#so i can't imagine how excited laura would be

[limeyjellybean]

Downfall episode 1 watching, with thoughts and spoilers below

~ ~ ~

- Weird effect over the names, but I like it. Makes sense if humans can't comprehend what their names are *supposed* to be

- Descriptions of the characters are pretty cool, again with trying to describe something that's beyond comprehension

- It feels kind of like what I imagine the Big Bang to be like

- Ah, another Brennan opening but not just centred on one person this time (hard cut)

- Wait, the colours/shapes weren't characters? Jesus

- Awh shit, there's kids

- And families, shit

- Is Laura's mentor/guardian Purvan?? (Totally is)

- Interesting character for Taliesin - the 'interesting' monk he teased? Talking in other people's heads??

- Aeormaton character is also pretty cool as well

- And again so far my favourite is Taliesin's character. How does he do this??

- Nick's character seems the definition of good but there has to be a catch, surely

- "Should be a day or two". No. No it won't

- Purvan. Knew it

- Captain Marcus is a prick on a power trip

- Need to protect The Emissary at all costs

- Wait. They're still the light/colour/shape constructs but in human form??

- Welp, man overboard

- Human wild shape? If that was any other player, that wouldn't make any sense

- Do I hope they go to Cognoza? ... A little bit

- Noshir, you are close to taking my favourite character spot with this 'apple crate'

- Wait. What if these 6 are the reason for that crater The Mighty Nein encountered in Aeor?

- ...Are they consecuted? Like, Kryn consecuted? Is that how it started?

- Taliesin falls in and out of the sad, sallow character so quickly, it looks like an actual physical change in him

- Had a feeling as soon as Brennan said chains that the Chained Oblivion would be mentioned

- This dual-esque character thing is kinda cool

- Are they the Prime Deities and Betrayer Gods??

- These have to be the reason behind the crater... They *have* to...

- Even families of Gods fight like normal families, that's nice

- The Emissary really is 'no thoughts, head empty'

- Curious to find out which God everyone actually is when it gets to it

- Genesis Ward, I know that one

- Laura is the Matron of Ravens???

- Yeah, cause all healers in one party has never gone wrong before

- Somehow forgot how abruptly Brennan ends episodes but excited to see where this goes and how quickly plans could go wrong

[peach-and-bugs]

To celebrate Taylor Swift releasing her international tour dates (which I personally am super excited for, and have every intention of going), would like to ask (if you want to of course), who out of all of the Yellow Jackets (modern day and/or 90's, it's up to you) would be Swifties?

Maybe as a bonus, what would there favourite song or album be?

-🐝

oh, this is another fun one! I love assigning random things to the girls, lol.

Honestly, I think all of the girls would enjoy/casually listen to Taylor, but if we're talking about who is a Swiftie:

it's Jackie, Misty, and maybe Shauna. But the ultimate, head Swfity of the group is definitely Laura Lee

But let's do albums and songs! This is solely just based on my taste and how I view things. I'm not really on the level of being a Swifty myself, but I am a causal Tayler enjoyer if that makes sense.

All of these are with the teen/1996 version of the girls in mind, btw. you can think of it as a modern Au if you like

Yellowjackets Favorite Taylor Swift Albums & Songs

Jackie - 1989

✰ 1989 is probably one of, if not my favorite album because I got it for Christmas the year it came out on cd, which I still have actually! I used to blast it on the vintage boombox I had growing up

✰ but back to Jackie! 1989 just has this vibe of "I'm really going out and I'm starting my life! I'm an adult!" and that was kinda the stage Jackie was at when the plane went down. She was planning for college with big dreams and ambitions behind her

✰ I really think every song on this album fits her for different reasons, but I think her favorite song would probably be How You Get The Girl. I like to think she imagines the song with Jeff, but then one day, Shauna slips into her daydream instead of Jeff, and then very gay thoughts ensue

Laura Lee - Debut & Fearless

✰ I feel like Debut for Laura Lee might be a bit of a copout, but come on! I'm not wrong. It's got that kitschy, country vibe that I can imagine Laura Lee just singing her heart out too

✰ Her favorite song is Teardrops On My Guitar because its the best and girly deserves her pining main character moment just like we all do

✰ Fearless always kinda goes hand in hand with Debut to me since it's when she was still kinda in her country era, so I think Laura Lee would also adore this one. It was actually tricky for me to choose what her favorite on this album would be, but I settles on Tell Me Why because I think it's funny for her to love breakup songs, because let's face it, our girl hasn't gone through a breakup, but she can't help resonating and loving them anyway

Lottie - Evermore

✰ Evermore just felt like another given. It's got that vintage yet whimsical vibe that I like to associate with Lottie that's also got this sad warmth to it I guess. It's also probably one of my favorite albums so of course I give it to one of my favorite girls

✰ I think her favorite song is a tie between Ivy and Long Story Short. I'm not really sure why. They just both fit in my head I guess

Misty - Lover & Midnights

✰ Oh, my sweet hopeless romantic. Misty is the embodiment of both of these albums and no one can argue with me (of course you can, I'm joking). But poor thing just wants to be seen and loved, and I think that's what these albums embody when paired together.

✰ Lover perfectly fits how Misty wants to be loved so bad and the sweet, innocent positive face she forces, but really she's hurting inside. I think from this album her favorites would be The Archer because come on, it's her, and Paper Rings because again, it just fits her so well (it's also got quite a few lines that are definitely what she's doing when she's got a crush)! She's definitely one of those girls making little origami things in class, like those puffy paper stars and of course, paper rings

✰ Then you have Midnights, which imma be real, I only picked because of Mastermind, because it's also her song!

Natalie - Reputation

✰ Yeah, this is another given. I mean, what else do I choose for her? modern teen Natalie would love this album but she wouldn't want anyone to know about it. I think she could also be a Swiftey, but she's very secretive about it. Maybe only Laura Lee knows she's a fan and it's their little secret together

✰ Her favorite song was kinda hard to pick for her, but I settled on Delicate because it's actually extremely fitting for her character, which surprised me when I listened to it again. I personally see teen Natalie as being pretty self continue under the surface, so realizing that she likes someone and they like her back would actually be pretty nerve-wracking for her, which feels fitting for "delicate"

Shauna - Folklore

✰ I went back and forth between Evermore and Folklore for Shauna, but ultimately Lottie is Evermore and Shauna is Folklore in my mind. They both have this sad, old aesthetic to me that fits both albums but in a different way, I guess

✰ but for her favorite song, I picked Cardigan because that felt like another given. I mean, we all saw the way she was watching Jackie at that part pre-crash, right? It was full of that longing you feel In Cardigan

Taissa - Red

✰ I feel like Tai would enjoy early Taylor, but she's more into her kinda pop era, which would make Red the perfect album for her. It's got its up songs as well as its down songs and it fits her ever-changing vibe, which I think is good for her

✰ Choosing a favorite song was another tough one to think about, but I ended up picking State of Grace. It's another one that I don't have a lot of reasoning/explanation for, but it just kinda felt right, y'know?

Van - Speak Now

✰ Van has always felt somewhat country to me and I'm not sure why, so I guess that's fitting for Speak Now. Speak Now kinda gives a nice transition from country into Taylers more pop-ish era, and that just kinda sounds like Van to me. Like, she grew up in the Midwest, but she still somehow has a little Southern charm about her. That could totally just be a me thing though

✰ Her favorite songs have got to be Mean and The Story Of Us. I can imagine Van blasting both of them in the car, singing at the top of her lungs with the windows down, and a huge smile on her face when she's driving around with her friends. We know Van likely doesn't have a car in her teen years, so she's probably driving with Tai and probably Laura Lee. they like singing together to annoy Tai, though she actually enjoys listening to them

[kedsandtubesocks]

Hello my sweet sunshine girl, my witchy friend, my fellow pedrito lover! I am so glad you are here in this fandom with us- you make every day better!

I would like to request a date with a Pedro boy - but you get to choose the boy also. Who do I belong with? Can't wait to see!

besitos y abrazos <3 <3 <3

Hi my loveliest Laura oh wow you’re gonna make me cry PLS 😭 thank you so much for always being the kind light that’s helped me embrace this space and for being such a dear friend ily 💜

⭐️ - a sweet classic game heart event for you!

Oh but I had to go with no one other than Mr. Tovar!

In my mind he is always going to be Your Man lol

And I imagine the sweetest date for you and Pero is a beautiful stroll through the woods foraging - he would keep a patient and eased pace with you and let you gush about mushrooms you find or even wildflowers blooming that you’d just have to pick

It’s soft, slow, a peaceful slice of heaven that reminds him this world is meant to be lived in within the tranquil and can feel infinite… or maybe it’s just because he’s by your side does he feel all of these things in the forest

He holds your wicker basket, freely welcomes you asking him questions about what herbs he likes more and which ones he hopes to maybe find on your walks

It’s hard to be grumpy when the weather is this lovely and he can enjoy the grace of nature with you, letting himself embrace the beauty the earth gives her way. Then getting to see how excited your face lights up spotting a new forgeable - that is worth gold and the true gift the earth gives to him

Laura thank you again for so much 💖

[destinyc1020]

Im not gonna argue with anyone about kaia's acting b/c it isnt the best mostly b/c she comes across as lifeless and unnatural. She def benefits from the fact shes a nepo baby and white. However I will defend her in bottoms, b/c its sometimes more about casting then it is acting. Kaias character is supposed to come across as one dimensional, a sterotypical popular high school girl who everyone aspires to be with she doesnt have any substance outside of her looks which is juxtaposed with this idea that a girl like her wouldnt be interested in somethink like bare knuckle fighting. Her role doesnt require dynamic acting and I would argue someone like zendaya wouldnt work b/c shes to dynamic and would go against the one dimensionality of how character was written. Certainly could this role have gonna to a black woman like laura harrier ( who also cant act) yeah totally but I think kaia works as that character, that doesnt mean shes a great actor . She still struggles with basic things such the inability to convey emotion.

Also austin, I like austin hes very dynamic but Im also not 100 convinced. Hes a great character actor evidenced by dune part 2. He was great in elvis fantastic even. He clearly puts the work in and willing to work on his craft. But after watching bike riders early this year and two episodes masters of air, he was very underwhelming dont know if he has the longevity as a lead ( hopefully he changes my mind b/c he seems like a cool dude and I want him to succeed). Hes struggling mightily with accents and in bikeriders he was overshadowed by jodie comer and tom hardy also even mike faist (for his very small role in bikeriders but hes extremely sensitivity and empathetic in portrayal as an interviewer). His latest stuff he comes across as one note and places too much emphasis on a huskier/smoky voice that at times sound more distracting and hinders the character.

(Though for MOTA im still in wait and see mode cause I havent seen the entire series yet)

Re: Kaia...

Sooo... basically, what you're saying is that they gave her a character role that she basically already embodies (dull, lifeless, etc) because that's how her acting already is in real life? Am I understanding this correctly lol? 😅

That's fine if you liked her in the "Bottoms" movie (we all have different tastes). I didn't even see the movie (it just didn't look funny at all to me 👀), but I saw enough clips lol 😅

Re: Austin....

Interesting take on Austin. 🤔 I haven't seen him in Dune Part 2 or The Bikeriders yet, so I can't really speak to those films... yet. 🤷🏾‍♀️

But I thought he did great in Elvis. 👍🏾

Maybe he IS a character actor? Nothing wrong with that. There are PLENTY of great character actors in Hollywood, and that's where they thrive. ☺️

I honestly haven't seen much of his work post-Elvis to really judge. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I'm excited to see more of his work in this phase of his career. I've only seen clips of him in OUATIH and I thought he was great in that. He's really good at disappearing in roles, which I like. So far, his characters have been diversely DIFFERENT ever since the play he did with Denzel Washington, and I love that. Sometimes, it's hard to imagine I'm watching the same actor lol 😆 😂

Maybe you're so used to seeing Austin in character roles that when he plays someone quieter and less "out there" you are bored lol 😆

Like I said, I haven't seen him in "The Bikeriders" yet, but it's hard to imagine anyone outshining Tom Hardy, coz Tom is just.... 👌🏾

Prior to "Elvis", I'd only seen Austin in fluff TV shows like "The Carrie Diaries" or "Switched at Birth", etc. So I've seen him in various different roles PRE-Elvis.

So far, I'm enjoying MOTA, and I'm interested in seeing where his career takes him in this era. I'm just glad he's getting to do more of the type of work that he wants to do now in his career. 😊

Re: His voice....

Austin's voice has ALWAYS been deep imo. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Deep and slightly raspy.

Here are some old clips....

I think when he got older, it just got a bit huskier.

I really don't think he's putting anything on. Don't pelt me with tomatoes but I actually sort of suspect (I only said SUSPECT) that he kinda ruined his voice a little when singing for Elvis all those years. I'm a singer as well, and it can definitely happen. I had vocal nodules that changed my voice (I could barely speak at one point). I had to go through vocal therapy for many months in fact for it.

My voice is fine now, thankfully lol 😆, but if you've developed vocal nodules, they can for sure change the quality of your voice. So, he might just have vocal nodules. I don't suggest getting them surgically removed if anyone has them, but vocal rest, along with changing ways in which you vocalize can help diminish them.

[smilepebble]

12, 20 and 25 for primrose? :]

this one got long so it's going under a cut

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

a cute headcanon i have about her is that she and tressa pick out all the different class outfits together! well, except for one. cyrus was very excited about getting the sorcerer job so primrose let him pick the outfit. she then never let cyrus pick out a class outfit ever again.

a second, less cute headcanon less having to do with her and more just having to do with her story is that the moment in chapter 3 when she was stabbed and nearly died was a moment that made the rest of the travelers stop and reconsider a lot of things. they realized that they hadn't been doing enough to make sure everyone's safe and vowed to take better care of each other.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

i can't narrow it down to just one. i really truly can't. she's such a fun character and i love her interactions with so many characters

her and tressa are probably my favorite primrose dynamic, i think they're very close and have a sisterly relationship. primrose's way of teasing people is really funny to me, and tressa always has an equally funny reaction. i also think that tressa was especially broken up about what happened in primrose's ch3.

i also love primrose, ophilia, and h'aanit's dynamics. im sure they have a ship name but i personally like to call it "whatever dykey thing these three have going on"

i also like her dynamics with olberic and therion. it seems like primrose and therion have an understanding of sorts at the beginning because they're both pretty standoffish characters. although as their characters develop i do think an actual friendship forms between them. with olberic they both start out in pretty similar places, spurred into a journey of revenge due to traumatic events in their pasts. and what's interesting to me is that while olberic's goals in his journey change and he ends up gaining a new purpose in life, primrose stays true to her goals and ends up feeling empty and lost (although i do think she finds her purpose again thanks to the friends she's made along the way). also they're demo buddies!!

i think primrose would also get along with the octopath 2 cast really well. primrose would LOVE agnea. she would be so happy that her successor got to live a relatively happy life :')... i think she and throné would get along really well too, and i imagine her dynamic with temenos could be really funny.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

she's a pretty well known character, so i recognized her when i saw her on the character select screen. i was so so worried that she wasn't gonna be handled well and be reduced to just. sexy girl character. so i was very pleasantly surprised when i realized she was actually handled relatively well! which isn't to say she's handled well 100% of the time, i will say im not a fan of how she's written in some travel banters, but for the most part she's a really well written character. laura post's performance of her is fantastic, especially in her chapter 4. primrose is definitely up there in my favorites now :)

[exandrianpunk]

Campaign 3 ep 55 first half

my favorite moments and thoughts :)

trust me y'all, I love these characters and Deanna and FRIDA are lovely and super interesting, but I'm so deeply missing Orym and Ashton and Laudna and I'm so intrigued to see how they'll get back together and make sure their timelines align

starting off strong with a temperature play joke before the recap is over, I see how this is gunna go

Travis and Aabria made the exact same face when Laura suggested "re-banging it out" I love them

I wonder how re-learning somatic components of spells can work after injury...

I would love if Deanna had knit a gift for the diarchy, like matching scarves or something would've been adorable

this body language assessment by FCG is giving major 'tistic vibes I love it I spent so much time doing this growing up

FRIDA!!!!! YES!!!!! ADORABLE ROBOT CRUSH!!!!!

I really hope the king's story is true and they really just found Umudara and wanted to honor one of the protectors of the forest

DEANNA LOOKING DOWN AT HER HAND WHEN THE QUEEN SAYS REVIVAL MAGICS ARE INACCESSABLE SINCE THE SOLSTICE

imagine if all the people who had previously been revived through certain divine magics just dropped after the solstice

the idea of teleporting away with no way to communicate back if something went wrong is horrifying to me

Apogee Solstice is the new Benedict Cumberbatch - can only imply the name by using other words with similar syllables

THE MOON IS GONE GUYS THE MOON IS FUCKING GONE the solstice just hasn't stopped wtf???

I have so many questions about why the Ruby Vanguard uses symbols of the Raven Queen and if her starting as mortal and ascending has anything to do with it...

SAME SAM I WANT MAP

I can't tell if Sam is just genuinely not catching FRIDA's little moments of showing affection towards or interest in FCG... but it's slightly heartbreaking to see

watching Travis react to shit is my favorite - his excited dance when Aabria asked about knowing if the Raven Queen was mortal, him freaking out and trying to confirm with another cast member when Deanna mentioned Eiselcross

FRIDA being worried Deanna would be mad about their crush on FCG 🥺

"I love you with my whole heart" "I love you with my entire core" 🥹

I love that Q made Aabria a beanie

"you could just ask his corpse later" is the exact energy I have towards Ludinus, they just need to get him gone asap and deal with the rest of the shit after

"just a couple of bots" "just a couple of Aeormatons"

this whole conversation outside of Jaquoby's is everything I've ever wanted

"if I was your special person would you try to kill me?" "of course not... I think knowing that I had someone would probably make me a little more calm in general" 🥹

"first kiss of campaign 3" and let there be many more

"THERE'S NO TONGUE" just let the Aeormatons get freaky Matt 🤣

"my favorite Aeormaton" FRIDA is too cute

FAITHFUL CARE-GIVER I literally squealed

I'm usually far more aromantic than this but there's something about these robots

[cagesings]

@heygutlcss ( starter call. )

it's strange to think they were happy. only yesterday when she was holding her daughter's hand as they flew up the stairs to the lighthouse, they were smiling at each other. the little secret kept between them was not such a little secret with the way her dresses tightened and the occasional thread popping when she attempted to put one on in the morning. it was nothing she couldn't fix, though later that day, she found the old dresses she'd worn the last time she was in need of one. for the first time in her life, johanna had been looking at her side profile with a sense of pride. a little smile tugging at her lips as she grabbed at riff's hands to place them over. a frantic excitement over what might be a potential movement. a false alarm, but it painted a brilliant shine of hope in their faces. yesterday was better. yesterday they were happy.

yesterday johanna planned on telling laura she was going to be a big sister. today she can at least be thankful that she decided to postpone. she can't imagine how she would tell her daughter that she wasn't going to be a big sister after all.

fingertips are numb, in the same position as they were when the midwife left. crumpled on her lap. moments before, her nails were digging into her skin. a poor attempt distracting herself from the pain and hoping that this wasn't what she thought it was. perhaps, it was only her mind tricking her. when she was expecting laura, she had bizarre dreams that occasionally featured a loss. this was a dream, wasn't it? there couldn't be that much blood. but could a dream properly conjure up the feeling of wanting to throw up at the sight of blood and how numb she felt after finding out?

that was only a few minutes ago. despite the ringing in her ears, she can hear the door open. she can make out her own "come in," though johanna knows he doesn't knock on the door. besides, this room was technically riff's before her things slowly moved in. there's no reason for him to. gaze flickers to him. she would rather climb out of bed and make him sit down and keep him in her line of sight in case he got himself stuck somewhere. instead, johanna lifts a weak hand, beckoning him to come nearer to her. she would like to hold his hand. that always made her feel better before.

some of the numbness seems to fall away. her own mind betrays her, even knowing how difficult these words will be to form. the midwife said something about managing pain, but johanna didn't realize that it would hurt. how is she supposed to say it? there isn't a single syllable in the english language to describe . . . she doesn't know so she choices the simplest words she can,

❝ i lost our baby. ❞

[imaginependergast]

It’s the onslaught of spooky season, so naturally I ask- what do Pendergast and friends do for the fall season/ halloween?

I was just thinking about this. I think I already have a few spoopy and spoopy-adjacent Imagines in mind but I don't want to blow all my ideas too soon.

But ask and I shall (happily) deliver.

Pendergast: He doesn't like the cold but does appreciate the weather getting cooler and the days getting shorter. It's time for evenings by the fireplace and heavier wines for the darker season. I have a theory that he tries to get Constance out a bit by taking her for walks and he enjoys it most when the leaves begin to change. I also think, maybe more so when it's new in the season and if he's feeling a bit soft, that the red in the trees reminds him of Diogenes.

Constance: Isn't a fan of sunlight at 9pm so is happy when the sun begins to set earlier. I think after such a long existence and all the time she spent in hiding means she has more complicated thoughts about the changing of the seasons, especially since (I think) the transition from summer to fall is one of, if not, the most dramatic. For her it's like watching a cycle that you're not part of. I do think the season would influence her, even if she doesn't want to admit it. For example, the musical compositions she chooses start to be more minor key and she prefers tea with a hint of spice or cinnamon. Diogenes: Changes his cooking with the seasons so begins using ingredients and recipes ideal for autumn. Being someone so attuned to colors, even if he can't properly see them, I think not being able to see the fall foliage for what it truly is would be a fresh reminder of what The Event took from him. I can imagine him standing around a beautiful view of the leaves and someone innocently stating how beautiful it all is and he has to bite his tongue. This is also when he starts wearing his best sweaters.

d'Agosta: Enjoys the occasional pumpkin beer while it's in season but is most excited for football. When it won't impede on work he stays up late to watch games. Assuming he and Laura have a house, they hand out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

Corrie: Even as a working stiff is excited for Halloween and tries to scope out which bars are doing Halloween parties. She puts out a few decorative items for her apartment, starts watching Halloween movies, both her favorites and checking out what's new, and carves a pumpkin or two if she has the time.

Coldmoon: Like Corrie and d'Agosta, is excited for the pumpkin beers and pumpkin foods. Probably also tries to find a cool party or event to go to so he can celebrate the best holiday of the season (and the year, heehee). I think he'd also like the temperatures getting cooler and just being more comfortable all-around.

Hayward: Enjoys the change of the season but eventually gets tired of Vinnie's constant bitching about the Jets season. Tries to get them to do some season activities like getting out of the city to see the fall views.

I'll do a separate Halloween Imagine later. Promise.

[loveforpreserumsteve]

Love Grows (demon!Bucky and pre-serum!Steve omegaverse au)

9

THE FOLLOWING EVENING Steve went into heat. He had gotten off his suppressants in early May. He told Hodge it was because of his migraines, but that was only half of the reason why. Mainly, he was fearful of the rumors that being on a certain suppressant for so long would make an omega infertile. And that was the last thing that Steve wanted.

"Let's make a baby," Steve insisted, as Hodge crawled over him.

"A baby," Hodge scoffed. Pressing a kiss to Steve's scent gland, he reminded, "We've talked about this."

"But –"

"Steve, let's not do this now."

Fortunately, Steve's heat only lasted three days. He begged and pleaded, despite himself. But it felt as though his biological clock was ticking and ticking and ticking and was about to get too far ahead of him. It wasn't that he liked being the stereotypical needy, whiny omega, but he was at a point where the fear of never being a father was starting to create a pit in his stomach and a blackhole in his soul.

Hodge didn't want to hear anything more about babies. Not right now. Not when he was still trying to make a name for himself. Not before he could support them properly.

Whatever that meant...

Nevertheless, the morning after his heat, Steve opened all the windows and aired the apartment out. He had a day of deep cleaning ahead of himself. Much like every first day after his heat.

Once the bedding was gathered and the scent neutralizer automated plug-in spritzed, Steve took a quick shower. He knew that he'd need one later after working up a sweat from setting the apartment back to right, but he also knew that he'd rather drop dead than let the stale heat scent cling to his skin for another second.

Just a quick shower, Steve started feeling more like himself. Then, he carried the full hamper out of 12E. And since he was on his way to the laundry room, he decided to see if the Sousas needed help with theirs. After all, Steve's schedule hadn't been so skewed by his heat to not know that it was time for another trip to the basement, and since Sharon had been the one to help her elderly aunt and uncle, Steve decided to pick up where she had unfortunately left off.

Waiting for the older neighbors to answer the door, Steve attempted to stifle a yawn. Already thinking about taking a nap once the chores were all finished. Well, until at least half the list was completed. Half was reasonable, Steve decided. After how grueling this heat had been, half was more than reasonable enough.

"Oh, Steve," Peggy opened the door further when she saw it was him. "Hello, dear. How are you feeling? Hodge mentioned it was your –" she lowered her voice "– season."

Hodge had told them? Why? It wasn't their business. And when did he even talk to them?

"I'm fine." Blushing, he resituated the hamper in his arms, "I was just about to do some laundry and thought I'd see if you needed any done as well."

"That's so very kind of you," Peggy smiled, sweetly. "But mine's already been taken care of. Thank you, but no thank you."

"That's alright. Just let me know if you ever need something. If I can't do it, I'll get Hodge to."

Peggy laughed at that, soft and twinkling like bells.

Departing from 12A, Steve headed for the elevator, yawning as he waited for the lift to arrive at his floor. Idly wondering if Bucky had returned to – where was he from? Neverland? He had to chuckle at himself for that.

"Ope," Laura started, accidentally bumping into Steve as she exited the elevator. "Sorry about that. Steve? Hi! How've you been?"

"Okay," he smiled at the brunette. "And you?"

"Fine," Laura grabbed onto Conner's hand before he ran off. "Got to see pictures of the baby."

"How exciting," Steve grinned, simultaneously trying not to imagine himself doing that while also wanting nothing more than to have a little one growing inside of him.

Nodding, Laura marked over her significant bump, "This little lady will be joining us pretty soon."

"You'll have to keep me updated!" Steve said, trying to catch the doors before they closed again.

"I'll put it in the newsletter," Laura giggled, waving goodbye as the lift's doors closed, taking Steve down to the basement.

It was his first time going down there since Sharon, and really, Steve didn't want to think about that. But, of course, like most things he didn't want to think about, it became the number one thing that he – almost exclusively – did. Wondered what Sharon had been thinking. What she had been feeling. Wondered if the stories surrounding Stank Tower had finally gotten to her.

Setting the hamper next to one of the coin-operated machines, Steve dug through his pocket for the quarters. Feral pups, his mind reminded, feasting on babies. Over and over again. Feral pups, feral pups, feral pups. It could drive someone –

CRASH!

"Fuck!"

THUMP!

Jumping, Steve dropped his quarters and snapped his attention in the direction that the noise came from. There, on the floor, trying to gather the dropped laundry, was Bucky. Almost entirely the last person that he had been expecting.

"Ya tryin' t'give me a heart attack or somethin'?" Steve joked, crouching so he could pick up his quarters.

"Sorry," Bucky apologized. Gesturing to the fallen broom, "Tripped over that."

"'You okay?" Steve asked, standing with a handful of quarters.

Out of the corner of Steve's eyes, he noticed how Bucky paused and looked up at Steve before picking up more of the clothes. "I'm fine."

"Good," Steve nodded, inserting his quarters into the machine.

Once all of the dropped clothing was picked up, Bucky stood. Respectfully leaving a machine between them, he asked, "How've you been?"

"Fine."

Bucky nodded, letting it be quiet for a moment. Letting the hum of the machines soothe any awkwardness. Steve was shocked to find that he didn't mind this. Wondering if he had found Bucky odd before simply because his heat had been approaching. Yes, that had to be it.

"I'm glad I ran into you."

Or perhaps he was suspicious for a reason.

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Steve asked, turning to look at Bucky, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Bucky turned to look at Steve, but kept his body easy and open, just like the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Yeah, a... friend... of mine wrote a script, and I thought you'd like to read it."

Brows furrowed, Steve chuckled, "Why? I mean, Hodge, sure. But me?"

"Hodge said you have good taste," Bucky shrugged, nonchalant. Cheeks heating, Steve averted his gaze to the cement floor. Bucky suggested, "I can run upstairs to get it."

"Oh, I don't want to be a –"

"You're not," Bucky interrupted.

To be contrarian, Steve said, "You don't even know what I was about to say."

"Maybe not, but I know that you try not to be a nuisance. A bother. In the way."

Damn it, how'd he pick up on that?

"And you're not," Bucky continued. Walking backwards, he kept his gaze on Steve, "I'll be right back. Two minutes t–"

Tripping over the broom, he fell to the cement floor once more. Steve winced, but before he could ask if the brunet was alright, he was standing again. Laughing at himself as he dramatically shoved the broom into a corner, so it wouldn't trip him again.

"Two minutes tops," Bucky promised, leaving for the elevator.

And, well, what could Steve do but wait for the alpha to return? He didn't have anywhere else to go. Didn't have anything else to do. Perhaps a nap, but he could wait until the laundry was done. At the very least.

As Steve was about to sit in one of the chairs off to the side, he paused. The elevator opened and Bucky rushed out of it with a thick manuscript in hand. Steve's brows rose, impressed by his speediness.

Letting out a low whistle, Steve chuckled, "You weren't kidding, huh."

"Two minutes tops," Bucky grinned, approaching him. Again, leaving a space between them, Bucky sat down a chair away and handed the script over to Steve. Again, being mindful of touching Steve as he did so.

"'Symbol of Courage,'" Steve read aloud. "Hell of a title."

"Hopefully it's at least half as good as my friend says it is."

Setting the script on his lap, he held up both hands, crossing his fingers. Bucky smiled and then mimicked the gesture. He had a handsome smile, Steve decided. A smile that crinkled all the way up to pretty steel-sky eyes. The kind of smile that was swoon-worthy. Steve could only imagine the hearts that smile had broken. Poor things never stood a chance.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 5: Venezia que bellissima! 

Ciao! This week officially marks the halfway point of my time here in Italy. It was sad to see some of my friends go, but I am excited to see what the second session brings. 

As a goodbye to some of our friends who are not doing the 10-week program, we decided to make brunch together. Each one of us made a dish and it was so nice to share time with one another. One of my friends made traditional Polish pierogi and I ended up making Venezuelan arepas. It is nice to be able to get together to cook and eat a meal in the dorms as you end up making some friends along the way! 

This weekend I was able to take a trip to Venice. This is my first trip outside of Southern Italy so I was very excited. While you can take flights to Venice, we ended up using a high-speed train to get there. It was fairly easy to find tickets and everything went smoothly. We left after our physics class on Friday around 1pm and got to Venice around 8 pm. The train from Sorrento to Naples takes around 1.5 hrs and our train to Venice took around 5-6 hrs.

 The next morning we woke up and started our journey. Many of the main attractions in Venice are pretty close to each other so it was easy to fit in everything in a day. We first went to a famous library called Acqua Alta. Here they had some stairs that are made of books stacked up on each other. Then, we went to get lunch at a pasta place called Pasta Go Espresso. You get to chose the type of pasta you want, the sauce, and what additional toppings. They give you it in a little to-go box and it was very delicious. I found that in Venice, the typical Italian three course meal isn’t as popular and there were many to-go places. 

When in Venice, it is imperative that you go on a Gondola! We booked a tour through trip advisor, but there are many ways to book a ride in person as well. We were given a brief walking tour about the history of gondolas and a 30 minute ride. It was very surprising to learn how our walking tour guide had never been on a gondola before as it is a tradition in Venice to only go on a gondola on your wedding day!

The ride on the gondola felt very serene. It’s so interesting how quiet it gets once you go a few streets away from the center of the town. 

After our tour, we visited St Mark's Square & Basilica and got gelato before going back to our airbnb. If you ever go to Venice, I recommend you try the gelato flavor called Crema Venezia that had orange, cream, and chocolate in it! I would also recommend trying to go into St Mark's Basilica as it is so beatiful from the outside, I can't even imagine how it looks inside.

We walked around Venice a little more before getting dinner and crepes as a late night treat. We actually walked by a concert in the square where Laura Pausini, a famous singer known in Italy, was performing!

On Sunday, we checked out of our airbnb and went to store our bags so we don't have to carry them during the day. We used an app called Bounce which gives you places where they will hold your bags for you for around 6 euros and it works in various cities across Europe (definitely recommend). We then went to see the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and the view of Venice from the top was spectacular. We grabbed lunch and headed our way to a famous tiramisu place called I Tre Mercanti. They had many flavors of tiramisu including passion fruit, pistachio, and caramel. We took it to go as our train was at 2pm and started our journey home. 

Overall, Venice is such a beautiful city and it was a very relaxing trip. It is easy to walk around and I am so glad I was able to enjoy its sights! 

Till next time! 

Josefia Frydenborg

Environmental Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento

[risingleomoon]

That Time I Almost Dated Aquaman

Originally published as Verity Charlotte ©️ 2021

“What’s happened, Vey-ity?”

I liked the he started or ended every sentence with my name. R can't seem to manage an "r" sound to save his sweet life. He called my by the name I chose. The first person to ever do so. Others say my DeadName. With R, I never felt unseen. Knowing it would be the last time I would hear him say my name like that, I breathed in deeply and lifted my finger from the button that would un-mute my mic.

“For someone who stands so tall for truth, I sure do spend a lot of time avoiding it. You see, the funny thing about the truth is that everybody wants it but nobody is happy when they get it. It’s one of those vicious circles. I have a deep rooted need to know the truth, but when I finally have it, I’ll stare at it until I’m dumb with denial. Yes, I can see the facts in front of me. I am smart enough to do the math. I will call it by its name as I simultaneously deny it exists. The truth is the truth as the sky is blue. Still I seek ways to untruth the truth I so desperately needed. An enigma wrapped in a well tailored conundrum. Unfortunately, I’m now in a position where the truth wins and I’ve got to hand it a goddamned trophy.”

I could hear him chuckle. I close my eyes and inhale as though I could breathe him in and keep him forever. I’d never heard anyone laugh with an accent before. I’d never known anyone quite like R at all before. We met on a random Shoot Your Shot Laura hosted one night. I’m still a little baffled at how quickly things happened. How did I get here from there?

To throw more blue sky ribbons of truth out there, I’d put myself on a tighter lockdown during the summer of 2021 than Covid did the year before. I outright hid from the world. By July, one person had access to me and we joined Clubhouse in an attempt to make me feel … something … again. Laura and Thorilla have hosted the Singles in the City Clubhouse events for what feels like an eternity. First, I found music on Clubhouse. Then, I found business. Once I found the business side I found Laura. Laura is heavy in the female entrepreneur life and she's also the Queen of Hearts as a professional dating coach. And she's damn good at her job.. Laura and I connected privately. I like her style; power in the feminine self. My own business was nonexistent and I wanted help from the best. After a while, I found myself invited to join in on a Shoot Your Shot practice round.

Single in the City has been around for some 15 years. Incidentally, I'd recently found myself single, just not in the city. And it was summer after all. I also felt pretty low about myself. I wanted a confidence boost that a bikini can't give. Laura saw that. She saw ME. We figured I'd keep my hand down and simply observe, learn from others as we went. "And besides, Effy's in there." Sure, I told her. Let's see how it works, maybe start connecting with real people again. The rules of Date Club are simple: open your Twitter or Instagram to the public, link it in your Clubhouse bio, then raise your hand (if you’re so inclined) and wait your turn to shoot your shot at dating some of the most beautiful, successful, wealthy and exciting singles in America.

Go big or go home, she says.

I want to be absolutely clear that I never once raised my hand to speak. I’m not 100% sure I spoke at all actually. I must've at least sputtered out a yes. Effy burst out laughing. I burst out laughing. Laura set this up, right? The entire encounter must have taken all of five minutes and it was entirely unorthodox to Shoot ones Shot at an unarmed newbie. It went something like this:

Me half listening, half scrolling Twitter and imagining how I’m going to ream Kitty for supporting this moronic idea when she gets back online. But whoever is speaking has a cute accent.

Scroll

Scroll

Scroll

Stop

“… magic eyes and a mischievous smile …” (with the accent it sounded more like “majeek eyes and a misschivus smile, I’m a sucker for a good voice, it’s the only thing they can’t lie about.)

I finally looked at who was speaking. A baby. Bet he's going straight for Effy, I smile to myself. That girls dance card is never empty.

“… she has bewitched me with her beauty” Nod, nod. This is a good one. He lives close to her in Cali, likes to surf. Profile click. There is no way in hell that man is 50 years old. Effy is 25.

“… I dig that she jives with plant care. I have an aloe myself …” Chuckle, Ef must've talked about her "plants" again. They're her babies. Polynesian and Iranian? He is not fifty!

“… dinner on the beach and set goals for the future …” Poor guy is in for it now. Effy's future plans are limited to who she's wearing to breakfast. He. Is. Not. FIFTY.

“… mermaid hair and won’t raise her hand…” Wait, what? Huh? I cursory glanced around the active room members. There are only seven women in this room right now. My heart thuds. My hand is the only one still down.

“… I’d like to shoot my shot with Vey-ity!”

Later I would laugh and tell him that it felt like being called down on the Price is Right. Laura, bless her heart, was trying to shut the whole thing down before he could say my name. Apparently I was the last to read the clues that Aquaman threw ashore. Thorilla was laughing his head off while Laura scrambled to remind everyone that we only practice our shots on people with raised hands. I laughed it off and Effy DM’d me on Insta that she’s been here awhile and has never spotted that one before. Good catch, she says. I caught fucking Aquaman, Effy. This is bad, very bad.

Naturally I didn’t land THE Aquaman. He was pretty die hard about Lisa Bonet at the time. As it should be. But R is a dead ringer (he is in fact 50, despite his youthful looks). And despite his ridiculously sexy accent and the fact that I was about to be swept up in the kind of life I’d only dreamed about, this was still very bad. Oh so bad. I had absolutely no business in a dating room. Though I considered myself single at the time, it was still wrong. Not as wrong as continuing the friendship all these months later, of course. It was easy enough to twist the truth as I told myself that there was no need to feel guilt. Nothing sexual had occurred beyond the time of the in-between, he'd seen nothing that hadn't been previously shared to Patreon. He’d remained a consistent sounding board. That’s all.

See, there's that "I see the truth but if I squint my eyes I can adjust the light and shadows so this will all still somehow work out for the best." September morphed into November and still it went on. I'll call it by its name: Emotional Affair. By the time balance was restored in other areas of my life, R and I had developed a flirtatious kinship. We realized pretty quickly that we had a lot in common. Native Californians with a zest for a more magickal and natural life. Oh yes, Aquaman and I got along swimmingly, as it were. In another life, I'd have hopped a plane and married him. In this life though, there’s just no way it could have lasted. Whatever status I chose, my heart belonged to someone else. Girls like me don’t get fairy tales like R. Some are just too good.

“What shall we have the trophy engraved with Vey-ity?”

“John Bruce", I told him. “Because at the end of every day, he’s the man you can’t beat. No one can. I can move to Cali tomorrow and the day after I'll be waking up longing for him. He’s the man that will always win. He’s earned the truth. I want to give it to him so we can finally grow together into what we are meant to be.”

“He doesn’t deserve you”

“You’re supposed to say that. I don’t deserve him.”

“Perhaps you deserve each other”.

This was not said maliciously. That’s not R’s style. He meant it. He meant it from the depths of his soul. Beautiful old soul that he is, R genuinely wished me well. He may be the first. I'll miss his voice and the way he said my name. But I will never long for him in my soul. I will never share with R the cord of fate that ties me to John Bruce. That tie can never be cut.

"Perhaps we do".

We only deserve the best, John Bruce and I. We deserve each other.

[ariabauer]

imagining laura hollis reacting to this dw 13th doctor announcement is giving me life rn. She'd be so excited!!!!

You know exactly what you’re doing putting plot bunnies in my head, don’t you anon? … and it worked too… you sneaky cupcake. 

###

The front door hadn’t even shut behind her when Carmilla suddenly had an armful of bouncing Laura Hollis. And then no Laura Hollis. And then arms full of Laura again.

“Carm! Did you hear the news?” Laura was practically wiggling with excitement, a flush in her cheeks and her eyes lit up with the sparkle that always made Carmilla’s heart flip over. “It’s like the best news all month!”

She grabbed Carmilla and kissed her full on the mouth. So hard and messy that Carmilla barely had time to respond before Laura was pulling back, arms locked around Carmilla’s neck. 

Carmilla wracked her brain, trying to balance Laura in one arm and hang her motorcycle keys on the hook with the other. She fought to keep her face impassive. She’d clearly forgotten something. Something important. 

Wedding anniversary. No. Birthday. No. Some strange modern holiday. No.

Doctor’s appointment?

She glanced over at the fridge and the tiny ultrasound photo prominently displayed in the center. No. That couldn’t be it. They’d just had one.

She had no idea. 

Still, she couldn’t disappoint the smiling girl in front of her. “Of course I did cutie,” Carmilla purred, her arms wrapping around Laura’s waist “But I’d rather hear it from you.”

Laura rolled her eyes but her smile never died as she kissed Carmilla on the nose and then broke away, grabbing the keys that Carmilla still hadn’t been able to hang successfully on the hook and popping them in place. “You don’t have to pretend for me, Carm. I know you don’t really care one way or the other but I just cannot believe that it’s a girl. I mean, I was hoping but I never thought it would actually happen and I just couldn’t stop smiling when I heard. Like, I think my face is going to split in two because it’s so great for feminism although it would have been nice to see some poc too because-”

Carmilla’s brain crashed to a halt halfway through Laura’s ramble.

“It’s a girl?” Carmilla could barely breath the words. Laura was still talking but Carmilla couldn’t focus on her words.

She stepped forward almost involuntarily, capturing Laura and pressing a hand against her stomach. The smallest curve against her palm where only days before the doctor had taken an ultrasound of the newest member of their family.

“I thought,” Carmilla couldn’t take her eyes off Laura’s stomach, “we were going to make it a surprise.”

Still. A daughter. Taylor. They’d decided. The thought filled her mind, unable to be shaken once the idea was in her head. 

“Did the Doctor call?” Carmilla continued, “or did Laf sneak in and run those tests they’ve been trying to get us to let them do?”

It’s a girl. It’s a girl. It’s a girl. Laura’s words rebounded through her head.

“It’s a girl?” Carmilla repeated. 

She only noticed when Laura stopped talking. Then two hands came up and cupped her face, the wedding band cool against her skin. Laura was still smiling but her smile was tinged with amusement, “Um, Carm? You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

Carmilla kept her hands on Laura’s belly, “You said the baby’s a girl.”

Laura looked like she was biting back laughter, “I wasn’t talking about the baby, Carm. We agreed that was going to be a surprise. I wouldn’t do it without you.”

Carmilla frowned, “Then what were you talking about.”

“Um,” Laura blushed but was still practically bouncing on her toes, “The new doctor? Doctor 13 from Doctor Who? It’s going to be played by a girl this time! Jodie Whittaker. I’m so excited.”

Her eyes sparkled, face lighting up at the announcement.

Carmilla groaned, sinking back against the wall with a hand on her face, “You’re killing me, Mrs Karnstein. Absolutely killing me.”

“You love it,” Laura leaned in, pressing against Carmilla.”Although now that you’ve brought it up, how do you feel about the name Jodie?”

Carmilla closed her eyes, shook her head, and smiled. 

[hereforsterekcontent]

No but imagine Sterek🙌

Stiles fidgeting and nervously eyeing hot businesses man Derek who hastily rushed into the elevator last second and is on the phone with his sister Laura and has been listening to her about how he WILL SHOW UP for this weeks family dinner or so HELP ME GOD, DEREK I will tell mom about the time in Atlantic city two years ago, you know I will! Anyways see you on friday, love you! And she hangs up before Derek has even finished replying "I love you-" and then there's a small cough behind him and someone hesitantly says "uh...I love you too...?" and first Dereks kind of dumbfounded because what? Then he slowly turns around finally getting an actual look at the other guy whome he hadn't even spared a glance at earlier because he'd been so stressed and holy shit he's beautiful but also WHAT? And he's a little too stunned to really say anything right now so he just slowly lifts his hand and points at his headphone. The other guys eyes start widening almost comically, a blush spreading across his face and down his neck and Derek starts wondering how low it runs...but nope no not the point right now! "It's - You- I- I didn't want to be rude?" the other guy awkwardly says , rubbing the back of his neck , and it sounds more like a question than a fact and is so weirdly charming that Derek can't help but bark out a laugh. He didn't even expect it himself, the last time he had a genuine laugh with someone, having been quite some time ago (probably at the last family dinner he'd been forced to attend two months ago). Anyways the other guy's looking at him kind of shocked for a second before joining in on his laughter and Dereks suddenly feels like his knees might give out under him because the man laughs with his whole body and his eyes are the most beautiful thing Derek's ever seen and he's just kind of starstruck. And Stiles on the other side has gotten over the initial embarrassment by now, because let's face it this one's not even in his top 5, and also who would've thought someone that HOT would have such adorable bunny teeth or such a gentle voice and holymotherofgod he might actually be a bit in love already....

........

A couple of years later Derek comes back from a business trip and he's buzzing with excitement and texting his husband that he's on the elevator and almost there and the second the doors open he's got both his arms full of Stiles who is wrapping his arms and legs around him, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips before resting their foreheads together, both of them smiling like maniacs. "Hi, I love you."

(then there's probably a really pointed cough behind them and when Stiles manages to drag his eyes away from Dereks, to look over his husbands shoulder he's faced with the other people on the elevator who all look a bit scandalised, except for Miss Mae from the floor above them who is winking and giving him a thumbs up, but he doesn't even get time to start feeling embarrassed cause Derek's carrying him out of the elevator squeezing his ass, completely unbothered)

[lovesomehate]

MovieStar-Laura & Bodyguard Travis pt5

✨The first thing that happens after the interview ordeal is Laura being absolutely chewed out by her manager. Travis gets a bit of an ear full as sure.

******

✨They go back to the habits they previously had. They play their 10 questions again though the nature of the questions have changed to mostly dumb and fun things. They're eating together again and Travis has agreed to have at least one beer with her twice a week.

******

✨There are only a few more episodes of The Quarry left.

Should not that while she was filming the show she and Travis would have some fun conversations about the show. Travis makes a little fun of Max. Laura jokes about how he would have made a creepier Travis/Trevor. (I say Trevor because every so often I keep almost typing Travis' name as Trevor.)

******

✨Despite saying they could treat things back to normal in truth they can't. Travis especially can't. Everything feels too close. Her self-defense practice feels more intimate. He ends up watching the way she laughs and how she smiles. He not only starts to find her feistiness cute, but he also starts finding it sexy.

It sort of tips over with the final episodes of The Quarry and the growing number of final interviews. There have been jokes about how much chemistry Laura has with her co-stars who play Ryan and Max. Especially given how the couple reunites at the end. When it's shot, Max and Laura kiss, its a part of acting, but Travis can't help but feel jealous, hurt, and angry.

He scolds himself for it.

******

✨Things happen when Max and Laura are in talks of being cast in a movie together the results are something that Travis didn't expect to deal with. Laura is getting a lot of hate mail and whatnot from Max's fans.

It's stressful and given how she was attacked prior she's not sure if some of what she receives are genuine threats. So she arranges to go out of the country to get away from it for a little while

******

✨It's a back and forth conversation, but eventually Travis finds the logic of not going around in his usual bodyguard outfit while they're out. He still looks well put together but Laura still likes to see him in some new clothes.

******

✨Travis can't deal with it. Laura rented a beached side vacation home and has just been chilling mostly in bikinis. She's not wearing jeans or t-shirts or long comfy pajamas. No, every single outfit that isn't her swimsuit is just crop tops, short thank tops, and shorts

What starts to put a major crack into Travis is when he and Laura are at the beach. They're near some rocks and the waves are a little more aggressive than usual. 

One particular wave knocks Laura off the rocks and away from Travis. He finds her bikini top first and it sends him into a panic before he eventually finds Laura. The waves still don't do him any favors as when he does find Laura, she was also looking for her top. The waves recede just in time for him to get a clear view of her breasts.

They laugh it off, but Travis hates that the next time he says Laura's name is when he's imagining her under him and thrusting into his hand.

******

✨If they aren't on the beach they're in the city sightseeing and doing a little bit of shopping. A few guys flirt with her and she gives some light compliments and is friendly enough, but she brushes them off.

Travis keeps it professional until some start getting too handsy. He's impressed when Laura is able to put her training to use. Travis still in the end deals with most of any future problems.

******

✨On one of the last days Travis surprises Laura by asking if they can go out so he can buy something. She's more excited than one would think, but hey he doesn't buy much.

******

✨On the last night Travis pleasures himself once more to Laura, telling himself he'll leave everything he feels about her here.

******

✨When they get home Laura still has numerous hate mail, but she's got the renewed energy she needs to ignore it. Travis helps her get rid of it in a rather cathartic fashion.

******

✨Thus production on the movie starts and Travis feels that jealousy, hurt, and anger that he knows is irrational. Max is genuinely nice and Travis can't but agree with everyone when Max is likened to a puppy. The pair does have a unique chemistry and the couple they're portraying is very different from the characters they portrayed in The Quarry.

******

✨Flash forward some and it's Laura's birthday. Her co-stars treat her to a big lunch. Later her best friends take her out to drink, a little disappointed that she doesn't drink more, she nearly didn't brink anything.

Back at home, Travis has a small cake for Laura. He also presents her with a gift. It's a necklace he managed to buy behind her back. Travis is nervous about the quality of the gift but is relieved when she says she loves it.

******

✨Laura asks for one more gift for her birthday. A game of x questions instead of 10.

"Okay, so..." Laura searched her mind for a question as they moved over to the couch. "what's your favorite type of cake."

"Strawberry." Travis answers. "Do you actually like that necklace?"

"Yes," She looked a tad bit irked at his question. "I love it ok.  I'm gonna wear it every day. If you wanted to go somewhere else for a vacation where would you go?"

Travis leaned his head onto the back of the couch as he thought.

"Alaska." He finally said, he paused again as he tried to think of a question.

Laura watched him intensely as he did, biting her lip in her own thoughts. He looked over at her and sacrificed his question for a basic one.

"What are you thinking about?" He asks her.

She fidgets for a moment.

"I'm worried about what you think of me." The answer led to him making a quizzical expression. "What do you think of me?"

Travis steeled himself.

"You know what I think of you. You're a beautiful and talented actress. And a charming, silly girl who can also be a stubborn brat."

Laura gave a hollow small.

"I think I know where this is going." He said.

"You probably don't." She replied.

"I'm sure I do. We talked about this."

"Not really. We really haven't." Laura sighed, the whole time she never took her eyes off of him. "Next question  please."

Travis' eyes narrowed.

"What is this about?"

"It's about our vacation." Laura scooted closer. "In the house. Do you know what I'm talking about?"

"No, I don't." He kept himself calm, but his throat feels dry. "And I think this will just end how it should have at that first fight."

He starts to stand and Laura latches onto his arm.

"It's my birthday Travis, at least finish the game."

Travis knew he could easily shake her off, but he doesn't want to lay a hand on her. 

"What do you want?" No sooner had the question left his mouth did he find it completely dry.

His facade of control left him as Laura pulled herself into his lap.

"Mrs. Kear-" Laura put a finger over his mouth shushing him.

"I want you to tell the truth about what happened in our vacation house." She put her face only inches from his staring him down. "Travis, did you touch yourself while calling my name?"

He felt disgraced and as though this was a sort of odd nightmare. He couldn't break away from her eyes and shamefully looked away, head hanging in deafeat.

"Yes." He admitted. "Yes, and I"m sorry."

"Don't be she said and pressed down against him and elicited a groan.

"What do you want Laur-Ms. Kearney? What do you want out of this?" He looked almost pitiable. 

Laura looked a bit angry.

"I want you. I want you to be honest with me. With yourself." She pressed down again, and Travis groans again. "It's my birthday so I get an extra question and I'm begging you to be honest. Do you want to fuck me?"

Travis cracks and he can hear it happen. He grabbed her waist. He shouldn’t do this. It isn’t professional, it wasn’t something he deserved. He felt like he would go insane if he did and insane if he didn’t.

“Laura.” He’s scared and she can hear it.

She gives him a small kiss. 

“Travis.” She kisses him again. “Answer me.”

He repositions himself to have his knees pushed away from the edge of the couch. Travis pulls her close and gives her a deep kiss. She’s breathless when their lips part. 

“I want to fuck you so badly.”

As much as she would love to go fast she can see that Travis is still fighting an internal conflict. She gets off Travis and pulls her panties off from under her dress. Travis opens his pants and belts, sliding them along with his underwear down enough to show himself. Laura takes a moment to appreciate him.

“You’re making me a bit nervous.” He looked a little bashful.

“Sorry.” She giggles. “I couldn’t help but admire. I haven’t seen this part of you.”

She positions herself over him, she makes eye contact with him and doesn’t look away as she lowers herself. She reveals in how thick he is, closing her eyes briefly. She opens them again and looks at Travis, his own eyes are closed as he takes in the feel of her. They shudder when she bottoms out. 

“Laura.” He moans her name Laura couldn’t be anymore turned on. 

They take it slow. It’s better for Travis’ nerves and matches the atmosphere that had turned calm and romantic. As she road him Laura open his shirt running her hands down the hair on his chest. Travis kisses along her neck and across her breasts. 

When their orgasms hit, Laura clenches around Travis and she loves the groan he makes. Travis, much to Laura’s chagrin and understanding, he pulls out when cums.

******

✨Afterwards they take a shower in Travis’ room. He’s still a bit lost in his head about his confession and job, but he lets it melts away as Laura hugs him from behind. Her arms wrap around him and her head rests on his back. 

They help to wash each other's backs and dry off. They don’t bother with clothes and just lay face to face in Travis’ bed. A fact that Laura is extra giddy about. She feels Travis smile against her forehead.

Woo! Okay got this out. Actually doing one more cause I had an outline story for this weird bullet point fic. The next one will absolutely be the last and I'm just going to be speeding through them, so it'll be much messier than the others.

MATE I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU! LIKE LITERALLY 😂😂😂😂 the moment the ask popped up I was like “what’s my anon up to?” 😂😂😂😂 the answer apparently was “writing” 😂😂😂

This was so good and fuck yes she finally broke his walls down! Go girl!!

Poor Travis feeling jealous of her coworker 😂😂😂 my man you shouldn’t worry, her eyes are on yours 😏😏😏

This au just keeps getting better and better huh 😏😏😏

[kingandqueenofillea]

“The first day of school started with a funeral. This was not, of course, the usual for the Grimrose Academie for elite students, whose student body mostly went on to command conglomerates or win Academy Awards, Nobel Prizes, and other such trifles and lived to their eighties.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

📕: The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl

⚠️: CW suicide, parental abuse, parental death, chronic pain, anxiety, ocd, light gore

I absolutely loved this book. It was just the kind of book that brought be back to being a young teen who devoured boarding school mysteries. I still love a good mystery but I could tell this was something middle/high school me would have loved.

The book follows three friends and their new roommate as the grieve the loss of their friend Ari. Some of the girls are not convinced Ari died by her own hand like the authorities are saying and decide to investigate. They end up in way deeper than they ever imagined in a world of violence, secrets and... magic?

I love the representation present in this book. While it may come off to some as a "how many diversity points can I win?" it includes diverse characters in a way that feels real and relevant. There are characters of different races, body sizes, orientations, experiences... I can't even list them all, but know that this is a book you can connect to. I'm excited for the next book and hope we get to dive in deeper to these characters' experiences with loss, pain, and love.

I also loved being able to piece together the story as I read. Each character is related to a fairy tale and it was so fun to try to figure out the clues (even if I did fall into the trap and get one wrong...).

Overall, this is a story about friendship and fate. Is our fate written in the stars or a future we get to make?

#️⃣ #thegrimmrosegirls @onlybylaura

#yamystery #yafantasy #darkacademia #boardingschoolmystery #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrec #yabooks #yabookstagram #yafiction

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[icouldntfinditsoiwroteit]

The remarried Empress and the adopted child. Part 4

"Is everything alright with lady Rashta?" The man turned around immediately while almost dropping his papers.

"Your majesty, I'm sorry, I hadn't seen you there," He bowed numerous times.

"You seem a bit on edge Alius," (F/N) gave an amused smile.

"Well, you just came out of nowhere so I have the right to be scared, not only that but with what Lady Rashta di-" Alius covered his mouth as he had said something he shouldn't.

"Is lady Rashta alright?"

"Y-yes, it's nothing, ju-just, um...."Alius avoided eye contact and began to back away as (F/N) followed him not letting him get away.

"Alius, what did Lady Rashta do?"

"She, well, she may have go-gone to, the Empress's chamber and......"

"And?" (F/N) had him completely cornered to the wall.

"May ha-have told her that they were sisters because they had the same husband!" Alius said everything so fast that (F/N) almost didn't catch it.

"What," (F/N) was in shock, who in their right mind would do that??

"Princess?" The voice of Alius brought her back to earth and she noticed his red face.

"Oh, right, I apologize I was a bit intense," She stepped back and Alius took a deep breath.

"Please don't do that, your glare is terrifying," He said and (F/N) smiled.

"Now now Alius, you didn't think I would do anything to you right?"

"Your my friend Alius," (F/N) reassured.

"Even then, the glare of any royal family member is terrifying!" Alius pouted.

"So why is it that you came here?"

"I doubt it was only to ask about Lady Rashta,"

"Right, I brought you these," (F/N) handed over a small bag that when Alius opened it revealed some still warm pastries that he loved.

"Are this??" Alius's face brightened up.

"THE pastries?"

"Yup," (F/N) looked proud.

"Thank you," Alius immediately ate one.

"A way of thanking you for helping Lady Laura while she was in the tower," (F/N) whispered.

"But I guess it can also help you relax," Alius gave her a perplexed look.

"I can't imagine teaching Lady Rashta is an easy job," She whispered once more, knowing that her father should not hear of her talking like this.

"I have to admit she has very little knowledge if any but-"

"Wait," (F/N) hushed him this made the sound of steps getting closer to them, more evident.

"We need to hide," (F/N) pulled him towards a statue near them.

"What why?" Alius whispered.

(F/N) didn't answer him, instead, she pushed him behind the statue and followed suit, thanks to the decorative veils around it, they would be well hidden.

The steps got nearer by the second and when they were basically on top of them, they held their breath as the Emperor passed past them.

"Why are we hiding from the Emperor??!"

"He's been burying me in work since he brought Rashta to the palace, so I shouldn't be here," (F/N) explained as she looked towards the corridor.

"How are you here then?" Alius asked as he looked away to avoid eye contact when (F/N) turned to look at him.

"He may be resourceful but I am unstoppable," She smiled cockily.

"You just sneaked out didn't you," Alius deadpanned.

"If I'm not there to get the work then I technically don't have it," (F/N) smiled broadly.

"Sometimes I truly worry about the future of the kingdom," Alius shook his head.

"C'mon, we can't stay here for long," (F/N) pulled Alius once again this time towards the gardens.

"Are you excited about the new year's ceremony?" Alius asked.

"Not really, I guess it will be fun to see some friends again but it's, all the same, every year," (F/N) answered vacantly.

"I doubt this year will be anything different except for my father's new mistress and that will only cause filthy gossip," She huffed in annoyance and dread.

"But haven't you heard, The Grand Duke Kaufman has been invited, maybe that will be interesting," Alius offered.

"I haven't heard anything, maybe you're right....."

"But if it all turns out to be as boring and tedious as I predict I'll ditch,"

"Your highness, unlike the previous years it will be harder for you to not be missed at the ceremony," Alius reminded.

"But we always stargaze in those nights, it's tradition," (F/N) pouted and Alius just smiled fondly.

"What tradition?" A voice asked from behind them and when they turned around they saw the Emperor.

"Your majesty," Alius bowed immediately.

"Emperor," (F/N) bowed thought a bit slower.

"You should be doing your duties," Sovieshu reprimanded.

"I had the impression that I only had to research a few events,"

"I have added a few more things that you need to know the ceremony,"

"Of course, I will be on my way," She then made the move to walk away but the emperor stopped her.

"I shall be escorting you," He said before turning to Alius.

"You are dismissed," Alius almost bolted from the place not wanting to get in the middle of that but before he left (F/N)'s sight he turned around and mouthed.

"Good luck," (F/N) knew she would need it as her father extended his arm for her to take it, she did so trying to seem as capable as possible.

They walked like this for a while, in one of the most uncomfortable and tense silences (F/N) has felt.

"I believe I never truly answered your question," The emperor broke the silence.

"What do you mean?" (F/N) tried to remember what he was referring to.

"The day when I brought Rashta, you came to my office that night,"

*Please, I don't want to talk about this,* She thought hopelessly as her chest tightened.

"And you told me that you wanted to know what to expect for the future,"

"If this is about you taking Lady Rashta as a mistress, I have no reason to oppose you," She tried to escape that subject, it was everything she didn't want to talk about.

"It is something alongside those lines,"

"I will be taking her as my mistress before the ceremony but I would like to hear your thoughts about this," (F/N) looked at him with wide eyes.

"I......well, I don't believe I should have a say in your actions I am only the child you took in from the village," (F/N) looked away but the emperor stopped them immediately and held her shoulders to have her looking at him directly.

"Who has told you this kind of thing?!" He looked genuinely distressed.

"You are my daughter, no matter where you come from and I will always hold your word above all,"

"Then.....why?" Her voice broke as tears threatened to come out, the Emperor's face became shocked.

"Why do you want a mistress if I am your daughter,"

"What?"

"The reason why Emperors take mistresses is to have sons when their wives can't bear one, so....." Tears began to fall down.

"If you truly saw me as your-" A small sob broke out of her mouth before the Emperor hugged her tightly.

"My beautiful daughter, I love you so much, you couldn't imagine," He reassured her as she let her tears fall down, she stopped hearing his words and just melted in the embrace.