#I thought they liked me but I guess there is always a better candidate

[trans-xianxian]

the place I worked at before that I had an interview at a few weeks ago was supposed to be doing the second round of interviews this week but I haven't heard from them yet and I'm like. if the place I've worked at before and have applied for an Easier job at won't even hire me then who the fuck will 😭

#like one of my references is literally from this museum!!! #I thought they liked me but I guess there is always a better candidate #I'm starting to get very frustrated lol #and like. unemployment is only enough for me to pay rent and go grocery shopping once #and Barely cover bills depending on how high utilities are #I can't live like this much longer el em ay oh!!!!!! #I just don't get it lol #like I'm so qualified I have years of experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #and also its like there's barely any jobs to begin with #and like no matter what only a certain percent of jobs will get back to you #but that amt goes to like. two when the pool is so small #I was just rlly confident that I'd at least get to the second interview phase ans I'm bummed out now lmao #couldn't even make it to a second interview at a place I have worked before and have a reference from. makes you feel kinda silly! #fr job searching makes you feel so degraded its truly evil #idk maybe they'll still reach out #but its like. its 5pm the monday of the week they're doing interviews. so. #ghost posts #text

[art]

Creator Spotlight: @themetalhiro

Hi, I’m Metal! I’m a freelance artist from good ol’ New Jersey. My favorite things to work with are a lot of bright colors, exaggerated poses, and candid scenarios. I try to farm sensible chuckles whenever I can, so I’m also big into comics. I love making them about my life, and the media I’m into, and one day I’d like to publish my own series!  Thank you to everyone who has gotten me this far!!

Check out Metal's interview below!

Did you originally have a background in art? If not, how did you start?

I guess so! It’s funny, I don’t remember a single time in my life that I wasn’t drawing as a hobby… somewhere in middle school (a little late, I know.) I put the pieces together that animated movies were made by artists, and that it wasn’t just for fun, they were paid to do it. The moment I discovered people could be paid to make art, I decided I would do that, too. Now I’m here!

How has your style developed over the years?

I think the best way to answer this would be with an example! Over the last few years, I have made more of an effort to draw more intentionally, which sounds silly. Now, I put more thought into my poses and step out of my comfort zone with shape language and composition. I had a phase where I drew everyone with a huge, perfectly circular head and no nose. That definitely did not lend much variety...

Which 3 famous artists (dead or alive) would you invite to your dinner party?

Ack! I’m so terrible at history! I’d love to give a well-thought-out answer about fine artists of old, but I don't think we’d have much in common… Most artists I admire and who have driven me forward creatively are the people behind comics I’ve read. Andrew Hussie, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Eiichiro Oda... these guys have inspired me greatly and had a heavy influence in developing my art style and sense of humor. I’d love to ask them questions about their processes and upcoming projects. I think it would make for an entertaining night!

Over the years as an artist, what were your biggest inspirations behind your creativity?

Outside of pure aesthetics like searing bright colors, layered clothing, and loud noises…. the best and most inspiring moments in my life were those surrounded by friends and loved ones! I cherish the hell out of memories of hanging around in fun locations, trying weird food together, and impromptu midnight walks... so I try my best to capture that atmosphere and my own memories in my work when I can, even if I’m imposing fictional characters on top of them. That’s always the core of it.

What is a medium that you have always been intrigued by but would never use yourself?

I would never permanently refuse a medium, but every time I pick up clay, I’m like a baby using its hands for the first time. Absolutely dreadful. If one day I could make and paint a figurine like the ones I admire in videos, that would be awesome... But for now, I’m not counting on it.

How do you want to evolve as a creator?

I’ve had an absolute blast drawing fanart over the years, and it’s certainly played a massive role in my growth as an artist. But my dream has always been to publish my own stories for y'all to enjoy! I have lots of worlds I want to introduce to you before I’m old and gray. I want to get faster, work harder, and get better at drawing interesting settings so I can get the wheels turning as soon as possible. I also want to stop avoiding the color blue like a coward.

What do you wish you knew when you first started out creating art that you know now?

Pay your taxes quarterly. Tablets will break at the exact moment you need them most, so have a spare. Wear your blue light glasses. You’re going to need to wear a brace on every joint on the right side of your body. It can be lonely sitting at your desk all day. The car on the side of the road that costs $1000 cash….. don’t trust it!!!

Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?

@cranity—They use absolutely beautiful colors and weighty line work. Everything looks so sharp and clean! I wanna put it all up on my wall!

@vewn—Their ability to crank out quality short films and illustrations packed with detail is incredible. The off-kilter perspective they use really sells disorientation and catches your attention like nothing else.

@nelnal—They have absolutely banger character designs again and again, I can’t believe one person’s mind can come up with so many creative ideas!

@jinx88kc—They have a beautiful and recognizable style, and the way they incorporate animation into their illustrations sometimes is SO cool!

Thanks for stopping by, Metal! For more of Metal’s work, follow their Tumblr, @themetalhiro!

#creator spotlight #artists on tumblr #themetalhiro

[wittlesissyb4by]

Chapter 2

Chapter 1 Here

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to let you go.” Mr. Pennyworth says. 

It feels like a dagger has been shoved into my stomach. I’m not sure what to say, so he just continues anyway. 

“Your productivity is by far the lowest in the company, you’re not reliable to show up on time or even at all, and your long hair is unprofessional and not befitting of this company’s standards.” He clears his throat, sifting through some papers. “We also have reason to believe you called-in on Friday without actually being sick.”

“What makes you think that?” I say, finally speaking up for the first time. 

He shrugs, “Let’s just say we got an anonymous tip.”

******

“Everything alright with you?” Max asks, moving his pawn forward to free up his bishop. 

“I’m fine,” I say, half-heartedly moving my knight with no clear plan in place. “Lost my job today.”

Max frowns, moving his bishop out as I expected. “I’m really sorry, dude. That sucks to hear.”

“Yea…it’s fine, I guess,” I sigh, “Didn’t much like it there much anyway.” 

He still hasn’t said anything about the other day. I’m not sure if he actually saw anything, or he did and just doesn’t want to bring it up. How do you talk about seeing a bunch of sissy toys and diapers in your roommate’s room? Is that even something to talk about?

I remember back in college when my roommate at the time had found a slew of sissy porn on my computer. I was there when he saw everything. That sick feeling in my stomach took forever to go away. It’s back now. 

“Well if you start applying for jobs, you can always use me as a reference. Just say I’m an old manager or something.” He says, putting his Queen in a precarious position. I seize the opportunity and take it. I realize too late that it left my King open for an easy assault. An obvious trap I should have seen coming. 

“Checkmate.” Max says, smiling. 

******

As the weeks went by, so did the job opportunities and applications. I rarely received any callbacks, and even if I got an interview, I’d either get ghosted afterwards or they would call and say something to the degree of “after careful consideration, we’ve decided to go with another candidate.”

God, the job market is rough. 

My bank account is dangerously low. I probably should have done a better job of saving for times like this, but I guess I was more excited about buying outfits and diapers. Still, I’m not going to make it through the next month without some sort of income. It’s time to have the awkward conversation with Max. 

“Hey, man. Can I talk to you for a sec?” I say, shuffling my feet into the living room. 

He pauses the hockey game and turns to me, “what’s up?”

It’s such a weird topic to bring up, but I have to bite the proverbial bullet. “I’m having trouble finding a job…” I say sheepishly, “I didn’t work long enough at my last one to get severance, so…I’m a little low on funds.”

He just sits there, always with that stoic expression, listening intently. He doesn’t say anything, just lets me continue. 

“So…umm..I’m uh, gonna be short on rent this month.”

Again he continues to stare at me, as if deep in thought, stroking his beard. It almost seems a little exaggerated. Like he’s acting. 

“I see,” he finally says. “So you need me to help you?”

As demoralizing as it is to admit, I have to. “Yes…”

He smiles. “Okay. No problem.”

“Really?”

“Yea.”

I don’t know what to say. A weight of anxiety and fear is lifted off my shoulders. I can feel it melt away as I start to relax. “Thanks man, I really do appreciate it. I’ll find a way to make it up to you, I promise. Anything you need, just let me know.”

His eyes have a strange glint to them. Like he was hoping I would say exactly that. 

“I actually do have a job in mind for you,” He says, “You can start today.”

I sense a sudden shift in the air around the room. He leans back on the couch a bit, patting the seat next to him. I find myself sitting down beside him, not exactly sure what’s going on, but sensing something amiss. 

Max puts his hand on my leg, “it’s okay, nothing to worry about.” he says softly. I feel myself release a breath, feeling comforted, but still a little uneasy. 

It’s like he’s holding something back. Like he’s trying to find the words but doesn’t know how to say it. I wonder if he knows. If he saw the things in my room.

“I saw the things in your room.” He says. 

Yea, I’d say he knows…

My stomach does that familiar churning. The shame of what I've done, or been caught doing coursing through me. “I-i can explain…”

“Don’t bother.” He says, waving it away. “I’ve always had my suspicions.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. I’ve always tried to be so reserved and secretive with my true desires. I didn’t think anyone else would notice. 

He shifts on the couch again. When he does, something catches my eye, there’s a very large bulge in his shorts. 

Noticing me looking at the log snaking down his leg, he starts running his hand over it and smiling. “Have you ever sucked a cock before?”

I realize my mouth is hanging open. I gulp, shaking my head. “Not a real one.”

He laughs at that, it breaks some of the tension, then he shrugs. “Well, there’s a first time for everything…” he gently pulls at his zipper, snaking it down ever so slowly. But he doesn’t pull it out, just leaves it open, letting my imagination run wild. “Do you want to suck it?” He asks. 

Again I find myself dumbfounded, this is all happening so fast, but before I can think about it I find the word escaping my lips. 

“Yes.”

He chuckles. “Good, because you were going to have to do it anyway. This place ain’t cheap.”

After our awkward laughter dies down, I’m left in the precarious position of what to do next. Luckily, he guides me after several seconds of silence. 

“Open my pants.”

I reach a shaky hand to his button, it takes me a bit to get my fumbling fingers to work it free. 

Again, I’m lost as to what to do next. Should we kiss? Do I close my eyes? What do I—

“Take it out.”

His direction helps. It’s easier for me to follow orders than it is to take initiative in such uncharted territory. I reach my hand into the waistband of his boxers, feeling around for it, my heart beating out of my chest. It doesn’t take me long at all to find the warm, fleshy member. I gently pull it back, it bends a bit before snapping out of the boxers to stare straight up at me. 

It’s big. Very big. I can barely wrap my fingers around it. The veins are popping out the side, and I can even feel his own heart beating through it. Pulsing. Rapidly. He’s just as nervous as I am but he doesn’t show it. 

“Well...it’s not gonna suck itself…”

I realize I’ve been staring at it for a while. I use my other hand to wipe the drool from my mouth. Maybe I shouldn’t have. Somehow my throat feels both dry and wet at the same time, it doesn’t even make sense. Finally, I push past the nervous excitement, and lean forward. His cock seems to grow as it gets closer to my face. I’ve imagined this moment over and over for years. I’ve watched countless videos through the lens of girls wearing a GoPro on their head taking big, giant dicks into their mouths. But somehow this is different. I’m the girl now. It’s my POV, and it’s what I've always dreamed of. 

I open my mouth when I’m inches away and close my eyes, imagining I'm one of the girls in those videos. 

The head of his dick already feels different than my dildos. It’s squishier, warmer, and tastes just a little bit salty, but in a good way. In a great way. This is what I've always wanted, and I’ve finally gotten it. 

I hear a soft moan escape my lips just before they close around his cock. It sounds pathetic, but I don’t care. Things finally feel…right. Like this is what was supposed to be in my mouth all along. All those things they told me in sissy porn were true. 

I take him deeper in my mouth. I find it easier to slide it  down my throat than my dildo. I take it as far as I can until my eyes water, then go back up for a breath. 

In the overwhelming rush of stimuli, I forgot all the techniques I’ve practiced for so long. I try to remember: swirl your tongue, suction on the way up, not down, and most importantly: keep it nice and wet. 

I let the drool run from my mouth, using my hand to coat his cock with it, taking a breath before diving back down. 

“Someone’s been practicing.” He breathes. 

I melt at his praise. I always wanted to be a cocksucker, and I always hoped I’d be a good cocksucker. But you never really know, my dildo doesn’t make noises. 

But him? He was breathing heavily, moaning, groaning, and doing all the things that told me I was doing something right. It ignited a fire in me. With every grunt he made I found myself getting more and more enthusiastic so as to make it happen again. 

Leaning over across the couch next to him is a bit awkward, though. 

He notices. “Get on your knees.”

I take him out of my mouth and scramble a little too eagerly onto the floor between his legs. 

He looks down at me, almost victoriously, like his plan has come to fruition. I am in no way perturbed. In fact, my cock is screaming inside my pants. I don’t think I've ever been this hard in my life. 

“Looks like you’re enjoying yourself.” He says, apparently noticing my penis poking prominently through my pants. “You can touch it.” 

Is that his decision? I guess so…because as soon as he says it I find my hand going inside my pants. 

“No no.” He says. “On the outside. Rub it like you’re a girl. A sissy girl.”

Just the sound of that word gives me a wave of pleasure. I’m so hot and bothered that my body is quaking. I love the way he’s dominating me. Taking my power away so I don’t have to make the decisions myself, and therefore making me more relaxed about doing something I may otherwise have chickened-out on. Would I be here, on my knees, about to suck his cock if he hadn’t made me? Is he making me? Or am I doing it on my own volition?

I knead the front of my crotch. Feeling my throbbing cock and nestling my aching balls. I feel a bit weird with him watching me, so I turn my attention back to his cock. Well, more specifically, his balls. I’ve learned that when worshipping a man—as I’m doing right now—maintaining eye contact while lapping at his balls is one of the perfect ways to show your submission. I also know (from being on the receiving end) that having your balls sucked does not feel nearly as good as porn makes it seem, it’s actually kind of painful. 

So after licking his sack and stroking for several seconds, I spit on his dick and take it back into my mouth with renewed vigor. My own balls are aching at this point, I can feel them turning blue. I use two fingers and twirl them in circles over my pants while I bob up and down on Max’s dick. 

“Fuck yea…” he moans. God it feels so good to make him make those noises. “I’m gonna cum.” 

So am I. 

Knowing he’s on the verge gets me insatiably hot. I want nothing more than to get him to bust in my mouth, like some sort of primal need. 

I hear myself moaning again. I’m not sure if it’s from the pleasure I'm giving or receiving. 

“You want it in your mouth?” He asks considerately. 

“Mhmm!!” I swoon hungrily around his dick. My hand gyrates over my own. The thought of making a man cum in my mouth is too much to handle. I feel a warmth fill my pants as I shake and convulse, trying to keep my focus on his dick while I spasm in an intense orgasm. 

I feel the desire begin to fade. The reality of what I'm doing seeping in. This is my roommate, and I’m on my knees in our living room slobbering all over his big dick like a girl he just met on Tinder. 

“Ohh yea…” he twitches. I can feel the head of his penis swelling, even more than it was before. It gets me excited again. Eager. Desperate. “Right there, just like that! I’m almost there…”

I’ve never been on the receiving end of that statement. Guys saying they’re almost there but are actually a few minutes out. 

My cheeks are starting to burn, my throat is getting sore, it burns from the bile of gagging, I need air, to take a break and a breath, but I don’t want to lose my progress. I need to power through and do what I need to do. 

He grips the cushion of the couch. His legs flail and tense. The head of his cock is bigger than ever. His breathing becomes labored, syncopated, and then it stops. 

That’s when I felt the first gush hit my tongue. Even though I was expecting it, I wasn’t exactly ready for it. Another pump, and then another. I worry I won’t be able to hold it all. 

He gives a big exhale, and that’s when I know he’s spent. I hold his dick and his cum in my mouth a bit, not exactly sure what to do next. I suck a bit more to pull out any remaining drops, then take him out of my mouth. 

The jizz is warmer than I expected it to be, saltier too, but it doesn’t taste bad. It’s my reward. A token of my accomplishment. I just sucked my first real dick, and it was everything I hoped it would be. 

I gulp down the load, smiling gratefully like any good little slut would. 

“Good job.” He says, patting me on the head like I’m a well-behaved puppy. “Now run along…”

That’s it. He doesn’t say anything else. Just pulls up his pants, zips them back up, grabs the remote, and resumes the Hockey game. 

A little disheveled, I wipe the slobber from my mouth, get up, and head out of the room like a discarded toy. What did I expect to happen? For us to cuddle and whisper sweet nothings into each other’s ear? I don’t even think I would want that. But to be thrown away like that makes me feel…used. 

Then I remember the wet, sticky stain in my pants. A reminder that I enjoyed myself, a lot. 

So I guess it’s no surprise that when I got back to my room, I shut the door, locked it, and started enjoying myself two more times…

To Be Continued

#roomies

[violetrainbow412-blog]

Day 5: dancing together

Masterlist flufftober 🎀

Reblog if you liked it!

After the horrible case you guys had just solved, JJ and Will's wedding was a relief for the entire unit. You thought that after what happened with the hostage situation that Will was involved in, the two of them reflected on the time together that their risky jobs could threaten and then the kind and gossiping Rossi made their work a little easier, which led you to that moment.

After the entire ceremony and when the newlyweds opened the dance floor, the first to go towards it were Beth and Aaron, still going through the honeymoon phase in their relationship, until little by little the others joined them. Morgan and Garcia were another obvious couple, Rossi asked Strauss to dance as a favor to an old friend, and many other agents were looking for a partner to enjoy the waltz. You hesitated for a moment whether it would be appropriate to look for a candidate to take you to the track or whether it would be better to sit and talk with your godson Jack or Henry, until you decided on the second option. You were only playing with them for a few minutes until there was a clearing of the throat behind you that forced the three of you to turn around.

"Hello"

“Hi, Uncle Spencer!” Henry greeted him happily. The agent looked gorgeous that night, with his black tuxedo and his bow tie messy as were his ties, and the shy posture he adopted made him even cuter.

“Hello, guys, can you allow me to steal a moment from Aunt Y/N to dance with me?” He asked both boys and Jack, whom you had confided that you liked your coworker, looked at you with a knowing smile and encouraged you to accept the hand he offered. “I thought you would come with the others”

“I'm not very good at dancing”

“That's lucky, because neither do I,” Spencer laughed. His hand felt warm and soft during the short walk to the dance floor, where the rest of your companions smiled at you when they saw that the doctor had found a partner.

His free arm wrapped around your waist to close the distance and both of you began to sway back and forth to the music, looking at each other with a smile.

“I think you look very handsome today,” you admitted, with some fear of making him uncomfortable, but to see the blush that invaded his cheeks and the pleased smile that he put on, that fear dissipated.

“You look beautiful too. And I like that color on you, it highlights your eyes”

"You think?" you asked flirtatiously, raising the hand that you had resting on his shoulder until you gently pinched the tip of his nose. “You are very kind.”

“Have you thought about how quickly time flies?” he murmured, looking you directly in the eyes “I mean, I still remember when Jack was born, I remember when JJ introduced us to Will, then when Henry was born and… look at us now. In the blink of an eye our godchildren are so grown up and now they're getting married and the rest of us are just getting older and older” you laughed and he did the same, the corners of his eyes crinkling until they were almost gone "I'm sorry. Weddings always make me sentimental”

“Me too,” you admitted. “And you're right, each year feels shorter than the last and time seems to be just a breath”

“Turn,” he warned you quickly, turning you on your own axis with one hand and hearing you laugh again. When you hugged him face to face again, he continued “Sometimes it scares me to think about it, but I guess that's what life is about, right? Of being terrified of the future”

“Or to love the present” you argued. A new song, even slower, resonated in the background and you dared to place both arms on his neck and guide his towards your waist, where he placed them without grumbling, “I'm glad you asked me to dance”

“I was debating whether to ask JJ's mom, but I was afraid she would do it better than me. At least you and I made mistakes together” he joked and you gave him a weak punch to the chest.

The whole time you were looking at him and although you thought that at one point his position would become uncomfortable, that moment never came. Everyone around you could notice the loving glances that the two of you gave each other and when JJ threw the bouquet and it fell into your arms, the rest of the guests could imagine who would be the ideal candidate to fulfill the tradition.

taglist: @navs-bhat @reidwritings @tricia-shifting14 @spencerslove @vivian-555 @r-3dlips @rhiannonhippiegirl

#spencer reid #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid x reader #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfic #dr spencer reid #matthew gray gubler #spencer reid x you #flufftober 2023 #prompt list #writing challenge #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid fanfiction #criminal minds fanfiction #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid drabble

[anincompletelist]

happy wednesday! :D

HELLO I know I have missed at least the last one (if not two) rounds of tags but I have the brain space to share today so THANK YOU @onthewaytosomewhere @welcometololaland @littlemisskittentoes @kiwiana-writes

@suseagull04 @msmarvelouswinchester @priincebutt @itsmaybitheway

@thinkof-england @thedramasummer @nocoastposts @agostobuwan for the lovely tags! I am very much looking forward to reading through all of these this afternoon! <33333

today's snip is a bit longer, so I'll slip it under the cut! I *think* this is the first time I've debuted this guy so.... enjoy? kdjhfkjhsgkfhjg

hope you're all well! xx

+

“So… I guess you’ve probably seen the news,” Alex says from the doorway, more so to his shuffling feet than to Henry himself. 

“I usually try to actively avoid watching the news,” Henry tells him. “You’ll have to be more specific.” 

“Right. The, uh, Claremont-Diaz-for-2040-thing?” 

“Ah, yes,” Henry nods, his fingers twitching where they’re tucked underneath his crossed arms. “Your dream come true. Your parents must be so proud.” 

Alex’s face twists up into an odd half-grimace, half-smile, a divot between his brows as he surveys his wringing hands. “Anyway. I was kind of hoping that…” 

“If you’re looking for some kind of endorsement or political favor I’m afraid I’m not involved in any of that anymore.” 

His gaze finally snaps to Henry, shaking his head. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t— I just…” 

He sighs, dropping his hands, lifting one to drag through his curls, much longer than Henry remembers and a little silver with age. He’s always been able to tell when Alex was overthinking, even if they were never close. That much, at least, hasn’t changed. 

“I was wondering if I could live with you. For a little while. Here,” Alex says finally. 

Henry blinks. “Sorry?” 

“I was wondering,” Alex huffs, his eyes rolling briefly, “if I could live with you.” 

It doesn’t make any sense. Alex is a well known politician back in New York, the primary presidential candidate for the upcoming election. Henry presumes he could likely stay just about anywhere he’d like, and he has an exceedingly difficult time believing that that place is in the foothills of Finland with the ex-prince he’d made very clear on several occasions he, quite emphatically, disliked. 

The damage control hadn’t worked, because Henry was damaged enough for the both of them. The avoiding was better. He’d thought he could be rid of Alex for good. Could finally put to rest the feelings he’d had in his youth, shove them under the years that have built up between them since then and pretend they never existed in the first place.

Staring into his wide, hopeful, bottomless brown eyes, the same fire in them from years past, Henry thinks he really should have known better. 

“I’m sorry,” Henry murmurs, his throat tight, “it sounds like you’re asking me if you could live here.” 

Alex only shrugs. “Well, I mean. It should, probably. Since that’s what I’m doing.”

+

no pressure, of course, and OPEN TAG!

@wordsofhoneydew @firenati0n @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @affectionatelyrs

@cha-melodius @anchoredarchangel @rmd-writes @read-and-write-

@magicandarchery @happiness-of-the-pursuit @getmehighonmagic @junebugclaremontdiaz

@bigassbowlingballhead @eusuntgratie @inexplicablymine @whimsymanaged

(here's hoping the tags work friends jshdkjshgkfhjg <333)

xx

#wips

[piratefalls]

oh my god this got obscenely long. you're welcome?

list one. list two. list three. list four.

Any Beat of Your Heart (Gets Me Through the Night) by stellarmeadow

Alex throws out the first pitch at the Opening Day baseball game, but things go horribly wrong.

kiss me once 'cause you know by ninzied

Of all the things they’ve been to one another—sometimes-rivals, reluctant allies, tediously cordial seatmates at international events—Henry never thought that he and Alex would end up being something like friends. (In which Alex sort of moves in and they don't talk about what it means.)

Mr. BodyPillow by inexplicablymine

“It is hard enough trying to get a date out here when all I really want is to curl up with someone’s head on my chest and play with their hair” “I could do that for you sweetheart” _______ Two boys cuddling on a couch right on top of each other because they are in fact very gay™. Inviting over a complete stranger for cuddles because you are touch starved might be the worst idea Henry has ever had, or the best.

Little Moments by politics_and_prose

Five significant moments in Alex's political career and one in his personal life.

The Case Of The Fucking Curse by everwitch

Henry gets inflicted by a deadly royal curse. The only way to break it is to have sex with a person who possesses the correct physical compatibility, so the crown puts out a desperate plea for people meeting the right criteria to enter a screening process. You’ll never guess who turns out to be the final candidate at the end. Or: the most wholesome Fuck Or Die you’ve read in your life.

You Got Me, and Baby I Got You by princebutt

Alexander Claremont-Diaz, charismatic center for the NHL's Dallas Stars, is completely and utterly smitten with the posh British librarian he met by complete accident. Tonight is the night, and he's got a plan to completely woo Henry and get his man.

cowboy like me by stutteringpeach

Alex was looking for money tonight. And with Henry Mountchristen-Windsor, the gorgeous young heir to the Windsor Group, he sure as hell found it. If Alex is looking to charm someone out of their millions, it might as well be someone he’s going to enjoy stealing from.

but if you could see us from a distance, you'd know i've always been so close to you by anincompletelist (soldouthaz)

Objectively, standing half-soaked from rainwater with a stitch in his side and an uncomfortable, raging hard-on outside his worst enemy’s door is not Henry’s finest moment. It’s not even on the list. -- or, henry is afflicted with a curse-gone-wrong that stipulates that only his sworn enemy, alex claremont-diaz, can touch him.

(did my love aid and abet you?) by alasse

That night in Kensington Palace, Henry told Alex to leave. Eleven years later, Alex watches on the news as Henry comes out, and abdicates. A story of what came before, and what comes after.

It’s been eleven fucking years, and Henry is finally free.  It’s been eleven fucking years, and Henry is finally out.  It’s been eleven fucking years, and Alex Claremont-Diaz still hasn’t learned how to be normal about Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor.

it's a scene (and we're out here in plain sight) by annesbonny

"I don’t want us to be in the press for anything other than how good I am at polo, and how charming you look in that shirt.” Henry just wants the Fifth Annual Okonjo Foundation Polo Match to run smoothly, but that's harder than it seems.

lover, tell me if you can by loyaulte_me_lie

Henry has a wobble on their first anniversary. They practise healthy communication and everything ends happily.

Debasing the Prince (And Other Inappropriate Decisions) by orphan_account

Henry in a suit and tie turns Alex into a combination of the heart-eyed and drooling emojis. He can't help it that the goddamned prince of England looks glorious all dressed up. So he meets him in his bedroom and does super inappropriate things with the tie and the prince. This is basically Tale of the Debauchery of a Prince™.

Soon You'll Get Better (Because You Have To) by wafflesandkruge

Two nights after the shooting, Henry receives an email with a pre-recorded video from Alex. He gets one every night, and although it breaks his heart to see Alex happy and alive, he's terrified of when they'll stop coming.

(when you look like that) i never ever wanted to be so bad by hipsterchrist

“How many times have I told you now?” Henry asks, voice still quiet. “In the bedroom, we’re equals.” Alex knows a door left ajar intentionally when he sees it.“ But we’re not in the bedroom, are we?” he mutters. Henry smirks and turns away. Alex nearly falls over trying to follow the loss of Henry’s hand on his face. “It certainly would seem that way,” Henry says, loud and clear, leaning against the wall again. “And so I will have to insist on some degree of deference. Do you think you can manage that?” Or, Alex has a fantasy involving a tack room and Henry's polo uniform, and Henry is all too happy to fulfill it.

if i ever saw you try to be a saint by inmoonlightigetseasick

He turns back, waiting for further instruction from Luna when Henry actually gets up and approaches him to talk. “I must apologize about the hour,” he says, faking sincerity so well Alex recants his doubts about Henry’s acting chops, “this was my fault, I have a shoot for a music video later today and after that I’m on a flight back to jolly old England as it were, loads of publicity for the latest album.” “You sound like a busy guy,” Alex says, with a small, tight smile, “sure you’ll have time for our little movie?” “I will make the time,” he says, his eyes are a bottomless blue, they shine, deceptively truthful, he turns to Luna, “I cannot tell you how great an honour it is to be considered for this role. What you’ve done here,” he gestures to his script, “I think it’s amazing.” Alex hates that Henry is right. -- AU in which Alex is an up-and-coming actor slated to star in in-demand director Rafael Luna's highly anticipated queer coming-of-age film. For Alex, keen to share his own bisexuality with the world, it's the perfect project to be his true starmaking vehicle -- but for one thing-- his nemesis Henry Fox, a wildly popular rock star, might end up playing his love interest.

searching low in the night by saltfics

“Just say it's okay. I just need to hear you say that.” Henry steps outside for just a second, but when Alex goes to find him, he finds only empty streets and an excrutiating feeling of dread in his place.

whenever you're ready by perfect-porcelain (tedddylupin)

“Pez. Please, will you stop tagging me in TikTok thirst traps?” Henry asked as he stepped into his friend’s car. Pez lowered his Gucci sunglasses on his nose, looking at Henry without anything obscuring his vision and just laughed before pushing them back up with his middle finger. “Don’t fucking lie to me, I know you love them.” Or: the one where Henry falls in lust with a TikToker making pottery and leaves drunken thirst comments

hold me close (when the cameras are off) by viciouslyqueer

Henry Fox is a very well-known model. It’s hard to name a magazine he hasn’t been on the cover of, or a photographer that isn’t ready to drop everything just to book a shoot with him. Now he’s barely smiling, slightly parted lips, yet somehow still looking kind as the photographer behind the camera takes picture after picture. His pristine blond hair is delicately styled so it doesn’t fall out of place, and the cherry blossom flowers next to him and beige background give him an angelic look that makes people in the studio stop what they’re doing just to watch. He looks beautiful. Alex hates it. — When models Alex and Henry have to pose together for a shoot, Alex realizes he might not hate Henry after all.

it was you he gave me by coffeecatsme

The tattoo artist traces Alex’s thigh with a gloved finger as she grabs the needle, brows furrowed as if she’s trying to make sense of the lettering. “This is beautiful,” she says, awe in her voice. Alex feels a sort of pride surge through him. “Who’s the poet?” Alex smiles. “If I tell you, can you keep a secret?” Or, Alex finds a pen in their sex toy drawer and Henry finds a use for it.

yours for the afternoon by railmedaddy

“Another day then, tomorrow? Or Saturday, I can do Saturday, I’ll give you my number,” Hunter says, starting to reach for Henry’s phone. Henry knocks it off the table and prays it doesn’t crack. Christ. Is he going to have to leave the coffee shop to get rid of Hunter? He bends down to pick his phone up and when he rights himself, Hunter is waiting expectantly with his hand out for Henry’s phone. He drops it into his bag under the table. “Very kind of you Hunter, but I’m really quite booked up and—" “Sorry I’m late, sweetheart,” comes a drawl Henry vaguely recognises. OR Henry is quietly minding his own business in his favourite coffee shop, when he’s rudely interrupted by an insufferable man attempting to flirt with him. He’s rescued by none other than Alex – a fellow cafe regular who he’s long admired from a distance – posing as his date.

Háblame dulce by QueenKatelynTheAristocrat

"Alex gently drew Henry back to the waking world on a lazy Tuesday morning in their brownstone with a kiss, a cup of Earl Gray, and the words, “Hoy, hablamos español.” Also known as: Henry is learning Spanish for Alex, and Alex is happy to help him.

5 Times Alex Went Viral (+1 Time Henry Did) by clottedcreamfudge

Alex downloads TikTok on a Saturday and by Monday he's completely obsessed. Henry is clearly a little bewildered by this, but he doesn't seem to mind when Alex starts singing sea shanties and trying - with limited success - to harmonise with himself in the shower. *** aka FicTok (aka ‘Five times Alex tested TikTok trends on Henry and one time Henry got his own back’) (aka 'Five times Alex made life hard for Henry and one time Henry just made Alex hard' - you can blame ifyoustay for that one)

Slide, Crawl into the Shades of Light by Mags (sparklepocalypse)

Eventually, they part long enough to buckle their seatbelts, and then the car eases forward in the direction of Kensington Palace. Alex reaches across the seat and cups Henry’s cheek. “You’ve been biting your lips again,” he notes, rubbing a thumb over the rough skin. “When we get back to the apartment we should run a bath, and maybe after, I can make you some tea.” Henry smiles – and it nearly reaches his eyes – and covers Alex’s hand with his own. “That sounds wonderful,” he murmurs. “It’s been a long week.” (Post-movie; Alex and Henry doing that transcontinental couple life thing, and Henry's had a shit week. Alex gives him several orgasms about it.)

A Tiny Shred of Hope by cmere

Henry reacts in the immediate aftermath of his first kiss with Alex.

Most Cordially Invited by aldiara

In which a formal invitation is extended, a royal mirror is defiled, and Alex cusses a lot.

The Bet by bleedingballroomfloor

Looking back at it, it's all Nora's fault. Or, the time Henry and Alex bet on who can last the longest without sex.

Play Me a Song by allmylovesatonce

Every night, like clockwork, Alex's upstairs neighbor plays the piano for two hours, giving Alex the motivation to sit and do his own work so that he can listen. One night, he leaves a letter for his neighbor to thank him for the music. When his neighbor comes to his door to thank him for the note, he finds it's the same cute guy he's been running into in the lobby.

Speak for Yourself by LolaLand (Lola_di_Penates)

Alex could have walked out of the Williamsburg apartment at any time. Instead, he decides to sign up to twelve months of Henry. OR Alex makes a rash decision and Henry inexplicably runs with it. (The "accidental housemates" AU that literally no-one asked for).

london bridge has fallen down by indomitablelove

Alex can feel the eyes of the room on him as Shaan approaches his side. Then, Shaan quietly murmurs in his ear. They’re words he’s thought about before, distantly wondering about what might happen when they were finally uttered. How their lives might change. There’s nothing that can prepare him for the reality of it though, nothing that can prepare him for how his breath hitches when Shaan speaks. ‘London Bridge is down, Sir.’  --- Queen Mary is dead. Henry doesn't know how to feel.

i wouldn't stop for red lights by matherine

There are flowers on Henry’s desk when he comes into work. They’re pretty, really – chosen by someone who knows him, because there are hydrangeas and white roses and daffodils, and certainly not enough baby’s breath for the bouquet to have been cheap. Not that Henry would make assumptions, nor that he’s the sort of person that would look up the cost of a gift, but he knows who put it here. Even before he looks at the little card attached to a rose’s stem, he knows, because he gets flowers every April 15th.

Water over Blood by happinessofthepursuit

5 times a member of the British Royal Family was in love with Alex + 1 time they loved Henry

The Prince of Sex: A Collaborative Nightmare by aceinadeck, fairycat, ifigo, MaikkaPakka, ohgaywarden, Princess_Nales

"Alex is waiting for his lover Phillip, when he arrives in the bedroom Alex's jaw drops. Philip is wearing a pair of tight leather pants the outline of his massive horse cock is clearly visible and Alex can't wait to have it pump thick squirts of warm cum inside him and his butt." *** It started as a joke, something that Pez found in the depths of Real Person Fiction on Wattpad that none of them really wanted to explore too much. But he brought it up as a drinking game, something that would get all of them absolutely wasted since this was the first time they were able to get together in almost four months.

An Open Heart by absoluteaudacity

"But, and I hope you’ll forgive me for taking so long to get to the point, they listened and hugged me and told me they loved me no matter what. I gather they feel very guilty that I felt I had to keep my sexuality a secret. Mum had to stop Dad from going straight down to Buckingham and yelling at Gran; I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so angry. They’ve agreed that we’ll keep it to the family for the moment but they’ve made it clear I have their support if I ever want to come out publicly. We’re a long way from that, I think, but at least I know the way is partially clear for us. At least I don’t have to pretend anymore."

It's Getting Hot in Here (So Hot!) by Celaestis

Henry’s firm and unwavering belief in Alex’s hetrosexuality does wonders for their relationship. He can coexist with Alex in the same lobby for entire half-minutes at a time while checking for post, he can make solid eye contact during glances in the hallway. Alex is still the most beautiful man he’s ever beheld, and maybe Henry’s hook-ups are tending towards the Latino types more than they ever did in the UK, but still. Alex is straight. Henry is fine about it. Really.

i'd fall to pieces on the floor if you weren't around by karish

Suddenly, Alex feels like he’s gonna throw up and he feels cold all over. Because this sounds like a goodbye. It sounds like a suicide note. Fuck. God. Please no. AKA: Alex wakes up to find a note from Henry and jumps to the worst possible conclusions.

Wedding Talk by maritinkerbell

“You know, H, I’m not sure anything is going to give me greater pleasure than forcing all your homophobic cousins to smile and make nice while I put a fucking ring on it.” OR An upcoming family wedding leads Henry and Alex to discuss marriage for the first time.

Little Secrets Grow Up To Be Big Lies by DracoWillHearAboutThis

Henry meets Alex in a café as he's hiding from the Crown, the media and the public in general. But Alex is charming and alluring and draws him in right away. Alex also has no idea that he's a Prince.

Give Me Comfort, Give Me Help by dwell_the_brave

“I’ll be back by Thursday,” Philip promises, giving Martha a hand up the jet’s steps. She gives them a brief wave from the top of the stairs before disappearing. “Make sure you don’t ski off a cliff!” Bea calls after him as he follows his wife into the jet. He waves a hand dismissively at her and then withdraws into the darkness of the cabin. That’s the last thing any of them say to him. - Philip dies, and Henry becomes heir.

i could be a better boyfriend by bananzie

It wasn't that Alex didn't like telling people about Henry—quite the opposite, actually—it was just that no one ever believed him when he did. An AU in which Henry is one of England’s most famous rugby players, Alex met him during an exchange year, and they’re so in love it’s sickening, but no one believes him.

Just like that. by myheartalive

“I’m so glad my subpar sexual encounter has fed the brain worms. Something’s got to keep the little guys going.” Henry’s more relaxed now that he’s teasing Alex, and looks a lot more like his normal self. It feels a little easier to talk to him, to actually say what he’s thinking. “It’s just… I realised if that was me, I also wouldn’t know how to do it. How to find your…” “Prostate?” “Yeah. That.” — When Henry comes home from a date frustrated by the guy’s lack of expertise, Alex starts having thoughts. And then, because he’s Alex, he sticks his big foot in his even bigger mouth.

Kinda think that I might be his type by kiwiana

“Bea.” He clambers onto his knees, grabbing her hands in his own. “Bea, take me to Thanksgiving with you.” Bea blinks. Blinks again. “What?” “Bea, I could terrorise your gran until she’s begging you to stay single forever.” Or, Alex agrees to be his friend's fake boyfriend for a weekend. He is not prepared for his friend's brother.

until next wednesday! if you want me to tag you in future lists, let me know!

#rwrb #red white and royal blue #firstprince #alex and henry #henry fox mountchristen windsor #alex claremont diaz #Alex x Henry #fic rec #RWRB fic rec #RWRB fanfiction #rwrb rec list

[cgtg]

What did you see in Dave and Karkat relationship to make you write their interactions so well? (It's really impressive tbh, at least for me)

Like, did something snapped one day, and you started understanding how they balance each other or just how they "work"? (Sorry if it's hard to understand what I'm trying to say. It's quite hard to put what I'm thinking into words)

man thank you so much

i think you worded yourself totaly fine, the problem here is i dotn know how to succinctly define what i see in them

ive always thnought that dave and karkat bounce off each other rly well. i was obsessed with davekat as a kid too. between 2016-23 smth softly clicked into place for me.

what do i see in it? i dunno. in my interpretation, it's just... realness ?

its longform candid pointless comfort. its changing each others nicknames in the server, its making fun of a spelling error, its "fragging a noob", its a youtube letsplay of a game you thought you'd hate, it's meandering around your point and then stabbing it with ur own impatience, its feeding the trolls on your amv. its genuine interest in each other, hoping someone specific likes your post, being scared to go outside and being scared to stay inside. it's checking the comments against better judgement, its sampling their voice in your bgm. it's a combined pressure to be something the other person doesnt get, but does. its a very potent push&pull simultaenous in both directions. its "un"stoppable force vs "im"movable object. it's a puzzle & theres somethin very vital at the heart of it about turning around & seeing someone that sees you right back, like it or not. through a screen or through shades or eye2eye. inverted & subverted, exactly the same

it can be like 500 things at once, its so nebulous but always rly specific to them. you cant get this dynamic with any other characers, not in anything ive ever seen. unless u made ocs that act like em i guess. it is one of a kind

i didnt rlly get this stuff when i was a kid. i mostly shipped them bc my answer to any rivalry was "wat if they kisd", and theyre cool characters. i used to focus on the tension when i was a kid. theres a lot more to it than that.

because its also this BTW.

#i dont know anything for sure #only hussie woulg #i just feel this way #headcamon

[whokilledbelle]

𑁍 | 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒.

book.

the inheritance games.

pairings.

grayson hawthorne x lyra kane.

summery.

grayson hawthorne and his camera. lyra knew how much he loves his camera. hell, he took pictures of different places around the world. sometimes, he takes pictures of her favorite places when he’s gone and he gives it to her. but other times, he just has to take a picture of her. especially when it’s surprising and she doesn’t even know it. after all, who can’t take a picture when she’s laughing like that? definitely not grayson devenport hawthorne.

or, in which the incidents of lyra kane catches grayson hawthorne taking candid pictures of her.

warnings.

nothing much—just fluff lmao, pet names, taking pictures without the person noticing (is that even a warning)? forehead kisses + kisses.

𝐋𝐘𝐑𝐀 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 when grayson showed her his pictures. it was his hobby; the thing he loved—the thing that he only showed her. she couldn’t help but feel pride about the fact; that he was comfortable enough to show her that special side of him.

although, it’s when he took surprise pictures that ruins it.

she was kidding.

she did love to see herself in pictures. she loved it when he took pictures of her and put them in a picture. “you were too beautiful not to,” was his excuse whenever she caught him.

in her opinion, it was cute as hell.

incident one.

he couldn’t help himself. his girlfriend was over there, laughing at someone that avery had said, looking beautiful. and in that dress, too, beautiful.

thankfully, he’d brought his camera before he came to the party. he was used to catching moments like these with lyra, after all. he took the black camera out and quickly took a picture, making another photo slide out of the camera with the picture.

although, when he put the camera down, he saw a familiar look come from lyra, who was looking at him. she walked over towards him and he couldn’t help but let his eyes trail down over her outfit. her dress fit her perfectly.

“taking pictures of me again, gray?” she teased, looking up at the blond. the tips of grayson’s lips lifted slightly; something that lyra was always able to do to him.

“i can’t stop myself, lyra. you were too beautiful not to.”

incident two.

lyra was running around in the salty water, her wet hair sticking to her skin almost uncomfortably. she would’ve been bothered if it weren’t for the waves halfway up her hip.

grayson wanted to stay on land for a change—which was bluntly unusual—but lyra brushed it off. after all, he was grayson davenport hawthorne. he always did something that added up sooner or later.

she closed her eyes, enjoying herself in the water. she could feel the huge smile on her face as the waves crashed into the length of her, almost making her fall if she had not caught herself beforehand.

she felt someone staring at her nearby and she instinctively turned towards where grayson was sitting. there the boy was, putting what seemed like a camera back in his bag.

now i know why he brought it, lyra thought, mentally cursing herself for not guessing it sooner. she ran out of the ocean and towards him where he sat on a chair with an umbrella casting shade.

“wow. taking pictures of me while i’m in the ocean? why am i not surprised,” she said bluntly, though her voice had a hint of amusement. grayson smiled one of those smiles at her, taking off his sunglasses.

“sorry, lyra. you were just too beautiful not to.”

incident three.

grayson watched as the girl peacefully slept. he couldn’t help but feel lucky; lucky that she even wanted him enough to love him; to stand next to him willingly; to sleep with him.

before her, his heart was broken. he’d never told anyone his problems. never showed happiness. never whispered to anyone his secret hobbies without feeling judged; his fears without feeling pathetic; his heart without feeling horrified.

that was, of course, before lyra kane came into his life.

after she came, his life changed for the better before he even knew it.

he lifted his hand up, softly brushing a strand of brown hair away from her face. he loved moments like this—where it was just the two of them.

he turned over to the side of his bed where his bag lays. he’d came home from a meeting he had, but he never got to unpack because lyra immediately hugged him.

he sat up quietly, silently hoping that the girl wouldn’t wake up as he took his bag and unzipped it. inside was his camera. he swiftly took it out and turned the black box on.

he quickly took the picture, but not before waling the sleeping girl. “gray,” she mumbled. he could tell that she already knew what he was doing.

he smiled softly, leaning in to kiss her. “you were just too beautiful not to.”

#grayson davenport hawthorne #grayson hawthorne #grayson #lyra #lyra kane #phone girl #grayson x phone girl #grasyon x lyra #lyra x grayson #the inheritance games #the inheritance trilogy #the hawthorne legacy #the final gambit #the grandest game #jennifer lynn barnes

[essenceofsunflower]

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ RETH x READER

wc: 2983 tags: fem!reader, she/her reader pronouns, reth from palia, canon events (i guess could be spoilery?), finding your shepp, self indulgent writing, not proofread or beta read :D

masterlist

“Find a shepp,” you muttered to yourself with a sigh. It was hard enough trying to navigate this newfound world, let alone trying to find a shepp per Eshe’s request. Since spawning into this place they called Kilima Village, you had been thrown into task after task. How would you ever find the time to build relationships with the villagers if you were always busy? You decided that today you would take a break from being the errand girl for everyone and instead would meet everyone you could find in hopes that you would find someone who would be willing to be your shepp. Up until now, you had only briefly spoken to most of the town, but no one knew you well enough to be your shepp just yet.

As you came into town, you assumed that Ashura would probably have wise words of advice on the fact of the matter. Hurrying along, you walked into the inn to find Ashura at his desk. 

“Hey, Ashura!” you said cheerily as you approached him. The large, gentle giant softly smiled. “Welcome in, y/n! Good to see you today. How are things going for ya?” he asked.

“Honestly? Well, I need some advice. You know this place, and the people, better than anyone, so I was going to see if you have any tips for me on picking a shepp?” 

“A shepp? So that’s what Eshe has you doing, I see. Well, many of the townsfolk would be more than happy to be a shepp- but,” he gave you a look, “asking them to be your own comes with a lot of responsibility on their part. You don’t want just anyone to be your shepp, and it should be someone you feel close to or have a connection with.”

“Responsibility? Eshe didn’t really explain much of all this to me. I thought they just told Eshe ‘Yep, she’s one of us!’ and that was it.”

Ashura chuckled. “In a way, yes, that is what they do. But their job as your shepp doesn’t stop there. They’re responsible for you, so anything you do- whether that’s good or bad- reflects upon them, too. Likewise, anything they do can also affect your own standing in Eshe’s eyes, if you get what I mean.”

“Oh… so we are kinda tied to each other’s social standing?” The wheels in your head began to turn. Who would you choose as your shepp then? It seemed the task wasn’t going to be as easy as you once thought it’d be.

“Yes, at least in the beginning it will be. But once you’re on your feet, most of us will forget who you picked as your shepp and there won’t be a little red string tying you guys together anymore. But don’t just rush into it, you’ve got all the time you need to pick someone who best fits you and your lifestyle. I know you aren’t Majiri like us, but maybe figuring out what path you like can help you narrow down your candidates.”

“Path. That’s right! A lot of you guys have your own path, so maybe I should find one I could call my own as well. Thanks, Ashura! I knew you’d be a big help for sure.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s what I’m here for, of course. Kilima Village has a pretty good variety of those in different paths, there is a path for everyone- from farming, furniture making, to cooking-  you’ll figure it out.” Ashura placed a hand on your shoulder and gave a soft smile before walking past you to go about his day.

There is a path for everyone. Surely someone in this town had a path you could find yourself in, you just had to figure out who it was. As you stood there, racking your brain through the makeshift list of names in your head, you heard the rumbling coming from your stomach. You had been so immersed in your search for finding a shepp today that you forgot to make yourself something to eat. You looked around the inn, seeing the bar open for business.

“What’cha got on the menu today, Reth?” you asked as you put your hands on the counter. The elf playfully contemplated his response, acting as if he was thinking long and hard about it. “Well, I would say my famous lettuce soup, but I’d be willing to whip up something different if you wanted,” he said with a smirk.

“As much as I love your lettuce soup, I don’t think I can have that for breakfast. How about some bacon-stuffed mushrooms? What do I have to do to get some of those on your menu?” you laughed. Reth was someone who was fun to talk to, in your opinion. You knew that the rest of the town had their own opinions about him, but none of it mattered to you. You enjoyed how go with the flow he was and how he always seemed to take each day one at a time.

“You know what, for you, I can make those. Just don’t tell people I make stuff off the menu.” He winked and turned around to start prepping the food. As you watched him chop the ingredients and assemble your meal, you wondered what his thoughts were on paths and choosing a shepp. “Reth, what do you think I should do about finding a shepp? Ashura said I should find someone who’s on a path that I can find myself in, but I don’t even know where to start.”

Reth scoffed to himself. “You sure you want to ask me about paths and shepps? I don’t think I’m really the best one to give you any advice on that, y/n. But if you wanna know how I feel, I think that these paths people take just because their parents do is a little outdated of an idea. I think what Ashura means is finding a path that you like, that you enjoy doing. You lucked out being human, even if you changed your mind, no one is really gon’ say much about it.” His tone changed towards the end of his sentence.

“Yeah, so I’ve heard. The Majiri don’t seem too understanding if you change paths… but I’m sure you know it all too well, but I’m glad you’re doing something you like.”

“Me too, this stuff is way more fun than getting splinters all day and hammering away on furniture,” he said as he put the plate of bacon-stuffed mushrooms in front of you. The food looked immaculate, you could tell it was made by someone who truly loved what they were doing.

Hey, Reth,” you said quietly as you started to cut the food into pieces. Reth turned around and wiped his hands on his apron. “Yeah? What’s up? It’s not good? Don’t tell me that, just lie to me,” he snickered.

“No, no. It’s not the food, this is good, great even,” you said as you finished a bite. “Do you think, maybe, you would be my shepp?”

Reth looked astounded by the question. “What?! ME ?! Y/N, I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself as a shepp. Maybe if I knew you better, but even then, you sure you want me to be that person? I don’t really have the best reputation in the village.”

You pushed the food around on the plate, almost feeling stupid for even thinking he’d agree to something so serious. It wasn’t like Reth to be tied to anything, let alone a new person in the village who was asking a lot of him. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. You’re probably right,” you said quietly.

Reth leaned on the counter and met your eye level. “Look, if it comes down to it and you still don’t have someone, then I’ll do it. But there’s gotta be someone way better out there for your decision than this guy. But I will do it if no one else will-”

“Really?!” you exclaimed, cutting him off. Reth put up his index finger. “Yeah, but on one condition,” he chuckled. “You just have to promise to keep coming into the inn and having breakfast, lunch, and dinner here for a while before I really agree to it. I gotta know the person I’m shepping for before saying yes for real, don’t I?”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “You know what, Reth. I think I can do that, but only if you promise me you won’t make me lettuce soup every time I come in.” Reth laughed heartily at your response and nodded his head in approval. “Fine, you got a deal.” He made his way to the other side of the counter to take someone else’s order and began prepping their food for them. 

It was hard not to watch in awe as he prepared the orders he had coming in. He was meticulous with his cuts and attentive to all timers in the kitchen, basically ready to take stuff out before the timers could even go off. It was like watching an artist paint a masterpiece as he plated the food and garnished it before passing it across the counter. As you continued to watch, you admired how much fun it looked like he had cooking. Finally, you finished your food.

“Reth,” you called to him as you placed your coins on the counter. “For the food.” You got off the seat and waved goodbye. “See ya later, Y/N! I’ll be here all day,” he laughed as he waved back. You left the inn in a better state than you came in, at least you knew that if all else failed with the rest of the town, Reth had promised to be your shepp.

ɞ────⋆˚₊⋆ ๑

The coming weeks didn’t bring any result in picking a shepp. Everyone was either too busy to commit to it or didn’t feel right with your relationship being so new with them. You walked into the inn and sat at the bar, laying your head in your arms and letting out a long sigh.

“Hey, hey, hey. This is a ‘no-sad-human-zone’, you can’t do that here,” Reth said as he leaned on the counter in front of you, resting his head in his palm. “Ughhh,” you groaned dramatically. “Wow, that bad, huh? I bet I know what will fix it.” He snapped his finger and walked into the back of the bar where the pantry and other cooking supplies were at. A few moments later, you could feel him put down a plate of food on the counter beside you. “This one’s on the house,” he said as you raised your head up to look at what he brought out. It was a fresh bowl of ramen, complete with boiled eggs and green onions on top. Reth leaned over and whispered to you. “Just don’t tell anyone I let you have it for free, okay?” He winked and grabbed a cleaning rag to start wiping off the counter.

You appreciated the sentiment, especially coming from Reth since you two were starting to grow a little closer after all the visits you had promised to make to the inn. “Reth, what do you do outside of this place?” Reth paused for a moment, a little confused by the question. “You mean like once I leave work? Uh… I do…. stuff, I guess.” His tone implied he wasn’t really trying to answer the question, but you couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Well, are you going somewhere when you’re done today?” you asked, not really sure where you were going with the series of questions.

“I have a few things I have to do later tonight, but nothing right after we close up here. Why? You tryin' to ask me to hangout?” He chuckled and kept wiping the counter. 

“Actually, yeah. Do you want to?” You were still unsure yourself what was even going on, but the conversation just seemed to flow naturally. You did want to know more about Reth after all this time, and he did say he needed to know you more before officially agreeing to be your shepp. Short conversations over a meal while he worked weren’t really the best way for you two to get to know each other.

“Oh, uh,” Reth said, scratching the back of his head and smiling. “I didn’t expect you to actually say that was the plan. But ya know what, I think we can do that. Why don’t you come back later at say, 6pm? I’ll be finishing up here and we can go somewhere then. How’s that sound?”

“Sure, that sounds good. Thanks, Reth.” You started to eat your food as you noticed Reth checking the clock on the wall. “I’ll be right back, I have to.. Get a few things from the storeroom.” Reth scurried off out of the bar and rushed down the stairs to the basement area. After a few minutes, you felt a large hand on your shoulder. You turned to see Ashura standing beside you, he looked like he needed something.

“Have you seen Reth? I got a few things I need to talk to that boy about, but he’s always in and out doing things,” he said.

“He just had to go to the storeroom for something, but when he gets back I can let him know that you need him?” You gave a shrug as you suggested.

“Yeah, that’ll work. Thanks, Y/N. I have to head out to the garden, but he should know where to find me.” He gave a sincere smile and left the inn. You looked up at the clock. Reth had been gone for at least 10 minutes. What on earth does he have to even get down there? And what about his job? Luckily, the bar wasn’t full of people waiting on him, but what if it was? He would be in high water with Ashura come the end of the day, and you definitely didn’t want to see if that sweet man was capable of bringing down the hammer.

You glanced around the bar; it didn’t look like anyone was coming to get food anytime soon so you decided to go downstairs to see if Reth needed help with whatever it was he was getting. You got up from the bar and made your way down the steps of the inn. It was your first time down there, but the store room was just across the room past the little boat docks under the inn. As you grabbed the door handle, you felt it turn and pull open as Reth left the storeroom. “Oh! Uh.. Y/N, what are you doing down here?” he asked nervously.

“Well, you were gone for so long, I thought maybe you needed some help or something. And plus, Ashura said he was looking for you.” Reth let out a groan. “Yeah, I forgot I have some errands I have to run tonight for him. He’s probably just reminding me.” He let out a soft sigh under his breath. “We may have to reschedule our little hangout tonight, if that’s alright.”

“Yeah, that’s fine…,” you said. The two of you sat awkwardly in silence for a moment before you broke it. “Maybe I can help you with some of the errands so you get done early?” Reth’s face lit up at the offer. “Hey! That just might work.” He snapped his fingers. “How about you do a few of the deliveries and pick up some things, and I’ll take care of the rest? I promise the deliveries aren’t that bad, just a handful of things to take and pick up.”

His bright smile made you smile as well. “Sure, you just tell me where to go.” Reth pulled out his order pad and wrote down the people to deliver to and who to pick up ingredients from. “There, that should be it. Eshe’s stuff’s all done, just upstairs in the back fridge. You’d be a real lifesaver doing this for me.”

You took the list and walked back upstairs with Reth. He led you into the back kitchen area and got the delivery package out of the fridge and handed it to you. “Careful with it, it’s a luxury to deliver this special dinner of mine to Eshe. Gotta deliver it safely or it’s both our hides that’ll be skinned,” he chuckled. “And just let the others know you’re picking up for me, they should have the stuff ready for you. Thanks again.” He bashfully smiled, something you hadn’t really seen before, but it was endearing. “No problem, I’ll be back before long,” you said before you left the inn.

Eshe’s delivery was your first priority, so you made your way across the bridge down from the stables and found her waiting, impatiently to no surprise. “Hey, Eshe! Have something for you,” you said as you pulled the package out and offered it to her. You watched Eshe look at the package and then back up at you before taking it. “So Reth has you doing his job for him? Hmph, seems fitting. This better be what I’ve been waiting for, not like that awful lettuce soup he pushes every time you order at the inn.”

“He doesn’t have me doing them, I offered to just help him out. I’m sure the food he made is well up to par; he really puts in a lot of work into his food, ya know,” you said assuredly. Eshe scoffed at your reply and tucked the package under her arm. “For his sake, I hope it is. If not, he will surely hear about it.” She walked off towards her house and left you standing there alone.

“These people really feel some type of way about him, don’t they?” you mumbled to yourself. 

2024 ©️ essenceofsunflower. please do not copy, translate, and/or distribute my work. divider.

#.sunnywrites #palia mmo reth #palia fanfic #palia x reader #palia fluff #reth fluff #reth fanfic #reth x reader #reth imagines #don't tell me if you hate this cause i might cry

[decolonize-the-left]

Lol. lmao even.

Thank you so much for proving my point.

Like forgive my "holier than thou" and "fake leftist" attitude about it but I think if you want change you have to take risks, risks that upset the status quo. Like voting 3rd party, especially when nobody (including historically blue labor unions and states) wants Biden to be president.

If there's a chance to change things for the better then leftists and progressives take that opportunity. Every time. If you don't take that opportunity then you aren't even a progressive, let alone a leftist ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Conservatives are called conservatives cuz they don't want things to change. You know why? Progress always threatens privilege and their privilege is something conservatives care about maintaining. "Things are fine the way they are, not perfect but be reasonable."

Also since you asked about my praxis; The last 4 years I have: protested/taken tear gas to the face across the entire PNW, organized for BLM, helped create a police alternative in my area so people don't have to call the cops, built mutual aid networks that cross state borders, and then I caught COVID the first time. At which point I became too disabled to keep doing the same level of praxis. So then I spent a Lot of time at the doctor trying to get my new COVID-caused chronic illnesses diagnosed. I couldn't handle activity like that anymore so I shifted gears to accommodate my body. I changed my passively political Tumblr to be my main source of outreach for radicalizing that would double as a political resource for leftist newbies.

Additionally, I've posted about this before and even showed y'all my ballot but I live in Nazi Territory. There is nobody who runs for any office here that isn't a Republican or libertarian and most of the time they're unopposed, too. I regularly don't vote because I don't have anyone to vote for, let alone have a 3rd party candidate to support.

"decolonize your own nationality privilege"

I'm literally Ojibwe, first off. Secondly, you think decolonizing the USA looks like re-electing a colonizer actively commiting genocide? l m a o

Like I said....people like this are closer to being conservative centrists than any kind of leftist. There's No Way someone who supports liberty and self determination would vote for Biden when there are other options ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and if I did NOT call out this clearly co-optive behavior then I would Not be decolonize the left.

Centrists and conservatives will not be allowed to water down leftist beliefs as long as this blog is here.

I literally came here to be holier than thou and judgey and to hold leftists to a higher standard after I shared so many online spaces with leftists who did Not support Landback, hated IDPOL, and thought class reductionism would lead to a revolution.

So if my posts strike a nerve: good, tbh

Ps;

"real leftism is when you vote for capitalist genocidal Democrats to maintain the peaceful status quo and if you disagree you're a privileged liberal" and "how come you as a famous Tumblr blogger haven't materially affected our elections the last 4 years???" are takes I'd be embarrassed to say out loud so I've hidden your URL, lmfaoooooo

Pps:

You could open any of the books I've suggested on race or colonialism or imperialism or native history :) or join one of the unions I've posted about. Watch one of the videos about building mutual aid networks. You could even learn about presidential candidates on my page. And if you think you can do a better job than me then do it. I'm literally begging.

Or yeah, I guess you could keep doing whatever this is *gestures to the post* instead.

That's obviously very useful.

#not to be mentally ill on main but why do people ALWAYS assume im just preachy??? #i went to the PDX BLM protest after ppl said i didnt have enoughy IRL experience to be a “real” leftist #i hate being dismissed lmfao yall have no idea the things Ive learned and done out of spite to “earn” my voice #so yeah nobody can tell me shit cuz i stay on top of business and thats why i act holier than thou in my posts #its just so aggravating to be literally fucking disabled and VISIBLY doing more work than “allies” who just make posts like this #“why isn't decol radicalizing more people or being useful” thats called a projection worstie #the real question is how have you followed me this long and STILL believe voting for Joe is a decolonial action.... #unless you haven't actually internalized any of the free education and resources on my blog #rant #vent

[roboneco]

Who sent the email to Sam?

It was "from Jon" as Sam said, or at the very least it seemed like that. It is only a name. Could be "him". Could be fake. But why the name Jon, specifically?

First, all we know about the email is that it was sent with a name, an address, and from an internal email. The name and address being of Gerry specifically, and not of Gertrude because she's not who Sam asked for. That's it.

Here's where I got confused. Why exactly did Sam ask Gerry about the magnus institute?? From this alone, this shouldn't occur to him. Maybe he researched the name and ,as he claimed then, found a list of the kids who were there.

But...well... while Sam is competent & of course he was always obsessed with the institute after what happened to him....if he had a way to find the list himself, do you think he would have waited until someone sent him an email to go look for answers??

Of course not! He'd have already checked every single name on the list! Or at least looked for better leads than just begging people to trauma dump on him. I think someone else gave him the list. Or really the idea to ask about the list.

(I for some reason can't upload pictures so I'll settle for copy pasting the parts I want).

SAM: Right. Of course. I was wondering if you knew anything about the Magnus Institute?

SAM: I was on one of their gifted kids programs and – um – I got hold of a list of a few of the other kids, and thought it might be nice if we could get in contact, swap stories and that…

GERTRUDE: I see. Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t think Gerry can help you –

GERRY: (casually) Yeah, I barely remember any of it.

SAM: Oh, so you were a candidate?

To me it sounds like Sam was winging it. He hesitated before mentioning the list as if he wasn't sure it existed. he then seems almost surprised when Gerry confirms he was in the institute.

My guess is he never saw the list! My guess is whoever sent Sam the email had heard about his connection to the institute, and sent him a lead vague enough not to cause suspicion to who may have sent it & THEN personally planted in his head the idea that the lead & institute were connected.

Now, who do we know that: knows of the name Jon, interested in the magnus institute, and Sam trusts enough to listen to their advice about something he already wanted to do?

Bingo. It is Celia. Celia is the one who sent the Jon email & I have more proof.

1- this exchange right after leaving Gerry's house:

SAM: …Thanks for coming with me, Celia. I know we’ve only been working together a few weeks.

CELIA: Hey, it was my idea, remember?

hm? Your idea you say. good to know, bestie!

2- it makes sense for her to use any name really. I don't think it matters. But we should remember that when she listened to her first case (by Chester) right after that Sam got his email. Literally in the same episode.

3- she was in a podcast with Georgie in this world (as far as Sam & google know at least) so it makes sense for her to be able to search & find the list!!

4- this is weak but well.... She works in the OIAR... She has an internal email and could make another one (or hack her way through or something).

I am sure there are other things that I just can't remember right now but anyway that leaves some questions

Why did she take the painting?

Why Gerry? I understand how she could find the list but why choose him? I doubt either Melanie or Georgie mentioned him before. Was it random? Plot reasons? Or maybe her target wasn't Gerry, but Gertrude.

She could know about Gertrude. She was the last archivist after all. But she wants a reason to go without someone suspecting her personally. So after some research (stalking) figures out she has a roommate. And hey would you look at that. The guy's name is in the list of kids experimented on by the magnus institute. And oh? Who is also on the list? Her new coworker. Now isn't that a funny coincidence! It would be a shame if someone were to.... Maybe.... Use this opportunity for totally, definitely ethical reasons.....such as sending Sam a little email & connecting him with an old friend!

I think of this because Celia is the one who asked Gerry if he lives alone. She directed the conversation to ask about Gigi.

Anyways I had maaaannny more thoughts about this. Alas, I am tired & going to bed.

Have I mentioned that Celia lives I'm my head rent free. Sorry, wanted to say it, in case it wasn't obvious.

#the magnus protocol #tmagp #tmagp theory #celia ripley #samama khalid #sam khalid #This should have been posted along time ago #But I needed to articulate my thoughts #Into something semi comprehendable #The Magnus protocol theory

[tuituipupu]

i'm having such an emotional time lately so i'm gonna be candid for a minute (i'm ok dw just feeling a lot h hh)

though everything feels heavy atm, i can at least feel happy in recognition that when i look back - i certainly have come a long way.

i've always thought i didn't care what people thought of me or my interests (but i think truthfully, everyone does deep down - even if it's just a small bit)

my old blog was SO PRECISELY curated to a tea that i would rb things in a certain order. to keep an aesthetic. and i hated it. it felt like prison (and this place of all online spaces is meant to be free - at least free of judgement!) i deleted that blog a couple of years ago.

now i post whatever i want when the impulse hits me.

i felt like there were lots of aspects of my interests that defied each other too strongly. but human beings are complex. and we can like different things at once (and post about them!)

and i think this is a big problem with aesthetic culture (and don't get me started on core culture on tiktok) i've always loathed it. like you have to tick certain boxes in fashion and culture and lifestyle to be an acceptable being and true to a community.

i'm really grateful for artists like käärijä or more recently, chappell roan. not only for their music ofc, but where many find a relatability in kä for his body positivity, he rly helped me accept the side of myself that is sexual. i always felt like i've buried this part of myself and felt shame and embarrassment. i even feel awkward talking about this now and a bit silly, but idk if some people might be able to relate and if so, i'd be interested to see if anyone shares similar experiences?

i feel like it's ok and above all safe to express myself sexually. i think it comes with being a woman for me, just feeling watched and exploited all the time. which makes me in turn feel awkward to express my sexual needs or desires. or talk about anything sexual. but where käärijä is so free in talking about these things or performing in a way that includes sexual elements, i feel free and like yes. this is normal and human and ok. a lot of people feel this way.

and with chappell roan, her drag elements of her makeup and fashion really inspire me and almost mimic harajuku elements to me. i love the over the top rhinestoning. i definitely feel more confident experimenting in makeup and wearing things i want to wear or have been scared to pair together.

idk i guess it comes with growing up and i'm still very young. but i guess it feels like for me, its taken me a while to get to this point. i know in reality my peers probably have their own battles but ig i don't see them and maybe deep down i almost feel like the odd one out and just idk... awkward?

idk it just feels better to write this now. when you realise things that have maybe been bothering you in the background of your mind and then it suddenly clicks into place.

#if you read this all have a cookie #🍪 #being vulnerable isn't my fav but i think it is important sometimes #let's see if i delete this el oh el #personal

[jq37]

.....fuck. Ok, so the simple answer is Cassandra's going Nightmare King. But that "she's at my side once more" thing gives me hope that this is something else and not entirely Kristens fault. Could be the Elf side of Galacaea reacting badly to the Wolf side gaining prominence and she's trying to grab for any piece of her old self to gain a controlling foothold. On the lighter side of things, Kristen believing she's a full-on actual political candidate and trying to give a speech to steel-workers was gut-bustingly hilarious. Less light-hearted, Adaine needs to stop attacking her financial woes as a teenager and start attacking it as a wizard adventurer. And lose the crap job, a 40% discount is not worth those 8 hours she's losing every shift. She can get a lot more done with that time. But she's a kid who's trying to solve this on her own instead of the common sense move of reaching out to adults who know more. Siobhan commits to the bit, I'll give her that. Bizarely, Gorgugs 400% course load is actually is the most solvable problem. Get Digby and Wilma to tutor him and help him speedrun through the Freshman and Sophomore material and then play catch-up on the Junior year material. He might have drop the Owl Bears, he needs those hours. Fig is killing it so hard in all her classes, it would be fucking hilarious if she's the Bad Kid who graduates as valedictorian. This one ran long, sorry about that.

OK, my quick thoughts on everything before I sit down to write this recap tomorrow (I finished my notes today--geez these JY eps are LONG):

Kristen: Wild that the thing Kristen has chosen to go all in on is her high school bid for class president and not *gestures vaguely* literally anything else. Funny, but wild. My best guess until we have more info is that this is an "As above so below" thing because the wizards getting ripped and aggressive is super random except for the fact that the main things that Kristen has been doing in the past few months is getting ripped and being aggressive to Cass. But we're working with incomplete info so we'll see.

Adaine: Girl, take Aelwyn's chest of rubies and sell it for cash and buy stuff with that! Or better yet, use your Oracle/general divination powers to figure out the lotto numbers/stock futures and exploit that! Honestly, even killing your mom is a better plan that working at Fantasy Auntie Anne's!

Gorgug: :( Hang in there buddy. It's wild when everyone else is dealing with kind fantasy problems--even Adaine's thing is tinged with Fantasy what with the absurdity of the items she needs to get--and Gorgug is just dealing with…a completely regular school problem. That's rough man. I personally feel like I'd try to join a club or something to show off my skills rather than doing it on the books if this requires a 400% course load but I hope he can make it work. Though, it would also be interesting for them to do a, "There's no shame in trying and failing," storyline because man that's just so much work and that's an important thing to learn.

Fabian: If you want Adaine to be at your party then give her some of your massive pile of gold so she doesn't have to work a crappy mall job. The girl is filtering gold flecks out of discounted booze and you know that because you're the one who gave her permission to do it. Either help her or don't be sulky when she can't make your shrimp party!

Fig: Fig as surprise valedictorian has the same energy as Annie realizing she and Shirley are neck in neck for the position even though Annie is the type A control freak (this is a Community ref for anyone who's like whomst?). That would be so funny. But also, it wouldn't be crazy! Fig was super preppy before she decided to be punk. I wouldn't be surprised if her grades were always good and she's also passionate about everything she does. If she wasn't set on sticking it to the man, she'd be so so so solid.

Riz: You didn't mention him but I wanted to give him a section anyway. Hi Riz :)

OK, that's it for now. Can't wait for next ep! (And no worries about this ask being long. I like getting long D20 Asks!)

#asks #farmer-10 #fantasy high #dimension 20 #fhjy #d20 #fantasy high junior year #spoilers

[analogskullerosis]

You know, I had always wondered if the show was ever going to offer a proper explanation as to why Niles eventually becomes paralyzed. It wasn't something I desperately needed to know... but I never would've guessed it was Cliff that accidentally did it. Seeing that happen and Cliff's decision to give the necklace back felt like the perfect end to their relationship. The entire series has shown them being great parallels of each other. They both committed actions against each other that caused their bodies to stop working (though Cliff's paralyzing of Niles was an accident, Niles fully meant to destroy Cliff), both are susceptible to blind anger until someone knocks sense into them, both found common ground as neglectful-but-well-intentioned fathers who were trying to be better men and give their offspring a better life than they had, both are selfish but still know right from wrong and when to give up something for someone else's sake. Of all the people haunted by Niles Caulder's actions, I'm glad it was Cliff (and Jane!) that seemed to have gotten the most closure from their final encounter.

It made perfect sense to me that Cliff was the one that paralyzed Niles. Depending on how you look at it, this episode revealed their animosity was technically started by Cliff. It was Niles that returned the favor and turned him into nothing but a brain in a robot. I get the feeling Kipling maybe didn't wipe Niles' memories of that night. How else could he know to tell Jane, "Kipling says knowledge of the future is a toxin" when she starts to tell him about her future? Though I suppose Niles could've been told that if he ever asked Kipling to play fortune teller for him, so there's that.

If Kipling didn't wipe Niles' memory and he knew the entire show that Cliff was the one that bound him to a wheelchair, then it would explain a few things, such as:

Where Niles got the idea to build a robot body in the first place. He met Cliff and was then driven to figure out how he built him.

Why Niles doesn't get more pissed off when Cliff acts like an asshole to him during the series. He already had experience with him in Paraguay and knew that despite all of Cliff's complaints and calling him a monster in the future, he knows Cliff has a good heart and cares about the others in his life.

Why Niles picked Cliff as the guinea pig for the Robotman body. Realistically, any human with a healthy brain would've worked. He's never implied that there was anything special about Cliff's brain that made him the perfect candidate. By that logic, Niles' experience with him in Paraguay pointed him in the direction of Cliff, both to preserve the time stream and because Niles wouldn't have to search for someone. He already knew his target decades in advance.

There's definitely A LOT more to say about Cliff and Niles' relationship. Especially now that their story with each other is fully completed and you can go back and study it more. These were simply thoughts that I had after finishing the episode. Excited to see how it all wraps up!

#original post #doom patrol #doom patrol spoilers

[mendes-bae]

A fair exchange – part six

series masterlist ; part five ; part seven

Part six summary: Velarys and Aemond meet again.

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x (F) Targaryen!reader

Warning: NSFW 🔞 incest, angst, kissing, smut, PiV sex, rough sex, unprotected sex, CHARACTER DEATH.

Author's note: ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE! this is my first time writing a fic in English, so beforehand, i'm sorry 👀

All the rights belong to the showrunners of HOTD and George R.R Martin, author of Fire and blood & Song of ice and fire series‼️

Word count: 2460

Velarys accepted Lord Lyon's advice and reached for the room Aemond was in.

The princess took courage and opened the room door. When she entered, her husband was on the balcony, looking the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. The white linen curtains contrasted with his black leather outfit.

Aemond heard footsteps behind him and turned around.

Velarys saw him after so many days and felt her body relax. She could run to him and hug his body so tightly that it could leave him without air.

"I knew you would come sooner or later to visit your dear friend" he said with his hoarse voice.

Aemond set the golden goblet of wine on a small nearby table and crossed his arms over his chest.

Velarys walked to the table in the center of the room and poured herself a glass of water just to avoid Aemond's gaze and keep her hands busy since they were shaking.

"What are you doing here?" She asked bringing the small goblet to her lips.

"I guess the same as you, getting allies for my king"

She clicked her tongue after the liquid went down her throat.

"I see you haven't changed your mind" She put the glass back on the mahogany table.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" Her husband ignored what Velarys just said.

"I thought you wouldn't be so happy to see me"

"I will always want to see you, sweet wife" He approached the princess, causing her to step back and collide with the wooden table. "Even though you have abandoned me"

"I had no choice. You made me choose between you and my sister"

"Did you ever consider that perhaps Rhaenyra is not a good candidate for the Iron Throne?"

"She..."

"And maybe Aegon isn't either"

Velarys looked at him strangely, since each one had already made it clear where their loyalties lay.

"Have you ever thought that maybe second children are a better option?" Aemond moved even closer to his wife, so close that his nose was on her cheek.

"Not only do you want to take the power away from our sister, now you want it for yourself?"

"Have you ever imagined me on the Iron Throne?... because I have. I imagined you sitting on it, in front of you all the lords of Westereos swearing allegiance to you"

His nose traveled down her throat, his lips leaving kisses on her skin.

"You would look so sexy with a crown on your head... my queen"

Velarys had never wanted power for herself, in fact everything she did in the small council was to strengthen her sister's claim, but suddenly having Aemond talking to her like that between her legs made a fire settle in her belly.

The princess groaned at his words.

"Beg me to fuck you, my queen." Aemond said against her ear, Velarys moaned louder.

"Please... I need you like i never did before, Aemond"

The prince kept kissing her soft skin, his wet lips touching the edge of her breasts.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard that all the fucking Tyrells will hear how good I make you feel"

With nothing else to say, Aemond lifted her dress up to her hips. His hands cupped her thighs and made her legs wrap around his waist.

The prince's hand clamped down sharply on Velarys's jaw, causing her to look at him. Aemond loved Velarys's expressions.

"You have to thank your queen for sending you here, you have no idea how much I wanted to see you"

Velarys closed her eyes at his words.

"I missed you so much" The princess admitted.

Aemond brought his lips close to her.

"Me too"

The princess couldn't resist and leaned down to kiss him. It was a kiss like no other they had shared, it was desperate and wild.

Suddenly, Aemond let go of her wife and took her by the shoulders before turning her around. The skin of her hips crashed against the table, her ass pointed at her husband's manhood.

Aemond saw her exposed pale skin and felt a sudden desire: following his instincts, he reached down and bit her ass cheeks.

Velarys let out a scream of surprise and lust, her husband laughed at her reaction.

"Aemond" the princess moaned with desire.

Her husband quickly dropped his black leather pants to his ankles and lustfully guided his cock to her wet entrance.

He entred to her cunt with one thrust and both of them gasped at the sensation.

"I missed this pussy"

Velarys pinched his ass and with her fingers pulled him closer to her, feeling his cock deeper into her.

"Move"

"Whatever my queen asks for"

Aemond didn't stop for playing games, he began to move quickly against his wife's butt.

The sound of their skins bumping against each other and their muffled moans were heard throughout the room and surely outside of it, but they didn't care that someone could hear them.

The prince released Velarys's breasts, which were bouncing from their sudden movements, he took them in his hands and massaged them how he knew his wife loves.

Velarys moaned and guided her left hand to her clit and caressed it desperately.

"Cum for me, my queen"

Only Gods knew how it turned on her hearing him call her that.

After a few thrusts later, wet kisses and caresses, both reached their climax.

Aemond moaned against the white-haired woman's neck as she dropped her head against his shoulder.

Neither of them wanted to move, afraid that this intimate moment would slip through their fingers like water.

"I hate this" Velarys admitted turning her head, looking at her husband out of the corner of her eye.

"Me too" Aemond confessed.

They stayed like that, holding each other for several minutes until Aemond walked a few steps away and got dressed. Velarys did the same.

"Otto sent me here, but clearly I didn't get anything from the Tyrells, they hate my grandfather" said her husband adjusting his wrinkled shirt.

"It's not hard to do so" Aemond didn't reply, his wife was right after all.

"I will depart for Storm's End, immediately"

Velarys couldn't help but think of Luke.

"Why are you telling me all this? We are supposed to be on the enemy side"

"You will never be my enemy, Velarys" said her husband caressing her cheek. "You did what you thought was right, I can't blame you"

Velarys pressed herself against her husband's palm.

"Is it too late to regretted it?" The princess asked with tears in her eyes.

"I think so"

Lovers from opposing sides kissed for the last time before returning to their monarchs.

￮ ੭ 𓈒 ˙ 🐉🐉🐉 ˳ ⊹ ˚ 𝅄

Velarys returned from Dorne and felt a tense atmosphere. She hoped to lighten it with the good news she brought for her sister: the Tyrells had kept their word and would serve Rhaenyra as their rightful queen, gathering as many soldiers as they could from their vassal houses and fighting the Hightowers and their allies. On the other hand, Princess Aliandra had pledged some of her Dornish army and sworn knights to the cause on the sole condition that Dorne would remain independent and maintain its rule in the south as it had for the past 130 years.

The princess freed her hands from the leather gloves and entered the council room. There was no one there but Rhaenyra and a few members of the Black council. Her sister turned to meet the arrival of her first envoy but before she could say anything, Daemon hurried into the room and Velarys immediately knew something was wrong.

"What's going on?" asked the Queen of Westeros.

Daemon hesitated for a moment but then said carefully:

"Aemond murdered Lucerys on his way back from Storm's End" her sister's husband waited a moment to continue "The fishermen found Arrax's remains on the shore"

Velarys knew her uncle was not lying, Aemond himself had told her that he would visit Lord Baratheon in search of allies for the Greens. The princess also knew of the grudge that her husband had towards her nephews, of the rivalry that had been going on for years between the princes and the desire for revenge that Aemond felt especially towards Luke.

However, Velarys never thought or imagined that Aemond, her Aemond, hers, would be capable of killing a child.

The princess felt a stabbing pain in her belly as she heard Rhaenyra's piercing screams and pleas for her little boy.

Velarys wanted to get closer to her sister but a sharper pain settled in her low belly. Alerted, the princess lifted her dress quickcly, unashamed by the lords gazes who saw her.

She touched her thighs and discovered that her hand was full of blood. In a panic she looked at Rhaenyra across the room and her gaze told her what she already sensed.

Suddenly, everything turned black.

￮ ੭ 𓈒 ˙ 🐉🐉🐉 ˳ ⊹ ˚ 𝅄

Velarys woke up with a gash in her lower belly, dizzy and with a slight fever.

She wanted to stand up, tear the sheets off her body and go in search of her baby, but it was useless, the maids didn't even allow her to leave her bed.

She was weak and her mouth cords made no sound. Tears in her eyes were blurring her vision.

When the Dragonstone Mester entered her room, she listened intently to what he had to say:

"I'm very sorry, your Highness" the old man handed her a small wooden box, inside she could see a mixture of limbs and white hair "I guess your didn't know you were with child"

Velarys from her bed looked at the barely formed baby and she closed her eyes tightly.

"It is at least three moons... we believe it would have been a boy, princess" Velarys took the box in her hands and with her index finger caressed what would have been her son's head "If you want, we can continue with the funeral rites"

"Leave me with him for a few moments" said the princess.

"As you wish, your Highness" the Mester bowed and left the room.

However, Velarys could not be alone with the small body for so long, because minutes later Rhaenyra entered her room.

The youngest sister couldn't look her in the eyes.

"I didn't know i was expecting…" she started to say, but the lump in her throat stopped her from speaking.

Her sister came over to her bed and sat next to her, she squeezed her free hand lovingly because she knew perfectly well how losing a child feels like.

"Seems like a fair exchange. Aemond killed Lucerys and the Gods killed his child in return. A son for a son" Velarys rasped.

"Vela..."

"I want to be alone"

Rhaenyra did what her little sister wanted, and left her in solitude.

The princess sat on her bed for hours looking at her what would have been her child, wishing she had known of his existence earlier.

She refused to cry for another baby, ignored the pain that ate at her and hated every God who had punished her so cruelly.

Hours later, her lady-in-waiting, Rose Westerling, entered the princess's room and saw her at her desk writing on a scroll.

"Do you need anything, Princess?" asked the young lady.

Velarys did not look at her but she spoke as she finished reading what she had written:

"Could you do me a favor, Rose?"

"Anything, My Princess"

"Could you send this to King's Landing?"

"Immediately, your Highness"

She took the paper from Velarys's trembling hands and left the chambers of the white-haired woman.

She wished that only Aemond would read the letter from her handwriting:

If you ever felt love for me, meet me on Claw Isle at sunset.

￮ ੭ 𓈒 ˙ 🐉🐉🐉 ˳ ⊹ ˚ 𝅄

Velarys knew it would take at least a couple of hours for the raven to reach the capital. As the hour approached, she wrapped herself in a cloak and went out in search of her dragon.

The princess moved painfully close to Vaghnar and the dragon groaned as he felt his rider. The woman could barely walk and every step she took felt like hell itself.

She approached her dragon, took one of his heads and cradled it in her hands, then brought her forehead together.

"Gimigho" I know, she spoke to Vaghnar in a whisper.

Both shared the mourning for the death of her son, Vaghnar was extremely connected to Velarys and felt just as destroyed as the princess.

She petted him some more and with pain and blood loss, she rode the back of her dragon to fly away from Dragonstone.

They flew for miles and when they saw Claw Isle in the distance, they descended to the shore.

Velarys dismounted Vaghnar, and saw Aemond on the beach.

When he heard Vaghnar, he got up from the ground, brushed the sand from his pants and hurried to the princess.

She wasn't that happy to see him, she made it clear when she slapped his face hard.

Aemond knew he deserved it.

"You killed our nephew" she said bluntly "You were selfish enough to hide it, a group of fishermen found his mutilated body on the shores of Dragonstone Bay, Daemon told Rhaenyra this morning"

"I didn't mean to, I..."

"Even though you did it" she said looking into his eyes for the first time "You left a mother without her son... you know very well how it feels like, how could you do this to her?".

For the first time, she felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"How could you do this to Rhaenyra knowing what it's like to lose a child?" Velarys said wiping away her tears "You felt that pain firsthand, Aemond... it's a feeling I wouldn't wish even to my worst enemy"

"My life will not be long enough to ask for forgiveness, Velarys" he said regretfully "And for that, the Gods will punish me"

"They already did it"

"What are you talking about?"

Velarys pushed back her cloak and took from her small bag the wooden box that the Mester had let her keep, then handed it to her husband.

He took it hesitantly and opened it. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"That is...?"

Velarys just nodded.

"I called him Rhyserys" she admitted, looking at the little body in the box.

Aemond hugged Velarys tightly, and for that moment the war no longer mattered to him.

It didn't matter if the Blacks or the Greens won the Dance of the Dragons, if Aegon or Rhaenyra sat on the Iron Throne, it only mattered about Velarys and showing her how sorry he was, even though nothing he does now would change what his actions had made.

Part seven

Taglist

@mynameisbaby9 @princessmiaelicia @sustisama @daddysfavoritesexkitten @deeeeexx @zverea @tempo-rary-fix @stargaryenx @filmelunar @yor72 @remuslupinwifee @fuckinglittlekitten @may-machin @kaitieskidmore1 @zillahvathek @marvelita85 @25falsafielisa @solacestyles @polireader @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @loomipee @leoramage @iiamthehybrid @darylandbethfanforever9 @bregarc @justpassinbxx @sandronebabyy @ms-dont-care @julianaaleticia @nctma15 @isaxbella749 @tivedetek4869 @maviee @gimalo135 @fedeffy

#aemond imagine #aemond one eye #aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen x female reader #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond x you #hotd x reader #aemond targaryen x y/n #aemond the kinslayer #hotd x you #rhaenyra targaryen #team black #daemon targeryan #hotd aemond #aemond targaryen x targaryen!reader #lucerys velaryon #aemond targaryen smut #smut #aemond smut #aemond targaryen x oc #house targaryen #hotd x oc #hotd one shot #hotd imagine #hotd x y/n #prince aemond targaryen #prince aegon targaryen #aemond x reader #aemond x oc #aemond x y/n

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

For some reason the whole Taylor Swift mania thing has made me reconsider the way I look at celebrities and stan culture… I’m a huge fan of bts, especially jungkook, sometimes even to the point of obsession. But I see these people losing their minds over Taylor, following her every move, worshipping even the small actions she does, defending her like their life depends on it and it’s like? You don’t know her? She doesn’t care ab you, not to say she doesn’t care ab her fans but to her, you’ll always just be an indistinguishable “fan” no matter how much of your life you dedicate to her. She’ll just keep getting richer and richer.

It made me realize how I do a lot of these same things for bts, especially Jungkook, and has really made me rethink my behavior and how stan culture has kind of warped my thinking. Like yes, Jungkook is incredibly attractive and talented and kind, but he’s still a person. And it’s such a fine line in stanning spaces between admiration and straight up worship. stan culture seems to be getting more and more unhinged and it’s so strange to watch from another perspective. Just my rambling thoughts, haha

Yes, you're absolutely right, but it's also very easy to fall into the trap. It's not just the individual fan's fault, but a myriad of reasons that lead to it, including from the artist side. I recently listened to someone explaining one of Swift's methods of keeping her fans so attached and interested and it was presumably because she stopped giving promotional interviews and in order to have that gap filled, fans turn to her lyrics in order to find clues about her life. Her dating life is mediated and very public, but she creates a distance by lack of more candid or intimate appearances (in depth interviews and so on). It's easy to create this cult-like image and to have a fandom that moves like that. The bigger it is, the more unhinged the behavior gets. See Army as well or other Kpop fandoms. The Swarm tv series was definitely inspired by the beyhive. When the artist turns into this larger than life figure, this phenomenon is to be expected.

Can we keep ourselves in check? Yes, sure. But not always and it's not easy. Stan behavior is complex and its levels of craziness are on a scale. I see myself falling into the trap. But just because I have awareness, it doesn't mean I stop, you know. Often I have this issue with "babying" some of these men which is ridiculous because I have never done that and I still don't do it with others, except for JM and JK. More in the sense that I see them through rose-tinted glasses sometimes, I can find justifications, they're two babygirls and can do no harm and so on. You know how easy it is for me to check myself? I only have to apply the same way of thinking to other idols and guess what? It doesn't work. I don't see it. In some cases I find some of it completely ridiculous. But this says something about me, not the idol in question. It's the result of being biased and it's difficult to step away from that, but I do try to find a balance.

Another thing that happens when we spend a lot of times in fandom spaces is that we might tend to forget that celebrating achievements and the way we write about these people can turn ridiculous very fast. And if you like the person, it's harder to notice. Writing about an idol through this perspective of them being extraordinary, every minor or mundane aspect has to be praised, etc., gets very close to sounding like propaganda texts. Again, I notice it better when I read stuff about people that I'm not really into. Ten minutes scrolling through Club Chalamet's twitter page and it's like getting a cold shower.

#m thoughts #fandom behaviour #stan behavior