#now I gotta wait and search for more translations of it

[yeyayeya]

The new changes to the uncensored TGCF revised version are 👀

[justalonelyslytherin]

What A Shirt Can Tell

Pairing: Colin Shea x female Reader

Summary: 5+2 times Colin asked 'Is that my shirt?' plus the one time he got asked it. Aka a look through the journey of Colin and his girl, each in which his shirts play an important role.

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol consumption, mentions of sleeping together, pregnancy (last 2 scenes)

Wordcount: 7.1 k

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A/N: Is it already August? Huh, wasn't it only easter a couple weeks ago? No? Well my bad, but here is finally the last of the requests I asked for that time. Thank you @drabblewithfrannybarnes for the amazing prompt! This turned into a bigger endeavor than I had anticipated but I loved both the prompt and any minute of writing it. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it just as much <3 Dividers are by the talented @/firefly-graphics

His shirt was gone, Colin was sure of it. He had spent more time searching for the stupid piece of fabric than he’d liked to admit. Where had it gone? Had he misplaced it in his apartment? He wasn’t that messy. Had someone stolen it? Who would steal just a shirt and leave everything else behind? 

There was no explanation for Colin why he couldn’t find the damn thing. Not that he didn’t have anything else to wear. He wanted to wear this shirt in particular. It was one of his favorites and – call him superstitious – it was his lucky shirt.

With a huff, he gave up. There was no finding it and he had a feeling that it wouldn’t be found in his apartment either. Not particularly happy at the prospect of having to wear something else, Colin went for his second most valued shirt and pulled it on.

Because running late also wasn’t an option today. Not if he wanted to get on the good side of his band members and keep his wallet from being depleted. He had to buy them drinks for being late one too many times already.

Turned out that all he needed to find his shirt was to leave his apartment. There in the hallway nowhere else than on her. 

“Morning Colin,” she called out as he pulled the door closed behind him. 

“Morning–” he stopped, startled by her choice of clothing. Funny, that looked exactly like his– wait a minute. Colin squinted trying to figure out if that truly was his shirt and perhaps he also stared a little too long.

“Is that my shirt?” He blurted out, causing her to freeze. Glancing down her own body at the shirt, Colin could see her brows furrow. He walked over to her to inspect the shirt closer.

“That is my shirt,” he confirmed, pulling at the fabric on her stomach, eyeing the fabric, the way it was washed out. Just in the way his shirt was. There was even the small bleach stain when he’d spilled the bottle right into his basket.

As he looked up at her again, fabric absentmindedly rubbing between his fingers, she was puzzled. Colin couldn’t help but grin in amusement.

“Did you steal that from me?” 

Watching her become so flustered amused him greatly. He laughed as she started to babble excuses for it, denying all claims of thievery. 

“It’s ok. I must have left it in the washer.” “I’ll go change,” she mumbled apologetically but he shook his head.

“No need for that.

It is my favorite shirt though, so maybe give it back once you got your joy out of it?” he mumbled, a crooked smile on his lips.

“I’ll do, promise.”

Nodding he glanced at his watch, cursing that he was now running late. Again.

Colin’s nap was rudely interrupted by a knock on his front door. Once he didn’t answer the first time, it sounded again. With a groan, he released the pillow he’d been hugging to his chest and slowly sat up.

“Come in! It’s open.”

Still busy rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and yawning, he didn’t see her enter his apartment at first.

“You know that’s gotta stop.” “What’s gotta stop?” He asked, standing up and stretching. His bare state of clothing flustered her, as she quickly turned away from him.

“Don’t you have anything to wear?!”

“I’m not naked,” he butted in.

“But not dressed either!” Wanting to indulge her, he grabbed the discarded shorts by the side of his couch and slipped into them.

“Better?” Carefully she looked behind her, peeking at him. She huffed a little, seeing he still lacked a shirt, but decided it was better than nothing.

“Now what were you saying?” Looking at her in question, Colin patiently waited for the answer. It seemed to have been rather dire the way she hadn’t even greeted him. Now however she seemed unable to get the words out.

Her eyes flitted through his space, teeth nibbling at her bottom lip as she contemplated. Then they locked onto something. 

“If you keep using my apartment and me to get rid of your nightly companions I want compensation.” She looked at him, crossing her arms before her chest. 

Colin spluttered in surprise, the laugh falling from his lips. “Compensation? Do you want me to make you breakfast whenever I come over? Or lunch?”

“No.”

“No? Then uh…” Well, he wasn’t sure what else he could offer her.

“I’m going to take this as payment.” With that, she walked past him and bent down toward his laundry basket, in which his freshly washed shirts rested. He had been too lazy to put them away. As she stood back up she clutched a shirt of his in her hands. 

“My shirt?” He asked her.

“Yep.” 

If that's what she wanted, Colin wasn’t going to argue. Even if he couldn’t understand why exactly she wanted one of his shirts.

“That’s all?” 

His words made her stop and think. Colin started to grin at the way her eyebrows furrowed and her nose scrunched up in concentration. It was cute. She was cute.

“Well, you don’t seem to be able to offer me much otherwise.”

“Ouch,” he winced, grabbing his chest in mock hurt.

“You know I just got paid, let me take you out.” 

She looked at him with big eyes.

“I take you out now and you can have as many shirts as you want as long as I have enough to wear too, deal?”

Colin held his hand out for her, waiting on her decision. Chewing her bottom lip she seemed to contemplate the offer. In the end, she nodded and put her hand in his. They shook hands.

“Deal. You can keep hiding in my apartment and I’m allowed to steal your shirts.”

A deal made, she patiently waited for him to shrug on a shirt plus shoes and grab his wallet. Together they walked out of his apartment. 

“But why the shirts? No judgment, I’m just curious.” Colin asked as they walked down the stairs together.

“Keeps creepy guys away if they think I’m taken,” she answered with a shrug and a smile. 

“Huh,” he mumbled, watching her from the corner of his eye. He knew mayhaps a better solution for that.

Sunlight crept into the room through the cracks in the blinds, illuminating the room sporadically. Pouring over the bed the light cast long lines across the bedding, warming her cheek and arm. 

All could have been fantastic on this cozy, beautiful morning had the light not come from the wrong side of the room. This small, lone fact was the reason she couldn’t drift off into sleep once more. Instead, she carefully opened up her eyes, first one and then the other, and peered into the room that was not hers.

It looked familiar. It was, as she noticed the guitar leaning against a chair and a strong, warm pair of arms wrapped around her, that she remembered – or rather realized – where she was. 

Colin’s. 

Right. They’d been out yesterday evening.

Colin had taken her out, they’d eaten at the promenade and walked through the park to a cheap but excellent cocktail bar. That’s how she ended up in this bed.

Well, she had planned to end up in his living room, lured in by Colin’s offer to let the final part of the evening fade out with the comfort of his couch under her butt, a cool beer in her hand, and perhaps a little drunken serenade with his guitar.

Judging how the guitar remained in its stand, seemingly untouched, they had skipped the serenade and gone straight for the tumble in the sheets.

As she sunk back into the mattress, Colin curled around her back, his breath tickling her bare shoulder, she thought that this was something she could get used to.

Falling back asleep seemed easy at that moment, weren’t it for her stomach grumpily disrupting the – not so early – morning peace.

“Colin, come on!” She whined, pouting at the brunette opposite her. He only grinned, wallet pulled from his pocket as he shook his head.

“Nope. I invited you so I pay.”

“I don’t want to be indebted..”, she muttered quietly, not noticing the frown that momentarily crossed his face.

“Hey, now. Nothing of this ‘being in debt’, you aren’t. But if you so badly want to do something in return you can.”

“I can?” 

He nodded at her, thinking hard for a couple of moments. “How about you treat us to breakfast tomorrow morning?”

She snorted quietly but thought about it. “Alright. Hangover breakfast is on me tomorrow morning.”

That memory of the previous evening made her whine quietly. She wasn’t in the slightest mood to get dressed appropriately enough to leave the confines of Colin’s apartment. Leaving the house was too much work.

Hungry she was nonetheless and her annoyingly vocal stomach wouldn’t let her forget it either. Once more it grumbled, gurgling louder than the first time, a steadily growing monster waiting to be fed. 

She froze but Colin didn’t rouse in the slightest and so, after waiting a couple more ticks of the clock – there was no way the grump that demanded to be fed could wait any longer – she gradually wiggled out of his grip and climbed from his bed.

Their clothes were strewn in all directions of the room, she wasn’t even sure it was all of them. One however stood out. It was the shirt he had worn the previous evening. And even though she spied her shirt just beside it, it was the former she grabbed and lazily shrugged on. 

When Colin awoke two things were out of place. One, he had expected to wake up with company. There was a pang in his chest at the cool and empty sheets ruffled around his waist, clearly used by another body but long left behind.

He’d been so sure that what he understood to be going on between them, what he felt was budding, was mutual. Now he wasn’t so sure anymore. Perhaps he had read into it too much, perhaps he had run ahead at a pace she wouldn’t go. 

But then there was the second thing out of place. If he was alone, which he assumed, where was this delicious smell coming from? He couldn’t mope in his disappointment for long, his stomach faster than his brain.

Stumbling out of bed, he grabbed his boxers, discarded at the foot of the bed. Every other clothing forgotten or ignored in favor of finding the source of this heavenly smell. 

Even more amazing than the smell of breakfast was the sight before him, as he descended the couple of steps into the main space of his apartment. There he found his fled bed buddy and what a sight to behold she was.

It was simple, her state of dress and style. Hair down, ruffled in the back from their canoodling and sleep following it, barefoot and barely dressed. In fact, as Colin stepped closer – sneaking up on her, as she hadn’t noticed him yet – he observed the single item of clothing she was wearing closer.

“Is that my shirt?” He asked with a grin and a raised brow, leaning against the wall that closed off the kitchen halfway. Her head snapped around, eyes briefly widening as she looked him up and down. Colin’s grin grew, he bit on his lower lip and relished in the way she eyed him.

A low moan slipped past his lips as he got his confirmation, she was wearing his shirt. It triggered something in him, something innate and primal. Not to mention the arousal coursing through his veins at the look, but there was more. He never wanted to see a different sight than her in his shirt. 

She shrugged her shoulders, finished with eyeing him up and thinking of a calm but clever answer. “You don’t like it? Want me to take it off?” 

Colin growled quietly, his eyes darkening. Pushing off the wall he stalked up to her until they were nose to nose, toes to toes.

“I like it more than I can express, don’t want to see you ever again in anything else.” His words took her breath, a small gasp left her lips as she glanced up at him. There was no doubt in her that he meant every word he said. 

“Although I can’t decide if I want you to keep it on so I can savor the look or if I want to rip it off of you right now.” 

A shiver ran down her spine, tension coiling in her stomach. It was palpable, the air thick with crackling energy, tiny bolts sizzling between them.

The smell of food and the crackle of the stove brought her back. Clearing her throat she motioned toward the cooking breakfast.

“Food first.”

Colin hummed, coming impossibly closer to her. “Food first, then dessert.” His fingers tugged at the hem of the shirt. With a boyish grin on his lips, he tried to peek down the collar, all the while his fingers contradictory tried to tug the shirt up to get a peek elsewhere.

With a laugh she pushed his hands off, turning back towards the stove and Colin sighed in playful defeat.

“Come on Shea, don’t be a coward,” Colin murmured under his breath, chin tucked close to his chest as he hopped from one foot to the other in front of his door. “It’s just a shirt.”

Said shirt in his hands felt like it was made out of lead. It wasn’t the material that weighed so much but the implication behind it. Which, in truth, was even more stupid than if in his hand he had a shirt actually made out of lead.

Time had passed since he had last seen her wear his shirt that morning in his kitchen. Time in which the two of them had gone on many more outings – dates they’d agreed to name them – crowned with the agreement of going steady. 

And while Colin had gained a girlfriend, he had lost the previous agreement of compensation, her need for cashing in the demand for one of his shirts void. Instead of hiding in her apartment from his flavors of the night, the two of them either woke up together in one of their apartments or met for a shared breakfast.

There was no way Colin would ever want to go back to how it was before, but he did have to admit that he missed having her come in to collect her payment and he missed it even more to see her wear one of his shirts just casually. So he was going to do something about it. 

Today.

Right now.

With a sigh and a crack of his neck following the roll of his shoulders, he turned the doorknob and strode out of his apartment. Right across the hallway, past the staircase and to her door, opposite of his. 

She was lounging on her sofa, caught up in the depths of a book as Colin sauntered down the four steps into the living space. It was right about then that he stopped as if he had slammed into an invisible wall. 

Surprised, he asked, “Is that my shirt?” 

Dropping the book into her lap, she looked up at him but all Colin could focus on was the print of the – clearly too big – shirt on her frame. He hadn’t expected to see her wearing a shirt of his. He hadn’t even noticed it was gone.

“What…when did you..” he muttered, scratching the back of his head in bafflement, too dumbfounded to end the train of thought let alone the sentence.

In amusement she snorted at her stunned boyfriend, smiling and feeling a sense of pride and triumph.

“Took you long enough to realize,” she grinned at him, happy how good of a job she had done. It was then she noticed the fabric in his hand, hanging limply at his side.

“Did you steal more of my shirts?” 

Instead of answering, she asked her own question. “What’s that?” 

Colin’s eyes followed hers, zeroing in on the shirt in his hands. He hadn’t forgotten it, okay he might have, but his reasons were good! Now he raised the newly discovered article of clothing in his hand, his mission coming back to mind.

“I, ugh- I wanted to give you this to..” He sighed, whining at the look of delight on her face, “Stop it!”

“Stop what?”

“Enjoying this so much!” He growled, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She laughed as Colin stalked towards her. Plopping down on the sofa beside her he contemplated if it was worth it to try to tickle her.

She had a mean kick, a fact he had regrettably learned through firsthand – foot – contact. It was an experience he had no need to relieve a second time.

“I’m sorry, you are just too cute,” she muttered, leaning over to press a kiss to his lips. Colin hummed and chased the softness of her lips.

“Kiss me some more and I might forgive you.” “Forgive me?” She taunted, a brow raised in mock as her eyes glinted with mischief. 

“Yeah. That or you can tell me since when you have this and why I haven’t seen you wear it until now.” Her wearing his clothes had an undeniable reaction on Colin. He couldn’t get enough of the sight. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen only second to her beauty when she lay sweaty and naked beneath him.

His words made her roll her eyes, but the smile never faltered. “Colin you obviously haven’t paid close enough attention, I’ve been wearing your shirts nonstop.”

“Really?”

“Yeah really. If you had been not so busy trying to get me naked every chance you get–”

“–I didn’t hear you complaining before!” With another eye roll, she leaned forward and kissed him again, mainly to shut him up.

“As I was saying, I’ve been wearing them fairly regularly. I snuck a shirt or two out of your apartment a couple of times.” Admitting it suddenly made her shy.

Colin however looked at her entirely smitten. His arm wrapped around her, knuckles rubbing the space between her shoulder blades in comfort and to encourage her to continue.

“I like wearing them,” she admitted, chewing on her bottom lip, “they smell like you and that is comforting. And I kinda got used to it.”

Colin’s heart stuttered and swelled with warmth. “I love you.” 

The thought, no, the feeling had been lingering in him for a while now but there had never been the right time in his mind to tell her. But right now felt like the perfect time. He could no longer hold this a secret, not when she invoked such vivid feelings in his chest. Colin had never felt so deeply and strongly for anyone.

In surprise she sucked in her breath, the air whistling between her lips. She looked at him with widened eyes. Colin could see the various emotions flit over her eyes, her mind working at lightning speed to process the words. And once they finally did, warmth flooded her expression.

“I love you too,” she whispered softly, breathily.

Laughter intercrossed the patter of water against tiles and glass. The spray of liquid obscured the two bodies, ripples of steam rose from their feet and swirled upwards between their legs. The warm water softly cascaded down over them, hair soaked and clinging to their bare skin.

A soft giggle escaped her lips at the tickling breath crossing her shoulder. There was the scratch of stubble from Colin’s cheeks grazing her neck mixing into the sensation. He nosed along her shoulder, lips hovering just a breath away.

Yet it was his hands that drew the happy sounds out of her, the little giggles and bigger waves of laughter, and in between the little sighs as well. He was feeling her up, his hands restlessly traveling over the planes of her body, fingertips gently caressing the bare skin. If not for the warm spray of water he’d have reduced her to shivers. Alas, he hadn’t come that far yet.

All of it was slow and languid. They had all the time in the world. The rest of their lives. Now even more so as the matching bands on their hands twinkled in unison in the refracting lights. 

Colin took his time, arms wrapped around her, hands softly drawing up and down her sides. He was comfortably draped around her back, herself leaning into the hold, head resting on his shoulder. He couldn’t have been happier.

Focused entirely on the other, on their intimate togetherness, their bodies swayed softly following their natural rhythm, an instinctual dance.

A gasp left her as his lips pressed onto the column of her neck, trailing along to the crossing where her shoulder fused with her collarbone. The gasp turned into a breathless hum, kisses turning to small nibbles and soft strokes on her skin to hungry paws of her flesh. 

“Colin,” she hummed into the warm, steam-mottled air, eyes fluttering shut. His traveling hands halted just under the swell of her breast, thumbs drawing over the bottom most part of her curves.

“Yes, my love? My wife.” She felt him grin into the sentence, lips tugging upwards against her skin, emphasized by another nibble, this time at the edge of her jaw, just below her ear.

The term still felt new and unfamiliar but she was certain she’d find a quick liking to it, just as she had found to address him as her husband.

“Room Service is going to be there any moment now.”

“And?”

“Someone’ll need to answer them.”

“Can’t they just leave it outside the room? I’m sure they can wait.” He couldn’t see her brows furrow from his position but he heard the whine coming from deep within her chest.

“But breakfast… my caffeine.”

“You are such an addict,” he laughed against her skin, groping fingers briefly turning to tickle her sides. She squealed, hand reaching back to pinch him into the side making him yelp in surprise.

“If you want to keep your wife happy you better not stand up the room service with our breakfast.”

With a heavy-hearted sigh and droopily hanging shoulders Colin relented. “Alright, alright. You’ll get your breakfast,” he promised her, pressing one last kiss against her temple before his arms slid from her frame.

He was already halfway out of the shower when she called to him once more. As he turned around lips pressed against his, the kiss broken only by the obnoxious knock against their hotel room door.

A short exchange with the friendly hotel employee congratulating him on their wedding later, Colin was wheeling the trolley filled with deliciously smelling breakfast into their hotel room.

“Sweetheart, breakfast is here!” 

It took her less than two seconds to open the door of the bathroom and step out. And Colin? He had to do a double take, eyes raking over her form. He had the most gorgeous wife, he was sure of it and right now she looked like a goddess there to bless his life.

His eyes traveled up from her feet over her bare legs to the hem of…

“Is that my shirt?” He asked her, lips forming into a grin. It had become their little game, their inside joke, this one question. One question that had started their journey and let them on the path to happiness.

“Hm, no. It’s my husbands.” She hummed, lips parting in a cheeky grin as her fingers ran along the button facing of his dress shirt. The one he’d worn yesterday during their ceremony and the following celebration. 

She’d buttoned only two buttons in front of her chest, barely enough to keep her covered, a teasing amount of skin still peeking through. The ends of the shirt brushed against her upper thighs as she crossed the room.

Colin snorted in amusement, eyes never leaving her. He watched her with hunger in his eyes, a hunger that wasn’t directed at the food in front of him.

“Your husbands?” He asked, crossing his arms.

“Yep. He is the best.”

“He is?”

“Yeah, when he’s not taking forever with breakfast and keeping me from my morning caffeine at least.”

“Hey!” Colin laughed, reaching for her in playful anger. She squealed once more, jumping out of his reach, her laughter mixing with his.

“Okay, I take it back! I take it back, Colin!”

Still, he held her in his arms, hands grabbing her around her waist, the thin fabric of his shirt barely concealing the feel of her beneath his palms. Her arms wrapped around his neck, nimble fingers caressing the short hair at the back of his skull. A lazy grin settled on his lips as he took a long, appreciative look at her.

“You are beautiful,” he told her, leaning forward to capture her lips in another kiss. He’d never get enough of her, how she tasted. And as they parted once more, he glimpsed down, eyes peeking under his dress shirt. Groaning loudly, his hands slipped from her waist.

“Hurry up with your coffee, I’m hungry,” he moaned and she laughed.

“There’s an entire trolley full of food.”

“Not that kind of hungry.”

Colin lay on the couch in misery, the small fan before him blowing sadly through the room. More than moving some of the uncomfortably heated air through the room its power wouldn’t allow. There was no relief from the icky way he felt. 

It was hot, it was sticky, it was sweaty.

“When did the repair guy say again he’d be there?” He called out into the house, the effort almost taking too much energy from him as he poked out his tongue.

Even stripped down to his underwear he was barely standing the heat. Anything more simply too hot to wear, he was contemplating losing even the last fickle piece of clothing. Although it wouldn’t do much either.

“Tomorrow!” His wife's call came from somewhere in the house, but Colin was too lazy to track where from more closely.

“Tomorrow better be coming fast.” With a groan, he pushed off the coach, the floor beneath his feet disappointingly warm. More than sluggish steps he couldn’t muster as he trudged towards the kitchen. There he found her standing in front of the fridge.

“Cooling yourself off?” He asked, smirking as she was mostly hidden behind the opened door.

“I’m miserable,” she whined, her head peeking out from behind the door to look at him. Colin’s heart did a salto in his chest, a frown appearing on her lips immediately after.

“I’m sorry baby.” He was wishing he could aid her somehow, make her feel more comfortable. But alas Colin couldn’t even help himself feel more comfortable right now. It made him feel useless, the sensation heavy in his stomach even as he attempted to swallow it down.

She huffed, stepping back and closing the door before the fridge could start to beep. If only she could have it open forever, at least the fridge meant a small moment of alleviation. It was just their luck that the AC unit had to break during the height of summer.

“Colin this is all your fault,” she huffed again, pressing her hands to the small of her back as she swayed on the balls of her feet. Her complaints flew entirely over his head as Colin's eyes – and brain – zeroed in on one thing only. Everything else around him forgotten.

There it was, pulling all attention to it, the rather pronounced bump she was sporting, peeking out between the fabric of her shirt. He couldn’t believe it even now. Pregnant. Soon to be three, their family was going to add another person. She was growing a little him and her in there.

He wanted to fall to his knees and weep whenever the image hit him like it did now. He wanted to worship her, cradle her in his arms, carry her on his hands.

Mesmerized by the view, his fingers itched to touch her belly, to rub his hands all over it. He held back the urge, if only for the fact he knew it would make her feel even hotter than she was. Colin wasn’t about to make it even worse if he couldn’t help soothe her afterward. Then again, even with the AC working she’d been barely above feeling miserable before.

“You’ve almost got it baby. We’re on the last stretch.” It was a fickle reminder, a promise that it would be over sooner rather than later. But even that could only help so much when every minute felt like an eternity and every hour passed slower than the one before.

His eyes stayed focused on the continuously growing bump as she shifted, turning around to him and with her, the fabric around her body shifted too. It caught the edge of his attention, the glimpse of it startled him out of his focus as he eyed it closer for the first time.

“Is that my good dress shirt?” His brow raised in question and surprise. It was nothing new for her to wear his things but mostly she preferred his t-shirts over everything. And adding to it Colin was certain that shirt had been buried in the furthest corner of his wardrobe. He wasn’t even sure if it had seen the light of day since their wedding.

“Yeah,” she shrugged her shoulders, “I’m not going to cook in one of your shirts. It’s too warm and I’m miserable enough already.”

“I’m not complaining,” he snorted happily, now taking his time to eye her up and down.

“You’ll never get tired of ogling me, will you?”

“Nope.” Putting emphasis on the p Colin brightly grinned at her. “Not when you always look so smokin’ hot.” He couldn’t help it, he was fully attracted to her. And she wasn’t making it much easier for him, wearing only cotton panties and a tiny bralette beneath his unbuttoned shirt. Not to mention the changes in her body the pregnancy brought forth were an even bigger turn-on for him.

“Don’t even think of getting turned on right now. It’s too hot for that. If so, you can make do with your hand.” Her disgruntled words made him laugh and nod. 

“Come on, I have an idea to cool you down a little.”

“Is it a new, functioning AC unit?” She asked him full of undiluted hope, teeth coming down upon her bottom lip.

“Sorry baby.” He had to disappoint. Putting his hands on her shoulders and softly guiding her towards the living room Colin added, “You gotta make do with the fan until tomorrow. Now go sit down on the couch.”

She looked over her shoulder at him once more, her eyes searching for a cue. At last, she nodded, cutely waddling toward the living room. Colin already knew he’d miss this soon.

“It’s the ice cream man~” Colin’s sing-song voice carried over to her shortly after, her husband stepping into the living room moments later. In one hand he held two glasses, ice cubes sloshing in the liquid content, and in his other hand two packs of ice cream. Her heart leaped at the view of him. 

“You’re the best,” she murmured, gladly taking the ice cream from his hand and eagerly ripping the packaging open so she could get a taste of the sinfully cool treat. What had her hum more than the pleasure of the cool creamy sweetness on her lips was the cool press of glass that Colin held against her neck. Any other moment and she would have flinched away, now the groan that left her lips was almost obscene.

“You enjoying yourself?” He asked as he plopped down beside her, a mindful distance away. There was nothing more that she wanted than to cuddle into his side – besides a functioning AC maybe – but it was simply too warm.

“Oh yeah,” she muttered, too busy eating her ice cream to care much for anything else going on around her. So much in fact she pliantly let Colin maneuver her feet into his lap. Expertly he opened his own ice cream with the aid of his teeth.

“You and your skills,” she mused with a raise of her brow, “That’s what got us into this situation in the first place.” 

Colin snickered in amusement, shaking his head. He looked at her, eyes glinting in mischief as he took the first lick of his ice cream.

“Nah, I think you’re mistaken. Me not using this skill is what got us into this situation,” he answered cheekily, for a moment forgoing his own restraint to let his hand roam over her swollen middle. His heart always leaped in excitement whenever he felt the life growing there beneath his hand.

His darling wife eyed his hand, rolling her eyes at his words, and decided to enjoy her ice in peace. Colin kept his hand roaming a little more, disappointed when nothing roused beneath his hand and so he joined her in enjoying his ice cream.

Much later, after they’d eaten their ice cream and their glasses were almost empty, some last stubborn ice cubes refusing to melt in them, Colin had slouched down far enough on the couch to have pressed some tickling kisses against the edge of her rips and the swell of her bump. 

His glass, which he had mostly kept resting with his wrist on top of her feet, occasionally pressing the chilled glass against them to watch her sigh in relief, gave him an idea. 

One eye prying open as his ministrations had stopped, she watched him fish an ice cube out of the class.

A shiver ran down her spine at the ice-cold feel of the translucent cuboid that Colin pressed against her belly. If it weren’t feeling so nice she would scold him. It felt too good and so she instead watched him draw transparent shapes. They laughed in unison as someone at last stirred in her belly, movements and a kick becoming visible under her skin.

Colin felt bone-weary, ready-to-drop-dead tired. Exhaustion oozed from every pore of his being. With his eyes closed the greatest temptation right now was to simply fall asleep reclined on the couch where he sat. Work had been exhausting and while he enjoyed it with every ounce of his being there were moments he’d wished back to the time he’d been a struggling artist. Although if the choice were to arise he’d never actually go through with it. He’d never give up his life as it was, no way he’d ever leave them behind.

His lips curled upwards as he heard the shrill giggles coming closer, the shuffling feet in the hallway. Cracking one eye open, just in time, he watched his wife walk into the living room, their toddler propped on her hip.

With a grin powerful enough to split his face he opened his arms, holding them out in wanton for his baby. She laughed at him, rolling her eyes as he made grabby hands for both. Pointing towards him she diverted their little one's attention. Big blue eyes, the same as his, landed on him. In an instant that tiny little face split beaming, tiny limbs becoming wiggly.

“Alright, alright. You have no patience, just like your dad,” he heard her mutter to their little one in amusement. Both of them wiggled in unison, undivided happiness.

“Watch.” 

At first, Colin was confused, unsure what she meant. Quickly his confusion melted away, replaced by wonder and delight. Setting down the toddler, tiny hands securely clasped in her much bigger ones, Colin watched in amazement as plump little feet stumbled toward him. Clumsy yet determined their little one waddled over him, a look of concentration that had Colin’s heart grow exponentially.

And then those tiny hands, previously clasped in his wive’s, landed on his knees, grip surprisingly strong as he was used as a prop to stand. It was then that Colin noticed it.

“Is that my shirt?” he asked in surprise, looking up at his wife. How he’d missed the ginormous piece of fabric hanging from the much smaller frame of their toddler he had no idea. It was hilarious how the shirt swallowed the child almost entirely and it was as they cooed and looked around that he noticed the tie at their back, holding the shirt upon their frame. 

Colin snorted in amusement, watching as his wife plopped down beside him on the couch. In turn he leaned forward, hands shooting out to pull the toddler onto his lap in a surprise attack.

“It’s a little big don’t you think?” He teased with a raised brow, fingers tickling the little one. Their shrill laughter was music in his ears. Colin knew he’d never be able to get enough of this. These moments of pure delight, of happiness, and the best memories he’d ever be able to make.

“Only a little,” she agreed in amusement, fingers reaching out to fuss with their little ones' fringe. “Give it a couple of years and that shirt will fit just alright.”

Gasping in disagreement, Colin frowned and pulled the child against his chest, arms tightly wrapped around. His lips curled upwards at the happy giggles, fingers itching for another tickle attack. “How can you say that? No growing up, I won’t allow it!”

This in turn had her laugh and shake her head, “I don’t think that’s how it works Colin.”

For a short moment he looked actually stricken, brows furrowed in contemplation. The grin that spread across his face afterward meant nothing good. Suspicion arose in her as he leaned over to her, nose nuzzling her cheek before he pressed a kiss there.

“Guess we need another one then.”

“Another one?” She asked him in surprise. His eyes twinkled as he nodded, the look had her heart hammer in her chest and a warmth erupt in her stomach.

“Gotta make sure we always have one at that age, so we never run out of those moments.”

Laughter bubbled in her throat, crossing her lips in disbelief, “Let’s focus on one more first. It’s not you who has to endure it all for 9 months, dear husband.” 

But Colin didn’t listen, all he heard was one thing. “So that’s a yes?”

“Go sit down I’ll change ‘em,” Colin murmured into her ear, hand softly rubbing across her back as they trudged into their house. She sighed in thanks, first pressing a kiss onto their little one's cheek before Colin received a peck on the lips.

The second she plopped down on the couch, her shoes were off. Relief flooded her agitated toes, glad to be out of the tight confinements of her heels. It didn’t take long for Colin to return, still dressed dapperly as could be. He cleaned up exceptionally well and effortlessly, something she was ever jealous of. 

Their little one propped on his arm, he carried the little one holding their favorite toy. In the middle of the living room, he left the child down, which with an almost theatrically plop flopped down on their behind, playing by themselves.

Colin followed shortly after, plopping down equally theatrically beside her on the couch and with a yawn wrapped his arm around her. Happily, she snuggled against his side, head resting on his shoulder.

“It was fun,” she mused. Colin hummed, pressing a kiss onto her crown.

“It was, but also damn exhausting. Suddenly I understand the appeal of a childless wedding. No one can tell me that’s not to give all the poor parents a night off as much as it is for the couple.”

She snorted in agreement. While it had been fun attending their friends' wedding with their little one, it had been just as exhausting.

“How long do you think until they knock out?” 

“Could be minutes but could also be another hour or so.”

“Let’s hope for the first,” Colin murmured against her hair, pressing another kiss there as his thumbs caressed her side. 

There was no space between them left but that didn’t stop her from trying to snuggle even closer to her husband as she watched their little one play by themselves. As she did, she noticed something. Their little outfit had been replaced by nothing other than…

“Is that your shirt?” Colin beside her started to snicker, she could feel the proud grin practically against her temple.

“Took you long enough to notice,” amusement filled his voice as he taunted her, “You started something there baby.”

“I started it?”

“Yeah, you,” Colin emphasized the words by tapping his finger against her nose, winking at her, “I remember you putting my shirt on them and the rest is history.” 

He wasn’t entirely wrong. Ever since their little one would ask to wear the shirt again.

“I wasn’t about to deal with a tantrum by denying our overtired kiddo to wear the shirt instead of their jammies.”

That certainly had been a wise decision. They always could switch it out once they were fast asleep. One more thing Colin had inherited his firstborn. Sleeping like the dead.

“It was either the tee or my dress shirt.” Colin grinned at her as she snorted, shaking her head. “You know I’m pretty sure that’s also thanks to you.”

“Why me again?” She asked, curious about his reasoning. Colin shuffled a little, sinking further down into the plush sofa, and stretched out his legs. 

“Well, you basically wore nothing else for like half the pregnancy.”

“I don’t think that’s how genetics work Colin.” 

Colin shrugged his shoulders, grinning down at her. He didn’t care if it worked like that or not. It was his explanation and he would stick with it until she had a better one for him.

“You better have some extra ones or you can start saying farewell to them,” she hummed, pressing a kiss to his jaw, which confused and startled him. Turning to watch her, Colin raised both his brows. “What does that mean?” 

She smiled at him, softly and in what he liked to call her ‘totally smitten’ way, the way that always made his heartbeat add an extra step. He looked down, watching her finger draw little hearts across his chest as she hummed.

“It means,” with that she grabbed his hand, slowly guiding it towards her middle, “that you’re going to get what you asked for. A little sibling for the kiddo.”

[hopeluna-archived]

Baking! ft. Mammon & Luke

Characters: Mammon, Luke, MC is mentioned but does not appear and Simeon appears briefly

CW: romantic implications for Mammon, absolutely platonic for my son Luke and also not proofread lol

A/N: just a little something I thought was cute af

"OY!! I was asking ye' something"

Luke jumped up, startled at the sudden voice from behind him. Face pale, like he had been caught stealing, he turned around slowly only for his features to relax and then quickly be overcome with a scowl at the person who barged in.

"Mammon! You made me almost drop my batter...."

Just as Luke carefully put down his poor, almost died, bowl of batter, Mammon curiously peeked over to find an assortment of cupcakes, candies and other sweet treats on one side of the huge table; a mess of flour and dough on the other.

"What are you doing? You gotta bake sale coming or something?"

"No, I- "

"You making any money out of it?"

"What? No, I- "

"You're doing this for free?? That's a bad investment kid, the idea is to work less, get more mon- "

"ITS FOR MC!!"

That seemed to snap Mammon's attention away from the table that he has been inspecting back to a red faced, pouting Luke.

"......for MC?"

Turning his face away from the demon, huffing a "it's none of your concern", Luke went back to mixing the whipped cream cheese mixture in the bowl, occasionally swiping some with his fingers from the side of the bowl to taste it, humming in thought and then proceeding to add ingredients to make it better.

Sensing the uncharacteristic quietness of Mammon, Luke sneaked a glance to see him intently looking at all the sweets on the table, seemingly deep in thought.

"Don't even think about trying to sell these, Mammon."

Mammon looked back at the angel with narrowed eyes, not replying to his statement, "you really making this MC?"

"Uh....yes?"

"Why?"

"I don't know.....I just want to" shrugging, when Mammon didn't seem to be wanting to say anything else, Luke went back to his work.

A few minutes passed in silence before Luke couldn't take it any longer and exclaimed in a shrill, annoyed voice

"Are you just going to keep standing there??"

*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*

"Luke?"

Simeon had been looking and calling for Luke for about some time now and his search till now seemed fruitless.

"We should add sprinkles on he- " "that's boring, add these piece- " "wait! Don't put it there!!" "Its not gonnal fall, damn it- "

Turning towards the kitchen from where he suspected the muffled screaming was coming from, Simeon recognized the voices but could not piece together on why they were possibly at one place since the recipients of these voices don't really go well together.

Inching towards the slightly ajar door quietly, there was Mammon and Luke hovering over a few cupcakes. The former trying to put a misshapen piece of chocolate on the them while the latter was busy taking them off just as it was put.

"I'm telling you, this is gonna look good!"

"Its looks ugly!"

A smile grew on Simeon's face as he observed the two bakers. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the desserts were for a certain human as they were probably the only thing that could actually bring the demon and the angel to work together on something.

Quickly taking his D.D.D out from his pocket, it takes Simeon a second to find the camera app on there, a silent exclaim of success leaving his mouth when he finds it. Clicking the picture proves to be tedious task when Simeon manages to take a selfie of himself everytime rather than the duo.

Slightly glaring at the device, he puts it back in his pocket with a sigh. Looking a last glance back at the pair still arguing in the kitchen, Simeon walks away.

He really needs to get his tech skills up.

© hopeluna. Do not copy, translate, modify or repost any of my work in this or any other site. Do not steal or modify my ideas/concepts either.

[slugtranslation-hypmic]

Hello,

Is there any way you could translate Samatoki's newest solo, Rinka/Blue Flame? I've been looking for a translation everywhere, but cannot seem to find one.

Best regards and thank you very much.

Oh my God I am desperate slug-san, please please pleaaasee tell me you know where to find a translation of Samatoki's Rinka/Blue Flame!! OTL I was so surprised a translator wasn't already linked in the wiki which is where I usually look first & then I couldn't find anything by searching on twitter or google or tumblr and I just really wanna know what his song is about!! T°T I can't believe I found a translation of Honobono's song but not of Samatoki's song?? I must be doing sth wrong.. Help :')

Hey slug-san! A follow-up of the Rinka/Blue Flame message. I've searched some more, and I think there's actually no translation of it so far anywhere.. T~T Would you be willing to translate it? A standard/literal translation with a lil clean-up like you did with Akuma no Hana would be totally alright!! Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to engage with Hypmic in a way the official creators haven't made possible yet! :D <3

Sure. Under a cut for length.

I'm running at a speed faster than grief, going so fast I leave even the smallest bad feelings behind me. I spit on my dead-end future, spit in the dirty puddles. Now I'm clinging to the guardrail, tears tracing scribbled lines down my cheeks. I bet it looks pretty comical. C'mon, laugh at me, why don't you? Let's start somewhere around the unhappy ending. Why not? Works for me. The clear, blue sky waits for sunset; but to hell with that. I don't need that crap! Let's do whatever we damn well please, here in this vacant city. Just the thought of them makes me light up a cigarette. Look, I don't wanna tell people we gotta fight each other to get what we want. I just think we have to, because there's things out there that're worth keeping safe. There's a stray dog baying at the rain streaking down the glass, and that SOB won't shut up. Hey, fuck your umbrella. Who needs that kinda crap? Throw it away and let the rain drench you too. The beat's entrenched in my soul, a stupid requiem for this unfair world we live in, lying on its sickbed. C'mon, get in there and pay your respects to it. You don't have the time to sit around feeling sorry for yourself. You know lashing out's the answer, right? You'll be okay. And I'm not gonna tell you you're running from your responsibilities. So c'mon. Quit your sniveling and come ride with me. The brakes don't work; those emotions never get any slower. And we're burning ourselves out, but don't let that stop you from coming along with me for the ride. Ride with me through thick and thin. Ride with me all the way to the grave.

A few final notes:

Sunset is a metaphor for melancholy. When Samatoki rejects that in the third verse, he's rejecting sitting through his feelings of loss. He uses this image again later in the line I wrote as "sit around feeling sorry for yourself."

The gender and plurality of the "them" Samatoki thinks about isn't specified. While it's most likely referring to his family, the verse immediately afterward sounds like a direct reference to Ichirou and Samatoki battling to save their siblings in the TDD breakup.

"We're burning ourselves out" could also be written like "We're burning ourselves down to ash" which connects with the cigarette image.

Given the prevalence of stray dogs in hardboiled/yakuza fiction and their recurrence as an image in Samatoki's other raps, the stray dog should be understood to be Samatoki himself.

[talesfrommedinastation]

My redneck neighbor Doug on 'Tribe'

When not turning his home into a giant light hazard for Jesus's Birthday or getting into yelling fights in the alley with Bobby Lee (another redneck neighbor who is a DIE HARD 'Bama fan) about SEC football, Doug's been randomly texting me things about the Jedi.

I'll update y'all on that soon enough. (Plo Koon = Sexy Shrimp Daddy?!)

Meanwhile, here is his review of his favorite episode of Season 2 of The Bad Batch...TRIBE, or as Doug calls it 'Chewbacca Junior and the Weed Business'.

Yes, a random fetch quest one in which Clone Force 99 helps out a random Wookiee kid. His favorite. Don't ask.

Need a Doug refresher? Check it out under Doug Talks Star Wars here.

TW: Doug Doug's as is his Doug-like wont. Hold onto your butts. A little calmer since Daddy Warcrimes is MIA in this one.

-----------------------------------------------------------

So we got Daddy Rambo and the gang making counterfeit licenses for underage drinkers or whatever. You gotta do what you gotta do, I guess, and Daddy Rambo will do a lot of things, but obtaining gainful employment ain’t one of them. 

Ryan-from-Accounting is smug as hell about his counterfeiting operation. You’re so smart, Ryan-from-Accounting, why don’t you go to law school and start practicing corporate licensing? At least you can get equity there, ya dingaling.

And Little Orphan Blondie runs away because she’s embarrassed to be seen around them. I get it, kid.

Woah, it’s Chewbacca Junior! Are the lizard and robot people trying to sell him to the circus or something? Oh, he’s a Jedi?! When did this happen, this is awesome! I loved Chewbacca! I love Wookiees! AWESOME!!!

And Little Orphan Blondie is protecting him, go Little Orphan Blondie, go! 

I hope they adopt Chewbacca Junior and get him a collar and a nice bed on the floor of the HMS Search Warrant. They need a pet. Little Orphan Blondie can brush him and put bows in his hair! Do you think he uses a litter box?

They’re taking him home, and look! Little Orphan Blondie is giving him her Lunchables. I’m proud of the Dad Batch, they’re teaching Little Orphan Blondie good morals. Oh, poor wee Chewbacca Junior, he has no family and when he talks it sounds like Jimmers when he’s treed a squirrel*.

But Ryan-from-Accounting can understand him! Ya know, I wonder if his helmet can translate Bitch and that’s how Ryan-from-Accounting talks to his Bitch Wife Laura. 

It would be awesome if they adopt Chewbacca Junior and he attacks people with his lightsaber. He’s like a pet version of an MR-15! Imagine the DAMAGE his furry ass would do on the battlefield! 

Ooh, they made it to Wookieeland! Ya know, it always reminded me of where Jenny and I used to camp in northern California. I wonder if there’s a brewery nearby? I bet Toaster Strudel needs to throw back, that man needs a beer and a restraining order from Daddy Rambo. 

Oh SHIT, looks like the bugs from Klendathu made their way down to Wookieeland. Somebody call the Starship Troopers! Oh, wait, they can talk to those things like Dougie Houser did? Woah. Neat. 

Looks like the Empire found the Wookiee weed farm and torched it. Poor Wookiees, they’re just trying to make an honest living growing herb. Leave ‘em alone!

Which planet makes meth, my money’s on Tatooine, it looks like New Mexico and that place is meth Disneyland, there was a whole TV show about it. 

(Above is...Tatooine?! - Dr Meat Muffin)

Oh man it’s Houma-BBQ-Bitch’s shitty brothers and they’re burning the whole weed operation to the ground. Guess they work for the DEA.

Kick their asses, Wookiees! Now they want Chewbacca Junior, but the Dad Batch is saying FUCK YOU! 

Go Dad Batch go! Fire ‘em up! Destroy the tanks! GO JULIO GO! It’s like Apocalypse Now with Bigfoot!

More Wookiees! And they’re riding giant monkey-cats! AWESOME. Man, I feel stoned just watching this episode. Why can't I stop giggling.

Granny Wookiee says come on in and have some weed! Oh, shit, are they doing ayahuasca? Toaster Strudel ain’t having it, but Julio’s down. Julio’s down for anything, he’s probably gonna stick around, use his pipe laying skills, and get some free ganga out of the deal. Man, we all need a Julio in our life. Love him. 

Oh, poor Chewbacca Junior can’t find a home. Come on, Granny Wookiee, just let him crash with you guys! He can clip weed on the side, he’s got that lightsaber, let ‘em have it. But first, let’s talk to the trees! Did they take mushrooms before this scene, Jesus Christ this really does take place in Humboldt County, doesn’t it.

Ah, nevermind, the gators that run the DEA are here. With Stormtroopers. Oh shit, are the gators wearing Wookiee pelts while fighting Wookiees? That’s some Silence of the Lambs shit right there.

Welp, time for fire fights, Smokey the Bear does not approve of this episode, especially as one of the lizard men chases Chewbacca Junior and Little Orphan Blondie into the woods with a flamethrower. 

Oh shit, there are the bugs! Shit, am I actually cheering on the bugs from Starship Troopers? What is going on here, I’m so confused. Whelp, they’re eating Houma-BBQ-Bitch’s brother, good for them.

Back to Granny Wookiee’s Pot Palace, where Toaster Strudel and Julio throw back her questionable moonshine and smile at each other. If they end up with Wookiee girlfriends, it will be weird, but I will be happy for them. 

And Little Orphan Blondie and Chewbacca Junior are talking to the trees, again. Just watching this episode makes me wanna go back to Electric Forest. Except I don’t think Oceana County has wookiees, but it does have crazy people in the woods I guess. 

*=Jimmers is Doug’s extremely handsome poodle mix dog. His full name is Jimmers Jimothy Jimerson III and they found him as a stray when he was eating trash behind a bowling alley in Nacogdoches. 

Where my Doug fans at? @amalthiaph @eyecandyeoz @merkitty49 @sued134 are the biggest, but let me know if ya wanna be tagged in the next installment!

[doxypsychlean]

Was there ever a time, ever a moment?

Pairings:Aemond Targaryen × OC

Summary: "That bastard truly loves her. And she's been toying with him this whole time"

Warnings: Explicit language(more will be added later on, gotta come up w it first)

Multiple Chapters

Next chapter/s: 2 , 3 , 4

Thou shan't repost/ copy/ translate any of my work or I'll sneak into your home late at night and bite your nose off!

English isn't my first language. I don't proofread. I slap commas wherever I feel they're needed.

A/n: Last time I posted on here was eons ago, can't believe I'm back. Anyhoo, I want to see that twat Aemond get his ass kicked by a hot demon chick who just so happens to be from Asshai (Gawd, I love that place sm)

"And where is she?"

"Your Grace, no one has seen her since her arrival. Nor has anyone seen her men".

"I have heard tales of the Asshai'i ,they're an odd people. Live by their own means"

She didn't ever hear her lord husband's words. Queen Alicent scanned the throne room once more, in hopes of spotting her son's betrothed somewhere in the crowd. She could see the young prince's face in the corner of her eye, cocky grin on his face. Nothing but a mask, something to hide the anger that was bubbling inside. Alicent knew her son well. He was not happy with the news of the betrothal his mother had arranged for him. Surprisingly, he consented. As stubborn as he was, he knew it would be for the best to have Asshai as an ally. And yet, he couldn't help it but feel annoyed at this scene his betrothed was causing. The Targaryens hosting an entire feast in honor of the union and the other half wasn't even present.

"Ser Criston, send out a search party. Find them and have them brought here immediately."

"At once, Your Grace."

"That won't be necessary, Ser Criston. Alicent, that's enough. We cannot insult our guests like that, especially not our soon-to-be daughter-in-law. We'll wait."

Viserys didn't understand. Or simply did not care.

"My husband, they are insulting us! First they do not present themselves at court, now they refuse to attend the feast. What will the people say once they hear our own son's betrothed would dare show such disrespect not only to her future husband, but to us as well! To you, my King!" The Queen reasoned "We cannot have that, she must be brought here at once!"

King Viserys only shook his head. He would not have his wife spoil this feast by letting her have the Asshai'i dragged into the throne room as if they were some common criminals.

"Alicent, I said enough!"

"So...brother... Looks like you won't be meeting your betrothed any time soon, aye?" Prince Aegon delivered through hiccups and drunken laughter, patting his brother's shoulder in pretend consolation. "Such a shame, you didn't even get to meet her before she ran off..."

"You're drunk, you don't even know what you're saying."

"Well, of course I am drunk! I'm happy for you, brother! I want to celebrate your marriage! That's why we're all here, right? To celebrate!" Aegon's attention quickly turned to the young servant that was pouring more wine in his glass. After a few seconds of ogling the poor girl, he turned back to his brother "That is, if there's even going to be one."

Aemond had learned to ignore his older brother through the years. Very little of what he said had any meaning to it. However, that bastard could still land a hard blow from time to time.

"Not to worry, brother! I'm sure we'll find you something...eventually" Aegon bursted into a fit of giggles and more hiccups.

"Do not pay him any attention, brother. She will come" Helaena, their younger sister, offered with a warm, reassuring smile. "Stone melts and vines envelope the cold of the night. The bat's teeth shatter as it bites down."

Aemond offered a faint smile in return, while his brother rolled his eyes at his sister-wife's words. Aegon gulped down his almost full glass and signaled for the servant to pour him another one, then turned back to his brother.

"Save it, brother. I care not for anything you have for me."

"Fine, fine. I was j-just trying to chee-"

The loud music, the buzzing of the crowd and his family, his brother's meaningless chatter,it all dissappeared at once. Even his anger dissipated. The world around him quieted down as Aemond looked over to the main entrance.

There stood a stunning young woman, surrounded by about a dozen men. Her shimmering black dress was in total contrast with her ghostly complexion, hugging her figure perfectly. She was staring straight ahead, her eyes not moving to look at anyone or anything around her. Blood red lips moving ever so slightly, she was talking to the man on her left. If he weren't staring at her face, Aemond would've no doubt missed it. She was stunning.

Her men were all covered in black as well. The group stood out like a sore, gloomy thumb. Just like their lady, they were all staring ahead, blank faces and eyes not blinking. Ever.

Suddenly the prince could hear his brother's chatter again. But that was it. The music had died down, so had the crowd and the remainder of his family. Now they were all hushed whispers and wandering eyes.

"Lady Vessard of Asshai! The Ubiquitous Thorok Ainū! Master of Shadows!" Someone's voice stated for all to hear.

"Why is she alone?" The prince heard his mother whisper, seemingly to herself.

"Lady Vessard!" King Viserys rose to his feet, the rest followed. "I hope your journey was pleasant!"

"Indeed it was, Your Grace."

Her words could be heard through the entire throne room, her voice ringing off the high walls, tone flat and words firm. She was moving towards the table the royal family had been sitting at, at unnerving calmness. Her men following close behind.

"My Queen, my King."

"My lady! I'm glad to have you with us at last! We were starting to worry, no one had seen you since your arrival in the capital earlier this morrow." Queen Alicent said.

"Ah, yes." The young woman replied. It was obvious the Queen was expecting some sort of apology. She was not going to get it from her though. "My companions and I decided it'd be best we get familiar with the city, seeing as we'd be spending a large portion of our time here." The woman in front of them said just as calmly.

"I may be the drunk one here, brother, but at least I know I ought to stand up in the presence of a lady." Aemond heard a faint whisper coming from above him. He looked up at his brother. Then around the room. Everyone was on their feet. All except him. He was so smitten with this mysterious woman, the king's second born son didn't notice the people around him stand up as she approached.

Aemond slowly rose to his feet, his chair dragging on the floor with a screech. He winced mentally. The woman's eyes immediately turned to him. She didn't say a word, just stared. Two incredibly large, incredibly black eyes staring at his blue one. Still not blinking. As if they were drinking him up. The normally confident prince averted his gaze.

"Oh, yes-yes! I don't believe you've met my son..." the King began.

"No, I haven't." the woman interrupted. "Prince Aemond." She nodded her head.

Silence. Then a small nudge on his left. He spared his brother an annoyed glance, Aegon was practically shrugging his shoulders at him and the woman in front of them.

"My lady!" The Prince shot at her loudly. She knew his name, and yet he had not even the slightest of an idea who she was.

"It's good to meet you at last."

"Yes,yes it is."

By this point, the whole room was staring at the pair. Observing the rather awkward moment the two were sharing.

Her men's demeanor had changed completely however. Suddenly they were all smiles, all knowing eyes.

"My lady!"

"Prince Aegon. Princess Helaena." Small nod of her head. A smile towards their sister.

"We've heard tales of your beauty, my lady and I must admit they come nowhere near the truth!" Aegon said loud and clear, as if he had completely sobered up in less than a few minutes.

"You have?" She asked playfully, her gaze returning to the prince Aemond. Then they turned to the empty chair on his right.

"My lady" Aemond was quick to get the hint. He circled around the table and stopped in front of her, hand out. She was at least a foot shorter than him, long black hair and sharp, yet somehow soft features. The lady flashed him a toothy smile,dimple appearing on each side of her face. Long fingers found their way around his forearm.

Aemond walked them both over the table, while also trying to prevent himself from stumbling over his own feet. As he even so gallantly offered her the chair next to him, he took another look at the men that were escorting her. They hadn't moved an inch. The same smiles from before still plastered on their faces. The prince sat back down.

She looked at him and then at her men. With a short wave of her hand the dozen men in front of the table dissappeared in small puffs of black smoke, gasps from the people in the room following short after.

"Well, shall we have some music then?"

King Viserys said as he looked over at his son who was staring with amazement at his future wife. He had yet to learn of the true powers the Asshai'i possessed.

The throne room came back to life. The heavy air around them was no more. Aemond, even if not by much, felt slightly better than he did few moments before. Both in soul and mind. Like a heavy curtain he wasn't aware of previously, suddenly got yanked from in front of his face. Everything seemed brighter, even the music was louder than before. He could've swore he could make out the conversations of the people down below them.

"Oh, Prince Aemond..."

His head snapped towards her so fast, he winced a bit. He hoped it went unnoticed. It didn't.

"Yes, my lady?"

She let out a soft laugh. To him it came out as a song. One he'd love to hear over again and again.

"Seeing as we're soon to be wed, I think it best you call me by my name. Rebonna."

"Rebonna." Prince Aemond whispered to himself. Then he realized what he did. A blush crept up his face.

This did not go unnoticed by the lady either. She laughed again, her eyes lighting up a bit.

"Yes, Rebonna."

She smiled, red lips pulling back to reveal white, sharp teeth. Aemond offered a small smile in return. The young prince was so consumed by her mere presence, he missed how the light dissappeared from her eyes and how they darkened by a few shades. The fact that she hadn't blinked once through this whole encounter slipped his mind too...

[nattousan]

iirc u said you got a new job, what do you do for work now?

do you ever get anxious while working? fi so how do you cope/make the anxiety go away?

so because i have an art background and my sister recommended me, i'm a labtech at [CHAIN DENTURE MAKING STORE]! And, despite having no background in dentistry, they hired me because i have experience sculpting and making molds, as well as just having a generally amicable and teachable attitude. Its cool because a lot of the skills i developed making sculptures have translated very literally into my work making dentures! Which has allowed me a confidence that means that I actually don't experience any anxiety at work. It's like if you were a prolific smashbros player and nintendo suddenly asked you if you want to be a beta tester haha.

Also your timing is perfect anon bc while I don't personally have anxiety, my partner struggles heavily with it, to the point where they had to take medical leave from work. Idk if you already have a job or are looking but from observing them and my own experience, here's some general tips i can offer you:

- anxiety is a confidence killer, the endless fear and "what-ifs" can be paralyzing, seek out work that you know you can do good in, even if it's not your passion. I'll be honest i never thought about dentistry as a career but im using skills that i'm confident in and im allowing myself to ask questions when i don't know things bc thats what the trainers are there for.

- any sort of "i'm useless, i'm a burden, no one will hire me" self talk is literally your anxiety talking and is of the devil. don't listen to it. you gotta separate your anxious brain from your logical brain and assess uncritically what u bring to the table, are you good at organizing? can you work a spread sheet? do you find cleaning things soothing and satisfying? you gotta tailor your job search to your individual proclivities instead of applying to any random listing you see.

- if you already have a job thats giving you anxiety ask yourself two questions: what specifically about this job is giving me anxiety and can i do anything to avoid/correct it? maybe talk to a supervisor about your triggers and what youre feeling, if they're a good supervisor they'll try and work with you, if you get told to suck it up buttercup thats part of the job, welp, start looking for other places to work.

- PLEASE please PLEASE ask for help!!! at least in my partners case, they initially thought they had to go it alone and weather the job search process on their own but when i tell you there was a whole ass career center with COUNSELORS just waiting to help people find jobs, i'm not kidding! there are resources out there !! USE THEM!! YOU DESERVE TO BE HELPED!! check out your local community college or library to see if they have a career center! Mine does and it opened me up to several trade grants i didn't know about! THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES!! GO USE THEM!

- last and probably hardest for anxious people, you gotta find a way to stop giving a fuck about what people think of you! self confidence stems from within and when you're confident people can pick up on it and are more likely to trust you with things and hire you for things. Even if its a fake confidence! nothing has helped me more out in life is me just doing things because "eh, i got this, i'm sure it'll work out in the end" you gotta actively embrace failure as not a world ending event but a part of the process forward.

if you wanna send me another message about the specifics of your situation i'd be happy to tailor my advice but these are a few of the basics i guess. Like i said, I don't have anxiety but am very close to someone who does and hooboy i do not envy y'all. stay strong, soldier 🫡

[ichinisankaku]

Backstage Translation - Master of Triangle Hunting (Part 1)

Izumi: Great work guys! Let's take five.

Kumon: Got it!

Misumi: Gotta get some water~ ...Hm?

(Over there... is that Cogimyun? Wonder where she's goiiing.)

Cogimyun: Myu·· um·· "The musical fairies'·· vigouw··"[1]

Myu·· that's not right, myun··. Try again myun··.

"The musical fairies'·· vigour·· is amazing··" myu··.

Misumi: Are you practicing your lines~?

Cogimyun: Myumyu··!?

Misumi: Oh no~ Are you alright?

Cogimyun: S-sorry·· myun··. Got surprised myun··.

Misumi: I’m the one who should apologise for suddenly calling out and scaring you. Sorry about that.

Were you practicing your lines, Cogimyun? You’re such a hard worker~!

Cogimyun: Myu·· everyone is so good at acting myun··.

But Cogimyun still can't say her lines right myun··.

Cogimyun wants to catch up to everyone, so she thought, "she has to practice more" myun··.

Misumi: I see~ Uuu~m...

I know!

Cogimyun, wait here a minute! I'm gonna talk with the others!

Cogimyun: Myu·· talk··? About what, myun··?

Kazunari: Breaks over! Gather round y'all.

Now, what to do next~...

Misumi: Over here! I think we should hold a triangle hunting tournament next!

Kumon & Muku: Ooh!

Cogimyun: Myu··!? We aren't continuing rehearsal myun··?

Daniel: What's triangle hunting? Sounds kinda fun!

Misumi: It's where you search for triangles! It's REALLY fun~ For example...

Look, here on Daniel! Triangles!

Cogimyun: That's amazing myun··! Daniel's ears are triangles myun··!

Daniel: Oh, they are!

Cogimyun: B-but, is it alright to not rehearse··?

Tenma: It's important to relax like this from time to time.

Muku: Playing like this can also be part of rehearsals.

Yuki: It feels like everyone just wants to mess around, but. Well, good ideas and presentations can come to mind while relaxing.

Kazunari: Triangle hunting in Sanrio Puroland is gonna be mega hype!

I bet there'll be toooons of super kyute triangles~!

Kumon: You should join in too, Cogimyun! It's fun once you get the knack of it!

Cogimyun: Myun·· she'll do her best··!

Misumi: Okay, let the triangle hunt~ staaart~ now!

About Cogimyun's speech patterns - first off, as reflected in the translation as well, she refers to herself in third person, ends all her sentences in myun, and uses two central dots as ellipses. Not reflected is that she talks almost entirely in hiragana with only a few very simple kanji, which tends to give a kind of childish and cute impression (though I'm sure you all already knew the latter (*´▽`*)) The main exception is names, where she'll use the proper katakana or kanji (like ダニエル for Daniel, or 三角くん for Misumi-kun) Additionally, as you may already know, Misumi also tends to use more hiragana than other characters! Though it's not nearly as much as Cogimyun, and I beliiieve is more to represent his slow way of talking? And opposite to Cogimyun, it's mostly reflected in him always using hiragana for names (like だにえる for Daniel)

Part 2

[a-court-of-moonlight-and-ire]

Greetings everyone! So uhm. its been a while since my last liveblog post. there have been some circumstances that made me really not wanna read, but now they have passed and I have risen from the ashes like a glorious phoenix and I can resume my divine mission of complaining about this mediocre-at-best book series to an audience of as many as 60 people if you can believe it. Also we're back to the style of post where I just jot down all my thoughts bullet-point style because my life is in shambles

Anyway, last time we had a chapter where literally nothing happened except for Lucien showing up at the very end, so lets see what he does in this chapter 47

I still cant believe its been only two months since Feyre started permanently living at the night court and forgiving Rhysand for torturing her, its taken me longer to forgive people at my school who mildly annoyed me. Also wait, Feyre was UTM for three months, shes spent more time consecutively being tortured by Rhysand than consecutively having a good time with him wth

Feyre stop fuckin jacking the bat boys off challenge (impossible!!)

Ive seen this part where Feyre talks about the bat boys being so much stronger than Lucien in english where shes like "Lucien may have trained to be a warrior, but Cassian, Azriel and Rhys were Warriors" like oh fuck, we gotta get out of here!! those guys are Proper Nouns!! But in the german version, this line is just "Lucien may have trained to become a warrior, but Cassian, Azriel and Rhysand were warriors" because nouns are always capitalized in german and not just when theyre Super Epic and Cool so you cant do that thing that english books do with proper nouns, and Idk i think thats pretty interesting

Something about Feyre being all like "theyre hunting me, its like Im their prey" really pisses me off, I think its because it could be cool and thematically relevant but instead its just kindof nothing

Speaking of which, Lucien coming ip to her and saying "We've been hunting for you" is so forced, it reminds me of how Tamlin would say these weird objectifying things to Feyre alllll the way at the start of ACOMAF even though hes never said shit like that before, except this is way worse because who on earth would say it like that?? hello?? If you were looking for someone who went missing, you'd say like, we've been searching for you or we've been looking for you, not we've been hunting for you thats just insane

HUH?? which high lord gave her the ability to slow down time??? Thats so overpowered and I dont remember anyone ever talking about it

Oh, of course they cant just be afraid of Feyre, they have to be afraid of Rhysand who just showed up

Did this motherfucker really take the time to change his outfit just make his dramatic entrance just a little more dramatic? Honestly, if it was any other guy I would think thats so iconic, but because its Rhysand just wearing his fucking black tunic again I just want him to explode

"Has your mother, the Lady of the Autumn Court, not taught you that you should listen to a lady?" why he have to say that Lucien's mom is the Lady of the Autumn Court thats so awkward. Also yeah, it sounds more awkward translated from german to english because they use both 'Lady' and 'Dame' (which is german for lady) in the same sentence, but its still just a very bad line

This is actually kind of interesting because Im guessing Lucien called Rhys a dirty son of a bitch in the original and then he growled because its like, oh Lucien insulted his lovely mother that he loves soooo much, but its been translated here as 'Hurensohn' (lit. 'whore's son') so it gains this additional layer where Lucien is not just insulting his mom also using a word that's like a trigger for him which makes it much more impactful imo. good job, Ms. Ernst

The fact that Feyre is getting on Lucien's case for siding with Gamlin over her is mighty ironic when you consider whats gonna happen in acosf, but also Lucien right now and the IC in acosf are making the same choice of listening to their close friend of several centuries over his gf that theyve known for like a year. Like, yeah, obviously its super shitty in both cases but I do get why they did it. And thats not even factoring in the political power Tamlin and Rhys have over their friends, like, it really doesnt matter if you "dont enforce rank" because youre the super special ones who were literally chosen by god to rule, you have an inherent authority over the people around you

This is all so frustrating because I do sympathize with Feyre for feeling abandoned by Lucien because that is essentially what he did, but I really dont like how hes portrayed as being unambigiously in the wrong for caring more about politics or himself than Feyre when its like, first of all, politics impact sooooo many people of course making sure that the SC at leats looks stable from the outside is more important than Feyre's mental health, and second of all, Feyre also pretty much only cares about herself. Which is her right btw, she has been very traumatized, she should be prioritizing herself for a while now, i just dont like the way the narrative frames this whole thing

Honestly, Feyre's kinda slaying rn. Her with her big spooky bat wings being all like "when youve been trapped in the darkness for so long it becomes your best friend" is kinda cool, idc

Okay, nevermind, she slayed for exactly one line and then she was nearly choking on Tamlin's name "because of what Rhysand did to him" girlie that was centuries ago why are you making this about him when he was being abusive two months ago* *i dont think he was actually being abuse but thats the framing of the narrative so im just going with it

I would usually properly translate this line but my brain isnt up to it at the moment, but its onpage 528 and I think you'll know which one I mean if you look at it, but I dont really understand Feyre being like "if I had stayed at the spring court and just given myself over to my own misery, I wouldve learned to take pleasure in other people's pain" Is it trying to justify Feyre being needlessly cruel by implying that it was inevitable and that her UTM trauma would've made her become like this no matter what? First of all, you cant say that for sure though and second of all, wowweweee Sarah Janett Maas knows soooooo much about mental health, she should become a psychiatrist, no degree necessary

"You are dead. You and your entire damned court." ohhhhhh so THATS why they call him death incarnate. Someone bring him back to life so no one ever calls him that again

??? Feyre was talking about how weird she felt about her lack of feeling when she was speaking to Lucien just now, but she was thinking about feeling guilty for desjring Rhysand?? what. Am i just being stupid rn or are those things no in any way related

man this chapter was exhausting

[trippingonthelight]

Ring Fingers

Eddie Munson x f!reader

This is just a little something about Eddie... and his hands... and what he would like to do with them sometimes...

content warnings: mildly nsfw MILDLY..... cuddling, kissing, eddie being a goof, eddie being a slut, eddie being eddie

The barely there, early morning blue of the sky was just starting to peek through the window screen of Eddie’s bedroom. Lighting up the room just enough to see, but not enough to really wake you up. The smell of incense lingered from the night before. Your clothes and Eddies’ thrown haphazardly across the floor, the chair, his windowsill, wherever they happened to land when they were practically torn off from the night before. You turned from your side where you slept peacefully all night to lay on your back, his arm still caging the small of your waist as he still laid sleeping next to you. You couldn’t help but grin slightly at the sight of him. He acts all tough, but the way he’s cuddled into your side right now and holding you so gently, even in his sleep… that says otherwise.

The memories of this fall with Eddie start to play mind, as they usually do when your mind starts to wander in a free moment.

In August, it was fresh and new. The nervous energy hadn’t worn off yet as your friendship with your fellow Hellfire Club member had turned into something more. Once you joined the club there was always a flirtatious energy between you two, and you quickly became close friends, much to the annoyance of the rest of the D&D party… When the party won its biggest campaign of the semester so far, a bonfire was suggested as a form of celebration (and as an excuse to go party in the woods). One too many beers and catching him staring at you over the flames was all it took for you to finally admit how you felt. You said it first, searching his big brown eyes for any sign of discomfort with what you were saying. How you liked him from the moment you met and how he made you so nervous but in a good way… but you didn’t find any hesitation. Instead, he cut you off with a kiss that made you drop your solo cup right there behind the tree where he pinned you with his firm but gentle grip. You pulled away and he smiled, “I thought you weren’t gonna shut up so I could do that… took ya long enough…” Your laughs echoed through the woods, as they have most days ever since.

In September, the nerves dissipated into excitement. Between classes it was just kisses and stories from the time spent apart (one to two class periods at most) and giggling like little kids… homework got done somewhere in between… When you weren’t in school, being a budding rockstar’s girlfriend wasn’t half bad either. You would always go to the gigs his band played in Hawkins and the little towns surrounding it. Quickly entering the venue bathroom to wash the Xs off your hands, you would come out and head to the side of the stage where Eddie waited with a drink for you. Raising his glass to yours he toasts, “Cheers darling,” complimenting the clink of your glasses with a kiss on your cheek before every show. You never had a boring weekend now, not with Eddie around.

Now it’s October and you’re falling into a rhythm with each other’s lives. It’s still exciting, but in a more comfortable way now that the nerves are gone. So comfortable that for the 3rd weekend in a row you’re waking up at his house. Thankful for his uncle’s work schedule that effectively kept you out of sight. Leaving you and Eddie in your own little world in that tiny trailer park in Hawkins. Coming back to the moment in this soft morning light, you move to try to get up to collect your clothes. But Eddie lightly stirred with a dissatisfied “hmmm” that you figured out roughly translated to “don’t get up…. Please… not yet…”

You smiled and patted his arm lightly, “I know, but I gotta get home before my parents think something’s up…”

“Mmm… lucky for you I covered… you’re mine till band practice at 2…” he snuggles closer, thinking no explanation would be needed. But, feeling your burning gaze, he looked up at you. His deep brown eyes still glazed from sleep as he laid his chin on your stomach, he admits, “Your mama called late last night looking for you. You were already asleep…. I said you went home with Tiffany and I would bring you home tomorrow after you guys hung out. Which wasn’t a lie… she just doesn’t know I’m actually named Tiffany.”

You lightly smack his shoulder as he giggles at your shock. “I can’t believe you!! And when my folks ask to meet Tiffany, what then?”

“Then…” he starts, raising up on his elbows slightly to cage your tummy between his arms and chest, planting a soft kiss above your belly button. “…we’ll worry about it if that happens. Until then, will you please snuggle me back I’m freezing over here with all that cold shoulder you’re giving me…” he stuck out his bottom lip… it took everything you had not to lean up and bite it… so instead you turned on your side and tugged his arm tighter around you. This earned a happy hum from him and he gratefully tangled back up with you. The blanket of sleep settled back easily over the both of you for a couple more hours, giving the sun time to rise up in the sky and gleam in through the window.

He woke you up this time, hearing him move behind you to grab something on his nightstand. Your eyes fluttered open to see his arm stretched out over you, reaching for his Polaroid camera. He catches your eye, “Damn it, was tryin to be quiet…” he feigns the cutest look of shame you’ve ever seen on a face so beautiful, and your smile at him blooms on your cheeks before you can even think to chastise.

You grab on to the arm that reached over you, tugging it closer in to you to examine the device he now held. “Takin pictures?” You ask, blinking up at him with bleary eyes still adjusting to the light. He begins to kiss down your exposed shoulders, into the soft curve of your neck. You would barely hear it if you weren’t enamored with everything he ever said. But against the shell of your ear he says, “maybe, if you wanna be my muse…” punctuated with the most gentle, yet electric kisses to your jawline. All you can do is nod in response. Of course you would be his muse.

There’s moments where Eddie is too sweet for words. When he sweeps you off your feet either literally or metaphorically, and shows you the kind of appreciation you deserve. When you get to return the favor and make sure he knows he’s loved and cared for at any chance you get, and he blushes at your praise and affection.

And then there’s moments like these. Where they’re just to the left of innocent. When he’s doing everything to get you going except the act itself. In these moments, Eddie feels like he has you to only himself out of all the world. This is when he feels it, that closeness. The intimacy of a lover, an admirer, an artist taking in another’s creation. The tenderness only found in these little moments. It’s what he lives for with you. Of course he loves to show you off, but these little private moments, just with you? He never wants them to end. So he decides he doesn’t have to let it…

The first photo he snaps is entirely hideous. The angle is off and you definitely didn’t pose in any provocative way. You chide him for even considering letting it develop, but he laughs and lays it on his windowsill anyway.

“Don’t give up on me just yet. That was a good one but, not what I’m going for…”

The second snap of the camera came after a little more posing, a little arch in your back, the placement of his hand against your hip, his fingertips making the slightest indents in your skin from his gentle grip… the photo develops, capturing your torsos fully pressed against each other, your back against his chest. But he huffs in response. You laugh, “what, bad model?” He shakes his head slowly, “no, no no no, doll… not you..” he plants a small kiss to your forehead. “The photographer can’t get the best angle here… c’mere, let’s try this.”

He sits up, spreading his legs wide enough for you to sit between them, holding a hand out to help you up while the other grips the camera deftly. You try to move into his lap as gracefully as you can while holding the sheet against your bare chest. He notices, and once you settle in his lap, his hand moves from your grasp to the sheet covering your breasts. You look up at him, suddenly feeling more exposed than you ever have to him. Sex was one thing, and the lights were usually off. But taking a risqué Polaroid in the full glow of the morning? That was entirely different. He sees the trepidation in your eyes and smiles, holding the camera out for you to hold. “Here, hold this instead.”

“But Eddie… I-“ you start, but before you could begin to explain any feeling of hesitation, his hands were on your breasts and his chin was nestled in the gentle curve of your neck, comfortable resting on your shoulder.

If you could capture this feeling in a bottle and wear it like perfume, you swear you would be high all day from it. His body, warm and solid against your own… the softness of his hair ticking your back… the roughness of his hands, calloused from many hours of practicing guitar, against the soft skin of your breasts… the electricity of his slightly cool silver rings (the few he absolutely never took off, even in sleep) fluttering against the sensitive flesh of your nipples and sending a pleasing electric shock between your legs… You understood better every day with Eddie just how people got addicted to this feeling…

“Okay now, hold the camera out and raise it up. Just a little babe.. there we go. Right there…” he helps you position the lens in the center of your chest, just far enough away to get you both in frame. He turns his head to whisper in your ear and latch his lips onto that sensitive spot on your neck, that spot that makes you melt for him and only him. “Now shoot…” He says in a deep whisper. You barely register that you took the photo, as he leans in to give a gentle but wet kiss to the spot where he just sucked a fresh, deep-maroon hickey into your skin. A quiet moan escapes your throat, and the Polaroid falls into the sheets. He picks it up and shakes it lightly to get it to develop, grinning like the Cheshire Cat when he starts to see your form appear on the film. “Better this time?” You laugh at his satisfied smile, like he just painted the next great masterpiece. He leaned back down to kiss your neck, trailing his way from your collar bones, to your cheek, finally settling on your lips. He smiles when he kisses, you notice. Interesting…

“oh I’m definitely keeping this one in my wallet…”

[theowritesstuff]

Head Over Heels

Book 3 - Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard

Steve Harrington x gn!reader

Head Over Heels Masterlist

Summary: You and Robin crack the Russian code.

Warnings: guns

Robin sat on the back counter holding Dustin’s tape in her hands. A pair of black headphones sat over her ears as she listened to the message over and over again. You leaned against the wall next to her holding the translation book, waiting to see if she heard anything new.

A group of young girls stepped up to the counter staring at Robin expectantly. One of them hit the bell, waited a moment, then hit it again.

“What do you guys need?” You ask them.

The girl in the front turns to you. “Ice cream. Which you don’t serve.” Then she continues hitting the bell waiting for Robin’s attention.

You nudge her and nod to the group of girls. Robin pulls the headphones down to her neck and hops off the counter.

“I’d like to try the peanut butter chocolate swirl please.” The girl says with a smile.

Robin smiles and shakes her head. “No. No more samples today.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re abusing our company policy.”

“Where’s the sailor man?” She looks around for Steve.

“Sorry, he can’t help you. He’s busy.”

“Busy with what?”

Robin turns to you and smirks, then looks back at the girl. “Spycraft.”

Steve and Dustin had left you and Robin to go search for anyone that, in the words of Steve, “gives an evil Russian vibe”. Dustin had brought a pair of binoculars from home so that they could get a closer, but no less inconspicuous, look at the people in the mall.

The two of them ducked behind some greenery in the concourse. Steve had the binoculars’ strap around his neck, and held them up to his face to look around.

“You see anything?”

“Uh, I guess I don’t totally know what I’m looking for.”

“Evil Russians.”

“Yeah, exactly. I don’t know what an evil Russian looks like.”

“Tall, blonde, not smiling. Also look for earpieces, camo, duffel bags, that sort of thing.” Dustin tells him.

“Right, okay, duffel bags.” His eyes scan the mall again, and make it up to the entrance to the active wear outlet. “Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“What?” Dustin sits up straighter, trying to see whatever Steve sees.

“Anna Jacobi’s talking with that meathead Mark Lewinski.”

Dustin sighs. “Dude, if you’re not gonna focus, just give me the binoculars.”

Steve ignores Dustin, instead continuing to watch Anna and Mark. “Aw, Jesus Christ, whatever happened to standards? I mean, Lewinski never even came off the bench!” He groans.

“Dude, you are the worst spy in history, you know that?” He tugs the binoculars away from Steve, then holds them up so he can look through them. “Besides, I don’t even get why you’re looking at other people when you have the perfect person right in front of you.”

“Seriously, if you say Y/n again-”

“Y/n. Y/n, Y/n, Y/n.”

“No, stop, no! No man, Y/n’s… Y/n’s not my type, alright?” Steve tells Dustin trying to keep his face from heating up.

“What’s your type again? Not awesome?” Dustin asks him, rolling his eyes.

“Thank you.” Steve shakes his head. “For your information, Y/n is best friends with Nancy. My ex. So, that’s not a good look.”

Dustin glances over at Steve who’s still looking around, then back through the binoculars. He hums and nods. “Plus, I’m pretty sure Y/n’s kind of got a thing going with the guy at the record store. Eddie?”

Steve scoffs. “Yeah, right. Y/n could do so much better than Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson.”

Dustin raises an eyebrow at him.

“Shut up.” Now it’s Steve’s turn to roll his eyes.

“Now that you’re out of high school, which means you’re technically an adult, don’t you think it’s time you move on from primitive constructs such as your public image. You know, most people date someone they actually enjoy being around. Like me and Suzie.”

“Oh, Suzie. Yeah, you mean ‘hotter than Phoebe Cates’. Yeah, that Suzie. And uh, let’s think about it, how exactly did you score that beautiful girlfriend? Oh yeah, with my advice. Because that’s how this works Henderson.”

“Actually it was Y/n’s advice. Turns out it’s easier when the other person actually knows you care.” Dustin argues.

Of course Steve cares about you. He cares about you more than anything, and that terrifies him.

Robin continues reading through the translation over and over, until you’re pretty sure you have it memorized.

The week is long. The silver cat feeds when blue meets yellow in the west. A trip to China sounds nice if you tread lightly.

She flips through the translation book when you hear a knock on the door in the back.

“I’ll get it. You keep working on that.” You gesture to the notepad on the counter.

You walk to the back room and open the door to see a delivery man with a box. You take it from his hands and set it on the counter.

“Thank you.” You tell him, scribbling a near-unreadable signature on his notepad.

Your eyes glance up at his shirt. A red logo sits on his chest. Lynx Transportation. You hand him back the the notepad.

“Have a nice day.” He says, as he starts to leave.

“You too.” You tell him.

You step out into the hall once he’s left, and catch sight of the logo on the back of his shirt. A silver cat. Your mind starts racing, repeating the message to yourself quietly. You practically run back into the parlor.

“You guys are never gonna believe who Dustin thought was a Russian.” Steve says as he and Dustin walk back in.

“You did too.” Dustin points out.

You race past them, slightly bumping into Steve’s shoulder, then run back to the concourse. Robin chases after you, eager to learn what you’ve found.

You jump onto a bench and look around. “A trip to China sounds nice. A trip to China sounds nice.”

“Imperial Panda.” Robin points at the food stand.

You point to the notepad in her hand. She quickly writes down the name under the message.

“If you tread lightly.” Robin says now looking around as well.

“Kaufman Shoes.” You tell her.

She smiles and writes it down.

“When blue and yellow meet in the west. When blue and yellow…” you trail off.

Robin grabs your arm, and points to the large clock on the wall. The hour hand is blue, and the minute hand is yellow.

“When blue meets yellow in the west.” She says.

“Nine forty-five?” You ask her.

“I think so.” She grins at you.

“Hey, what are you guys doing?” Steve asks as he and Dustin walk up to the two of you.

“We cracked it.” Robin answers, a proud smile on her face.

“Cracked what?”

“The code.” You tell them, a small smile starting to form on your face.

You explain what you’ve figured out to Dustin and Steve, who quickly devise a plan to stake out on the roof tonight, watching for any deliveries.

You thank god you brought your raincoat with you today, as the dark clouds start to roll in the closer you get to the evening.

The four of you are ducked on the roof, attempting to watch the lynx trucks deliver boxes. You’ve got Robin laying to your left, and Steve to your right. Dustin lays on the other side of Steve, looking through his binoculars.

“Keep an eye out for Imperial Panda and Kaufman Shoes.” You tell them.

Dustin points. “They’re with that whistling guy, ten o’clock.”

“What do you think’s in there?” Steve asks.

“Guns, bombs-” Dustin starts.

“Chemical weapons.” Robin adds.

“Whatever it is they’re armed to the teeth.” Dustin says.

Steve wipes some of the water out of his eyes. His hair falls flat from the rain, a few strands falling in front of his face. “Great. That’s great.”

“What’s in there?” You ask as the large metal doors open for the delivery man.

“It’s just more boxes.” Dustin answers.

“Let me check it out.” Steve reaches for the binoculars.

“No, I’m still looking.” Dustin tries to pull them away.

“Lemme see it.”

“Hang on!”

The binoculars hit the metal frame of the roof, creating a loud clanging noise. You all lay further down, now on your backs in an attempt to hide from the view of the men guarding the deliveries.

Your heart races in your chest as you pray they didn’t see any of you. You feel a soft squeeze on your left hand, and look to see that Steve is holding it, your fingers interlocked together. He looks at you, clears his throat, then lets go of your hand.

He shakes his head, attempting to clear his thoughts. His mind told him “Protect Y/n.” His heart practically leapt out of his chest as he reached out for you.

Dustin smirks at him and wiggles his eyebrows. Steve simply kicks his leg, telling him silently to stop, then turns back over to watch the guards.

HOH Taglist: @nptnewr @rishlurh @scoobiessnacks @wisdomcrys @parker-natasha @missbunsworld @eddiemunsons-lover @lilyhw1 @mrsjaderogers

[xplrvibes]

ok im glad we have similar takes on the torch method. bc i do think a lot of it is just knowing the torch will malfunction eventually and timing the questions perfectly. especially with the “can you turn it off on 3? 1…2…3– OMG IMMEDIATELY” like no shush boy you knew it was going to happen don’t scare me more than i already am 😂😂

And yes we absolutely say torch. it makes more sense. flash light? it doesnt flash! lol and why use two words when you can use one? 👀

we have some different slang words to our british cousins, like i think they call dummies (pacifier) a sucker? they also say ice lolly when it’s obviously an icey-pole. lorry instead of truck or semi?

but then we also have in-house slang differences. a parma vs parmi (there is only one right answer), togs vs swimmers, scallop vs potato cake…

language is so fascinating

i almost wrote ‘flash light’ in my original msg bc i know you’re american so i was like alright gotta translate myself… lmao but then i realised you’d know what i meant either way 😂

now im off to skim thru that 3 hr podcast and listen to the interesting bits

- aussie anon

Well, in our defense...

...I got nothing, lol.

Actually, wait. I did a quick Google search and apparently, this is where "flashlight" comes from:

So that's my defense. America had really shitty batteries and bulbs. 🤣

But yea, the differences between different areas is so interesting? Like where did lorry come from? But then again, where did truck come from? How did they turn out so wildly different??

It's fascinating, truly.

But yea, I've been on these internet streets long enough to know a good chunk of British/Aussie slang words by now 😄.

[aevyk-ing]

2023 review stuff

Here we go again. Gotta keep up with the tradition because it's always interesting to go back and reflect on a whole year. While things have improved ever so slightly, my life isn't good yet. But hey, I'm doing my best to keep on fighting until I get there.

2020, 2021, 2022

Health (mixed)

I started out this year with a surprise: I'm autistic! And while it's not a bad nor good surprise, it has changed completely the way I treat myself. I used to feel useless and an idiot but now there's an explanation for most of my quirks and I can use my newly discovered "superpowers" to make me feel better. But hey, it's still a secret. I'd like to get a formal diagnosis (I mean on paper) before talking to my parents and family.

That being said, I've used this new knowledge to fight the many bumps I've encountered this year. There's still a long way to go, but I feel like I know myself way better now.

2. Writing (freaking good)

I started the year finishing a book, then I wrote another one, translated three, wrote four short stories, a full comic strip and lots of stuff more. I've created a whole new continent for Gingaria and new places for the next books. I had a great presentation for my book Kylkos and lots of people have praised Legends of Gingaria, which makes me so happy! It all gives me the strength to go on the days I feel bad. And I can't wait to show you what's in store! Also, shout-out to all my AO3 readers.

3. Art (quite good)

I'm getting the hang of Clip Studio Paint and I think you can see the leveling up. I'm trying to improve with more character, creatures and places designs. I've drawn more comics and some illustrations I'm really proud of. While I sometimes have bad days when nothing seems to work, I can just go back when I feel better.

4. Cosplay (eh...)

Believe it of not, I've managed to keep on sewing some new stuff. I can't share it for now, but hopefully next year. I've done some clean-up and while I'll use most of my time to fix stuff next year (once I can get it out of the boxes), I'm planning to do more photoshoots.

Now I'm going to talk about the stuff that has helped me go through this year. But first...

I'm sure nobody cares, but this year has been worse because we've had some problems regarding the documents so they can demolish our house and pay us. The thing is some... baddies have been meddling with the process and we were in the middle, so that's why our case is getting longer to resolve. Hopefully, now that we've got the papers we need, things will start going on more smoothly.

Movies & series

I've watched a lot of stuff this year. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse was so good, I loved Suzume and The Boy and the Heron and, about series, Over the Garden Wall and The Blue Eyed Samurai.

2. Gingaria

While writing is not always easy, I've had so much fun making this world even bigger. And I made a doll maker! There's a lot to come and I hope it keeps on growing.

3. Webtoons & reading

I still struggle with reading but my mind is calmer this year. I've read some books from a public place where you put one and get one (left one of my Zem copies just because). I'm currently following some Webtoons and my favorites are The Blind Prince and Your Smile is a Trap.

4. Side projects

I was commissioned to make 35 fabric cubes and a replica of Gladys from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Also made some props for cosplay and fixed other stuff.

5. Therapy

I'm so lucky to have found someone who gets me and understands what I'm going through. Sometimes is hard because she makes me rethink everything but I've improved so much this year thanks to her.

Someone asked me recently about my New Year's resolutions and turns out I don't want to have any, I'm going to rely on my projects. I've had an interesting idea recently and I'm going to search for someone to make it come true, I have more stories to tell (currently writing yet another book) and more surprises along the way.

Thank you so much for being there. I hope you all have a happy New Year. Keep on shining!

[cozycottagetarot]

Hello, I am here to ask for a free reading if you don't mind, but I gotta say your theme is quite calm and beautiful. I like it, it's a bit sad but very serene.

So, I'm in a phase where everything is slowed down and I feel really stuck. I feel like I want to break free but I don't even know what I like so it will motivate me, but keep living like this is such a madness. So I'd like to ask what aspects of the past I should bring with me so I can find a way to get out of this void. Thank you so much. I hope you will have a nice day 🍀💚

Hello 😊, I don't think I've had anyone call me out on my sadness before and honestly, I teared up a little bit. Thank you, for in the slightest of ways, making me feel genuinely seen. I hope this reading can resonate equally as much for you.

Your Cards: Ten of Swords, Two of Pentacles, Ace of Pentacles, The Tower, Nine of Pentacles, Three of Swords. First Impressions: One of my first thoughts upon drawing all the cards was maybe you don't have to bring aspects of the past so you can move forward. Maybe it's the holding on that keeps you stuck. With the swords vs. the pentacles, consider that it's your inner world that needs to be mastered as well as your outer world. Maybe it's not about what you 'like', but about figuring out what it is you value. You could 'like' art, but is it because you value 'beauty' or maybe 'self-expression'?

Interpretation: I know for sure the Ten of Swords fell out first, but the order of which came next is lost to me. The ten of swords is a card that represents the end of a cycle (especially a mentally draining one). It signifies an allowance of being able to start anew. Maybe the situation's leading events were out of your control, but you can face the situation as it is, make peace with the pain etc. Maybe it's time you release the past completely. With the tower, it's a little bit of a necessary undoing. I know I didn't include the three of swords, but that's because overall the three cards to me signify you're being asked to pause, observe and get clear. With the pentacles, I see them more as the outcome? Sure, it's time to balance and observe, the actions for you to take right now seem more internal than external. But! Opportunities and peace are waiting for you to water them so they can grow in your physical world, but it's no rush. Work on nourishing yourself and creating comfort in your immediate surroundings so the clarity you seek can unfold.

I pulled two more cards to see what actions you really need to take right now. You've got the page of wands and five of wands. It's time to experiment and maybe say yes to an adventure you wouldn't typically embark on. The Page of Wands is someone I see as young and with a zest for life. They've got ways to go but are willing to explore it in all its winding roads. If you've been eyeing a new hobby go for it! Explore topics that pique your interest, or search for a free masterclass on a skill you want to build. Take in a new form of media even. Though the Five of Wands usually signify conflict, you can translate it as taking away the key things to remember in conflict: knowing your values and where you stand, being open-minded, and (in the right context) taking constructive criticism. Maybe you could try some journal prompts (you don't have to write them out formally) about what your feelings, and experiences on your mind and how your perspective has shifted. I hope that some part of this resonates with you, and I'd appreciate any feedback you may have! Elle 🌿

[sadioradio]

Sorry back on my rambling again...

I'm guessing the top image is the more updated version of Kirito skill set, but some skills were replaced. Two hand sword for fishing (which was actually done by Kirito himself) and night vision for first aid?? And Martial Arts replacing tracking (which makes sense because searching and tracking is probably the samething)

I gotta feeling more down the line, the sprint skill will be replaced by agility, because it is a skill that is mentioned more than the sprint skill (me thinks).

There was a monologue Kirito mentioned that Agility and Sprint were different skills in Progressive (volume 5?) That Agility was met for parkour and Sprint was to be faster to turn more efficiently.

Kinda makes me wonder what a more updated skill set for Asuna would be

If she went up another level, she would have gotten another skill slot (wouldn't she actually get another skill slot because of the Bottle O'Kales?) I can't remember which volume it was in Progressive where she showed Kirito it.

Reki will probably get rid of heavy metal equipment. Which I am not too sure what it is for (maybe like heavier armor?) Wait.. what's the purpose of having light metal skill and a heavy metal skill, am I dumb? Is it where she would be able to equipment lighter equipment and wear heavier equipment? Maybe light metal equipment would actually be thrown out because you could possibly just wear lighter equipment while being able to have more proficiency in heavy metal armor. So the light metal skill might be replaced by the Perception skill (Asuna also said that Kirito has the perception skill. I tried translating it in Japan and it it is called "Sensing". I'm ASSUMING that is the Searching skill or Tracking Skill

(Also, side note, First Aid translates to Emergency Recovery so Kirito now has that skill)

Asuna:

Rapier, Two handed spear, Perspection, Heavy Metal equipment, Parry, Battle Healing, Emergency Recovery, Acrobatics, Sprint, Cooking, Sewing, and some other skill unless perception takes that spot.

Kirito: Straight Sword, Dual Blades, Knife Throwing, Parry, Battling Healing, Martial Arts, Tracking or Perspection, Hiding, Emergency Recovery, Extended Weight Limit, Sprint, Fishing.

[s0ul-j0k3r]

hey man I seen that you're writing for rdr2 now so I thought id make a request :)

could you write a polish reader that has crooked teeth please? they usually get along with everyone, and has huge alcohol tolerance please?

if this is too much just polish,

they're best friends with sean and whenever Sean is rescued and the party happens, Sean kisses the reader and confesses even though they have a s/o ? readers flattered but pushes him away

the thing is their s/o sees it

Sorry it took me so long to write this! Trying to catch up onto TWD! There won't be any Polish language in this only because I don't know Polish ✌️🧍 and I'm not gonna use Google Translate only because it takes to long to explain.

Also thanks Anon because it feels so nice writing again!

Holy shit, I'm experiencing the worst of the worst. I'm not dead which is a cheer, but I'm sick meaning sitting on my ass in bed for 24 hours with lack of motivation to write, but I'm sucking it up just to write it for you anon. So please consider it a gift, and I'm sorry if it may be terrible. (Also I'm sorry but it will just be Polish 🧍)

𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙂𝙉 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙘𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚

𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂(𝙎): Language, drinking (and omg I just felt terrible because I'm watching TWD, (Season 4 episode 2 or 3)), non-confident reader, injuries, death, violence, weapons, usage of They/Them for reader, probably terrible writing, there isn't any actual wordings from the game.

Story will happen under the cut!

It felt empty and quiet without the loud, cheerful Sean MacGuire, always lighting up the mood.

You've felt saddened lately to the disappearance of him. Most to the reason he was your bestfriend for that matter. You guys always shared stories to eachother, ride through Valentine to the saloon for a drink, confusing eachother with you speaking Polish and him speaking in a more thick accent giving yourselves a laugh, etc.

To the point where Micah decides to be an ass and always call you guys all sorts of names: "Lovebirds!", "What a cute couple!", I mean all sorts. (Except my mind doesn't know anymore.)

You knew him best out of all of the group in the first place.

"MacGuire," that name has caught your attention, jolting your head up to see Dutch speaking to the gang, "has been gone for far to long now and we know that, but we will search for him.", you walked on over quickly, Charles coughed gathering Dutch's attention, explaining where he might know where his is.

(I completely forgot what that place was called.)

"Alright, then we'll head tomorrow. I want you four up early tomorrow. Who knows what they'll do to him." Pointing towards Javier, Charles, Arthur, and you. The minute he announced you, your stomach sunk, but beyond this point you would give anything up to get Sean back.

You gotta' admit that it was the longest night of your life.

"Y/N! C'mon! Get up, we gotta' get movin'!" Arthur calls out to you, you rushing up gathering your stuff.

Charles and Javier chatting away by their horses, seeing you rushing over. "Lets go." You sigh out. Leading your horse to your destination.

A good 20-35 minutes passed by before seeing a town, FULL of officers.

(I don't exactly remember (Yes I've done this part I just don't remember) how this goes.)

Fleeing your horses you guys hind behind a bush, Javier and Arthur taking out binoculars to see whats going on and to see where Sean is.

"There," Arthur points towards someone red headed enough to be Sean, "lets go."

(No, this will not add up to the fancy prancy dude, basically not adding up to the story.)

Sneaking over along an edge to keep eyes on Sean, "Me and Arthur will go around, you and Javier go down below and get those guys." Charles announced.

You nodded in reply and headed down with Javier to where some officers/guards were.

(HOLY SHIT, IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS! SO SORRY ANON!.)

Hand hovering your gun, just waiting for the right moment. Taking a glance, at Javier, (in which somehow) he acted out for you to take the first shot. (You somehow understood.)

Taking the weapon and aiming at the unknown guard in front of you, taking a deep breath before pulling the trigger. Obviously startling the other man beside him, but before he could take another breath Javier got to him first.

You cocked your head towards your destination at Javier, telling him, “Let’s go.”

You guys couldn't hear anything besides your feet dragging along the ground. Until it was stopped by hearing the sound of voices ahead.

Quickly shifting behind a rock, you peek over. You couldn't see anyone.

Complete silence fell,

"Where are they?" The unknown voices announced. What seemed to be Arthur peeking over, you had a quick sigh of relief.

(bro I'm fucking stuck, idk how to continue 😰)