#so it'll be a little bit longer than pictured anyway

[applejarjar]

I am SO EXCITED FOR THIS PROJECT

this thing is gonna kick absolute ass

all this time painstakingly working with my least favorite ring size is really gonna pay off I think!

I'll have to pivot ever so slightly because of the pins I just got in the mail, but overall it looks exactly how I was hoping it would :D

[joelscruff]

is it that sweet? (joel miller x f!reader) 18+

masterlist | a/n i've had no motivation to write lately but this randomly popped into my head the other day and suddenly my brain was like okay let's roll!! let's do this!! let's jump in!! so idk what that says about the current state of my subconscious. anyway this is filth! pls read the warnings! love u. summary: you probably shouldn't let some random middle aged man on the beach take nude photos of you, right? right? rating: 18+ explicit warnings: pervy!joel, age gap, voyeurism, coercion, objectification, sneaky picture taking, nude photos, paying for sexual favors, dirty talk, praise kink, pussy pronouns up the fuckin wazoo, oral (f receiving), nipple sucking, unprotected p in v sex, standing sex, creampie word count: 8.4k ao3 dividers by @saradika-graphics 🤍

He's been watching you for about an hour. You'd sussed him out almost immediately after settling onto your beach towel and digging into your bag for your sunscreen, mildly aware of the shape of him in your peripheral vision. He's old, definitely in his late fifties, but certainly not the most unattractive man who could be eyeing you. You're used to it by now anyway, almost feed into the way men seem to gawk at you sometimes now that you've finally thrown caution to the wind and stopped giving a fuck about your beach body. You used to be self conscious about your curves, your tummy, your thighs - you decided this summer that it had to stop.

And you're glad you did. Because now he's staring at you, this unnamed, completely anonymous middle aged man only a few feet away. And it feels fucking good.

Should it feel good? Probably not. Should you tell him to buzz off and leave you alone? Take a picture, it'll last longer, something like that? Probably. But will you? No.

You like feeling his eyes on you.

Older men like you, you've noticed. They stare. They stare more than men your own age - boys, really. Twenty somethings who try to play it cool and more often than not come across as disinterested in their interest. They're cowardly, obnoxious. And you suppose some older ones are too, especially the ones with wives - they want you to be impressed by them, ooh and awe over their high paying jobs and big mansions, their fancy cars that they think make up for their tiny dicks.

But every now and then you'll come across one like this. You can read him like a book, peering at him from over your sunglasses every so often as he lounges behind a vibrant blue umbrella. His eyes caress your bare shoulders and chest, your exposed stomach, your soft thighs. They linger on the places they shouldn't and it makes you tingle. He's appreciating what he sees, basking in it, taking his time.

You could be content just lying here and letting him look. He is handsome after all, greying curls and soft scruff flecked with white, golden skin that almost glows underneath the sun. His legs stretch out over his own towel, long and lean and strong. He's got a soft looking belly, hanging out a little bit over his trunks, and now your eyes linger for a little longer than they should.

But you won't say anything. If he wants to talk to you, he has every opportunity to. You're not going anywhere for at least another hour, not until the sun starts setting and it's time to head back to your friend's vacation home. You've only been in California for a short period of time, but it's like it's somehow molded you into a different person - a more confident, sexier version of yourself that's been dying to get out for years. A version of you who lets this old man stare and get his fill as you smirk and turn over on your towel, arching your ass up into the air.

Oh, he likes that. You can tell because of the way his jaw clenches, neck tightening as his eyes fall to the globes of your cheeks. With a barely there smirk, you arch a little more, stretching and flexing and letting him take in the way your bikini bottoms barely contain them. Your breasts hang low onto your towel, practically overflowing from their own containment, and you have to admit - you're getting a little wet posing for him like this.

He licks his lips, eyes flickering downward again to something closer to him, something in his hand. You crane your neck a little bit to peer around the blue umbrella, and your breath hitches.

He's taking pictures of you.

It's obvious now, should have been obvious this whole time, really. Only one of his hands has really been visible, the other settled low against his side behind the umbrella. Now you can see that he's got his phone angled toward you, the camera peeking slyly out from behind the blue nylon as he repeatedly taps his screen with his thumb. To test him a little further, make sure you're really seeing what you think you're seeing, you push down into the sand with your hands and rise up a little bit on the towel, almost into a lazy downward facing dog. Your tits jiggle below you, threatening to escape, and out of the corner of your eye you watch as the man adjusts the camera to get a better angle. His thumb and forefinger glide across the screen, undeniably - and unashamedly - zooming in.

You're definitely wet now. You know you shouldn't be. You know this has probably gone too far and you should get up and leave, potentially tell someone about the creep on the beach taking photos of women in bikinis.

Instead, you make eye contact with him, settling back down onto your towel with your ass still perched a little in the air. He seems to freeze, eyebrows going up in the realization that he's been caught. In response, you blink slowly at him, pout a little bit as if to say, Really? You arch your back a little more and shimmy your hips, tilting your head as you continue to gaze over at him, eyes going a little hooded.

Come fuck me, you're almost saying, even though you know there's no way in hell you're gonna let him. It's just funny to watch him squirm, phone gripped tight in his hand as his adam's apple bobs in his throat. You arch a little more and then grind your hips into your towel, flattening yourself against it, holding his gaze. You rest your head and smile at him teasingly.

He's getting up and shuffling toward you in no time at all.

"Hi, darlin'," are the first words out of his mouth when he reaches you, and you certainly did not expect a Southern accent to fall from those plush lips. He's gorgeous really, now that you can see him up close - wide shoulders and big arms that strain against his white shirt, strong chest covered in little freckles, chocolate brown eyes that shimmer in the sunlight.

"Hi," you say with a smile, blinking up at him.

"I'm sure you saw what I was doin'," he seems a little embarrassed, voice apologetic as he scratches the back of his neck, "I know I shoulda asked, but you seemed so relaxed, I didn't wanna disturb you."

Bullshit, you only came over because I smiled at you. Any other reaction and you'd have run for the hills.

"I'm Joel," he reaches his hand down for you to take. For some reason, you shake it without hesitation. "I'm actually a photographer, believe it or not."

Huh. You raise an eyebrow at the words, doubt immediately swimming in your mind as you assess him.

"If you're a photographer, where's your camera?"

He chuckles, "Back at my hotel. I just came out here to relax, wasn't plannin' on takin' any photos. But then I saw you, and, well..." he smiles at you sheepishly, "You're just so pretty, darlin'. Never seen somebody like you before."

The words are not special. They're nothing you haven't already heard, nothing he hasn't probably already used on countless other women. And yet... you smile back at him, cheeks warming a little at the way the compliment sounds coming out of his mouth in particular, all Southern and sweet. "Thank you."

His eyes suddenly leave yours to flicker back toward your body again, scanning the length of you. As if on instinct, almost to show off, you tighten the muscles in your ass cheeks and then release, letting them jiggle a little bit under your swimsuit. He swallows tightly.

"Would you be interested in posin' for me, sweetheart? There's a little spot down the beach, outta sight. Still public though, of course. I wouldn't ask you to go anywhere unsafe," his eyes linger on your ass for a few more seconds before he's meeting your gaze again, soft and sincere, "I'd love to get some pictures of you in that bikini, and some with it off too, if you're comfortable with that."

Oh, he's fucking brave. You can feel disgust brewing in the pit of your stomach, a scowl beginning to dawn on your face. This is where you should draw the line. This is where you should get up and leave, tell him to go to hell, tell him he's a pervert and-

"I'll pay whatever you think is fair," he continues, "How's three hundred as a starting point?"

On second thought...

"Beautiful, baby," he's telling you softly, "You're so pretty like that."

You hum in contentment, laying in the sand with a little smile tugging at your lips as Joel maneuvers around you with his phone, snapping pic after pic as you peer up at him through rays of sun. You're a little ways down the beach now, in a sparser area behind some rocks. He was right about it still being public - if something happened, you know you could raise your voice the tiniest bit and be heard immediately by people on the other side. Somehow though, despite his forwardness and slightly perverted habits, you trust that he isn't going to force anything on you.

You've already got three hundred dollars in your purse. He'd given it to you before you'd even gotten up from your initial spot on the beach, placed it in your hand with a grin as your eyes widened. You suppose you could've taken the money and run, but part of you wanted to play it out, test the limits, see what else he'd pay you for.

Which leads you here, laying sensually in the sand with the strings of your bikini dangling a little looser off your shoulders and hips, a little careless, a little more teasing. The poses so far have been pretty basic, and you've tried your best to emulate what you think a supermodel on the cover of Sports Illustrated would do. Based on Joel's responses - excited nods and gentle praises - you think you're doing a good job.

"Turn over now," he tells you with a playful grin, "Put that cute little ass in the air again for me."

It should be demeaning, the way he's talking to you. There's a lot about this situation that should be wrong, and yet you can't help but feel pride swell in your chest at his directions, his compliments. You do what he says, flipping over to dig your hands into the sand and arch your back, turning your head to eye the camera directly with a sultry little smile on your face.

"Perfect," he's murmuring, thumb tapping the screen like his life depends on it, "That's so perfect, honey." You listen to the fake little shutter sounds the phone makes, still wondering if he's even really a photographer. Would it even matter? Wouldn't you have still let him do this anyway?

With this new angle you can feel the loose strands of your bikini top starting to slip, unraveling at the back and trickling gently against your sides. You watch with what should be a worrying lack of urgency as it cascades down onto the sand below, leaving you topless.

He whistles low under his breath, "Well, would you look at that. The girls are out."

"That's an extra fifty," you say with a coy eyebrow raise, "Or else I cover them back up."

"Extra fifty, no problem" Joel echoes, "Can you shake your ass for me again, darlin'?"

You nod, tilting your head and peering back at him as you tighten and release your muscles with a giggle, basking in the way he stares at it, like it's a five course meal he's about to devour. You do it a few more times, arching your back a little more and spreading your thighs slightly to allow for more recoil, more jiggle. He makes an odd sound in the back of his throat and you grin.

"How much to take these off too?" he lowers the phone and peers at you with pleading eyes, brown and soft, "Huh? How much extra to show me this lil' peach, honey?"

You grimace, looking down at the sand and trying to calculate an appropriate cost in your brain. You bite your lip, "You know that's not the only thing that'll show."

"I know," he murmurs, eyes trailing downward again to eye your ass, still perched high and plump, "Your peach and your pussy then, how much?"

Fuck.

"I won't touch you," he promises softly, "You can just tug it down and show her to me, lemme see her up close, yeah?"

Her?

Her.

"Christ," you mumble under your breath. He's filthier than you thought, and not in a bad way - in a fucking hot way. "Another fifty," you decide, voice firm, "And... and I wanna see you put the money in my purse first. And no touching my... her."

"I can do that, sweetheart," he's already digging into his wallet and yanking out the money, opening your bag slightly to place it inside. It could be counterfeit for all you know; this whole thing really might be a completely worthless venture, and yet -

He watches as you reach backward to untie the strings of your bikini bottoms, doing it in one fell swoop and then spreading your thighs again, knees digging into the sand. You arch and press your face against your towel, feeling goosebumps rise all over your skin at the knowledge that he's staring at where you're now completely bare.

You hear him groan, a rough little sound that goes straight to your core, and a few little shutter sounds go off, "Now, that's a pretty little pussy you got there, baby."

Heat rises throughout your body, up through your chest and to your cheeks. You turn a little to look at him shyly, lashes fluttering when you see where his gaze has settled.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, honey, she's so pretty," he breathes, "She's all wet. Leakin' for me, you see that?"

You can't see it of course, but you can feel it; feel the way you're dripping, knowing that he can see it, has a 1:1 view of the way you throb and drool for him. This random old man who about twenty minutes ago you'd never spoken to in your life.

"And your little clit is sayin' hi to me too, babygirl, can see her pokin' out." Fuck. You squirm a little in place as his camera continues to go off, legs spreading a little more unconsciously as you tilt your head downwards and close your eyes. Your clit twitches under his stare.

"Swollen little thing," he breathes, barely loud enough to hear, "Perfect pussy."

Jesus Christ.

"Roll over for me again, sweetheart," you hear him say quietly, "Show me all those pretty parts."

You don't know why, but you whine a little at his words. It's subconscious, a burning desire you can't describe as you slowly flip over and lazily lay back on your towel to show him your entire naked body. He stands over you with his brow furrowed in a gentle kind of way, eyes appraising you up and down like you're some kind of goddess. And fuck, he's kind of making you feel like one.

"Legs open a little bit, baby, that's it." You obey, spreading your legs and looking up at him with lidded eyes, lips parting a little. You bring your arms up to rest behind your head and he takes note of the way your tits bounce for him, shivering back and forth beneath his gaze. "You're perfect," he murmurs, "You're absolutely perfect."

"Stop," you say, unable to stop a grin from spreading across your face, "M'not perfect."

"But you are, darlin'," he shakes his head, eyes full of wonder as he kneels down to get some closer pictures. You watch as he brings his phone down directly in front of your pussy, snaps a few close-ups of your puffy lips and swollen clit. "I'd love to kiss her, honey, if you'd let me."

"N-no," you say quickly, though your voice cracks, "No touching."

"I'll pay you extra," his eyes return to yours, locking your gazes, "You name it, baby. I'll pay anything to taste how sweet you are down here."

You look at him calculatingly, tilting your head. Anything?

"Two hundred," you practically whisper, "In the bag."

You're half expecting him to tell you that he's run out of money, that he couldn't possibly give you any more than the four hundred he's already blown on this. But he surprises you, reaching back into his pocket to grab his wallet and tug out the bills. It's like he has an endless supply, and you're beginning to wonder if maybe this is a hobby of his, something he prepares for, carries money around to be ready to spend on women like you. Maybe he's rich rich, has unlimited money to throw away, and this is just his weird perverted thing he does on the side of something else.

Maybe you should have asked for more.

But he's already kneeling back down into the sand and you're already opening your legs wider for him, allowing him to settle between them and lean his head forward to place his lips gently against your pussy. You watch with heavy lids as he kisses you so softly there, his mouth tender and inviting and deliciously scratchy from his scruff. Without really thinking about it, you reach down and run a hand through his curls, smiling a little fondly as he kisses you again, and again, and again.

"That feels nice," you breathe, watching as he continues to press incredibly slow and gentle kisses to your cunt in an almost respectful way, a reverent way.

"Good," he murmurs, lips vibrating against your core, "Want it to feel nice for you, baby."

You let out a soft moan the second his tongue breaches your folds, wet and warm. You watch as he closes his eyes and seems to get lost in it, tasting your pussy like it - or she, as he'd said - is some rare delicacy he's never indulged in before. He trails the tip of his tongue through the mess you've made, maneuvering your puffy lips and flicking it against your clit. Your hips buck and another moan slips out, quiet and pitiful.

"That's it," he murmurs against you with a little half smile, "So sweet for me, honey." He dives back in immediately and slowly plunges his tongue inside your entrance, fucking into you a few times before carefully pulling back and opening his eyes to peer up at you again. God, those brown eyes are fucking sinful. He gives you one more smile and then reaches down to grab his phone.

"Gonna get some more pics of this messy girl, okay?" he breathes, and you're a little startled when his left hand is suddenly coming down to touch you there, two fingers carefully scissoring you open. You don't say anything, too horny to protest, too intrigued to see what he's going to do. "Gotta open her up a little," he tells you softly, answering your unspoken question, "Wanna take a little peek at what she's hidin' inside her, baby."

A little whimper falls from your throat again as his fingers scissor you wider, holding you open and baring your hole to his camera. You can feel your walls twitching and pulsing, contracting and leaking; you can only imagine what it looks like. Your eyes roll a little when his middle finger taps your clit, another gush of arousal flooding past your opening.

"Look at this lil' hole, huh?" he's murmuring, but your eyes are closing and your head is falling back onto the towel as he plays with you, "Oh, she's alllll messy for me down here, baby. And it's no wonder your clit came out to see me, she loves gettin' played with, don't she?"

Christ, he knows how to talk. His words send another helpless little sound past your lips, thighs trembling as he slowly caresses your clit with his finger, pressing down on it with just the right amount of pressure.

"Aw, you're all sticky here again, baby," he whispers and you whine, feeling your juices dribble down toward your ass, "Shh, I'll take care of it," and then he's leaning back in to lap at your folds, a little faster this time, more desperate, "Tastes so good, pretty girl. So sweet."

He suckles your clit into his mouth and you let out a breathless moan, brow furrowing as he suctions the swollen nub and lets one of his fingers fall to slip inside your entrance. You're so close you can feel it, coiled inside and ready to snap at any moment, his thick index plugging you deliciously as his tongue swirls. You tighten around it, thighs squeezing a little around his head, and then-

He's pulling away, removing his mouth and finger. Your eyes flutter open and you watch as he stands up with a little groan, older age apparent in the way he clutches at his back and exhales once he's upright. You want to tell him to get back down here, finish what he started, but part of you feels like it'd almost be letting him win, somehow. This perverted creep on a public beach that's somehow managed to lure you away and get you naked, take photos of your body and eat your pussy. He doesn't deserve to have you beg for him - even if you want to.

"Can you stand up for me now, honey?" he tilts his head, squinting against the sun and smiling like he didn't just ruin your orgasm.

On shaky legs, you manage to pull yourself up from the sand and stand before him in all your naked glory, legs crossing a little as you squeeze your thighs together. He smirks but doesn't say anything about it, instead angling his phone toward you again and snapping some full length photos. You immediately do your best to go back into Sports Illustrated mode, posing a little and trying to ignore the ache between your legs, the relentless throb of where his mouth just was.

"Squeeze your tits together for me," he tells you, voice a bit deeper, rougher, full of arousal, "Cup 'em a little, show me those cute lil' nipples."

You do as he says, biting your lip and showing the camera exactly what he wants to see. Your nipples are peaked and hard, begging to be teased and tugged, but you refuse to do it yourself - you're not giving him the satisfaction, not after what he just pulled. He takes a few up-close pictures, camera so close to them that you shiver with sensitivity, the smallest bit of air from his movements causing them to tighten even more.

"Those are so beautiful, baby," he murmurs softly, gaze trailing upwards to meet yours, "Can I give 'em a kiss too?" God, his eyes are so fucking soft and sincere, like fucking boba pearls. You wonder if anyone's ever been able to say no to him.

You swallow, keeping eye contact, "For another fifty, sure."

He chuckles at that, "You drive a hard bargain, darlin'."

"I know what I'm worth."

He smiles, nodding slowly, "That, you do." He pulls out his wallet and slips another bill into your bag, then shuffles toward you again. You try to keep your breathing calm when one of his hands comes up to cradle your bare back, pulls you in a little bit as he lowers his mouth to your right nipple. With hazy eyes, you watch as he presses the softest little kiss to it, then does the same to the left.

Part of you wants to pull back and say that's it, that's all you get, just to see what he does, give him a taste of his own medicine. But then he's wrapping his lips around the pebbled bud and suckling, your eyes going glassy, jaw dropping a little as your hands come up to hold his shoulders. Your pussy throbs at the sensation, thighs rubbing together again as he suctions just the right amount and swirls his tongue all over the hard peak. It's impossible not to let a quiet moan fall past your lips, something he returns with a little mmhmm around your nipple, a wordless I know.

It feels so good that you feel your guard going down even more than it already has, feel your head falling forward to rest against his. His greying hair is so soft, so warm from the sun. You blink slowly and inhale, cheek smooshing into his temple as he sucks and sucks and sucks, then turns his attention to the other one. Little whimpers are tumbling past your lips, your hands squeezing and caressing his shoulders as you feel yourself starting to drip down your inner thighs.

It's so fucking intimate, much more intimate than you anticipated. And when he finally pulls away and comes back up to peer into your eyes again, leaving your nipples puffy and a little sore, you betray yourself by leaning forward to kiss him softly, tugging his bottom lip into your mouth and returning the favor with a little suckle. You feel him smile against you, the hand on your back tightening as he brings his other one up to tangle in your hair. His lips are plush and wet - a little chapped from what he's just done to your nipples - and he tastes like pussy.

It's fucking heavenly.

"I wanna show you somethin', babygirl," he murmurs against you after a moment, and you nod a little too quickly, a little pathetically. You're starting to realize that you're losing the battle here, if there ever even was one.

He pulls back a little, eyes still soft. You watch as he reaches down to his swim trunks and unties them, heart suddenly in your throat as he slips his hand inside and comes out with an absolutely beautiful dick. It's long and thick, rounded and full at the tip with an extremely suckable looking mushroom head, as well as a prominent vein trailing up his shaft that makes your mouth water. You both stare at it for a few seconds without speaking, your lips parting but no words coming to mind.

"You wanna take some pictures with my cock, honey?" he asks you quietly, and you think he's probably looking at your face now, watching your expression, but you're still just staring at his dick.

"W-what?"

"Just a few, like...well..." he shuffles forward a bit and very gently presses the warmth of his cock against your bare stomach, letting the tip sit just above your belly button, "Like this."

Your brain is blank.

"That okay?"

His cock is so heavy.

"Darlin'?"

And warm.

He pushes some of your hair behind your ear, cradles your face in his big hand, "I know, honey," he murmurs, "You just gotta say okay."

Okay?

"O-okay," you finally whisper.

"Yeah?"

Yeah. You think it but don't say it, can't say it. You feel beyond overwhelmed, eyes still glued to where his throbbing tip is smooshed into your belly. You can't stop looking at it, ogling it, awed by its impressiveness and girth, the way it leaks a little onto your skin. You've never seen a dick this pretty before. You almost forget that you're standing there without any clothes on, barely aware of the shutter sound as he snaps multiple pictures on his phone.

"Good girl," he murmurs softly, "That's a good girl, just look at it."

Every few seconds he repositions a little, pulling you in closer to capture the way his cock stands at attention between your bodies. Precum gurgles from the tip and makes a sticky mess in his happy trail, dribbling down onto your skin. Without thinking about it at all, completely unaware of even doing it, your arms are suddenly around his waist, holding him close with your gaze still locked onto his cock.

"Yeah, that's for you, baby," he tells you softly, grinding his hips a little bit against yours and essentially fucking his cock against your stomach, "You did that to me."

It's only when he suddenly takes a small step back, holds the base and angles it downward to gently prod the sticky head against your pussy lips, that you finally come to your senses.

"Wait," you gasp out, yanking yourself back from him and shaking your head, "W-wait a second."

"M'sorry," he says quickly, brow furrowing as he puts his hands up. His cock hangs from his trunks almost comically, bobbing up and down as he takes a step back, "Shoulda asked first."

"Y-yeah, you should've," your voice cracks, heat flooding your face, "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me just then, that was too far." Why the fuck are you apologizing to him?

"S'not too far," his words are gentle, alluring, "We're just havin' fun, aren't we honey? You were havin' fun, got lost in it. It's okay."

You take a breath, staring at him as you try to get your bearings. Were you having fun? Is this fun? What the fuck are you even doing right now? Your thoughts are cloudy, hazed with arousal and attraction to this complete stranger in front of you. Are you really gonna let this continue? Is it really worth it? Your gaze falls back to his cock and the question is almost answered for you.

"What am I doing?" you ask aloud, a breathless little laugh escaping your lips.

"You're just havin' fun with a new friend, s'all it is."

You raise an eyebrow at him, trying to ignore the way your hands tremble, "Is that what you are? My friend?"

"I'll be anything you want me to be, darlin'," his mouth turns up at the corners, eyes sparkling, "I sure would like to be your friend."

He peers at you for a moment, waiting for you to speak. Your mouth opens a few times but no words come out, your thoughts scrambled as you try to make heads or tails of this situation. You're suddenly painfully aware of the fact that you're still completely naked, and you quickly peek your head over the rock formation to make sure there's nobody nearby - there isn't.

Why are you checking?

"C'mere," Joel finally says, and you turn back to look at him with your lip between your teeth. He's standing there with his arms open a bit, cock still heavy between his legs. By all accounts, a fucking perv. And yet...

And yet.

Fuck it.

You're back in his embrace in no time, hooking your head over his shoulder and allowing his cock to press warmly into your skin again. You close your eyes and sigh as he brings one of his hands downward to squeeze your ass.

You know what he's going to ask before he even says it.

"Can I put it inside you, darlin'?" he murmurs softly, pleadingly, "Just to get a pic of your pussy all full?"

You don't say anything.

"Won't take more than a minute," he urges, "I promise, baby. Just wanna see it stretched around my cock. Don't you wanna see that, pretty girl? I'll pay extra, whatever you want."

More silence.

"I know you wanna see it," he's relentless, his other hand coming down to squeeze your other cheek and pull you impossibly closer, "You wanna feel that, don't you, baby? Big cock fillin' you up before you go?" His middle finger slides between your cheeks and settles at your pussy, slowly teasing your entrance, "Don't gotta do anything at all, just gotta stand here, we'll do it standin' honey."

"Standing?" you ask softly, pulling back to look at him with intrigue, and your response suddenly has him grinning from ear to ear as he slowly inserts his finger. You shiver, eyes fluttering closed as he fills you with it.

"Standin'," he repeats, "Just like this, baby, don't gotta do anything 'cept open your legs a little for me. You can do that, can't you?" The hand on your ass comes up to hold your chin; he pinches it gently between his finger and thumb and gives you another soft look as he starts to fuck you in earnest, "I know you can, 'cause you're a good girl, yeah?"

"Y-yeah," you breathe, arms tightening around his body.

"Yeah," he adds a second finger, smile faltering into a sympathetic pout when you let out another soft moan, "And you want that cock, don't you? I can see it all over your face, honey. Don't gotta pretend."

"I do," you whisper with a nod, swallowing thickly and trembling in his arms, "I want it, I do."

"So..." he's waiting for you to say the words, to tell him to go ahead and put it in, do what he wants, let him take control. His fingers are relentless inside of you now, plunging in and out at a speed you know he's purposely using to distract you, cloud your decision making.

Which is why his eyebrows go up in surprise when you're suddenly reaching down to grab tightly to his wrist, yanking his fingers out of your pussy in one swift pull.

"Three hundred," you state, "Take it or leave it."

To your surprise, his face alights with a gigantic smile, a deep laugh tumbling past his lips as he nods and digs his hand into his pocket, seeking his wallet one more time, "Yes, m'aam," he grins, "I'll take it."

You've never had sex standing up before. Not like this, face to face and completely upright with your feet planted on the ground. It's a little awkward at first, Joel having to crouch a little to align his hips with yours, one hand gripping your waist while the other grips his phone. God, this fucking phone. You're pretty sure you'll never wanna see a phone case with this ugly shade of cerulean blue again, let alone hear those obnoxious shutter sounds.

Your annoyance is quickly overpowered by the sensation of the warm head of Joel's cock pressing gently to your pussy. You look down to watch, lip between your teeth again as Joel snaps image after image of the way his tip crowds your outer lips, pushes them apart. You have to admit, it's certainly a sight to behold.

"Yeah, look at her open for me, baby," he's murmuring, thumbing the base as he slowly rubs his cockhead back and forth through your folds, "Bloomin' like a little flower."

The top of your head rests against his shoulder, face angled down to watch what he's doing. A tiny whimper falls from your lips when he very slowly eases the head of his cock inside of you, the stretch barely noticeable with how wet you are. He releases your hip to reach down and open your pussy lips with his thumb and forefinger, exposing where you're joined.

"Tell her to smile for the camera, babygirl," he whispers, and while part of you wants to roll your eyes, another part can't help but feel a gush of arousal at his words, soaking his cock even more, "Good, that's good."

He feeds his cock to you slowly, making sure to take as many pictures as he can. Little whines and squeaks erupt from your throat and your hands claw at his back, fingers tangling in the white crocheted material as he fills you up. It's only when he's fully sheathed inside of you that he suddenly tugs his trunks down a little more to expose his balls, heavy and round and full. You stare at them with a longing in your eyes you can't describe, lower lip trembling as you watch them bounce and settle against where you're joined.

"There you go," he murmurs, snapping one last picture before tossing his phone into the sand and bringing his hands up to cradle your back, pulling you close, "All done, baby, that's it."

Your toes curl in the sand as you embrace the feeling of being so full of him, his tip pulsing delicately inside the deepest parts of you. A distant thought in your brain wonders why he just threw his phone on the ground, but it doesn't seem to matter when you feel like this, so full and wet and warm, lost in a hazy glow. You bury your face in his shoulder, letting out quiet little whimpers as he pulls you in tighter. He presses a gentle kiss to the top of your head, seemingly reveling in the moment too as you stand there listening to the ocean waves, impaled on a stranger's cock.

"How's that feel, honey?" he asks you softly, thumbs tracing shapes along your bare back, "Hm? Feel good?" You don't answer, just nuzzle your face against his skin and let out another soft whine, hands clamoring underneath his shirt to grip his back. He chuckles, "Yeah, I know, baby."

You both stand there for what feels like forever, until you finally have enough sense to pull away from his shoulder and get a look at his face. He's watching you fondly, brow furrowed, eyes still incredibly soft and inviting. He really is gorgeous. Pervy, but gorgeous.

"You dropped your phone," you mumble, words faint and slightly slurred.

"Don't need it anymore," he murmurs, "Got my pictures."

"Then why are you still inside me?" you ask softly, eyelashes fluttering, "If you're done?"

He shrugs, smiling, "'Cause it feels good, don't it?"

You stare at him for a few seconds but end up nodding regardless, turning your face a little to peer over at the ocean, "It does," you admit, "Feels really good."

"Mmhmm," he kisses the top of your head again, then your temple, stroking his fingers through your hair. The way he touches you is reverent, delicate, like you're something fragile he needs to keep safe. It's not what you'd expected, that's for sure. But something you're not as sure about is what happens now, where you both go from here.

It doesn't take long for him to decide.

You feel his thumb on your clit, drawing your attention away from the ocean and back to his presence. You peer at him through bleary eyes, a dazed little smile curving your lips as he carefully rotates the swollen nub. His belly caresses yours, warm and soft, and you smile even wider.

"Feel good?" he asks you again - tender, kind.

"Yeah," you whisper.

The hand on your back comes up to cradle your hair, pulling you in close again and allowing you to rest your head against his smooth chest. You moan as his thumb picks up speed, the sound muffled by his tan skin.

"You want me to make you come, honey?" he murmurs, fingers brushing carefully through your hair, "You wanna come all over that big cock inside you?"

"Yeah," you repeat, a little broken this time, "W-wanna come."

"You've been so fuckin' good for me, you know that?" he breathes, barely a whisper, brow furrowed as he continues to rub your clit, "Posin' all pretty, showin' me that soft little pussy, lettin' me taste her," he gives a low whistle, shaking his head, "And now she's all full, huh? She full?"

You nod, eyes rolling a little, "Y-yeah." Apparently yeah is currently one of the only words in your vocabulary.

"She all messy for me?"

Again, you nod, expression blissful as you let out a moan, "Yes, Joel," you whimper, and you're pretty sure it's the first time you've said his name this whole time. It's like you've been trying to be disconnected from it, from him, and now suddenly he's everywhere; inside you, in front of you, above you - there's no escaping him. And you don't want to escape - what you want is him. Badly. Desperately.

He seems to realize this at the exact same time you do, the moment he hears his name fall from your lips. Which is why you're not surprised in the slightest by his next words.

"What if I wanted a pic of my cum leakin' outta this little pussy?" he whispers, mouth suddenly directly next to your ear, sending insane amounts of pleasurable tingles throughout your whole body, "Huh? How much would that cost? Tell me."

"You can't," you mumble, lightheaded, but you're lying to yourself, completely lost in the pleasure he's giving you, the movement of his thumb and the girth of his cock.

"Only take a few seconds, honey, m'already close," as he speaks, you feel his hips slowly begin to buck, cock pulling from you for only a moment before easing back in, making you shudder, "You don't gotta do nothin', 'cept show me how she drools when she's full. You can do that, can't you baby?"

"Joel," you whine again, eyes shut tight as you dig your toes into the sand, holding tight to his back as he slowly starts to fuck up into you. He's so big, so thick, plugging you full and then leaving you again, slow and warm. You can only imagine how it would feel to have him burst inside of you, to fill you to the brim.

"I wanna see her drool, honey," he murmurs, voice desperate again, full of arousal, "Wanna see her push it out."

"Fuck," you moan, high and whiney as you suddenly grip both sides of his face in your hands to peer directly into his eyes, "A thousand," you whimper, your hands clawing at his scruff as his hips pick up speed, as his hands fall to your waist and hold tightly as he starts to pound up into you, "A thousand and you can come in my pussy."

He presses his forehead against yours, lets out a guttural sound and then hisses, "Deal."

And for some reason, you believe him.

Getting pounded while standing upright is a fucking trip. His nails dig into the pebbled flesh of your hips, knees bending and unbending as his cock fucks up into you relentlessly without stopping or slowing. Your hands are still holding his face, eyes locked with his as your mouth pops open in a silent scream, thumbs digging into the apples of his cheeks. Holy fucking shit.

"I know, I know, I know," he's groaning, voice wild and unhinged, groans vibrating in his chest, "Fuckin' take it, s'what you were made for, honey. Knew it the second I saw you, knew you were gonna go wild on that dick."

"Please," you moan out, tears pricking in your eyes, the sensations almost too much to bear, "Please, please." You don't even know what you're begging for, thoughts muddled as you release his face and wind your arms around his neck, "Keep fucking me, keep fucking me, don't stop, please."

"I got you, honey, I got you," you feel his thumb return to your clit as he speaks, the sounds of your skin slapping together almost rivalling the sound of the ocean waves, "You gonna come, pretty girl? Huh? You gonna cream on my cock?"

"Yes," you practically squeal, and before you can really process what you're doing you're suddenly jumping up from the sand to wrap your legs around Joel's waist, ankles tangling together behind his back. He has no issue shifting positions, his arm cradling you and holding you in the air while his thumb continues to ravage your clit. You feel it building in your stomach, tightening more and more with the insistent pressure of his thumb and the continuous thrusts of his dick hitting your cervix over and over.

"Ohh, I feel her, baby," he groans in your ear, "Sloppy little cunt wants to make another mess, doesn't she?" And that's all it takes for your orgasm to hit you, your legs squeezing tighter and tighter and tighter around Joel's body as you moan and whine and cry, grabbing fistfuls of his hair and shaking in his arms. It's like having the wind knocked out of you, arguably one of the best orgasms you've ever had in your life, your eyes rolling back into your head as you sob into his neck.

"Joel," you whimper, pussy pulsing repeatedly around his dick through the aftershocks, "Joel, come inside her, please."

"Oh, fuck."

You feel it then, the twitch of his cock and the warm ropes of his release pumping into you. You sigh almost dreamily, burying your face in his shoulder and listening as he groans, feeling the way his fingertips dig into the soft plush of your ass. It's steady - there's so much more than you thought there'd be, and the sensation is enough to make you whimper again, murmuring his name one more time as he empties himself.

You stay like that for a moment, the ocean loud in your ears, all other sounds seemingly drowned out by the hiss of sea against rock and sand. Eventually, he carries you a few steps to your towel, your ears ringing and his body trembling a little as he carefully lowers you down. You let go of him a bit reluctantly, a pout on your lips as he lays you out and then slowly pulls himself from you with a wet squelch.

"Good girl," he's murmuring - you realize he's been saying it the whole time - "Good girl, that's it, open your legs."

There's no hesitance at all anymore, not after that. You open your legs wide with abandon and sit up on your hands, watching with heavy lids as he grabs his phone from where he'd discarded it, bringing it down to your leaking pussy.

"Look at that," he breathes, awestruck, and your eyes trail downward to see what he sees. You feel heat return to your cheeks when you see the way his creamy white release is slowly beginning to dribble out of you and onto the towel.

"Wow, that's a lot," you whisper with a faint little giggle, eyes coming back up to look at his face as he watches it drip. You're not sure he hears you, intensely focused on where you're swollen and leaking, but you don't mind. You push back lazily on your hands and smile fondly at him as he takes his precious photos. In the afterglow, you find that the shutter sounds aren't that annoying, not really.

"Open her up for me, baby," he tells you softly, "Spread her wide and push it out."

You sit up a little, feeling drowsy and dreamy as you reach down and pull yourself open with your hands. You apply a little pressure, closing your eyes in a daze and hearing the wet little sounds as you push his cum out of you and onto the towel. You hear him groan, hear the shutter sounds again, and you can't help but grin.

"Are they good?" you ask him, genuinely wondering, "Is she pretty?" As you speak you pull yourself a little wider, allow him to take one more picture as close inside as possible before he pulls it away.

He looks up from his handiwork with that familiar soft smile on his face again, brown eyes shimmering in the sun that's already beginning to set, "You're perfect," he tells you, "And don't argue with me, I just gave you almost two thousand dollars."

You snort, releasing yourself and falling backwards onto the towel to stare up at the sky. Your limbs feel heavy, eyelids drooping as you watch Joel in your periphery slipping his soft cock back into his trunks, as well as his phone.

"It's real money, right?" you ask, a little unsure.

"I promise it's real money," he says with a chuckle, walking over to stand over you, "D'you wanna come back to my hotel with me and get cleaned up? Maybe have some more fun?"

You bite your lip, "Would you pay me?"

"I'd pay you."

Admittedly, as reality begins to wash over you, the idea doesn't sound anywhere near as appealing as it might have an hour ago. With a little effort, you sit up again and reach for your bikini, half buried in the sand near your feet.

"Nah, I think I'm good."

Joel reaches his arm down and you take it, letting him help you to your feet. As you put your bikini back on, you watch with a little smile as he digs the rest of your money out of his wallet, slipping it into your purse like it's just second nature at this point - which, it basically is. He stands there then, a little awkwardly, like he's not sure what to say.

"Well, uh, thank you, darlin'," he finally says, taking a step back and nodding toward you with a kind expression, "Not many girls would have, um... not many would've done this. I'd offer you my number, but I get the feeling that's not what this is."

You wince, shaking your head, "Yeah, this, uh- this isn't gonna go anywhere, sorry. But it was fun."

He nods, "It was. And, I mean, those pictures aren't just gonna collect dust, I can tell you that much."

You laugh, walking forward a little to pick up your bag. You stop in front of him and, after hesitating for only a moment, lean forward to press a soft kiss to his lips. Just a peck - a goodbye.

"Have a good rest of your summer," you tell him as you pull away, heat rising in your cheeks again as he looks at you with those beautiful eyes, "And uh- maybe try to be a little more covert with that camera."

This time it's his turn to blush, his cheeks tinging a dark shade of pink as he laughs and tosses you a wave, turning to begin walking away from you. He only makes it a few steps, and then-

"Hey, Joel?"

He turns on the spot, a hopeful look in his expression that makes you wonder, if only for a moment, that maybe you're making the wrong choice.

"You're not really a photographer, are you?"

His blush deepens, a look of embarrassment crossing his features, "No, I'm not. But after today, I just might try my hand at it."

[20dollarlolita]

If anyone is wondering, this tutorial to make this skirt is still a method that works. Both those links are from wayback machine captures from a time before Photobucket betraying us all and deleting pictures.

Yes, I'm still mad about that.

Anyway, in the spirit of seeing if budget lolita was still doable in 2023, here we go with a cost breakdown:

>Main skirt fabric was a $10 walmart 4-yard precut; enough fabric to make waist ties not pictured here >Skirt is fully lined with a polyester bedsheet I got for $1 at a surplus store >The bow lace was part of a bulk purchase, ended up costing 21cents a yard. Skirt probably has 6-8 yards of lace on it. The little vertical strips were scraps from another project. Back shirring on skirt is 1/4" elastic, which covid conveniently made super cheap. >I didn't have the zipper on hand, so I had to buy one for $1 at walmart. As anyone who has been on Wawak knows, that's massively overpaying for zippers.

This skirt is 3" longer and a few sizes larger than the one in the post. I had to make a new cutting layout for the skirt, and it took a fair bit of additional fabric. In addition, to save on fabric width, the "side seams" on this are actually a little bit farther back than the side of the skirt. I cut the back of the skirt to full fabric width, and then added the adjustment for the fullness into the side front pieces. Clarice, who wrote the original tutorial, mentions that the person she made it for was very small, so I sized it up a little bit.

I make sketches like this as I go for personal reference, but maybe it'll be helpful.

In the spirit of livejournal, I "clarified" my sketch by making it more confusing in GIMP. (Your pieces you need to cut will be back: 44"x19.5", cut 1. Side Front, 22"x19.5", cut 2. Center Front, 15"x25.5", cut 1. Frills, 5.5"x44", cut 9 or 10).

So, when we get into it, yeah, if you have a good design (or can copy a good design) and you're willing to put some time into it, you can still do a budget lolita skirt for under $20 of materials, if you're careful. I'm mostly making this post to save which archive.org captures are the ones with working pictures.

(It also helps if you don't mess up on the waistband so many times that it slowly shrinks into a 1" waistband.)

Fun fact: the trim on the ends of the waist ties may or may not be because I hemmed them sloppily and the hem came up bubbly, and zigzagging some lace onto the bottom handily covered up the bubbling. One of the advantages about knowing a decent amount about lolita fashion is that you can look at things and go, "Yeah, if I added x here, it'd be fine," and knowing enough about sewing to go, "yeah, if I do x cheat here, it'll look better" and being able to put the two together and go, "hey, if I cheat here, it'll still look lolita!" It's a good feeling.

Anyway, if anyone else has ever used Clarice's tutorial to make a skirt, I'd love to see it! This is my second time using it, but the last time was almost a decade ago at this point, and I think I've improved a lot since then.

[animalcrossingshowdown]

someone sent in this ask and I spent literal hours putting together this tutorial but then it wouldn't let me post it and when I went back into my inbox the ask was gone?? good thing I copy and pasted it, so here it is in its own post

I'm not sure if this will work with programs other than photoshop, but this is how I do it. I know @shinobi-bacon has a tutorial here on how they do it which is pretty different from the way I do it, so if my tutorial is confusing maybe theirs will click with you better lmao. I stole the greenscreen idea from them anyway

SO FIRST, you want your villager on a green screen background. to do this, go to harv's island and use a custom pattern to make the walls and floors bright green. If the villager you're using has green in their design, you'll have to pick a different colour that isn't in their design, but for most villagers green is fine.

if your villager has every colour on them like pietro or stiches then rip you're gonna have to do some manual editing frame by frame. try to choose a colour that doesn't touch the edges of their silhouette too much in that case because it'll make life easier for you

so once you have them in green purgatory, record them doing their emote or whatever. I just use the built-in screen record function that the switch has. press and hold this button to record the last 30 seconds that your switch displayed:

next send that video to your computer and trim off the start of the video so it starts right before a recognizable part of the animation. for this emote I cut it off right before the blink. if you have a slow computer, you'll probably want to trim the end off too so the video is only a little bit longer than one full animation loop

(you can use the video editing software of your preference, I just use quick time player Edit -> Trim)

okay time for photoshop. go File -> Import -> Video Frames to Layers

for "range to import" select "from beginning to end" (or you could skip the last step about trimming the video and select a range here, but I find it kind of finicky), and make sure "make frame animation" is checked

once imported, if it doesn't pop up on it's own, go Window -> Timeline to get your animation at the bottom

click through those frames at the bottom until you find an easily recognizable frame (I chose the first frame where her eyes are closed) and delete all the frames before it. in the layers panel, the layer from the frame you've selected should be the only one turned on. delete all the layers below it

now go through the frames to find the next identical frame. this is where the animation loops. delete that frame and all the frames after it, as well as all of their corresponding layers (note in the picture, frame 121 is selected, and it's exactly the same as the frame from the start of the animation)

hit the play button on the bottom left to double check that it loops properly

next, make sure both THE FIRST FRAME AND BOTTOM LAYER are selected, and crop and reduce the image to your desired size. you can do this step later if you want, it's just that doing it now will reduce the load on your computer and make it run a bit faster. just as long as the first frame and bottom layer are selected, you can do this at any time

SAVE HERE because if you mess up this next part it's a pain to fix, but it's easy to quit and start over if need be

now it's time for my best friend the actions panel !! say hi actions panel !! (Window -> Actions). what the actions panel does is record your steps so you can quickly automate repetitive tasks.

in the actions panel, click the folder and name it whatever you want

then click the little plus and name that whatever you want and hit record. You'll see the dot turn red to indicate that your actions are now being recorded

now with the BOTTOM LAYER AND FIRST FRAME selected (ignore that I have the wrong layer selected in the pictures, I fixed it after), go to Select -> Colour Range

click on a part of the canvas that would be green

shift+click on the rest of the green background and adjust the fuzziness until just the character's silhouette remains

hit OK, now the background should be selected. go Select -> Inverse so that the character is selected, and click on layer mask.

click the next frame button (you MUST click the button, not the actual frame. you need the recording to recognize "go to next frame" and not "select frame 2"),

then keyboard shortcut option + ] to select the next layer up (again, you MUST use the shortcut so it knows to move up one layer and not just "select layer 2"),

and then stop recording.

now just repeatedly click the play button and it will do all those steps we just did for each frame :)

this part is usually where it gets messed up for me. if it did something weird like duplicate the same frame or layer your animation over a static frame, just quit and reopen that save I told you to make earlier. the action recording you just made will still be there when you reopen photoshop, so just select the first frame and bottom layer and repeatedly hit play again. if it STILL doesn't work, you probably did something wrong

the recording is now saved in photoshop forever until you delete it, so you can reuse the recording for other gifs! but if they use a different colour background, you'll need to make a new recording (you can see I have separate ones for blue and purple screens). also if you were working with one of those colourful villagers and parts got masked out that shouldn't have been, you'll have to go frame by frame and manually fix them. that's why we masked out the background instead of deleting it.

now it's time to make it into a gif! go File -> Export -> Save for Web. make sure Matte is set to "none" so you don't get those weird white flecks. colours and dither you want as high as they can go, but you can lower them if you need to make the file smaller (though I'd recommend resizing the image smaller first). the bottom left shows your file size. currently as of January 2024, tumblr allows gifs of up to 10MB

and there ya go! gif! :)

[king-paimon]

Houseki no Kuni Chapter 103 Thoughts: Can't Stop the Inevitable But It'll Be OK (Maybe...)

Hello hello hello. Long time no see, Houseki no Kuni fandom! How have you all been? It's been a while. That hiatus Ms. Haruko Ichikawa took much longer than expected. That's fine by me because I've been pretty busy these past few months. Mostly the usual stuff; had some major ups and downs for me and those who I care about, annoying work/life events, though I had the wonderful opportunity to branch out and meet people who could help me with my career, found some new stuff to obsess over, etc. I honestly forgot about Houseki no Kuni for a little while until I saw the announcement about the latest chapter.

And now here we are.

This chapter was very dialogue heavy, though fairly straightforward. It seems to confirm some of the thoughts and theories other fans and myself had made back in chapter 102, though I left me asking a few new questions. They aren't big questions, but I just can't help but wonder...

This will definitely be one of my shorter posts because I don't have any big analytical thoughts here, just with lots of pictures from the chapter, so I'll make sure to add the spoiler tag. As always, please feel free to share your own thoughts in this post and sorry in advance for any mistakes or ramblings. Might add more later, but I can't promise anything.

Anyways, here we go!

It'll Be OK: Liberation Of Internalized Suffering

The interaction in this chapter was interesting. Like I stated above, this chapter confirms that Phos is scared of corrupting the new rock species or being the catalyst that would cause humanity to come back. They don't want to be the source of suffering again, even if it meant destroying the very last remaining piece of their original self. They were ready to do whatever it took to prevent that from happening, even by having the entity who hated humanity do the deed.

But what surprised me a little in this chapter was Eyeball. For one, even though he could have fulfilled Phos's request, he didn't. He claims that there's only a trace of humanity on Phos's remaining piece, but states that it'd go away over time, therefore there's no reason to destroy it, even though Phos initially wanted that. I'll get back to this part later.

The other thing that surprised me was how Eyeball was able to placate Phos's current mindset, at least for a little bit, and he do it in an interesting way. Eyeball basically told Phos "Hey, your fear might come true... but it'll be okay. If if comes to that, I'll figure something out. And you shouldn't worry too much about it even if it happens because all things will come to an end one day, including us, and things will start over again in some way. There's no point in stressing about that future, so don't worry about it."

In some ways, I kind of see this as Eyeball liberating Phos by taking some of their burdens onto himself by him stating that he'd be the one to figure out what to do if humanity did come back, not Phos, all the while dispelling Phos's other concerns by stating that Phos shouldn't waste their time worrying about what could happen. Phos's fears might come true... but so what? That's just how things go. Somethings are just out of your control and change is inevitable. Yes, it's stressful to worry about but that's just how it is. That's the strange beauty of it all, at least that's how I see it.

And I don't know about you, but I just really liked Eyeball's monologue through these pages.

In the end, I think this interaction helped Phos by the fact that despite their fears, they chose to tell the pebbles about what the Professor said and humanity. Because even though Phos understands that humanity is capable of doing horrible things, thanks to their own experience as a sufferer and perpetrator, they also understand that there are parts of humanity that is capable of creating wonderful things. I'm glad that Phos is the one who wants to take this task. Despite everything, Phos is taking it upon themselves to be the one to teach these aspects to the pebbles so they can have the freedom to figure out how they can learn and evolve from this point onwards. It may lead to a better version of "humanity" or it could lead to something very similar. Who knows? But at least Phos is (hopefully) giving them what they need to figure themselves out.

What will come from this interaction is anyone's guess and I'm hoping we will soon see within the next, and hopefully last, couple of chapters.

The Last Piece Of The Past: Why Keep it?

One of the things that this chapter left me questioning was the final piece of the original Phosphophyllite. Not only is this the last remainder of Phos, but it may be the very last piece of the last human descendants; not just for the gems, but for the admirabilis and the lunarians. If what Eyeball said about the Lunarians intentionally leaving a piece of Phos's untarnished self behind is true, my question.. is why? Why did they leave this behind in Phos?

Was this for Phos's benefit somehow? Is it supposed to remind them of their origins or who they represented they obtained their final deity form? Or is the piece supposed to serve as some sort of artifact that could be beneficial for future organisms that would form over the course of time?

At this point, I have no clue. If anyone has any theories, please feel free to add them or post them!

Until Next Time! (Hopefully sooner than 4 months...)

That's honestly all that I have at this point in time for this post. I may come back to it and add more, but I can't promise anything. I don't know how my future posts for the hopefully last chapters will go, but I'll be honest... I can't wait to see it end. I enjoyed this story and I'm still looking forward to see what happens next, but I'm ready to it end.

For those of you who like these rambles, thank you so much! I still love seeing everyone's thoughts and I can't wait to see what people think of this chapter.

Hopefully this will be the last hiatus Ms. Ichikawa will have and we'll be facing the true final stretch of this story.

Or maybe we'll face another hiatus after another couple of chapters.

We'll see.

See you later!

[billyharringson]

My 2023 in fics

Thank you @lorifragolina for tagging me. I know you tagged my main account @jad3w1ngs but as all my fics were Stranger Things this year I'm going to do it here.

I'm going to only talk about fics that I either started or finished during the month as I've written an awful lot this year and it was very hard to pick faves.

January

I'm choosing my current ongoing Byergrove fic 'Take a picture, it'll last longer' that I started on New Year's day last year. I've loved writing such an angst heavy fic and exploring the trauma that might occur from what Billy went through at the beginning of this fic. Also Jon is the best boy in this and he's so soft (which is quite a departure to how I seem to normally write him).

February

For Feb I have possibly my favourite Mungrove one-shot that I've ever written. 'It means to lie beneath' was a Billy Hargrove Bingo fill and definitely something that is on my list to expand into a full fic (just as soon as I finish some of my other series). It was really fun writing a Succubus/Incubus fic and I can't wait to further explore the world I built.

March

Considering that this is my biggest fic and also the one that really got me into this fandom I have to shout out my Harringrove fic 'To submit is such sweet pleasure'. My first foray into A/B/O and I just love these boys together in this fic.

April

This is possibly my least read fic but one that definitely holds a special place in my heart. My first submission for Mungrove week, 'Ghost' was my chance to try a good old fashioned song fic and practice some more poetic writing.

May

'Swapping more than clothes' was the Stoner Polycule fic that I finished in May and was also a Billy Hargrove Bingo fill. Really enjoyed writing each of the boys dynamics in this and of course having some straight up smut where Billy gets railed by multiple partners is always good.

June

I can't believe I only started 'Forged' in June. I love, love, love this fic and can't wait to actually get to the point where I introduce Eddie (or Edeval as he is in this) as a character. For a Mungrove fic of mine it is quite funny that we're nearly on chapter 6 and he's still not appeared.

July

Another fic I'm obsessed with writing, 'Chokehold' is my darker Stoner Polycule fic. We're still early days with this one (considering it's chapter 5 on what is at least a 19 chapter fic) but I think about this fic almost daily.

August

Wow, I finished 'The Stolen Sapphire' all the way back in August? That feels so long ago. My pirate Harringroveson fic that was such a pleasure to write and so many people seemed to love, I can't not put it here.

September

I was struggling between 2 of the Mungrove fics I wrote in September but considering the sheer number of times I've re-read 'Knock Once' that's got to be the one I go for. Pure smut with my best two boys, and also the beginning of my realisation that this might just be my ride or die ship for ST.

October

I just have to include one of my Harringrove kinktober fics for this month so I'm going with 'Wanna see what's under that attitude' because it's chock full of all the kinks, and Billy in lingerie is always a pleasure.

November

Another fic that I personally feel went a little under the radar but one that I love nonetheless is 'little and broken, but still good'. My first attempt at writing one of the boys as a dad and I just adore Eddie's daughter Chrissy. Also kindergarten teacher Billy is something I need to write more of. Needless to say this is another Mungrove fic and was one of my last fills for the Billy Hargrove Bingo.

December

I've only just started this one, and I had planned on it being a short fic but I've gone a bit ham with the world building so we're in for a longer ride. Anyway, 'To keep good company' my historical A/B/O Harringrove fic is actually going to be my first attempt at some proper slow burn (although is it slow burn if they're already mated?)

This was a lot of fun, and very nice to look back at all that I've accomplished in 2023.

My absolutely no pressure tags are for @shieldofiron @weird-an @ihni and anyone else who wants to join in 😄

[hoochieblues]

Peppy's Big Day Out

Small dog, big excitement. Peppy got to do her first meet and greet event... and she didn't screw it up! 🎉

We got the opportunity to attend a local charity day yesterday, mostly thrusting flyers at people and raising a little bit of awareness, and Peppy got the Very Important Job of poster dog.

From her point of view, she went to a weird place where a bajillion potential new best friends had come especially to meet her. And there was cake. To say she had fun is an understatement.

Doing any in-person stuff for European dog rescue tends to be a bit of a hard sell. Lots of 'ewww, foreign dogs' and 'but why pay attention to... over there... when there are so many UK dogs in need of help?' which is a reasonable question. To which the reasonable answer is 'we're lucky enough to have animal welfare legislation and an established rescue infrastructure with large national charities, though ofc there is always a need to do more, particularly at the moment with abandonment rates increasing due to cost of living, and the blatant cruelty and unfairness of BSL resulting in record numbers of bull breeds being given up or wrongly persecuted. If you'd like to donate to those causes, I have links! Meanwhile, 'over there' relies solely on individual animal rescuers doing their best with less than minimal resources and a corrupt and compassionless system of 'public shelters' where dogs are routinely starved, beaten, and inhumanely euthanised. Would you like a leaflet about supporting the campaign for legislative change and systems of street dog population reduction that don't involve culling, or would you like to hear about what happens when an animal is injected with weedkiller?'

Not to overtly politicise, but I don't like the isolationism that made Brexit possible, and I don't think compassion should know borders. My colleague just got back from a trip to Romania to see some of our dogs in care with rescuers there, and to meet an amazing woman we're working with to (potentially) expand helping with TNR and vet outreach programs in the future. Equity is about helping how and where it's needed, and it's the same reason I support microlending platforms and independent healthcare NGOs over, say, Oxfam.

Anyway, not sure how many minds we really changed, but the majority of people were sympathetic and/or open to learning more, and the small wiggly terrier beast giving I Am Cute puppy eyes while I explained how she'd spent time in the doggy equivalent of Rikers Island (pictured) definitely helped.

We even got to do some walks around the public gardens and go into the house for cream teas. Amazingly, our very own PeePeeFace behaved herself, didn't tinkle anywhere she wasn't supposed to, didn't chew any children (the mouthing is a lot better. She knows she isn't supposed to playbite unless she's had her key phrase... which is 'yum yum' in a Gremlins voice. Hey, if it works, it's not stupid.), and even (mostly) walked nicely on the lead, with only a little bit of spinning and flailing. We even got a few 'gosh, she's so well behaved!' comments, at which I tried with all my might not to say 'yes, it's because she's slightly overwhelmed. Don't worry, it'll pass.'

It was by far the busiest and largest thing she's been to, but she did really well... and now she is verrrry eeepy.

Also, to those wondering: Chance handled being home alone for longer than usual really well, though I did get back to find the carefully hidden evidence of a felony.

The 2lb locking tub of peanut butter (which had been on the back of the counter after I filled his kong that morning) had been the subject of a daring but extremely tidy heist.

Very little on the counter had been disturbed (even though he had to have been up there to get it, which... good job, buddy. Given the dodgy back leg, good job.) and the tub was just quietly sitting, unlidded, under the table. Not a drop of peanut butter on the rugs, nothing else disturbed. The mark of a master. Not even mad.

Anyway, overall a really good day, and huge progress for Peppy. Dunno if any of the people we met would potentially be interested in adopting her, but you never know. There's got to be someone out there for her.

[marierg]

Of Light and Darkness: Ch. 28

Pairing: Obi Wan Kenobi X Reader

WARNINGS!: +18 and DO NOT ENGAGE IF THE FOLLOWING WILL CAUSE YOU PAIN OR TRIGGERING! Violence, Anxiety, Language, Angst, death/ near death, anger, delayed stress responses.

A/N: This has been an absolute whirlwind and I'd just like to thanks everyone for sticking with me. As with anything I work on I sincerely hope that these chapters did not cause anyone distress. This should be the last of the angst for a bit and I promise that the chapter after this will be a good fun one to make up.

Song Credit: The Foggy Dew by the Chieftains- Yes I tweaked the lyrics, but this was the song I listened to while writing this chapter.

Picture Credit: Pinterest and Lucas Film

If in Italic communication is mental not verbal

Words: 3600

Masterlist Next

It was hours after daybreak, two hours since the last ship had taken all but eight of you to the awaiting cruisers. Comms were intermittent, but last transmission was that there would be a ship to come get you all, it was just going to take a bit to patch her back together. You looked at the others and shook your head, “I'm sorry for all of this.”

Obi Wan could feel the dread mounting within you, “Y/n you have nothing to be sorry for. The ship will come.”

“Yeah! What Kaboomie said.” Glitch called out while soothing a hand on the babe clutched to Anakin's chest. The Droid who had carried the small one hadn't fared as well, batteries only lasting long enough to relay the child's name and where family could be reached. Somehow in the shuffle this baby had been left at the check point.

“I suppose that I'm stuck with that name now.” Obi Wan and Glitch had since made up, the victory of blowing up a few attacking speeders providing a bonding experience.

“And thou shall be known as Kaboomie, great Jedi and RIC worthy!” Glitch snickered.

The baby was still fussing softly. Anakin wasn't really much for younglings but for some reason this one liked him, screaming at anyone else who tried to take it. “Hey Glitch can you sing something, maybe it'll help.”

“Don't know many songs for babies Speedster... Don't have much heart for singing right now anyway.”

“As I recall your people are known for their voices,” Master Windu glanced over from where he kept watch by the door. “What about the foggy dew?”

“I don't believe I've heard that one.” Obi Wan quirked a brow at the older Jedi.

“Most wouldn't...” Glitch replied flatly, “It's a memorial song.”

“We stand outnumbered yet strong.” Mace looked out sadly from his position. “it can be quite inspiring in dark times.”

The young woman took a deep breath, still keeping a keen eye on her field of fire. Softly the words began to float on the air.

“As down the glen one early morn, to a city fair rode I

There armed lines of marching men, in squadrons passed me by.

No pipe did hum, no battle drum did sound it's loud tattoo

but the temple bell o're the valley's swell rang out through the foggy dew.”

You turned to watch the girl, singing from her very soul it seemed. Eyes traveled across the shot pocked building. Vessia, the Senator's daughter, had indeed come to respect the law of the blaster. Her once beautiful and intricate hair now hung in a short pony tail after she cut it down, her eyes no longer naïve. Anakin was holding the small child a little tighter, murmuring that all would be well. Master Windu, while still observing his sector, had turned ever so slightly to better hear, a set to his jaw that you could only guess at. It was as if his signature flickered in the Force, seeming older and more tired than the one you knew.

“Oh the bravest fell and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear

For those who died in the early light, at the springing of the year.

While the stars did gaze in deep amaze, those fearless men but few

Who bore the fight that freedom's light might shine through the foggy dew.”

Marru was positioned next to Obi Wan, the Bothan had survived an overhead barrage the night before at the fence line. Dark mud still covered his fur, ears turned down. The poor kid hadn't stopped trembling since, jumping at any loud noise, but fought fiercely none the less. Obi Wan had wrapped his signature around your own like a blanket, even if you had to remain inconspicuous in front of the others. It was one of the only comforts you had as the dread coursed within you. You noticed Glitch pause a moment then continue to the end of the song.

“Back through the glen I rode again, my heart with grief was sore

for I parted with those valiant men, that I'll never see more.

But to and fro in my dreams I go, and I kneel and pray for you

for slavery fled, O' glorious dead, who fell in the foggy dew...”

Obi Wan had a tear in his eye, such a pure voice he thought. “That was beautiful young one.”

“Nice song Glitch.” Anakin had felt the infant's breathing even out halfway through, lulled by the sorrowful tune. “Baby thinks so too.”

You came to stand by Glitch. Both of you were realists, knowing your odds and the likelihood of your fate, but still trying to hold onto hope. Giving her a nudge you tried to keep an up beat, “You should have gone into show biz.”

Glitch shook her head, “The Gods chose my path long ago Boss. I'm right where I should be.”

The peace was disturbed by crackling on the comms. “Angel 12... Angel 12... this is Orion 4. Inbound your 20... prepare for dust off!”

“Copy Orion 4!” you practically shouted into the mic, “Good to hear you!”

“Copy that Angel 12, just be ready.” You could tell it was JC on the comm from the clear syllables.

“Alright you heard the man, grab your packs. Obi Boy and Anakin get the kids on board, Master Windu you take point.”

“You're just placing me there because I'm older.” Mace smirked at his own joke.

You smirked right back at him, “Yeah and harder to kill. Glitch and I will take rear guard.”

“Just be sure you get aboard too Wee One.”

“Always Obi.”

You could hear the little bird approaching, the engines must have been shot to hell and back to be that loud. Anakin handed the baby to Vessia, drawing his lightsaber. As the craft peaked the ridge it did a sharp run along the deck, firing the cannons to clear the way down. The whole group started to run for the tarmac, legs desperately attempting to outrun the blaster bolts being rained down. JC was waiving at you from the cockpit window, “Y/n hurry!”

The Jedi formed an arc around the door while the others jumped on, you counted the heads. Vessia and the baby, Marru, Glitch who was firing from the door, then Anakin. The Hutt mercs started to fire more mortars then, rocking the very air around the craft.

You felt it.... that same eerie feeling from long ago.

Looking at the men you cared for most in this Galaxy your decision was made. With one great push of the Force you sent them into the bird screaming at JC. “TAKE OFF! TAKE OFF!!!!!”

“Y/N!!” Obi Wan looked out the departing craft horrified.

Master Windu was faster in response, getting on the comm. “Y/n get to the roof, we'll pick you up.”

“Read my mind.” Your legs moved on instinct, dodging and zig zagging across the tarmac to the control tower. Just as you dove through the door it came, searing horrible pain in your back and shoulders. You wanted to scream but there was no time. Getting up you forced your body to take the stairs to the roof, blood gushed with every few steps. Repeating the mantra Master Windu taught you over and over, “Not today, not today...”

Using the Force to relock the door you looked all around, where was the bird? Your vision was becoming bleary, limbs heavy. You tried to raise JC, “I'm here...I'm here.”

“Just hang in there a little longer Master, almost there.”

“ANAKIN?”

“Be ready for a cable lift 'kay!” Anakin was flying the wings off the craft with how fast it was going. He had to make it, Master Y/n was counting on him. “Glitch get it ready!”

“ROCK AND ROLL KID!!!” Glitch near had a panic attack when she saw the men flung into the craft and then heard you yelling. Gods help them all. “Kaboomie get ready to catch and patch. Hey Master Windy can ya help Speedster hold it steady?”

As they approached the tower Anakin could see you on the roof deflecting blaster shots that came your way. Master Windu had hopped into the co pilot seat, giving him a nod to keep going. Anakin knew that there would only be one shot at this, “DROP THE LINE!”

Watching as the bird approached you ran with whatever was left in you, jumping and clipping into the line just as the mercenaries breached the door to the roof. You were a sitting duck.

“Hold on sweetling, you're almost here. Just hold on!”

“Obi!” You tried to reach a hand up only to be hit by another blast. Maker it hurt so bad you screamed, only just holding onto the hoist cable.

Obi Wan was done waiting, turning to Glitch he yelled over the din, “Hold my belt!”

The young woman did so without hesitation. Obi Wan leaned out the craft door, focusing all of his will to raise you up into his arms. Your body fell heavily, blood all over your robes. Glitch was calling for them to get the hell outta there while stripping and bandaging. Obi Wan stroked your hair, not trusting himself to speak at that moment. “Please Wee One don't leave me too.”

“I could never leave you dear man.” As hurt as you were you still reached for him. His warmth radiated and comforted, dulling the pain if only a little.

Feeling your fingers intertwine fully with his own caused a weak grin, “There's the wee warrior I know.”

“Headcount?” Pain filled eyes gazed around as Obi Wans other hand continued smoothing your hair. “What's the count?”

Glitch paused her movements over your body as blue gray eyes gazed at yours. There were tears streaming down her cheeks, “Eight.”

“W-who?” you had no strength to look around, but felt with the Force. Your team was all present so then... “Where's JC?”

Glitch gritted her teeth, you forced yourself to follow her gaze as it fell to the small space between the cockpit and the hold. A pair of black flight boots peeked out from a wool blanket. Cold consumed you, as surely as being thrown into a frozen lake. No, not JC! Not your friend! You started to shake wanting to scream, to cry, to throw up. Your mouth fell open in quiet agony, as if all breath had suddenly left your body, but refused to sound your dispair.. Shivering from anger and probably shock you bit the question out. “How?”

“Sniper just as we reached the ridge.” Glitch sniffled. “Speedster saved us from crashing, got us outta the tail spin. Command kept telling us to leave, but he just circled right back... said we don't leave anyone behind.”

Obi Wan looked at the two forlorn women, what he wouldn't give to be able to take their sorrow away. He dug into his robe and offered a handkerchief to Glitch. It was old fashioned, something that you only lightheartedly teased him for. Today though as he took the small cloth back and used it to dry your eyes he was glad that Qui Gon had always insisted he carry one. Glitch finished the bandaging then backed off, giving you space. Obi Wan couldn't bear it any longer, pressing his forehead to yours and cradling you close.

“Don't ever do that to me again Sweetling. Where you go I go, we are sticking together.”

Whimpers escaped from you, worsening as he lovingly stroked your hair and face. “I'm sorry Obi... forgive me please? I won't do it again I promise.”

“I forgave you the minute it happened... I love you.” He could sense they were approaching the main transport ship. Glitch and Marru placed you on a stretcher to go to the med bay. Obi Wan returned to his exterior façade, “Y/n is there anything that needs to be done?”

“Have them call home, their families will be worried.” You were starting to dip in and out, but held on just a little longer, “JC and the others...don't leave them alone.”

Obi Wan nodded, “I promise they will be cared for, Y/n. Now rest.”

“I love you too Obi Boy.”

Anakin and Glitch had finally finished. They had washed, redressed and had laid JC in his casket. It was nothing fancy, none were, but with the Republic Flag laid on it the task was complete. The first of the honor watch came in, taking their positions, finally re leaving the two exhausted responders. Glitch nodded for Anakin to follow to the mess, handing him a Kaf and sandwich. They sat in silence finally allowing the day to catch them.

Anakin could feel the swirl of his emotions, trying to hold them in check as a Jedi should. “I miss them.”

“Me too,” Glitch kept her eyes down.

“Do you think your Gods would welcome JC too, Like Mik-lee and Tau?”

“Yes.” Glitch finally raised her face, heaving a great sigh. She reached into a pocket and produced a flask, raising it. “And so we shall celebrate their lives and brave deeds.”

Anakin watched as she took a deep drink, then offered it to him. After a bit of back and forth he finally took a sip, throat burning from the strong liquor. “What is that?”

“Whiskey.” She raised the flask again solemnly. “May the Gods and my kin guide your steps to the halls of victory. You were brave people, good and strong, fear not how your voice may sound when you sing your tale. For the All Father and Mother know your soul. I shall miss you my friends until my time comes to join you.”

Others came to join the table, cards dealt out and an impromptu debriefing session began among the group, everyone needing to let off steam. Master Windu had wandered down bringing news that you had made it out of surgery and were stable. Anakin felt a great sense of relief at the news. He had asked if Anakin wanted to go see you, but the young man had shaken his head stating that his place was to watch everyone since you couldn't.

Mace had nodded his approval, a rarity in the case of this Padawan. He thought better than to leave, sensing that the young people here could use a steady presence in your absence. It took a few hands of Sabac and a drink from a passed flask for the group to start to relax around him. They were used to your casual tone and manner, while he kept himself as he always did. Stories started to fly around the table, he shared a few from his early years as a knight.

Deek brought him another cup of Kaf. “First mission in a while I can recall having to build a crib outta storage crates. Jay always had a soft spot for kids.”

It occurred to him that if not for Anakin's stubbornness there may well have been a fourth casket setting in the hangar. The boy was headstrong, willful, spoke out of turn... and was most assuredly yours. Melri would have loved him. Mace saw the shadows pass in front of Deek's face. “I am sorry about JC, he was a good man.”

Sniffing then taking a sip of his own mug Deek nodded. “He was, gonna miss that Nerf Herder.”

“He has become one with the Force. In a way they never really leave us,” Mace took a deep drink of the bitter liquid.

Deek knew of course whom the other man referred too. “Yeah, still miss her too.”

You blinked your eyes awake, monitors and droids whirring about outside the door. Someone had managed to snag you a private room, you strongly suspected it was the being whose head lay on the cot next to you. Your dear man looked as though he had aged five years, creases etching the corners of his eyes. You briefly remembered your Master sitting with you earlier, they must have traded off. Raising your hand you threaded your fingers into his now clean hair, stoking gently. It was a peaceful moment after all the terror of the days prior, days that you weren't likely to ever forget. Softly you started to hum a soft tune.

Obi Wan started to sing the words, accompanying your acapella. With the slightest pull you persuaded him to lay with you. Both of you finally crashed down from the mission, holding onto the other and crying. Not great sobs just steady mournful streams. He placed soft kisses upon your head, stroking your hair. Looking up you returned those kisses with some of your own. You held him tighter, trying to reassure your Obi Boy that you would not let him go so easily. Neither of you spoke for a long time nor was there a need to. The two of you were just happy to be alive and in the others arms. For this fraction of time you were both together, alive and whole. It was enough.

There was a large delegation that came to welcome the RRC crew home. Beyond the families there were Brass and Political Delegates. It was a solemn procession off the ship, team mates and crew taking flanking positions on the caskets. Mik-Lee and Tau were escorted by their classmates, each having taken their graduation pin and pounded it onto the lid. Tradition and ceremony were ways to both grieve and honor. The Jedi and crew escorted JC and it was one of the hardest walks of your life.

The Brass approached you giving their customary platitudes. It felt hollow to you, cold and without meaning. JC had practically helped to raise you, a world without him in it was unimaginable. You were so lost it took a moment for you to realize that the Chancellor of all people had come over to offer his condolences. “I'm...I'm sorry sir, forgive me I didn't hear you.”

“No need to apologize Master L/n.” Palpatine stated softly as he studied your face, and more so the uncharacteristic emotions that crossed it. How very interesting, something to note for a later time. Exuding his usual charm he again began to speak. “I was merely saying how sorry I am for the loss of your people and that you should be proud of how your team handled themselves.”

“I am always proud of them sir. I do have a question though, if I may be so bold.” You saw the man nod, if not quirk his lips in amusement at your audacity. “Who was it that ordered the mission cut short?”

“Y/n this may not be the time.” Master Windu placed a hand on your shoulder.

“No, it's quite alright. If I were in your position I would want to know the same,” Palpatine did find this Jedi fascinating, if not somewhat disconcerting. “It was my decision. We received intelligence that reinforcements were being sent by the Hutts, large enough to possibly take out the fleet. As harsh a decision as it was, I could not in good conscience allow the operation to continue. As a Rescue Lieutenant I can only hope that you would understand my position.”

Keeping a steady gaze at the politician you studied his eyes. They didn't flinch, but were still offsetting. There had always been an uneasy acquaintance with this man. Anakin thought highly of and occasionally would visit with him. Outwardly there was nothing that appeared out of place, just a feeling. Sighing, and much too tired to push further, you extended a hand of peace. “I may not agree with the decision, but I do understand. I would like to file a request for Pilot JC Aldrich to be awarded the Nova medal. It's little consolation to his family....”

“It has already been approved.” Palpatine took your hand in both of his, attempting to be empathetic and comforting. “I have also taken the liberty of setting up Funds and scholarships for the families. I hope you do not mind?”

Slightly taken aback you unconsciously gave his hand a squeeze. You still had a feeling about the man, but he offered something no one before had, action. Maybe Anakin did know something you didn't. “Thank you Sir. I...Thank you.”

Palpatine watched as the Jedi departed for their glorious Temple. Initially when he had found out young Skywalker would have two knights training him, it had vexed Palpatine. Even with Kenobi and the Healers' interference the boy's pain lived deep within, just needing the right catalyst As with everything this border dispute had turned into an opportunity. Sending the Hutts to Norte had proved all too easy, but the ensuing pain and chaos that Skywalker encountered added fuel to the fire. His emotions were evident the minute the ship landed. Pain, anger, despair, all engulfing the boy and drawing him closer into the dark side. Oh Yes, this had gone better than even Palpatine could have predicted.

@meshlasolus @nurseytypechick @stanny-uwu @a-rose-of-amber @aquaamethyst96 @just-dreaming-marvel @in-a-mellow-tone @acatalystrising @pickleprickle @songoficecreamandfireworks @iambored24601 @purplepandora666 @misscamptl @obiknights @the-going-merry @ginger-swag-rapunzel @iabrokengirl @annasun13 @foxperifoto @moostresskenobi @lovelyxlily

[raymondshields]

Ok friend you have my curiosity where is this fic you speak of. I am SO ready to have my brain chemistry fundamentally changed

Start here. My recommendation is to read that, maybe read the rest of Turnabout NaNoWriMo, and if you want to know more after that, I can hand you some 200k of fic that is properly formatted with the interludes, because Ao3's formatting really doesn't work with the Sagiverse anthologies. (So what you see here is maybe like a quarter of what we've got. We have a lot, and also lots of art.)

Turnabout NaNoWriMo is the first of three-and-a-half anthologies I've written, and it's only after reading and enjoying all of them do I let people at my fiance's anthologies, which are excellent but a bit more private. (Turnabout Runaways, which was this year's NaNo challenge, is incomplete but at least 50k. I will be slowly working on it probably for a few months, and eventually it'll be done.)

These anthologies take place in a greater crossover AU we refer to as Sagiverse. It started in 2020 in Saint Seiya, and now hosts several different series, eight hundred some-odd characters, upwards of thirty different fantasy worlds (of which Earth is only one), and more plotlines than we can keep track of properly.

Here's the two-sentence pitch: seven hundred years ago, there was a giant war between various magical factions on Earth that ended in a mostly-forgotten pyrrhic victory and the gods choosing to seal magic away from the world. So magic began to slowly die out, and as of present day, magic is rarer and rarer, and mage society is dying out, but it's still holding on as best it can, until one day the gods finally allow magic to return.

Ace Attorney gets involved with this very very simply. Miles Edgeworth is a mage. To be specific, he's a necromage, one of the most powerful currently active on Earth. His father, Gregory Atticus Edgeworth, had never found proof of magic while he was alive. His mother... well, no one knows who his mother is, or anything about the man at all. After DL-6, Miles was taken in by MvK as a ward just as canon says, but the von Karmas themselves are magi of a kind. After DL-6, Atticus finds the proof of magic's existence that he's been looking for all along, and he is not going to leave his son and missing fiance alone in a world that so very much wants the both of them dead.

And so begins a thirty-five year trainwreck to put their wayward, way-finding family back together. They'll do it, no matter what it takes. It just turns out their family's a little bigger than they think it is.

The fic I linked pretty much opens with the identity of Miles' mother, which you learn pretty much as I did, because I didn't plan jack or shit, only let him tell me what was going on. You may raise an eyebrow at the canon ages, don't worry about that. We had to fix the timeline anyway (because the forensics tech was all twenty years out of date so we just changed the years to be twenty years earlier, setting DL-6 on December 28th 1981) so we just didn't pull him back as far. Atticus died at 39, his fiance was 33.

This is because when I first got into AA, I found the IS-7 picture of Gregory and Ray, and I sort of mistook 18-year-old Ray as Atticus' wife. My fiance pointed out the age gap, paused, and went "but they're cute so I'm sure we can make it work" and then we did. If you hesitate a bit on the ship but don't immediately hate the idea, I promise I can sell you on it. At the end of the day, everything comes back to Atticus and Ray's tragic romance. This I can promise you: it ends happily. We're just still writing everything in between.

Sagiverse!Ray is a pretty distinct character from canon!Ray, but they're close enough that if you like one you'll probably like the other. I gave him way more trauma and it's fun. :3c

If you're wondering what happens to other characters, I can answer that. Apollo is dead for a few months, Phoenix a little bit longer. Robot!Athena has Issues. Franziska changes her career from Interpol to Magica Underground mostly because it's a better use of her legal talents. Miles gets to be the chosen one and lead a war against one of his university friends who unfortunately (and semi-accidentally) stole Phoenix's corpse and ran away with it. (Phoenix is fine, don't worry about it.) Atticus gets to be a bounty hunter on the ghostroads with Mia and they do a lot of shooting MvK and causing problems. Ray, uh. Well, at least he only got shot in the head twice?

[sparradile]

Had a new client today with a soft coated wheaten terrier puppy, with booking notes saying she wanted the breed clip. I groom quite a few of those (surprisingly, as they're not a common breed here), but none of them get the breed clip because no one likes that maintenance and people like to see their dog's eyes. I pull out Notes from the Grooming Table to refresh myself and prepare for a conversation about how I have the pattern but it's not something I do regularly so it may not be perfect.

When the owner arrives to drop off, the receptionist comes to grab me and warns me that she comes off as someone like to be a problem, and I'm like oh boy.

Go up to talk to the lady and she has this pretty grown-out four-ish month old puppy and first thing she tells me snidely about how she "wanted to get her in sooner, but that's another story." I ask what she wants and she shows me a picture, which is... a teddy bear face. She tells me next that she wants to work her into a proper wheaten clip later, and proceeds to show me all these pictures of wheatens with a proper fall, so I ask if she wants me to still leave a bit of a beard and eyebrow today so she's more set up for that clip in the future than the picture she's showing me would. She says yes. Then she says, "So the booking information says she'll be done by this time, right?"

I tell her because this is a puppy's first groom, I want to take my time so it will take a little longer, and this woman sounds like she's about to cry at the thought of that of that but says, "Okay," and I tell her the estimate I think it'll more likely be and she seems reassured a little and I take the dog back.

When I get her back in the salon, I realize we never actually talked about what we would be doing on the dog's body because the owner was so focused on the face. Oops.

I opt to do a wheaten pattern on her body and just pick lengths based on the owner's goals/my impression of her and get going. But the whole time I'm worrying, "oh no, she's going to say I took her too short," "oh no, she's going to be one of those people that freaks out that I took all the black tips off her puppy," "oh no, she's going to hate the face because it's some hybrid of a wheaten and a teddy bear even though she said to do that," "oh no, what did she mean by that comment about wanting to get the dog groomed sooner, did she want someone else to do this and I'm just plan B? I assumed she was referred by my other wheaten clients but now idk"

Finish the dog like four minutes late, but amazingly this lady didn't show up demanding her dog at precisely the time I predicted, so I call the lady, and when she answers she asks how her dog did and then says, "Oh, and I was reading your bio on the website-" (Me, thinking: I have a bio??) "And I saw it says you have an Irish Setter! We had Irish Setters when I was growing up! My mom used to raise them for conformation shows until she got too old for dogs that size, then she went to English Cockers. That made me feel so much better."

On the one hand I'm thinking, "okay, this confirms that I wasn't her desired groomer if she's going digging on me," and on the other, "yay Irish Setters for bringing people together! Hope this doesn't set her expectations too high that I'm going to have given her wheaten some kind of show groom." (Also, thirdly: who wrote me a bio and what does it say)

It feels like a good thing but we won't know for surr until this dog is picked up.

Anyway, so I'm running behind because my schedule wasn't put together today to accommodate a puppy's first groom so I get working on my next dog and the receptionist brings the puppy up for me when the owner gets here. I'm hoping she'll tell me what the owner thought since we're all worried about this, but quite some time passes.

Finally, she bursts through the door. "Mary! That lady with the wheaten? When she saw her she just started sobbing-"

oh no

"-because she thought it was so cute!"

omg what a relief gkdfksd

"Like seriously she was down on the ground and making a whole scene but she was so happy, she thought the dog was the cutest thing in the world and she just couldn't stop going on about it and she said she's going to be coming to you forever and then she told me like her entire life story about [all these things she's been through] and how she got the puppy to be an emotional support animal and she's just so happy with her and how she looks and I made sure to remind her your name so she could ask for you going forward and she's already rebooked her next appointment for next month!"

So anyway, ultimately it sounds like she'll end up being a good client and whatever happened that she wasn't able to get her puppy groomed when/where she originally wanted seems to have worked out? I don't know what was said to the receptionist at the beginning to give her a bad feeling (she had gone home by the time I left today) but I'm glad things turned out okay because we've definitely met plenty of clients that are just impossible to please.

And for those that made it this far, I tried to take pics of the puppy because she was indeed very cute, but they all pretty much turned out like this because she was also very excited to be done

But here's an only slightly blurry grab from a motion pic

Here's hoping things go as well next time!

[artikgato]

8/27/2023

It happened again! The cute little brown bunny hopped into my path as I was walking. This time it stopped for a few seconds and watched me before hopping off of the sidewalk and into the grass, but then it stopped a few feet away from the tree line and sat for a few more seconds, long enough for me to almost get a picture of it, before darting off into the woods. At first there wasn't a Bunnelby when I checked Pokémon Go, but then a few seconds later one popped up... and in almost the same spot the bunny had been in before it hopped onto the sidewalk.

Quite interesting that this has happened for a third time, and this time the bunny didn't run away immediately. If this was in a book or a movie I wonder what the symbolism of it would be. Is this a warning, that I am like a prey animal and I need to be cautious? Is this a sign that things are changing for the better, since the bunny was a little more relaxed this time? Who knows.

Anyway the bunny aside, it was a pretty standard walk. It was slightly cooler this morning because it rained last night. I encountered someone else walking along the street going the opposite direction while I was in the residential area, and I encountered the same guy coming out of the retirement community toward The Road while I was going along there. It did startle me a little bit both times, but clearly I am alright so nothing happened. There was more traffic than I expected for a Sunday morning, to the point where I had to check to make sure it wasn't somehow Saturday again or I hadn't accidentally skipped forward to Monday.

I started walking with the Larvesta today. We'll see how that goes. Despite being at work all day I did manage to participate a bit in the Go Fest activities yesterday and I caught a bunch of shinies. I finally got my hands on a Pawniard for the first time yesterday, which was exciting, only for the second one I caught to be a shiny! I also got a shiny cowboy hat Snorlax, whom I love and will cherish for the rest of my days. Hopefully today I can pick up some more shinies.

From now until the end of September things should be pretty standard. Aside from a mostly unplanned excursion go Dragoncon, I don't have plans to go anywhere or do anything since everything is happening in October and November. Perhaps a random day trip to hang out with people or go do something will happen, but for now I think I need to really focus on getting plushies and other things ready to sell at the artist tables I have booked, and I really want to work on my novel, too. Ideally I'd love to finish the first draft by the end of November, so I can edit it and try to get it published next year. I started writing it in 2014, so it would only be fitting!

Tomorrow it'll be three weeks since I started doing this waking up at 5am and doing the mental health jogwalk. It doesn't feel like three weeks have gone by at all. I think because I'm waking up early it's making the days feel longer, so this three weeks has felt both very long and also very short. Time is a weird soup.Anyway, it's time to get back to work!

Word count: 585 Weather: 73, sunny Humidity: 95% Time: 23:27 Song of the Day: Toxic, Britney Spears

[rationalpassion]

Elder Memories

I'm getting older, and sometimes I think that my memory might not be what it used to be. I'm not so worried. When I need to remember the past I just use my personal search engine. Do you do this? I journal using my phone a lot. I add pictures, the works, but mostly it's a normal written journal. I'm writing using it right now. A bit meta-weird. Anyway, I use a searchable journal app, called Journey on my phone. It reduces my need to commit things to long term memory. I don't really want to remember everything anyway. I just hit the little magnifying glass, pop in a few words... and bam it's there, better than I could remember it.

There was a time when we actually had to remember things. We also had photographs and video tape recordings to help us remember. But even they aged and faded. Some people made home movies on Sony Handycams, played them back on their Betavisions, but then engineers and designers, despite the corrupt patent offices, always found some way of making improvements to the recording and playback systems. You know the story, the big switch to VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and gigabit/sec internet streaming. They were called improvements because they tended to improve the user's experience of a familiar and popular technology while still being accessible and affordable. Electronic devices were particularly prone to quick obsolescence due to frequent science-based discoveries, developments, and the ability to engineer things on progressively smaller scales. Noticeable improvements in the quality of audio-video recording and playback, but also in ergonomic ease-of-use, and ability for a memory device to last and be playable for years to come. In the area of video recording, optical discs are not susceptible to being erased my magnetic fields. They typically allowed people to enjoy a better product using a more pleasant, novel or familiar, and possibly more intuitive interface. The analog era was an exciting time.

The digital revolution changed everything.

We slowly realized that that making a common digital recording medium that many devices could use was the way to go. Like a Swiss army knife, amalgamation and ergonomic improvements put a powerful computer in the vast majority of everyone's pockets and hands.

Ergonomic improvements often meant that a person's usage of the product was more intuitive and familiar. The user could rely on common and familiar manual skills or gestures to control the machine. It's easier to go from riding a horse to a motorcycle than a jet airplane. Hand gestures have been used for millennia to accomplish non-verbal communication by humans. Using hand gestures to move a mouse or interact with a touch screen is an easy step for most. Also many technologies require that a written symbolic language is already developed and used by the vast majority of the population. As is almost always the case for most cultures in the world. But the real advancement came when world wide wired and wireless data connectivity with several layers of technology, hardware, protocols and languages allowed for ubiquitous access to information.

The Journey journaling app works very well. I think I pay $4o/year for it. It allows quickly publishing a journal entry as blog post to Tumbler. It's has a great search engine. I also like that it's cloud-based, and automatically synchronized so I don't have completely rely on my phone for its existence. It's works via a PC too. When I look up really old entries I can see how some memories stand the test of time better than others. Many memories are interesting or cherished because they are old and foundational, elder memories. I'm fine if my memory storage is externalized. It'll very likely last longer than my brain-based memories anyway.

P. S. This blog post, obviously the ramblings of a slightly stoned 40-something tech guy, may not be everyone's cup of tea 🍵. : )

[becca-e-barnes]

i miss sub!steve rogers

I really miss him too! I think he'd fit really well with a thought that I just can't shake this week, I'm so wrapped up in the idea of backshots and then taking pictures on a polaroid camera. To the point that I got a fucking polaroid camera this week

I just love the thought of a sub!Steve trying out different positions for the first time and using it as a chance to explore his interests. Particularly because I don't imagine he's tried many.

I think he'd like to start off with the more intimate ones, where he gets to see your face and gets to whimper his pleasure against your hot skin. He can lose control and watch your face while you take it, and you let him give in and ground himself in sensation, rather than thought.

The sight of you on the bed, on your hands and knees for him is one he won't forget though. The way your back curves, presenting your soaking wet, fluttering core to him almost makes the man drop to his knees and delve his tongue deep into your warm heat.

He doesn't do that though. Not on that first occasion anyway. His head is ruled by an uncomfortable, throbbing need in his cock and it's one he can't ignore for much longer. All thoughts of a condom leave his head, he's just so keen to be inside you like this. "Oh my God." He groans with one huge hand on the small of your back, pressing gently to guide you onto his dick, rather than thrusting it inside you.

You gasp at the initial slide. You always do. There's something so delightful in the feeling of him rubbing against your velvety walls and feeling your body accommodate him. Your head almost spins at the realisation that he's now fully seated inside you. There's nothing at all keeping you apart anymore and it doesn't get more intimate than this.

"Fuck, you should see yourself." Steve's voice is almost a whisper, gripping and massaging your ass and groaning at the sight in front of him. This position is a little more than what he's used to but he's entirely convinced it's one of his new favourites.

"Take a picture, Stevie. It'll last longer." You tease but when you look back over your shoulder at him with a fond smile on your face, he does his very best not to fuck you as recklessly as his brain tells him he needs to.

You'd left the polaroid camera on the bed for a reason, he now realises. That's new to him.

Things get just a little bit away from him though. He can't bare to be so deep inside your throbbing heat but not moving so he gives himself a few little test thrusts first.

One turns into two. Two turns into three. Three turns into Steve moaning and sobbing, mesmerised by the bounce of your ass when you fuck yourself back on him. "Oh h-holy shit. God, that fucking ass. Sh-shit, I'm not gonna last." That's fine. In fact, it's essentially a compliment. The slap of skin on skin fills the bedroom, along with Steve's soft whimpers and your moans.

"That's okay, Stevie. Make a pretty mess for me." That's all he needs to hear, just your soft, gentle voice, coaxing him to completion. He knows better than to finish inside you but he's never been more tempted to just press as deep as he can and fill you as he is in that moment.

He resists the urge though, pulling out as he always does, this time cumming over the swell of your ass with a few frantic sobs. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." He chants, spurts of hot cum painting your skin, marking you as his.

"Holy shit." He sounds totally spent and you can't help but notice how he lifts the camera with a shaky hand, snapping two photos of his spend glistening over your ass. "One for you and one for me." He smiles, kissing you gently before going to fetch a damp cloth.

[strawberryya]

welcome home

Seonghwa x reader

request: Oooh, idk if requests are open, if they're not I'm sorry but if they are, great!! Prompts: 'I missed you' & 'please stay'. Seonghwa (dom) + angst+ praise+ corruption+ fluff+ shy!reader. Can't wait to see what you come up with :) @whatudowhennooneseesyou 

word count: 5.3k

genre/contains: established long-distance relationship, dom!Seonghwa, afab!reader, nb!reader i think except for the typically fem petnames, petnames (sometimes degrading), angst , praise, corruption, fluff, shy!reader, unprotected sex (don't, just don't), thigh grinding, cream pie, mentions of phone sex and nudes, phone sex foreplay, porn with very little plot ngl, mentions of food, please let me know if you find something else

rating: 18+

a/n: oh god, this took so long to write, smut is a lot of fun but so hard to write sometimes. I imagine it'll get easier with more practice but idk. anyways, I hope this fulfilled the request and that you all enjoy it :)

.・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.

All day you had been horny, it was just one of those days where it kept bothering you no matter what you did to distract yourself. Luckily it wasn't a weekday, and you could stay at home while trying to distract yourself from your own thoughts. Specifically those about him.

Of course, you knew you would have to wait a while longer if you wanted to do something with his help. However, when you're watching the cooking channel and a random chef's knife skills turn you on, you kinda have to face reality and do something about your situation.

So you ended up calling him, deciding that, at least making sure he was on board would be a bit reassuring as you tried to fight off the urge to just help yourself.

His sweet tone when he picked up with a "Hey my baby," derailed everything though. And when he innocently asked "How has your day been so far?" it made you feel rather shy and unsure of how to bring up the subject you intended to discuss.

Feeling restless you flipped yourself over, laying on your side with the phone still pressed against your ear to hear his every word. You had missed his voice - even though you had spoken just two days ago and texted in between. It had been hard, not seeing him in person these past months, not being able to talk into the small hours at night while lying next to each other and without a damn phone in your hand. 

Additionally, not being able to feel him had been torture. Occasional phone sex and dirty pictures had of course been sent to help each other out, but you were never really completely satisfied. It didn’t matter how many times you came on your vibrator or your fingers; nothing came close to how he could make you come within minutes with only his mouth, sucking and lapping at your pussy like he had been starved for ages. You missed having his head pressed up against you in between your spread-out legs, only seeing the top of his head when you looked down and moaned at the sight. You missed how he would groan when you pulled at his hair, sending vibrations through your body. And you missed how he would fuck you senseless when you were already about to pass out from your previous orgasms. 

Clenching from the thought of just this finally pushed you over the edge. You needed to hear him tonight, you needed to see him as you both came undone, calling out to each other over the call, and your self-consciousness would have to be pushed aside for now.

"Could we talk on facetime or something tonight? I'm feeling a bit 'wound up' and... idk I just thought that maybe..." you began, getting more embarrassed from what you were about to ask of your boyfriend with every word. It wasn't like it was the first time- absolutely not - these calls had become both of your saving graces these past couple of months. Altough, phone sex, even when they felt like personal cam boy streams, wasn't exactly ideal. However, it was so much better than having to survive on only the memory of him moaning into your ear.

"Cmon, tell me what you want," he teased, snickering a bit at your awkwardness.

It wasn't easy, asking him to do what you wanted him to do. It didn't matter that you had done it before. You accidentally let a small whine slip out, inadvertently letting him know of your dissatisfaction due to his incessant need to hear all of the dirty thoughts you had to be said through words. But you very quickly gave in, too horny not to do exactly what he said. "Could we have phone sex tonight?" you hastily mumbled out, words stumbling over each other.

He heard you though, however, his laughing slowly came to a halt, only to lower his voice and demand "Again, clearer this time. Tell me exactly what it is that you want today."

You were burning up, the complete flip in his tone of voice had your stomach doing flips at every syllable.

"I-" you began, your words getting caught in your throat. You knew what you wanted, you knew exactly what you needed from him. You knew he would do what you wanted, as long as you told him. But that was of course the hardest part... the words continuously trying to turn into whispers due to the heat creeping up all over your body from embarrassment.

"I want you, to call me tonight... on a video call. I want you to look at me while I touch myself," Oh god, you could hear the desperation in your own voice, but at the same time you began uttering the words, you couldn't keep your legs apart, seeking the friction your thighs gave you as you rubbed them tightly together. Taking a moment to take a deep breath, you continued, trying your hardest to keep your words clear and coherent.

"I want you to tell me how to touch myself. I want you to imagine, that you are the one doing it, as you satisfy yourself, with your hand. I want to see you do it." And with that, you let the rest of the air out of your lungs, feeling like you could die of embarrassment.

His answer came after a couple of seconds of dead silence that would give you a stress-induced heart attack in any other circumstances.

"See, that wasn't too hard, was it? You have learned so well; look at you now, saying these things to me. So needy. Now, do you want to wait until tonight, do it over the phone, and do it all by your lonesome? Or would you like to answer that door for me, like the obedient slut that you are?"

At that very moment, you heard the doorbell sound loudly, and you sat up from the couch at once. You were just about to start questioning how Seonghwa could've known that it was going to ring right at that moment, but he hung up before you could collect your thoughts enough for a single word to come out.

It couldn't be, he was hours away. There was just no way he could've traveled that entire way without telling you that he was coming home. You tried to calm yourself, not wanting to get your hopes up too much, in case your rational thoughts actually were the truth and he just had some magical levels of perfect timing today.

You pulled open the door and your jaw fell, all the words you had running through your brain sticking on your tongue. All rational thoughts dissolving as you looked at the man standing on the other side of the door.

“So you’ve decided to be a good little whore today?” Seonghwa said with a playful smirk.

Your eyes widen in complete shock, but you nod and back up from the door as if in a trance. The horny in you was momentarily stunned by the overwhelming joy of having him back right in front of you after so many weeks without him there.

"Work? How? You didn't..." you tried and failed at making complete sentences, just staring at him while he unloaded the bags in his hands. You closed the door as he took off his shoes and let your back fall against it for support.

"It was a surprise," he smiled, looking at your still confused face.

"Oh," was all you could muster up now.

Then his smile shifted into a knowing smile, and his eyes switched into something a lot more devious. You shifted, nervously avoiding his gaze. He fought your chin in between his thumb and index finger, stabilizing your face and forcing your eyes to meet his own unrelentless ones.

"But before we talk about any of that, we have a couple of things to deal with. Wanna tell me again what you want from me tonight?"

Your breath hitched as you imagined the possibilities of what you could do now that he was here.

However, "Kiss me, please," was all you could find the words for.

"With pleasure," he whispered as he pushed you up against the cold door behind you. The kiss - aggressive, messy, and wet- and the relief of finally feeling his lips on yours combined with your breath caught in your lungs creating a deliciously dizzying feeling. It was taking over your mind, clouding your every thought, making you stuff the questions, and pleas for this to last forever, into the back of your mind.

This was not the time to bring up your wants when he was already giving you exactly what you needed by letting his leg slip in between your thighs. You moaned into his mouth as you let yourself sink down on his steady thigh.

Your mind was already beginning to feel fuzzy, it had been too long. While tracing his body, you let your hands travel from their previous position on Seonghwa's neck, letting them slide over his back, around his sides, and down to the hem of his shirt. A simple black shirt, comfy, and perfect to travel in. However, you needed it gone. Letting your hands slide up inside of his shirt, your fingertips sliding up over his toned abdomen until he broke the kiss, both of you out of breath and high on the feeling of finally feeling each other like this. He let you pull his shirt up, letting out a single chuckle at the way you licked your lips seeing his bare chest.

"Eager are we?" he pulled your head up by putting his index finger under it and tilting it towards his face. "Are we?" he repeated sternly.

"Very," you said breathlessly, feeling the embarrassment crawling into your brain, but it was quickly pushed aside when he smirked yet again and brought his lips to yours.

Moaning into the kiss again due to the muscles in his thigh shifting you felt your pussy getting wetter by the second. It was unbearable, especially since you had felt so needy the entire morning.

You needed more. More of this moment. More of his lips and hands all over your body, squeezing and caressing. You needed more of him.

Trying to create some more friction, you pushed your pelvis up a bit and let it drop again, your sweats on top of his thigh covered with jeans gave you exactly what you needed for just a moment.

But it was soon taken away as Seonghwa pulled back, seeing your distressed expression searching his face for a reason for his action.

"Did I tell you to do that?" he said in an unsympathetic voice while staring you down.

You froze, "No," you tried to look away, but his "Look at me," made you bring all your attention to him once again. "I go away from home for a couple months, and you start becoming disobedient just because we have been slacking off a little while on the phone?" he said and cocked a brow, awaiting your defense.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I just-" you tried, your voice giving in a bit.

"Did our sessions really make you so desperate that you're now grinding on my leg without instructions while we're just making out?" his voice deepening with every word as he thought about how you had become more and more comfortable with expressing your desires over the past couple of months. It was honestly a huge turn-on to see you like this, so desperate. He loved it more than you knew.

However, seeing you acting all shy about it was also a lot of fun, and teasing you about it like this made it all even better. Now you were both shy and desperate, he couldn't get enough of it.

"Don't you want to be a good slut for me?" he asked, fake innocence lacing his dark voice.

"I do!" you said a bit too loud for your own self-respect to stay fully intact, it didn't matter though, because he smiled at your eager response and kissed your surprised face. He let his lips fall onto yours, both glossy and plump from the previous kisses.

This time, his kisses were softer, more tender. Giving you the opportunity to pull yourself together enough for you to find some sort of coherent thought in your fuzzy brain. "I missed you," you breathed out in between the kisses.

"Oh baby, I missed you too, I missed you so so much," you felt yourself melt into him as the sweet tone of his voice came back for just a moment as he told you this.

He slipped his hands onto your waist, pulling you away from the door and leading you back into the living room. Still kissing you, tentatively and affectionately until you felt a cold and hard surface hit your ass. Lifting yourself up a bit, you managed to put yourself on the table behind you. You were sitting on the dining-room table in the middle of the open area of your living room. But where you were didn't really matter right then.

Your mind was so completely focused on how Seonghwas lips traced the skin on your neck with small kisses and how his hands had begun making their way underneath your shirt. You felt his hands making their way up your torso until they found your breasts. He brushed his fingers over your nipples and you quivered.

His hands felt right at home on your skin, slightly pressing down on your nipples with two fingers and letting the other sneak back to your lower back, pulling you closer to his body as he made his way up to your moaning lips again.

He pulled back and before he could even ask you burst out "Please take it all off." And he followed your orders, smiling when he got back to your lips after having slid off your shirt and sweats, leaving you in just your underwear on the cold surface of the table.

"So pretty," he whispered into your ear while he let his hand drop to your thigh, dragging his fingers over your skin, just beside the fabric of your panties, but not so close that you got any of the satisfaction of actually feeling him on your sensitive and throbbing pussy.

"If you want something, you need to ask for it," he amused, feeling you shift underneath him in search of friction.

"Touch me, everywhere, I'll do whatever you want, just please touch me!" you wanted to cry, so horny that all your inhibitions were going out the window the moment he let his fingers slide over your clothed cunt. You moaned, earning a "Such a good little one you are," from Seonghwa before he let your moans become muffled by his lips pressing into yours.

You kissed back with such passion that you heard him let out a groan himself. The moans from his fingers rubbing down onto your clit, your panties soaking from the close contact with your dripping pussy, you didn't even notice how wild it all drove him until you wrapped your legs around his waist and felt the bulge, stretching underneath the restraint of his clothes.

"Just a bit more," you pleaded into the kiss. Feeling increasingly needy himself, Seonghwa did as you had asked, rubbing in circular motions on your clit, a bit faster, a bit harder, while he used the other hand to press you against his chest. Your breasts pressed up against his chest, the kiss continuing to swallow your moans that were becoming more fervent with every second until you felt your orgasm approaching. You were so close, you were almost screaming. pressing yourself so impossibly close to Seonghwa while your legs began to shake a bit around his waist.

With one last harsh movement of his fingers, you came, clenching around nothing, screaming a silent moan into his mouth. He continued to move his fingers, slowly, on your still clothed clit until you had come back down to earth again.

You were still out of breath, kissing him sloppily while you calmed yourself down more.

"I missed you," you confess again, pulling back from his lips to look into his eyes. They had been dark and hungry, but your words made them look at you in another way, a softer way, almost apologetic you thought. Or maybe it's just what you wanted them to say, you wanted him to say that being away from you had been a mistake and that he was sorry and wanted to come home. But you knew you couldn't expect that, because it hadn't actually been a mistake, taking this opportunity was good for his career and a little time apart right now was the sacrifice you both had decided was worth it for him to be able to reach his goals.

An apology wasn't what you wanted in the end, you just wanted him to stay this time. Asking him to do that was not an option however, you couldn't put that decision on him, making him choose to do as you asked or do what he needed to. You knew it wasn't an option.

Instead of waiting for an answer from him, you grabbed him by the neck, pulling him towards you for a kiss. Once again, the kiss was soft and tender, but it became more ferocious as you pulled him closer by the neck and then the waist, feeling his still stiff and untouched cock pressing against you. You wouldn't ask, but you would show him how much you needed him. Because right now he was here and you wouldn't ask for more.

"Can I ride you?" you ask while kissing his neck down to his collar bone and up again, leaving dark marks over his skin from your moments of stopping and sucking on small spots all over his skin.

"My baby wants to ride me?" he growled out while you sucked on a particularly sensitive spot below his ear. When you let go of his skin, stopping to drag your thumb over the faint purple color where your mouth had been, Seonghwa took the opportunity and lifted you up, your legs wrapped tightly around him for support. You moaned feeling the friction of his movements on your still sensitive clit.

He groaned at the way you moaned and ground down on him. "Being all greedy and already so desperate for me, perfect in every way aren't you.” He said as he let you down on the couch that you only now realized had been just a couple steps away from the table where you had ended up at first. "If you want me to fuck you, you need to take those off," he mentioned and nodded down towards the one article of clothing you had left on your body. You didn't hesitate to throw it off of you and into some corner of the room.

However, removing your own clothing meant that you almost missed seeing him undress. But just almost, because you couldn't help but catch yourself gawking at him as he finished pulling down his zipper and reaching for the edges of his pants. And you most definitely didn't miss when he finally pulled them down, a small gasp of excitement leaving your lips when you saw his dick being uncovered by the fabrics of his underwear, standing erect and looking just as deliciously good as you remembered.

You licked your lips unknowingly at the sight and shifted on your seat when you noticed him twitching and leaking as he watched your reaction to his cock.

"So so needy... My sweet angel, so cock-hungry just for me," he said, breaking the trance you had been put in by the thought of him inside of you, stretching you out, filling you up. You really were hungry for his cock and you had no inhibitions keeping you from showing him just how much you wanted him left.

"Please, let me ride your cock," you pleaded, sounding more desperate than you thought you would, but not caring one bit when he smiled at your request.

He sat down on the couch next to you and helped you shift yourself on top of him. "So beautiful," he murmured as you bent down to kiss him while reaching down to align yourself with the tip of his eager cock. Not being able to contain yourself any longer, you didn't wait for him to tell you to move, you just began sliding down his shaft yourself.

Once you had taken all of him in, sitting firmly in his lap, pulling at his hair that was tangled in your fists, you let a sigh of relief out from somewhere deep within you. Nothing could compare to the way he completely filled you up, how you could feel him pulsate through your walls while your pussy gripped tightly around him. And absolutely nothing could top the way his moans sounded in person. Every whimper, every hitched breath, due to you clenching down on his cock, made a new wave of desire seek its way through your body. 

"Move," Seonghwa ordered, not being able to handle your pulsating walls around him without you moving for a second longer. At the demand, you lifted yourself up a bit, moaning at the feeling of him moving inside of you, and dropping yourself down onto him again. Both of you let out sounds of pleasure at the sound of your pussy squelching every time you went up or down on his cock and the simple feeling of having each other so close - so real compared to the video images you had survived on for months.

Your mind was blank, you rambled on and on about absolutely nothing. Moans mixed with “please” and “more” came out in a blur. Seongwha pulled you in by the neck, kissing you with such passion that you felt your high approach with the speed of lightning. It hit you before you knew it and you screamed a silent scream into his mouth as you pressed your chest into his and continued to grind close to his body, no longer able to find the energy to lift your body up.

Seongwha continues to kiss you, rubbing your thigh with one hand and running the other one up and down your back in a soothing motion. However, you could feel him inside of you, pulsating and twitching.

It doesn't take long before he has reached his limit, grabbing your hips in a firm grip and lifting you up by himself, and letting you drop down again. His steady grip digging into your skin combined with the low growls and sweet moans coming from him every time you took him in turned you on yet again.

With the absolute last of your strength, you help him, making it easier for him to lift you, and pushing down harder onto him when he let you fall down onto his stiff cock. You're a moaning mess yourself, and when he hisses out "God, you sound so hot," you can't help but feel your orgasm build up once again. It's even more intense than the first two times and the overstimulation combined with the increasingly aggressive thrust that hits just the right spot every time makes you crash into a wave of pleasure.

You're shaking from the stimulation, still moaning and letting out obscene noises as Seonghwa continues to push into you, holding you steady with all of his strength as you're about to let go of every muscle in your body and drift away. He can feel your pussy clenching uncontrollably around him as your orgasm continues to fill your mind and body. Your walls squeezing him so tightly pushed him past his utmost limit and he groans loudly into your ear as he comes inside of you, your cum combining with his and leaking out of your overfilling cunt and running down onto his lap.

You both stay like that, cum spilling out of you, breaths heavy and quick at the same time, your pussy continuing to clench around his sensitive cock, and small moans leaving both of you every time either of you shifts while you come down from your highs.

Even after you regain some ability to form coherent thoughts you don't move. Instead, you let yourself rest against his shoulder, taking in the scent of his perfume that you had missed so much and basking in the sensation of his hands moving slowly across your naked skin. Now that you had him back in your arms you really didn't want him to leave.

The thought of having to let him go like you had before, even if it was the logical thing to do, made your heart ache. And the thought of how he would be forced to respond if you asked him to stay almost broke you, and without realizing it, you had begun silently crying. Your tears fell down onto Seonghwas bare shoulders, making him snap out of the state he had been in after his own orgasm.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying? Are you in pain or did something not feel right?" he asked while trying to shift you both so that he could look at you properly. His entire face was filled with worry, his eyes searching yours for answers you couldn't yet articulate.

"I'm okay, I promise you didn't do anything wrong, I'm just... Please stay." you let out in between your sobs. "Just for a bit, I want a little more time with you right here."

"I'm not going anywhere." Seonghwa comforted you, letting you fall down into his chest and letting you cry. You knew he was just saying that to calm you down. It wasn't like he was leaving you, he wasn't lying in that way, but he wasn't being truthful. He was leaving, he was going somewhere, you both knew he had to. But thinking about how he could know that and still try and get you to believe that you could somehow stay just like this forever just made you cry harder, letting your sobs take over the silence as you clung to his body.

.・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.

You woke up hearing the clanking of pans and plates from the kitchen. While pushing yourself out of bed after feeling your stomach scream after something to eat. The godlike smells coming from downstairs drove you to get up even though your entire body felt sore.

You were all cleaned up, and you smiled when you realized that he had put you in one of his own oversized t-shirts that hugged your body with the warm scent of his perfume.

"Good evening sweetie," Seonghwa chimed when he saw you entering the kitchen.

"Good evening to you too," you said and smiled broadly back at him, but continued, intrigued by the food simmering on the stove. "What are we cooking today?"

"Just pasta, but I made a tomato sauce from scratch if you're wondering why it just looks like crushed tomatoes so far," he grinned at your curious face as you bent down to smell the soon-to-be sauce puttering away in the pan.

"Smells incredible! I'm so hungry right now and omfg pasta is just perfect," you beamed over at him, receiving a wide smile back from him as he chuckled at you.

Scrunching your forehead a bit, you ask "What?" partially wondering what he found amusing and also just wanting to hear him speak more.

"Nothing really, I'm just glad to be back home."

You watched as he continued chopping some more basil and all the emotions you had felt earlier came crashing into your consciousness once again. This wasn't the time to bring anything up though. Pushing away the heavy weight of knowing you wouldn't have him like this for a while made you force a smile onto your lips and just go over to him, hugging him from the back and resting your head on his steady frame.

"Welcome home then," you said quietly, so as to not let the devastating sadness in your words slip out. Of course, you had been on board originally, but your feelings had changed surrounding your situation. Long distance wasn't something you felt like you could put up with for much longer. Missing him in this way and getting only weekends from time to time like this would never feel like enough. You needed him in your life all the time, you wanted him there - without any distance.

The entire dinner had been spent talking about everything you two had missed about each other, sickly sweet words spilling out of both of you, giggles and flirty glances filling up the silence when you both ate. It wasn't until you were both done eating and you asked him when his flight would be leaving that he looked at you in complete shock. Why he would look at you in that way was a conundrum to you.

"My flight?" he questioned.

"Yes... you know the airplane that will take you back to where you need to be for work?" you articulated, looking at him as if maybe he just had a momentary slip of reality and that your explanation would snap him out of it.

But he didn't snap out of anything, questioning once more "What are you talking about? I don't have a flight booked to take me anywhere. I thought I told you I wasn't going anywhere."

Now it was your time to look at him in complete shock.

"Are you trying to tell me that you're home home? Like home for real? You're not leaving for work again?"

Seonghwa only chuckled at your questions, "You welcomed me home just a little while ago? I thought you knew," he said and gave you a look of wonder as you still hadn't truly comprehended what he was saying.

"I thought you were just talking about like this temporary home situation and that you were, I don't know, not going anywhere in the metaphorical sense or something," you tried to explain yourself, groaning at how strange it sounded now.

"I'm sorry baby, I really should've told you that I was coming home for real, but that kinda would've ruined the surprise, and then I thought you had understood when you began crying so hard earlier and also when you hugged me before and I just, I didn't think you thought that," he looked at you with an expression that told you just how apologetic he felt about the whole thing now.

"I'm just so sorry, but I can tell you that the moving truck with the rest of my stuff is coming here tomorrow, and I promise that it's not a metaphorical truck, and I truly am not going anywhere this time." he rambled on.

But honestly, you were barely listening, "You're home," was all you could say and think in response. Grinning from ear to ear when the words finally settled in your brain.

"Yeah, I'm home."

You hopped over to him, bending down as you grabbed his face in your hands and showered him with kisses all over his face. His giggles filled up the entire room and you didn't stop until he grabbed your waist and looked up at you from when he was sitting, his eyes sparkling in the dim light of the lamps over you, his smile mirroring yours, and pulling you down by the neck to give you a kiss as you let the feeling of him being there settle and push away all the worries you had ever felt in the past couple of months. Because he was staying, and that was all you needed.

.・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.

[navigation post!]

[dragonmuse]

i am very much in love with your whole Leda verse and it’s many variations but I ESPECIALLY love this newest one with Eddy and Izzy being married!! Going off of canon and general responsibility vibes, Izzy seems to be the one who takes care of her most often — I would love to see something the other way round, with a minor illness/migraine/idk twisted ankle or something that means they’re in charge of taking care of Izzy for a change. I’m picturing her being a good nurse for someone who’s sick but not worryingly sick? and picturing Izzy being an ATROCIOUS patient? idk I would love to see your take!

(I am so on this particular timeline train at the moment that I did not even hesitate, anon. Here's Izzy with the flu and his Eddy.)

It crept on him through the day. He woke up a little fuzzy around the edges, stuffed up and tired. Eddy wasn’t due back until noon, so he kept it a quiet morning. He wasn’t one to stay in bed, but he just made himself coffee and drank it on the couch instead of doing one of his usual early morning chores. A shower woke him up a little. Probably just a bad night’s sleep then.

The cough started while he was sanding down his latest project, he figured it was the dust and took a break to drink some water. His hands were a little shaky. Wearily, he took a break to sort out lunch. Eddy usually came in hungry and it was good to eat together after they’d been away for a bit. He made a chicken salad with last night's leftovers and studded it with dried cranberries.  

He kept coughing which was more than a little annoying. Refilling his water cup, he stored the chicken salad in the fridge and decided that the rest could wait. The couch seemed like a good call. His eyes kind of hurt, along with his head. Might as well just rest them for a second. 

“Iz?” Eddy stood over him. How had she gotten in without him hearing? He was getting rusty. 

“Hey.” He opened his eyes and that was a mistake. His head was killing him and the light wasn’t helping. 

A hand dropped to his forehead. Her fingers were cool from being outside and it was instantly soothing. 

“Holy shit,” she groaned. “You’re burning up. What are you even doing out of bed?” 

“Oh,” he considered his morning. “Yeah, that makes sense. I made lunch.”

“You want to eat it?” She challenged. 

The idea was not particularly appealing now that she mentioned it. “No.” 

“Go take off your pants and get back into bed,” she ordered. He lifted his eyebrows. “Absolutely the fuck not. You’d pass out in the middle.” 

“Never,” he contended, but bed sounded fucking amazing as it happened, so he got to his feet and made his way there. He could hear her banging around through the house, but gave up figuring out what she was doing in favor of shedding his clothes. Then getting into the bed very fast because he was also freezing. 

It was too early for a nap, but he drifted anyway. Eddy came in and prodded him in the ribs. “Open up.” 

A thermometer was stuck unceremoniously into his mouth. It beeped after a few seconds. 

“Bad?” Izzy hazarded a guess when Eddy didn’t say anything. 

“Is a 102 good?” Eddy asked skeptically. 

“No,” Izzy snorted. “Definitely the fucking flu. Told you Olga got it and we drove together the other day. Probably gave it to me before she took sick leave.” 

“So what do we do?” Eddy set the thermometer down on the side table. 

“Nothing. I’ll drink liquids, watch day time tv, take some decongestant if I need to. It’ll go on its own.” He waved it away. “You should go stay with Bonnet or you’ll get it too.” 

“Wow,” Eddy sat down beside him. “Nice. Really nice, Iz.” 

“What?” 

“In sickness and health, you fucking martyr.  Pretty sure it goes two ways.” 

“You smoked for way longer, this shit gets in your lungs, it'll be a fight against pneumonia,” he protested. 

“Great, you can worry over that when it’s my turn. For now, I’m not actually going to leave you here to manfully die alone. Fuck.” 

He reached out and found their hand. They let him tug at it and then with a huff amusement, let him drop it on his forehead. Their fingers were cool anymore, but it still felt good. 

“Fine.” He mumbled around their thumb. Then after a second’s thought, he nipped at it. 

“I’m going to sell you to a sideshow,” she declared, flicking his nose gently then retreating. “You are such a little freak.” 

“Good luck getting full price when I’m not in mint condition.” 

“You want anything?” 

“Water. Advil. Box of tissues.” 

“Anything else?” 

“Nah.” 

Eddy deposited all the requested items. He sat up enough to take the pill and get down some of the water before he started coughing again. The creeping grossness was finally full upon him, head full of cotton and face full of snot. Great. It wasn’t a graceful landing back on the mattress. 

“Here,” Eddy shoved his phone in his hand. “Text me if you get worse. I’m going to eat something. And not whatever fun special lunch you coughed in for me.” 

That was probably a good call. He rolled over and shivered himself to sleep.  

When he woke up again, he was warm. Eddy was definitely in bed with him, her feet pressed to his calves. He turned over, muffling the resulting cough in his elbow. She was sitting against the headboard, laptop on a pillow as she watched something with a lot of color on the screen.  

“What’s that?” He asked blearily. 

“It’s a comedy thing that Roach got me into. British. Comedians trying to do weird tasks in funny ways.” 

Izzy sneezed into his elbow, grabbed a tissue and blew for what felt like a year, then sagged back against the headboard. 

“This is a real look,” Eddy eyed him speculatively. “Could enter you in a zombie shambling contest.” 

“Do they have those?” He asked groggily. 

“Yeah, it’s a whole thing. C’mere.” 

Izzy wasn’t going to resist that. It took a little doing, but he wound up with his head on her chest, and her arm wrapped around him.  The show didn’t make a lot of sense, but some of it was funny enough to get a laugh out of him. Eddy idly tugged at the ends of his hair. 

Eventually he felt something in the neighborhood of hunger for the first time that day and started to get up. 

“Where are you going?” She asked. 

“Gonna eat something.” 

“Yeah, okay what?” 

“Toast?” 

“Fine.” She set the laptop down. “Don’t suppose you’d eat it in bed?” 

“Fuck no,” he got his feet under him. Crumbs in the sheets gave him a particular horror. He had a full on screaming match with them over it once. It was one of the few times they hadn’t been able to make him back down and it had become a bit of a symbolic battle ground. He didn’t care if he was half-dead, he was not opening the door to them feasting on literal crackers in their literal bed again. Because he would kick them out, charming saying or not.

When they got to the kitchen, Eddy pushed him toward a chair and he couldn’t really do much more than collapse into it like wet tissue. Everything ached. 

“What time is it?” He frowned at the window. It looked darker than it should. 

“Seven.” They stuck two slices of bread in the toaster. 

“Ugh,” he decided and dropped his head into his hands. “Someone put fiberglass in my brain.” 

“Arguably they did that a long time ago,” she said untroubled. “What do you want on it?” 

“Got any of that lime-raspberry stuff left?” 

They had a truly epic collection of jams these days and it took Eddy some perusing to find the right one. 

“This one?” 

“Yeah. You have a good weekend?” He asked. 

“Learned how to stone fabric,” she said happily. “I’m going to look like a fucking disco ball.” 

“Which one is this again?” 

“Purple thing. It’s new, you haven’t seen it yet. You’ll like it,” she smirked. “It’s sleeveless.”

He really did like when their shoulders were exposed. 

She put too much jam on the toast, but he could probably use the extra calories after a day of just coffee. While he ate, she thumbed through something on her phone. His plate clattered into the sink when he finished and then she herded him back into their bed. 

“I’m going for a walk before it gets too dark,” she declared and then handed him his phone again. It was ringing for some reason. “Enjoy.” 

“What?” He watched her go. 

“Hey, Iz,” Lucius said from the phone. Izzy stared at it then put it to his ear. 

“Hey. Sorry.” 

“What for?” 

“Eddy dialed you, didn’t know if you were in the middle of something.” 

“Why did- you sound like shit. What’s wrong?” 

“Just the flu, I think. Got a bit of a fever.” 

“What’s a bit?” Lucius pressed.

“Not sure, actually.” He fumbled for the thermometer. It was under a growing pile of tissues. He popped it under his tongue then checked it. “101.” 

“Yeah that’s a bit,” Lucius was definitely rolling his eyes. “You taking care of yourself?” 

Izzy blinked, “No. Uh. Eddy is.” 

“Oh. What’s that like?” 

He thought about her messing with his hair and making him toast. It was rough in a way, he supposed. She wasn’t the type to dote. But it was a kindness that they couldn’t have afforded him even three years ago. Maybe not even a year ago. He definitely wouldn’t have been able to accept it then either. 

“Good,” he said softly. “I like it.”  

“Aw, Iz,” Lucius’ voice softened. “Cute.” 

“Fuck off,” he grumbled. “My brain is cooking.” 

“Why’d they dial my number?” Lucius wondered. 

“Went for a walk. Probably wanted to make sure I didn’t try to do anything dumb.” 

“Like what?” 

Izzy huffed a laugh. “Might be remembering when I tried to work on my bike when I had a concussion.” 

“Sounds sensible. How’d you even get a concussion?” 

“Got hit by a car, apparently.” 

“What?!” 

“Yeah, that’s what I said. I don’t actually remember it.” 

Lucius squawked about that for awhile, then changed the subject entirely, rambling on about something Izzy wasn’t really up to following. It was nice to just hear his voice anyway. By the time they said good night, the front door had opened and closed. Izzy tracked her movements through the house. Kitchen, cabinets. Microwave. Late dinner then. Pacing and talking while they ate. That was Bonnet, most likely. They talked almost every night even if it was only to say good night. 

Then up the stairs, into the bathroom. Sink running for tooth brushing and the careful skin regime that Izzy could admit did something if not something worth the amount spent on it.  Down the stairs again, probably for something they forgot because they came right back up. Hall light flickered out, bedroom door opened. Closet door opened. Shuffling off of the day’s clothes. Closet light off and then the bed dipping down.  

“Still alive?” They checked. 

“Mostly.” He agreed. 

He dozed again while she messed around on her phone. 

“Hey, how hard is to make that soup you do when I have a cold?” 

“Easy,” Izzy yawned into her ribs. “Just saute garlic, ginger and onions then throw in a can of Campbells.” 

“That shit is from a can?” Eddy asked incredulously. “All this time, I’m thinking you’re doing from scratch Susie Homemaker stuff and it’s from a can?” 

“I used to do homemade and you told me it didn’t taste right,” he said amused. “I figured you liked the metal aftertaste.” 

“Fucking con artist,” Eddy determined. “Why the ginger and shit then?” 

“S’good for you,” he yawned. “And it smells good even if you’re stuffed up.” 

She put her hand between his shoulder blades, digging her fingers in until he groaned. It felt fucking amazing. 

“Stede says you feed a cold, starve a fever, but being hungry fucking blows.” 

“That’s not about food anyway,” Izzy muttered. “It’s about temperature and it’s wrong. Don’t make me soup.” 

“You can’t fucking stop me right now, can you?” 

“Eddy,” he tried to say reasonably, but it came out more as a whine. “Don’t burn my fucking pans.” 

“I’ll do what needs to be done and you’ll fucking shut up about it, plague rat.” 

He shut up about it, but he did it with a smile and fell asleep feeling like dog shit and also pretty fucking great.

[dangerouscommiesubversive]

Imagine a scenario where Hiden, Godai, and Hongo meet?

How do you think that scenario will turn out?

Oh, see, the thing is, I think Godai's known the old man for a long time. Longer than most of his friends, in fact, longer than Ichijo, at this point he's known the old man longer than anyone but Minori and Kazari.

Picture this: Godai Yusuke, seventeen years old, gangly and awkward and a little concerned that his sister's panicking about now because he kind of maybe left without telling her, but he sent her a postcard from the airport when the plane landed, it'll be ok, he's sure she'll understand. It was a wild impulse, really. He wanted to go on an adventure.

So now he's in a town where he doesn't speak the language very well, and he's heard they're having some kind of crime problems but that's not going to stop him from exploring. Anyway, he's got to eat something, so he's sitting in a cafe that's open to the street and having a meal that he's promised to wash dishes for, and then some punks who barely look older than he is show up and start getting into it with the cafe owner, which isn't great already and then they start pulling out guns.

And this old guy a couple of tables over from Yusuke stands up and starts talking to them. He's very calm. Kind of friendly, even. Yusuke can't understand much of what he's saying, but he's definitely trying to get them to put the guns away.

Ten minutes later, the guns are still out, and the old guy kind of sighs and pushes his sleeves up his arms.

Five minutes after that, the guns are no longer operational, the punks are mostly unconscious except for one who's just sitting there looking dazed, and the cafe's a little bit of a mess. So Yusuke, who's been watching the entire thing from a spot right in front of the counter so that the cafe owner's kid can stay out of sight, starts standing the chairs and tables back up, and also folding all of the napkins into animal shapes because the kid was definitely crying and this is getting her to smile again. After a minute the old guy comes over and helps him straighten up, and they talk about traveling and don't bother introducing themselves and it's just kind of nice, and then they go their separate ways.

Anyway, they run into each other every once in a while and never introduce themselves. The old guy's just Gramps; Yusuke's just Boy. They see each other in Nepal in late 1999, and then when Yusuke flies back home Everything Happens, and then when they run into each other again in Mexico in mid-2001 the old guy looks at him, looks for a long time, and then buys him dinner, which is weird because normally they just pay for themselves.

Yusuke doesn't tell him about it. That's fine. There's definitely stuff Gramps doesn't tell him about either.

They keep running into each other. They never talk about it. Yusuke's pretty sure Gramps knows anyway.

Fast forward to 2020, Aruto's in kind of an out-of-the-way town to talk to the leader of a local Humagear rights group. Well, and also to be a mediator between them and local law enforcement, because there's been a crime problem in the area and people are trying to blame the Humagears and it's causing problems for the activists. The meeting's not until tomorrow, though, he's got some time, so he goes out to visit a cafe with a famously good Humagear cook and see how she's doing. He's sitting in the outdoor seating area with her, in the middle of a conversation about what the town is like, when some jerks on motorcycles show up and start getting into it with the owner of the convenience store next door, which isn't great already and then they start pulling out guns.

And this sort of ordinary-looking middle-aged guy, who's sitting over in the corner of the cafe eating lunch with another guy who's probably his dad, stands up and starts talking to them.