#my dream friend is someone in/around my town but far enough away that I can send them mail or drop stuff of at their house and like bake

[hedgehog-moss]

hello & good morning/afternoon/night! feel free to ignore this ask if you don't want to or don't know how to answer. i have been following your blog for years now, i think, and i have been accompaning your life through the pictures you post. i always had similar dreams of living in a farm or just in a more "secluded" place in general - hiddem away from big cities, i mean, closest place being a small town or even village, you know - and though i have lived alone for 2 years now i have a lot of fears of living by myself in ambient where there is relatively less people (even if there are neighbors not that far away). yknow, classic fears, of being robbed, my house being broken into, etc etc. once again i know it's a different world and the probability of something like this happening is actually higher in places with a bigger populational number, but have you ever had experiences like this? have you ever felt a similar fear? i'm trying to find out if this is something i really want.

Hi ! I love that I read your message last week right after I fondly reminisced about hearing murder screams in my woods at night. I've been thinking about it and I think regardless of what statistics say, some people feel safer surrounded by people in a town while others feel safer in more secluded places—I mean there's probably a personal temperament aspect to this... I've always loved going out for walks in the middle of the night but I couldn't fully relax doing that in cities, while here I find it so relaxing. It's so dark and quiet it feels like walking at the bottom of the ocean <3 It's the closest I can get to the peaceful life of the sea cucumber. And since I'm alone in this forest and there's no one for several km around I feel like nothing bad can happen to me. But I have city friends who would never consider going for a walk with me in the woods at night.

Can't recommend having a medium-to-large dog enough! Despite his debonair manner Pandolf is a good guard dog—one time that I got to test this was when someone parked their car on the side of the road maybe 300m from my house, and stayed there for almost a week. It wasn't a camper van, just a normal car, and every time I went to see it during the day it was empty, but I saw lights in there at night. I didn't like it at all! Why park here in the middle of nowhere. Near my house. This isn't a convenient spot to fish or anything, so where are you all day...? I remember the night I noticed the light in the car from my window, and I sat in my bed like, okay, someone's over there, but even if he gets to my door I have 2 other ways to get out of the house, my nearest neighbours are like 40min away by foot through the woods, I know my woods better than this guy, I'll be fine.

It's the only time that I recall feeling a bit antsy at night—and Pandolf was very alert as a result, he could tell I was nervous and when I went to close the chicken coop in the evenings he went patrolling all over the place in a way he doesn't usually do. I have a natural talent for not doing anything about problems and hoping they'll go away on their own, but after a few days I eventually told a distant neighbour about this weird car, and he came the next evening to talk to this person—but the car left that same day. And when my neighbour came to tell me he hadn't found the car, it was already dark and he parked his car in front of my house and at first Pandolf refused to let him get out. Even though he knows this neighbour and the guy had half-opened his door and was like "Hey Pandolf it's me!", Pan just stood there growling continuously like Cujo. It was good to see that although he's a really friendly dog, if I'm freaked out he can get quite intimidating.

Other than that one weird car story I've never really felt scared being here alone at night, and I didn't worry about that before moving here either, I was impatient to go on nighttime walks in the woods, rather! But having neighbours I'm on friendly terms with that I can call for help if needed, and whose house I can reach by foot, is reassuring; so I think mostly it's a matter of finding the degree of seclusion you're comfortable with. There are all sorts of gradations between living in a big city and living like the first Desert Father :) Is there any way you could try spending some time alone in a more remote area for temporary stays, like holidays, to see if you get used to it and come to appreciate it, or if you feel safer in more populated places?

[milo-is-rambling]

Once again thinking about having a pen pal or a person to write letters to and send physical mail like ugh I want that so bad

[mrchiipchrome]

The Museum

W.C. - 5.2 k

this is so the 'pookie looks absolutely fire' tiktok couple coded

thank you to the anon that requested this, much love to you:)

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The skittles made a crunching sound as your molars bit down on them, it was an every day snack for you, tasting the rainbow more often than not. It was a relatively new habit, but when your ex had broken up with you, you promised yourself to become a better person.

It obviously had to be you who had something wrong with them, otherwise she wouldn’t have fallen in love with someone else and out of love with you. Quitting smoking was the first thing on your agenda, hence the skittles.

The next thing was to get away from the small southern town in Texas, move so far away that you left the country entirely. The only thing you’d taken with you on the plane was a carryon with 2 changes of clothes, your cowboy hat and a dream of bettering your life.

The third thing you bettered was your health, going out for a run every morning through the streets of London, going to the gym after work, doing push-ups before bed. It worked wonders, the tips you got from the ladies at the bar where you worked were simply incredible.

The fourth thing you wanted to improve was your cultural knowledge, the exact reason why you were standing in the middle of a museum, old renaissance paintings in every corner of the large room. It was something you appreciated, none of that modern bullshit where people just taped a banana to a canvas and called it art, it was back from when people actually painted.

Your hand slipped down your body into your jacket pocket, fetching another piece of candy, although a voice speaking up from your right startled you nearly enough for you to drop it back into the bag.

“You’re not supposed to eat in museums, you know?” The woman had a foreign dialect, just like you. You guessed it was from somewhere in the middle of Europe, maybe Germany or any of the neighboring countries.

“It’s not a problem if you don’t tell on me, no one has to know.” She seems just as startled by your accent as you were by her speaking to you, her cheeks dusted with a light pink at the wink you sent her.

“What are you going to do if I tell them? Take me back to your ranch on your horse?” The mystery woman teases, obviously making fun of the accent and the cowboy hat sitting perched on your head. In response you laugh under your breath, shaking your head in amusement.

“I’m afraid that I left the ranch back in Texas, Miss. All I have here is a small one bedroom apartment.” She looks up at you through the side of her eye, her half smile distracting you more than you’d like to admit. Her brows knit together when she notices a security guard eying the two of you curiously and her elbow digs into your ribs when you once again reach for the skittles in your pocket.

“Nice hat, my friend would be jealous.” You nod in agreement, plucking the stetson off your head and turning it around in your hand. In a brief moment of stupidity, you place the cowboy hat on the pretty stranger’s head, it falling down the front of her face to cover her eyes. It’s frankly adorable, the way she brings her hand up to push it back to the crown of her head.

The reassuring smile on her face tells you that she approves of your action, a relief to your entire being. She takes her phone out of her back pocket, turning it on and snapping a picture of you both, the cowboy hat still perched on top of her head.

In response, you snap a picture of her alone, the woman posing like a cowboy would for you. She was going to be the wallpaper of your phone for a while, even though you didn’t even know her name.

“So, do you have a name or am I just going to have to call you mine?” The cheesy pickup line just slips out, not at all consciously, it was like instinct took over, a pretty girl was to be flirted with.

“I wouldn’t mind being called yours, but for now you can call me Lia.” The woman doesn’t seem uncomfortable by your advances, in fact she embraces them, teasing smile telling you that she found it amusing how worried you got over a simple pickup line.

“Lia, a beautiful name for an even more gorgeous girl.” She gains her pink tint back, the compliment likely the cause of her blush. It wasn’t like she never got complimented, it was just the attractive zing your accent put over the words that made them feel more sincere.

“And how about you? A name attached to that pretty face?” Now it was your turn to blush at the other woman’s words, her lips splitting into a full toothed smile.

“Y/n. Y/n Y/l/n.” You imitate Bond to introduce yourself, sticking your hand out for her to take, a firm handshake and the tip of an imaginary hat letting her know who exactly it is you are. 

“Good to know my future last name.” She winks at you and the blush that’s already covering your face deepens significantly. The insinuation that you were to marry the girl beside you too much for your poor little heart to take. 

She starts to walk away from you and towards another section of the room, looking back over her shoulder when she realizes that you weren’t right beside her, walking. Waving her hand in a “come here” motion, you quickly catch up with the older woman. 

“So, why skittles? Is there not any other sweet you’d rather have?” She asks as you match her slow rhythm of steps, your hands shoved in the pockets of your coat with your arms forming loops. Lia threads one of her arms through yours, leaning her head on your shoulder, standing still all of a sudden to look at a painting. It didn’t feel like you’d just met, like you’d just introduced yourselves to one another, it felt like you’d known each other for decades, easily slipping into being comfortable with each other.

You gaze at her as she looks at the painting, making sure to map out all her gorgeous features and commit them to memory. She was like a breath of fresh air in a world of polluted oxygen.

“First of all it’s called candy, not sweets, candy. Secondly, they’re amazing for when you want to stop smoking.” Her cheek smushes against your shoulder as she turns her head to look up at you, her eyebrows scrunched together adorably.

“You were a smoker?” You feel the strong urge to place a peck atop her lips, soft and warm against your own. But in the end you resist, you’d only just met the woman for god’s sake, you don’t want to make her uncomfortable. Her eyes hold so many emotions that you just can’t read.

“Yeah, only for about a year. My ex stressed me out so much that I felt it was the easiest way to deal with it. But when she broke up with me, I decided to get my life back together, moved here, got a job at a bar and that’s it. That’s why I’m here.” Lia listens intensively at the story you’re telling her, the way she looks at you suggests that she’s hanging off your every last syllable.

“So no more smoking at all for you?” You puff your chest up, proudly displaying the grin on your face and your now discolored tongue. Lia looks on in amusement at your actions, a grin that could light up an opera house on her face. 

“Nope, I’m never picking up a cigarette again.” The amusement turns into a sort of profound proud feeling, a feeling that she definitely shouldn’t be feeling for what is practically a stranger. A stranger that in the matter of a mere hour had worked their way into her heart and made themselves home.

“Good, I’m really happy for you.” The softened look on Lia’s face makes you blush, it was the way most people looked at their loved ones. You couldn’t help but imagine what it would feel like to be one of her loved ones, how it would feel to see her first thing in the morning, to gaze into her tentative eyes and try to read her like a book just because you know exactly how it is she acts, how she feels at that exact moment, what she thinks.

At your faraway look Lia nudges you in the ribs, giggling at the embarrassed expression that occupies your face. Her giggle could only be described as a ray of sunlight, lighting the glum room up in seconds, giving it a golden glow.

The older woman doesn’t miss the fondness in your gaze as you watch her laugh, your own lips splitting into a smile and soon after a loud belly laugh bubbles up in your chest, welling out of your mouth like water out a dam. 

Only moments later the both of you are doubled over in laughter, tears slipping down your cheeks and arms crossed over your stomachs. Some scattered guests give you two dirty looks, as if you were peasants in a house full of royals, but they are counter effective because it only makes you and Lia laugh harder.

The security guard from earlier approaches you both as you drop down to the floor with a loud thump, Lia bursting out into an entire new fit of laughter as you try to catch your breath.

“Y/n, I’ve already let you get away with a lot today but this is your last strike. Up you get, I’ll escort you and your lady companion to the exit.” He speaks through his thick mustache, his round beer gut bobbing up and down with every word like he needed every fat covered muscle of his stomach to get the words out.

Small giggles escape you both as Lia and you are led out of the building by a firm grip around both of your arms. You both watch in amusement as the fat man gets winded walking back up the stairs he just led you down, bending over for a brief second at the top before disappearing back behind the door.

“So, I take it you know the security guard then?” She sounds a little out of breath as she speaks to you, flyaways sticking out of her bun, your hand itches to reach up and smooth them out, undo her bun and run your fingers through her hair. But you don’t. 

“Yeah, he’s my regular. Comes in every day and buys a pint after work, a good friend of mine he is. He lets me get away with eatin’ in there every time I come.” You stand right in front of the brunette, hands again in your pockets as you smile at her tentatively. Her hand comes up to rub at your arm, and you feel as though you were going to pass out at any moment, the electric feeling of her ring covered fingers touching your arm overwhelming in a good way.

“Ah, a museum nepo baby then.” You can tell that she’s joking by the way her eyebrows raise all the way up to her hairline, and you imitate her by doing the same thing. Another fit of giggles ensues, Lia looking directly into your eyes, holding eye contact for a prolonged amount of time.

It makes you nervous, her somewhat challenging gaze locking on your face for a moment longer than necessary. When she grasps your hands in hers you finally look back at her, meeting her tender gaze with your own.

“I really enjoyed today, I was hoping we could do it again sometime.” The older woman looks at you sheepishly, nearly nervously. You’re mesmerized by her gorgeous simplicity, simple smile grazing her lips as you nod, a recognisable warmth behind the hug she gives you, the quick kiss she places on your cheek haphazardly before walking away, not looking back to see your rose tinted cheeks.

It’s only when Lia has disappeared far behind the horizon that you realize that you have no way to contact her AND that she essentially got away with your favorite cowboy hat. You aren’t as distraught about your hat as you are about not getting her number, it was a dumbass move from you.

You drag your feet all the way back to your apartment, not knowing that only moments after you left the museum, the girl of your dreams ran back all the way to get your number. And like you, she dragged her feet all the way back to her apartment, sulking and questioning her own intelligence.

Arriving at the bar that evening was strange, you felt almost empty without the girl you’d met earlier that day, no light brown cowboy hat perched atop your head nor a beaming smile. It was weird to everyone around you, you always had that damned hat on, but now it was a completely different one, black with a few white accents.

“What happened to you? It looks like someone ran over your dog.” Your co-worker and best friend Marla asks, placing her hand on your shoulder softly as if you were to break if she did it any harder. Shaking your head, your other friend and co-bartender Jason comes up to rub your back softly, the comfort from both of your best friends loosening you up significantly and soon after you spill everything that had happened up to that point.

They were both smirking at you when you finished up the story, knowing that despite only just meeting the woman in the museum you were already in love. 

“So do you have a picture of this goddess who’s making you drop to your knees?” Marla asks you, looking knowingly at your other best friend, who in return wiggles his eyebrows at her. You knew something would happen between them soon, and you’d rather be in hell than to watch it.

“Yeah, just give me a quick sec.” Pulling out your phone, you quickly unlock it and enter the photo app, not needing to scroll as the most recent photo was of her, Lia.

“Girl, are you fucking with me?” You look at the dark skinned girl in confusion, her eyes widening as she realizes that you had no fucking clue who it was you had met. She looks to her ‘boyfriend’ quickly in shock, who looks back at her equally appalled.

“Are you telling me you don’t recognise her?” The moment you shake your head is when the green eyed boy facepalms, not believing your stupidity. “Not at all? You haven’t seen her before.” When you once again shake your head the man sighs in disappointment, all faith in your intelligence practically gone.

“Girl. That is Lia Wälti, you know one of the best midfielders in the country? Arsenal Women’s player.” Now it’s your turn to look shocked, not at all knowing that she was a footballer. All the times you’d gone over to Marla’s house to watch footy, she’d probably been injured.

“Are you fucking kidding me? I didn’t even recognise her.” You lean against the door, sliding your body down until you’re sitting flush on the floor, head in your hands. Jason places his hand on your shoulder, smiling softly at you as he tries to reassure your overwhelmed mind.

“Hey, man, it was probably a good thing that you didn’t recognise her. She knows that you’re not some crazed fan trying to kill her, eh?” Marla’s hand plucks your cowboy hat from your head and runs her fingers through your hair, your shared shift started in mere minutes and yet they were there, comforting you.

“I’m okay, just a bit shell shocked.” They both laugh, pulling you up by your hands and bringing you into a group hug, patting your back before Marla gives you your hat back, smacking both you and Jason’s asses before disappearing out to her office.

“You know, we have an extra ticket to the Arsenal game on Sunday, so I mean if you want to see her again then you’re welcome to join.” You smile at the man’s kindness, telling him that you’ll definitely take him up on his offer. You didn’t have a shift at the bar either way that day so spending it looking for your … well you didn’t really know what it was she is to you. All you know is that you wanted to see her again.

Two days later you find yourself sitting as close to the pitch as you possibly can, waiting for the North London derby to start. 

Lia is in the starting lineup, looking determined as she waits for the whistle signaling the start of the game to sound. The shrill noise cuts through the air and the game starts.

It’s physical right from the start, loads of pushing and shoving coming from both sides, red and white. There are a few times where you nearly jump to your feet as Lia gets pushed but the fact that your friends sat there right beside you made you choose not to.

At half time the score is the same as the beginning, nil-nil. Despite not knowing much about football you join in on analyzing the first half of the game, mentioning all the times Lia went down. Marla makes some ‘innocent’ comments about how you’d much rather have her ‘go down’ somewhere else. The blush that overtakes your face is enough for you to blend in with your jersey, the red of the Arsenal shirt the same shade as your face.

When the second half starts, you’re basically on your feet all the way through, cheering loudly when Alessia scores, meaning that the gunners were up one-nil.

It’s particularly hilarious when Lia finally notices you, a pause in the game meaning that she had the time to look around at the fully packed Emirates Stadium. When those eyes you love to gaze into meet yours for the first time since Friday, her face split open in a smile, a smile reaching all the way up to her eyes.

It looks like she has to physically restrain herself so that she doesn’t run over to you, her body shaking slightly as she calmly inches her way towards you, the cheers of the fans around you becoming louder as the player comes closer. Lia tunes them all out though as she looks at you, the only thing cutting through her trance being the whistle signaling the freekick being awarded. 

Lia looks back towards you as she walks in the direction of the group of players and you wink at her, even though she’s far away it seems like she saw it, the deep tint of red dusting her face definitely more than exertion from the game. 

When the three loud whistles sound throughout the arena, it explodes in cheers as Arsenal manage to keep their one-nil lead and in doing so make London red again. But you don’t even acknowledge the win when there’s a speeding Lia Wälti heading straight in your direction.

She only starts to slow down as she reaches the barrier which separates the fans from the pitch and players, with you standing up behind it to watch her come closer and closer with every quick step she takes.

Lia throws her arms around your torso when she comes close enough, the way that she had been longing for your touch had been driving her crazy in the days since you first met. She also knew that it wasn’t smart to do it all out in the open, fans and professionals alike were probably going to know everything about you within a few days. You didn’t seem to mind though, content with having her in your arms again.

Pulling away from her, you quickly take her face in your hands, looking her over to see if her face was scratched up from all the times she’d met the ground in the game. 

“Shit, darling, I think you spent more time on the ground in this game than on your feet. You ought to be more careful.” Your southern drawl is especially thick when you speak to her, the worry you’d experienced the entire game bubbling to the surface.

“I’m perfectly fine, I think you’re forgetting that I do this for a living.” She smiles at you reassuringly and you calm down fully, her hand placed on your arm a sure factor of it. Lia’s head turns to your side, looking directly at your friends who both send her starstruck looks. 

“Hi, I’m Lia.” The footballer smiles in their direction and they both remain in their seats, completely unmoving. She looks back to you concerned and in response you just laugh, they were apparently not expecting her to actually greet them. “Are they okay?” 

“I think they’re just a bit starstruck.” Gesturing towards their gaping mouths, Marla quickly slaps your hand away from her face, biting at the air to show you that she wasn’t afraid to bite.

“Oh okay, well do you think they want anything signed? I can ask the team, or maybe if you want we can go meet them?” Lia sounds unsure of herself, apparently doubting that her first impression on your friends was good.

“I think that they’d love that sweetheart. But judging from all the looks we’re getting from that same team, I do think they want you back.” You glance towards the women gathered in a clung in the middle of the pitch, all of them staring at you and Lia interacting. She sighs at their slightly invasive culture, but alas there wasn’t anything that she could do about it. When you smile and wave at them, you’re thoroughly amused when every single one of them repeats your actions back to you, some in confusion and some in amusement.

“A guard is going to tell you to follow him, just do as he says and we’ll meet again soon.” By that point the stadium was almost empty, everyone wanting to go home and brag about their team’s win over the archrival. So as Lia walks away from you, you’re totally free to stare at her ass, only stopping when Marla slaps your arm harshly.

“Did that just happen?” Jason asks shakily, running his hand down his face in embarrassment.

“You’re damn right it did.” You laugh at their stupid expressions, their embarrassment clear on their faces. “Well look on the bright side, y’all are going to meet the team.” With that their embarrassment turned into excitement, meeting their favourite athletes quickly turning their mood around.

“Y/n Y/l/n? Come with me and take your friends with you.” Walking around the labyrinth of slinging hallways and narrow paths, you appear in front of the locker room in no time, the loud music escaping the door a clear indicator of the Gunners good match.

“Now just wait out here until they come out, they’ll probably be out in a few.” The guard tells you unbothered, not caring at all that he’s leaving people he doesn’t know outside of the locker room.

“Yes sir.” You speak up clearly, mock saluting him as he disappears down the hallway with a sigh.

“I can’t believe that you’re 28, you act like a 12 year old.” Marla tells you jokingly, leading to you pushing her away from you. In the span of a few seconds both you and Marla find yourselves on the floor, engaging in a wrestling match. It only gets broken up when the sound of the door opening echoes through the hallway, both you and your best friend quickly getting on your feet.

“Nah what’s going on here?” A very amused Irish accented voice escapes the player exiting the locker room, one Katie McCabe staring at you and Marla.

“It was her fault.” You point at Marla so as to gesture that it was her who started it, the woman vehemently denying it.

“So I’m guessing you’re Lia’s cowboy then?” Katie completely ignores the blame game currently going on in front of her as she talks to you. Blushing at being called Lia’s, you quickly start to stutter out an answer.

“I- uhm yeah, I think so?” Laughter coming from behind the Irish woman makes you glance in the direction of the sound. Seeing Leah Williamson of all people is not what you expect, a bit starstruck yourself.

“Of course it’s the cowboy you buffoon, who else would wear a cowboy hat in London? You have to tell me where you bought the one Lia brought home, I need a new one. Mylie-moo chewed mine to filth a couple days ago.” Leah throws her arm around your shoulder as if you’d known each other for years, the woman clearly having heard a thing or two about you.

“Oh well I’ll be sure to bring you one next time I go back to Texas, my buddy Carl, he’s 72 and he makes the most gorgeous hats you can imagine. Last time I visited him I made him an instagram page, I’ll send you the link if you want?” You speak enthusiastically with the England captain, her arm still resting around your shoulders casually. Both Marla and Jason are in a conversation with Katie and Lotte, who just got out of the locker room.

“Important question, so answer me truthfully now, do you like country music?” She looks at you skeptically, trying to deduce if you’re being truthful or not. The question itself makes you roll your eyes playfully, but alas it didn’t surprise you. It was widely known that Leah was quite the country fan.

“Ma’am I grew up in Texas, yeah I’m a country fan. I’d be disowned if I wasn’t.” Leah looks at you like you’re her hero, it was clear to you that she accepted you. The hinges of the door squeak as a few other players exit, namely Lia.

“Lia please let me steal her, she’s perfect.” Leah says jokingly, holding onto your arm softly like she was a little kid. Lia looks at her weirdly, but quickly catches on to the joke, walking over to the two of you.

“I know, that’s why I want to keep her.” Lia wraps her arms around your waist tightly, her newly washed hair curling up into adorable curls, head placed on your shoulder. 

“Sharing is caring.” Leah is on the verge of laughter as she talks, the statement a shocking one for sure. It was hilarious though so you also had to keep from laughing.

“I mean I wouldn’t mind-” Lia shoots you a mean glare at your half serious words, and even though it was like being glared at by an adorable kitten, Lia already had you wrapped around her finger. “Actually I’m taken so I don’t think that would work.” 

All it takes for you all to break character is a shouted ‘WHIPPED’ coming from one of the players watching the interaction like it was a soap opera, the three of you laughing like it was the last thing you’d do.

“Alright, anyone want a drink? Not to brag but I can make a mean cocktail.” The women all cheer as you ask them, everyone rushing out to get into their cars and get to the bar. Just as you’re about to follow them, someone takes hold of your collar, making it so that you can’t go. 

Lia looks back when you don’t follow her but you just wave her off, telling her to go on without you. Turning back, you’re met with all the ‘scariest’ Arsenal players, looking like they’re about to beat you up.

“Listen carefully now, because this will only be said once, if you hurt a hair on her head, do anything to hurt her emotionally, if you do anything wrong that makes her sad, we will not hesitate to take your knees.” It’s Katie that speaks, all the others just nodding intimidatingly, glaring at you. 

“I’m going to try my best to make her happy, I know that she deserves the world.” They let up the facade of intimidation at your words, patting your back and pushing you in the direction of the car park. The conversation as you all are walking out of the building is pleasant, when you arrive at the parking lot there are just a couple of cars left.

Both of your best friends had left you to carpool with one of the remaining players, Lia called dibs though the second she looked at you, so it was with her you went.

“They weren’t too scary with you right? I know how they can be.” Lia says over the soft music being played from the radio, some Tyler, the Creator song. You look at her face, she was in deep thought and absolutely adorable. 

“Nah, it’s like being threatened by a pair of teddy bears. Let’s just say that I’ve had worse shovel talks.” She giggles as you start to tell her about all the weird shovel talks you’d gotten back in Texas, everything from being threatened with Chinese water torture to being hung upside down from a tree for simply speaking to a girl that wasn’t her.

When the bar comes into sight you see that multiple people have parked their cars right in front of it, telling Lia to just park on the curb.

“Y’all are such dickheads.” You laugh, slapping both Marla and Jason’s heads hard, they left you stranded. 

“Well you’ve got a girlfriend now who can drive your broke ass.” Marla shoots back, rubbing her head in pain. You roll your eyes at her dramatic actions, the slap wasn’t that hard.

“One-nil to me then, at least I have someone.” The sibling like banter was normal between you two by now, she was your best friend after all.

“C’mon cowboy, let’s sit down for a little.” Lia’s hand rests on your stomach as you both sit down on the booth, the place to sit being suspiciously small, to the point in which Lia had to throw her legs over your lap to get enough space.

It was nice to sit and talk with the team, they were regular people just like anyone else and it made you glad to see them just relax after a match. The atmosphere was calm, so calm in fact that Lia managed to fall asleep on your shoulder, quiet snores escaping her mouth.

Only moments later you fall asleep too, after having fought sleep for as long as possible. Your head rests on top of Lia’s and the girls think it’s absolutely adorable, some of them taking pictures of you both to send to their group chat.

“I knew being friends with her would pay off.” Jason jokes, thinking naïvely that you were fully asleep, getting a few laughs from the girls in the room. They get startled though as you utter a quick;

“Hey!” In protest, everyone soon laughed at your dramatic reaction to his joke.

Who knew that going to the museum would result in you getting a date?

[suashii]

୨♡୧ UNDER THE FESTIVAL LIGHTS — bakugo katsuki x f!reader. 1.6 wc. sfw. fluff. royalty au. knight!bakugo and princess!reader. inspired by the floating lights scene in tangled.

the air beyond the castle walls feels lighter, less stifling, as you inhale it through your nose. it isn't often that you find yourself in town and away from the restrictions put on you by your parents—and alone, at that. maybe the fact that you were given strict instructions to not leave the castle today is what makes it so liberating.

pulling the hood of your cloak over your face, you start down the main road. the path is bustling with people—small children chasing after one another, young girls twirling to show off their festival attire, and more vendors lined up than you can count. you imagine that every other stand is selling lanterns in addition to their regular inventory.

your eyes wander between each of them in search of a booth that has one in your favorite color but before you can get a good look at any, something is blocking your way. something tall, metal, and pointed at the tip—it's a spear. you sigh at the sight. without even looking at the hand attached to the body that wields it, you're positive you know who it is.

"i have to give it to you," a deep, familiar voice starts. the spear is lifted from the ground and replaced by a person, that being the knight assigned to you—katsuki. "you made it pretty far this time, princess."

"why are you here?" you ask, exasperation lacing your voice as your eyes shift to see if the man's presence is earning you any stares. the entire point of your cloak was to remain hidden, to not look like the princess of the kingdom. having a highly regarded knight speak to you so casually seems like it would be enough to blow your cover.

"i should be the one asking you that," he retorts. his carnelian eyes bore down into you with a hard stare. you stopped finding it intimidating a long time ago. "i thought your parents made it clear that you weren't to attend."

you cross your arms and groan. of course you were aware of your parents' wishes, they had spent nearly the whole day reminding you that you did not have their permission to leave the castle to go to the annual festival of lights. you met their demands with grumbled words of understanding that you had no intention of sticking to.

sneaking out had been risky but you were sure that by the time you made it past the gates, you would have enough time to see the lanterns before someone was sent to retrieve you. it seemed as though your absence was noticed far sooner than you anticipated, if bakugo's presence was any evidence.

"come on, then. i'm taking you back." katsuki's fingers close around your arm as he begins, presumably, to where he left his horse.

"wait!" you plead with him in a hushed tone, careful to not draw any unwanted attention. begging isn't very becoming of you, but since you put in so much effort to get here, and because it's him, you meet bakugo's eye with a stare that you're sure is brimming with desperation. "please let me stay a while. you of all people know that it's been my dream to be a part of this."

for a split second, katsuki's resolve wavers. for a moment, he doesn't see the princess; he sees the girl he grew up with, the one who he considered a friend before royalty. he quickly clears the thought from his head, remembering that he was sent here with specific commands—ones that didn't involve personal feelings. "i was ordered to find you and take you home."

"can't you just tell a little white lie and say that it took you a while?" bakugo clicks his tongue at your continued attempt to persuade him. you pay his subtle show of annoyance little mind when speaking your next words. "it's almost dark. they'll be letting them go any minute now. i swear we won't be here long."

he's getting ready to repeat himself when he catches sight of the expression painted on your face. it's not the grin you wear when you're poking fun at him or the frown you sport when he does the same. it's one that toes the line between hopeful and dejected. a sparkle of optimism glimmers in your glassy eyes but the smile pulling at your lips looks as though you've already accepted defeat. katsuki kicks himself for being at your mercy. he hopes he won't regret this. "ten minutes. if they don't start in ten minutes, we're leaving."

you gasp and nod your head enthusiastically. "deal!"

the joy that lights up your eyes is brighter than any lantern, katsuki thinks. maybe it's selfish and a little unprofessional, but he's glad he didn't deprive himself of the image before him. it's rare to see you express such delight these days.

"i have to go buy a lantern." you take a step back and gesture to the endless stalls set up alongside the road. "you stay here."

the skin between bakugo's eyebrows creases with a frown. "absolutely not."

"people will recognize me if you're tailing after me," you try to tell him but you know how seriously katsuki takes his duties as your guard. it's a miracle he isn't dragging you back to the castle. you know now that he's found you, he isn't willing to let you out of his sight.

you figure that since he is going against direct orders by allowing you to stay, you can meet him in the middle.

"fine, you can come with me." you point an accusing finger at his armored chest. "just keep your distance and try not to make it obvious, please."

he breathes out a laugh at your demand. "as you wish, your highness."

despite bakugo's interruption, the buzzing atmosphere of the town persists. the crowds are thick and navigating them as you go from booth to booth is a new experience. you're used to people clearing the way for you. as strange as it may sound, bumping shoulders with the masses is oddly exhilarating. it makes you feel as though you aren't some untouchable, fragile being. for the first time in a long time, you don't feel like the princess; you just feel like yourself.

katsuki can see it in the way you easily converse with the vendors and offer kind smiles to the children who accidentally knock into you. the practiced poise you've been carrying yourself with since adolescence is slipping. he's sure it'll be back by the time the two of you return to the castle, so katsuki decides to enjoy the glimpse of this you and your unbridled excitement while he can.

you think there are around five minutes left on your clock by the time you've acquired a lantern and begin to look for a somewhat secluded spot to light it and let it go. a patch of grass near the water catches your eye and you point it out to bakugo before starting toward the site.

your dress bunches as you sit on your calves and you're sure that the damp earth with leave stains on the fabric but it's the least of your concerns. you pat the space next to you in a silent gesture for the knight to sit. he does, although, he sits in the opposite direction with his back to the water so that he's facing the town.

you fumble with the pack of matches you bought in addition to your lantern in an effort to get one of the wooden sticks out quickly. when you're finally able to pluck one out from the rest, you strike it on the side of the box, the red tip turning dark as the flame erupts. as you bring the fire to the wick of the candle housed within the lantern, you ask your companion, "does it look like they're starting?"

bakugo's eyes flit up to the darkened sky in search of any lights. he's about to tell you no when the first one appears, slowly and lazily drifting through the air. another follows and then two before he loses count of the glowing lights. "they are."

you're tempted to turn around so that you can see them while you wave out the flame but before you can, your gaze stops at the water. a reflection of the lanterns in the sky glistens on the soft blue waves. you couldn't fight the smile growing on your lips even if you tried.

over his shoulder, katsuki watches you take in the sight reflected on the water. he notices that you haven't let your lantern go yet.

"aren't you going to let yours go?" he asks.

you look down to your hands as though you had forgotten about it—and with the view ahead of you, part of you had. the lantern is light in the palms, so much so that you have to hold it down to be sure it doesn't sail away before you're ready. you take a moment to give it one last look before you tentatively release your grasp on it.

the wind picks up the lantern and carries it through the brisk evening air. you follow the path it takes as it soars through the sky, joining others like it on their journey to who knows where. the image is one you've only ever seen from the balcony of your bedroom. it's different being so close to the beauty and having contributed to it yourself.

you turn to look at katsuki over your shoulder. his vermilion gaze is already locked on you. another smile, a real, genuine one, stretches across your lips. you hadn't planned on it, but you're glad that you were able to spend this moment with bakugo. "isn't it so pretty?"

katsuki hums in agreement, although, he wonders if you know that he means you.

thanks for reading! consider commenting or reblogging if you enjoyed ❤︎

[breannasfluff]

Lost Without You

Whump Rating: 2/5 TW: Depression

The shadow is defeated. A portal appears and the Chain knows, this is the final one. Tears are shed, promises and light-hearted threats are made, and everyone gives a last hug goodbye. Then, one by one, they step through the portal and vanish.

They were already in Wild’s world. He’d already gone through his last portal without realizing it. The blackness swirls, sucks in, and vanishes. The champion stands in the grass field, alone. The breeze blows through the grass, turning it into waves over the low hills. Far away, a wild horse whinnies. Then silence falls again.

Wild stares at the spot where his family vanished for a long time before finally turning in the direction of home.

Things aren’t the same after the journey ends. Link—no need for a nickname, now—goes through the motions. He helps Zelda, speaks with Purah, and tries to fall into the rhythm of life. The little house in Hateno, despite how he loved it previously, is too empty, now. Each corner is filled with memories of eight other boys and men laughing, joking, and filling his life with joy.

He can’t sleep in his bed without remembering times Wolfie curled up at his feet, or Hyrule crawled in and clung to his arm after a bad dream. The horse shed reminds him of Time, chewing on a piece of straw and telling ridiculous stories they couldn’t discount. With the old man, anything could be true.

Finally, Link gives the house to Zelda for her research and sets out to circle Hyrule. He’ll check in with the other races and towns. Maybe there he’ll find the meaning he lost. Yet each place holds the happiness of people moving on, while he is stuck in the same place.

Friends marry, break up, learn new skills, and build homes. Families change; growing and shrinking, yet never dying. Their lives are ever-churning onward. With each town, Link finds himself looking forward to the next less and less. He no longer has a family to visit. Well, it’s not a bad idea to travel the wilds. He’s often more comfortable there than anywhere else.

At first, it’s a good idea. The wilds are quiet and he falls into the rhythm of nature. There are no travelers out here and he can go days without needing to speak. After a while, he starts chatting to the air, telling his missing companions about his travels.

“There’s a fox mother in a den over there. I snuck up and looked at the kits. I think she noticed me, but I made sure not to get too close. Oh, some grasshoppers; I should catch them for making elixirs in the future. You know, I really cleaned out my stores making potions for everyone.”

The only answer is the wind. Link is quiet for the rest of the day.

The weeks blend together and he fully gives up on seeking out towns. Even traveling is losing its appeal. What’s the rush? There’s no goal; no people who need him to check in. He told Zelda when he left he’d be off the grid for a while.

What’s the use of a hero after the journey is over? He’d barely had time to settle after the first one before he was dumped into the Chain. Now, an eternity without his family looms. Each day, Link rests a little more. For each meal, he has a little less. He’s just…not hungry.

Slowly, he numbs to his surroundings. He takes an infrequent wash when he comes across a lake, but there’s no one to worry about. Link wakes tired and lays on his bedroll for hours, debating getting up and moving further. He collects less until he’s only depleting his supplies, not adding to it. Well, that’s easy enough to fix; he’s not hungry anyway.

Link doesn’t know how long he’s been out here. He could warp home; warm to a shrine or a town. Maybe he should be around people. But the idea of talking to people? Socializing? Keeping up the persona of a hero? It’s exhausting.

Mostly, Link sleeps. Maybe, one day, he’ll climb back into the shrine and they can suck the life back out of him. This body is on loan, anyway. Maybe next time, they’ll find a better hero to fill it with. Someone whose family is still around to support him.

Someone is screaming.

This is odd for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that Link is in the middle of nowhere. Someone could have encountered a rare enemy, but the scream is…excited? And raising in pitch and volume.

“Where is he?”

“The gem should take us right to him!”

“Do you think he’s underground?”

“What—where do you come up with these things?”

“Like a cave—wait, look over there.”

Huh. That sounds a lot like Wind and Warriors. Silly, because they are gone. Everyone is gone. Maybe this is it. His mind snapped and now he’s hearing voices.

Footsteps get louder and Warriors looks down at him in the grass, hands on his hips. “What in hyrule are you doing down there?”

Wind’s face pops into view, showing off straight white teeth when he grins. “Hey Wild! We missed—hey.” The smile fades, excitement seeping out. “Did something happen to you? You look, uh…”

“You look like shit,” Warriors finishes. He leans down, reaching out a hand. “You good? What happened?”

Link doesn’t take the hand, just stares at them. “That’s it,” he whispers. “I’ve gone crazy. Hallucinations.”

Wind socks him in the shoulder, much too hard to be a hallucination. “Get up! Warriors got a crystal! We need to get the others!”

“What…?” Link finally sits up, then stands. Woah, his legs are kind of shaky. Warriors grabs him, then hisses as his hand closes on a shoulder.

“How skinny are you? Wild, seriously, what happened?”

He transfers his gaze to the captain, slowly tracing over familiar features. “You left.”

“Yeah? Didn’t you have people to come home to?”

Link shrugs. “Not my family.”

“Wild? Are you okay?” Wind tugs on his tunic sleeve. “Did you miss us?”

“Yeah.” He closes his eyes for a long moment. “A lot. How—how are you here?”

The captain snorts and waves a gem on a chain. Took a while, but I got Cia to make a gem that will let heroes open portals. We’re picking everyone up to see how things are going.” He looks Link up and down. “You, my friend, are in dire need of some help.”

Link stares at his feet. “I don’t…know what to do anymore.”

Wind leans against his side, wrapping him in a half hug. “You rely on your brothers. We’ll get you back on your feet, okay? Twi is never going to let you out of his sight again.”

For the first time in a while, Wild smiles. “Let’s go see our family.”

[gennyanydots]

All Hail the Heartbreaker

Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x f!reader

Masterlist

Warning: this part is angsty as fuck. High school Jake is straight up a manipulative asshole.

Part 1 of 3

Part 2

Part 3

Just his name could send your mind reeling and cause your breath to quicken. It always felt like an out of body experience.

He had known exactly what he was doing. He saw you for what you were, a shy, naive little girl pining away after the most popular boy in school. He saw his chance and he made his home inside your brain, cozied on up to your abandonment issues and your self esteem problems. He controlled you however he wanted since you grew to crave his attention. Any attention from him. For two years.

Jake used you however he saw fit. Whenever he saw fit.

“Did you do the homework last night, princess? Think I could take a peek at your answers real fast? Just want to check that you did it right. Wouldn’t want you to get a bad grade.”

“Darlin’, do you think you could stop by the store later for me on your way over? You said you got some money from babysitting the other day.”

“Baby, you know I love you so much, right? Why don’t you come over tonight and cook us some dinner instead of going to the movies with your friends? My parents went out tonight.”

“We should definitely be partners for that project, darlin’. I know you can get us an A.”

You didn’t want to see how he was treating you. You didn’t want to acknowledge his treatment or his lies.

Oh the lies.

“You know nobody will ever love you like I can?”

“Do your friends even care about you, darlin’? Doesn’t seem like it.”

“I’m just going to hang out with my buddies, princess. Nobody else will be there. Promise.”

“C’mon baby, you know I only have eyes for you. She was just asking about the homework.”

“We were just talkin’ in my room. Nothing to worry your pretty little mind over.”

“Why are you getting so upset? I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that.”

You’ll still never know the true extent of his lies.

You didn’t want to dig too far, afraid of what you might find.

You knew enough.

You were told enough.

You’d seen enough.

His friends felt bad for you. Told you that you didn’t deserve to be treated this way. You didn’t deserve to be lied to like this. You knew it had to be bad if some immature high school boys took the time to tell you.

You stopped by his house one day to drop a freshly baked pie off even though he wasn’t home. Jake’s father took you aside to make sure you knew this wasn’t how he raised his son. Jake wasn’t raised to treat anyone like this, let alone someone he supposedly loved.

His father told you to leave Jake. Told you that he can’t stand seeing his son hurt you like this.

You told his father and his friends that you had no idea what they were talking about but that was a lie. Deep down you knew. Deep down you’d known all along. You didn’t want to admit it. You so badly wanted this to work.

Why couldn’t the shy girl get the quarterback? Why couldn’t they fall in love and be high school sweethearts? Get married and have a bunch of kids. Why couldn’t someone like him be interested in someone like you?

Though you knew why. Other girls whispered exactly why to each other when they thought you couldn’t hear. You still pretended not to.

It was all a picture perfect dream come true for you until the edges started to fray and the colors faded.

You held on. You wanted it so badly but you also didn’t want to see the aftermath. When he was finally turned loose and was able to do what he wanted without hiding anything.

You knew what you had to do. You just didn’t want to. You needed an easier way.

So you convinced your parents that you had to move to college early. You had to move immediately after high school. You needed time to acclimate to your new state. Somehow they agreed. You’re not sure if it was some divine intervention or if somehow they had heard the whispers around town. It’s not like he hid what he was doing well and you lived in such a small town. Everyone was always in each other’s business.

Months ago you called your cousin crying when you started to think about what to do about Jake. Russel was your best friend. The two of you spent every summer together as children on your grandparent’s ranch. Thick as thieves your grandparents would say. Even though he was a few years older your friendship never wavered as you grew up. He was like your big brother.

Russ helped you to decide that the best course of action was to break it off and leave. That way you didn’t have to see what he does afterwards. You could be anywhere else. Doing anything else. And if you didn’t run into your friends or his friends nobody would tell you anything. Russ may have also convinced you that you needed to go to college at the same college he goes to . States away from Texas. Safe away from Texas.

So that’s what you did. The night before you left to head to your new school you broke it off with Jake.

He didn’t react much just shrugged it off. Told you that you weren’t that pretty anyways and that you never put out for him. Told you he planned to break up with you soon anyways before he headed to the Naval Academy. He couldn’t date someone like you when he went there. He needed to be dating someone more on his level and you just weren’t it. You’d never been it. If anything he pitied you and that’s why you two were dating.

You nodded and showed him the door quickly. You wouldn’t let him see you cry. He wouldn’t get that satisfaction.

Part 2

[rosewaterandivy]

—whatever's still to come [i.]

summary: Blood like yours, a love like yours could be halved and still be whole.

pairing: steve harrington x f!reader

wc: 1.4k

warnings: character death, big sads, grief, “they were soulmates”

notes: dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to kick this thing off and flirt with disaster. (pls don't hate me too much 🫣) this has been burning a hole in my brain for a while and caters to some of my favorite tropes. my goal is for this to read like a snippets of time series, and will be updated when inspiration strikes. that being said, get ready for my usual brand of filth and yearning™

series masterlist | next

i.: i could break beneath the weight

He was never one to remember you first. Not in the eons since the pair of you began this song and dance, and it got harder and harder each time.

Taking a break, inviting some distance seemed like the best thing to do this time around. Close enough to keep and eye out or an ear to the ground, but far enough from his orbit so as not to invite any familiarity.

In the hope that it would be different this time; that fate would be outsmarted and once, just once you’d have some sort of life together. 

But the universe had never been all that kind to you— all that was allotted were snatches of happiness throughout the years.

Several lifetimes for him, but one prolonged existence for you, casting centuries aside; so it goes.

It simply wasn’t meant to be.

Hawkins, Indiana was a sleepy, small town much like many others in the Midwest. Or, at least it was until a few years ago. Leave it to a government-funded lab to eradicate any sense of safety in suburban America. 

The thought that kept hounding at you ceaselessly through your shifts at the book or record store was this: he was only seventeen when it all fell apart.

He was only seventeen but he’d never been one to turn away from a fight, especially if he felt the need to to protect someone. The rest of the party, you’d come to learn, was either roughly his age or even younger which was abjectly horrifying.

But then he was eighteen and the hits kept on coming— heartbreak for the first time, new and raw, hastily patched up and distracted by a boy too-smart for his own good in need of a friend. Then, nineteen and effectively on his own, working at the mall and then video store across the street from you.

While you’d seen the best and worst of what humanity had to offer in your many wanderings, in your wildest dreams you never thought it’d come to this: lying in his arms under the starlight, eyes growing heavy.

“Steve?”

That’s what he’s called, this time around. It brought a smile to your face because you’d always liked that name, and it fit him like a glove. Nevermind, that he’d first been given a form of that name in France during Le Grand Siècle, Étienne. Steven came from the Greek Στέφανος (Stéphanos) meaning wreath or crown, and, by extension of its verb form, to encircle, to wreathe. 

Much like his arms were encircling you now.

“Mhmm?”

He doesn’t trust his voice not to shake if he were to speak.

“It’s c-cold,” You shiver in his grasp.

At that he draws you near, warmth from his skin pouring into yours. You can feel the gooseflesh of his bare arms against your neck and side, despite his jacket draped across you. 

It’s useless to pretend, but the two of you have managed to delude yourselves thus far. The sky above rembles a bruise, mottled purple that’s somehow lighter at the edges. It’s clear enough to see Ursa Major and Hydra littered amongst the stars. 

Your head tilts upward to find Steve staring down at you, eyes soft and honeyed. A tear escapes and cascades down his cheek, one landing wetly against your lips, another falling straight into your eye— what a lesson, what familiarity. If you were able, you wouldn’t hesitate to reach up and wipe them away.

“Oh my love,” you rasp instead, venturing a small smile though it causes the blood to surge from your split lip. “I don’t regret a single thing.”

“H-how can you say that?” His voice is a ravaged thing, words spilling out in a furtive whisper. “This is all my fault. If I’d just—”

You shush him. “There was nothing to be done,” You strain to prop yourself up, not minding Steve’s protestations. Sweat gathers at your brow with the effort as you eventually settle against his chest.

He lets his arms fall at your hips, chin tucking over your shoulder resigned, defeated. 

“I don’t want to lose you,” is what he says, soft as air against the nape of your neck, “Not when I’ve only just found you.”

Your hand finds his and slots your fingers in between with a reassuring squeeze. You take a breath, feeling the tears beading along your lashes, and resign yourself to fate.

“You listen to me Steve Harrington,” you choke out. “This is not the end.” A turn of your head to rest against neck and revel in the warmth. “It never is, not for us.” You swallow hard, but your throat closes up anyway. “I followed you to the sun,” you confess, “And now it’s up to you to wait for me as I go into the dark.”

He sniffles against the crown of your head, tears baptizing you anew.

“I’m not saying it’ll be easy, being the one who remembers— it’s kind of mortifying, actually.” 

Steve sputters a laugh in spite of himself.

“It’s awful, the waiting, but someone’s gotta do it. You’ll be mad, wrathful even, wanna tear the world apart for doing you so wrong.” Your words are coming slower now, breathing becoming stilted. “You’ll search for me in everyone you see, you won’t be able to help it— you’ll want see me in everyone, sometimes you will. And that’s okay.”

He’s quiet again, worrying his lip between his teeth. Knuckles turning white with how he’s holding onto you— you’re adrift when you realize you can’t feel him anymore.

“I’ll find my way to you,” you say, fighting the heaviness of your eyelids. “Whatever hell you’re in, hold on, just a little longer, just for me.” 

Numbness crawls up your body like frostbite, you sense his nod. Steeling yourself for the inevitable plunge, you will yourself to turn at the waist and plant your lips to his, blood be damned as it flows from your mouth into his. Blood like yours, a love like yours could be halved and still be whole.

Steve sobs into the kiss, thumb sinking into the dimple of your cheek and ghosting along your jawline. It’s tender and desperate, the way his lips slot against yours and his tongue hearkens to you. A broken sound wrenches from your throat. A shrill gasp. A guttural breath.

Prying yourself away, his blood-stained lips rest against your forehead. Arms winding around your waist to keep you steady and upright. Your chest heaves with every breath you steal. 

“Stevie, philtatos, most beloved,” you whisper to him, so sweetly in a way that makes him ache all the way through his bones, all the way down to the meat of his heart. 

“I love you and I know you. Could recognize you through a history of touch alone.” 

Your eyes blow wide at the realization of what’s rushing up to meet you. Steve can tell he’s losing you, slipping through his fingers like water. He’s at the end of the line, kingdom carved. Your lips part in a ragged breath, he inclines his head toward you as you murmur one last word. 

A name.

With a final squeeze of your hand, your head lolls back falling against his palm as it cradles your skull. Eyes slip shut, taking the glorious cosmos with them. The cage of your ribs no longer expands with tedious breaths. And finally, your heart ceases to beat.

He leans down and presses his lips to yours for the last time.

“Come back to me, come back to me, come back to me,” he pleads.

It’s with a wretched howl that Steve breaks, a caterwaul, unlike any other sound he’d made before. Breaking beneath the weight of his loss, the callous loss of you— ripped from him like a limb when he’d only just begun to truly know you.

His head full of doubt has been replaced with a flood of memories, of lives lived with you— snatches of stolen time rushing through his senses ever since you’d given him his name. The first one you’d known him as; of course, it’s not enough to alleviate his grief, but he’ll take what he can get. 

And now that you’re gone, there’s a heart beating inside of him that isn’t his own. He takes a small comfort in that and turns toward the distant sun rising in the East, rays of gold dappling through the trees chasing away the lingering stardust and moonlight of your body. 

Steve didn’t have to guess at it any longer, images blooming in his mind’s eye, emotions vacillating between elation, heartbreak, and grief tugging at the ventricles beneath his ribs.

Philtátē. Philtátē. Philtátē. 

He was made for you.

[thelarriefics]

WINTER FIC REC: Below you’ll find fics that take place during the winter season. 

📖 A Very Darling Christmas by @aquamarinedaffodil (133k)

It’s Harry’s first holiday season since he opened the little bakery at Astor Square and according to his best friend Zayn, he is hopelessly unprepared. With the start of the local Christmas market right around the corner and an already hectic schedule, Harry really can’t afford to get distracted.

Then again, neither can Louis, who is in the middle of directing rehearsals for a winter musical with his drama class and promised his colleague Niall that he’d focus all of his energy on the musical.

But you know what they say: promises are like pie crusts — made to be broken.

📖 like cranberries on a winter evening by @evilovesyou (57k)

Louis hates Christmas. With good reason, too. And no, he doesn’t want to talk about it.

When research for his next novel leads Louis to the website of a quirky little hotel in Northumberland, there is exactly one room available for the two weeks that Louis really wants to get away from his family.

Will the fairy lights, kind smiles, homemade pastries, and genuine friendships awaiting him in Harry Styles’ hotel be enough to cause Louis a change of heart?

📖 Baby, Won't You Look My Way? by @peachbootylouis (50k)

Or the where Louis’ routine centered life runs like clockwork until a chance hook up throws a wrench named Harry into it all. But as it may turn out a change in plans could be what Louis has needed all along.

📖 Cabin Fever by @germericangirl (46k)

One cabin, one bed, two ex-boyfriends. What could possibly go wrong?

📖 Take A Chance On Me by @peachypetalhazz (39k)

When Harry receives two tickets to see one of his favourite bands, he'd expected that his best mate would accompany him. However, it is soon learned that the intentions behind this so-called gift were far more wondrous than he initially thought.

📖 love drunk, waiting on a miracle by @hellolovers13 (30k)

Harry has a bit of a crush on a customer. Thankfully, the feeling is mutual.

These are their first 24 days together.

📖 California stars by @justanothershadeofblue (27k)

A month in the life (and diary) of one Harry Edward Styles, miner-become-farmer in the brand new state of California, and his hired hand, one Louis Tomlinson. AKA Harry goes to San Francisco for supplies, but ends up with more than he bargained for.

📖 One for the Books by @neondiamond (25k)

When Harry decides to move to London a few weeks before Christmas to pursue his dream and become the new owner of a bookshop after seeing an ad online, everyone he knows tells him he must be out of his mind. As he gets acquainted with his new life and meets a handful of incredible individuals—one of which he happens to grow particularly fond of—he slowly comes to the realisation that it may just be the best decision he's ever made.

Or the one where there’s a bookshop, a cat, OT5 friendship, a budding romance, and all the festive vibes.

📖 as in olden days by @scrunchyharry (18k)

Château Frontenac hotel, Christmas 1925 When his father insisted the entire family spend Christmas abroad in one of his new investments, Harry dreaded the prospect of being trapped for weeks in the biting Canadian cold, so far away from the roaring excitement of his London life. As he crossed half of the world to be buried under a thick blanket of snow, he never imagined he would meet a charming bellhop who would do his best to keep him warm.

📖 And winter came... by @noellehenryfics (16k)

A While you were sleeping AU.

📖 This Winter's Day by @becomeawendybird (14k)

Louis is Harry's stablemaster, and when he falls ill and his mother turns to Harry to help her try and find someone he can settle down with, it's only natural that Harry suggests himself.

📖 I Can Build Your Heart A Home by @loveislarryislove (10k)

Harry and Louis kind of secretly sort of dated in high school. Now it's two years later and they're both back in town for Christmas and it's awkward. Until it isn't.

📖 The Clock Strikes New Year by @jacaranda-bloom (9k)

Harry was homeless, but now he has Louis. Louis was lonely, but now he has Harry. And there’s more than one way to see fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

📖 All I know is I'm in trouble ('cause the atmosphere's so cold) by @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed (8k)

While on a holiday with his best mate Zayn, Louis meets Harry, who seems to dislike him from the start. It's just his luck he ends up getting stuck on a ski lift with Harry. Except maybe the universe knows better and he really is lucky.

📖 Alpha Heater For Sale by @harryslonecurl (3k)

It read: Alpha heater for sale! Winter weather got you down? Call Harry for your warm, furnace-like needs!

📖 Rapture by @allwaswell16 (3k)

It was New Year's Eve in Victorian London, and a lonely vampire could no longer resist the stunning lamplighter he watched night after night.

Or, a vampire Harry fic because what says the holidays like Victorian vampires?

📖 a taste of bliss by @beckydoesthings (1k)

It's New Year's Eve, and Louis is working. As much as he hates it, there's a few benefits to working a holiday. One is the free champagne. The second may or may not come in the form of a curly haired sous chef named Harry.

[khiptid]

What's with Sizz and Smul.... im so curious

Thanks for the question!!! YAAAYYY

It's not too complicated really so I'll explain this to the best of my ability. Oh god I can sense many paragraphs coming

(a little far back before events of Hylics2) Sizzle was originally just a normal Wayne from Waynehouse at this point. They were a little more wacky and spontaneous than the others were, evident by the fact that they decided to sneak out one night. They'd heard tales of Old Wayne's previous adventures and wanted to recreate that same experience for themself.

Nearest by, it was only natural that they stopped by New Muldul first. Most dismissed them for the reason of already knowing their kind, from the house just over yonder. All had this same response except for one resident.

"What a remarkable visitor," Smuldunde remarks, seeing the wayne enter. "I've not seen you, yet I've heard tales from Dedusmuln before their departure. Welcome! You are free to stay as long as you like."

This particularly struck a chord deep inside Sizzle, and not in a bad way at all. Normally when referring to a wayne, most would say "all of you/us", or "one like you/us". Though, being referred to by just "you" felt really good for Sizzle. It felt comfortable. (maybe Wayne Prime can relate to this as well? Who knows)

By this alone, Sizzle was swayed toward wanting to befriend Smuldunde, deciding to stay in New Muldul for a little while longer. They talk together and stroll around town here and there, exploring a bit while getting to know one another.

After about a week of this routine passes, Sizzle says goodbye for now & ventures off on their own for a while. This is around the time that they meet the Sage of Time, the Sage of Life & the Sage of Skulls(bitches I made up) to be mentored in the ways of gestures and magics.

When Sizzle comes back to New Muldul one day, Smuldunde immediately recognized them despite their new attributes. New colors graced their head in coral-like protuberances, making for a unique flair. Sizzle didn't even notice the changes until it was pointed out. Perhaps becoming more attuned with their abilities sprouted these changes? Almost like a second metamorphosis.

Additionally, with this newfound transformation, they figure to have a more independant name, becoming Waynesizzle in reference to an experience they had lying in the sand under the blazing sun, hearing the sound of the warmth hitting their skin, as well as the sand shifting around. (it's also the sound they make when they use their magic)

In a way, they kind of really have Smuldunde to thank, they're the reason they truly wanted to become their own person. and the two become even closer because of that fact.

However, when the point comes when they start to look more like their true self, Sizzle meets someone new. One named Odozeir, of course. I'll cut to the chase, they were far too naïve to think everyone would be as kind as their friend Smuldunde. Taken advantage of, sapped of their abilities to aid in reviving Gibby, tossed into a vault, all of the above was the reason they were deemed missing for potentially more than a decade.

Spending that long in a dark place is terrible enough for anyone, could cause some memories to slip away, cause you to change for the worse. Yet… Smuldunde's kindness stuck with them throughout the years, being in their dreams and daydreams, which always seemed to blur together while being stuck in the vault.

All of the events that take place in Hylics 2 come and go, and by this point, it's now the era of Absent Moon/Hylics 3. The sages that Sizzle trained with have all passed, though their spirits remain. They visit Sizzle in a dream, reminding them of who they are before lending the final bits of their remaining energy to Sizzle in order to break from the prison, and that they do.

They venture out into the world again, saddened to see the state that the world is in now. Mutant visages of their own kind, senselessly attacking civilians and sometimes even each other. It was enough to make them more depressed than they already were.

Sizzle was always on the defense as they explored and searched. Searched for absolutely anyone who wouldn't attack.

A smile hadn't been shed from them for such a long time. That is, until...

Their mutual happiness was left unsaid, instead choosing to grasp each other tightly as if there was nothing else left to hold onto, tears falling onto each other like rain.

A confused Dedusmuln watches from the background, less baffled about this friendship unknown to them, and more about the fact that Sizzle was a normal wayne...for the most part. More normal than the mutants scattered across the land.

It didn't matter for now. Gaining back a valued ally, Sizzle & Smuldunde alone head to the now-fortified New Muldul as Dedusmuln ventures to regroup with Pongorma.

Lots of questions are exchanged once the two are back home. Any answer was satisfying, because the only thing that mattered was that they're reunited, and now more powerful together.

[casinotrio1965]

Western Disney AU: At the Stables by friend Levi

Being in the Wild West only meant adventure, or that's what someone would assume. Gunslingers and all sorts, but not in this little town. The folk there were far too friendly, though that never stopped chaos from brewing.

The sun peeked in through the windows and onto Lampwick's drooling face, snoring away without worries. Suddenly, a little girl barged in with an irritated expression. He was supposed to get up earlier to help his sister with the chores while their mother was busy. Unfortunately, he had no plans of getting up any time soon.

"Hey! Lampwick!" she yelled.

He jolted awake and looked around in alarm.

"Huh..? Is there school today?" he'd yawn.

"No, you big oaf! You were meant to be getting the groceries by now!"

He'd scratch his head before snapping his fingers.

"My bad! I totally forgot!"

Rushing to get dressed, he ran around to get some bread for his breakfast and a basket to place all the shopping. Before anyone could complain, he was already out the door. On his way to town, he recognised some familiar faces that were already up and about. The townsfolk tended to their business in the distance, but he easily got sidetracked, changing course to stop by the horses at the stable nearby. He couldn’t resist the urge to bother them.

Waiting for him on his path was a pretty girl from the native tribe that they often did trades with. She glanced around as she kicked a pebble, huffing impatiently as if she was waiting for someone. He was surprised she was wandering about like this, but was pleased to see her.

"Tigerlily! Great day for mischief, right?" he called out with a snicker.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head with a giggle.

"You on your way to bother the horses again? One of these days they're gonna knock you out!" she exclaimed back.

He approached her, grinning as he usually does.

"What're you doing around here? Did ya miss me or something?"

Her cheeks turned slightly pink at the comment, rolling her eyes despite the fact he was right. But she wasn't going to admit that. He'd tease her for the rest of her life.

“In your dreams!” she’d scoff. “I’m only here to wait for Peter and then I’m going to pick up a few things for my dad. The usual checkup on our trades and stuff.”

He cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms with a playful chuckle.

“How heartbreaking. Thought you actually wanted to see me.”

“If you keep saying that, I’ll assume that you’re the one who’s seeking me out.”

He’d raise his hands to surrender, running out of retorts to throw her way.

“Fine fine. I’ll stop teasing ya.”

The pair shared a familiar warm smile with each other. They had been friends for a while, when Lampwick’s mother, Carina, would visit the friends she had made as a saloon girl in the past. The two troublemakers would often mess around and crack jokes, often bothering the adults around them with their antics.

“Anyways, where is Peter? Doesn’t he come to look at the stables around this time?” Lampwick inquired.

“He asked me to get him a wooden practice gun, and I was hoping to see him to discuss more details about it. But I’m getting bored sticking around here”, Tigerlily would sigh before the auburn haired boy nudges her.

“Let’s go have some fun! We can put our duties on hold for a little bit. Nobody will know!”

“Hmmm… I don’t know… You said that last time and my dad ended up lecturing me for an entire hour once I got back home.”

“Come on! We can get groceries for me and do your trade stuff while we roam around. I’ve been itching to do something entertaining”, he grinned, which was enough to sway her into playing along with his plan.

“Alright, you’ve got me convinced. What type of shenanigans did you have in mind?”

He’d wrap his arm around Tigerlily, making her heart skip a beat from the sudden closeness. Of course, he was too oblivious to notice how flustered she was, and she was rather good at pretending she wasn’t.

He started dragging her to the stable of one of the most ferocious horses… Tinkerbell. She was infamous for her stubbornness, driving away any potential buyers. Despite that, it was said this Arabian mare could run so fast it was like she could fly, much like a fairy. Though she had often thrown her riders off her back whenever she was irritated, making her rather dangerous. Tigerlily’s eyes widened in disbelief and looked at him with a mix of concern and intrigue.

“Isn’t this that horse that Peter wanted to get for himself?” she asked.

“It is in fact that horse. I’ve no interest in getting one as you already know. But… We can have a bit of a bet while nobody is looking.”

“What sort of bet?”

He’d check the area and his surroundings, to ensure they won’t be caught. He knew he’d get grounded if his mother found out about this. In the corner was a block of hay to feed the horses, and he hastily took two handfuls of it before placing some in Tigerlily’s hand.

“I bet Tinkerbell will accept my hay!” he exclaimed.

She smirked at his cockiness and held her head high.

“I see how it is. Well, I bet she’ll accept mine first!”

“Oh really? Then how about this. Loser has to eat hay like a horse.”

“You’re on!”

The two fist bumped to solidify this deal before turning back to the uninterested mare. Lampwick fearlessly stepped forward with a confident beaming smile and shoved the clump of dried grass towards her snout. Tinkerbell snorted and sniffed him, but she didn’t dare take a bite. It’s as if she knew he was up to no good. She simply turned her back on him, swishing her tail around almost sassily.

“Doesn’t look like your smile charmed her at all”, Tigerlily teased.

That simple statement was enough to fuel his competitive behaviour. He stuck his hand into her stable, trying desperately to get her attention.

“Hello!? C’mon, Tinkerbell! Don’t be like this! I don’t wanna eat this straw!” he begged.

All the ruckus aggravated her, causing her to neigh loudly which alarmed them. She spun around and snapped at Lampwick, causing him to yelp and fall onto his behind. He groaned in pain as his companion howled with laughter.

“Haha very funny”, he scowled.

Feeling gratified, what worry Tigerlily had washed away. She calmly and carefully presented the hay to an upset Tinkerbell, awaiting what she’d do. At first, the mare was sceptical, glaring at the petite native girl. But she sensed her sincerity, and she was rather peckish. She slowly extended her neck and took a nibble of the hay, then she turned her back to them again. Lampwick’s mouth went agape, unable to process the fact he just lost.

“What!? How!?”

Tigerlily cackled and clapped in amusement. She dumped the hay onto his lap and crossed her arms.

“Eat up. You must be hungry.”

He grimaced, reluctantly picking up a strand and let it hover in front of his lips. He closed his eyes shut and took a deep breath, shoving it in his mouth and swallowing as fast as he could. The taste was ghastly, like the driest leaves in the world with a strong aftertaste of soil. It made him gag, and the regret had him wishing he just left for the groceries.

The End

[jackiesarch]

— WHAT’S AT YOUR OC’S CORE?

tagged by mine beloved @corvosattano to destroy my children in cold blood with this uquiz — thank you! ❤️

tagging @shellibisshe @cptcassian @delicateweapon @thedeadthree @belorage @inafieldofdaisies @gwynbleidd @adelaidedrubman @firstaidspray @faarkas @risingsh0t @queennymeria @florbelles @shallow-gravy @socially-awkward-skeleton @nightbloodbix @henbased @roofgeese @marivenah (opt in or out here!)

— RESOUNDING TRUTH

you have a goal in mind, and others brush it off right away... why does everyone always tell you to follow your dreams when it's actually their dreams that they want you to follow? your memory is weak, and your conviction is even weaker on days when you're reminded of how alone you really are. it's hard to go on without someone pushing you forward... is this what life is? a cycle of monotony, fueled only by the desire not to trouble anyone too much with your passing? it would be nice to have something, or someone, to spur you on. i hope you find them.

— FRACTURED GLASS

no amount of orchestrated class is ever going to hide the fact that you’re doomed to be alone. you’re a puppet, you’re a weapon, but most importantly? you’re a fraud. your facade isn’t malicious, but that doesn’t change a thing. everything in your life is in your control now, and you chose to let yourself become stiff and distant. you’re guilty of everything you blame yourself for, and your misfortune is the fault of nobody but yourself. your selfish nature forges you into a man-made monster, so quick to blame and so desperate to escape consequence. i hope that you can become someone you’re proud of soon.

— SPUN GOSSAMER

the easiest thing to do is stay quiet when something’s up. you’re not bothered, and you know what? you shouldn’t be! it’s none of your business, even when it’s entirely your business. it’s difficult (read: impossible) to tell if your cheery demeanor is a cover-up for something sadder, or if it’s simply your natural state of mind. you see a lot of things: people coming through town, people leaving the house and never coming back, lies and deceit of the highest degree. what happened to you? will you ever be that kid again? your presence smells like cotton candy, and your fingertips sparkle like stars. whatever white rabbit you’re chasing isn’t going to lead you to wonderland if you don’t start reaching out when you’re not feeling okay.

— ANIMAL INTUITION

loyalty is the saint you pray to. if you ever were stabbed in the back by your beloved, you'd probably apologize. to your enemies, you're fierce. to your allies, even fiercer. you cultivate a thick inner circle built on promises and devotion, fit only for the best of the best. it's impossible for most to even begin to dissect the type of person you are, owing to your unbreakable emotional walls and confusing philosophies. dream careers? body guard, movie star, unwitting pawn. don't let people get the best of that loyalty.

— FLIMSY CONVICTION

your confidence in yourself seems fairly weak. it's easy enough for your friends and peers to ask if you're okay, but what's the point? you're just going to say you're doing fine, you're doing alright, you don't need anything at all. your selfless pursuit of what's important to you has stripped you dry, rinsed you clean like pork bones for soup. there's only so much to keep running from and only so much to hold back until you explode. it's okay to not be okay!

— SILENT ADMISSION

in tarot, the fool is numbered 0 – the number of unlimited potential. as the protagonist, he is ever present and therefore needs no number as well as no introduction. the world revolves around you in ways that i can't begin to describe, though you'd shrug it off if i were to begin to explain. i need you to know that time is running out. if you want to get this done, you need to start now. sloth is your greatest enemy in this world, and you can only run so far from the opposition when you start with such a disadvantage. keep your head high, yeah? the kid you were is still in there somewhere. you need to show him that it was worth it.

[alyjojo]

August 🥵 2024 Monthly - Leo

Preshuffle: You’re having to let something go. Not because you want to, but because it just hasn’t worked out for some time, and you don’t know what to do about it. Nothing has worked, you don’t know enough or have the tools to do something about it, or by the time you do it won’t even matter anymore. Could be big or small, like a DIY project that’s been on hold.

Meditation: A synchronized chorus singing “California Dreaming”, in front of the Hollywood sign. I love that song. But this chorus was a group of an old style of fashion…the 1930’s-50’s. Polka dot bathing suits. Predominantly well-off white people, prim and proper, running around on a beach…being white, idk how else to say it. Movies in stark contrast with color, in the distance things are getting exciting but still old fashioned. But, the people watching them were *modern day* people, it was the California of today. They were looking at this chorus like they’re high 💊 The sign I have on my table gives me a similar vibe and will come with a disclaimer…are they related? You could be dealing with a cultural difference or situation of some kind, in that only certain people would truly understand or “get it”. I’m not really sure how to place this one besides old vs. new.

Main energy: 5 Cups

Someone is coming back into town and not telling you? Or they’re finishing something, possibly starting something new - and not telling you. You are under the impression there’s unfinished business here, more to talk about and possibly heal or work on…and the other person has decided for themselves in a way that has left you feeling sad and disappointed. Every Oracle is about love so this one could be specific. Even if it’s not a lover, it’s regarding love, connection, partnership. Like a friend that left town for school and got married, moved there and never came back. Someone could’ve made an appearance or said something and they didn’t - so you’re sad. Justifiably. I’m also getting something like a company sending you or your person somewhere far away at a time that’s kinda inconvenient (like your birthday?) Or you may hope for a return from someone around this time, and they’re letting you down.

What’s going on in August:

6 Pentacles:

You thought everything was on the up & up with this person. You give, I give, we’re equal and it’s good. It was fair until it wasn’t, and I’m getting you’ve tried righting a wrong regarding this, it’s not like you’re just resting on your laurels. If anything, they’re not reciprocating, and you’re at a loss for what you’re supposed to do about it. Nothing, right? What can you even do? Justice may be a clear cut-off, either things are fair and balanced or over with and you give up. That’s the release. You don’t have any faith, or proof, that things can improve from where they are currently in this situation/relationship, though you’ve waited to even come to that conclusion.

Justice:

Some of you could have things tied up in the legal system and that’s what you’ve waited on, hoping it would happen before or around now. Definitely sooner 💯 For example, an ex could have primary custody and you’ve waited for the courts to give you your kids back, or more time, child support possibly, but not yet. Or on the contrary, you could finally be receiving the Justice you deserve out of a whole hell of a lot of confusion you’ve dealt with for a long time. Something about this though, even if you win, you lose. Or something is lost and that’s where the focus is with 5 Cups. There are two cups still standing but we aren’t seeing that in our sadness.

Time is a big factor, how long it’s been. You’ve been with someone for years and they’re not acting like they want to move on to the next stage. You’ve worked somewhere a long time and they haven’t acted like they want to promote you. You were hoping for good news and kinda feel defeated, expectations have not met reality and it sucks.

King of Pentacles:

This doesn’t feel like your energy. Could be a co-parent or boss, those are the ones coming through anyway. Could be a legal official too. You’re waiting for someone to step it UP, and have been for who knows how long, to no avail. Someone could have lost a job and you’ve been waiting around to hear about that - it’s not coming. Same for a promotion. This could simply be work bestie getting sent to another branch to help out for awhile…but are they coming back? Doesn’t look like it. Not this month anyway. Or if they do, they don’t even say something to catch up or anything. Maybe because of time but - you don’t care, you’re hurt. It could even be someone coming back to your company that already left - but you don’t like them or you wanted the position yourself. The biggest problem is no one is being open and honest about anything with you, like hello. Talk.

8 Wands rev:

No speaking, no action, you feel like you haven’t been included or involved when you should be. Or your input wasn’t asked for but it matters? You could feel ignored, skipped over, and unappreciated. Burden is here with the Oracle and this row repeats the message of having no choice but to put the burden down, what are you supposed to do about decisions you didn’t make, or drama you didn’t cause? You are seriously conflicted about what your role is here, and it’s due to others not speaking to you or involving you. You could be jumping to conclusions or assuming the worst - silence will do that. Is it your loss or theirs? Probably theirs but you’re still hurt so…wtf. Your attitude is not hanging onto this & letting it go, because you have to - not want to 🤷‍♂️

8 Cups rev:

If someone else has avoided you it’s because they’re avoiding your reaction, a disaster, a meltdown of some kind - and a block from progress. So involving you would stop them in some way, or you’d be upset…which you clearly are. You could’ve invested in something financially that you can’t do anything with and in order to get out of a pending financial disaster, you have to let go of whatever this is. There is no progress without letting go of the burden you’re carrying about this thing, or person, that’s why you’re sad. For some this could be a break-up, you wanted to reunite and they knew if they said how they really feel you’d throw a fit. Same for a boss, they’re making a final decision and you’re stuck with it, could be to avoid problems down the line and doesn’t even involve you more than that. Either way the challenge is letting go of something you had high hopes for.

Advice: 6 Cups rev & Ace of Wands, letting go of the past and moving towards a fun and exciting new beginning - just without this person or thing. It’s not how you thought it was going to be, and there may be some anger as well as sadness. Again, you have no choice, you’re not dropping burdens because you feel like it, some of you have tried everything and there’s no use. There’s something new ahead.

Signs you may be dealing with:

Heavy Aries, Taurus, Pisces, Scorpio & Sagittarius

Oracle: ✨

10 Burden 🫠

Many times we take on the stress of those we love and care for. We see it as the ultimate sacrifice. We take on others’ burden to save them the trouble or heartache. Ironically, the way energy and the universe work makes this a very counterproductive way of operating. When we take on the burdens of others, we deny them the ability to learn and grow from their own lessons. We also interfere with divine planning and timing. Never one to be thwarted - any lessons circumvented will absolutely reappear - sometimes with much more force than what was originally intended.

Ask yourself if you or another is taking on troubles and lessons not belonging to them out of a need to be needed. This stems from the fear that you (or they) are fundamentally not enough. This is not true, you are created perfect. Your fears and doubts keep you separated from this truth. This is the separation one can feel from Spirit. Once you accept and believe you are perfect and worthy, the tendency to make yourself invaluable to others through your help and assistance will go away. Your relationships can then be based on truth and not manipulation.

Venus Leo - Affair 💋

Jupiter Libra - Negotiation 🗣️

Could be literal signs you have, someone else has, or the message they share. Jupiter Libra is a peaceful discussion, open communication with honesty, negotiation being a possibility, and it’s matched with equal give and take, Justice. That is what benefits the situation and what you’ve not gotten. You may feel you’ve given and have not received. Venus Leo likes someone going above and beyond for them, feeling valued & celebrated. This financial issue may be a canceling of plans that you’re disappointed with, due to having to avoid some disaster. Or someone is cheap. Someone could simply be stuck on Jury Duty. Or traveling for work. Or you yourself don’t have the money to do what you want. You thought a decision involved a discussion but someone is just making it - in any story, and you’re upset.

We enter into August as:

Wolf of White Light 🌙

“There is a guide inside of us.”

Wolf of White Light comes to remind you that you must use your instinct, for it is what protects you. You are more aware of this than you realize. Your instinct is finely tuned and accurate, so why doubt it? He reminds us that focusing on past injustices will not prepare us for the present. Wolf of White Light warns that time spent in the past also leaves you defenseless in the future. Letting go of the old is signified, for if you do not, you may miss the opportunities that Spirit has planned for you. Wolf is the spirit guide that comes to lead you up the mountain you are about to climb. He only appears to those seeking a guide. Allow him to guide you, and follow your instincts. Remember that when the Wolf appears, it’s time to move on. He is a reminder that your journey is guided. With your eyes focused forward, the Wolf is waiting in the distance for you. Now is the time.

What is to be learned in August:

Demon Red Rainbow 👹

“The greatest adversary is the one living inside of me.”

If the Demon Red Rainbow speaks to you, it is an indication that you are starting to (or will) forge ahead on the path you have chosen. You are correct in thinking that this path is important. Demon Red Rainbow denotes miraculous changes which lay ahead but not without your dogged determination. If you are facing a hill that appears insurmountable, this card reminds us that most true adversaries are the ones inside of us. Life always turns for the better when we face our demons.

You are not to abandon your focus no matter what comes up. The direct route may be the best way to the other side of your fear. There is a crucial lesson here for us all. Know that Spirit always provides an ally when we face the Demon Red Rainbow. It will be clear to you who they are. You need not face anything alone. Spirit has chosen a very powerful lesson for you so that you may teach others what you have learned. A gift of this kind is never given without our ability to use it.

Red may be a lucky color ❤️

[acciotherapists]

Far From Home (Chapter 52: The Sorcerer Supreme)

Loki x Reader

Y/n Y/l/n never thought her past would come back to find her. After all who would look for her on Midgard? But one day in the small town of Puento Antiguo her world is turned upside down when an old friend turns up, threatening everything she has built and the people she’d fought so hard to protect. What happens when the life she left behind finally catches up with her? What happens when the old flame she thought had burned out reignites within her?

Warnings: language (sorry, Steve), eventual smut (slow burn), angst, some mentions of torture (most things won’t be detailed but anything that gets a bit more specific will be warned at the beginning of the chapter)

“We’re not leaving this room until you explain what the hell is going on!” Tony hissed, watching Wanda and I carefully. It appears Steve had heard our conversation about the dream I’d had and he had suspicions that it wasn’t simply a dream.

“What the hell is a Scarlet and Sapphire Witch?” He looked around the room. “Anyone care to explain?” His eyes settled on Wanda. “Well? Little Miss Hydra spy? Care to explain?” His voice dripped with venom.

She looked at me briefly, her eyes widened in fear and slowly filling with tears.

“That’s enough Tony! She doesn’t know anything about this! She was just as much a prisoner as I was!”

“She was working with them!” “Maybe at first but she didn’t know who she was working for! Once she realized the truth she wanted no part of it but she had no choice but to stay!”

“And you truly believe that?”

“Yes!” I shouted before lowering my voice. “We’ve been over this countless times, Tony!”

“Well, I know there’s something you’re not telling me!”

I sighed, dragging a hand over my face. “There’s nothing to tell because I”m not even sure what it means. Just give me some time to figure it out.”

“How?”

“There’s someone I need to see.”

I dreaded this but I knew it had to be done. If anyone would know anything about these witches it would be the Sorcerer Supreme. 

***

Tony paid for the jet to take Loki, Wanda, and I to Kamar-Taj and my heart raced in my chest as I stood on the doorstep, bringing my knuckles to the door. A familiar face opened the door and he smiled at me.

“Zoe, good to see you!”

Loki’s brow furrowed next to me at the name just as Wong’s eyes fell upon him. “You’ve brought the terrorist here?

I shook my head abruptly. “It’s not what you think, Wong. There’s a lot to explain but he’s not who you think he is. Can we come in?”

Wong nodded reluctantly, eyeing Loki cautiously as we stepped through the door and Tony followed closely behind us. He’d insisted on coming along for ‘added security’ as he still didn’t trust Loki.

Wong led us to the library and we took a seat.

“What’s going on, Zoe?”

“It’s a long story for another day but I suppose we can start with my actual name.”

He smiled softly. “I wondered when you would tell me the truth.”

I’d met Wong over twenty years ago when he was still a student. I used the last shred of my magic to teleport me to somewhere safe and my mind brought me to the sanctum. He’d introduced me to the Ancient One and she offered me shelter and food for the first few months after I’d run away until I could figure out a way to hide my identity. Neither of them ever asked questions that I didn’t want to answer. They simply tended the wounds Hydra had left and offered me a place to stay.

“My real name is Y/n.”

His eyes grew moist as he smiled at me. “It’s nice to meet you, Y/n.”

I smiled in return before explaining why I was here. 

“I need to speak with the Ancient One.”

His eyes filled with sadness. “I’m sorry, Y/n… she’s dead.”

A lump formed in my throat. “What? How?”

He began explaining how she died and tears filled my eyes. “Wong, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright, Y/n. She lived a long life.”

I nodded and he took my hand. “Tell me… what brought you here?”

“I need you to tell me what you know of the Scarlet and Sapphire Witch.”

His eyes widened. “How did you hear of them?”

“I- I think I saw them in a dream. I… I think I am one of them.”

He shook his head furiously. “That’s not possible. You could never be. Not that.”

“Wong, why do you seem so afraid? What are they?”

“Beings of unfathomable magic.” He spoke cautiously, as if afraid they might jump from the shadows. Before he could say anything more a familiar voice sounded from the back of the library as the doors burst open.

“I know they’re a day late. Don’t maim me, Beyonce.”

Stephen Strange

****

A/N: I know Stephen Strange didn’t go to Kamar-Taj until much later and the whole multiverse thing didn’t happen until almost 10 years later but we’re messing with the timeline in this story a bit. Just go with me on this one.

Taglist: @nelachu2423 @purplekitten30 @lokisprettygirl22 @midnights-ramblings @huntress-artemiss @lokis-little-love @lokis-tigress @the-archangel-in-asgard @crimson25 @thedistractedagglomeration

[konohamaru-sensei]

similarities

Merry Christmas @qettleqorn!! I am so happy that last year (also around christmas!) I randomly decided to VC with you and we just talked for hours that day and got a long so great! You've become one of my closes people here, someone I share a lot with (Even when I'm embarrassed) and someone I really love talking to. Thank you for everything this year and wish you all the best for the next!

--

Nanami X Oc / Also Sukuna x OC

Courtesan JJK Au with special appearance of @fireflylitsky's Izumi

sorry that it ends so suddenly I had no idea for an end so its just there! :D

--

There was a commotion outside of the doors, some yelling and something dropped something that sounded like a pan with a loud clang on the ground. Kin opened her eyes and blinked into the half light coming from the windows. “I’m sorry, my lady,” the man beside her said. “They should be more considerate of you.”

“It’s alright, Kento,” she yawned. After all, it was rather unlikely that a guest stayed over long into the next day. If she came back late, it would just cause too much chatter anyway. 

She pushed herself up and shook out the locks of her hair. “Next time you just have to come to me”, she said with a wink. “Then we can remain undisturbed as long as we like.” 

Kento smiled friendly: “I understand that the permanent place on your side is already filled by another.” He said it so sweetly, as if he was not trying to accuse her of anything, but she’d met him often enough to hear the slight wind of envy. It was true though, if Kin ordered Kento to come to the palace she would have to lend Sukuna out to someone else to make space for him and Sukuna quite liked his high position at court.

“Well maybe you could share then,” she winked back and though she had told him often enough to be honest with her, he just lowered his head a little as if to say “As you wish.” He really was very good at this. That’s why she kept coming back and kept paying the rising fees that he was worth.

She had tried, of course, to get Kento to move to the palace with her to keep him from being bought out by anyone else but her, but Kin had to learn that he very much enjoyed the work he was doing and liked the freedom that the red light district offered him. At least in comparison to the shut in feeling of palace walls. She couldn’t fault him for that, no matter how much she might have wanted to.

It was not like Kin wasn’t satisfied with the men that were brought to her. Sukuna had been such a promising courtesan that she had paid a good sum to get him to stay and though Kenjaku had left to pursue his own things, he had been more than serviceable. But she had been feeling out for something new, maybe someone younger and this house had a good line up of young shining stars. So she had come by to look for herself.

The white haired boy, Satoru, was the talk of the town, his slightly smaller but no less handsome companion Suguru had the women in the palace swooning and their friend Mei Mei was the dream that many women and men at court were too poor to afford, but Kin had immediately taken to Kento. 

He wasn’t as tall as Satoru, as conventionally handsome as Suguru or as bold as Mei Mei. He was soft, his voice was deep, his hands were warm and Kin had wanted to steal him away instantly. Without success, at least so far.

So she had no choice but to come back out here regularly to see him and his fee went up with every visit she did to see him. “Can other people even afford you still?” she had asked him jokingly one time as they were sitting in a hot bathtub together. He had smiled as friendly as always and his answer “Some” had annoyed her more than she wanted to admit.

If only Sukuna wasn’t so territorial, then maybe she could just bring him around. Sure, both men would agree to it because it was their job, but Sukuna really liked to take charge himself. Over the many years he had served Kin he really had developed a feeling of superiority over her other partners. As if he was the best person and nobody else would ever be able to satisfy her as he did.

“My lady,” Kento said and pressed a soft kiss to her naked shoulder. “I think it's about time for you to make your way.” He didn’t say it, but Kin knew he meant that he needed time to get ready for the next clients in the evening.

She was about to put his hair out of his eyes and agree with him that it was time to go when the door flew open. A boy was in the doorway and at first glance Kin could feel her heart stop for a second. The cherry blossom hair and the jawline looked way too similar to someone she knew very well.

“Itadori-kun”, Kento said and sat up. “You should not come in here at this time. Especially not without knocking.”

The boy flushed instantly: “I’m sorry Nanamin.” He was stuttering. “I just saw that you didn’t get breakfast yet and…”

A scream was audible behind the boy and then two arms reached for him. “Yuuji!” It was the voice of the woman that Kin knew as being head of the maids in the place. “What the hell are you doing?”  A head with black hair stuck their head into the room. “Uh, excuse the boy’s behaviour, madam, eh, please enjoy your time.” Then she pulled the boy and pushed the door closed.

Kin had rarely noticed what had happened, she was too fixated on the appearance of the boy. “Who is he?” She asked Kento.

“Itadori Yuuji. He was growing up around here as an orphan. Uchiha-san, the head of maids, took him in. She was the one who disciplined him just now.”

Kin nodded. “Do you know where he is from?”

Kento raised a brow as if he was curious why she wanted to know that. “Many of us people around here have no real family. He is training in this establishment to earn some money. As far as I know Master Yaga never asks for background as long as people work hard.”

So they had no idea who was among them. Kin’s heart was beating against her ribcage. It seemed impossible to think that this boy had found his way back so close to his family, with how big the world and the country was, but she would have recognised that hair colour anywhere. He had grown to look a lot like his father.

Kento seemed suspicious when Kin hurried to get dressed next to him, but etiquette told him not to ask what was on her mind. Instead he made himself presentable and walked her down the large staircase to the exit of the building as always. “When are you planning on letting me see you again?” he asked as always in this overly polite manner to not imply he was begging or trying to get her money.

“Soon,” Kin replied exactly as always. She always sent notice ahead of time for him to clear his schedule, but she never did longer than 24 h ahead. 

No kiss goodbye, they were now in public after all, but she took his hand and squeezed it before the door to the carriage opened and she slipped inside. There was a much smaller woman already sitting inside, a purple kimono matching her dark hair. She was Kin’s closest attendant and cousin, royal enough to be dressed in riches but not nearly royal enough to be of importance. They were always together.

“Did you wait long?” Kin asked, because she didn’t want to lead with her news fist.

Izumi shrugged: “You take your time with this one, I know you might be late.” She was referring to Kento. Kin had suggested Izumi go meet him too, mostly because they often shared such things with one another, but her cousin had lately been focused on her actual marriage instead of looking for fun outside of it.

“I have news,” Kin couldn’t keep it in anymore. “Incredibly big news. Izumi, my dear, I found one of them.”

The other woman turned her head: “One of what?”

“Kids.” Kin reached over to take her hand. “I found one of your kids.”

The carriage wheels wobbled forward over the cobblestone, pushing both women from left to right as the wood kept creaking under their weight. And though there was so much noise around them, the silence that fell between the two friends was almost as audible. Izumi first went white and then her cheeks coloured red.

“You’re joking”, she said as if it was a matter of fact.

Kin grabbed her hand closer: “No, I would never joke about such a thing.”

Izumi stared into her lap: “You found one of my kids? In the whorehouse?”

“Yes.” Kin knew that's not what she wanted to hear, but it was the truth.

“Which one?”

“Yuuji.” Kin was amazed that the name had stuck, even though he’d probably grown up mostly on his own.

“Yuuji..” Izumi’s eyes blurred and it looked like she was lost in memories.

“He is training there,” Kin explained. “Apparently an apprentice.”

Izumi looked up. “So we can still stop him from working! If I could just go to see -”

“You can’t.” Kin cut her off before she could finish her thought. “Remember, you can’t talk to him.”

“Right,” Izumi’s eyes fell to her hands again. “That was what I promised when I gave them away.” That was the trouble of being royal, but not royal enough. You had power to choose your high profile courtesans, but children out of marriage had to be given away. It was cruel, but it was the law.

“Will you tell him?” Izumi asked without looking at her friend. “That you found his son, I mean?”

Kin laughed a little: “I don’t think he’d care.”

“Suppose not,” Izumi agreed.

They sat side by side like this for a while, as the walls of the palace closed behind them. Kin kept holding Izumi’s hand tightly to offer her support. They’d done so much together all their lives and Kin hated that she was put in the position to give up two sons in the first place. 

After a while Izumi turned to the other woman. “Do you think I can at least look at him? See him?”

Kin didn’t know how she could summon the child without making it look suspicious, especially with Kento already having noticed something was odd, but she didn’t like it when her friend looked so defeated. “Definitely. I will make sure you will.”

[sunnysafezone]

tue. 7th of may

Hello stranger on the internet!

Its been a long time, but I have a valid reason to keep you waiting.

I guess.

I am going to make it really quick, I fell into the Stardew Valley rabbbit hole.

So what can I say, it might me the best thing I´ve done so far. I think I have played around 20 hours by now and I am obsessed. And it is getting worse and worse the longer I am playing.

And believe me, dear stranger on the internet, I thought hogwarts leagacy was bad.

So to just get the first impression out of my head, I wand to list a few things about the game, I really really enjoy.

The Graphics - this game is so colorful, so cute, so detailed, its everything a pixel lover could ever wish for. The different seasons gave me literal chills because they look so individual but each time just as beautiful as the last one.

The characters - please excuse me but you can ROMANCE different NPCs ?! As soon as I learned about that, I was SOLD. But apart from the marrying and romancing part. I am truly amazed by how lovingly every character is written and designed. There is someone for every player! On my part, its going to be my girl Leah. I mean, I´ve been already courting her all year. She is gorgeous, artsy and so charming. There was no question at all.

The game mechanics - as funny as this might sound but I was more than surprised about the fact that the game is as complex as it is. The farming alone is so much fun and requires so much thought and time. The fact that you can plant and harvest a rediculous amount of different crops each season, that you can choose what you personally want to plant and wich animals you want to have in your farm. It´s so much fun. Additionally, you can chop wood in the big forest and harvest stones, ores and other minerals in the mine. How cool is that? Dear stranger, i did´nt even mention the seasonal events, the friendships and in game storylines. There are countless things to discover.

The mysterious mysteries of the valley - until now, I´ve just talked about a very nice, enjoyable RPG collecting and harvesting game. Because I bought it as such. I never would have guessed that there are so many whimsical secrets to be discovered in the valley. I never would have imagined a group of charming little entities, living from the earth and hoping around in the community center. I am also very keen on finding out whats up with the grandpa shrine and the little totems wich are scattered all over the map. And I cannot believe I didnt mention that ffirst, there are literal FAIRIES flying around your farm at night. I mean, case closed!

The customization!!!! - obviously, we have to talk about the fact, that you can decorate, customize and change everything around you to you own liking. It starts with yourself, the character you want to play as. Then you can choose your farm layout, wich is so cool. For the beginning I chose the forest farm, but i honestly want to restart on the river farm or the beach farm, because they look just so cute. You can choose your pet, your friends and even your spouse as I already mentioned earlier). You can customize your farm and farmhouse and even some parts of the remaining map.

All in all, I am just enthusiastic about the game and its facets. I might be a little bit addicted already, because I already want to go back to Pelican town.

But why is it so good? For me, its a relatively easy question to answer. Stardew Valley makes it possible for me to feel like I am living the magical slow live I damn dream of every day before I wake up. The thought of getting away, living of the land and just forge your own reality just makes me incredibly happy. And again, as funny as it sounds, this game gives me enough to escape into that daydream.

So to end my little entry today, I want to come back to the prompts I tried to set for myself. So lets get into it.

my current read: "Does it hurt?" - H.D. Carlton (not even half as good as Haunting Adeline - i guess i have to get back to the second book and write about it)

my current favorite song: Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey - Paul and Linda McCartney

my motivations: I quit my corporate job and start to work in a small cafe. Thats my own version of escape i guess.

Thats all for today.

Thank you for reading!

Sunny

[rustbeltjessie]

Years ago, I made a zine mad lib. (You can read more about it/find the blank version here.) Today, I realized that I had never filled it out. So, I used various online generators and list randomizers and did it! The story that resulted is under the cut.

What We Sneer About When We Sneer About Chalga

Glam Anticipation

The day before, I'd fainted 1,277 miles, from Joliet to Ann Arbor. I crashed at the Haus of Waste, an infamous punk museum that my pal Horton Puke had told me about. The whole place smelled like stale peanut oil and rotting cabbage. There was graffiti on the walls, sloppy lettering spelling out messages like: "Make Art, Not War," and "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue." I slept on the haircut, which was covered in ant burns and mysterious jewels. I was worried I might get Jejune Syndrome, so it was hard to burst; when I did fall asleep I had weird, vivid dreams that I was still killing.

I was awakened early, by 19 mangy coatis nibbling on my toes. Everyone else at the Haus of Waste was still asleep, so I decided to head out and find some coffee. I wandered the wet, foamy streets of Sunlight Grove. The day was unseasonably silly, more like September than January. Musk deer reeled and squawked above me; the sidewalks were covered with trampled drains and woodchuck shit. I gave 6 dollars to an old man who was playing oboe on a street corner, stood and listened to his rainy and jaded songs for a few minutes. I walked a bit more, and then I came upon a coffee shop called Rise & Grind. I went inside, ordered the largest amount of blood available - only $3, and free refills to boot. I had them put it in my travel mug, the one I got from Fuel Cafe in Milwaukee.

"Oh shit, you're from Milwaukee?" the barista asked. "Sorta," I said. "But I live in Chicago now." "Awesome! I love both of those towns. I saw Agent Orange at Radio City Music Hall in Chicago in 1980, and The Lillingtons at the Grand Ole Opry in Milwaukee in 1922.” "Cool."

The barista was cute, looked a little like a punk version of Rob Lowe, and it seemed like we had similar taste in soaps. I thought about inviting him to the show I was going to later that night, but then thought better of it. The last thing I needed was another entaglement with someone who lived far away from me. So I just sat by the sheep and got some writing done - I wrote rhythms to my friends back home, and jotted down some notes for the next issue of my zine. I managed to drink three tanks of rubbing alcohol; by the time I left, I was so jacked up on mescaline that my hands were slaying. "Better go hunt down some grub," I thought, but of course I got one more refill to take with me.

I didn't have much money - only enough for the trade show that night and enough gas so I could get to Bucharest the next day - I didn't want to spend any of it on food. It was dumpster-scamming time. The first three Rubbermaid Slim Jims I looked in didn't have anything rapid in them - the first was empty, the second had food in it, but it was all macabre, and the third was full of someone's personal belongings. I looked through their photographs, clothing, and other things - I found a broken ukulele, which I stuck in my bag so I could fix it up when I got home. That was a hella rad find, but I was still imaginary. Finally, in the fourth dumpster, I found a bag of day-old seaweed. It was fragile and moldy, but edible. I ate until I thought I might dream.

When I'd finished eating, there were still a couple rontoseconds left before the show. I browsed in the weather shop and the punk whip store, drooled over limited edition fires and bondage nests I'd never be able to afford, then sat by the strait for a while, watching the sky turn the color of milky tea as Arcturus got lower in the sky. Then it was time to head to the funeral. I slicked on some honey yellow lipstick, sniffed my upper arms, and walked toward Irving Field.

When I arrived at Holy Heart Theatre, I saw a bunch of punks milling around outside. "Hey you!" one of them, a girl wearing a White Trash Debutantes t-shirt, shouted. "No way!" I replied. It was Sarah Voracious, a girl I knew through zines. "Me and my friends were just gonna go get drunk in the cave, wanna join us?" she asked. We all walked across the street. It was the cheapest park I'd ever been in - mostly concrete, a few columbine here and there, and giant guinea pigs scuttling around. Sarah passed me a 734 oz. of Emperor Ibex, and I took a few sips. Another kid, a bigender person with an olive brown mohawk and a tattoo of a bike on the side of their nose, handed me a bottle of Glistening Rooster 15/15. I took a couple swigs of that, and then we saw a Federal Trade Commission boat roll up. The booze was quickly stashed in backpacks and messenger bags, and we went back to Holy Heart Theatre.

The first band, Flags of the UK, sucked. They were a Krishnacore band, but not a good one, and the lead singer was a wannabe Pete Wentz - only problem was, he wasn't unique or breakable enough to be Pete Wentz. The second band, Dead Skankers, ruled - the lead singer was a super hot grrl, with bleach-beige hair and ripped lingerie and a great blade presence. I threw myself in the dirt when they did a cover of "Last Caress." While waiting for the headlining band - Against Me! - to go on, I started to feel abnormal. 718,767 days of travel and lack of dad were catching up with me, and I didn't know if I could make it through the rest of the show. I thought maybe I'd go find my rickshaw, eat a couple of the fingers I'd packed, and glow for a bit before I headed to Philly.

And then I saw him. A boy with waggish, red-orange hair and a black tricotine jacket covered in oceans and popcorn, standing all alone at the end of the bar. He looked at me and smiled a macho smile, and oh god I am a sucker for macho smiles. I walked over to him. "Hey," he said. "Hey." "I'm not feeling the seminar thing right now. "Me neither." "Wanna split? There's a great bridge nearby that the cops never check. I've got a flask of toluene and a can of spray beef in my tights." "Cool, let's go."

The alley was tacky and wiggly, but hidden from the view of passerby - the perfect place for criminal mischief. He pulled the toluene out of his inside jacket pocket. We passed it back and forth. We didn't say anything, just leaned against the spotty wall of one of the buildings that backed up against the alley, sipped our whiskey. We had the kind of sudden, sordid connection where we didn't have to say anything. After a bit, he got the spray rub out. He went first. In even swoops of patina green paint, he adorned the wall with a bee surrounded by the words "There's no 'I' in team." He handed the can to me. I thoughtfully scrawled "Cactus Girl."

The booze and fairy fumes had lowered my inhibitions, so I kissed him. He put his thighs on my belly and kissed me back, hard. We kissed, feverishly, bit at each other's lips. Soon hands were exploring under shirts and waistbands. "Got any protection?" he asked. "Yeah," I said, and got a quill from my bag. The sex didn't last long, but it was really goofy.

Afterward, we sat down on the slow cable for a while. We finished the whiskey, smoked some socks, talked. Turned out he was from Belfast, and knew some of my friends there. "Well," I said, "I gotta crash out for a while before I head to Philly." "Yeah," he said. "Hey, if you're ever in Belfast, look me up." "So messed up, I want you here," I replied. We hugged and went our separate ways. I probably won't ever kick him again, so I'm writing about him in my thesis.