#last year she just liked posts about it this year she reblogs <32

[snowdice]

Big Bang Editing Story [Day 124]

I started writing this fic while editing my Big Bang story years ago, but am going to continue doing it for other things now that Kill Dear is out. I will write and publish 100 words of the story every time I finish doing whatever task I’m doing. If you’d like to block these proceedings, please feel free to block the tag ‘proofread stories.’ I will reblog this post with the parts of the story I do today. Edited chapters are linked; everything else I’ve done so far is under the cut.

My Master Post Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48 Part 49 Part 50 Part 51 Part 52 Part 53 Part 54 Part 55

I have been sick as a dog since I last worked on this story. I'm not even doing any work today lol. I just want to get this chapter finished. Will probably do a couple rounds and then cook myself dinner, so there may be a gap at some point. Mostly I'll just be, like, reading when not posting. Wish me luck.

“Good day for a picnic,” Helen commented as she handed over the basket Thomas had requested from her a few days before. He was taking Logan, Patton, and Virgil to the cliffs today and it was perfect weather for it. Spring was truly here, which meant that those of Thomas’s duties that had laid dormant over the harsh winter were about to start up again.

The world had been on pause for a bit considering no armies or agents from any kingdom could get through the snow the last few months, but the concerns of last fall were showing their heads once again.

Thomas had just gotten word a day ago that the queen of Lamir had routed out a second assassin hiding in her ranks over the winter. The assassin had been sent shortly after it was made clear that the queen wouldn’t bow down after the assassination of her mother. Luckily, the assassin sent for Queen Cecil had not managed to complete her mission during the winter months.

While there had been no similar attempt on Prijaznia soil, Thomas couldn’t help but feel it was only a matter of time now that the snow had melted. They were already working on increasing security in the coming weeks and, though it was doubtful an assassin had managed to hide in the castle all winter without revealing themselves, they’d be closely scrutinizing all of the newer staff members.

It would be a stressful time in the coming months, which is why, despite everything Thomas needed to do, he was still going to take his son and his son’s friends on a picnic today. Logan had already started taking on royal duties as of late, but he still hadn’t taken them all on quite yet. Considering this was last summer before Logan was of age, they should at least try to take advantage of it where they could. Patton was a year younger, but the sentiment held for him as well.

Then there was Virgil. Despite their best efforts, they still didn’t know enough about Virgil, but Thomas was fairly sure he’d never had a summer to enjoy until now.

“Thanks for prepping lunch for us,” Thomas said to Helen with a smile.

“No problem,” she said waving them off. “I put in some of Virgil’s favorites.”

“Great,” Thomas said. “Do you know where the kids are?”

“Patton said they were going to go pet the cats, so I’d guess they’re in the gardens.”

Thomas thanked her again and told her to have a good day before exiting the kitchen. There was a nearby door that led straight towards the part of the gardens Patton and Logan had always favored. He figured they’d either still be around there, or they would have wandered towards the stables by now knowing that they’d be taking horses to the cliffs. So, he decided to simply walk the normal path from the door to the stable, hoping to find them.

His prediction ended up being hilariously correct. They were indeed on the path Thomas had chosen. It was clear they (or at least Logan) were attempting to make it to the stable. However, as was typical, a portion of the party had been waylaid by whimsy.

Logan was standing further down the path, arms crossed and frowning as he watched his friends. Patton and Virgil were surrounded by cats. Patton was sitting down, holding two of them in his lap and watching Virgil’s legs being swarmed by the rest of them, maybe two dozen in total.

Virgil looked confused, but not unhappy about the presence of so many cats. He was leaning down to try to pet them all.

Logan met Thomas’s eyes as he approached and waved a frustrated hand at the two of them. Logan couldn’t help but smile.

“Virgil fed one of them,” Logan complained as though he wanted Thomas to somehow go into the past and prevent this crime.

Patton and Virgil looked over at Thomas, noticing him when Logan addressed him.

“You’re going to make Princess Marisol jealous,” Thomas said. Logan frowned at Thomas as he used the ‘Princess’ label for the cat.

“Princess Marisol decided not to come,” Virgil said with a shrug. He continued to pet one of the cats.

“She’s probably sleeping on my pillow,” Logan said, sounding grumpy.

Thomas just chuckled. Princess Marisol was technically Logan’s cat, at least that’s what the kids said, and she did spend much of her time in the royal rooms. However, she was very clearly actually Virgil’s cat. Virgil just spent a lot of time in the royal wing as well.

In fact, Thomas still didn’t know where Virgil was supposed to be sleeping. He and Mr. Deknis had gone so far as to tail him a couple of times, but he always ended up sleeping in Logan’s room those nights.

Knowing Virgil, he might just sleep in the walls. Though that still did not answer the question of where his parents or guardians were. They still had not figured it out. Thomas would assume he was an orphan who’d snuck onto castle grounds for safety, but Virgil had told Mr. Deknis during their first meeting that he was supposed to be in the castle, and it had not been a lie.

Then again, it had slowly become apparent that Virgil was good at dodging the multrum’s powers. It was starting to seem more likely that he’d somehow inserted a second meaning into his answer to Mr. Deknis that night than he somehow had some ghost guardian no one was able to locate working in the castle.

“She deserves the pillow more than you,” Virgil said, bringing Thomas’s thoughts back to the situation at hand. The look of audacity on Logan’s face made Thomas chuckle.

Thomas cut in before it could become a fight. “I could get Princess Marisol a pillow, so she doesn’t sleep on yours. Or we can get you a new pillow if you’d prefer, Logan.”

“It’s not about the pillow for her,” Logan argued. “It’s about her inflated sense of superiority.”

“She deserves it,” Virgil declared. Thomas could tell he was just trying to rile Logan up, and Thomas was sure Logan knew it too, but still his son reacted exactly in the way Virgil wanted him to.

“You have enabled and encouraged this behavior from the start!” Logan seethed.

“She’s a princess.”

“She is not a princess!”

Patton shook his head while squeezing the cats in his arms, completely used to this behavior. He ran a chin idly over one of the cat’s heads while watching the argument.

“We’re never going to make it to the picnic at this rate,” Thomas said to him, “and after your mother made all of this wonderful food.”

“You’re the dad,” Patton said. “Make them stop.”

And, of course, Patton did just mean that he was Logan’s dad with that statement. However, when he glanced back up at the silly argument still going on between his son and the cat covered boy, it did almost look like a fight between siblings.

Especially with the dark hair and stubborn but mischievous look in Virgil’s eyes, Thomas could almost imagine the boy being his own child.

He shook away the thoughts and glanced at the picnic basket in his hand.

“We do have a lot of food in this basket,” Thomas said, pitching his voice up so that Logan (and more importantly) Virgil would hear them clearly.

Virgil immediately turned to look at him, abandoning all interest in antagonizing Logan to look at the basket curiously.

Thomas was never sure if he should be amused or worried about how food motivated Virgil often was.

“What’s in the basket?” Virgil asked.

“I’m not sure,” Thomas said. “Patton’s mom made it. We’ll just have to see once we get to the picnic area.”

Virgil nodded in understanding and began to gently extract himself from the droves of cats. Logan rolled his eyes, but didn’t seem inclined to continue the argument he’d been dragged into. Virgil and Patton got to their feet, and they continued on their way towards the stables.

The horses Thomas had requested be prepared for their trip were already in saddles, though the stable hand who had been handling Mr. Apples seemed a bit dirtier and more exhausted than the rest.

The stable hand seemed as happy to hand Mr. Apples over to Virgil as Virgil was to have Mr. Apples handed over to him. Thomas received Bella with a smile and Logan and Patton got their own horses as well.

The cliffs were about half an hour's ride from the main castle. There was a mostly well-maintained path to them, though it was easy to get lost if one didn’t know the way. Mr. Apples knew the way perhaps better than Thomas himself and seemed annoyed by the fact that Thomas was trying to lead the way. Virgil and Thomas ended up side-by-side whenever the path allowed it to placate him.

Thomas still marveled at how willing Mr. Apples was to let Virgil ride him, especially when he tossed his head in Thomas’s direction, a horse’s equivalent of giving Thomas a stink-eye.

“Are you excited for the picnic?” Thomas asked the boy beside him.

Virgil glanced over at him and nodded.

“I am too,” Thomas said. “It’s always beautiful this time of year. I’m glad I could find the time to take you all there this year.”

“Are you very busy?” Virgil asked curiously.

“I am king,” Thomas reminded, “and now that the world isn’t snowed in anymore things will be busy.”

“With the war?” Virgil asked.

Thomas paused for a few seconds. “Yes,” he confirmed. “With the war, but you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Virgil asked.

“You’re just a kid,” Thomas said.

“I’m 14,” Virgil said.

Thomas glanced at him. “Exactly,” he said, “a kid, and luckily, you’re in a place that can afford you the luxury of being one.”

“What do you mean?”

“The war has been mainly fought on Mocnejsi soil in recent years. Our boarders have held strong against invasions. Unless something goes horribly wrong suddenly, it would take a long time for the main conflict to get here. The only real threat in the castle would be assassins sent after me personally.”

“Right,” Virgil said. There was an awkward pause in conversation before he spoke again. “You’re winning the war then?” he asked.

“Something could always happen,” Thomas said, “but for the most part, yes, we have quite the advantage right now.”

“Oh,” Virgil said.

Thomas shook his head as they were coming up to a narrowing of the path. “Anyway, today is a day to not think about war. Today we’re going to have a lovely picnic and do some bird watching.”

“Right,” Virgil agreed from behind Thomas as Bella took the lead (to Mr. Apples discontent.)

When the path widened again, Thomas did his best to direct the topic to lighter subjects and soon they made it to the cliffs.

Chapter 57 (Virgil)

Virgil had never been to a picnic. At least, that’s what Patton had informed him when Virgil had described his past experiences of eating outdoors. Logan had agreed even though he’d admitted that the definition of “picnic” was only eating a pre-packaged meal outdoors which Virgil had done plenty of times.

From what Virgil could tell, the main difference was just how much stuff one brought to a picnic.

In addition to the basket full of food (that Virgil still hadn’t gotten to look in yet), the king had brought a large soft quilt that he had Logan and Virgil spread out on the ground for them all to sit on.

Patton and Logan had also packed some things themselves to bring along. Logan had brought along a book to read, and Patton had brought along a board game (thankfully not checkers but something Virgil did not recognize). Virgil hadn’t brought anything (except for the fire knife he was definitely not supposed to have and was definitely not letting the king see) because he hadn’t known he was supposed to bring things. He wouldn’t have known what to bring anyway.

The blanket was soft and a much better alternative to sitting on the ground, especially because, while there was grass at the top of The Cliffs, there were also a good number of rocks.

The king set the picnic basket in the middle of the blanket once it was spread out and then lowered himself down to sit on one side. Patton quickly followed him, already fiddling with some of his board game pieces, though he wasn’t setting it up yet. Virgil highly doubted that Logan was going to be allowed to read his book unless Patton eventually got bored of the game.

However, they would, hopefully, be allowed to make use of the basket the king had brought along.

Virgil followed the king and Patton’s lead and got to his knees on the blanket across the picnic basket from the king. He peered at the basket curiously.

He didn’t quite know what picnic food was, but Patton had told them they’d be getting ‘picnic food’ and he was very curious about what that meant.

King Thomas smiled at him. “Let’s see what Patton’s mom packed us, huh?” He reached for the basket and flipped it open as Logan sat next to Virgil. “There is a lot more food than usual in here,” the king said, sounding amused. “Let’s see.”

He began to pull out packaged food and glanced in each package to identify it before setting it out.

“We have a few types of mini sandwiches,” he said, putting them down, “and some pasta salad.” He set down the bowl.

“We also have… er something else.” He showed it to Logan.

“They’re hot cauliflower bites,” Logan said instantly upon seeing them. Virgil perked up in excitement. That was one of his favorite foods.

“Ah,” King Thomas said, but shrugged and set it down. “We also have two desserts apparently: cookies and mini apple pies. That last one’s a bit extra for a picnic.”

“They’re very good,” Virgil said happily.

“And we also have.” King Thomas paused, looking confused. “Chicken alfredo?”

“Yes!” Virgil said.

“Why do we have chicken alfredo for a picnic?”

“It’s a Virgil picnic,” Logan groaned. “She packed us a Virgil picnic.”

“Hey, at least momma sent us something too,” Patton said.

“I think I’ll stick to sandwiches for today,” King Thomas said. He looked at Patton and Logan. “Do either of you want…?”

“No,” Logan said. Patton shook his head.

The king nodded and offered the entire covered bowl of chicken alfredo to Virgil. “Here, this one’s yours,” he said.

“Really?” Virgil asked tentatively. It wasn’t exactly strange for people here to offer him food, and he’d expected and anticipated getting to eat on this venture, but the king of the country offering him an entire bowl of his favorite food was something else.

“It’s not really my idea of a picnic food and you seem excited for it,” King Thomas said with a warm smile, still holding it out.

Virgil took it reverently. Despite the time it had taken to get to the cliffs, the bottom of the container was still warm. Virgil assumed it was one of the heating spells the kitchen sometimes used.

“Thanks,” Virgil said, setting it in his lap.

“Of course, Virgil,” the king said.

The bowl was enough for four people to have a little bit, but for one person it was a lot. Still, Virgil was offered a little of every other food in the picnic basket (and he ate a good number of the hot cauliflower bites).

“Where do you put all of that?” the king asked when Virgil finished polishing off the chicken alfredo bowl.

Everyone else seemed to have finished eating long before Virgil, though Patton still had a small plate of grapes, and he occasionally popped one in his mouth. King Thomas was currently setting up the board game they’d brought on the blanket between all of them.

Virgil shrugged in answer to his question. “It’s good,” he said, “and I don’t want to waste any of it.”

“You know we can just take the leftovers back to the castle and eat them later,” King Thomas said. “You don’t have to eat it all now.”

Virgil just shrugged again, watching as the king set out a group of 8 figures on the board.

“Here, which character do you want to be?” the king asked Virgil, gesturing at the group of figures. Virgil had not noticed the figures were different at first glance. They were all copper colored and about the size of his thumb, but they had slightly different shapes. He squinted at them each carefully, finding they all looked like people, but with different clothing. Some worse pants and some skirts, a few had hats, and one was even carrying a book.

After a few moments, he pointed at one that looked like it had vines wrapped around its arms and was wearing a floppy hat that almost covered its eyes.

“That’s the druid,” King Thomas told him with a grin. “Good choice, and luckily not one that anyone usually fights over.” He glanced at Logan who didn’t react to his father’s gaze. He just plucked the figure clutching the book off the board for himself.

Patton and the king picked pieces for themselves. Patton picked one with an apron that kind of reminded Virgil of his mom and the king picked one that was in a suit of armor before putting the other 4 figures away.

Unlike checkers, this game wasn’t just for two people, and so no one had to sit watching people play while bored out of their mind.

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They played a practice round so Virgil could figure out how the game worked, though honestly it wasn’t that complicated, so it wasn’t really necessary.

The theme of the game was all about stealing. They were supposed to steal special tokens from other players as well as characters in the game and the first person with 20 tokens won.

The other three players argued that stealing was not the point and not the main mechanism of the game, but considering Virgil was consistently winning the entire time, he would argue they were just playing it wrong. He managed to collect 20 tokens before anyone else. In second place at this time was Logan with 9 tokens.

Logan insisted on continuing to play the game to determine 2nd and 3rd place, so Virgil ended up watching them play for a bit. Virgil didn’t mind sitting and watching other people play this game, mostly because he still had the joy of victory running in his veins.

Thomas was definitely going to lose, he noted. He kept wasting his money feeding the nonplayer characters who lived on his lands. Virgil didn’t mention this faulty strategy to him in case Virgil ever played him again.

When Logan took too long thinking about his next move, Virgil took in their surroundings.

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He’d been a bit too distracted by the prospect of food and then trying to understand (and then win) the game to truly take in The Cliffs. They were settled a good distance away from the cliffside but Virgil could still see how quickly the edge dropped off. He couldn’t see the large river he was told was at its base from where he was sitting, but he did see a few of the promised wild birds (including doves) flying around. The king had promised they’d bird watch for a bit, and Virgil figured that would happen after the game was over.

A cool spring breeze brushed across Virgil’s face, and he put his hand in his hoodie pockets to warm them. Instead, his fingers hit something icy cold.

For a moment, he didn’t remember what it was. The crescent shape of it was familiar when he put his hand over it, but he had never felt it cold before.

It was the protection charm: the first charm Virgil had ever made with Logan so many months ago. It was meant to ward off small threats as well as warn you about larger threats by changing temperature…

It had always been warm.

“What?” Patton asked, having noticed Virgil suddenly tense. Virgil, despite how he drilled into his friend’s heads to stay alert had gone soft. He’d let himself be distracted by a full belly and warm blankets and fun games.

He didn’t answer Patton. He filtered the other boy’s worried face out as well as Logan’s face as he glanced at him and the king’s still focused on the game for now. He filtered out the picnic blanket and smell of food still lingering in the air and the vine covered figure set in the middle of the board on the winner’s space. He filtered out the sound of the breeze and the breath of his companions and the distant chirping of birds.

And he heard a whoosh.

Chapter 58 (Patton)

If Patton hadn’t already been looking, he probably wouldn’t have had any idea what happened.

Everything had been fine. Virgil had been sitting cross legged, idly watching the conclusion of the game they’d been playing when his posture had suddenly changed. Patton had looked over at him only to see an expression on his face he didn’t recognize, but it didn’t seem good.

“What?” Patton had asked, but the question didn’t seem to register to Virgil.

Logan had glanced up confused and also noticed Virgil’s face. He’d just opened his mouth to also ask what was going on when chaos descended.

Virgil was suddenly moving, crashing into King Thomas who hadn’t even looked up to see something was wrong at that point. Patton realized after the fact that Virgil had swiped up the board of the game they’d been playing as he jumped over it, the pieces previously stacked on it scattering all over the blanket. There were three thumps as some things hit the thick board, imbedding themselves into the surface.

When Virgil discarded the board in favor of the picnic basket, Patton saw there were small darts in it oozing a dark black liquid. The parts of the board they touched were dissolving, the grass under the new holes beginning to wilt rapidly.

Logan seemed to notice the oozing liquid the same moment Patton did and was quicker to realize what it was. He grabbed Patton’s arm and yanked him away from the board so hard he almost dislocated Patton’s shoulder, not that Patton was too worried about that. He scrambled away from it when he realized what it must be himself.

He could hear the sound of glassware smashing above them. Logan and Patton had rolled off the blanket in their quest to get away from the smoldering, melting board and apparently Virgil had pulled the picnic blanket fully over the king at some point.

Virgil himself was now gone from where he’d been the last time Patton had looked and it took him a moment to figure out where the boy had gone. The person who had been shooting poisoned darts at them had been drawn out of the wooded area they’d been hiding in by Virgil’s attacks.

They were cloaked in dark green from head to toe, explaining why they’d been difficult to spot when they were in the woods. Whoever they were, they were significantly larger than Virgil, possibly an actual adult or almost adult assassin, but they were also clearly a long distant fighter. They had not been expecting resistance let alone resistance in the form of a so quick he was almost a blur fellow assassin.

They had a bow strapped to their back, but they hadn’t had a chance to get it. Instead, they were trying to fight Virgil off with an arrow they’d managed to draw from their quiver. Virgil, meanwhile was lunging at them with a broken piece of plate in one hand and the picnic basket in the other.

Virgil dodged out of the way of the arrow striking towards his arm, though Patton didn’t think it was because he was afraid of getting scratched by an arrow, but because it may also be poisoned tipped.

Virgil was distracted by dodging for long enough that the older assassin managed to hit him in the face with the arm not holding the arrow.

He went down, but he took the older assassin with him, sweeping their legs out from under them. Patton hadn’t noticed (his mind working too slow for how fast they were moving) but they were on a slight incline. They went rolling in a tangle of arms and legs towards the edge of the cliff and skidded to a stop only a few feet away.

Virgil ended up on top, his piece of broken plate in his hands. He moved to slash it across the other assassin’s throat and managed to draw blood, but the assassin’s fist came out to shove at Virgil’s chest at just the right moment, causing the strike to veer off course and slice across the assassin’s cheek instead.

Virgil jerked to the side to avoid a second strike to the chest and went back for another slash. The other assassin rolled to the side as he did and the plate only managed to nick their ear. The point of the motion hadn’t been to dodge, however. They were lunging for the arrow they’d dropped a few feet away while they’d rolled. They grabbed it with their right hand and in the same motion stabbed back behind them towards Virgil.

Virgil rolled to avoid the hit, already slashing up with his plate as the assassin turned back towards him.

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He didn’t hit them this time but his swipe managed to stop them from stabbing him when they tried again. They shoved themselves back to avoid Virgil’s swing, putting a bit of distance between them. Both of them managed to make it to their feet during the momentary reprieve, but both also stayed crouched, eyeing each other.

They both lunged towards each other at the same time. The assassin went for a stab to Virgil’s neck with the arrow, but Virgil was already ducking down. This time, he wasn’t going for a kill shot. He grabbed the assassin’s wrist and at the same time drove his piece of plate into the assassin’s arm, slicing down from the elbow to wrist. The assassin spoke for the first time, cursing in a language Patton didn’t recognize as they were forced to drop their arrow.

Virgil took a moment to kick the arrow away from the assassin and it ended up falling off the cliff.

However, this pause gave the assassin enough time to regroup. Despite their arm bleeding profusely, they still decided to use it to backhand Virgil across the face viciously, leaving a long line of their own blood across his face.

Virgil lunged back forward, but the assassin was able to get a leg between them, kicking Virgil squarely in the chest and sending him flying back a few feet parallel to the cliff’s edge.

The assassin went to grab their bow and another arrow from the quiver still strapped to their shoulder.

Virgil, however, apparently went for another weapon too and he was much faster with a knife than any archer. A knife appeared in his hand, having been strapped to his ankle and was embedded into the assassin’s chest before they could even full remove an arrow from their quiver.

The assassin promptly burst into flames, fire catching their clothes (and from the smell of it their skin) ablaze. Panicked and dying, they stumbled two steps to the side. They stepped directly off the cliff.

There was a second of silence. They heard the sound of the body hitting the ground far below and then the flap of wings and screeching as birds below fled from the startling sound (and possible soon to be forest fire).

…

“Uh, Virgil?” King Thomas said. He had managed to get the blanket off his head at some point. When, Patton didn’t know, but seeing any of it was probably enough.

Oopsie.

Chapter 59 (Logan)

Logan and Patton had been useless during the fight, but that may have been for the best. Considering the skill differential when it came to fighting (and that differential had never been as clear as it was in this moment), that was probably for the best. They likely would have just gotten in the way.

The moment Logan’s father spoke, however, they both jumped into action.

They both knew their jobs in a situation like this. Patton pushed himself up to his feet ungracefully and all but sprinted over towards Virgil. Logan, on the other hand stood to face his father, putting himself very purposefully between the man who had no idea what was going on yet and the boy who was two seconds away from remembering what was going on.

“I can explain,” Logan said.

His father was still sitting on the ground. “You can explain,” he said slowly, “how Virgil just threw an assassin off a cliff.”

Logan thought pointing out that Virgil hadn’t thrown anyone off a cliff and instead had set them on fire with a magical knife causing them to walk off a cliff, would not be useful in this moment. He glanced back briefly towards where Virgil and Patton were standing and then turned back to his father. “Yes.”

“And what would that explanation be?”

Before even starting to speak, Logan found himself making large dramatic ‘explaining hand gestures’ that he’d thought he’d long since trained himself out of. When he was younger and in trouble, he always used to give himself away as guilty by being overly expressive with his hands (and arms).

“So,” Logan said. He was still not able to stop the hand motions. “Virgil was an assassin. He came here to kill you last fall, but he accidently went to the wrong room in the royal wing. Patton and I were having a slumber party and caught him in the act. Then we reformed him and now he doesn’t kill people anymore.” He paused and glanced back, remembering the body that had just toppled off the cliff. “Er, uh, he doesn’t kill people who haven’t shot poisoned darts at people recently anymore?”

“What?”

“Look,” Logan said. “You’re going to have to tell him you’re not going to execute him soon. Patton can only keep him from bolting for so long.”

[cowardlycowboys]

FAITH POSTING ABOUT HOMESTUCK ON MAIN IN 2024 PEACE ON EARTH IS A 4/13 MIRACLE

[harrowclare]

PLEASE HELP US HELP OUR FRIEND'S FAMILY

URGENT IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

Siraj and her family need $500 to secure a truck in order to move herself, her disable husband, and her 5 children to a safer location.

In addition to this, she needs new shoes, and one of her sons needs access to emergency medical supplies, including colostomy bags. Long-term, they need food, water, and enough money to relocate permanently.

MORE INFO & BACKGROUND:

Siraj and her family are currently in Nuseirat, weighing their options. it is difficult to relocate with so many kids and an adult with a disability, and they have already had to do it twelve times. we are hoping to ease their troubles by helping them get access to a truck, as mentioned above.

Siraj keeps us posted, and despite everything her spirits are high. she was excited to let us know that she used some of the funds to buy an avocado as a treat. please, if you have anything to spare, help us help our friend's family. a reblog also goes a long way.

for updates on how the fund is going, and news from Siraj and her family, Beth, who runs the gfm, posts on instagram, and you can follow her here.

from the gfm page:

Siraj is a 32 year old mother of 5 children. Siraj met her husband Mohammad and married him in 2010 while she was attending Al Asqa university in Gaza, where she graduated in 2012 with a degree in public and media relations. She and Mohammed opened their own business, a clothing store, and worked very hard to provide for their family. They had a successful business and a beautiful home they shared with Mohammed’s family as well. When they first started their business it was an online store, but they were in the process of opening a physical storefront last fall. When their home was destroyed in October they also lost all of the merchandise they had purchased to open their store. Their home was in Nuseirat in Gaza City. The family was at home on the 17th of October when their home was hit. The entire family was trapped and injured in this event. Mohammed suffered an injury to his foot and has been disabled ever since. The parents also had to go through the horror of digging their babies out from the rubble and trying to get their injuries treated. After they lost their home in October, they have been displaced and ordered to move 12 different times. You can imagine the physical and emotional toll this must take on someone. This family currently lives in a tent somewhere southeast of the city. They do not have the means to move again should they be ordered to at this time. The long term goal for this family is medical evacuation for the child Eyad, as he is suffering the most. Realistically medical care for the entire family is needed.

LEARN ABOUT THE CHILDREN UNDER THE READ MORE CUT!

Their oldest children are twins Maya & Yazan who are 11. Siraj has told me that Yazan had dreams of being in the Olympics and mom said he competed in swimming and martial arts and horseback riding. Maya is a gifted artist who misses her school and classmates. Their second son is Eyad who is 7. Eyad is special because he requires medical supplies that aren’t available to the family right now; a colostomy bag, which the family is forced to improvise for him, as none are available. Having a need like this go unmet will cause more issues for Eyad in coming days and his parents are distraught that they can’t care for him. He could suffer from skin breakdown from having his waste touch his skin without these supplies. Part of the funds we raise will be saved for future medical supplies. Siraj will keep some funds on hand to purchase things for Eyad when they are available. Next is Ibrahem, who is only 3 years old. Ibrahem is a toddler who should be at the playground or the chalet with his cousins and instead has to make due at camp. Baby Ahmed just turned one in July. He has spent more of his life dodging bullets than he has got to spend feeling safe with his family. The last reported costs at Rafah crossing to Egypt were $5000 -$7000 per person. All funds are going directly to this family. Funds that are withdrawn now will be used to purchase needed items like food or repairs for their tent. Any withdrawn funds that are left will be saved to purchase future supplies when they are available and for future living expenses. It is our intention that the children will continue to benefit from this fund should something happen to their parents.

photos are from "before".

this campaign is run by one of Siraj's family members who lives in the US, with the help of one of my best friends, who is assisting with writing in English and posting to social media. my friend and Siraj have been getting to know one another over the past couple of months, and we have all come to view her as a friend. for her birthday, we all sent her a video wishing her a happy birthday, and she was delighted to see the faces of people on the otheer side of the world who care about her. this is very personal to me. please please help if you can.

[thehauntedinfirmary]

Fic Rec Friday Edition 32

Welcome to Fic Rec Friday! With this series, we're aiming to make a contribution to fic reading and engagement within the Shyan fandom by publishing a periodic recs list containing fics selected by our members. So sit back with a tasty beverage of your choice and welcome in the weekend with this week's selection - and feel free to like and reblog this post to spread the word!

Light My Way by breathtaken Complete | 31k words

He remembers Ryan in his body, Ryan in his head, and he doesn’t know any spells to help him get over that.

open all your doors by apologeticallybourgeois Complete | 8k words

Shane was almost sure that Ryan didn’t actually cast a spell for it to happen, if only because the price he’d have to pay would probably be counted in, like, human limbs instead of a couple of small animals.

The Genius of the Western River by Siria Complete | 14k words

Shane’s totally working on being flippant about all those times he joked about Ryan’s godlike physique, never suspecting how true those jokes might be—the two of them just have to defeat a supernatural serial killer first. (A Rivers of London fusion AU.)

Your Heart Inside of Mine by MiraclesofPaul Complete | 51k words

They're placed into the Witness Protection Program after a bomb was found on the set of Unsolved. The only way to stick together is to lie and say they’re engaged. Years go by. Things change. Things transform.

Dancing With A Stranger by breathtaken WIP | 20k words

“I find myself in need of a private investigator.” Ryan almost laughs. If their positions were reversed, he doesn’t think he would have come here if Shane were the last private investigator in Los Angeles.

waiting for the sunlight by sarcasticfishes Complete | 18k words

Sara had always known, growing up as both an only child and a princess, that she would likely not marry for love.

accidentally, the whole thing by Matriaya Complete | 5k words

Shane knows it’s illogical, that there are twenty thousand other explanations for the noise Ryan made and the way the sound of shifting fabric is now issuing out of his phone’s speaker. He sucks in a breath as he tries to parse what to do next, but it evaporates in his lungs when he hears it. His own name. “Shane.”

it was all by design (cause i’m a mastermind) by Anonymous Complete | 7k words

His connection with Shane is something he can’t ignore or deny, which only means one thing: Ryan has to go out of his way to make this guy a permanent part of his life.

My Heart's a Honeytone by Anonymous Complete | 7k words

Shane is in quite the predicament. Upon consulting new evidence, it turns out that ghosts are totally real. Also, he was in a devastating car accident and never told Ryan how he feels and now it's too late, but holy shit, ghosts are real. He's gotta at least find a way to tell Ryan that.

Want to learn more about The Haunted Infirmary? Check out our pinned post!

[wiklm]

hello everyone!! i’ve compiled some genshin age headcannons with the help of @interstate35south !!!! because you’re all wrong and i’m SICK of every character only being in their early 20s or several thousand years old with no in between. this will not be nearly the whole cast it’ll probably be like 10 characters or so bc i don’t have time for all that (i’m a liar). ok here we go

- first up let’s talk about ragbros!! this post is gonna be mostly bullet points but we had more to say about these 2. FIRST of all: Diluc was missing for 10 years after Crepus’ death instead of 4. How do i know this?? he told me himself trust me. No but actually him being missing much longer feels more impactful for Diluc and Kaeya’s festering issues they’ve got going on ykwim?? as a wise man (intertstate35south) once said, he’s been gone for 4 years starting at 18?? big whoop that’s just college. Second: Diluc is like 43 ish, kaeya is 40 ish. Diluc came back to mond at ~28 and kaeya was ~25! between then by the time traveler arrives in mond it’s been about 15 years.

- next up cyno tighnari and collei!! i’m ill about them!! i actually have no clue at all what their approximate ages are BUT i’ve seen enough people hc them as being in their mid 20s that i felt the need to make this post in the first place (i am a drama queen)!! in my head i have decided that at the time cyno went to mondstadt to seal collei’s archon residue collei was ~12 (with some wiggle room b/c of how long she was with dottore) and cyno and tighnari were 36 and 34 respectively. as of traveler arriving in sumeru ik sayinf it’s been 3 years and cyno is at 39 and tighnari at 37 and BEFORE YOU TELL ME cyno is the youngest general mahamatra in ages YES that’s true but he could’ve still been the youngest and just been on the job for 15 or so years since being appointed!! he was still appointed young but he wasn’t made general mahatma last week ykwim??

- ok i’m done with the super long ones i’m so sorry for that!! next up we got beidou and ningguang. if i see one more of you call them milfs and then in the same breath say they are twenty seven it will cause the heat death of the universe. to be honest i can see them anywhere in the range of 35-47 i don’t really have a specific one for them!! but seriously stop calling them milfs and also 27 years old you can’t do that

- albedo!! i do think him being immortal and some unspecified very large age would be fun but in the case of him being a normal age even if he is immortal i give him a solid 34-37

- jean and lisa early-mid 40s!! it’s just more fun when lisa has substantially less time left yk it ups the stakes

- less of an age headcanon more of a dumb pet peeve of mine but if ONE more of you mfs calls zhongli an old man and then gives him anime baby face.. lord.

-wriothesley 32 trust trust trust . he’s on the younger side for my age hcs bc i think he is still young just not like early 20s young yk

-thoma is in the same age range as diluc/kaeya/jean/lisa bc i am a diluc jean and thoma childhood friends truther

ok that’s all!! may reblog with more some day but for now this is all i got!! don’t take this too serious i’m goofing around and i think about this god awful game FAR too much it’s terrible actually

[letters-to-lgbt-kids]

I posted 551 times in 2022

That's 155 more posts than 2021!

178 posts created (32%)

373 posts reblogged (68%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@letters-to-lgbt-kids

I tagged 175 of my posts in 2022

#lgbt - 150 posts

#lgbt+ - 149 posts

#good addition thankyou! - 2 posts

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

My dear lgbt+ kids,

"I am Oliver. We don't know each other yet. It's nice to meet you!"

Those are pretty simple sentences, easy to understand, right? You don't need to be an expert on language to use sentences like that. I am fairly certain that even Elon Musk could do so - even though I used pronouns in each of them.

I and We and It and You are pronouns. A pronoun is a word that is used as a substitution for a noun. If we used no pronouns at all, we'd have to constantly repeat nouns: Instead of "Lily likes coffee. She drinks it every day.", it'd be "Lily likes coffee. Lily drinks coffee every day."

That's not how the majority of people speak now and it wasn't the way they spoke a few years ago, either. Pronouns are not a new invention and they weren't invented by trans people.

You probably don't need an English lesson from me - I just want to highlight how silly it is when people claim stuff like "Nobody used pronouns before 2020, it's ridiculous to expect people to suddenly know how to use them now" or "Most people don't even use pronouns, it's just a tiny majority of people who use them" or "Most people are not trans, so they don't understand how pronouns work" or "Pronouns ruin our beautiful language! We can't just suddenly decide to change the way language works".*

Just think of this letter as your permission to roll your eyes at statements like that (internally, if necessary). It's not your job to teach basic English to adults.

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

* Note how all of those statements actually contain pronouns as well?

1,605 notes - Posted June 22, 2022

#4

My dear lgbt+ kids,

I just committed the big mistake of looking at the notes of a random cute "I love loving men" post that I stumbled across and, wow, it's disappointing how something as sweet as talking about love can attract so much hate.

But among the obvious bad takes ("If you like men, you are not queer" and all that jazz), there were a few that I assume were written by well-meaning people and I noticed a common theme in them, so I wanted to address it here:

No, you do not help trans men by talking about how much you hate cis men.

You do not help trans men if you take positivity for men and turn it into a "this is only about trans men! cis men are evil" thing.

You do not do anyone a favor by separating men into good (trans) men and bad (cis) men - and you can only do that online anyway. How would you do it offline? You can't always tell if a man is trans or cis just by looking at them. Do you assume we all look feminine? Or would you ask us about our genitalia to determine if we are good or bad? And if so, then what about trans men who got bottom surgery? Do they suddenly turn from good to bad after surgery?

As a trans man myself, I can tell you that you do not make me feel safe or supported by adding "Yes but only trans men lol" to positivity posts for men. In fact, it has the opposite effect: You are just telling me that you only see me as "a man who is Not Really A Man". A man lite. Not the same gender as cis men.

Trans men and cis men are both men. We all equally belong in the category of men. We are the same gender! Making a big deal out of hating some of us doesn't help any of us.

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

1,716 notes - Posted April 18, 2022

#3

My dear lgbt+ kids,

If you know you don't want to get pregnant anytime soon, here are some options to consider.

Implant

A birth control implant is a plastic rod (about the size of a matchstick) that is implanted under the skin. It releases progestin which blocks ovulation. It lasts up to 3 years and can be removed anytime. It doesn't require a pelvic exam and it doesn't have estrogen (important for people who want or need to avoid it).

It can cause side effects but they are usually minor, such as acne or breast tenderness.

Copper IUD (also called nonhormonal IUD)

An IUD is a small, T-shaped instrument that gets placed in your uterus. Sperm don't like copper - when they run into a copper IUD, they swim in the opposite direction which keeps them from getting to the egg. It lasts up to 12 years and can be removed. (If you change your mind and want a baby, you can even start trying immediately after removal!)

Side effects can include random spotting during early use as well as a heavier flow and more cramps during your period. Some people experience discomfort after the insertion but that's short-lived and can usually be relieved with OTC painkillers.

Hormonal IUD

The same as above but it releases a small amount of progestin (much less progestin than found in birth control pills). It lasts for 3 to 7 years and usually makes you stop having periods or makes them much lighter. (If you change your mind and want a baby, it will take some time after removal before you can start trying.)

You may experience cramping or dizziness during the insertion procedure. Some also experience spotting and cramping for 3 to 6 months after but once your body gets used to it, it goes away.

All three of these are very effective ways to prevent pregnancy (with over 99% effectiveness) because they are "forgettable". You don't need to remember any schedule or plan ahead before you have sex.

Important to remember: They do not prevent STDs!

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

1,757 notes - Posted June 27, 2022

#2

My dear lgbt+ kids,

Here are simply a few short reminders:

trans men and lesbians are not enemies

trans men and lesbians are allowed to relate to each other and find comfort in shared experiences

trans men can find comfort in content that was made by/for lesbians, and the other way around

friendships between trans men and lesbians exist and are beautiful

claiming that such friendships are by default predatory/toxic/weird is bullcrap

"We can support each other but unfortunately we are fighting for totally incompatible goals :( " is bullcrap too (and also a big red flag that you are talking to a terf)

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

1,933 notes - Posted July 22, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

My dear lgbt+ kids,

Here are some good things that happened in 2021!

January:

Just hours after his inauguration, President Joe Biden (USA) signed an executive order for more protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, sexuality, gender identity and sex stereotypes.

The Labor Department (USA) suspended an executive order banning government agencies from providing diversity training.

Also USA: transgender people are now allowed to serve in the military.

February:

Homosexuality is no longer a crime in Bhutan.

Homosexuality is no longer a crime in Angola.

The new penal code in Angola contains anti-discrimination protections on the basis of sexuality and gender identity

In New York, commercial surrogacy has become legal for same-sex couples.

March:

The EU parliament decided that all EU member states are a "lgbt+ freedom zone".

Victoria (Australia) banned conversion therapy.

April:

Religious leaders in Uganda released a video documentary preaching love and support for the lgbt+ community.

May:

In the USA, healthcare companies are no longer allowed to deny coverage to gay and transgender people.

Croatia allows adoption for same-sex couples.

June:

The Mexican State of Sinaloa legalized same-sex marriage.

India banned conversion therapy.

The UK allows gay men to donate blood.

France allows gay men to donate blood.

July:

Minnesota (USA) banned conversion therapy.

Argentinia included "X" in the National Identity Document as an gender option for nonbinary people.

August:

Yucatán (Mexico) legalized same-sex marriage.

Yucatán (Mexico) banned conversion therapy.

See the full post

3,248 notes - Posted January 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[shirozora-draws]

I posted 53 times in 2022

49 posts created (92%)

4 posts reblogged (8%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@trashquisitor-shirozora

@shirozora-writes

@shirozora-draws

I tagged 53 of my posts in 2022

#shirozora draws - 46 posts

#the mandalorian - 33 posts

#star wars - 32 posts

#din djarin - 31 posts

#luke skywalker - 28 posts

#dinluke - 28 posts

#skydalorian - 27 posts

#shirozora awkwardly responds to asks - 9 posts

#our flag means death - 9 posts

#tbobf - 9 posts

Longest Tag: 131 characters

#you ever love something so much you just wanna cry and scream and claw at the walls bc it's so hard to breathe?? that's me with din

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

an exercise in "thinking about vague shapes and gestures, how do i flesh that out" that took 4 days longer than i can spare. the companion sketch to the staircase AU scribble that i tinkered with almost every day since Sunday and now it's Friday and i had to tweak the layers 2 minutes ago, so.

seriously though. I really need to stop drawing and actually write like I've been meaning to since last month. get with the program, brain.

1,536 notes - Posted August 12, 2022

#4

Episode 6? What episode 6? I don't know what you're talking about. Din needed help not slicing himself open with the Darksaber and went to the one person who seemed most willing to help.

They have a cheerleader and a snack.

Okay but real talk - I sketched the idea on my phone while waiting in the ER (it was an eventful Tuesday morning - for my mom, I'm all right and so is she!) and had been turning it into a finished doodle when TBOBF ep 6 dropped. Canon can do whatever it wants because I can do whatever I want, too.

P.S. the name of this file is "broad v twunk".

1,649 notes - Posted February 3, 2022

#3

So. I said I wanted to clean up and color one of my sketches and uh. Um. Well. Remembered a post about the "leggy blond" and the whole thing got away from me.

I really need to stop listening to my brain.

Post-S1 cozy warm weekend vibes anyone? *walks into the sea*

1,756 notes - Posted April 23, 2022

#2

"Din needs to do some maintenance on his midlife crisis space bugatti and just happened to be near wherever in the galaxy Luke, Grogu, and Artoo are."

As irritated as I am with how The Book of Boba Fett is being handled, I'm also vibrating with so many thoughts and ideas and cannot draw fast enough. I also have a project with a looming deadline and also, uh, an entire fic to write, if you wanna know how bad I am at self-control.

This doodle came out of some very... spicy thoughts about the Naboo starfighter and negotiating tight spaces. I'm just horribly weak for sleek starships (looking at you, USS Enterprise).

2,359 notes - Posted February 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

See the full post

16,159 notes - Posted January 9, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[not-without-my-oreos]

You know I realised something the last time I saw Tarja live.

14 years ago, I used to wake up at 5am, get dressed, and go into London for a Tarja gig. I would wait outside the venue with my friends from 6:30am - 6pm when the doors would open and I would be there with *several* people all around my age. It would be a great time! I would be exhausted, but it was a great time! The feeling when seeing Tarja’s bus arrive around 11am, watching her get off the bus and wave at us all. That feeling of my heart jumping when she would walk past us to get coffee or lunch. It was something I cannot describe. I would go to the concert, dance and scream with my friend from Italy and give myself a violent sore throat. After the concert, we would wait and wait and wait until she came out of the venue at 1am just to meet her.

In 2023 (I’m 31 at this point), I went to see Tarja again. This time, I paid for the VIP experience so I didn’t have to get there so early. I could chill, go to sound check and the meet and greet. It was a great day! She’s a lovely person to meet (seriously like the nicest celebrity I’ve ever met next to Gates McFadden) and I had the money I could pay for it (I’m 32 now). It was the best day of my life and 18 year old me would have been screaming, crying, and throwing up. When I woke up that morning to go to the concert. I had to be at the venue for 2pm so Tarja’s assistant could meet with us, take our names, check our ID, and make sure we weren’t COVID ridden. On the train up there, I was expecting to see the next generation of Tarja girlies outside the venue, waiting, ordering pizza, and singing Tarja and Within Temptation songs, but when I got there - nothing. No one. It was empty. I was super surprised.

When I got home from the concert, the next day, I was reblogging Tarja stuff on tumblr and I saw that the most recent Tarja posts get 20 - 70 notes but older Tarja stuff from when I used to play around on Tumblr, in 2013, had hundreds, if not thousands of notes.

And then I realised something

Tarja fans grew up. We literally grew up. We moved on to other things. We no longer wait outside venues, scream when Tarja walked into a coffee shop across the street, make up songs, or joke about her anymore and I miss it. I miss being young. I realised last year that my adulthood as started and my childhood and adolescence was very much over and Tarja’s fans aren’t getting *any* younger.

Tarja was 32 when she started her solo career, the same age as I am now. I was fresh outta high school at 16. It’s… odd to think about. I brought her first solo album with my very first paycheck. I paid £22 for the deluxe edition of My Winter Storm. She’s in her mid 40s now, with a husband and a kid. She’s posting pictures of wine and her evening walks with her daughter. I remember a time when Tarja didn’t interact with her fans at all on social media and then COVID hit and suddenly she was playing piano for us on Instagram Live, drinking wine, and doing a Q&A.

What I’m saying is - things changed a lot over fifteen years and I didn’t even notice things changing. We got old and I didn’t even notice aging. I miss sitting outside venues and Tarja walking past, laughing that melodic laugh she has and saying “Wow, you guys are crazy! It’s so early!” But you could tell it meant something to her. Like she felt that same heart flutter we all felt.

I don’t really know how to end this rambling session so I’ll say this; I’m seeing Tarja open for Within Temptation in November and no I’m not getting there for 6am. I got seated tickets because my back hurts.

[lumiinix]

I posted 181 times in 2022

That's 181 more posts than 2021!

93 posts created (51%)

88 posts reblogged (49%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@lumi-does-some-stuff

@wake-uptoreality

@shoyoist

@ch3rryf1z

@bbiemilk

I tagged 175 of my posts in 2022

Only 3% of my posts had no tags

#lumi:post! - 72 posts

#lumi:repost! - 62 posts

#lumi:rants! - 40 posts

#hq - 35 posts

#haikyuu - 35 posts

#haikyuu imagines - 32 posts

#haikyuu x reader - 32 posts

#haikyuu x y/n - 18 posts

#kageyama x reader - 13 posts

#atsumu x reader - 13 posts

Longest Tag: 77 characters

#and the streets are empty with lights from building and street lamps still on

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Haikyuu as type of boyfriend in a family reunion.

A/N: FINALLY FINISHED WITH THIS!!! WHY DOES IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO DO THIS IN THE BEGINNING ANYWAY???

He is a joy to be around! He had no problems going up to your relatives and say hi, even gossiping with your aunts a little, and the children, THEY LOVE HIM. Like every child in the party (even the shy ones) all wants to play with him and he participated in any activities that your little cousins made. But that doesn’t mean that he’s neglecting you, no no, every now and then, he would look at your direction and gave you a thumbs up as a sign of he’s doing fine and you don’t need to worry about him, sometimes even asking if you want to participate in the fun! And how could you be worried about him when all he does is light up the reunion and making everyone smile. Your grandparents even ask him to marry you so he could come over more, the two of you flushed in embarrassment from that comment.

-HINATA, sugawara, Lev, NISHINOYA, Tendou, Goshiki, Yamamoto, Oikawa, BOKUTO, Atsumu, Aran, Meian.

See the full post

1,679 notes - Posted August 4, 2022

#4

Boyfriend!Kiyoomi who looms over you when you talk to his teammates, saying that he’s just making sure they don’t infect you with their germs and swore he’s not actually just jealous about you hanging out with them, no way!

1,977 notes - Posted October 23, 2022

#3

It's like you get to see a completely different person when your stoic boyfriend who is usually reluctant to even hold your hand in public because he’s shy suddenly starts being really, really clingy in the morning. Like you would try to get out of bed and he would simply refuse to let you go. And how can you refuse him when his strong arms encircle your waist, drawing you closer to him, begging in a raspy voice for just five more minutes?

-KAGEYAMA, TSUKISHIMA, IWAIZUMI, SAKUSA, USHIJIMA.

REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED!

5,462 notes - Posted November 21, 2022

#2

Haikyuu boys when you referred to yourself with his last name

A/N: Married Hq boys headcanons bc yes. Also this is gender neutral reader.

Fucking dies both on the outside and inside, but can you blame him, he just still can’t believe you married him, so when he hears you said his last name with your first name so naturally when a barista asked for your name so she could identify you from other customers, he just melts. It’s only been a week since you got married but from how natural you’ve become, he’s like “ahhhhhh they married meeee”, his face is red while his heart races miles per hour and he becomes all mushy and cuddly when you’re alone.

- Hinata, Kageyama, TANAKA, Asahi, iwaizumi (he tries to hide his flustered state but failed-), YAMAMOTO, Lev, Bokuto, Atsumu.

On the outside he seems normal, after all, you guys are married for 2 years now. But every now and then when you introduce yourself to new people using his last name, even referring to him as your husband, his heart swells as the tip of his ears turn pink when looked close enough. He knows it’s kind of stupid to feel this way when you guys are married, but he just can’t help it, he’s just so proud to call you his.

- Daichi, Tsukishima, Kuroo, KENMA, Matsukawa, AKAASHI, Ushijima, Osamu, Kita, Suna.

See the full post

6,124 notes - Posted September 21, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Girls drool over him at the beach, giggling and ogling at the sight of his toned biceps and hard abs, they all began to bashed their eyelashes and swirl their hair, hoping to get his attention only to get visibly disappointed when he only walks pass them, didn’t even spare them a glance as he walks up to you, giving you a kiss on the lips when you tipped toed at him. He didn’t even notice these girls where looking at him when he only has eyes for you.

- Hinata, Kageyama, Bokuto, Iwaizumi, Ushijima, Suna (he doesn’t care), Komori, Hoshiumi.

A.N: Imma just proofread this later (maybe)

7,972 notes - Posted September 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[bitchinbarzal]

I posted 994 times in 2022

That's 994 more posts than 2021!

708 posts created (71%)

286 posts reblogged (29%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@mack-samo

@bitchinbarzal

@tthomasbordeleau

@puckshitbitch

@toothlessdudebros

I tagged 140 of my posts in 2022

#bugs world - 32 posts

#fake instagram edit - 29 posts

#lulu’s christmas party - 19 posts

#umich imagine - 12 posts

#nhl imagine - 11 posts

#luna’s blurb week - 11 posts

#lulu writes blurbs - 10 posts

#jack hughes imagine - 6 posts

#lulu writes - 6 posts

#jack hughes x reader - 5 posts

Longest Tag: 77 characters

#i learned 7 languages partially this year to make my players feel comfortable

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Cowboys Rule | E.Edwards

summary; the number one rule of cowboys - wear the hat ride the cowboy

-

Mark had decided on a whole cowboys and country theme for his twenty first birthday so everyone went all out with the dress up.

You and Ethan had set up the venue from early morning; a local bar and you’d gone all out even getting a mechanical bull.

You’d just finished pinning up the last banner when you felt two hands on either side of your waist and pulled your body down from the ladder

“Okay, we’re done! We gotta get ready” Ethan announced, pulling you away from the decorations.

“I just have to-“ “No! You’ve done enough we’ll be late if we don’t go now”

You laughed and gave in “Okay, Okay let’s go I need to get in my get up!”

“Get up?” He chuckled, eying you.

“Oh yeah I have this cute black and white cow print hat and the matching boots, it’s glittery and everything!” You squealed in excitement.

Ethan smiled at you “I can’t wait to see, meet you back here at eight?”

“Got it!” You replied, running off towards your dorm.

You’d arrived at the party later than intended and it was already in full swing.

Managing to find Mark and Duke when you arrived you passed off your birthday gift “Happy Birthday Woodruff!!”

Rolling his eyes Mark pulled you in for a hug “Thank you, thank you for setting up and everything! You’re the best”

It was hard to hear over the music so you were leaning up to shout in his ear “Where’s Eddy?!”

Mark looked around before pointing over in the corner you could see Ethan helping some girl up onto the mechanical bull, his hands resting on her ass even when she was situated.

You rolled your eyes and you could feel Mark giving you a sad glance while he rubbed your back before he was pulled away.

“Hey there’s our cowgirl!” Arm thrown over your shoulder and you leaned into Mackie while Luke appeared on your other side.

“Hey guys, enjoying the party?”

“It’s awesome, you want to plan ours?” “You wish - I like Mark that’s why I spent so much time on it”

Luke pulled a face “Harsh but we love you so we’ll forgive” before lifting your hat off your head and walking off.

Mackie held is hand out for you and quirked his eyebrow “Join me?”

You looking from his face to his hand you smiled softly nodding your head and putting your hand in his.

Ethan had watched you waltz around the bar alongside his teammate with jealous eyes.

There was a grey zone you two were in right now with mutual feelings but all the stupidity not to say anything just living in the constant agony of jealousy. It wasn’t fun to see all these girls throw themselves at him just because he was a hockey player while you just had to sit and watch.

When it was announced the cake was coming out you stood up on a table along with a couple other girls to see over everything while you sang.

“Happy Birthday, dear mark, Happy Birthday to you”

As the song finished you screamed out a cheer before you tried stepping down from the table. You were about to jump when Mackie held your waist and lifted you down letting out a laugh, hands on his shoulders to stabilize yourself.

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142 notes - Posted October 20, 2022

#4

Best I Ever Had | L.Hughes

Summary; solely based off “set it up” because that’s my favourite movie ever. It’s actually only based on one scene the rest I made up lol.

pairings: luke hughes x fem!reader, mark estapa x fem!reader, umich hockey x fem!reader (platonic)

I don’t like how I ended this but I couldn’t think of anything else.

-

Barging in through the front door you heard everyone shouting at one another.

You stopped in the doorway looking at the boys arguing over something while the TV still had static

“I gave you one job, have the game on before I got here and you don’t have the game on!”

The yelled ceased and they all turned to you, smiling “We can’t figure out the remote”

You sighed, snatching the remote from Mark’s hand and fiddling around with the buttons until the game finally appeared.

“Did you guys get food?” You asked, jacket being discarded onto the floor. There were an array of mumbles before Ethan spoke

“Yeah I put yours on the table in the kitchen” you smiled a thank you before off to retrieve the food, making your way back and throwing yourself into the tiny space of the armchair Mark sat on, your legs cascading over his lap while he used your shins as a makeshift table for his plate.

While everyone was eating and watching the pre-game highlights your eyes cast over the room, eyebrows furrowing when you noticed something missing.

“Hey, where’s Luke?” You felt Mark still underneath you, everyone else doing the same.

They all looked at one another before Duke said “He’s on a date”

Your heart fell, and consciously you tried not to let it show on your face “Oh- who with?”

“You know that girl from our marketing class?”

“Lily?” “Yeah, her”

Lily was pretty, she was the typical ‘NHL wag’ type. You hadn’t spoken to her much but you saw her around in class and at games, she would always interrupt conversations with the boys to go on about how much she just ‘loved’ hockey and when you would so innocently say

“Oh, we’re looking for more people to join the girls team actually!” She would snarl and reply with a snarky “no thanks”

You could see the faces of the boys looking at you with pity. You wanted to attention away from you and your feelings so announced

“Ok anyone wanna place a bet? I’m on Jersey winning 4-2”

Everyone started yelling out their bets, wagering money on it and you felt Mark lean in closer behind your ear before he whispered

“He’s not worth getting upset over, he was stupid to pick her over you”

The game finished, jersey winning 4-2 over Pittsburgh and you went home a lot richer that night. You had helped Nick and Jimmy cleaning up the kitchen from the takeout you got when Luke got home, you saw him come in with a smile on his face walking straight up stairs not for a second registering your presence in the house.

You slipped out after you heard his bedroom door shut, not saying so much as a goodbye to the boys that were downstairs.

The days following Luke’s first date you didn’t see him much. You’d hung around with the team, saw him in passing and he spoke to you briefly in class but nothing like normal.

Luke hadn’t noticed the lack of you in his life for the influx in Lily, but everyone else had.

When Quinn would call he’d ask about you but was met with answers like “Oh I don’t know where she is”

And Jack had come to Detroit for an away game asking Luke to dinner, expecting you to join as you always did but instead Luke had brought Lily.

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158 notes - Posted September 21, 2022

#3

Vancouver | J.Hughes

summary: after a hurtful breakup he never thought he’d hear her voice again.

not entirely sure what this is but have it anyway

-

Through high school and all the junior clubs he went through, Jack stayed devoted to you and your relationship.

It surprised a lot of people. He was the supposed heartbreaker and player of the group of friends but he proved everyone wrong.

It all went downhill after the draft.

You’d been alongside him when he was drafted, cheering the loudest alongside his family. You were so proud of him.

He wasn’t like Quinn, he didn’t want to take time out or go slow into his career. When he heard first pick it went straight to his head.

It hurt to see what he became right infront of your eyes. He made the move straight to Jersey, threw himself into the team and proving himself to the organisation while pushing you away in the meantime.

The breakup was slow and he was oblivious. You’d stayed in Michigan after he left so the phone calls got fewer and fewer, you stop flying out to visit so much and even stopped hanging out with his family.

It became final when you flew out to Jersey to watch a game. He hadn’t done much with you being there and when the weekend ended and you had your bags packed you held onto him for just a little longer.

“Goodbye J” you mumbled, a slight crack in your voice.

“I’ll see you in a couple weeks at the red wings game, right? No need to be upset babe”

You shook your head “No, Jack I- I don’t think I can do this any longer”

“What? What are you talking about?”

He reached out for your hand but you pulled away

“I lost you Jack-“ “I’m right here! What are you on about?”

You were trying so hard not to get upset “I lost you, the real you, my Jack back in Vancouver. The day you became Jack Hughes the devil I lost you”

He had been rendered speechless, stumbling back a few steps.

“Goodbye Jack”

No reply. Just the sound of your suitcase wheels squeaking out the door for the last time.

He was heartbroken.

The days, weeks, months following he reflected on everything that had happened since he had been drafted.

Maybe you were right.

He’d tried filling the void with random party girls, set ups and dating app girls but nothing ever came close.

His family saw you around still. You went to lunch with Luke oftentimes but he never told Jack about it.

You’d told him that you’d dropped out of college and signed a record deal. You were finally getting your dream of creating music, being a voice and being heard.

“We’re really proud of you - all of us. We’re just really sorry”

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172 notes - Posted October 22, 2022

#2

Speak Now | L.Hughes

This has been in my drafts so long I needed it out

-

Everyone knew this was a bad idea, that Luke was crazy.

He shouldn’t be here. He knew that, but he was.

Victoria saw him before anyone else, slipping discreetly past mingling guests and tugging his suit sleeve in a way to get his attention before she snapped

“Don’t ruin this for her Hughes, this is her day”

Luke visibly gulped and replied “I don’t know what you’re talking about Vic, I’m just here for an old friend”

She scoffed “old friend, yeah ok”

He found his friends, his parents and brothers all grabbing drinks next to the bar.

“I really thought we’d be up there in those stupid blue suits on her wedding day, with you of course Hughesy because we are the best men in your life” Duke was clearly trying to make a joke but it failed, Mackie poked him in the ribs to warrant a stop.

He then gave Luke a face and said “Man, we’re sorry I know it’s not easy-“

“I’m fine, I’m just here to support you know. They did invite me” Luke added, gulping down the rest of his drink.

“Owen told me they fought about your invite” Kent added, giving Luke a soft smile in a way to make him feel better “She really fought to have you c my ome today Luke, she cared a lot you were here”

Luke shrugged “Yeah i guess, she’s close with my family you know? I mean my mom and dad are here, Quinn and Jack”

The group couldn’t help but roll their eyes at his blindness.

“You know that’s not why she did it Luke and you know it”

The wedding planner started filing people into the venue, to find a seat for the ceremony.

“Luke sit in the middle”

“What? No, why? I’m taller than you I gotta sit on the outside to I can move my leg”

“Because if you sit in the middle then we can stop you when you try to object”

He rolled his eyes “I’m not going to object to her marriage dipshit”

Ethan held his hands up “I’m just saying”

In the back room you were finishing getting ready when Victoria finally let it slip. She was adjusting your necklace, looked you in the eyes and caved

“He’s here” your eyes shot up to hers and your mouth dropped open.

“Really?” She nodded “Really.”

Nodding, you let out a huge breath you didn’t know you were holding in.

“We can walk away right now if you want to, I’ll hold your hand and if anyone tries to stop it you’ve got a hockey team to defend you from any evil mother in laws”

You laughed at her and shook your head “I’m okay, I’m glad he’s here”

She brushed your hair off your shoulder and beamed “All ready! You look gorgeous!”

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196 notes - Posted October 26, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

#46 with luke

“Stop being a fucking prick”

-

Milo’s birth had been the best kept secret of Michigan.

You honestly thought Mackie would’ve spilled the beans at one point.

You were cautious when Ethan left to play in Jersey. With Luke having left the year prior and Milo being a couple months old now, you waited for the

how come you had my baby and I didn’t know? text.

It never came.

So, you carried on with life. You were close to graduating and looking for a job. Not having a job after graduation wasn’t an option at this point, being a mom was expensive.

“Hey, you wanna go watch the Red Wings Devils game this Saturday? Eddy says that he can get us tickets” Mark asked, shouting through the house.

“I’m down but we’ll have to take Milo because his babysitter is out of town”

“Eddy also said ‘tell her she better bring Milo because I miss him’” you laughed, always one step ahead.

At almost a year old, the little boy was beginning to develop noticeable features from his parents. He had Luke’s hair and nose while he had your eyes. He hadn’t fully developed a smile yet but the way he gave his gummy half smiles with a certain slant you knew they’d be just like Luke’s.

Dressed up in his Devils jersey, a gift from Ethan when he left. Milo had been to so many hockey games in his short little life, being a common spectator at Yost.

While Luke wasn’t in the picture you still wanted to bring those certain aspects of him around Milo. You took him to hockey games, you celebrated certain Jewish holidays with him (after a lot of googling). People thought it strange, you hadn’t told Luke by choice but wanted to keep him around.

Your reasoning sounded stupid to some but others understood where you were coming from. Luke broke up with you after loosing out again at Frozen Four.

The devils organization were there in Tampa. Luke had signed before he even got out of his jersey.

He told you it wouldn’t work, how you were going to be too far apart and that he wanted to experience life as a rookie in New Jersey with a fresh start.

You planned to tell him that night, you were pregnant. You never got the chance. Instead, you nodded and wished him well in Jersey.

You then didn’t tell anyone for months until you were all leaving for the summer and you bid your goodbyes very tearfully. You weren’t sure what would happen next year, if you’d ever be back in Michigan with your friends.

You told them, they dragged it out of you and you made them promise to not tell Luke.

It was awfully quiet at the lake house that summer.

Everyone had brought their partners and Luke was alone for the first time in years, he felt lonely. He missed you. He screwed up.

“Have you got his bag? His ear defenders? Oh did I pack snacks? What about-“

“You gotta calm down, what’s up with you?” Mark stopped you, taking milo out of your arms and looking at you bordering on tears.

“This is the first time I’m gonna see him Mark, I thought I could do it-“

“You can! Luke knows nothing about Milo and I’m sure he won’t even notice us there. I’m right here with you”

His words of encouragement calmed you, nodding in agreement and making your way to the car.

It was a busy night and Milo was loving all of the attention he was getting from random people that passed, all waving and smiling at him.

“C’mon buddy let’s go find Ethan and get your first NHL puck” Mark announced, taking him from your arms and walking down the stairs to ice level.

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282 notes - Posted November 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

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I posted 602 times in 2022

That's 602 more posts than 2021!

194 posts created (32%)

408 posts reblogged (68%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@jamespotterthefirst

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I tagged 270 of my posts in 2022

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Longest Tag: 83 characters

#i can't look at this picture and not imagine diapers and coloring books in that bag

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Meet My MC

Taglist: @choicesficwriterscreations @potionsprefect @jamespotterthefirst @annfg8 @peonierose @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @jerzwriter @quixoticdreamer16 @mysticalgalaxysstuff @inlocusmads

53 notes - Posted September 28, 2022

#4

Preliminary Observations

Book: Open Heart, Book 1, Chapter 2

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)

Word count: 1888

Rating: Teen

Category:  Ethan’s POV

Warning: A few curse words. 

Prompt/Summary:  Harper asks Ethan to share his impressions of the new interns after their first day on the job.   

A/N: I’ve been replaying Chapter 2 over and over as I work on my next set of edits. I had a little spark of inspiration and just started writing and I think it resulted in my first fic. 😱 Here goes nothing!  

Ethan was in the diagnostics office finalizing some paperwork before calling it a day and heading to Donahue’s to decompress.  He frequented the pub a few nights a week usually to grab a beer and some dinner before heading home.  Sometimes he would treat himself to a nice glass of scotch, a reward after a long and stressful day.  Tonight was most definitely going to be a night that he treated himself.  It was July 1st after all, the most dreaded day of the year.  The day each year that a new cohort of interns show up to wreak havoc in the hospital. And as anticipated, it had been an exhausting day of babysitting and putting obnoxious ass-kissers in their place.  

Donahue’s was down the street and popular with the hospital staff.  For Ethan, it was an airlock between the hospital and home.  A place to grieve losses or celebrate victories and leave the remnants of the workday behind.  

Ethan wasn’t a social person, but he liked to watch people.  He was exceptionally observant.  He found it fascinating what you could learn about a person when observing them “out in the real world.”  And over the years he had learned quite a bit about his colleagues watching from his barstool in the corner. 

He knew some of the interns would likely find their way to the local watering hole tonight.  No doubt receiving an invitation from the friendliest of residents, Dr. Delarosa.  His curiosity about this new batch outweighed the desire to go directly home and avoid any further annoyance.  And if he was being honest with himself, there was one intern in which he was quite intrigued.  When he passed through the atrium a little while ago, he overheard the new friend group discussing their plans for the evening.  She confirmed that she would be there tonight, thus confirming his decision to stop and get a drink before heading home.     

“Knock, knock,” Harper said as she rapped on the frame of the open door.  “Got a minute?”

“I was just getting ready to leave for the night,” Ethan said as he signed off on the last of his paperwork.  

“I won’t keep you long.  I just wanted to check in.  I know how much you look forward to this day each year,” she sassed him.  “So, what do you think of the new crop?” she asked moving to take the seat next to him at the table.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, pinched his eyes shut, and took a deep breath.  “They’re interns, Harper.  They are annoying as all hell.”  He started to rub the tension from his neck.  

“Here, let me help you with that,” she said seductively, brushing his hand aside to replace it with her own.    

“Harper, please,” he said sternly.  Gently he grabbed her wrist and moved her hand back to her lap.  

Ethan had been warding off her advances for a few weeks now.  He recognized the pattern and knew she wanted to be “on” again.  And truth be told, he was tired of the on/off situation. He respected her immensely, but was bored with her as a romantic partner.  The last time they were officially together, conversations rarely strayed away from work.  Sex was satisfying, but nothing mind-blowing.  The investment in whatever kind of relationship they attempted no longer worth the return.  Her becoming Chief was a convenient excuse to end things for good.  

Seemingly unphased by yet another polite rejection, she continued, “I heard the Internal Medicine floor had several emergencies and that the code team was spread pretty thin this afternoon.”   

“Yes, it was a busy day.  We had simultaneous code blues called this afternoon,” Ethan stated.  “Unfortunately, the patient that the code team was called to first didn’t make it.  However, the doctors who called the code for the other patient were thankfully able to pull her through.”

“Wow, it sounds like the interns on this floor got to see quite a bit of action today!”

“I suppose so.”

“So… did any of those interns stand out to you today?” she said secretly hoping that her niece was one of them.  “I also need to know if you scared any of them shitless and made them quit already.  We do have candidates on a waitlist praying for that to happen,” she laughed.    

Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.  He knew all she really cared about was Aurora’s performance today.  “Harper, I was just trying to make sure no one unnecessarily died today.  I wasn’t really giving any one of them too much thought,” he lied.  He had been giving one a lot of thought actually.  His recommendation for the intern program.  He had seen a lot of potential in her application and she hadn’t disappointed on her first day in action.  

“Come on, Ethan,” Harper nudged, “I know you well enough to know you were paying closer attention than that.  You're the reason we all stopped placing bets on interns.  You called it every time.  You have an uncanny ability to see those with the most, and least, potential.  I don’t know if it’s your keen diagnostic skills or a Spidey-sense…” she said, shaking her head with a laugh, “...but obviously my strategy of counting how many times an intern is caught crying in the supply closet is flawed.”  

Ethan gave her a polite laugh.  

“So, go on and tell me, who are you betting on this year?”  

“Fine,” he said exasperated, not wanting to play this game with her. “Based on my preliminary observations today, I would bet on Varma and Brooks.  From what I observed today, Dr. Varma has the ambition and drive to be successful here.  She's aggressive and has a tactless attitude, but she’s quite intelligent.  And she won’t be scared easily.”  

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56 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

#3

The Boyfriend Excuse

Book: Open Heart, Book 2 (sometime after the gala)

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)

Word count: 1.1K

Rating: Teen

Category:  Fluff

Warning: A curse word or two.

Prompt: Ethan’s reaction to MC saying “I have a boyfriend” when he tries to hug/kiss her or something because she’s way too hammered. (prompt courtesy of @mvalentine)

Sawyer had been at Donahue's since happy hour started.  The crew had all gathered there to celebrate Jackie's birthday.  Given the occasion and who they were celebrating, tequila shots appeared in front of her one after the other.   

Breaking into a sweat on the dance floor, Sawyer began to feel quite dizzy.  She weaved and wobbled her way to a stool at the bar.  Trying to regain equilibrium, she rested her elbows on the counter and buried her face into her hands. 

A few moments later, a very tan and handsome man wearing a navy colored Hawaiian print shirt sidled up next to her.  

"Hey there.  How are you doing?" he asked, running fingers through his side swept hair.  "Can I get you something, or maybe just take you home?"

"I'm fine, and no thank you," she replied politely, slowly lifting her head.  She avoided making eye contact with him and kept her eyes trained behind the bar.  She thought if she could get the bartender's attention and order two drinks that this guy would assume she wasn’t there alone. 

She just managed to ask the bartender for the drinks when a towering figure who smelled like a mix of citrus and ocean breeze stepped up to the bar on her other side.  

The men flanking her shared a gentlemanly nod of understanding. The taller of the two then leaned down and whispered near her ear. 

"You look like you’re ready to get out of here.  Do you want to come home with me tonight? Or should I take you back to your place?"

"Um, would you excuse me please?” As quickly as she could without falling over, Sawyer jumped up from the stool and started to walk away from the bar.

“Where are you going?” asked the man who had approached her first.

She whipped her head around in his direction, the quick movement making her feel like she was once again spinning in a teacup.  

“I need to use the restroom.”  

After locking the door, she propped herself against the sink for stability and pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans.  She opened her most recent text exchange and began typing.

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70 notes - Posted September 21, 2022

#2

You Look Very...

Book: Open Heart, Book 1

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)

Word count: 1.2K

Rating: Teen

Category: Fluff

Warning: A curse word or two.

Prompt/Summary:  Sawyer shows up at Ethan’s place unannounced and neither is prepared for what they see when he opens the door.  This takes place after Miami but before the opera.

A/N:  Inspired by the “dresses” ask from my beautiful friend @peonierose.

As she scooted out of the car, Sawyer promised, “I'll only be a few minutes."

"Not a problem, babe," her companion assured, already scrolling through their phone to keep busy while they waited.  

Sawyer grasped her clutch and a file folder in one hand, the other picking up the bottom of her dress to keep it from getting snagged as she climbed the steps to the entrance of the building.

Without thinking, Sawyer buzzed herself in with a code that had previously been shared with her.  

"Good evening, Miss Sawyer," the security guard greeted.  "Don't you look lovely tonight."  

"Why thank you, Mike," she beamed while making her way to the elevator bay.  As she stood waiting for one, "Having a good night so far?"  

"Can't complain."  And with the ding of an available lift, "I hope you and Dr. Ramsey have a pleasant evening.” 

"Thanks, but I'm actually not staying long tonight.  Just dropping something off."  She twisted the file in the air for him to see just as the elevator doors closed on their conversation.  

After being whisked to the top floor, Sawyer walked to the door labeled 8A at the end of the hall and knocked.  One hard knock, followed by two quick softer ones.  

Just a few minutes prior, a frustrated Ethan shoved his laptop to the side. Having reviewed his fifth sepsis case study that day with no new insights, he threw his head to the back of the couch and ran his hands down his exhausted face.  Closing his eyes, he willed himself to think of anything else but his dying mentor.  

With some luck, his brain cooperated.  Behind his eyelids, he had been transported to a warmer climate, where salt air tickled his nostrils, and ocean breeze cooled his heated skin.  Where he sat in a similar position with the most pleasant weight straddling his lap.  His hand was held in place with the most melodic rhythm beating beneath the heel of his palm…

THUMP.  Thump, thump.

The familiar pattern of knocks at his door jarred him back to reality.  He knew in an instant who stood on the other side, and without further thought he swiftly crossed the room to answer.

As the door gently swung open, “Sawyer?  Is something wrong? Is it Na-” he paused, suddenly distracted by her appearance. “Naveen?”

“Oh, no, he’s uh…” she muttered, momentarily losing her focus.  “He-he’s fine. Stable and all settled in for the night.”

Initial worry set aside, they each took a moment to appreciate the sight in front of them.  

Sawyer sucked in and held the breath that had just escaped from between Ethan’s lips.  

He stood barefoot before her.  The only article of clothing on his body, soft cotton pajama pants, accentuated his V-cut abs. Blues followed greens as they traced the defining lines of his bare pectoral, trapezius and deltoid muscles, ending on the patch of dark hair just below his navel.  

Ethan’s abs involuntarily constricted.  A muscle memory triggered by her stare, one he had caught before through a slightly fogged mirror.

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78 notes - Posted October 23, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Allergic to You

Book: Open Heart, Book 1

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)

Word count: 2.3K

Rating: Teen

Category: Hurt/Comfort, Fluff

Warning: A couple curse words

Prompt/Summary: Does your MC have any severe allergies? Do you have any headcanons for their LI's? 

A/N 1:  THANK YOU to the anon who sent the ask that inspired me to write my first hurt/comfort fic.  It’s my most favorite trope and I’ve been wanting to take a stab at it. I hope you like it!     

A/N 2: This is set a few weeks after Miami.  Also, I’m not a medical expert. If it’s not medically accurate, just go with it.  

“It’s definitely an ear infection.  I’ll write you a script for some Bactrim.” 

“Thank you, Ines,” Sawyer said as she stepped down from the exam table.  

“We still have some time before rounds this morning.  Why don’t you run this down to the pharmacy right now?  The sooner you start the antibiotics, the sooner you’ll start to feel better.”

<><><><><><><><><><> 

“Dr. Emery, your treatment plan?” asked Dr. Ramsey.

“Pain relievers and a muscle relaxant to promote sleep.  We’ll also recommend physical therapy.”

An “ahem” could be heard from the back of the room.  

Ethan’s eyes continued to scan the chart in his hands. “Something to add Dr. Brooks?”  He didn’t have to look up to know it came from her.   

“Sorry, no, I apologize.  I was just clearing my throat,” she said with an unexpected hoarseness in her voice.

Aurora rolled her eyes as Ethan suggested they move on to the next patient.

The group proceeded to the next room.  As Landry presented the case, Sawyer felt a coughing fit coming on.  She tried hard to suppress it but it had become too difficult to contain. She coughed repeatedly into her elbow but found no relief.  Not wanting to cause further disruption, she gestured to Ines that she was going to step out. 

With every step down the hall Sawyer felt her heart pound a little harder.  The relentless coughing made her lightheaded.  She reached the abandoned nurse’s station and with trembling hands she clumsily dispensed water into a paper cup.  As she attempted to take a sip she choked, her throat so tight she was unable to swallow. 

Panic started to set in as each inhalation grew more difficult.  She looked both directions down the hall for help as she felt increasingly faint.

<><><><><><><><><><> 

After answering a last-minute question from the patient’s nurse, Ethan exited the room to catch up with the interns.  As he stepped into the hall something odd caught his attention. Several yards away, a foot with a familiar shoe haphazardly stuck out from behind the nurse’s desk. 

Immediately sensing something amiss, he rushed over.  

“Sawyer!” he called as he threw the chart he held to the ground and rushed to her side.  She was slumped on the floor, head and shoulders barely propped up against a cabinet door.  She was gasping for breath, skin clammy, lips turning blue.   

“Sawyer? What’s wrong?” he implored, checking her pulse and yanking the stethoscope from his neck. 

She couldn’t speak, but terror-filled eyes met his with a desperate plea for help.   

Ethan listened to her chest.  Her breaths were fast and shallow.  Her breathing severely restricted.

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102 notes - Posted October 12, 2022

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I posted 667 times in 2022

That's 173 more posts than 2021!

230 posts created (34%)

437 posts reblogged (66%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@pastelpendant

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@rainydrops

I tagged 409 of my posts in 2022

Only 39% of my posts had no tags

#rainy babbles - 107 posts

#penposting - 92 posts

#rainy answers - 60 posts

#rainy talks - 46 posts

#toyposting - 32 posts

#rainys conditioning - 15 posts

#penposting  - 13 posts

#hypnosis - 8 posts

#rainy real - 7 posts

#teehee - 5 posts

Longest Tag: 76 characters

#even if the night ended badly its a beautiful day tomorrow with you in it &lt;3

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

thinking abt the point in trance where ur just too blissed out n distracted that your only response to anything is

“nnghh”

142 notes - Posted January 20, 2022

#4

only trans people can see this post all others will be shot like a farm animal with mad cow disease

302 notes - Posted May 15, 2022

#3

anyone wanna hold me and bombard me with perfectly soft pleasant brainwashing until i cant remember how to talk, let alone think

310 notes - Posted January 11, 2022

#2

Day Two: Blink

She blinked.

“Just waaaatch the crystal. 5 minutes, no looking away, no cheating, and I’ll pay for dinner. Scout’s honor.”

She would roll her eyes, but that would probably count as cheating. So she just stared. This was sort of a stupid bit, now that she had the peace and quiet to think about it. Some moronic stageplay ‘hypnosis’ act. She could put up with the cornier bits, so she didn’t mind. She just couldn’t wrap her mind around how anyone thought this would actually work on someone.

Sure, it was easy on the eyes. It was nice to look at, had a pretty glow to it and about a million sides for her gaze to shift to. The facets all glittered in the sun, shining pretty light everywhere. She could admit it was nice to admire while she breezed through her time.

She blinked.

“There you go. Just watch and relax…”

She resisted the urge to tell them to shut up, but their voice only came to her in a muddied mumble. She was focused on the crystal dangling in front of her now. Had it gotten bigger since she refocused her attention? Or had she just…needed to stare longer..?

No, it seemed bigger since she blinked for sure. Or just closer. It didn’t matter—though her eyes lidded a little to counteract it. She didn’t know how much time had passed. She was pretty relaxed, to be honest.

She blinked. Slower, this time.

The crystal had most definitely dropped lower to her face. It twisted and shone in the pretty light, shining all its pretty colors across the walls, and it…it looked, um…

“…pretty…” she heard herself mumble, jaw slack, as her eyes fluttered slowly. No one else was doing any of the work—“hypnosis” or otherwise. As far as she was concerned, she was doing the heavy lifting. Her eyes, that was. They felt so heavy…and the crystal was drawing even closer, filling up her entire field of vision. It was so much to try and focus on all the glittering sides at once—too much. It was too…much…

Her eyes rolled back.

“…man. Only lasted 2 and a half this time. New record!”

324 notes - Posted November 5, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

for valentines day can i be your giggly pretty mindless toy, knelt in front of you and helpless to your complete control?

438 notes - Posted February 11, 2022

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….yeah

[raccoonsmate4life]

I posted 449 times in 2022

That's 220 more posts than 2021!

263 posts created (59%)

186 posts reblogged (41%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@morganupstead

@chrisodonline

@eagerforthesky

@chicgeekgirl89

@raccoonsmate4life

I tagged 413 of my posts in 2022

Only 8% of my posts had no tags

#ncisla - 256 posts

#chicago fire - 117 posts

#stellaride - 60 posts

#kelly severide - 37 posts

#stella kidd - 36 posts

#densi - 34 posts

#stellaride wedding - 32 posts

#13x22 - 29 posts

#chicago pd - 22 posts

#13x21 - 20 posts

Longest Tag: 80 characters

#i published another post-ep the other day (different fandom) and it felt so good

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

This is not a drill.

I have been writing again.  Mostly Stellaride, but I am working on a Densi post-ep from last week and have a multi-chapter idea for Densi that I’m trying to plan out.  It’s amazing what a change in antidepressant protocol can do!

I haven’t been posting my Stellaride stuff on ff.net because the audience seems to mostly be on AO3, but I’ll post my Densi stuff both places.

Stellaride post 10x10

Stellaride post 10x11

Stellaride collection

Stellaride fix-it of Stella coming home

45 notes - Posted March 13, 2022

#4

I love Edit [Janko] Reagan

“Don’t look at me, you guys raised him”

47 notes - Posted April 29, 2022

#3

Please PLEASE tell me Mason wrote “Just Married” on Kelly’s car with post-it notes. PLEASE.

69 notes - Posted May 25, 2022

#2

“Kelly, the simple truth is that you are m a g i c to me. Whenever I’m at my lowest, you lift me up. You never leave my side. You are the goodest of men. And yes, we are taking a huge, crazy leap into the unknown, but we’re doing it together. And when I need to hear it, you’ll tell me, ‘you’ve got this Stella Kidd,’ and I’ll know that everything will be okay because it always is when I’m with you. I love you with everything I’ve got, Kelly Severide, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Stella, I decided a long time ago that if I was gonna be with you, I needed to be worthy of you, which seemed impossible. How do I become worthy of someone brave enough to show who they are inside and out? What makes me this better person that I keep hearing about is you keep me from locking things up. Instead, you made sure you really knew me. Then by some miracle, you still love me. Stella, I might never be worthy of you, but I promise to spend the rest of my life trying. And I love you.”

91 notes - Posted May 26, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Obv I went back and watched the Stellaride hospital scene like 15 times just now.  Things I loved:

- Stella being so worried she can’t even form a single complete thought

- the way she is afraid to touch him where he’s injured so she just keeps touching his face

- KELLY SEVERIDE WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES

- the way he tucks his head into her chest when she hugs him close

- the way he choked up when he told her he loved her

- the placement of his hands on her upper thighs when Boden walks in

- Kelly wiping his tears away as Boden and the detective come in

- DID I MENTION KELLY SEVERIDE WAS SO EMOTIONAL HE WAS BASICALLY CRYING??

- more face touching

- the way Stella cradles his head against her after they’re left alone again

YOU GUYS.  I just freaking love them so freaking much and they’re getting freaking married NEXT WEEK. 

98 notes - Posted May 18, 2022

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[olliepig]

I posted 562 times in 2022

That's 201 more posts than 2021!

7 posts created (1%)

555 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@janetm74

@enchanted-keys

@anewrecipeh

@itsdeergemini

@myladykayo

I tagged 280 of my posts in 2022

Only 50% of my posts had no tags

#royal ballet - 96 posts

#thunderbirds are go - 50 posts

#ffxv - 44 posts

#final fantasy xv - 33 posts

#ballet - 33 posts

#marianela nunez - 32 posts

#scott tracy - 32 posts

#vadim muntagirov - 28 posts

#thunderbirds 2015 - 28 posts

#thunderbirds - 27 posts

Longest Tag: 47 characters

#it makes me so self conscious now and i hate it

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

So excited for this! Nice wee night out at the theatre.

5 notes - Posted May 28, 2022

#4

It’s been a long 2 years but I’m finally back in my favourite place in the world, about to watch Swan Lake.

5 notes - Posted March 5, 2022

#3

Centre Stage - chapter 13

It’s been a LONG time since I updated this (exactly a year today since the last chapter, to be exact) but I’ve finally managed to get something together that I’m happy with! 

Massive, massive thanks to the amazing @willow-salix for being cheerleader extraordinaire and not letting me give up on the whole thing (and for helping to knock it into shape).

I can’t guarantee there’ll be regular updates, but it’s moving in the right direction again so you never know. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/27065419/chapters/101544270

6 notes - Posted July 24, 2022

#2

Hello!

For the Fandom ask, I'll pick:

Not enough screen time

Character you love to write

Thank you!

Hiya! Thanks for the questions!

I had to really think about not enough screen time and I have 2 characters for you. The first is Eos because I really think they just forgot about her, especially in series 3. I think they could have done a lot more and it was a shame that they didn’t.

The second (and you’ll like this) is your girl Kayo. I’m not a massive fan of her as she was used in the series, but I really think she could have been awesome if she’d been more developed and given more to do. I’m always happy to be proved wrong, and if they’d shown her doing her jobs, shown her personality a bit more and generally had her interacting with the boys, I think my opinion might have changed.

My favourite character to write will always be Scott (no surprises there I guess). He’s lived rent free in my head for years and I love the doofus.

7 notes - Posted October 21, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Wee trip out to the cinema to see my favourite ballet company do what they do best!

10 notes - Posted November 16, 2022

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[recallthename]

I posted 1,266 times in 2022

That's 358 more posts than 2021!

315 posts created (25%)

951 posts reblogged (75%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@underthecitysky

@mydaroga

@inspiteallthedanger

@scurator

@spuffygifs

I tagged 1,205 of my posts in 2022

Only 5% of my posts had no tags

#the danger of being very enthusiastic - 302 posts

#the person i actually picked as my partner - 113 posts

#they all belong to each other - 107 posts

#kat does the beatles - 82 posts

#laugh rule - 59 posts

#god - 42 posts

#paul mccartney - 41 posts

#she's not that dismissible - 32 posts

#there's no denying he's golden - 30 posts

#i can be alone with you here - 25 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#dear god you're repressed. you’re driven sensitive and passionate. you are harsh corners and brittle bones your sharp teeth and soft gums.

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Meeting Paul was just like two people meeting.  Not falling in love or anything.  Just us.  It went on.  It worked.

John Lennon - The Beatles by Hunter Davies

258 notes - Posted March 21, 2022

#4

Paul's earliest memory, probably from around the age of three or four, is of his mother.  He remembers someone coming to the door and giving her a plaster dog.  'It was out of gratitude for some delivery she had done.  People were always giving her presents like that.' 'I have another memory of hiding from someone, then hitting them over the head with an iron bar.  But I think the plaster dog was the earliest.'

The Beatles, Hunter Davies

um hey paul.  what the fuck.  

280 notes - Posted March 20, 2022

#3

The last time John Lennon set foot on a concert stage, it was Thanksgiving 1974, making a surprise appearance with his friend Elton John at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.  When he and Elton cut "Whatever Gets You Thru" together, Elton proposed a bet - if it hit Number One, John would sing it with him live.  John agreed, never thinking he'd get called on it.  But he was.  The performance sounds shaky - John's all nerves after a few years of hiding from live shows - but he steps up there to mach shau with Elton, doing the hit as well as Elton's remake of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."  John announces, "We thought we'd do one last number so I can get out of here and be sick.  This is a number of an old estranged fiancé of mine called Paul." They do "I Saw Her Standing There," their big finale.  Even in the raw recording Elton released as a B-side, you can hear John get caught up in the crowd's excitement.  It's his night to shine - onstage in New York, for the first time in years and the last time ever.  Why is he doing a Paul song?  Why is he making this moment about him and Paul, when all anybody wants is to cheer and shower John with love?  But in the middle of the crowd, he calls Paul's name.

Dreaming the Beatles by Rob Sheffield

313 notes - Posted July 5, 2022

#2

a running list of things john lennon has compared paul mccartney to:

yoko ono god heroin

321 notes - Posted March 1, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

No matter how anyone reminds me of John, they're not John.

Paul McCartney - Conversations with McCartney by Paul Du Noyer

325 notes - Posted January 13, 2022

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[sarah-sandwich-writes]

I posted 1,290 times in 2022

That's 1,290 more posts than 2021!

59 posts created (5%)

1,231 posts reblogged (95%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sarah-sandwich

@ettawritesnstudies

@emelkae

@sarah-sandwich-writes

@pablothefrog

I tagged 307 of my posts in 2022

#harley keener - 77 posts

#parkner - 74 posts

#peter parker - 68 posts

#sswrites - 55 posts

#parley - 47 posts

#new chapter! - 37 posts

#lemon boy - 35 posts

#keenker - 29 posts

#harley keener/peter parker - 25 posts

#ask games - 18 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#he accidentally made a name for himself so they injected him with a serum that gave him powers and then the 2n2nd battle with thanos happen

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I cannot for the life of me find the original post where I talked about it but I went to the ren faire today and am having big feelings about this plot bunny that's been in my notes for over a year

Peter works a kid craft station in the area FEAST is running. May comes and goes as she manages everything in their section. Peter is always covered in glue, glitter, and sequins and wears a flower crown bc they're in the fairy forest

Harley roleplays as a woodcrafter who wanders around giving directions and stuff. He whittles all day so he smells like sawdust and has little cuts and scrapes on his calloused hands. He gives away the little wooden trinkets he whittles, but the last one of the day always ends up in the fae prince's hands, usually given to him by a wide-eyed kid who was promised an extra special fairy craft if they delivered it.

32 notes - Posted September 17, 2022

#4

michelle.mp3

It’s the song that does it. The stupid song about the wrong MJ.

Overnight Michelle’s email is flooded with messages from fans demanding to know if she’s the MJ that the The Mary Janes wrote the song about. She’s not. She was four years behind Gwen Stacy at Midtown Tech and as far as she knows they never crossed paths. Besides, why would a senior have a secret unrequited crush on a freshman? Wouldn’t it be the other way around? It’s probably just a publicity stunt to get The Gays(TM) to listen to their dumb band. It’s fake and she doesn’t need a half hour time slot on her true conspiracy podcast to prove it.

She just wishes she wasn’t caught in the crossfire. She wishes the yearning ache of that song hadn’t made her think, made her wonder what she was missing out on. She wishes it hadn’t made her realize that marrying her high school sweetheart and settling for a life of more of the same was a mistake.

OR: The one where Michelle makes some hard choices that lead to her moving to a house in the country where she meets Gwen, her insufferable neighbor.

60 notes - Posted March 23, 2022

#3

~Lemon Boy is haaaapppppennning~

In the privacy of their shared room that night, Harley releases Peter’s hand. It feels strange not having Harley’s warmth pressed into his palm. They get changed for bed with only the sound of the TV to ease the quiet between them. Peter pulls back the covers and is about to slip under them when Harley stops him.

“Wait.”

Peter looks up and finds Harley standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed. He frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothin’, I just—,” Harley rubs the back of his neck and looks pained as he says, “I need a favor.”

Peter drops the blanket and stands straight. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Could you…” He huffs. “Morgan’s expectin’ a hug goodbye tomorrow and I… Well, I’d rather not embarrass myself if I can avoid it.”

Peter frowns. “Are you asking me to distract her while you make a getaway or—,”

“No,” Harley says quickly. “No, I… If you don’t mind, could we… I think a practice round would be good. Just to make sure I don’t spaz out or something.”

A slow smile curls Peter’s lips. “Are you asking me for a hug?”

Harley glowers at him and screws his mouth shut, but he doesn’t deny it. A giddy thrill races through Peter as he steps away from the bed and approaches Harley.

“You like going over or under?” Peter asks. “Or are you a crisscross guy? You seem like a—,”

“Don’t make this into a whole thing, Pete,” he says weakly.

“It’s important to understand the hug fundamentals, Harley. If you weren’t so out of practice you’d understand this. You should go over since Morgan will probably go under.” He stops in front of Harley and opens his arms. “Ready?”

Harley regards him warily and stands stiff as a soldier at attention.

“C’mon, Harls,” he coaxes. “I promise not to make fun of you if you have a conniption.”

Harley fixes him with a dour stare. “This doesn’t leave this room. I don’t want to hear about it from you ever, okay?”

“Deal.” He wiggles his fingers. “Bring it in, tough guy.”

With a baleful stare, Harley raises his arms and moves forward. He hesitates before making contact so Peter gives him a moment to prepare then completes the hug for him. He fits neatly under Harley’s arms and curls around his torso. Harley freezes, heart pounding as his breathing turns shallow. Peter doesn’t tighten his grip or loosen it—he holds utterly still and waits with bated breath for Harley to relax or pull away. With painfully robotic articulation, Harley slowly lowers his arms until they fall around Peter’s shoulders.

The TV plays on as they stand together, stiff but entwined in the center of the room. When Harley’s heart rate slows from its thundering gallop, Peter adjusts to a more natural hold. He lowers his forehead to Harley’s shoulder and curls his arms firmly around his back.

For a moment, Harley maintains his steel frame but then he releases a pent up breath and sags into Peter like a wind-up toy that finally ran out of juice. His hold firms as he shores Peter up in his arms and suddenly they’re embracing properly. Peter’s heart trips and he squeezes his eyes shut as Harley’s breath tickles his neck. He didn’t expect it to feel like this. Despite his teasing tone, he was serious about the fundamentals of hugging and normally he’s on the top of the hug—the enveloper rather than the envelopee. May, Ned, MJ, Pepper, Morgan—he likes to hold his people close and shield them from any harm that may come their way.

He’s rarely the one being shielded. He thought he would feel like a child or a wilting heroine, but that’s not the case at all.

Safe. He feels safe. Cherished.

They stand that way until Peter’s lower back aches from holding the position but he can’t pull away, not while Harley is still holding him and his heart is beating calmly under his cheek. Exhaustion pulls at him, coaxing him to suggest they take this to the bed, but that’s not what this is. Harley doesn’t want to cuddle him. He doesn’t even want to hug him. He’s only doing it so when Morgan demands her hug in the morning before they leave, it’s not a shock to his system.

That doesn’t stop him from leaching every possible crumb of comfort from Harley’s embrace until the moment Harley leans back and his arms uncurl to slip down Peter’s sides before falling away entirely. When Peter releases him, Harley takes a step back and the spell breaks.

Peter crosses his arms and keeps his chin low as he asks, “Think you’re ready?”

Harley’s gaze flits to Peter’s then away. He clears his throat. “Yeah. Yeah, I think so.”

“Cool.” Peter licks his lips then tips his head woodenly towards the bed before breaking away from Harley’s draw.

Harley mirrors him on the other side of the bed and together they settle against the headboard with the blanket over their laps while the TV flashes. Wordlessly, Peter holds out his hand and after only a moment of contemplation, Harley takes it.

~*~

See the full post

66 notes - Posted May 13, 2022

#2

Lemon Boy - parkner - Updates every Tuesday (CST) through 03/07/23

Harley is adrift, bitter, and resentful after losing Tony and his family as he knew it three years ago. When he inherits a rundown house in Brooklyn, he abandons the shattered remains of his dreams, his family, and himself for something he can fix.

Peter grieves as he always has; he buries himself in responsibility and pretends everything is fine. It works until he moves in with Harley, who doesn't suffer fools or liars. The problem is Peter has been fooling himself for so long he can't separate the mask from the truth.

Excerpt under the cut:

“You’re still up?”

He tears bleary eyes from the board he’s been trying and failing to measure correctly and finds Peter at the top of the stairs peering down at him.

“When’d you get in?”

Peter’s eyes sweep over him. “Just now.”

He looks as ragged as Harley feels. His hair is a tangled matted mess, his lip is freshly split, and there is a bruise poking out of his collar. Under the bare bulb hanging over the stairs it looks weirdly hand-shaped.

“You okay?” Harley asks before he thinks better of it.

Peter’s eyebrows shoot into his hairline. “Of course. Are you?”

He picks up his measuring tape. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Peter starts down the stairs. “Well, for one thing, you look like shit. For another—,”

Harley slams down the tape measure and scowls at Peter as he steps off the bottom stair. He’s actually wearing his boots for once.

“Nobody fucking asked you.”

“You literally just did.” His infuriating little smirk breaks the scabbing on his split lip.

“You’re bleeding, idiot.” Harley tosses a towel at him even though it’s not remotely sanitary. “You know you’re not fooling anyone, right?”

Peter pauses in dabbing a semi-clean part of the towel on his lip. “I’m not trying to fool anyone,” he lies like a fucking liar.

“Bullshit.” Harley plants his palms on the make-shift workbench and leans over it. “Let me guess, you get into fights at night to bleed off all that ugliness that builds up inside you during the day so you can go back to pretending to be an innocent little flower for your friends and family.”

Peter stares at him with wide eyes, towel held aloft but forgotten.

“You’re not fooling anyone,” he repeats, “so quit it with the song and dance. It’s annoying and insulting.”

“Oh.” Peter sets the towel on the workbench with wooden movements. “Uh, okay.”

They stare at each other until it’s awkward.

“Well. Bye then.” Peter turns on his heel and retreats upstairs.

Harley shakes his head. He’ll never understand that guy.

116 notes - Posted September 13, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

“Harley James Keener, what are you doing to that boy?”

“What? I’m not doing anything!”

“If you’re playing with his heart, I will be so disappointed in you. I raised you better.”

“Playing with his— We’re in a relationship, ma!”

“For five years! And yet all you’ve ever told me about him is how annoying he is.”

“He is!”

“Then he comes here and it turns out that boy worships the ground you walk on.”

That pulls Harley up short. “What? No he doesn’t. He barely tolerates me.” He wants to call the words back as soon as he says them because that’s not how you’re supposed to think of your boyfriend, but Mama just sighs at him. Exasperated.

“Honey, open your eyes. I know you’re scared of bein’ hurt or bein’ left behind, but that boy is nothin’ like your daddy. He would do anything for you. I can tell just by the way he looks at you.”

She pats his hand then leaves him alone in the chicken coop to digest that heaping spoonful of reality stew. Clearly, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about… Right?

180 notes - Posted February 26, 2022

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