#you can still hear his laughin on the anniversary of that night

[thecreaturecodex]

What's your options on bugbears in Golorian being all serial killers or atleast obsessed with fear? I think that has room for, improvement. Definitely feels weird for them though.

I love it.

It's one of my favorite lore changes between D&D and Pathfinder. It makes bugbears feel less like "goblin, but giant". And Paizo has made it clear that some goblins mutate and just grow to Medium size, so you can have giant goblins if you want 'em.

@monstersdownthepath suggested that bugbears have a demonic taint to them. Despite their CE nature, I'd suggest sahkils instead. Bugbears are the Fear of Marauders, of Banditry, of Murder. Only they're mortal. But I bet a lot of their souls end up in Xilbaba when they die.

I imagine that small groups of bugbears are somewhere between bandit gangs and terrorist cells, roaming around and striking for maximum psychological impact as much as to get material goods. Larger communities would be like Halloweentown, only much less friendly. With running competitions for "most blood drained in a single evening". And adopting more terrible monsters into their numbers as Honorary Bugbears. Life's no fun without a good scare! If the Thing Hiding Under Your Stairs and The Shadow on the Moon At Night really wanted to kill you, and then looted your supplies and took over your village until the well runs dry or next year's crop doesn't plant itself. That's a bugbear clan.

I also love the implication in Ironfang Invasion, through characters like Scarvinious and Scabvistin (great naming convention too, IMO), that some, but not all, bugbears are envious of hobgoblins. They like the idea of civilization, of order and rigidity. And so they enlist. And because of their strength and power, they can succeed. If they "beat the bear" out, in Scabvistin's words.

So if you want to give bugbears another hook, here's my alternate, but not necessarily incompatible take. They're brood parasites. Because what's scarier than a baby that's not yours taking over your life?

We know that in Pathfinder canon, goblins and hobgoblins are both communal breeders (thanks to nursery locations in both Rise of the Runelords and Jade Regent). A mother bugbear sneaks into a goblin creche and leaves her baby behind, after killing one of the young and either eating it themselves or feeding it to Junior. The somewhat addlepated and mutation-prone goblins won't notice or mind a slightly hairier infant, right? And then the bugbear baby takes more than its fair share of resources, maybe knocks off a few of the other kids, and then either leaves the goblin colony at a young age in order to find more bugbears, or stays and muscles his way into a leadership position.

Doing the same to a hobgoblin community is riskier. The hobgoblins are much more in tune and observant. But in this case, it becomes more of a mutualistic relationship that could tip into parasitism on either end. Maybe the bugbear can get along in the hobgoblin village by learning discipline, or be content with the role of scavenger or brute. Or the bugbear could try to take over, if the hobgoblins are weak. And if the bugbear doesn't have the resources to survive and thrive, the hobgoblins send them off on a suicide mission.

And even though they only rely on other goblinoids for raising their young...most of the time, there are rumors that they do this to other peoples. Even if it happens once in a hundred years, everyone will know the story of how the Munson boy got very hairy and very big very quickly, and then slaughtered and spit-roasted the family dog when he was only 4? That kind of fear keeps the bugbears powerful. And makes the bugbears very happy.

[suna-reversed]

HQ boys as Taylor Swift songs-folklore

characters- Oikawa (exile), Atsumu (my tears ricochet), Meian (illicit affairs)

tags/warnings- ANGST, breakup, heartbreak, cheating, mentions of alcohol, manipulative behaviour, fluff in Meian’s if you squint

suggestions for pt2 would be appreciated (currently thinking of cardigan with Bokuto and hoax with Tsukishima)

Oikawa

“I can see you standin', honey

With his arms around your body

Laughin' but the joke's not funny at all”

He had told himself over and over again to not look; in the flight, in the ride to the hotel, even as he passed the entrance gates of the exquisite banquet hall where the reunion was being held. All he had to do was keep his eyes away. 

But you were here, and he had never been good at withstanding the cosmic pull you always held. Even if you were in the arms of another, laughing like you always used to, with him. 

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending

“What changed, Tooru?” Your eyes were red and puffy, you had exhausted all your tears while he simply stood in the corner and watched. 

“This isn’t going to work out y/n. We’re both miles away, with different lives, in different time zones, around different people; we can’t have a relationship built on nothi-” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose,  “...I’m saving both of us from the pain that would come with splitting a few years down the line.” 

“Do you still love me?”

Oikawa was familiar with the grief that came with loss; the grief of giving something every single bit of your soul, only to come out empty-handed and wounded. 

“Go back home, y/n.”

You're not my homeland anymore

So what am I defendin' now?

You were my town

Now I'm in exile seein' you out

Perhaps he had damned himself to ruination. Given up without a fight. But that didn’t matter now. 

You look ethereal, with stars in your eyes and glee in your smile. It doesn’t matter if he’s not the one behind it. You would have been a shell of who you are right now if you had stayed with him anyways. 

He turns around, heading for exit.

Just one last time. He promises himself. His lips curve upwards into a bittersweet smile as he turns around to get his last look. Instead, he finds himself staring into the expanse of an entire galaxy. A cosmic explosion coming his way as the floor shifts from beneath him. 

No, you definitely don’t sound the same.

How long has it been since he heard that voice?

“Not even gonna say goodbye before you leave Oikawa?”

What happened to your precious “Tooru”?

Atsumu

Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe

All the hell you gave me?

The clock reads 01:27 am. You’ve been sitting on the couch for the past 3 hours, the untouched dinner on the table gone cold long ago. You hear the sound of a door slamming shut, hushed footsteps making their way towards the center of the apartment, coming to a halt at the sight of you.

“Why are you still awake?” 

“You promised we’d have dinner together tonight.”

“Listen, it got late at practice, you could’ve just eaten without me.”

“You could’ve at least dropped a text.” You murmur, trying to keep your voice from breaking. This wasn’t the first time he had stood you up.

“It’s not that big of a deal y/n. You realise how important the upcoming match is to me, don’t you?” He sighs, shaking his head in disappointment, “Let’s just go to bed okay, I’m tired.” 

“Okay.” You mutter, loosening your grip on the 2 year anniversary gift hidden below the couch cushion. A platinum ring with yours and Atsumu’s initials carved on the inside.  

You wear the same jewels that I gave you

As you bury me

Atsumu’s vision is blurry, shirt drenched in sweat, his head pounding as he’s pushed against the wall. He doesn’t know whether it’s from the screaming match he just had with you, or from the two bottles he chugged at a shady bar right after he walked out. 

All that matters right now is the feeling of the hands of the girl that’s kissing his jaw. The same spot where you had pressed a chaste kiss not too long ago as you told him that you were going to leave- 

No, he’s not going to think about it. All that matters is the touch of skin against skin, filling in the void you caused as he kneads the supple flesh of her thigh with his hand. The same hand that bore a platinum ring, the letters engraved inside of it now fatuous and futile. 

You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same

Cursing my name, wishing I stayed

You turned into your worst fears

No, no, no. 

Why are you here?

Why are you back?

“I had hoped we could talk-” You take a deep breath, feet stuck in place as you lay your eyes upon the marks littering his jaw, his neck, going much farther down-

A sob comes out from deep inside your chest. 

No, no, no. 

He’s looking at you, your crestfallen face, tears falling off of it like british showers. 

He’s acting before he can think, falling to his knees, grabbing onto your waist as you try to walk out. 

“No! Angel, please just let me explain. I thought you were never coming back- I would've never-”

“Never what Atsumu?!” Your voice is louder than you expected it to be. 

“Never what? A single fight is all it takes for you to discard everything we ever had? For you to step over everything I put into a relationship that has barely even existed for so long!” 

He’s never heard you shout before. But it's okay, it’s okay if you shout at him, if you break a few things, hell you can wreck his whole apartment if it means that you’re staying for even just a moment longer. 

But you’re not. You’re pushing him away, movements stern, as you try to make your way to the door. All he can do is cling onto you, crying your name over and over again as he racks his brain for a way to make you stay. 

Why was it always you who knew what to say when it came to fixing things?

Meian 

Make sure nobody sees you leave

Hood over your head

Keep your eyes down

Tell your friends you're out for a run

You'll be flushed when you return

You knew there were aspects of his life he had no control over. After all, he was watched by thousands of eyes everyday; the star player, the golden boy; the captain of MSBY. So how does it matter if you had to go a mile extra to hide what you had?

You loved who he was as a person and how he made you feel. Good-morning and goodnight texts, warm cuddles after matches, dancing in the kitchen to songs you don’t know the name of, late night drives to get takeout or go stargazing, laughing till you were on the floor crying. You loved him so much.

And that's the thing about illicit affairs

And clandestine meetings

And stolen stares

They show their truth one single time

But they lie, and they lie, and they lie

A billion little times

“Volleyball player Meian Shugo spotted with a blonde beauty at the MSBY vs Adlers afterparty. Could she be his rumoured girlfriend that we’ve been kept in the dark about all along? Read more for exclusive deta-”

You can’t shed a single tear staring at the cover of the magazine. Not because your heart hasn't just been ripped out of your chest, but because you’re in public, standing in line at the grocery store picking up snacks for you and...Meian. 

Why did you not see this coming? What hurt more was that you knew the girl. Meian had introduced you to her as a friend, and her as his social media manager. So this was clearly a misunderstanding right? It had to be. Despite telling yourself that over and over again, you still couldn’t get the picture of his arm wrapped around her waist and the smile etched onto his face out of your mind as you drove home, tears blurring your vision.

Don't call me kid

Don't call me baby

Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me

“Baby please listen to me-”

You’re sitting on the edge of the couch. You don’t know how long ago you stopped screaming, how long ago the anger dissipated and the rage turned into silent sobs, leaving behind a gaping hollow feeling in your chest. 

You feel him shift closer to you but you don’t at him, still sniffing, your head buried in your arms. 

“She was at the party because she’s our manager, you know Jessi-”

“Don’t say her name.” you hiss out. 

“I wish I never met you, I wish I never got into this stupid arrangement. I wish-” You’re rambling now, sobs escaping between every few words as you try to comprehend the situation, “I hate this. I hate you.” 

Heavy silence hangs in the room. 

And you know damn well

For you I would ruin myself

A million little times

You find arms being wrapped around you and your head being pulled into a warm chest. You try to fight at first, but you’re tired; your throat hurts, your eyes burn and everything feels so cold, so you let yourself guiltily fall into his comfort, pathetically sobbing into his neck.

He patiently waits for your sobs to quiet down, one hand rubbing gentle circles onto your back while the other cradles the back of your head.

“She was at the party with the whole team and the publicist used it as a way to create gossip. That’s all there is to it. I had not given my consent for them to go ahead with this, but they refused to make our relationship public. Apparently, they didn’t think that the age gap between us would reflect well on my reputation.” 

Meian’s heart breaks at the sound that leaves you as he says that, your hand gripping onto the fabric of his shirt as you start sniffing once more. 

“I don’t care about what they say princess, you know that.” He kisses the top of your head, pulling you even closer to himself as if he could absorb the pain from you. 

“I’m so sorry, give me another chance please. I didn’t tell you because I knew it’d hurt you. I promise I’ll make it up to you, please?” 

You look up at him. His eyes are filled with tender love and pure adoration, it makes your heart melt. You nod, burying your face into the crook of his neck. Of course you would, he's your precious Meian, you’d always forgive him. Why did you ever think he’d do anything to hurt you?

Meian smiles into your hair, ignoring the sound of the notification popping up on the phone kept on the table, 

Jessica: hey, we're still on for tonight right ? ;)

[paperback-writers-blog1]

The Anniversary

By ModMcCartney

Rating: T (Little swearing, adult themes hinted)

Pairing: John/Paul

Summery: Prompt from @ nat-tella

So confession time: I didn’t know the song but now I love it! Also Aladdin was chosen, hope that’s okay! I have a soft spot for that Disney film as it was the year I was born.

Prompt: What about a prompt where it's John and Paul's anniversary and John is letting Paul choose his favorite romantic (>:3) Disney movie for them to watch together and then after, they dance to the song 'Put Your Head On My Shoulder' by Paul Anka.

John had woken at least half an hour ago. Normally he would have noticed the time, rolled over and gone back to sleep until he was physically dragged out of his bed. But not today. Today was too important to waste with sleeping. That idea put two quite conflicting thoughts in Johns head. Next to him, Paul was sleeping soundly. He looked as perfect as the day they first met. It was quite early. The sunrise was just starting to spill through the curtains, lighting up Pauls face. The sight was far too breath-taking to John for him to willingly interrupt. But they couldn’t waste today! He couldn’t believe it had already been a year. A year since he had officially made the most handsome man on the face of the earth his. John’s princess they called Paul. Well today he would be treated just like a princess. The thought of Paul dressed up in a puffy pink dress complete with tiara made John laugh out loud. He didn’t notice Paul screw his nose up. He opened one eye to see Johns laughing face and smiled softly to himself. “Whatcha laughin about ey?” He asked in a rather croaky voice. John instantly brightened up, hearing his husbands voice. He stopped laughing and started kissing Pauls cheek. Paul just giggled. “That’s not an answer!” “Hmmm is.” John muttered against Pauls skin making him laugh harder. He loved goofing off with John so much. After a while of messing about, ticking and kissing, Paul sat up. His face was red from laughing so much. John took the hint and backed off, letting them both have a breather. “So…what are you doing awake so early?” Paul asked. Of course he knew, but he just had to try winding John up a little. As predicted, John pouted a little, looking a little offended. “Macca! I can’t believe you forgot! You’re normally better at remembering dates than me!” “Oh, what is it? An appointment? Is Mimi coming for a visit today?” John grinned at that. He realised Paul was pulling his leg and crawled towards Paul on all fours. “I hope not. Because I don’t think she would like to see what we’re gonna get up to today.” He growled suggestively before jumping on Paul and kissing all over his pretty little face. Paul dissolved into giggles again.

Yes, this anniversary was off to an amazing start.

………………………………….

“Looks like we missed breakfast.” John commented looking at the kitchen clock. Despite waking up early, neither had wanted to leave the bed. And of course, had indulged in a little more adult fooling around. Time had passed faster than they had realised. John had planned to make a breakfast for Paul. “Ah well, maybe we can call it brunch?” Paul suggested. “Oh! So I can drink?” John grinned. Paul just lightly smacked Johns chest and went to the fridge. “What do people usually have at brunch?” He wondered out loud. “Alcohol.” John persisted. “Sounds shit then.” Paul teased. It was Johns turn to give Paul a playful smack on the shoulder.

Eventually, they got a mix of breakfast foods and fruit together, resembling a meal of some kind. Still it was delicious. They sat as close as possible on the same side of the table, feeding each other. Over all it was a messy experience once the honey was added to the fruit but neither cared.

………………………………

John had hoped to take Paul out, but just after they had showered, the heavens had opened and the ground was being pelted with rain so thick he could barely see out of the window. John sighed. So they were stuck indoors. Well, maybe a low key home celebration could be just as good. After all who cared where they were? As long as he was with Paul, making him happy that’s all that mattered. Paul wandered through towel drying his hair and pulling his face at the rain. He was more of a sun person. “Don’t worry love, we’ll make this perfect. Cosy.” John promised not wanting a single second of the day be miserable. He wrapped his arms around Paul from behind. “In fact, a cosy rainy day watching films and listening to music sounds perfect to me.” Paul leaned back against John and smiled softly. John always made it better, however big the it was. He turned around to kiss him. “You can even chose the film.” John offered. His reward was Pauls eyes instantly lighting up, giving John the most adorable look of excitement. He instantly went to the bookcase that stored their dvds. Of course he came back with a Disney film. “Aladdin? How old are you?” John teased. Paul pouted and gave John the puppy eyes. “But… But it’s my favourite.” He whined too cutely for John to handle. “Fuck Macca, ya gonna be the death of me!” John gasped clutching at his heart. “Alright alright, pop it on then.” Paul did so with all the eagerness of a child. While they were waiting for the menu to come up, John got the duvet and they got snuggled on the couch. Paul rested his head on Johns chest, his head tucked under Johns chin. John held him close. Yes this was so perfect. John pressed play on the remote. Despite his initial teasing, John loved watching these types of films with Paul. Paul got so lost in them, watching them with that adorable look of concentration, reacting to the twists he had seen a million times before and singing along with the songs he had memorised long ago.

John sometimes tried to make up his own lyrics, if he wanted to annoy Paul. But not today.

…………………………………….

When the film had finished, neither really wanted to move. John just turned the telly off. Paul didn’t like sitting in silence though, so he pulled his phone out. He had made a playlist of all the songs that had played at their wedding. John had called him a sad soppy git, but it had made his heart swell with affection.

They had learned it had become a perfect way to help them to make up after an argument.

Paul shuffled the playlist and put it on the arm of the couch, wrapping his arm back around John and closing his eyes. “Just think, this time last year…” John said dreamily. The songs played on, some more upbeat, some nice and slow. Soppy love songs, songs that meant so much to them. A host of artists from Eddie Cochran, Elvis and Buddy Holly. Yes, they both loved their vintage music. Growing up they had often been teased for not keeping up with the latest trends, for dressing like they belonged in the 60s. Listening to the same music their classmates dads liked.

A new starting made Paul sit up instantly.

“Put your head on my shoulder, Hold me in your arms, baby…”

Their first dance number.

Paul remembered when they had first listened to this song. Sitting in a field far from the others who wanted to bully them where they could just be themselves, stargazing on a warm summers night. Johns old phone playing a random mix through it’s tinny speakers. Paul had admitted he had never listened to any Paul Anka. “But ya have the same name!” Johns response still made him laugh. But more importantly, the reason it made their first dance song, it was their first kiss song. Just two boys in a field under the stars listening to a 50 year old song, finally admitting their feelings.

By the look on Johns face, he was remembering too. Paul leaned over and restarted the song then pushed the duvet aside. He stood up and offered his hand to John. Without a second thought John took it and got up. His arms found their way back around Paul. Somehow they both remembered the steps they had learned, despite not dancing them for a whole year. It felt like they were back there, in the centre of that dancefloor. Even though they had been surrounded by their friends and family it had felt like they were the only ones in the world.

It was amazing how easily it was for them to recreate that feeling again. The soft patter on the window made it all feel so much cosier.

Once the song ended Paul moved back and kissed John passionately.

“It’s been perfect today.” He smiled.

“Mmm...” John rested his forehead against Pauls, looking deeply into his eyes. His heart almost burst with the love he had for this man.

“An I look forward to similar days for the rest of our lives.”

[amazingmsme]

Mother Henning

AN: This is a (late) anniversary fic for @nhasablog & is based off a prompt/convo with @heartsywritesthethings. I hope y'all like it! Ever since the strike ended, Jack barely let Crutchie out of his sight. Who could blame him? He still blamed himself for letting Crutchie get captured despite him telling him countless times it wasn't his fault. No matter what he said, Jack till felt that there was more he could've done to prevent it. He had to wait an entire hour after reading Crutchie's letter before going to see him in order to let his sobs calm down. Seeing him laying in the refuge, broken and bruised, was devastating. He had called him his brother, and brothers were supposed to prevent things like that from happening. When he saw Crutchie after the strike, he wrapped him up in his arms, never wanting to let go. He had been so worried about him, so worried he wasn't going to make it. He vowed right then and there that he wasn't going to let anything else happen to him. He's hardly left his side since, being even more attached to the boy than usual. The other newsies took notice, but no one dared to say anything. Crutchie knew it wasn't healthy for him to be so obsessed. He knew Jack forced himself to stay awake even when he couldn't keep his eyes open for one second to ensure that he himself got some much needed rest. But when he tried to tell Jack that he should sleep too, he'd just wave his hand and shake his head, saying, "Nah, I'm good." He gave Crutchie most of his food he got, insisting he needed it more. While he was grateful for everything he was doing, he was also worried for his friend. He could take care of himself. He was fine. All he needed now was for Jack to see this, and stop neglecting his needs for Crutchie's. The frequent night terrors he was having of the refuge didn't help his case however, and only served to make Jack worry even more. He was always there to wake him from them: worried eyes meeting frantic ones in dim lighting and a hushed voice telling him it was over while strong arms wrapped themselves around him in a comforting hug. But for once he'd like to wake from one alone, seeing Jack fast asleep and undisturbed. He hated when he made others worry, and that's all Jack had been lately: an anxious worried mess. "Jack, you awake?" He asked into the dark knowing he'd receive an immediate answer. "Yeah buddy, what's wrong?" Jack instantly replied, concern evident in his voice. Typical. "Nothin', I just want ya to know know that I's fine. You don't have t' break your back to watch out for me," he said. "'M not breakin' my back, it's no trouble lookin' out for you," Jack scoffed. Crutchie turned to face him, saying, "You've been ignorin' yourself in order to look after me. You don't have ta do dat. I'm fine." "It's really no problem for me," Jack insisted. "When's da last time you got a good night's rest or ate a full meal?" Crutchie retorted. Jack didn't answer, choosing instead to look at the ground. "Dat's what I thought. I've told ya, I'm fine. So you can stop mother henning me," he said with a teasing smile, nudging his shoulder. "'M not mother henning you. It's more like babysittin'," he joked right back. "Hey!" Crutchie cried out, causing Jack to laugh. "Deny it all you want, but you was definitely mother henning. You may can trick da others with dat tough guy act, but ya can't fool me," Crutchie said proudly. "'S not a act! I's tough," Jack defended. "I ain't sayin' you ain't! I's just sayin' you got more soft spots dan you like ta admit." Jack rolled his eyes, "Pft, yeah, whatever." Crutchie reached out to prod at his side, "You know I's right!" Jack covered his mouth to stop his laughter, using the other hand to bat at his. "An' ya haven't been smilin' or laughin' as much, but I can fix dat!" Crutchie wasted no time and pounced, quickly straddling his waist and pinning him. "Not bad for a crip, eh Jack?" he asked, digging his hands underneath his arms, laughter bursting from his mouth. "Cruhuhuhutchie gehehet off!" Jack pleaded, but did nothing to defend himself. He just laid there laughing, his arms flailing uselessly. "Nah, I'm too comfortable ta move. An' you look pretty happy yourself Jack!" he teased, poking around his middle. "Shuhuhut the hehehehehell up!" Crutchie gasped, pulling his hand back and placing it over his chest. "Such language Jack! What if one of da younger newsies hear ya talkin' like dat?" he asked, over exaggeration laced into every word he spoke. "Dey get a widened vocabulary," he sassed, rolling his eyes. Crutchie almost laughed at that, but covered it with a scandalized look. "What kinda role model would you be if ya did that?" Jack averted his eyes, suddenly becoming morose. "I ain't no role model. Just a kid livin' on da streets." Crutchie blinked, taken aback by the change in demeanor. "What? No, Jack you's a great role model!" He forced a sad smile, letting out a chuckle. "I'm serious Jack! Now do ya believe me?" Jack sighed in defeat, "I guess I have to admit you's right, or else I'd never hear da end of it." Crutchie offered a warm hearted smile. "You's still not gonna hear da end of it," he said. Jack only groaned. "Hey quit ya mopin' why not laugh instead!" "Wait, Crutchie nohohoho! Dahahamnit!" Jack might have been mothering Crutchie a bit too much, but who could blame him for looking after his brother?