“Alex, what do you mean far along?” I still sat where Andrew had pinned me.

“I’ll explain after you help me! If you care about Andrew at all you’ll help me with this, alright?” I nodded and stood up. Alex ordered me to help him carry Andrew down into his basement. He never let me go in there because he said it was too messy and disorganised. It was most definetly not. The whole basement was completely empty save for chains mounted into the stone wall. Andrew’s growling became louder, more grotesque. As we carried him towards the chains I could hear and feel his body popping and contorting.

“Love, lo-ve.” Andrew was calling me. I could tell he was in pain with his broken growls and whimpers. “Plea-se, love.”

“It’s ok Andy,” Alex responded before I could, “it’ll be over soon. Just like every month.”

“Every month?” I put the pieces together. “Every, damn, month.” I chained Andrews wrist how Alex showed me and I stepped back. I could see Andrews face now, his face had become dark gray, furry. His eyes were no longer green but a piercing yellow and his teeth. Good God his teeth. His canines were even bigger now, and it looked as if the bottom part of his skull pushed forward.

“Alex? Whats happening to him?” Alex looked with sadness as i watched Andrew struggle against the chains, gnashing his teeth.

“God this is gonna sound insane.” Alex sighed. “It runs in his family.”

“This?” I pointed to my disfigured lover. “What do you mean?”

“Look I don’t fully know how it started, okay? He started doing this in high school. He said he was out walking to a bus stop after a gig and some fucked up wolf bit him and ever since then, he transforms every full moon.” Alex explained to me.

“So my boyfriend is a werewolf is basically what you’re telling me?” I know it was right infront of me, Andrew, my love, transforming into this beast but I couldn’t help but get angry at Alex’s explanation.

“Let’s just go upstairs, get some rest, he’ll be back in the morning.” Alex ushered me upstairs as tears welled in my eyes. It was already 8pm but I was so exhausted and I needed to sleep. I layed on the couch and Alex brought me a blanket.

“Thank you for taking care of him. I can't imagine this ever gets easier.” I spoke to him but didn’t look Alex in the eye.

“Not particularly, but you learn how to cope. And I know it’s whats best for him. The real challenge is when we’re on tour.” He half-jokes. I just sniffle in response. “Do you want me to stay out here with you?” I nodded. I don’t know what I need right now but it’s definitely not being alone. Alex sets himself up a bed on the floor and keeps the lamp on, per my request.

—

Chapter 4

I woke up to the sun in my eyes and the smell of coffee. Still feeling like shit, I put the blanket over my head and bring my knees to my chest. I hear a mug get placed down on the side table by my head and the couch sink in by my feet. A familiar hand touches my shoulder lightly but retreats when I stir. I sit up and lean against the arm of the couch, putting distance between me and Andrew.

“I-” He starts. “You weren’t supposed to find out like that.” He didn’t look me in the eyes.

“Was I supposed to find out?” He knew it was coming. “How long were you gonna wait? Until we moved in together? Until our honey moon?” He just sighed.

“I didn’t know how to tell you.” I could hear the shake in his voice. “It’s not like I could just say ‘hey by the way, every full moon i turn into a monster and could kill you.’” I have to admit he makes a fair point, but so do I. I didn’t respond. “If you want to leave, you can. You’ll be safer that way anyway.” He sighed. He still hasn’t looked at me.

“Look at me.” He hesitated, but met my eyes. I could see the same fear I saw just behind his eyes last night. “You don’t want me to leave, do you?”

“Of course not. I love you, but, if you dont love me anymore, I understand.” I put my hand to his cheek, the same one hold so often.

“I still love you, Andrew. Last night I saw you become a literal monster, but for some reason, I can’t stop loving you. If you need me, I will stay.” He kissed me with a sadness and passion I’ve never felt from him before. His hand came up to hold the bottom of my jaw and I winced, I hadn’t noticed until now how hard he actually bit me last night. Not hard enough to draw blood but still enough to smart when it’s touched. He stopped and looked at the marks on the right side of my neck and shoulder. 

“I’m sorry,” The fear was back, “I lost control last night.” He sort of chuckled. “I guess you being here didn’t help. I’ve never felt that uh… strongly, in that state.” I grabbed his chin and made him look at me.

“I think I’ll be fine. Plus,” I leaned into his ear to whisper, “It felt good.”

[cartoonfanaticmonsterrobotalien]

Solar Opposites: Mighty Solars The Movie Ch. 11

The next day, Miss Frankie is heading towards the metal detectors so she can take out anything magnetic. Then suddenly…

Miss Frankie: Wh-what’s happening to me?!

Miss Frankie suddenly gets metal claws

Police Officer: Holy shit!

Miss Frankie accidentally stabbed the guard as she screams in horror. Next, Principal Cooke was about to head into the lounge to get coffee until suddenly he blazed there.

Principal Cooke: Woah.

Then, Ms. Perez starts writing on her board until the power goes and she starts glowing, much to her shock. Mia was getting coffee until she can through the wall with her eyes.

Mia: What the fuck?

Later, Kevin was gettiing mail, until he digitals in the house, much to his shock as he faints. Then, Randall is staring at a Blackhole, that he actually created.

Randall: Wow...

Then, Darcy is putting their own mug until she creates a Star blast as she gasp. Then, Jamie was reading a book, until suddenly he is on fire.

Jamie: FUUUUUUUUCK! I’M ON FIRE!

Darcy: gasps Jamie!

Jamie heads outside and drop and roll, only to realize he is unharmed. Finally, Sherbet is at a Junior job at a sweets parlor, until suddenly her hands starts fizzing grape soda.

Sherbet: Huh? suddenly summons scotch mints Oh fuck! Everyone take cover!

Sherbet then accidentally combine the scotch mints as it makes a huge delicious explosion. Everyone is splattered in a mess. Sherbet looks at everyone in a nervous regret and runs off in a fast pace. Later, the humans starts panicking once they meet up with each other.

Jamie: What is going on?!

Miss Frankie: I don’t know! I got Wolverine claws but it wasn’t Yumyulack and Jesse this time and Perez can glow, Cooke can blaze and Mia has x-ray vision!

Ms. Perez: Okay okay everyone calm down.

Kevin: Well what do we do?! You’re not the only ones! I had powers like the movie Tron, Jamie is like a human torch, Darcy has Star powers, Randall can summon black hole and this kid here has powers based on desserts. We need a plan guys!

???: offscreen I have one.

The humans turn and sees the two hooded persons.

??? #1: How about we train you guys? To control your powers?

Sherbet: How?

??? #2: It’s okay. We’re friends. We have a training course. Come on.

Principal Cooke: You are? Huh, I think that’s good idea. What do you guys think?

Miss Frankie: I say...let's do it!

The Rest: Yeah. Seems a bit shady but I’ll take it. Great idea. Let’s trust them.

The scene then cuts to the training course.

Sherbet: Wow. That’s big.

Principal Cooke: I know right?!

Randall: So… when do we start?

Cue the song, “Untraveled Road” from Thousand Foot Krunch:

The humans put on training suits.

Miss Frankie: I look ridiculous.

Darcy: I think you look nice.

Jamie: I know you always look pretty, Darcy.

Darcy: Aw. Thanks boo. kisses Jamie on the cheek

???: Okay! Guys, it’s time!

??? #2: Get ready!

The training montage starts. Miss Frankie starts balancing. Principal Cooke is climbing up while dodging wrecking balls as he yelps. Sherbet is meditating with cotton candy color lights flashing. Jamie busy doing twirls to keep his fire powers balance. Kevin is doing electronic tennis while trying to dodge balls.

Kevin: Oh shit! dodges balls Fuck fuck fuck! Aaaah!

Randall is busy trying to use his black holes right. Mia is using her eye vision to see through the right stuff. Ms. Perez is busy concentrating on her glowing powers. Soon, enough as the training progress, the humans’ powers abilities starts to feel controlled as they starts to get the hang of it. The scene then cuts to Darcy doing gymnastic right and suddenly recieved a super suit of her own. Jamie blushes.

Darcy/???: Wow! I look rocking awesome guys!

Soon enough, each of the humans receive their own suits one by one as the training montage ends. The other humans grow amazed by this suits.

Sherbet/???: So, how do I look?

Randall/???: You look awesome!

Ms. Perez/???: I always knew look the sun.

Miss Frankie/???: Pretty great! Ooh, we should tell Korvo and the others about this later! They will be surprised!

We then cut to the Solars' house where AISHA is working and is worried about Korvo.

AISHA: to herself Oh man, how am I gonna tell the family? I don’t think I should do this. If I tell them, I’ll break their hearts. They are so happy with Sonya. I can’t destroy it…

Korvo: offscreen AISHA? Is everything alright?

AISHA turns around and sighs happily.

AISHA: Yes. Everything is fine…

Korvo: Thanks. I’ll leave you to it.. leaves

“What Was I Made For” from China Ann McClain plays in the background:

AISHA then flashes back to the good times she has with Korvo and his family throughout their lives. AISHA sheds a tear, when suddenly she hears something digitalizing.

AISHA: What the hell?

Then, MAX appears while laughing as AISHA screams and backs away.

AISHA: MAX?!

MAX: Hey, AISHA!

MAX hugs AISHA. Then she sees the family staring in shock.

Yumyulack: AISHA, is that another you?

AISHA laughs nervously.

Korvo: MAX?! What are you doing here?!

MAX: Korvo?! What’s up?! Your sister sent me here to keep on eye on you guys with AISHA. sees Sonya Who’s this kid?

Terry: Wait. You know the purple guy?

Korvo: Yeah. He’s a prototype my sister made back in Shlorp. gasp as he smiles in tears Oh my God! She’s here?! What did she say?!

MAX: Well, she wanted me to tell you-

AISHA gasp and covers MAX’s mouth.

AISHA: laughs nervously MAX, a word in private?!

AISHA sighs.

AISHA: MAX, we can’t tell them. Because we do, Korvo will die…

MAX: Die? He's already going to die without the spirit!

AISHA: I know! But if we tell them, they’ll be heartbroken… they have a new daughter now… we don’t wanna risk ruining their happiness…

MAX: But...

MAX then realize how serious AISHA is right now as he looks at AISHA sighing sadly.

MAX: Okay. But you must promise me we can tell him when the time is right.

AISHA: Of course MAX. We will tell them when the time is right. God, what have I done? I think I did the wrong thing MAX. Think about how Terry and the kids will react.

MAX: What do you think will happen?

AISHA: I think they’ll be crush if they find out. Mostly Terry. Korvo is his whole world… But I don’t think Janiz won’t like if we tell her we couldn’t tell them. She’ll be heartbroken if I don’t…

AISHA starts crying.

MAX: Hey come on… dries AISHA’s tears It’ll be okay… AISHA smiles

Korvo: offscreen AISHA?

AISHA sees Korvo smiling at her.

MAX: Don’t worry Korvo, I was really gonna say, your sister hopes to see you again. When it’s the right time.

Korvo tearfully smiles and hugs MAX.

Korvo: I'm glad you're back...

MAX smiles. The scene cuts to the hooded figure saddened as MAX tells her what happened.

MAX: So they have a new daughter… and Korvo never felt happy before… we couldn’t risk telling him.

??? #1: Oh God...

??? #2: But, he’ll die if he doesn’t know.

MAX: I know. But AISHA doesn't want Terry to be heartbroken...

MAX sighs sadly.

MAX: Even their kids too… and Phoebe… and their friends…

The hooded figure cries.

??? #1: This is all my fault… I should’ve told Korvo before Shlorp exploded… sniffles I have to go after him. It’s the only way I can make up for not being there for him when he needed me.

The hooded figure then removes their hood.

[thatpunkmaximoff]

[Book Two of Three]

Story: 4 out of 5 Smut: 3 out of 5

Holy hell! What a wild ride Juniper and Zane put us through. I honestly thought this book was gonna be half of what we found out in book one and half of this mortal/demon couple figuring their shit out now that Juni’s deal had been completed. But nope. I was wrong. The entire book was just filling in the blanks of what we already knew- and I am so glad we got those details!

Juniper, for me, was a little hard to like just because she was such a b-tch. Then again, almost being sacrificed and hunted would do that to a person.

Enter Zane who’s been craving her soul for years, and who will do strike whatever deal to get it, and it makes one twisted and delicious story.

I LOVED reading the downfall of the Hadleigh’s almost as much as I loved reading as Zane brought down Juniper’s walls piece by piece.

On a side note, did anyone else want to attend that demon party as well? Lol.

Now here are my rambling thoughts...

*Of course Juniper was befriended by Victoria and Jeremiah. Ugh. I bet that betrayal stung. I’m so glad she got her revenge in book one, though I’m excited to hopefully read the details of all that went down here in book two.

* Holy shit. Victoria really gave her friend acid and then sacrificed her. SHE WAS ONLY FIFTEEN!! Now what I wanna know is how the hell Juniper got out of that mine shaft 😬

* Damn. She escaped and tried to kill Victoria. Good for her. Unfortunately that didn’t happen, but they did lock her up for three years because they thought she was delusional. And now she’s out.

* Lol only Zane would laugh at being shot and think Juniper is being flirty.

* Hot damn. Zane fucking Juniper on the forest floor. Loved it. But of course it was ruined when Juniper saw what Zane really was.

* Aw man. Juniper got the text of her brother’s murder. And now it’s back to Abelaum we go.

* Damn. She saw Leon take her brother’s body from the grave. I don’t know how she remained quiet.

* Zane would be turned on by getting stabbed 😂

* Dammnnnnn. Zane claiming Juniper’s soul, fucking her throat, and then pinning her to the tree..? Fuck, I want a demon now 😏

* Aww he bathed her.

* lol Juniper stabbed him. Again.

* Goddamn. What is it with guns going into no-no areas 😂

* Holy shit. They went and retrieved Marcus’ body. And were attacked 😬

* Juniper is really annoying me. I get it’s your brother, but those monsters outnumbered you greatly… and you still ran into the middle of them to fight for a corpse that was already half eaten? I hope Zane punishes you.

* So… Heidi helped her out of the mine shaft? Wtf. Why?

* Ouch lol. Zane did not have a good first meeting with Callum lol. Such a protective Archdemon.

* “I don’t fuck around when I find something I want.” // “But you already have me.” // “Body and soul. But I decided I want something else too.” He laid his hand around my neck, and pressed his thumb against my pulse. “That right there. I want that next.”

* Wow. She bound and gagged him, and rode his cock while carving her name into his flesh. I love these kinky fucks.

* Zane is my fucking spirit animal! Tripping children who annoy him in the store..? Yess! 😂

* “Fuck, I’d look hot as hell in this. And I’d still dick you down good. Demon maid at your service.” — 😂 omfg.

* Yesssss. Fucking Kent got what he deserved.

* Demon party. Hell yes.

* And now Juniper has Zane’s metal. I fucking love how demons give metal to show their love, loyalty, and devotion to a person.

* Goddamn. Jeremiah is ruthless. I know he killed his sister, but to read about how he snatched her off the street and everything… yikes.

* Damn, Zane. You really ripped through J’s little cult like it was nothing 😏

* Oh shit. Jeremiah/The Deep One really fucked up Zane. I knew it was going to end well, but I hate seeing the close calls. My poor baby demon 😩

[ad-hawkeye]

hello, star anon here! life was kind and gave me a bit of a break so i finally finished my wip. i'm not apparently allowed to embed any links in the ask box, but it's up on ao3 with the title, "How Long Will I Love You? As Long as Stars are Above You (Longer if I Can)". i tried very hard to capture the game's style and artem's manner of speaking, but i deviated a bit from the former. still, i hope all the artem stans enjoy 😅 -🌟

HI. HI. HI. HELLO, HI! AAAAA THIS LITERALLY MADE MY FRIDAY NIGHT I AM NOT EVEN JOKING. OOOOH MY GOD OKAY, i am so sorry for being a day or so late, i purposely set this fic aside as a selfish reward for when i was off work and could get a nice drink to read it with and holy SHIT am i getting this whole thing tattooed to my forehead HAHAH

i am not exaggerating in the slightest when i say this fic literally made me feel Lighter. i also had to comment on all of it (that is all below i have so many thoughts and love and only good things to say) and i will be dropping a comment on ao3 itself very soon hehe

for anyone interested, the fic is here! it's a rewrite of artem's second anniversary card + eventual proposal! full recommendation to any artem stan out there. READ THIS! NOW!

without further ado... my screaming.

the bouquet toss is hilariously adorable i LOVE it!!! celestine fucking BOOKING that thing at him HAHAH

im insanely impressed at how well this fic manages to take what was in the second anniversary card (celestine talking to mc about marriage, the toss, the ride home in the taxi, etc) and just. wow. improve it. i feel like this is such a breath of fresh air

mc saying she wants to wait until she at least passes her exam and avoid claims of nepotism, yes ma’am!!!!!!!!!!! this would be such a dream scenario if it happened in tot omg. the reason why artem’s second bday card was a liiittle disappointing to me was because they brought up the issue of possible rumors and scandals with their relationship. and then just. never resolve it. then have them get ENGAGED a card later!! i wish hoyo wasn’t afraid to address this, your fic is the perf solution imo and another reason why i wished we got a later artemrosa proposal

THE MENTION OF MC NOT BEING READY TO HAVE DINNER WITH ARTEM’S PARENTS AHAHA OMG I LOVE IT!! deliciously petty in calling out the contradictory writing in artem's cards bless you for that

MENTION OF NEIL. oh my GOD i feel like 90% of artem’s cards just forget about this man’s existence and it’s a shame! you did him justice!!! i want him to talk to mc again and see all that’s happened ;_;

THE BAD GUY DUH JOKE REFERENCE SHUT UP HAHAHA personal story 3 was literally artem at his most iconic and i MEAN this

about time…. im gonna sob, like literally. dude this fic is literally healing me as i read it, it’s like a love letter to all of artem’s cards, stories, and events. and . AA

THEM JOKING ABOUT THE AMUSEMENT PARK MAKE OUT SESSION PLEASE THAT’S SO FUNNY

the whole conversation with celestine and artem about proposing is my favorite thing ever. in the second anni card, i thought artem was so oddly cold to her (which goes against previous cards and reads like someone seeing artem’s ‘stop teasing me now’ act back in the early timeline as genuinely mean disinterest????) so this is like. healing. crops watered. “thank you for being my friend” is going to make me sob holy shit.

random but i adore the idea of artem w a therapist. he seems like a guy who’d benefit from that. i say this with love.

HELP HIM TALKING TO HIS FISH. FAV

god the scene with his mother :(((( AAAA the apology and and and and ;_;

keeping the one good thing from the second anniversary card: artem avoiding mc's gaze for weeks before proposing. excellent. thank you

gasp. THE ORCHARD. YOU GENIUS. HOW DID I NOT EVEN THINK OF THAT. THEY NEVER DID RETURN TO THE ORCHARD IN CANON DID THEY.

god this proposal got me sniffling.. the about time reference… the mention of being partners….. dude i’m gonna sob ;_; literally this is the timeline i wish we got, im just gonna be on hardcore copium and accept this as my canon proposal. okay? okay.

PRACTICE FOR SIGNING THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE MC YES

mc yanking artem too hard and him yelping is making me shit that’s the funniest thing i’ve read all week LMAO

HELP THE LIFTING BEING LEARNED FROM AN ONLINE ARTICLE. YOU GET IT!!! YOU UNDERSTAND HIM!!

oh my gosh this whole end section is so wehhh ;_;;;; sweet and in character and with just the right amount of steam and ambiguity! ;p

CELESTINE GIVING THEM BOTH OFF HAHAHA THE PERFECT END

oh my god ok. if this didn't let you know how much i thoroughly enjoyed myself, let me state it here now. thank you SO much for linking this to me!!! oh my god i feel so free?????? EVERYONE READ THIS NOW

[coffeestainedcamera]

Anyways, I loved Poor Things and it's up there with Boy and Heron, They Cloned Tyrone, Barbie, Asteroid City, and M3gan for fave of the year for me. So, let's first set the scene here.

I show up at the theater, expecting only like three other people (based on our online ticketing system). Then the room gets completely packed by everyone from other twenty-somethings to elderly couples. I haven't seen this big a turnout since the Barbie screening, prob.

So, anyways, we all start watching and begin dying of laughter. It's in the basic slapstick, like Bella impulsively smacking Max in the intro. But it's also in all her unfiltered observations that aren't very socially acceptable!

Ok yeah, now we're hitting spoilers so just gonna toss a cut in.

Yeah, she's ultimately kind of like the revived guy in Frankenstein, except her dad actually cares for her. It's in the small stuff like giving her a name and not tossing her at the first signs of trouble. But both doctors still didn't really give a rat's ass about their kids' basic bodily autonomy when first making them.

Did Bella's mom ever ask to be brought back? Nah, so he respected that basic bit. Would she have been okay with her kid's brain animating her corpse? Ehhhhhhhh, doubtful, especially considering that she offed herself to escape her expected role as a good rich mama. Can't really ask her, but that's not gonna stop science here (much like in the case of Dr. Frankenstein and his son).

Yeah, that's not exactly a promising start to a parent-kid relationship. We have basic standards of good parenting like actively trying to educate the kid and not committing incest, but the bar is kind of in hell. Still, he ultimately respects her autonomy and lets her make the impulsive decision to run off on a trip with some lawyer. After giving away her hand in marriage without her own permission, like a proper Victorian papa! Still, wow, he actually let her out. Amazing, showstopping, revolutionary.

Anyways. Mr. Lawyer is a total elderly creeper. He wants Bella, but when she's uneducated and controllable. The second he catches her reading philosophy books? Tosses them overboard and rages at the lady who gave them to her. Then he pathetically tries to off her.

Ruffalo has no right being as funny as he is in this role. Still, it's a performance that makes sense in the context of this absurd comedy. He's a pathetic manbaby that's angry that his girlfriend is actively trying to improve herself while he's stagnant (and gasp, she might figure out that he's a giant creep that women his age stay away from). The second she screws someone else, he rages. And he doesn't respect her coworkers in Paris! But he does it with this expression of inept rage, so we all couldn't help but laugh at his breakdown at being dumped once Bella learns more about the world.

Side note, but the most laughs in the theater happened when Bella was completely disregarding social norms. You want a lady that only spews niceties in public? Well, sorry she very inappropriately threw one at your dinner companion's talk of her personal issues. Lol.

You're upset she's dancing by herself in public? Hope you have fun squirming while she takes the lead in the dance with you, then.

Oh, and sorry she's outearning you and proceeds to quit that overly strict workplace when she feels like it. And also finds a gf down there.

And sod it, if Mama was rocking generic Victorian clothes, we're rocking pieces that would've made Viviene Westwood proud!

Side note but that production and costume design were delicious. Plus, that color grading. I'm still obsessed with the vivid blue dress of her mom in her one final moment of freedom, versus that painful grayness of that mansion. Oh, and the vividness of Bella's world trip!

Anyways, very much a "vibes" kind of movie but we were all a very specific kind of hedonist that proceeded to laugh and actually comment on everything. It's a bleak comedy and while this all sounds like a massive breach of theater etiquette, it actually was fine. My favorite bit was at the mad scientist antics at the end. "No, don't bring your dad back, he never asked!" "HELL YEAHHHHHH" (yes, these were both reactions to the man-goat scene).

Ну, типа, ты же был таким козлом, в переносном смысле! Может ты хочешь стать одним буквально?:)))

In short, 10/10, would rec either going solo or with someone very, very understanding.

[period-dramallama]

Legacy Review part 2 electric boogaloo: 2.2-3.6

Content warning: rape fantasy

So we begin with Woodstock and it’s very “I’m not stuck here with you, YOU are stuck here with ME”. Maybe we need a black comedy novelette depicting Bedingfield in a slow descent into insanity as Elizabeth psychologically toys with him until he’s broken.

Meanwhile it rather comedically cuts to Philip reading Bedingfield’s letters and thinking “what the HELL is going on in this country.”

“He considered it a personal affront that any woman should be fluent in 6 languages”. I disagree with this interpretation of Philip. I’m not saying he was the world’s biggest feminist, but he came from a family where women were administrators and regents, which no doubt required education in languages. He’d have practical experience of women’s capability.

Philip and Elizabeth’s dynamic is summed up in an intriguing way but it would be nice to see it in dialogue. Elizabeth has a big impact on Philip but it would be interesting to see Philip have an impact on Elizabeth. Yes, she’s manipulating him but he can still leave an impact on her. I mean for goodness’ sake if Ned Seymour of all people can leave an impression on/give a lesson to Elizabeth Philip certainly should. No one but Elizabeth laughing at Philip: delicious. Having said that this is a novel about Elizabeth and Robert and it’s already long so not everyone and everything can be the focus. Some things just have to take a backseat or the book will be the length of Lord of the Rings.

Speaking of Elizabeth and Robert, they have good banter. Mary’s dilemma and choice of Elizabeth instead of Mary Stuart because of the risk of civil war was well explored.

“I don’t want you ascending the throne covered in freckles”. I am personally offended by that.

Elizabeth being bitchy to Darnley and the passive aggressive Countess of Lennox was cathartic.

Philip marrying Elisabeth in a hurry because he doesn’t want to look jilted… Doubt. He already has reasons to marry Elisabeth.

Kat telling Elizabeth she should have strangled her in the crib…wow. You insane, Kat?? You can’t say that to a monarch! You’re lucky to survive that! And it’s an awful thing to say to anyone royal or otherwise, jfc.

Philippa Gregory said she thought Amy was murdered because of Cecil and I wouldn’t be surprised if this novel gave her the idea because it is written plausibly. It’s a solid narrative choice: Cecil is responsible but at the same time Elizabeth and Robert unintentionally indirectly drive him to it.

I’m amazed that the scene in Elizabeth 1998 with the boat and the bishop-ambassador was based on a real incident? Quite a few details in the scene are based on fact? (except the Philip Sidney poem lol). Wow.

“A general belief that there was no harm in a stink” oh boy oh boy NO.

Mary Stuart is “cunning and she’s been well trained in France”. Are You Sure About That.

I do find Elizabeth’s plan to use reverse psychology to get Mary to marry Darnley a little far-fetched. It does depend on every person involved acting in a way that’s characteristic and that Elizabeth has predicted. There’s a risk that Darnley going power-mad will mean he gives up his distractions to purse England. There’s also a risk that Mary will quietly get rid of Darnley, and there’s the obvious fact that their marriage still strengthens Mary’s claim to the English throne. Mary might also want England so badly that she calls Elizabeth’s bluff and accepts Dudley as her husband in exchange for that sweet sweet promise of being heir to the throne. Or Mary could marry a foreign ruler as revenge instead. It’s  kind of a convoluted plan and feels like one concocted with hindsight rather than the actual information and variables Elizabeth would have to hand in the moment. I do like the parallel between Rizzio and Amy- both are unintended collateral damage in Elizabeth’s machinations.

Dr Burcot, Kat Ashley… some really harsh and nasty people in this book. And someone get some body positivity for Mary Sidney. It’s obviously traumatic to have your face scarred but from the outside, it doesn’t look all THAT bad. Other people would surely get used to looking at it. You’d think a world before modern dermatology would be used to seeing scars from disease, acne, rashes, etc.

Elizabeth was more Protestant than Legacy acknowledges and from what I know, Cecil was closer to Elizabeth in religious sympathies, while Walsingham and Robert Dudley were on the more radical Puritan end of the scale. Yes, Elizabeth liked religious music, candles, crucifixes, and unmarried clergy BUT she read the Greek New Testament every day and she was red with anger when gifted a book of images she saw as idolatrous. This book does acknowledge the friendship between Walsingham and Dudley- which did exist, strengthened by family connections (Walsingham married Dudley’s favourite cousin, his daughter married Dudley’s nephew).

“He wanted to drag Elizabeth from her exalted pedestal and rape her in full view of the court. He wanted to beat her into abject submission and cover that alabaster body with bruises. He suspected that she had a taste for rough handling but he lacked the basic courage to follow that conviction to its logical conclusion.”

WHAT.

WHAT am I reading.

WOW.

I was not expecting that.

Honestly I’d kind of forgotten how rapey a lot of romantic heroes are (like Rhett in Gone with the Wind) even as late as the 1980s.

Cecil says of St Bartholomew’s Day massacre: “the greatest crime since the crucifixion.” The debate over who should advocate to Elizabeth for Dudley…either that’s from the sources or Susan Kay has been watching Elizabeth R again.

Locking men’s souls in the casket by her bed…I think I smell foreshadowing!

There’s a good bit of characterisation for Cecil seeing Elizabeth as unladylike: “too upright and correct to admire [Elizabeth’s flirtations] wholeheartedly for they smacked of brothel principles and offended his image of her as an incomparable deity” “hawking her body and her crown to the highest bidder as shamelessly as any whore who walked the London streets”. Like this is a world where monarchs marry off their teenage daughters for political alliances. If the daughter dies she’s sometimes replaced with her own younger sister. Cecil doesn’t have a problem with that but when the shoe is on the other foot and a woman is selling herself rather than being sold, THEN it’s a disgrace.

Did Elizabeth really mean to behead Dudley? I doubt it. But Elizabeth in the 1570s crying for Katherine Howard and Katherine Parr was a nice touch, all those suppressed losses coming out.

The pacing in part 2 generally improves, and continues to improve in part 3. There are some good references to psalms, Old Testament stories, the Bible in general. “Christ set us all a good example: never answer your enemies’ questions.”

Elizabeth and Robert as parallel lines: “parallel lines never meet”. Excellent.

“By the same token, was it necessary to wear a green wig?” What a sentence.

“Step softly round my crown” reminds me of “tread softly for you tread on my dreams” but also “around the throne the thunder rolls”.

“a diplomatic knee in the groin”. I like that.

There are still anachronisms in the narration and dialogue. “You have Catholics on the brain” “like a speculator’s bubble” “springboard” “perpetuating the species” “vampire” “tom dick and harry” “assassination is the occupational hazard of any monarch” “opium”. Looking at Kay’s bibliography, there’s a lot of biographies and not much on everyday life and language in Tudor England which is probably the reason for these anachronisms. Overall it continues to be a solid novel.

But nil points for making Dudley so rapey.

[lovelyzealousangel]

Ginger and Cardamom

03 | Astha

Series Masterlist (Tag yourself here)  

As Astha walked up to the couple's cosy house in London, she couldn't help but smile. The exterior was covered in ivy, and pots of blooming flowers lined the front porch. Upon entering, she was greeted with the aroma of a delicious meal being prepared by Jessica. The living room was decorated with posters of beloved movies and TV shows, and a bookshelf overflowing with books and board games.

Alice was sitting cross-legged on the couch, intently focused on her laptop as she tweaked her Dungeons and Dragons campaign. She looked up and beamed when she saw Astha, welcoming her with a warm hug. Jessica was bustling about the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring pots on the stove, but stopped briefly to tell everyone she’ll be there in a minute. There were three other people in the room that Astha assumed were Jessica’s coworkers.

Over the years it had become somewhat of a tradition for them to have dinner together once a month. The couple’s four-year-old twins were staying with Jessi’s parents for the weekend. So the two of them decided it would be the perfect time to have some friends over and start a new D&D campaign. 

Jessi greet Astha with a kiss on the cheek and was eager to introduce her to the three new players.

"Guys this is Astha. Astha, these are the lucky people who have the pleasure of working with me every day. This is Daniel, think you guys met once at my birthday. Daniel is currently single by the way.” Jessie winked at Astha.

Jessica’s attempts at trying to set her friends up were halted when a cushion came flying towards her from where Alice was sitting. “God Jessica. Darling, as much as I adore you, I’m not letting you play matchmaker here. Poor guy just got out of a relationship. Let him live a little.”

“Yes ma’am. Anyways moving on, this is software developer and painter extraordinaire Maya, and finally Alex. They make the best brownies you’ll ever have." Alice said, gesturing to each person in turn.

Astha smiled and greeted everyone warmly. It had been difficult for her to go out and meet people after things ended with her ex-girlfriend. So Astha was happy to actually meet people other than Alice and Jessica. 

 As they settled in for a night of adventure and storytelling, Alice showed everyone some of the new characters she had created for the campaign, and the group eagerly delved into the game. Astha was impressed with Maya's attention to detail and creative thinking, and Daniel's humorous quips kept everyone in good spirits. Alex, who was playing D&D for the first time asked for some pointers to help create their character.

As the game ended Jessica got a call from her mother, so Astha went inside to help Alice with the last of the dinner preparations. As Astha helped Alice set up the dining table, her mind couldn't help but wander to Marc. It had been a week since she last saw him, and she couldn't shake the worry from her mind. Though she had his number, she hadn’t worked up the courage to reach out to him.

Alice could tell that something was bothering Astha, "Hey, are you okay? You seem lost in thought."

Astha sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm just thinking about this guy I met."

Alice's eyes widened with excitement, "Ooooh, tell me more! Who is he? What's he like?"

Astha hesitated, "Well, we didn't really go on a date, per se. I met him a while back when I found him injured in an alley near my house. I helped him out and we talked for a bit, but I didn't catch his name."

Alice looked surprised, "Wow, you sure know how to pick’em. What happened next?"

Astha continued, "Well, I didn't see him again until last week. He was waiting outside my apartment, injured again. I let him stay on my couch for the night, but the next morning he woke up not remembering who I was or where he was. He had a panic attack and had to leave."

Alice's expression softened "Oh, Astha. I'm sorry to hear that. Is he doing okay?"

Astha smiled, "Yeah, he's doing much better now. But I'm still worried about him. He has clearly been through a lot."

As much as Astha wanted to open up to Alice about Marc, their conversation was cut short by Jessica calling out from the other room, asking about dinner. They headed back to join their friends and the rest of the night was filled with laughter, snacks, and stories.

As the last of the guests said their goodbyes and headed out the door, Alice, Jessica, and Astha began the task of cleaning up after dinner. The sound of clinking dishes and silverware echoed through the kitchen as they worked in comfortable silence. It wasn't until they had finished putting away the last of the dishes that Jessica spoke up.

"Astha, is everything okay? You've been pretty quiet throughout dinner," she asked, looking at Astha with a concerned expression.

Astha couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for how distant she had been from her friends over the past week. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to share. She didn't like talking about her personal matters with just anyone, but these people were more than friends to her; they have been her family ever since she first came to London to study nursing.

"I'm sorry, guys. I've been feeling down all week. It's just been a lot with work and personal stuff, and... my dad is coming to see me in a few weeks," Astha said, looking down at her feet.

Alice and Jessica exchanged a knowing glance. They knew that Astha's relationship with her dad was complicated, but they also knew that it was difficult for her to talk about.

"I'm sorry, Astha. I know that talking about your dad can be difficult, but we're here for you if you want to talk," Alice said, putting a reassuring hand on Astha's shoulder.

Astha smiled gratefully at her, feeling the weight of her worries lifting a little. "Thanks, Alice. I appreciate it. It’s just… It's been a while since I've seen him, so I thought it would be nice to catch up."

"That sounds nice, Astha. Is everything okay with him?" Jessie asked,

"Yeah, he's okay. Said he has some work stuff to take care of. I didn’t ask too many questions"

“Well, we are here if you need to talk. I mean it. Even though you met Alice first, you are like my little sister. We just want you to be happy.” Jessica pulled her in for a comforting hug.

Astha's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her friends. They had welcomed her into their lives with open arms, and they had become the family she never knew she needed. "Thank you, guys. I don't know what I would do without you."

As they finished up, Alice turned to Astha with a smile. "Hey, before you go, let's schedule the next game night. We can't wait to have you back."

Astha grinned, feeling grateful for her friends. "Sounds great, let me know the date and I'll be there."

As she made her way out the door, Astha couldn't help but feel grateful for the duo. They had given her a sense of belonging in a foreign country, and she knew that she could always count on Alice and Jessica to be there for her, no matter what.

[ninthhousedyke]

Nona the Ninth Live Blog - The FINALE

Wow so I’m finally finishing Nona after Jod knows how long since I started it because I’m an awful reader and I accidentally left the book at home when I moved back to college after break….oopsie! Anyway we’re starting at John 5:4 and going straight to the end even though I already know most of what happens but I love my girls and wanna catch any details I missed from reading spoilers.

John stop making sex jokes I SWEAR THIS IS SERIOUS!!

Ooo there goes the façade! John just wants revenge on Blood of Eden for being the descendants of the escaped trillionaires when the trillionaires have been dead for thousands of years. He can’t let go of his anger because it’s the only thing keeping him alive or else he’ll have to feel that guilt he’s so insistent on removing from everyone.

Harrow calling The Body a God is delicious.

Harrow is on her way bitches!!

Chapter 30:

Is that a TOWER icon?! Have we seen this before?? Harrows walking toward a tower in the River and Nona plus company are in the River…is Harrow finally going back to her body!?!

Still not used to Paul, never will be.

“It takes more than this” oooo fuck I love Kiriona.

Paul’s eyes are weird….

Kay so there’s the tower that Harrow went after in the River, but wtf is it for?? Is it another manifestation of a Resurrection Beast? Is it part of the River falling apart? Is it something holding the River together? Varun is still talking through Judith and he says that John and Alecto left “them” too long. Is “them” the tower(s)? The resurrection beasts? What is HAPPENING? Harrow is clearly returning to her body with how Alecto’s mind is scattering.

Fuck all the people; we’re choosing to live for a dog. Is now a bad time to mention I’m a cat person?

All jokes aside, the line of reasoning that “everyone I love is either gone or will never be the same again, and I will never be the same again so it would be best to die here” is such a relatable feeling? Not just as someone who was suicidal for years, but just any huge transitionary stage of life means you’re leaving behind who you were and who the people around you were for a new chapter, and sometimes you just don’t want that? Like I hardcore relate to Alecto’s feelings here because even she, the literal embodiment of Earth, is just tired of losing people.

Chapter 31:

Kiriona calling the Ninth “home sweet home” is so eerie to me but more importantly I am frothing at the mouth to see what has become of the Ninth since our girls left. Like shit had to have gone down right? John sent souls to replenish it but who tf is in charge?

Okay so if Pyrrha says the tower wasn’t a resurrection beast then I believe her but if Pyrrha doesn’t even know what tf the tower was then I’m very scared.

Aaaaand there goes Kiriona charging into the darkness. Glad to see John kept the dumbass parts of her personality.

WAIT if they landed at “top tier, shuttle field” does that mean they’re at the same shuttle landing Gideon tried to escape from in the first book??? Tamsyn did you leave that extra kick in the nuts just for us?

“She always said the skull was the least interesting bone.” Okay but now I NEED to know what was Anastasia’s favorite bone.

Oh my god could you imagine the Ninth with fairy lights strung everywhere?

Crux is here….yay

Okay but like he’s really just not questioning Gideon in Cohort and royal garb like…at all?

WTF WE FOUND THE REAL ZOMBIES OKAY THEN

This does not feel like we have one book left in the series because how is Tamsyn hitting us with both a brand new tower AND brand new zombies which are apparently soul corrupted people? It’s also so weird for GIDEON to be the one to know things. Fuck the Ninth rebuilding because these zombies are just clearing them out.

This Aiglamene reunion is everything I need

“That’s where my heart used to be” I WILL NOT CRY I WILL NOT CRY

I WILL CRY OHMYGODDDDD! Why is the end of this chapter so damn emotional? Alecto knows she’s going to comeback different and she doesn’t want to! She wants to remember the love she hasn’t had before! Pyrrha promising she’ll never lose that love! You can’t take away loved ahhhkjhsgdjssj

The moustache ride shirt holy shit now I’m laughing and crying simultaneously

Chapter 32:

The open tomb symbol ITS HAPPENING

“The Reverend Daughter has no cavalier living” oh just step on my heart Tamsyn

IANTHE APPEARS

Ianthe has been on page for exactly a page and already her tension with Kiriona is delicious,her attitude is delicious, and she is delicious. Creepy rat with hygiene issues but a baby nonetheless.

Gideon calling John “Dad” is both heartwarming and depressing. She’s never had a Dad in any sense but he’s JOHN and therefore not doing his best on a good day. There’s a desire for love in that word but Gideon isn’t getting any love from John Gaius.

Gideon doing massive 180’s from doing what Ianthe wants to doing what she herself wants is so funny. She’s got her own agenda and it just so happens to sometimes help Ianthe but no matter what Gideon has her own agenda.

Friendship bracelets….bantering…laughing….touching one another….”good to see you” (quite kindly) oh jod, these two are fucking.

“You overgilded doorknob” my baby I love you

Oh baby…Gideon you want so badly to belong to someone that you’ll do anything, even for a man like JOHN??! Even Ianthe sees it. Ianthe is sympathizing with it which is scarier.

“The good son” I love the gender of the locked tomb

Both Ianthe and Gideon rushing to Harrow’s body as it begins dying is so strangely cute because it’s so obvious how whipped these two are.

“Wake made that for me…Or I stole it from her…same difference.” Pyrrha I love you and I want a whole spinoff of what your relationship with Wake was like because hot damn.

Gideon offering to die AGAIN for the thanergy bloom to save Harrow….girl, baby, sweetie, just write love poems like a NORMAL PERSON

Oh jod Gideon’s in so much pain that not even killing Crux, telling him she’s the daughter of the emperor, can make her feel better. She’s so empty and cold. Harrow come get your girl!!!

Anastasia’s bones casually guarding the rock to the tomb….ooo girl that’s gonna come back to be important later.

The idea that Alecto doesn’t remember first entering the tomb as being forced tells me that maybe there’s something more to the tomb and her imprisonment than we’ve been led to believe, which is the case for literally everything in this series.

Epilogue:

Just yeet Ianthe into the River, hell yeah.

Not Harrow immediately asking Alecto to kill her for not being worthy. Girls, therapy is a Thing and you all need some like last year.

Aaaand there’s the weird bite-kiss

Gideons like “only I offer my weird dead services to Harrowhark, and I will fight the literal soul of earth and source of God’s power to prove it.”

*gets stabbed* “oh hey babe, good morning.”

“Hell will break loose in Alecto the Ninth” okay but considering there’s an ACTUAL hell in this world, I’m taking this literally. WAIT what if the weird possession zombies are from hell?? That would make a little sense. Okay okay no theorizing here.

Wow so…it’s done. That was a wild ride. I’ll miss Nona a little but damn am I happy to have Harrow and Gideon back (ish). Whole gang is here to either fight God, fight some zombies, or whatever Pash is doing. Still can’t believe Harrow has kissed Ianthe and Alecto, but not fucking Gideon.

Alecto The Ninth is gonna break us all……

[starry-skies-116]

AroAce™ things that Gregory/Evan does without even fucking KNOWING until he was educated on the aspec community:

______________________________________________________________

Understanding romantic and sexual relationships on a fundamentally and purely scientific level (as if he’s purely an observer)

“Why do people kiss”

Gets mistaken for someone being cold or prudish, and yeah, he can be cold at times, but can you like not lol

He asked a parent super awkwardly during a birthday party if “they possessed any other offspring” and immediately regretted his life decisions lmfao (Michael/Freddy standing onstage like ‘did you just’)

Loves to cuddle but also respects when other people don’t want to cuddle

Doesn’t understand crushes

“SOMEONE COMFORT ME I THOUGHT CAKE BY THE OCEAN WAS ABOUT EATINV CAKES BY THE OCEAN” \\\ “wow you are not ready to hear about milkshakes bringing boys to the yard” 

HE WHEN ASPEC REPRESENTATION SOBS IN UGLY CRY THEY JUST LIKE ME FR

“You’re too young to know what you want in life” “bitch I’m 67 years old and do you know? exactly so stfu”

Ocasionally pretends to have crushes on people when he’s still closeted so people wouldn’t get suspicious, but everyone could tell they were obviously fake.

Daydreams about him and people he’s close to being playable characters and having a moveset in Super Smash Bros and Fire Emblem instead of romantic fantasies

Ate an entire jam cookie and chocolate sweetheart cookie bouquet a girl from his school personally gifted him (“Ah, they’re even frosted! Thank you for this gift so much!”) only to realize later that shit it was for Valentine’s day this girl had a crush on me and I knew from the beginning but I still didn’t bother to reject her. The cookies were her asking me out and it flew over my head until later tonight oh fuck oh god oh what do I do. He even ate an entire pound of belgium chocolate one guy gave him personally only for Michael to smack him over the head for being a dumbass when it comes to rejection, probably because he doesn’t really care about romance when it comes to him.

Calls people he’s affectionate with or likes teasing a bunch of nicknames on occasion just because he has the urge (e.g. Papa Bear, Floridian Tincan, calls some classmates names such as darling, sweetheart, jerkface, imbecile and honey just for laughs).

Understands people and can read them very easily, but does not know how to talk to them.

Relates to the desire for cuddles and emotional love expressed via words of affirmation and physical affection, but immediately shies away from picturing himself in romantic scenarios

“Wanna be my SO when we’re older?” “I can’t age anymore but yeah I’ll gladly be your supervising officer and boss”

DEVOTES™, RESPECTS™, LOVES™ AND ADMIRES™ THE HELL OUT OF EVERYONE HE’S CLOSE TO BECAUSE HIS TRUST IS A LUXURY ONLY HE GETS TO DECIDE TO WHOM HE SHALL DISTRIBUTE IT TO SO GENEROUSLY.

Doesn’t get why people find other people ‘hot’. Like yeah, she’s attractive ig, her hair is nice and she knows how to apply makeup properly, what else can possibly be there? Experiences aesthetic attraction to physical features and compliments them but the thought of actual attraction just baffles him. Like ‘oh I want her to sit on my face’ or ‘yeah I’d tap them cheeks’ and he’s just sitting there, peeking up from his book like ‘r u ok? Do I need to call ambulance?’

“Wtf are crushes I beg of you someone please tell me right the hell now istg”

Cries when playing Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley on Vanessa’s switch

‘DND’ AGGRESSIVE LILTING CHANTS INTENSIFY “DND”

Is very confused on how dates are considered inherently romantic? Like how is taking your friend out to a fancy seafood restaurant with spicy creamy shrimp alfredo and garlic buttered freshly baked breadsticks and then having delicious chocolate mousse cake considered?? Romantic?? Let me enjoy the good food? Like yea I would take a beachside walk with my friends Cassidy and Charlie and my family any day stop trying to give everything a romantic subplot please lol-

‘Oh you’ll find someone one day’ *pinches nose in stfu even though he doesn’t know why such things frustrate him*

Literally anyone tries to apply romance to him he’s like “can you don’t” for reasons still unbeknownst to him

‘You can’t be like that, romance and love is part of what makes us human’ *CRACKS NECK AROUND 180 DEGREES LIKE AN OWL YOU DARE OPPOSE ME MORTAL*

Just gives off aroace vibes in the subtlest way to everyone around him