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thelargefrye · 10 months

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CARNAGE : HOW MONSTER!TEEZ FUCKS YOU … mature head canons

pairing : monster!ateez x f!reader

genre : monster au, mature, head canons

word count : 1k

warnings : language, mentions of cannibalism / human eating monsters

smut warnings : monster cock!ateez, unprotected sex, oral, sensory deprivation, breeding kink, marking (scratching), slight auralism, temperature play, double penetration, aphrodisiac pheromones, strength kink (i think i got everything!)

notes : inspired by @atiny-piratequeen and her ataraxia universe! sorry for always tagging you fie, probably will tag you one more time when i get the actual first chapter out

suffer with me tag : @sanjoongie also thank you for helping with deciding on what monster each member should be

how each monster!teez boys fucks you, as you have jointed down in your recent book on monsterfucking. please note that this is written as if you would find notes for a book or something!

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ GORGON!HONGJOONG

DO NOT MAKE DIRECT EYE CONTACT WITH HIM!! – make sure their blindfold or yours stays on at ALL TIMES.

mostly fucks like any other human

no out of the ordinary autonomy; however, he does benefit greatly from sensory deprivation from his blindfold he always wears.

switching up and wearing a blindfold inside also heightens the other partners pleasure.

gorgons are not heavy into breeding and seem to not have any exact mating ritual or time compared to other monsters.

be careful when pulling his hair – the snakes bite!

also beware of them when a gorgon gives oral, snakes will also nip at your thighs... feels like being pinched... more annoying than anything.

forked-tongue. feels amazing. snakes still pinch though...

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ KING GHIDORAH!SEONGHWA

not a dragon... but note he has several dragon-like qualities.

please note the hair color seonghwa has before proceeding with sex... they each have slightly different qualities but are generally the same overall

pink haired one is more lazy – you will do better at doing the work for the two of you.

black haired one feels the need to be in charge.

i think it's cause he is the middle head. does best performing oral and going rough.

blond haired one is the softer lover of the three.

eye contact is a must with him.

do NOT try to assert dominance over any of them! they do not like it!!

has a breeding kink it seems like it, but i don't think he will admit to it... will growl if teasing about being breed.

seonghwa is the largest monster in the book... standing at around 15,880 centimeters in his monster form and 365 centimeters in humanoid form.

cock is large, prepping yourself is key to taking him

only one of his kind... will find more about origins later on...

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ BANSHEE!YUNHO

banshees are moaners, very loud whether topping or bottoming

have sharp claws that will rip clothing

they will also leave marks on skin... does not hurt too bad unless gone feral.

like the gorgons, no out of the ordinary autonomy

however male banshees appear to be rarer and larger than female ones

yunho stands at around 213 centimeters... taller than hongjoong and any human... same height as mingi.

talks a lot during sex... will tell you what he wants to do and what he will do

voice is very soothing... helps you relax similar to wooyoung's pheromones

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ PHOENIX!YEOSANG

BEWARE! PHOENIX IS GUARDED BY A GUMIHO!

yeosang's body temperature is hotter than a normal humans.

temperature play seems to be a big thing... unsure if yeosang can control his body temp... will find out more about this later

will tease you and loves edging

phoenix performs well with his fingers and tongue... will have to do it again soon

has also displayed traits of breeding... however phoenixes do not breed normally

yeosang in his phoenix form is around 1,188 centimeters and his humanoid form is 274 centimeters

performing oral is the best way to make his submit

will be tag teamed with the gumiho – double penetration

special note: was gifted one of his feathers... reason unknown.

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ DULLAHAN!SAN

san stands at around 182 centimeters... around an average human male height

he removed his head to perform oral while his body fucked throat

deep-throating, will feel cock in your throat

will fuck on horseback... rather scary... would recommend trying it once

loves to grope... will grope every part of you if you let him

loves to be close when fucking... san is a very loving partner

dullahans are also very loyal?? now san kind of patrols around the area near the cottage... interesting.

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ FAERIE!MINGI

BEWARE!! FAERIES WILL ATTEMPT TO EAT YOU IF YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!!

they love challenges so if you want to fuck one, make it a game

mingi says faeries vary in height and he is one of the more taller ones... some of them can be as small as 91 centimeters

rather unbelievable stamina and can go multiple rounds

mating press is the best position for mingi

have heard faeries have two cocks... will do more research on this

faeries also appear to have several mating rituals... make sure to not get mated to one! several fuck to mate and breed one person for life!

mingi has now decided to make camp in my living area... him and hongjoong get along quite well.

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ PLANT MONSTER!WOOYOUNG

BEWARE!! MOST PLANT MONSTERS ARE MAN-EATING!!

wooyoung's monster form stands at around 609 centimeter while his human-looking form stands at 172 centimeters... same height as hongjoong

will use his vines as restraints

will also use vines to to fuck you – they vary in thickness

also produces aphrodisiac pheromones to calm his partner

his vines also produce a sort of liquid when he comes... makes your body slick with it

wonder what it taste like... maybe next time

wooyoung has also started a garden near the cottage where i found him... little plants that look like his monster form... will investigate further into this.

special note: has a lovely green hue over his skin in some areas

ཐིiཋྀ ⸻ GUMIHO!JONGHO

BEWARE! THEY EAT HUMAN HEARTS AND LIVERS!

jongho's gumiho form is around 9,997 centimeters and 304 centimeters in his humanoid form

weakness to getting him to submit is to scratch behind his ears... very cute when submissive

likes to show off strength... be prepared to be moved around a lot in different positions

jongho is very protective of the phoenix, yeosang, will do anything to protect him... do not try to threaten the phoenix if you wish to keep your life!

special note: can seemingly materialize his tails at will... doesn't have more than two at a time unless trying to assert dominance.

will have to do more research on all of them again at a later date. will add new entries and notes as i gather more research.

tag list (bold is unable to tag) : @frankenstein852 @watamotee33 @kawennote09 @mixling-blog @marahleiwhen @kpopnightingale @harry-the-pottypus @rdiamond2727 @sanniesbum @marvelahsobx @khjcoo @mysticfire0435 @exfolitae @kryybebe @dementedaly @simeonswhore @moonm1st @nvmbheart @spooo00oky @frogogh @marsanhwa @kryukyustar @sookacc @seongwin @melomatz @songmingisthighs @ad0rechuu

network : @cultofdionysusnet

#carnage.#cultofdionysusnet #kdiarynet #ateez x reader #ateez smut #poly ateez x reader #ateez imagines #ateez blurbs #ateez hea #ateez monster au #hongjoong smut #seonghwa smut #yunho smut #yeosang smut #san smut #mingi smut #wooyoung smut #jongho smut

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shadows-writing-lounge · 4 months

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This was requested but the ask disappeared but I took a screenshot of it so @fungifanart this is for you. I also split it in two because of how long they are. I had trouble writing this prompt for some reason? I hope it doesn't affect the quality and didn't stray too far.

Content: Scenarios, Unamicable break ups: EX-boyfriends described as controlling, disrespectful, jealous, violent and mentioned to have cheated. Not all in one scenario. Songs aren't written down in scenarios, characters are friends with the reader. established friendships, platonic leaning, hurt/comfort(?), angst/fluff. I'm not that good at angst.

Nicknames:

Kalim calls reader: Habibi

Leona calls reader: Little Mouse/Squeaks

Reader info: masc reader(terms like boyfriend will be used), he/him pronouns(maybe a slip up of they/them), reader written to be part of their dorm. Reader's band is like a niche popular. Whether it was made before or after NRC changes on scenario, No bodily mentions(shape, hair, ECT.). Is good at singing.

Reader is characterized as:

Kalim- Disliking talking about themselves and things that upset them. Avoids being even a minor inconvenience. Doesn't like upsetting others, Athletic?(a one-off joke)

Leona- Easily emotionally overwhelmed/burned out(?). Knows Jack and is on friendly terms.

Kalim Al Asim:

CW:food mentions(none consumed), Sad Kalim. A partner who controlling, jealous and verbally abusive is mentioned but not in-depth.

As soon as Kalim heard that his dormmate's band was having their first concert since the beginning of the NRC academic year, he bought tickets for Jamil, his Light Music Club co-members and himself. It was a bit away but Kalim didn't want to risk it.

Jamil raised his eyebrow at Kalim as his phone alerted him of the receipt for his concert ticket. Kalim didn't notice right away as he typed messages to Cater and Lilia to ask if they got the tickets.

Finally catching his look Kalim smiled sheepishly.

"We have to go support him! As both his friends and dormmates," Kalim attempts to plead for his case. Jamil sighed. Kalim acted like he had any say in this. Jamil just continued sorting through balances writing down the tickets Kalim just bought. Someone had to keep track.

Kalim was very excited about the concert. It was the only thing he could think about during his time in class. Upon returning to his dorm he went to his room to plan out his outfit for the concert. Jamil had excused himself to do prep for dinner and start his assignments.

Kalim idly hummed shifting through his wardrobe. The jacket I wanted wasn't in this one. Maybe Jamil knows where it is. Kalim begins the trek to the kitchen. He's focused on the question, repeating it in his head. Sadly this was no use as upon seeing another in the corridor the question escaped his brain.

"Heeey! I'm so excited for the concert. I ordered tickets as soon as they became available," Kalim gave a big smile full of teeth. Gold jewelry clanking against each other as he waved.

Short of acting spontaneously deaf he couldn't pretend to have not heard Kalim. Turning around to see his Dormleader fast approaching tensing when Kalim almost crashed straight into him but caught himself right before.

"It's very sweet of you. You caught me at an inopportune time. I just received bad news and I wouldn't want to burden you with it."

Kalim blinked watching his friend speed walk away. His friend is upset and he doesn't know why!

"It's not a burden! We're friends and friends help each other. Why are you running?!?"

---

Kalim walked into the kitchen with a pout. Jamil spying him stashed all the dangerous utensils away from him.

"Something the matter?" Jamil asks brows furrowing concerned Kalim got hurt in his absence. Jamil scanned over Kalim's visage. Other than being a little disheveled, Kalim was looking fine. Kalim watched Jamil cook as he explained why he's upset.

"Then they ran from me. I ran after trying to see if I could help but they shook me off. Slid down one of the curtains from the second story."

Kalim said it so casually Jamil had to pause his actions to look at him. One, two seconds pass before Jamil returns to his task.

"Maybe they just didn't want to talk about it right now and didn't want to upset you by saying it." Jamil says while giving the contents of the pan a stir.

"Why would it upset me," Kalim asks. Jamil's various memories flash through his head like a slide projector.

"It's just a thought. Let them come to you," Jamil turned to Kalim, hoping it'll distract him enough to leave their poor dormmate alone. Empty air greeted him. Jamil let out a full-bodied sigh laying his upper body on the counter. He stayed there until he's reminded of consequences as the smell of burning fills his nose.

Kalim pouted working on his homework with Jamil. The later was kind of envious. Their dormmate had successfully avoided Kalim for an entire week.

"Jamil, do you know what happened to him?" Kalim looked up from his history work.

"I won't confirmed or deny," is the only response Jamil gives.

"Am I the one that upset them? Did I do something that's taboo in their culture, did I-" Jamil cut Kalim off.

"It's not you who hurt him. Let him work this out on their own. Give him time. What if you ask him at the concert?" Jamil fakes a thinking face. Kalim nods tucking the advice away for now to focus on his homework. He passed off the distressed furrow of his brow as stress from the work.

Kalim forgot to ask Jamil about the jacket.

Lilia had promptly tossed his jacket at him within microseconds of Kalim having a hint of a chill.

"I've survived subzero temperatures in only my delicates, I can survive a slight chill." Lilia said when Kalim expressed worry. Everyone hopes that it's a joke. Cater occupied in his phone is then wacked with the parasol Lilia carried. Forcing him to have to step aside to use is phone camera to readjust it.

Jamil searched in his bag for sunscreen he'd already applied some but knows Kalim nor Lilia has even glanced at a bottle today. He'd seen Cater zealously put some on earlier. After Kalim sheepishly applied his share. Jamil handed it to Lilia

"Why thank you. How kind of you to care for my porcelain complexion," Lilia teases accepting Jamil's offer. Kalim took Lilia's umbrella holding it up to keep the sun off him. Jamil judged the application before shoving the sunscreen back in the bag.

"We should get in before someone steals our seats!" Cater says waving the hand holding his phone to gather their attention.

"Yes, We should." Jamil guides them down the aisles.

"Thanks for getting us tickets. It was a pleasant surprise," Lilia says. Cater makes an affirmative hum in agreement.

"I hope they have cute merch," Cater comments as they reach their row.

"They probably will. They have an Octavinelle band member after all."

"Do you think The Monstro Lounge get a cut of profits?" "Probably."

Kalim scanned the stage then, slumped in his seat as he didn't see them. Cater spies this; constraining his expression he smiled continuing his conversation with Lilia.

Kalim perked up in his seat. "There they are!"

The group turns to the stage. Jamil places his hand on Kalim's shoulder to keep him in his seat.

"Am I allowed to record?" Carter's question is left unanswered as the band starts their introduction.

Some of the crowd was leaving, others talking amongst themselves, and the rest lingering around the merch trying to decide if they should buy some. Jamil turned his focus for a moment together the group's supplies.

I should have Kalim reapply his sunscreen, Jamil thought slipping the bottle out of his bag.

"Kalim,.. " Jamil makes eye contact with Lilia. Looking around it was just them. Did Cater take Kalim to get Merch? Jamil hoped at least. Scanning the tables where the merch is sold be didn't see them. Of course.

"Excuse me, Lilia, I need to find Kalim." Jamil slips the bottle of sunscreen back into the bag. Lilia pouts.

"Yes, yes, abandon the old man to the wastes." Lilia laments. Jamil turns to deny that intention before realizing.

"You're in on it. You don't know Kalim like I do. Kalim will never forgive himself." Jamil felt a little silly scolding Lilia. He just didn't like his work to be wasted along with unappreciated.

"Oh? Is that so? Would Kalim be happier not knowing? Yes, maybe. But is it right to deny him growth in relationships and his self?" Jamil squints at Lilia. Lilia is just stalling, he affirms.

"Have fun!" Lilia calls as Jamil storms off. He turns to a stranger, "Youngins and their emotional turmoil am I right." They just went along not knowing how to respond to that.

It was just them, Cater saying he'd hold the fort. Kalim wasn't fully sure what he meant by that but gave a nod. The air was stuffy in the backstage room, the silence awkward.

"I'm sorry for avoiding you, Kalim."

"No, no, no it's okay. I shouldn't have tried to get you to open up when you weren't ready. Do you feel better know. Singing emotional songs help me feel better so I hope you feel better." Kalim smiled. Immediately dropping it when he didn't get one in response.

"I did something wrong didn't I?" Kalim asks.

"No. That's why I didn't want to talk to you about it. You'd blame yourself."

"I don't understand. Please-"

"I broke up with my boyfriend."

Kalim was slack jawed and wide eyed. Shock slowly turns to understanding. He'd been the one to introduce them.

"Can I ask, why?"

"He was fine at first. Nice even. He waited few months then started being controlling, when I didn't listen to him he started saying things. Both about me and others. I wasn't going to take that and dumped him."

"I didn't want you to blame yourself for what happened because we wouldn't have gotten together because of you."

"I understand, Habibi. I do feel a little guilty but appreciate you telling me.."

"It's okay. People hide the worst parts of themselves until they can no longer. It happens." They give eachother knowing looks.

Awkwardly, Jamil cleared his throat. Cater, in the doorway behind Jamil, looked apologetically.

"We should eat!" Kalim chirped. Cater catches on promoting them going to a nearby restaurant. "It only uses local ingredients and has bomb presentation." Cater hooks his arm around Jamil guiding him back out. Kalim paused trailing off them to pull his friend into a hug. Gently holding his arms Kalim gives them a soft squeeze.

"Invite your band mates to join us!"

Kalim listened attentively to the explanation to how the song was written. How some lyrics were actual things he said. The Ignihyde student straight out pulled up some texts he sent. Though this earned some concerned and worried stares. Where did he get these?

Lilia gives Jamil a smug look. Jamil refused to give him the satisfaction of emotion.

"Do you feel silly? Perchance a little goofy?"

Jamil ignored the prodding. Maybe Lilia would get tired. Lilia didn't get tired. Cater documented it.

Leona Kingscholar

CW: food mentions, cheating partner,

Leona knew this scenario was bound to happen but had it have to be during his siesta? He opened one bright green eye and a swivel of his ear to signal his attention was being given. His ear returned to its resting state after hearing the info he already knew. Rolling to his side he lazily waved to the space next to him.

"Sit down or I'm going back to sleep," thinking about it Leona's tempted. Shifting of cloth and the thud of weight hitting the ground. Taking a breath pushing down an 'I told you so.'

"Tell me about it. I need to know how bad I should beat them," Leona said. It was a joke but the silence started to prompt a reconsideration of its validity as a joke.

"He cheated on me." A monotone voice filled Leona's ears. Too emotionally tired to express his emotions. Leona lets a few moments pass before trying to change the topic.

"The herbivore's herd came tromping through the botanical garden the other day. Real interesting conversation about your band. Playing a concert soon. Surely not true, a Little Mouse would have told me if it was. I'm not going to make fun of your bad music," Leona voice was even with a little amused lilt conveying he wasn't truly upset .

"Didn't think you'd be interested."

"I'm offended. An excuse to leave Night Raven College without having to see my family. There's an after party right?"

"We usually do."

"Good. I also get food. The trinity. No school. No family. Yes, food. Speaking of food," Leona says, standing up with a stretch. "Let's get food right now. Don't worry this time is on me."

Leona was surprised that the invite allowed a plus one. He figured might as well bring someone. That someone ended up being Jack Howl. Who was trying to stay stoic as he looked around.

Jack could take care of himself so Leona wandered the venue avoiding the large groupings of people.

He made his way towards the stage. Any objections we're silenced by a sharp glare. He probably could get a quick rest.

Leona groaned as he is semi-violently shook awake. Jack had found him and starts explaining why he woke him up. Leona stopped him.

"Ssh. Squeaks is about to address the crowd." Jack looked confused ear turning towards the stage hearing his dorm mate being to explain that they'll be debuting new songs during this show. At least he started to before the crowds enthusiasm drowned it out. Jack relented nonetheless.

Leona glanced at Jack's bag of merch.

"You got something for yourself?" Leona halfheartedly pointed at a shirt peaking out of the bag.

"I can support whomever I like." Folding the bag to hid the evidence. Jack doesn't remove his gaze from the stage. Leona now amused moved his attention to the stage.

Oh. He's singing now. Has he actually heard him sing before? Jack seemed enraptured. He must have never heard him sing either. The scrunch of Jack's face scrunched as he digested the lyrics.

"Leona, did something happen?"

"Yeah, their ex cheated on them."

Jack balked.

"I asked if I could tell you. He said if it came up I could."

Jack nodded. Leona could see some gears turning. He's going to have to compete to get to him first.

Leona invited himself backstage. The band members looked startled exchanging glances with one another. Most shrugged. The drummer made sure to shake his head and make it clear that he did not invite another groupie backstage. Again.

"He's a friend of mine," the members looked at their lead singer before continuing their tasks. Most packing equipment into their cases.

"Got the voice of an angel. Brought tears to my eyes. Hypnotized me to get a shirt," Leona teased hoisting the article up for him to see.

"It's too small for you though."

"Maybe I wanted a crop top?..." Leona sighs catching the unbelieving expression from both his friend and their eavesdropping band members.

"You got me. It's for Ruggie. I was going to bring him along but something came up that one of us had to stay behind. I brought that goodie two shoes Jack instead. Apparently his younger siblings like your music and he wanted to get merch for their birthdays."

"That's-" Leona interrupted, "Don't finish that thought." He let him finish packing up.

After parsing that the other band members were gone Leona leaned into his eat.

"You can still let me get the guy if you want," Leona withdrew at the look he was given holding his hands up. Ruggie's shirt laid over his shoulder. "Please say yes or Jack is going to beat me to it."

Leona followed, being invited to ride back to NRC on the bus. Jack had already been joinked but the Diasomnia band member.

"Oh, I got an album. Gonna play that one song outside you-know-who's room." Leona pulled the cd case from his back pocket.

"There's others that sleep there as well."

Leona mumbled a 'right.' He fanned himself with the case. Free arm pulling himself onto the van. Sitting in a vacant spot he used his nails to tear the plastic and pry open the case.

"Would ya sign it, maybe get the others to sign it as well for Ruggie," Leona asks, letting him take it from him. "Maybe sign some of Jack's stuff. It's for his siblings. Big fans." Jack jumped at being addressed and went to deny the need even as he was halfway done already. Signature practiced under the guidance of their Octavinelle member. Jack let it go.

It was re-entering the dorm when Leona started attempting to convince him to fight their ex. Usually Leona would let it be but now it's more to make them laugh.

"Just a scratch. I'll make it count. A

I'll aim for the eyes."

"I'll think about it." Leona scanned for reaction. Jack just left for his room perplexed.

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jennifersblog-en · 7 months

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Would you rather call it cottagecore or self-sufficiency? A short essay on rural life and self-reliance.

Good afternoon!

I originally intended to write about cottagecore, which is pretty much what surrounds me in this rural region. However, I have a love-hate relationship toward these social media aesthetics, which are first and foremost photography aesthetics and themes with ugly names. This said, in a context of domestic abuse, I mostly count on myself for many of my needs. It is true that self-sufficiency and food self-relience tend toward the Cottagecore sub-culture, and it is tempting to go in that direction, but it would be first and foremost lying to myself, and then to others. Therefore, I prefer to face my own reality by talking about my life journey, rather than to sweeten my speech.

I prefer to be clear, in a situation of abuse, when somebody else is controlling the budget and poverty is a reality, complete financial and material autonomy is more than a fantasy, it's a need.

Facing reality: you don't need to aim for complete self-sufficiency

In fact, to be honest, you'll never make your own medications. What is complete self-sufficiency? A myth.

This said, my aim is to improve my self-reliance, which relies on a few hobbies, such as gardening, and I invite you to do the same.

Although my production of food is far from being all-year-round, or even enough for canning and preserving, my first attempt has provided me with fresh fruits and vegetables almost every day of Summer. In terms of fruits, I have only grown strawberries and raspberries, as well as the old apple tree planted decades ago by the late owners. I have grown a wider array of vegetables, such as tomatoes, peas, snow peas, and yellow and green beans. A little bit of my protein intake came from lima and borlotti beans, and I had five fresh herbs to choose from. My biggest failures have been my onions, garlic bulbs and radishes; they were disappointingly lost to rot and drought before harvest.

Overall, this was not bigger than a balcony garden, which proves that you don't need a lot of space to feed yourself if you aim for a percentage of your plate, rather than the usual message of the internet, which is complete self-sufficiency.

Growing food can be the cure to food trauma and insecurity

If, like me, you've been traumatized by food shortages and a lack of financial freedom, growing your own food can be the necessary cure, and at relatively small costs.

At the very least, you'll control some of the food you'll have later in the season. If you're lucky, you can make preserves, or meal-prep and freeze.

Baking and bread-making

This is something I was already doing, and there is something special about having a dessert or a slice of fresh bread, still warm from the oven.

All winter long, I try to do something inspired by the Swedish fika concept, and use these months to plan ahead for Spring.

Needle arts are far from dead

From cosplay to insta-worthy embroidery, the needle arts are far from dead, despise their temporary rejection at home, as shopping malls and hypermarkets became my own parents' stress-relief and boredom-killing hobby. From a personal point-of-view, their consumption habits were far from my values, and I have come back to sewing and knitting to supply a percentage of my wardrobe. I've also tried to make very simple jewelry.

The initial cost is not always cheaper to make your own, because you will possibly choose a thicker, high-quality fabric, that will hopefully last longer, which is where you can really save.

I often like to remind myself that this is not child labour, but my own labour; and it makes a world of a difference from a moral standpoint.

♫ These boots were made for walking, and that's just what they'll do ♬

When I have decided to get back in shape, I didn't have the financial means to pay a subscription at the gym. However, did you notice the free sports you can start doing today?

I have started walking almost every sunny day, and it has greatly improved my cardio-vascular health, as I was enjoying the scenery and leaving my problems at home, behind a closed door.

When bad weather forces you to stay inside, there are still many Youtube channels to watch, and I have even found a few workout television shows on major channels. They tend to be at 6am, though, and they have to be recorded to watch them as a hobby, instead of a morning chore.

Which comes to a conclusion: dis I really ever intend to write about the Cottagecore movement and its photography aesthetic, or simply about real life and self-care? I'd say the latter, for this is what feels better, and always will.

#lifestyle #self-sufficiency #food self-sufficiency #clothing self-sufficiency #cottagecore #cottagecore aesthetic #garden #gardening #baking #homemade baking #needle art #sewing #knitting #self-reliance #jennifersblog

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snippychicke · 9 months

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For the Sake of a Smile (V.2) Chapter Thirteen

Title: For the Sake of a Smile (Revised)

Overall Rating: Mature (18+)

Chapter Rating: M for Mature. We've begun the 18+ content

Trigger warnings: Nothing beyond the child abuse hinted in the series, though we do explore the consequences a bit more.

Additional TW for depression/anxiety etc in this chapter. NO mentions of self-harm or suicide.

Main Pairing: Balam Shichiro/Reader

Summary: Hell on earth was your motto for your job. Granted, you were pretty sure earth really was hell, considering the shit you had seen in your life. And the fact your coworker was a child.

A child named Suzuki Iruma, in fact. A kid who’s life was decidedly worse than yours, but yet he smiled despite everything. It wasn’t long after meeting him that you decided you’d do a lot for his smile. Including summoning a literal demon and signing your soul away.

But as it turns out, hell (The Netherworld, actually) was a lot better than living on earth. Demons were more humane than a lot of humans you knew.

And Iruma’s smile wasn’t the only one that would change your life.

Masterlist | Ao3| Mairimashitai! Simps Discord

"...But if you feel you're worthless… then maybe you are."

Even though you had said the words yourself, hearing her repeat them so casually was like a slap in the face.

And also the last straw.

It was like something snapped inside, and you lost control. With a scream you lunged towards her, jumping over the desk separating you and tackling Raim.

There was a satisfied look in her eye shortly before you slammed into her, but it was soon gone as you used tooth and nail against her. There was no method to your attack, you just wanted her to hurt. To feel pain as you did. Regret like you did. Realize she wasn't as powerful and mighty like she thought.

The fact that she barely fought back was something you completely missed. She struggled enough to keep you struggling, clawing at her face and hair, an elbow to the gut, or stomping on her high-heeled feet with your own more-practical footwear. But there was an almost playful quality to it, to the light in her eyes.

Until a voice boomed across the library; multiple arms grasping your limbs and pulling you off.

No. Not limbs. Vines, you realized as you looked around wildly, still feeling rather feral until you met glimmering black eyes.

Ah.

Fuck.

"Haven't had a scuffle like that in quite a while," Raim said as she stood up, dusting off her barely-blemished skin. "I forgot how kinky that could be."

Oh. You were going to kill her and that damned glittering smile in her eyes. You struggled against the vines restraining you, your primal mind figuring you had gone this far, you might as well finish the job.

Raim didn't seem the least bit affected as she turned towards Balam, her hand grazing his arm purposefully. "I'll go ask Furcus or her Battler if they'd mind the Library while our dear Librarian is recovering. Make sure to take good care of her, okay?"

Balam acted as if he hadn't heard Raim at all, or even if she even existed. His gaze bore into you, filled with its own rage and frustration.

Maybe it was his displeasure, or the way you swore you could feel his mana engulfing the Library like an oppressive blanket, trying to smother any kind of dissonance. Or maybe Raim finally leaving was allowing you to finally think clearly.

Either way, you knew you were in trouble. Far, far worse trouble than you had been in.

Balam picked you out from the vines like an errant pet, holding you tightly to his chest in a princess carry before striding out of the Library, all without saying a single word. His silence was uncomfortable, and you could virtually feel the anger and disappointment radiating from him.

Even after reaching the prep room and ensuring it was empty - closing the door behind him and locking it - he stayed silent. He just held you tighter, and you could feel him taking deep calming breaths, his eyes closed as he focused.

"Balam?" You hesitantly questioned, causing his eyes to snap open and focus down on you; dark obsidian that seemed so cold compared to usual. His fingers dug into you almost painfully before he controlled himself.

He didn't utter a word, but you could see his jaw move behind his mask as if was opening and closing his mouth, at a loss for words. All the while his gaze continued to bore into you, as if trying to figure something out.

"I-I'm sorry," You stuttered, the silence becoming too much for you to bear. "I just… I snapped and lost control."

Devi, he had to be fuming to remain so quiet. You don't think you had ever known him to be this quiet. "Please, say something. Anything."

He didn't say anything, but shifted his grip so he was no longer holding you in a princess-carry, but hugging you tightly; your chest pressed against his, one arm bracing you back with his fingers buried in your hair while the other supported your backside, as you more or less straddled his waist with your legs. His metal mask felt like ice against your skin as he pressed his face to your neck, releasing a shuddering breath when you wrapped your arms around his shoulders.

"Why?" He rasped after a second, his voice hoarse as he whispered your name in such a way it felt like a knife to your chest. "Do you realize how stupid -- how dangerous-- that was? No Runes. Nothing to protect you…"

That bitter feeling rose in your throat as that dark voice whispered in the back of your mind. He was right, you had been a massive idiot for starting a fight with Raim - no matter how much she had been trying to tempt you into one.

It also reminded you that Balam was upset mainly because your foolish actions had nearly cost him his 'precious' human. Not in the romantic sense, but in the sense you were his favorite specimen, for lack of a better word.

"What is wrong with you?" He swore after a moment. "Ever since the Harvest festival, you've been acting strange, and its just been getting worse. I thought you were wiser than this?"

"It was a mistake." You answered back flatly, your inner self growing cold to protect you from the overflow of pain his words caused. You pulled away, and by some miracle he allowed you. He even set you on the ground, but you could feel his expectant gaze on you. "I--"

You should just quit, the dark little voice reasoned. Or one of these days, someone is going to find out. You're going to inevitably fuck something up and doom yourself and Iruma. Just go to Sullivan, hand in your resignation, and become a hermit.

Or ask Sullivan to null your contract and send you back to Earth. Iruma would probably be safer without you to expose his origin.

Some mother you were. He'd be better off without you at this point.

Tears stung your eyes as you succumbed to the darkness. You pulled at your hair as you slowly fell to your knees, gritting your teeth to stop the sob swelling in your throat.

I really am worthless. Everyone would be better off without me. I'm so dumb, emotional, powerless... Why did I ever think I deserved to be happy? Even here - I don't deserve their love or compassion. Hell itself is too good for me.

You felt Balam try to gently pry your hands from your scalp, and batted him away as you stepped away. "Don't." You choked out. "I don't-- I don't deserve it."

"Don't deserve what?" He asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

"Your kindness! Your pity! I'm the dumbass that keeps fucking up!" You snarled angrily; mostly directed at yourself, but some reserved him. Didn't he get it? "I don't belong here! I know I'm your 'precious' human to study, but you have Iruma, and he's so much better than me. He's adapting, unlike my worthless ass and--"

You were silenced as he pulled you close. "Don't. Don't even think such things, darling. You are so important to me, to all of us."

You struggled to shake your head from how tightly he was holding you. "I'm not… I'm not."

Balam shifted to pull away just enough to cup your face. His eyes were warm again, hurt and confusion evident, along with something else you refused to acknowledge, because it was impossible. "You are. You are the most precious thing to me, and it isn't because you're human."

Your heart thumped in your chest, a small crack appearing in your dark thoughts, a small sliver of hope. "Don't… Don't tease me," You pleaded softly. "Don't say such things, Balam."

His thumb caressed your cheek softly. "I'm not teasing. You may not want my affection, but you have it regardless. And I know that so many others care for you as well."

Just as fast as the smidgen of hope appeared, it disappeared. You sighed as you tried to refrain from reacting.

He cares for you, that should be enough. Your inner voice scolded. Be thankful, not saddened.

But how could you not? Especially as he touched you so tenderly, his eyes soft and kind.

Balam seemed to be able to sense the shift in your mood, or maybe you weren't able to hide your true feelings from your expression as you thought. His eyebrows knitted together in concern as he spoke your name. "Are these emotions from a human evil cycle, or something akin to it? What can I do for you? Please, tell me."

You shook your head slightly. "Nothing. This… this is just me trying to…come to term with things."

"With what?" He probed, apparently not going to allow the issue to slide. You went to turn away, but he held you firm. "You were physically fighting another teacher. If she had accidently scratched you and caused you to bleed, there's no telling what could have happened. Please, tell me what is bothering you so much."

Internally, you began to panic. You knew, knew he wasn't going to let you slide by with a half-excuse this time

Yet, you couldn't help but try. "It's stupid, Balam. I promise, I'll do better. I'll get this under control and…"

He ended your line of excuses by simply saying your name, making you freeze. His dark eyes pinned you, and you could see how others might be intimidated by him.

"I love you," You blurted out, tired and frustrated and honestly not knowing what else to say. "That's my problem, okay? I love you and I know you'll never feel the same for me."

His eyes blinked rapidly, confusion evident on his face. "W-what?"

It was like a dam in your chest had erupted, allowing all the emotions you had been trying to bottle up escape. "I love you! I want to be able to touch you! To kiss you! To do some frankly obscene things that I can't stop thinking about! And it's driving me crazy to know that you will never see me in such a way." You took a breath, trying to calm yourself. On one hand, it felt like a relief to finally have admitted it out loud, yet on the other you felt extremely embarrassed to have essentially just shouted it in his face.

"You… you wanted to know," You finished weakly with a half shrug. "So there you are. Now you know."

Silence hung heavily for a long moment as he stared at you, causing you to only feel more embarrassed. Now you really screwed things up. Now he wasn't going to even treat you as a friend, or maybe a friend to keep at arms distance and why--

"You're not lying," He spoke finally, ending your mental tirade. He continued to seem astonished, shocked as he muttered to himself. "You're…telling the truth."

You swallowed thickly and nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. I am."

That seemed to help him return back to his senses, his brows furrowing once more. "Unfortunately?"

You were about to go on a ramble, allowing all your fears to pour from your mouth, when he moved to undo the latches of his mask. Your words caught in your throat as you were given the rare treat of seeing his full face. The curve of his cheek, his strong jawline. One fang barely peeked out from behind his lips, and on the other side you could see so many of the thick sharp fangs thanks to his injury.

Without thinking, you reached up to touch his face. Your fingers caressing the soft skin that was usually hidden by his mask period, feeling the change to the rougher scar issue.

"You're not disgusted?" He asked quietly, careful not to accidentally bite your fingers that were so close to the bared teeth.

You jerked slightly, realizing what you had done. But when you went to pull away, he pressed your hand to his cheek, keeping it in place. "Not at all," You said softly, meeting his gaze. Surely this wasn't real. This had to be a dream or something. "I-I've always found you handsome."

You could watch as the pink color spread across his cheeks, inching its way to the tip of his ears as well as down his neck, which did not help your fascination any. You wondered how far his blush traveled past the feathered neck of his shirt. Did it bloom across his chest? Darkened the more you teased?

"And I've always been stunned by your beauty," He admitted quietly, pulling your mind from the gutter. "That first time seeing you in the Library, and every time since. I swear you've only grown more beautiful."

It was your turn to blush, and even chuckle self consciously. But any self deprecating quip that was on your tongue vanished as he leaned forward and pressed his ruined lips against yours.

The kiss was soft, tentative as he slowly tested your boundaries. As if each small movement was a question assuring he hadn't overstepped. Which was laughable in retrospect as you eagerly returned his kiss, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

You swore you could feel him smile against you as he pulled you up onto his lap, arms wrapped around your waist as he matched your passion. Careful of his teeth, yet there was no denying the hunger that lurked beneath. Gently, his tongue brushed against your lips, which you accepted just as happily, pressing your tongue against his in an instinctive dance.

There was a hint of sweetness to him, which surprised you none. Not when you knew of his fondness for desserts as well as the fact of how gentle and sweet his personality was. It was as addictive as everything about him, distracting you to the point you barely noticed when he laid you down on the floor, your body instinctively allowing his waist to part your legs as you ran your fingers through his hair.

And devi, the noises he made; soft but deep groans that echoed from his chest as his mouth moved from yours to your cheek, and then your neck. As if you were the most delectable thing he had ever tasted - ever touched. The sounds went straight to the fire building in your lower stomach, making you want him even more.

"My human. My beautiful, precious human," He purred against you, the hand not supporting his weight pressing against your side before roaming upwards, pushing aside your standard faculty uniform to cup your breast hidden beneath your shirt. "I've wanted this, wanted you, for so long…"

You whimpered as he massaged your breast and he lavished your neck in kisses. This was so much better than your dreams and fantasies. The warmth pooling in your loins, the way his large body pressed down against you, heavy but not overly so. And the words he praised you with were quickly driving you crazy.

No one had made you feel this way in the past. Wanted in every sense of the word. Beautiful. Appreciated.

You wanted to turn the tables on him, repeat every single sentiment with equal emotion. To make him feel this same pleasure and warmth.

Yet before you could hazily try and figure out how to do that, a shrill ring on your phone cut through the otherwise silent room, making you both freeze at the cheery tune.

Devi. No. You wanted screamed in frustration as Balam pulled away, looking rather awkward as he helped you sit up. All the while the phone continued to ring incessantly.

You pulled the offending item from your pocket and glared at it. How you wanted to silence it. To hit the ignore button, but it was too late. The mood was ruined.

--+--

"Yes?" Balam heard you answer whomever was calling you as he had climbed to his feet and was trying to find a way to calm his body. Sullivan's voice was unmistakable as he apparently shouted over the phone; tone full of worry, though Balam couldn't understand his words as he wandered towards his bookcases.

This was not at all how he expected events to go when he had decided to confront you over the lunch period. Actually, all expectations went out the window when he entered the Library and saw you launch yourself at Raim, looking more like a demon then ever.

He was both frozen with fear and awe at the scene. Fear because what the devi had you been thinking?! And awe from his baser instincts seeing the female he adored show her power and viciousness. You would be such a good mate…

Fear, worry, and a smidge of anger suddenly overtook everything. He had been barely able to hold back from joining the fight on your side, and had Raim not been treating you as delicately as she had been, obviously doing her best not to hurt you, he may have.

Yet even with you in his arms, he had been so scared, unable to control the urge to carry you away to the safest place he could think of. A place of privacy where he was sure he would be able to protect you. If someone realized the truth, or even that you were powerless, it could spell disaster. He had known something had been bothering you, and didn't want to pry.

But if it risked your safety, he had felt like he had no other choice.

And Devi and Deities both, your answer was not at all what he was suspecting. He was both elated, and also confused. Why would you feel as if it was a terrible thing? What had he done to make you believe he wouldn't reciprocate your feelings?

"I love you." Your words rang in his head, along with the fact that his bloodline ability had not. Not even the faintest buzz of a half-lie when you called him handsome.

Balam was sure - especially from the way you had been returning every kiss with desperation and making those soft pleased noises - that he would have ended up taking you right then and there if your phone hadn't rang.

He listened to you argue with Sullivan, insisting you were unharmed and okay while your face continued to be deeply flushed.

He couldn't ruin his chances. He wanted you; not just in a deep primal way, but as his mate. To be by your side for the rest of his life.

Balam had refused to even hope for such a chance in his younger years - sure no one would ever choose him between his disfigurement and odd traits - but now there was more than just ephemeral hope, it was a very real possibility. And with you.

He couldn't recall all the intricate details of courting, having given up on such ideas while attending Babyls as a student. But he did remember one thing.

An Offering. A token of his affection and a symbol of his intention.

"I am so sorry," You apologized after ending the call with your adoptive father and turning your attention back to him. Your face was still pink with a hint of guilt in your eyes.

He couldn't resist reaching out to cup your face, caressing your cheek with his thumb. "You have nothing to apologize for."

You scoffed dryly, but leaned into his touch. "Launching myself at Raim? Dad was freaking out because he heard through the grapevine that you carried me away because I was 'heavily injured' or something. Students and their dramatics, I swear."

He frowned slightly, "...okay, you may have a point there. Though you're hardly to blame for the latter."

Your cheeks darkened a little more as you looked away. "Well, he did… interrupt."

Devi, you were so cute. He had never seen you look so shy, yet not pulling away from him. For which Balam was thankful, he missed being able to be so close. To enjoy how supple your skin was beneath his gloves, or that enticing scent of yours underneath the cologne.

"Speaking of which," He started, drawing himself out of his admiration. He removed his hand from your cheek, only to take your small hands in his. He was sure there was a dusting of pink to his own face, plain to see since his mask continued to lay forgotten on the floor. "I-I'm sure you already know, considering my… earlier behavior. But, I-I adore you. I adore so many things about you, and I…"

You tilted your head faintly, confusion apparent in your eyes as he trailed off, unable to complete his sentence. "Balam, what are you trying to say?"

His dark eyes met yours as he squeezed your hands softly. "...would you please call me Shichiro?" He said instead of what he really wanted to ask.

Still, you smiled up at him, happiness apparent in your eyes. "Y-yes! I would love to."

He held onto your hand as you gently tried to pull away, causing that smile to fade. "I would also like to know…if you would allow me the honor of courting you?"

Shock crossed your face at his words, which only spurred him to ramble nervously. "I know you're not overly familiar with the customs, but I would happily explain them to you. And maybe you could explain your own customs regarding romance, and I'd do my best to observe them if that would make you happy. And--"

"Yes," You answered suddenly, interrupting him. "I mean, well, yes! I would--I would really love all of that."

"You would? Really?" He couldn't help but ask, the anxiety easing as you laughed, unable to contain your happiness. Your face was lit up with a bright smile, virtually beaming with happiness. So vastly different than just a few moments before.

"Yes! I really would, Shichiro."

Hearing you say his name so fondly was too much. He quickly picked you up, grinning as you let out a surprised yelp before laughing again, wrapping your arms around him. He buried his face against the crook of your neck, breathing in deep.

Yes. You said yes.

He held you tight, hardly believing reality. Especially as he felt you comb your fingers through his hair, feeling your smile pressed against his cheek and ear as you peppered him with soft kisses.

"Oh! Wait! An offering!" He exclaimed, setting you down. "This isn't very traditional, but I didn't have time to prepare. I really hope it's okay…"

"Shichiro…" You started to protest as he took your hand in his, yet looked upwards to where Nigyul was sitting amongst the vines, his yellow eyes almost glowing in the deep shadows.

The wooden dragon jumped from his perch onto your shoulder, surprising you. But your smile returned as he rubbed his snout against your cheek, an odd sort of purring rattle echoing from his chest.

Shichiro smiled, happy to see him so accepting of you. It made him more sure about his plan as he plucked a lock of vines from Nigyul's mane.

The plant still reacted to his mana as he laid it across your wrist, feeding it enough of his power that it grew and twisted into a bracelet of light green vines.

It wasn't the height of fashion, but he hoped it was acceptable anyways. At least, for now. "I'll get you something more significant or prettier later…"

"I love it," You interrupted as you pulled your hand away from his to look at it closely. How the vines intertwined in a chaotic-looking braid, with no way to tell where it began or ended. It wasn't too bulky or dainty, but just right as it hugged your wrist.

"Being made of the vines of a Nigyupnil, it can withstand nearly anything. I'm not sure how it will react to human mana, but it should survive as long as I feed it my own at least once a week."

You marveled at the bracelet, smiling slightly as you allowed the dragon on your shoulder to inspect it before you turned to him, your smile shifting to a frown. "This… isn't just a dream, is it?" You asked, a hint of fear and trepidation in your voice. "I-I'm not going to wake up in my bed with all of this just a fantasy in my head, right?"

Shichiro felt his heart squeeze, and caressed your face softly. He could understand your worry, because he could admit he was concerned about the same thing. This felt way too good to be true, to be real.

Yet at the same time, he knew it was no dream, no night time fantasy borne of his inner most desires. "I promise, darling, its not."

--+-- Su-Ki-Ma--+--

Raim had a wicked smile on her face as she barged into Furcus' office.

"I presume you have a good reason for being here," Furcus asked, looking up from the homework she had been grading.

"Oh yes," Raim purred as she sat down. "You know how our little Librarian has been edging an evil cycle for the past week or so?"

"Mmm, I think everyone is aware. I was going to bring it up to Dali that she should be allowed a few extra days off before she snaps."

"Well, I may have decided to forgo Dali… or even the chairdemon," Raim admitted with a hint of guilt. "But, in my defense, the sexual tension between her and Balam has been driving me crazy. Teenagers are one thing, but those two…" She fanned herself dramatically. "Well, it gets my own instincts worked up, you know?

The older female groaned and rubbed her face. "Devi, what did you do?"

Raim bit back a smile. "You know how with little ones you have to push them a bit for their first few evil cycles? Encourage them to let go so they don't get too wild and wicked?"

Furcus' dark eyes narrowed. "Are you saying you did that. With Lord Sullivan's own daughter? In the middle of school hours."

"She's rankless, so I figured it's not like she could harm anyone." Raim's smile faded slightly. "How a demon like Lord Sullivan could sire someone as weak as her, I can't understand. But her son seems to take after his grandfather…"

"It is a bit of a mystery," Furcus agreed. "Actually, the whole thing seems suspicious, to be honest, but it's not our place to question. Lord Sullivan claims them as kin, and they're marked with his power. As long as they do not place the school in danger, we shall abide."

Raim nodded, serious for a moment before grinning and leaning in close. "But that isn't all that happened. So, Balam appeared during our little tussle, and you should have seen him. You would have thought he had already claimed her as a mate and I was trying to seduce her away from him! Granted, she did look awfully tempting bound by his vines. I can't believe I never gave thought about our gargoyle and his abilities in the bedroom before…."

#mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school iruma kun #balam/reader #balam shichiro

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seafoamreadings · 1 year

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week of december 18th, 2022

aries: your relationships are augmented this week and your financial situation gets some sort of blessing. most importantly, watch jupiter and chiron this week as jupiter moves back into your sign, now for the longhaul, and chiron's retrograde comes to an end.

taurus: this is a really good week for you to do spiritual work or, for taureans who are not particularly spiritual, perhaps it is a good time to get into it. either way you may receive some sort of strange miracle or divine insight due to uranian activity.

gemini: you may be more in your feelings than you are accustomed to being. this is not so bad, just let it be a form of data collection if you have to. meanwhile, it isn't a bad idea to prepare for mercury retrograde coming up soon! try to have your things in order.

cancerians: while aries vibes are typically not very well meshed with your own comfort-seeking, usually quiet nature, the aries vibes all this week are mostly good anyway. the cardinality suits you too. start something new, especially something of good quality that you know can have a lasting impact.

leo: unseasonably aries vibes bring a metaphorical breeze out of springtime to you. let it refresh and restore you. go out of your way to travel far and/or learn new things all week.

virgo: your ruling planet ceres moves into libra, which brings financial harvests in a manner of speaking, and which is enhanced by capricorn season arriving shortly. more traditional/mercurial virgoans may wish to prep well at this time for impending mercury retrograde.

libra: relationships are naturally always a focus for you but with all the aries activity they're particularly in development this week. a square involving the sun from capricorn later on means it's not a good time to move house or move anyone into your home if it can be avoided.

scorpio: it is most likely a refreshingly simple week for you, with a few vaguely supportive things going on astrologically and the only real drawback that mars is still retrograde. connecting in any meaningful way can be difficult and debt of any kind is strongly discouraged.

sagittarius: increasing fire vibes including a sagittarius moon in a few days energize and inspire you, so use that! looks like there might even be a fun little romance in store for interested sagittarians.

capricorn: the start of capricorn season officially begins this week and then there is a new moon in your sign as well. if there's anything you need to start, that you want a good time to get it off the ground, do it just after the new moon if possible.

aquarius: it's time for twelfth house activity to amp up. this can take a depressive tone, so note your mood and put healthy coping mechanisms in place. addictive or compulsive tendencies can get out of control if not appropriately monitored.

pisces: if there was ever a time for you to socialize it's this week. the new acquaintances you make now can become close friends later on. you may also find yourself with some kind of increased material appetite; don't let this get out of control.

#horoscopes #weekly horoscope #astrology #transits #zodiac #signs #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces

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piercethekaeya · 2 years

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genshin impact characters love languages & kinks

includes, thoma, kaeya, itto, beidou, & ningguang

nsfw ,, afab! reader (self insert is gn but has a vagina)

a/n : srry this is so short 😞 if you want another part to this, let me know some other charcters to do, and that being said, my inbox is always open for requests!

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thoma ;

love language(s) : acts of service & words of affirmation . he loves to show he loves you by taking good care of you and telling you!

"did you want a massage my love?"

kink(s) : exhibitionism & praise . he loves it when you watch him get off, it makes him go crazy. whether the praising is being given or received, thoma loves it either way.

"so good for me~ you're doing so good..."

kaeya ;

love language(s) : physical touch & words of affirmation . kaeya simply cannot keep his hands off you. he'll definitely let you know he loves you while he's chatting your ear off.

"i just cant keep my hands off you darling"

kink(s) : degradation & edging . kaeya can be a sweet talker– but he loves to talk filthy to you and embarrass you a little. when he edges you, he can't help but feel a bit superior, its just a little fun to toy with you.

"you're such a good fucking slut touching me like this.."

itto ;

love language(s) : quality time & physical touch . itto loves to be around you. he'll show his love by going on adventures with you (and his gang sometimes). he loves hugging you from behind.

"babe! lets go out and fun today!"

kink(s) : bondage & exhibitionism . itto can't resist his urges when he see you tied up, squirming, anticipating his next move in the bedroom. he gets so turned on watching you play with yourself,, prepping for him– it drives him insane and makes him crave you more.

"prepare yourself for me baby, i got the rope~"

beidou ;

love language(s) ; quality time & gifts . beidou is usually, or always sailing sea. either you're traveling alongside with her or you're not– but she'll always bring you something to remember.

"i thought about you the whole trip, here beautiful."

kink(s) ; strap-on & face sitting . beidou just straps that shit on and gets to business with you. she fucks you as if she had a real one. she prefers when you sit on her face but doesn't mind sitting on your face.

"sit that pretty pussy on this pretty face baby"

ningguang ;

love language(s) ; words of affirmation & gifts . ningguang always has a few keen, loving words to tell you up her sleeve. her words are definitely as stronger than actions. she also loves to bring you flowers and buy you cute little trinkets to see the smile on your face.

kink(s) ; praise kink & edging . she's constantly reminding you how good you with her kind, yet dirty words when you obey her. sometimes for fun, she'll control your orgasm the overstimulation gets you excited.

"what a good one you've been for me my dear~"

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imperatriceauxdiamants · 2 years

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Do you have any tips on being consistent with a weight loss journey ? I have to loose weight but whenever I start eating healthy I always go back to my old ways.

Honestly what helped me the most is to accept that new mentality:

I'm a person that leads a healthy lifestyle.

I love doing excercises, esp walking, running, and yoga which are my favourite ever activities.

I enjoy being in line with my body.

The old lifestyle is what led you to the weight gain, so it is irrealistic to think the weight loss lifestyle is gonna be a temporary one. You gotta gain a healthy lifestyle that both enables you to lose weight, AND to keep it off.

If you haven't found a sport or a excercise that makes you happy, continue seeking. Pointless to run if you freaking hate running.

For the food, only keep what enables you into that healthy lifestyle. You know keeping 6 bags of chips at home won't help you much, you know a bit of chips at parties or at movies wont hurt much, but you know eating a whole bag a day ain't gonna help you on the long term.

I never keep candies or less great snacks at home. I just keep what I need for my meal-prepping.

Find some recipes that both align with what you WANT and what you LIKE. Per example I freaking love ice cream, it's like my sin. I wish I could eat the super super rich gelato every day so much I love it. What I do instead is keep the gelato treat for when I am with my friends, or family, enjoying my gelato with them. I'm not holed up in my bedroom eating a whole tub of shitty 2$ ice crap watching the 4th season of whatever show. So if I find myself craving intensely ice cream, I make myself some frozen banana ice cream with my mixer, or I throw some frozen blueberries and a bit of yogurt in the mixer.

If I crave a snack, I get myself some popcorn, there's low salt low fat versions of bagged popcorn that help satisfy that craving. I sometimes even make my very own popcorn, by using about 1/4 to 1/8 cup of corn seeds, in a small pot, a little bit of butter at the bottom, I put a lid on top, while it pops I shake the pot until I don't hear anymore popping.

For my main meals, I bulk up my meals with vegetables and good quality proteins, the carbs are like not the majority of my meal. And if I have carbs, I try to get as much whole grains ans fibers as possible. Think multigrain boosted in fiber versus the shitty wonderbread.

Making your own meals is much more efficient both for nutrition and self-control, meaning, I'll make myself just enough for one portion, or maybe two if I'm prepping for another meal, then if I'm "fake hungry" (what this means: I'm hungry for more but I don't wanna eat an apple or some healthy snack), if I wanna eat more I have to go through the effort of making it again. Generally it just turns me off.

Another solution is to prep a huge meal then immediately freeze the remnants in individual dishes. I have to go through the effort of defreezing then microwaving. Berk. I'd rather just eat an apple. Or nothing, because I'm "fake hungry".

See how I constantly outsmart my lazy self 😂

Also! I drink shittons of water!! It helps me being satisfied with my meals. Like think if you soak cereal in milk, it expands. Think the same in the stomach, the water is helping my meal expand and stretch my stomach. The stomach tells the brain "ok we're done, stop eating!".

I let treats be treats. I have fun while excercising. I drink water. This didn't use to be my normal.

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phoenix-manga · 2 years

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Domestic Life in Ramshackle

Thank you to @dexpairs-blog for the idea.

⊖ Once Ramshackle gets fixed (Crewel and Trein threaten to skin Crowley if he doesn’t) Phoebe and her Pokémon get to a certain routine to maintain the building and to make sure it is always free of dust.

⊖ Housekeeping: Audino, Blissey, and Indeedee usually do this task along with Swablu. They sweep the floors, clean the dishes and make the beds.

But the task isn’t entirely left to them though. Phoebe and the others remember to fold the blankets and fluff their pillows and put away their trash and laundry in one place.

Ace got a bit carried away during his stay at Ramshackle and made a mess one time, Indeedee ended up smacking him with a broom until he got the message. Grimm knows to be neat and tidy unless he wants to be hit next, he just didn’t tell Ace because he's a gremlin menace.

⊖ Kitchen: Slurpuff and Smeargle are in charge of the kitchen. They do the cooking and quality control. Espeon and Sylveon help out in food prep using Psychic moves and movable ribbons to get things moving quickly.

When Phoebe isn't busy, she sometimes cooks herself too. But she knows to keep the counters and stove clear, its an unspoken rule when it comes to Smeargle and Slurpuff.

⊖ Gardening: Most Grass-types and Water-types often are assigned to this task. Though Aggron and Haxorus end up helping out a lot in this chore as well. The berries and apricorns are kept in check along with the flowers and grass. Phoebe planned the small farm to save money on spending it on food. Glaceon uses Ice moves to keep the fresh produce from rotting quickly.

Smeargle and Slurpuff make occasional inventory checks for anything that starts to go bad.

⊖ Wood chopping: Haxorus and Aggron also contribute to providing enough for the fireplace during the winter. Their sharp claws and strength make it easy.

Flareon, Larvesta, and Houndour can help burn the firewood and keep the flame lit. Ninetales is much too diva for that but she keeps the house warm just by being there.

⊖ Laundry Duty: Water types are mostly used to clean the laundry but Phoebe wasn’t going to scrub them manually. She bought a washing machine for that, the Pokémon just have to pin the clothes up to dry.

⊖ Night watch: Corviknight, Umbreon, Mimikyu, and Morelull are in charge of keeping watch of the dorm at night while they are allowed to sleep in late during the day.

With the events of some nosy boys at the campus, the Pokémon make sure nothing is going to cause any mischief. The intruders are easily scared off by the guards.

⊖ Babysitting: Kangaskhan, Seviper, and Magearna keep watch of the baby Pokémon and make sure they are kept from harm. Seviper is the one who is the chaperone when the babies want to explore.

⊖ Appliance Maintenance: Zebstrika, Jolteon, and Porygon-Z maintain the electrical appliances in the dorm. They have an area where they can act as lightning rods and absorb the electricity to store. Porygon-Z can fiddle with the machine's functions but not possess them like Rotom.

⊖ Fossil Care: The fossil Pokémon are looked after mostly by Phoebe, needing one or two Pokémon to help her out with the more aggressive ones. Steelix is very large so he can act as a barrier in case one of the fossils are fussy and need to be barricaded.

Zapdos and Diancie don’t do much, the former is unpredictable so they won’t be getting assigned chores anytime soon while the latter is mostly helping whenever they can but they mostly have nothing to do.

#headcanons #pokemon x twisted wonderland #twst x pokemon

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sheriflavored · 1 year

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Haven’t been here in a while. I miss talking to the void. Here I am!

Wow.. the last time I posted anything I was 28?? I hardly remember who I was…what I was doing and what kind of things I was struggling through during that time.

But today, I wanted to remember the moments that happened to me despite an overall whirlwind of a day. Tet 2023, no bueno. But here are the things I was very grateful for and I’m just going to focus on those.

#1. This morning, I decided last minute to hang out with my parents and visit temple, my uncle’s spot and our store—the usual rounds for Tet. There are a lot of things I miss about being home now that we’ve moved to AK, and one of those is spending time with my aging parents. My mom’s never been one to be up to date with makeup but I know she enjoys the occasions when she has the opportunity to dress up and look her best. This year, I convinced her to let me do her makeup after I saw her do her typical routine — putting lipstick all over her face on top of some real pale (and old) face cream. I washed her face, moisturized it and did her makeup how I would do my own. She looked extra radiant today and I could tell she was giddy to spend the time with me but also to get a little time to really focus on herself. I’m going to take her to buy some things for herself tomorrow. She absolutely deserves it. I wish I had taken a photo of her today, but things really just got out of control today. This year, once she gets her brand new teeth, I’m going to try to organize a family photo session. The older I get, the more I really value these kinds of things.

#2. When we got to my parents’ store today, there was a homeless man hanging out right outside. Every shop was closed except for the tattoo shop and the one Asian take out spot and he was just hanging out - at a distance from all patrons - wishing them a happy new year as they came in and out. My parents prepared some money for him as they got out of the car and wished him a happy new year. He asked my mom something, to which my mom responded in a lighthearted joke which made the man chuckle. I can’t remember what was actually said but something that really stuck with me was how she just saw him as another human. A real, normal human. I watched as he continued his well wishes to other folks, and watched every single one of them frozen for brief moments and I could see their gears turning, deciding whether to even acknowledge this man, respond to him, or determine whether he was just giving them well wishes in exchange for money. And honestly, this was a great reminder for me to remember to be kind to people, just like mom.

#3. I’m grateful every day for the friends I’ve kept close throughout the years. Linda came and dropped off some lobster and crab for my family, knowing that we had a hard day today. I almost cried eating my first bite of lobster. I do miss having great quality friends I can see every couple of weeks.

#4. I miss home. And for the first time, home isn’t only my parents’ house anymore. Home is where my heart is, and that’s my family. While my parents and brother will always be my origin home, my home now is in Alaska with Dean and the boys. I believe I really belong there, with them and I’m honestly a bit homesick. I miss our walks with the dogs, panoramic views down the block of the entire Chugach mountains. I miss prepping to brace the cold and even painfully waiting for the windshield to thaw. I miss our routine and non-routines, and just being on the same couch barely interacting but feeling whole. For the first time, I feel like I truly belong somewhere.

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cattale · 2 years

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Girls’ Night Out ღ Bobbi & Tepin

TIMING: The week of February 21 LOCATION: Petal Pushers, East End PARTIES: @cattale & @timetide SUMMARY: Tepin helps Bobbi pick out some plants for her houseboat to make it pet-ready. The plants, however, have woken up and are choosing violence. It’s up to the Super Pets to save the day! CONTENT: N/A

“If you ask me,” said the little old lady to Tepin, “you’re something of a monster, am I right?” They were the only two people, apart from the occasional passersby, in front of Petal Pushers, the town’s one and only flower shop, which the balam never fails to visit on the rare occasions she dared venture far from the Outskirts. Tepin had been standing outside on her own, waiting for the newly made friend she was set to meet in the establishment, when the older woman came out and stood beside her. It was late winter, but it seemed to Tepin that everything was still cold and small and damp. She should have brought at least a book with her to keep her distracted. Or at least to use as an excuse to exit this conversation. “I’m Mexican,” said Tepin, “if that’s what you mean.”

The old lady cocked her head to one side, and she winked, theatrically. She had steel gray hair, and a gray face, and a gray coat, and she looked like one of those stereotypical grandmas left alone in sleepy towns such as this one, abandoned, forgotten. “Well, that is not what I meant,” she explained, “not exactly.” Tepin has had her fair share of…problems like this when she first crossed the border not too long ago—everyone feared the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable, and Tepin was all that and more—but the old woman didn’t feel like she was going to be much trouble. Not like the others before her. “I meant… We all have a monster within. The difference is in degree, not in kind.”

Tepin couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that statement. For some reason, it seemed familiar to her, like she had heard it all before. Also from someone familiar. But before she could say anything back to the old woman, the mysterious crone suddenly started walking away from her, not even giving her a wave of goodbye or a final look. Maybe that’s for the best… She wondered then if this was all a terrible idea, if the monster within her would suddenly take control from out of nowhere, putting everyone else in danger. Gulping, she quickly felt sick, afraid, doubtful. Like she had eaten a bad breakfast. But then she saw the familiar fishing captain approach and immediately calmed down at the sight of her new friend, greeting her with a meek smile.

It was a good day: Bobbi woke up naked in bed with a wide grin on her lips, feeling more or less reinvigorated by the excitement of what’s to come. Something about the quality of the light seeping through her windows, bright and warm, like the color of happiness itself, told her it was time to prepare for the weekend’s primetime highlight. Time to get this houseboat some personality! A plant or two should prep it for a critter or two. Gonna be a good day, yes it is!

John’s truck smelled of old socks and sweaty shirts—a deadly mix of testosterone gone wild: there were actual dirty socks on the equally dirty floor, much to Bobbi’s chagrin. The seats looked like they would do well with some vacuuming, discolored with dust and hair, and there was a pair of used shoes stashed underneath the passenger’s side. It reeked.

On any other day, Bobbi would’ve thought about chewing him out—lecturing him on proper hygiene and cleanliness as if she were his mom or grandma—but today was not any other day. She ignored all these horrible, terrible things and forced herself, still with a smile, to take on the steering wheel and make her way from the docks to downtown, humming along the way.

Bobbi parked a block away from the flower shop to make sure the truck’s existence wasn’t revealed to Tepin. Walking with a pep in her step, almost hopping like she was some kindergartener, Bobbi’s grin grew wider as her almond-shaped ebony black eyes found Tepin outside the shop’s door. She waved at her, her arms high in the air, and called out to her newly made friend. “Tepin! Sorry, I’m late! You look amazing! How are you?”

There were black worry beads wrapped around her wrist, and Tepin fiddled with them as she spoke, a wide grin on her face as Bobbi closed the distance between them. “You’re not late, Bobbi,” she said, “I was just early.” She welcomed her new friend with a hug, the tightest she has ever given, before gesturing for her to get inside the flower shop first. It has been a while since Tepin was out like this, and it has been longer since she gave anyone a hug, but with the captain of the Salmon Ella beside her, she found courage to not fear the uncontrollable jaguar within.

They were standing inside Petal Pushers now, a few steps from the door. She decided to sling her arm around Bobbi’s, entangling them, but casually. Tepin extended her arm along the length of Bobbi’s and eventually sort of creeped it down, almost imperceptibly, until it was touching her. This is what friends do, right? Tepin wasn’t quite sure. She could’ve sworn she had seen something like this on the terrible television set she had inherited from the old woman who previously owned her cabin, but it was a DVD from a long time ago, and because she spent most of her days in the Outskirts, keeping to herself, she wasn’t up to date with whatever friends did these days.

Brad Bradley, one of her more consistent customers, suggested something about scissors, but Tepin felt that those things were always too sharp and could only lead to violence outside of practical use. She said, “This is where I got my flowers for my garden and also my cabin. Mr. Green, the owner, lives above the shop and there’s actually a small greenhouse in the back. One of the kids who works here part-time bought some catnip from me and introduced us.”

The hug was warm, but it shouldn’t have felt that good, and her hair smelled more of the sun than anything Bobbi had ever smelled. Not that she intentionally sniffed her. No, that would be creepy. So very creepy. “Oh. Okay. Hugs. You’re a hugger! That’s nice.” She tried to return the favor but only mustered an awkward pat on the shoulder, her arms seemingly unable to wrap the other girl like any other normal pair could. Would. Tepin, however, surprised her yet again by trapping her closest arm. Bobbi looked away, pretending to focus on the inside of the flower shop, uncertain if her cheeks were red and if Tepin would find it weird. That’s the last thing she’d ever want, to alienate a new friend.

An old girlfriend was just like this and she resolved to stay far from her. The woman was a saint, and Bobbi wasn’t exactly in the right headspace to be anything serious, anything she’d ever want or need in the long run. To be honest, she has never been in that headspace anyway. Inevitably, she found herself introduced to a part of her new friend’s life, and although she had, at one point, considered Tepin to be nothing more than…an extra pair of tits, as John would say, she had proven herself valuable in the aftermath of their adventure, nursing to health the boys and relieving their captain of further pain and suffering.

“Oh, that’s so cool,” she grinned. Bobbi realized then and there that while she found strength in her role as a captain, her lightning that could destroy and power her boats, the danger she posed just by existing, Tepin was the exact opposite. She knew people, and not in the way that was smarmy or gross like politicians (sorry, Sam!), but in the way that seemed so nice and carefree, definitely a welcomed respite from all the chaos and confusion in her life. “You’re really something, aren’t you? Making friends with kids and…florists.”

Tepin had told herself that the captain Bobbi was most definitely a warrior, a brave woman who could chase away monsters both strange and familiar, someone she must befriend, emulate, and perhaps even learn from. Perhaps there was a reason why their paths had crossed. Perhaps with her, she could finally figure out the cure for her condition. She resolved to make the most with this new friendship, to bring delightful discoveries to the captain’s seemingly dark and dreary world, and to finally free herself from the jaguar spirit’s curse: her much-desired birthday present to herself. She imagined herself finally kissing someone new, perhaps someone familiar, without the fear of the jaguar taking over unexpectedly.

“Is it? Am I? They’re really interesting folks,” she said. “I find it hard not to, especially Mr. Green who has been very, very kind to me.” There were a handful of flowering plants on display, all of which up to 50% off, but strangely no Mr. Green. He must be in the bathroom or upstairs… Tepin amused herself when she finally let go of Bobbi’s arms by taking to the flowers, admiring them closely and even taking a whiff of their natural fragrance. The hydrangeas were pretty in shades of purple and light blue, so it was hard for her not to go to them like a butterfly drawn by their sweet nectar. She let out a yelp, as the flowers tried to bite her nose. Fortunately for her, she was able to pull herself back just in time. “I think these flowers have gone bad!”

Tepin stood away from the plants on display and watched in horror as most of them began making strange noises, as if growing teeth where they sat. She turned to Bobbi with wide eyes filled with fear, feeling the rage of the beast within beginning to wake.

People back then had marks they made on gateposts and trees, sometimes even doors, to let others of their kind know a little about the people who live at the houses and farms they’d pass on their travels. Bobbi thought it was very helpful, the signs, and she nodded with a smile, turning to another display, different from where Tepin fluttered to, for a good look herself. “You’re a very kind soul. I mean, Mr. Green doesn’t even live in your neighborhood. I don’t think I could make friends with someone from another neighborhood that easily.”

She pulled her further back, taking a step in front of Tepin with a scowl on her face. Bobbi was surprised to hear and see the changes the flowers wrought upon themselves, transforming into horrific monsters despite their unchanged sizes. “Ugh, does this happen a lot here?” The huxian discreetly reached towards her back pocket but scowled when she remembered she had left her easily concealed weapon on her boat. It was just a meet-cute. She didn’t think she’d need the gun. Maybe I should’ve brought an axe or something.

The flowers must have had enough, Bobbi thought. People take them in. They get rid of the thorns and the bad petals, water them, and plant or place them somewhere new, somewhere strange to them. They prune their stems and their twigs, and, indignity upon indignity, they even have their leaves trimmed in a way to mock nature’s creatures. And they’re forced to stay with these people: for a few months, or for a year, or forever. Must be a nightmare for them. But who was she to judge? She had come here to do the same.

That moment, the jaguar began to stir, slowly, painstakingly waking up from its slumber. Or at least it was trying to. Tepin, with her eyes closed and her hands clasped in front of her chest as if in a prayer, was doing her best to quell the beast. Fearful as she was, she dared not give the jaguar an opportunity to run amok, especially not around Bobbi, a newly made friend, or inside Mr. Green’s shop. She herself knew the price one paid, the suffering one would endure, when their own source of livelihood was threatened. “No! At least not that I know of. This is a first for me, too.”

Speaking of her very kind soul, Tepin was just reminded right then and there that Mr. Green might be in danger as well. If his plants were acting terribly, monstrous even, then perhaps he was not down there with them for a reason. Perhaps the worst has happened to the nice man. “Mr. Green?” She turned towards the direction of the stairs, hoping the shop’s owner would hear her, could hear her. “Are you all right? Your plants… They’re acting all strange and stuff… Do you need help up there? Can you hear me? It’s Tepin. Tepin Silva. From the Farmer’s Night Market?”

If it could grin menacingly, the jaguar within felt like it was relishing in Tepin’s current predicament, a very stressful scenario indeed. With the threat of the teething plants, the fear of Bobbi finding out what she really was, and the current condition of her florist friend in question, the balam was surrounded on all sides by triggers that could very well set the jaguar free by a hair’s breadth.

Muffling arrived from upstairs as a response for Tepin’s callout, suggesting to Bobbi that the shop owner must be trapped where he lived and she quickly turned to her friend with a shake of the head; they can’t go anywhere, not yet, not until the nipping plants before them were sorted first. “We’ll need to deal with these things in front of us first. Any suggestions?”

Bobbi thought about just letting go, just zapping these monstrous plants to ashes with her ability, but decided against it. Tepin deserved better than to be dragged into the supernatural side of things, the thick of all the cursed events in town. She had a more blissful life, ignorant of all the underlying dangers of the town and its people, her positivity drowning the truths of the malevolent creatures masquerading as normal and boring and mundane folk. Instead, she resolved to defend the two of them with the closest weapon she could find—a broom.

“Back, you second-rate Venus flytraps!” Bobbi threatened them all with the blunt end of the shopkeeper’s broom. She’d swept a lot of things under the rug, mostly the illegal activities of her own machinations, a holdover from her past as a pirate scourge of the Eastern seas, but never predatory plants with a taste for blood. That’s what those teeth are for, right? Scowling, and without looking behind her for Tepin, she urged her to join her in the fight as well. Or at least defend herself with something other than her delicious fingers. “Find anything long or wide to keep their sharp teeth from you, all right? I’ve got your back, err front, but just in case, you need something to defend yourself, too.”

Tepin was not waiting. Not quite. Not while someone needed their help, her help. It was more that her own safety meant nothing to her anymore, at least not when someone else’s safety was in question, that the nightmares and the dangers could not touch her. Not at this moment in time. “I’m sorry, Bobbi,” she gritted her teeth as she took a pair of hand trowels from the nearby counter and started fighting off the nipping plants, intending to run through them so she could get upstairs. “I can’t just stand here while Mr. Green sounds like he’s in trouble.”

Tepin remained out of reach of the teething plants, seemingly implacable, mostly unhurt, and surprisingly beyond their reach, and soon, she knew, she would feel Bobbi go after her and fight behind her; because after that, she would scold her for being too stupid to follow orders. She was not a sailor, a member of her fishing crew. Instead, Tepin was an outcast, an outlier, a self-exiled nobody, and Mr. Green was one of the only strangers that had considered her something more, something that deserved a second chance.

“What are you…?” Bobbi had visions of a familiar and stubborn soul that also braved the dangers before her for something else, someone else, the similarities making her groan quite audibly. She shook her head, and raised high above her head the weapon she was using to keep the carnivorous plants at bay. Anguish. She struck them hard. They ran through the nipping plants. When they reached the stairs leading upstairs, Bobbi took a moment to turn around and make sure nothing else followed them.

“Go, get the man but be quick,” she yelled back at Tepin. “I’ll make sure they don’t get anywhere near the stairs.” The last thing they’d want is to get trapped up there, too, with the old man. Bobbi had faith in her newly made friend, especially after seeing firsthand her will and determination to save her own friend, that she would be able to do what she wanted to do and succeed. Watching two, three, of the potted plants smash themselves from their shelf to the floor, breaking free of their ceramic prisons, reminded her of the time when she had to deal with those Chinese vampires off the coast of Fujian. Just like old times. With a snarl, she let out a challenge to the predators. “Come get some, you annoying compost!”

Tepin was almost at the stairs when she noticed Bobbi was running after her. No. Not after her, with her. She turned to her with wide eyes filled with confusion, ever slow to get the memo, but had to turn away to make sure she would not slip on her own two feet. Bobbi did not have to yell at Tepin twice. Although the balam hesitated for a split second, not wanting to leave a friend for another, she remembered how brave and formidable the ship captain was at Hanging Rock. There’s no need for me, of all people, to worry about her. She’s as badass as they come. With a simple nod, Tepin pulled herself through the stairs and up on the second floor, focusing all her senses in finding Mr. Green. “Mister Green! It’s me, Tepin! Where are you? Are you all right?!”

“Tepin? Who?” If Tepin had a second to spare, she would’ve felt a little stung by that. However, she was too focused on getting him out of there as well as herself and Bobbi. Thankfully, that response was enough assistance for the balam to find where he was hiding: behind a small room, perhaps even a closet for his tools, whose door was being swarmed by three medium-sized plants. Oh, no… It’s the whole demon tree thing again. Fortunately for Tepin, they did not seem to notice her.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Green,” Tepin said as she tightened her grip on the pair of hand trowels she had brought from the first floor, from the shopkeeper’s counter. She’ll pay for them later. Gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath, and only then did it seem the plants noticed her. “I’m coming!” The words slithered out of her mouth at the same time Bobbi snarled her challenge at the foot of the stairs, and before she knew it, Tepin was charging at the plants like a less scary and more dopey White Tiger. Fortunately, she was able to resist the urge to roar.

That fox, Mrs. Gao had said, when she first met Bobbi, is a person. And while there was something very person-like in its huge leonine face: its broad black nose, its greenish-yellow eyes, its fanged but amiable mouth, it was not a real person. Not like the huxian was either. It was just a regular old fox, though perhaps Mrs. Gao, the widow who owned the houseboats for rent around Finney Docks, except Bobbi’s of course, meant something else entirely. The realization dawned on the former pirate just as she swatted away another carnivorous plant monster from her. Damn these unwanted vegetation!

Bobbi swung her broom, and struck another of her attackers clean off the floor and straight into the adjacent wall, and slammed the makeshift weapon down on the last one. Then she made the terrible decision to kick it away, only for the damned thing to grapple her foot, slither and crawl around her ankle and up her leg. “At least. Buy. Me. Dinner first.” She tried to shake it off, kicking in the air with each syllable, but to no avail. The plant was relentless and it was getting on the huxian’s nerves. Bobbi took a quick glance up the stairs but saw no trace of Tepin and her friend, not even a single shadow. Turning her attention to the groping plant, she noticed the others were starting to crawl back to her as well.

“All right then,” Bobbi inhaled deeply. “If this is what you guys really want, then this is what you guys are really going to get.” Widening her eyes in furious determination, jolts of electricity started to dance around her, from her, rising in power and danger. Bobbi was never known for her finesse when enraged, at least that’s what she believed, but with Tepin in mind, her kindness that she wanted to emulate, that secretly inspired her, she was able to just focus short zaps at each of the plants, shocking them out of consciousness. When all was said and done, she grinned, proud of what she had done, even admiring her handiwork, despite several of the displays forced on the floor, some even having scorched marks on them. Damn, I’m good.

In fiction, Tepin thought she would have looked so badass, charging at the voracious monster plants like some sort of hero in a television show kids put on pedestals these days. Maybe even a superhero. In reality, she was clumsily swatting at everything, mostly air, and only taking out her attackers by sheer luck. When nothing more happened, she began to run for her life, frantically grabbing the door knob of the small closet-like room that Mr. Green had trapped himself in. “Mr. Green! It’s me! Tepin! The one with all the catnip? From the night market? I took down the plants, but I don’t know if they’ll be down for long. We need to get the hell out of here!”

“Catnip Girl?” Mr. Green’s voice answered from behind the door. Something flickered behind Tepin, which made her kick it away instinctively. When the medium-sized plant hit the adjacent wall, she was caught surprised by how strong she kicked it. Huh. Must be the adrenaline. Before she could linger on that thought, the door slowly swung open and out popped Mr. Green’s head. “You sure it’s okay now? I heard a loud thud. I mean, just now. I’ve been hearing loud thuds downstairs and behind this door for an hour now.” It was just around 20 minutes.

Tepin wasn’t feeling like staying up there for a chat, so she immediately grabbed Mr. Green by the arm, oblivious to the loud yelp of pain the man had screamed when she then started back downstairs, dragging him behind her and kicking another plant monster for good measure. “Bobbi! We’re coming down!” Tepin let her accomplice know, just in case she needed to make way or prepare or something. She wasn’t sure what the protocol was. She had never done this, played hero against plant monsters inside a flower shop. “Sorry about the mess, Mr. Green, but we know a guy who can probably clean all that up!”

“And stay down,” Bobbi muttered at her scorched opponents decidedly, just in time for Tepin and her friend to join her on the ground floor. “Uhh, yeah, the plants really did mess up your place, sir. Totally just the plants.” She instinctively went to help them but realized she wasn’t needed as much, with her presence right next to them just making the whole escape plan more troublesome than necessary. Instead, Bobbi skipped ahead, so to speak, running towards the front door and holding it for the two while looking back to make sure nothing was on their tail. So to speak. Thanks, brain. Thanks for reminding me about my lack of tails. Maybe this will help grow one again. No? Eh. Who needs tails anyway?

“You guys all right?” Bobbi checked on Tepin and the shopkeeper as soon as they were all out of the shop, her fingers already browsing through her pockets for her phone. When they found what they were looking for, Bobbi immediately thought of calling for the police. But was that smart? He called John and her crew instead. At least that way, she can get help from people she trusted. Her people. “John? Where are you? Are the boys with you? I need two more. Get your butts downtown asap!” She then told them the address before ending the call, no necessary explanations. The crew didn’t really ask for them, not when she sounded mad and desperate at the same time, which Bobbi did. She’d explain later, when everything inevitably ends well. They always do.

Bobbi stood beside Tepin, searching her for any wounds or bruises. Just in case those things were like the massive tree in the Outskirts. “Are you sure you folks are all right? Should we call an ambulance?” It wasn’t strange for Bobbi to be this worried, concerned. For one, Tepin was growing on her. Not unlike those plants before they terrorized them. For another, she was here while the attack happened, making the whole thing transpire during her watch. Bobbi had too much pride as a former pirate captain and a current fishing crew captain to not worry about anyone under her watch, protection even.

For only a split second, if not quicker, Tepin felt confusion at the state of the first floor. Why were there burn marks on— You know what? That doesn’t matter. Not right now. What matters is that we first get the hell out of here before those things swarm us! Still grabbing Mr. Green, Tepin rushed through the front door that Bobbi had opened for them, not even thinking twice about anything. Her first priority was to keep Mr. Green safe. She could take care of herself, she’s been through worse, and she had no doubts that Bobbi would be much more competent in keeping herself safe than Tepin ever could.

“I’m fine,” Tepin offered Bobbi a warm smile, a reassurance, when she asked, though her thoughts were still on Mr. Green, even though the shopkeeper seemed more relieved than anything. Perhaps he had thought he would have been trapped there for hours if not for them. That’s never a good place to find yourself in. Tepin would know. She knows a lot about being trapped in places you’d rather not find yourself trapped in. Both her and the jaguar within. “Don’t worry, Mr. Green,” Tepin reassured the kindly shopkeeper with a smile just for him. She gestured towards Bobbi who was on her phone, already taking command of the situation. “Her friends will help clean up your store.”

Tepin couldn’t help but chuckle at Bobbi’s aggressive display of concern. To see someone like her, someone she admired for being so strong and enduring, doting on someone like her, a cursed child in every definition of the phrase, it warmed her heart like no other. Well, not recently at the very least. “I’m fine,” she turned to Mr. Green to check on him but he was quick to give them a thumbs up at least. “We’re both fine.” Tepin heaved a sigh of relief discreetly before turning her full attention on Bobbi. “Are you sure it’s fine? To make your crew clean up the whole thing, I mean?”

“All right, well,” Bobbi suddenly felt Tepin’s eyes on her, and with that, her cheeks burning hot. She had a reputation to keep, and playing the over caring mother in this scenario might taint the whole brave and formidable captain of the seas schtick she had going on. It was more than a schtick, though. It was a way of life handed to her but her captain and his captain and so on and so forth. To tarnish its weight would be tantamount to spitting on all of their graves, and she had already lost the Jade Wind to the disgusting specters of this town she helped found in absentia. She can’t afford to keep disappointing them, their legacy, once feared now domesticated. “My crew will be here shortly.”

“It’ll be fine. They like this sort of thing.” No, they did not. They were boys. Cleaning wasn’t something they were inherently good at, save for the few that weren’t in her crew. She could even count in her fingers the men she had met that had cleaning in their blood, part of their instincts. I should probably just meet better men. Better men were less likely to be found in pirate ships, though her fishing crew were at least much cleaner themselves compared to her previous ones. It helped that the latter weren’t out in the seas for months on end. Bobbi scratched her head as she addressed the shopkeeper next, remembering that she had laid waste to his shop in her attempt to survive. “Sorry about your, uhh, shop, by the way. The plants were too rabid, so I had to…do things.”

Mr. Green accepted her apology, though it was more like sweeping things under the rug. What wasn’t said outright was a promise that the pair would not talk about the dangerous plants that were found in his shop and he wouldn’t talk about how they trashed his place, even though it was all for the common good. Bobbi was used to that by now, having lived in this strange town for centuries, only coming and going to sweep her own longevity under the rug. How many granddaughters of her own has she pretended to be? She had already lost track a few decades ago.

Soon enough, her crew came and everything, including the rug, was made to look like nothing terrible happened at Petal Pushers just a few hours ago. Might be for the best. “So, I guess I’ll just put the whole “plants” thing on hold for now. I think I’ve had enough of them for a while,” Bobbi grimaced at Tepin without looking at her directly, her hands digging themselves deep in her pockets.

“All right then,” Tepin perked up, a huge smile on her face, to ease the tension. The balam was quick to sense that Bobbi didn’t want her more sensitive side exposed. It wasn’t unlike her working hard every chance she got to keep her own other, secret self hidden from the rest of the world. The only difference was, hers could kill a man. “If you say so, Bobbi. I believe you.” And she did. Every word of what her friend said. And she would continue to do so no matter what. Some may take that as her being naive but Tepin had faith, especially when it came to friends and family, people she trusted, held dear. The only one she never had faith in was herself, mostly because of the way the jaguar kept surfacing seemingly without her permission. “Some other time then.”

Tepin took a moment to look at Bobbi, to really see her at that moment in time. She wondered thusly if she was always like that, always in command, always in her “captain” mode. It must be very tiring, to be the one everyone looked up to, turn to in their hour of need. Tepin could only imagine. Without even thinking about it, she reached for her hands, attempting to take them out from the darkness of her pockets and into the light, holding them in her own. “I should’ve asked this earlier, but I was preoccupied with Mr. Green: Are YOU all right, Bobbi?”

There was a part of her that already knew what Bobbi would say, most likely the same thing as she and the shopkeeper said, but Tepin asked the question all the same. Sometimes, just being asked would be enough for most people. It was the thought, the attempt, that counted for the most part. Whatever happened next, she would try her best to be there for her friend, for the woman that helped save her and this town regardless of how many people knew. “Would you like to join me for some merienda?”

Being asked if she was all right, that wasn’t something Bobbi was used to. Well, her crew, mostly John, used to ask her the same, to make sure she was okay, when they first started, but over time? Her irritating insistence that she was always going to be okay, that there was never anything to worry about her, even if there was, that asking was pointless, caught up with them and rendered their legitimate concerns to quiet ones. Hard to keep asking someone the same question that always seemed to irritate them. “Me? Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

The next question caught her off guard as well, though it was quickly replaced by a strange warm feeling inside of her. Was it just the exhaustion catching up with her? Bobbi might be fit enough to rain lightning on this entire town willy-nilly but restraining herself was more work than she cared to do, admit. It’s kind of like the whole smiling and frowning thing. Frowning apparently required more effort than smiling, at least that’s what John keeps telling her, and the same could be said for her restraining her abilities than just letting them out without a care in the world. Also one of those things could land her in jail, and not just the normal one.

“Sure,” she replied with a smile, though it came slower than most. It would be a welcomed respite from all the work they’ve done today, their successful survival against the killer plants, Tepin’s unnecessary heroics to keep the old man who they definitely should sue safe, what came next after her boys arrived. Bobbi shook her head, hands finding their way on her hips. “As long as there won’t be vegetables. Going to take a pass at vegetarian stuff for a bit.”

After cleaning up their mess, they celebrated with a much-needed break from all the exhausting things this world had thrown at them. It wasn’t much of a break, but sometimes, it’s all that they had.

#wickedswriting #para #timetide #Bobbi Lin #Girls' Night Out #bobbi & tepin #Season 3: Roots

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