#happy easter to the rest of you tho :)

[bassomega]

im a day LATE but fuck it my easter is in may anyways so you're getting this A MONTH EARLY technically <3

#transformers #maccadams #windblade #tf idw1 #my art #that bunny was stupidly hard to draw btw #happy easter to the rest of you tho :)

[annie-creates]

Fool me too

Pairing: Lady Lesso x reader

Genre: fluff

Words: 1000

Note: Happy April Fool's! And Easter Monday! This day just calls for a fic like this.

You could have expected it. Should have, really. As the freezing cold water slowly seeps into your clothes being watered down from head to toe, you’re more disappointed in yourself rather than your students. They were the offsprings of pure evil after all, rotten to their very core. After the salt and sugar switched in your morning coffee, stinky mushrooms exploding in your office and poisonous vines sneakily hanging from the hallway’s ceilings, you should have known better than to step into your classroom without checking it out first.

April fools was after all a very popular concept amongst the nevers so you would be almost let down if they didn’t try to achieve some misdemeanors this week. And it was only Monday. How are you gonna get through the whole week you had no idea. Maybe it’s time to put on one of those scary armors that roam the corridors or just take a vacation. That however would be a sign of weakness and cowardice and that was foreign to you as a fellow never.

So you teach the lesson proudly in your wet clothes and at the end leave after all your students. You carefully turn every corner, looking out for any clues on their next trap. You spend the rest of your day watching over your shoulder and rather carefully tasting everything you’re about to eat or drink. You’re determined to not let them fool you even one more time, the score already being too prone in their favor. They keep teasing you a little longer and you’ll come up with a payback so severe they could never see it coming.

Clearly you weren’t observant enough tho because as you’re walking over the bridge talking with Dovey after today’s dinner, she steps on a wire that activates a mechanism which pushes you both over the edge into the muddy water. As if you weren’t soaked and humiliated enough for today, as you crawl out from the water to the small beach by the castle, a thrower full of confetti and glitter explodes over you. The laughter of your students fades as they run away, hopefully at least a little scared of your possible revenge.

You make your way into your bedroom, luckily without any other stupid pranks in your way. Your wife is already comfortably sprawled over the sofa in front of the lit fireplace and the flames dance over her face making her ginger hair shine more than usual. You sigh heavily as you close the door and she looks over at you from the book in her lap, clearly finding your state very amusing.

“Shut up.” You warn her before she can even say anything.

“I wasn’t going to laugh at you.” Leonora says but her face betrays her.

“Yeah, very funny. This is all your doing anyway.” You pester her.

“How come?” Lesso questions with her head tilted slightly to the side.

“You raised them like this. Audacious and impudent. You’re responsible for their stupid jokes.” But even you knew you couldn’t blame all the student’s effrontery on their dean.

“Why don’t you rather go clean up in the bathroom?” She offers instead.

“If YOU try to fool with me I swear to heavens I’m gonna divorce you.“ You warn your wife as you make your way to the sink.

Lucky for you, or more for her, she didn’t play any childish pranks on you and you took a long shower without her interrupting. It took a lot of effort getting all the mud and confetti off yourself and you’ll be lucky if your dress is still gonna be washable and wearable. There was still some glitter in your hair and skin you couldn’t get rid of, but it’ll have to be enough for now. When you return to the warmed-up bedroom, your wife is still sitting in the same position reading her book.

“If it’s going to make you feel better, I’m gonna threaten them all with a good long stay in the doom room tomorrow.” She proposed as she extended the blanket draped over her legs for you to sit under it next to her.

“It’s fine. I’ll just have to be more alert. It’s a good practice.” You admit, not really mad at your students anymore. “You should see my office, it’s a disaster.”

“It can’t be that bad, can it? I’m sure you won’t let them fool you again.” Leonora comforts you as she kisses your forehead.

“It’s not bad, it’s even worse. This morning they switched the sugar and salt, so my breakfast was ruined. My office stinks like a hundred years old troll and I had to spend a whole hour teaching soaking wet. I could hardly get a word out over the teeth chattering. Which I’m sure they found pretty amusing.” You explain all that happened in your horrendous day. “Mother-fucking stupid April fools.”

“Well it sure will be better tomorrow.” Lesso instinctively tries to warm you up.

“I should probably be proud of them for succeeding, but they better watch out tomorrow cause I’m coming back after them.” You admit, picking on the loose strands of the blanket.

“I’m sure it will settle down, they just got too excited for today.” She admits, if there’s anything that bores the nevers it’s repeating stuff they already succeeded in.

“Yeah yeah, whatever. I’m tasting the sugar before I put it in my coffee this week though.” You remind both yourself and her reaching out for your own book that was waiting for you on the coffee table.

You settle down next to Leonora leaning on her shoulder as you get back to reading your own unfinished book before going to bed. A cozy, calm, silent evening was what you needed right now after a day full of surprises and pranks. Little did you know she wasn’t really paying attention to the words in her book anymore, already planning her revenge on her students for tormenting her beloved wife.

#lady lesso #lady leonora lesso #leonora lesso #charlize theron #lady lesso x reader #lady lesso x you #lady lesso fluff #lady lesso imagine #leonora lesso x you #leonora lesso x reader #lady leonora lesso x you #lady leonora lesso x reader #sge #tsfgae #school for good and evil #fanfiction #fanfic #the school for good and evil #charlize theron x reader #charlize theron x you

[pianocat939]

I was listening to some asmrs and was like- hrm hrm I have an idea.

Tw: slightly implied both online and reality stalking, implied breaking in, obsessive turtaleles as per usual

Alright so imagine you listen to an asmrist (aka turtle of your choosing) and for the sake of plot let's say it's like an x listener type shit (now it can be platonic or romantic just something to interact to a user)

You listen to a few of their videos before slowly listening to all of their posts, including each and every new one. You like the sound of their voice, it's excellent for when you're sad or need help to sleep- just comforting company one might say.

You praise them with every new video, commenting on how you liked the story or the voice acting. And soon enough, they start to like all your comments and even occasional reply.

"Aww thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my videos! *insert an ungodly amount of heart emojis*"

"Ik I'm fabulous~ In all seriousness tho I'm happy you like my voice acting~"

"Why thank you. I'm delighted you are seemingly relishing my voice /srs/gen/pos."

"OMG IM LITERALLY SO HAPPY RN- I COULD SHOOT YOU WITH MY APPRECIATION GUN- I'm joking of course!"

But then you notice something odd.

Their content seems to lean towards things you tend to enjoy rather than a scatter of different ideas. And you swear you heard your name a couple of times. They seem to talk a bit more with a... loving tone like they've known the person for years. Close as one would simply state.

And finally one day, there's a new video uploaded. You of course watch it. Except for this time, there's no image as the background nor any sound effects. You then hear them speak, they speak so obsessively, so closely, it's like you can hear them smiling.

And at the end, as an outro they say:

(Romantic version)

A gift for my lovely significant other, Y/n. I hope you enjoyed it, especially you.

(Platonic version)

For my dearest friend, Y/n. I hope you find comfort in this audio~

You're creeped out, hoping that maybe they were speaking of another person who has the same name as you. But even then, it made you uneasy.

A few days later, you listen to another video by them, this one a bit more toned down than the last one you watched. It's nice, and you feel yourself being able to sleep by it.

And right as you're about to fall asleep, you feel someone climb into your bed from the other side, and hands caressing your head.

You hear a voice, one all too familiar:

(Romantic)

Darling~ Did you like it? Was the story good? I made sure to keep it within your interests. I hope you loved the sound of my voice...the voice that would talk sweet nothings to you to help you sleep. Sweet dreams, my love.

(Platonic)

Hey~ did you like it? I hope it made you feel better, I know your day today was tough. And I wanted to comfort you, but with a bit more love in it! Anything for my dearest best friend... Now sleep, you need your rest. I'll keep mumbling until you do.

You can't pull yourself to move, too fearful to do so. So you lay there, listening to them mumble about their affections as they pet your head. You can't deny it, it's still the same smooth voice you listened to every day, but this time- it brings the ultimate terror into your heart.

Since when did yandere asmrists become yanderes?

(I hope this makes up a fraction of the lack of content this week! And hopefully, I might get a little something out sometime this week because there's a big blizzard coming = snow day(s) and it's easter break)

#yandere #yandere x reader #yandere rottmnt #yandere tmnt #rottmnt #tmnt #rottmnt x reader #tmnt x reader #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #tmnt 2018 #blurbs

[dejablonde]

So I had to write a personal narrative for composition class. I wrote about post-ritual depression leading to a career change, and I thought ghumblr might enjoy. It's only 763 words (after padding it out with some extra academic phrasing) but I don't want to clog your feeds too much so it's below the cut.

"Have you ever like something so much that it rewired your brain?"

            Have you ever liked something so much that it rewired your brain? I can’t pinpoint exactly when I first heard the band called “Ghost,” but it was most likely sometime in 2022. I think the first video (from whichever of the dozen algorithms we get our content from today) pushed to my feed was their performance on Jimmy Kimmel, where they played their song Call Me Little Sunshine. I was taken aback by their theatrical look and sound. I listened to a few more songs, became a casual listener, and even bought their latest album when I came across it at Josey Records. What I can pinpoint, however, is the day I turned feral: April 9, 2023, Easter Sunday.

            Being only a casual listener still, I was curious as to what was going on when I saw that Ghost was trending on Tumblr. As I scrolled through the tag, it became more and more clear that, not only had they had dropped new music, but a new music video to match, almost entirely without warning: a cover of Phil Collins’ Jesus He Knows Me. Of course, I had to listen. From the driving intro into the first verse, to the poppy chorus, to the lyrics addressing hypocrisy from the church and its leaders, it was almost like twenty-eight years of religious trauma were healed in four minutes and five seconds, as if it were that easy. I wasn’t cured, but they certainly made a dent. I listened to it on repeat and branched into the rest of their discography.  After two weeks, I finally caved and bought myself a pit ticket to their upcoming Dallas tour date.

            When the day finally came, five months later, I could barely contain myself. I felt if I could leap hard enough, I would jump right out of my skin. I had taken advantage of the fact that I had the previous day off from work and pretended that I was taking a small trip for Labor Day. This allowed me the day off for the concert. My employers already think I’m strange enough; I didn’t see any need to make it worse by asking for time off to line up for a concert by a Satanic rock band hours early on a Tuesday. Despite the 103-degree weather that day, I made it to the general admission line around noon. I chatted with my new line buddies over the next several hours about the band, how we got into them, and a little bit about our lives in general over the water that the venue security provided. For the first time in a while, I was surrounded by people like me.

            They say that concerts can be a religious experience. I’m not sure I agree, but they’re not exactly wrong. It really is overwhelming, or at least can be. Many aspects are similar, if not the same. Between the community and camaraderie with your fellow “congregants” and the feeling of the music all the way down to your bones, there’s certainly something that happens internally. This concert (or ritual, as Ghost fans lovingly call them) was no exception. After all, when you’re a stone’s throw away from your obsession, bathed in light and confetti, you can’t help but feel a little changed.

            Post-concert depression is a very real and powerful force. It’s even stronger when you come back to work after finally feeling happy and rested only to be met with snideness not even fifteen minutes into the day. I was already dealing with years of declining morale. I wanted to be happy again, like I was the night before. I started looking at job postings immediately. I nearly got one in the same field but interviewed poorly. Eventually, I decided to make up for lost time and try to make a move into what my high-school-aged-self wanted. Or at least something close. Unfortunately, even though apprenticeship-type situations are common in the music industry, it’s very hard to break in without any kind of provable experience. I looked into some recording technology schools but didn’t really feel the need to go into debt on a loan for them. I was about to lose hope, but then I had a lightbulb moment and found that Dallas College has a program for Recording Technology. My application and registration were late in the game, but I was able to squeeze in before the start of this semester. Now, I’m finally doing something I want to do, and it’s all thanks to a funky little Swede in black and white makeup.

#the band ghost #papa emeritus iv #papa emeritus iii #papa emeritus ii #papa emeritus i #nameless ghouls #nameless ghoulettes #tobias forge #toblerone fudge #tender father #post-concert depression #DejaBlonde #my writing

[walkiingcandle]

Hello there! Can u do an Otis, bubba, Thomas, baby, Vincent, and Bo headcannon on how they'd react to a Halloween obsessed partner? Like, decorating first day of September, making a bunch of sweets, refusing to wear summer clothes while it's still baking outside, (basically me rn). (Also I don't remember if u said any1 from the chucky franchise in ppl u write but if u can add tiffany thay would be cool)

YESYEYSYEYS OMG THANK Y9U

I am currently decorating my bedroom for Halloween LMFOAHR but I'm the same way😭

ANYWAYS,,,, here's your Headcannons :)! I hope you enjoy <3!

Slashers X Halloween Obssesed! Reader

🎃(Otis Driftwood, Baby Firefly, Bubba Sawyer, Thomas Hewitt, Vincent Sinclair, Bo Sinclair, Tiffany Valentine!)🕯

Otis Driftwood 🍂

Otis and you have a mutual love for the spooky season!

He frequently finds you in the kitchen, Halloween themed utensils and apron making some sort of spooky theme treat !

he enjoys the Frankenstein rice Krispy treats :)

He won't help you make the halloween decor but he will help put them up!!

He makes you spooky theme art!

The first time he seen you wearing fall clothes in the Texas heat, he ignored it, it is your choice after all

that's until you have a heatstroke

he cares a little more, fearing for that to happen again.

you and him will makes costumes together :)

10/10

Baby Firefly 🍁

Another one who would be a amazing Halloween partner :)

Unlike Otis she would help you make decorations and sweet treats!

she enjoys replicas of the Pillsbury Halloween cookies !!

you two would make spooky decor out of old toys and hang then around the house!! both inside and out :)

now for the outfits,,

she would be concerned but wouldn't wanna make you feel bad so she would hold off, maybe keeping water and something to cool down with on hand:) (like a wet wash cloth!)

defo more concerned than otis

the moment you have a hear stroke? she will try and convince you to wear something lighter :)<3

11/10 love her fr

Bubba Sawyer 🎃

sweet boy

I feel the Sawyers didn't go above and beyond for holidays, kinda the bare minimum

so when you came along?

and you loved Halloween?

bubba may not understand at first but he supports it! till it gets really spooky :(

he will help you make decor out of bones and anything else! :)

he will also help you place them somewhere where you may not be able to reach yourself!!!

he l o v e s helping you bake treats

his favorite is blood brain pie (food dyed red apple pie:))

he gets very very concerned with how you dress in the heat!

will try to pursue you into something cooler so you do not pass out during chores or through the day!

10/10 love him sm

Thomas Hewitt 🔪

Another supportive slasher!!

he would l o v e coming back and seeing you Making something on the kitchen or crafting a new decoration!

The family may not let you go all out in the rest of the house tho :( a few nick nacks are okay!

Thomas would love if you went all out in your shared bedroom :)

he is happy if you're happy

loves sewing you little pumpkins or ghosts

loves making you things in general

in his free time he helps you bake

his favorite would probably be zombies breath (blue drink w dry ice in it) <3

he loves watching old Halloween films with you

would be extremely concerned with your attire in the texas heat

water and cool rag on hand 24/!

12/10 I love love love love love him<3333

Vincent Sinclair 🕯

He isn't a huge Halloween fan, he enjoys the more calms holidays ! (valentines, Easter, ect.)

but he loves that you enjoy it so much :)

definitely helps you with decorations as much as he can, not knowing how many they had lying around

I doubt the sinclairs had decorated much anyway :(

he'd make you spooky themed wax figures, paintings, drawings, ect!

he loves when you bring him down your newest batch of spooky treats!

his favorite is probs cookies as well :) keeping it simple!

Ambrose I believe chills off around fall so your attire don't really concern him!

he wears the same thing like sigh

if it doesn't

he may get worried

even though he wears that sweater 24/7 around hot ass wax🙄

9/10 -1 bc he has no room to talk abt attire during hot weather (love him tho mwah<3)

Bo Sinclair 🕸

he doesn't really like Halloween as much as you do

it's kinda like "okay? cool?" kinda mood with it

would not help you make decor or sweets

would eat the sweets tho and hang the decor (if you asked nicely)

his favorite sweet is probably booberry pie !!

he enjoys when you make him something and bring it down to the station

he will watch any spooky film they have on vcr with you! nice beer, you cuddled up to him, a film playing? sounds nice to bo

he won't really care about your attire he wear long sleeves all the time so it don't matter to him

7/10 for not making treats and decor:(

Tiffany Valentine 🕷

she loves Halloween and you can't tell me different.

will make sweets and help decorate the trailer with you :) even tho the place is basically decorated for Halloween all year round!

she loves seeing you make some sort of new spooky dish or beverage

her favorite is probs witches brew (drink)

she would take you Halloween costume shopping and watch movies with you !

she dont really care about the fall clothes !

it seems to get fall weather where she is based so she thinks it is a good thing!

11/10 love Tiffany sm omg mwah <3

I'm sorry if these weren't what you wanted :( I tried my best but I hope you enjoyed and thank you for sending this in 💗 have a good spooky season!!!🪰

#bo sinclair #house of wax #bo sinclair x reader #lester sinclair #slasher community #slashers #vincent sinclair #slasher #slasher imagines #thomas hewitt #tiffany valentine #chucky #horror #bubba sawyer #otis driftwood #baby firefly #slasher x reader #slasher headcanons #Vincent sinclair

[welcometoteyvat]

no mere stone addendum: extras/easter eggs/long thoughts

thanks to everyone who's voted in the poll! it was made so i could decide which quote to add onto the 2nd poster <3

thanks to @laurellleaf and @zhongscara for commenting on my liyue film crew post <3 your input was v helpful :D

—

[transcription: a mock movie credit box that reads: "Qixing Films presents, in association with Guili Assembly, a Glazed Moon Studios film No Mere Stone starring Zhongli Kun Jun Jiu. Costume designer Menogias, music by Madame Ping, edited by Ganyu, production designer Xianyun, screenplay by Yun Jin, story by Xingqiu & Hu Tao, produced by Ningguang & Keqing. Directed by Guizhong & Rex Lapis". there are several logos below and a PG 13 rating. The film is released on April 28. end transcription]

crew casting: it ended up being about a 50/50 split between liyue adepti and mortal characters—this was mostly a happy coincidence though! I remembered that Menogias canonically likes designing intricate outfits and also made Zhongli's clothes, so he's the costume designer instead of cloud retainer. since she's handy w mechanical things and inventions + has a sense of the arts and style (eg ganyu + shenhe), I put her on production designer instead. she'd probably be able to come up w some pretty inventive set designs I think. I was between madame ping, guizhong, xinyan, and yun jin for music—originally I intended to make the cast most/all adepti, so i'd decided against yun jin + xinyan. in the exquisite night chimes cutscene with madame ping and guizhong, ping was stated to value music's human expressiveness and emotion—and I thought that was more fitting for a movie composer!

originally i was going to have yanfei be editor LOL, since she's probably pretty detail oriented as a lawyer and able to do the fine tuning and editing of cuts/scenes—went for ganyu in the end, partly because she feels more connected to the rest of the crew, and also because the vibes of secretary and editor just fit together better lol. they're both one of those mostly under the radar jobs that don't get much attention but are really important to something's success. I added in xingqiu and hu tao as story writers pretty late; originally yun jin was going to do both story and screenplay, but I split it up and put them both on story after seeing the vision (below).

xingqiu's legend of sword flop combined with hu tao's reputation gives this hypothetical movie a greatly increased chance of absolutely tanking in liyue's box office!!!

keqing and ningguang are producers just because they're members of the qixing—originally guizhong was going to be a third producer but I bumped her to director later on (for a rather mundane reason: i was running out of space on that line). ok finally we've come to the directors. I thought it would be funny if rex lapis was listed as a director, given Zhongli has too many names and outfits. you can use your imagination to make this make sense in a real au :) guizhong getting added as co-director was also a nice thing that happened coincidentally—I found it neat to have the two founders of liyue as directors and kept it.

logos: I decided to go all in and slapped some designs together for qixing films and glazed moon studios! these were lowkey fun and they turned out pretty well honestly! quality is bad tho, i didn't make them full size or svg RIP

2 versions of the glazed moon studios logo—the 1st one is unused bc i decided against the way the m and o are joined together. tbh I don't know whether this looks enough like a logo for a movie studio instead of say, a perfume brand or high end pastry bakery, but it's good enough

the website is a fake but there is a real page at that link about ancient history school presentations

april 28 was the release date of the no mere stone quest! and pg13 is. idk warnings for character death i guess. and genshin is supposedly rated for people 12 and up so i went with that

concepts/process: originally I was going to have the entire thing be one poster:

the white stuff behind kun jun is supposed to resemble the white wisps of energy that he had near the end of the quest when he's close to disappearing. and I struck out his eyes because of the huge huge thing the quest had about Morax's gift of sight—his glasses, Zhongli as the sun to a blind dragon, I thought it was a fitting nod to that whole theme. overall tho this version was too cluttered, had no focus, and also didn't have enough room for a potential credits block. so i split it into two—one with the background, and added the small retuo in front, and another w kun jun and the credits. i think it worked pretty well!

and. 1 final version of the kun jun poster, with the alternate quote "if it is fated, Morax, we will meet again." you can see some of the old crew choices and logo designs—and Qixing Films was originally Celestial Films haha

oh! one last thing: take this transparent kun jun (and several others) for the road :)

#genshin impact #teyvat posts #genshin edit #retuo longwang #azhdaha #genshin graphics #zhongli #kun jun #ive never been this attached to an npc i think... he's a real one

[snaillamp]

Hi!

You said you're bored, so we can ask you anything. So, how are you doing? :D How have you been lately? And what things make you the happiest? (⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠✿⁠)

(These might be quite random, haha- ;;( ◍^ヮ^) Also, this is my first time using this function and asking something as anon, so I hope I'm doing this right- If I'm not, please let me know :D)

Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful day and happy Easter! o⁠(⁠(⁠*⁠^⁠▽⁠^⁠*⁠)⁠)⁠o💖💐✨

Happy Easter anon!

You are indeed using it correctly! My posts have been very infrequent recently cause my degree is pretty intense right now. I get to do an oral assessment on Friday which will be fun though. When I finish June, I will be officially halfway to becoming a full paramedic! (Technically over half but we don’t talk about the extra year of university I did and how I nearly became a nurse)

So yeah, I’ve been studying, helping fake pregnant people give birth to very plastic babies, they’re a bit worse for wear and the arms keep popping off and I’m certain there’s going to be a decapitation soon. I’ve also started on more advanced medications and now I get to inject people with fentanyl! (Still on rubber arms atm tho, hopefully I don’t have to inject any actual people)

Oh I also had to do first aid on someone! Like legitimate first aid not paramedic degree related. It was after class and I was walking through a parking lot when this lady started banging on her window. By the time I and another bystander got to her she was barely conscious.

She’d apparently had a medical episode and was trapped inside her hot car on an over 30 degrees C day for over an hour. I believe it was about 34C (93F). She was covered in sweat and barely able to stay conscious, so I kept her cool and conscious whilst we waited for the actual paramedics to arrive. I was shaking for hours after but I felt so proud! I hope she’s ok now.

But that’s what makes me happiest. Knowing I can help people like her for the rest of my career. I also have a very loving partner who supports me and wonderful friends! I’m very happy with what I have, and even if life gets tough, I know I’ve made it through 100% of my bad days so far, what’s one more.

Thanks for the awesome questions anon! I hope your Easter is amazing!

#snaillamp #whump #snaillamp ask

[residentdormouse]

Springing into a Word Search

Alright, I have been sitting on this so long, that I got tagged in another set of words in the meantime. Bad Mouse. Must get my writing routine back....

Anyway, thank you @mrsmungus for keeping my tiny writer gears grinding. Although, this is probably my worst showing yet. Not a Spring girl, I'm afraid. Probably not great seeing as my blorbos is all about painting. It's pretty, I suppose....

My Words: Growth, Flower, Fresh, Dawn, Easter, Break, Clean, Rainbow, Blossom/Bloom/Bud, Hayfever (or sneeze, or allergies)

I will as well leave this as an OPEN TAG because I don't know how many would want to join our constant word search absurdity. If you even remotely think, 'hey that might be fun', please do not hesitate to join, and tag me so I don't miss it!

Your Words: Swim, Beach, Sand, Waves, Float, Heat, Vacation, Rest, Relax, Calm

As always, excerpts below the cut.

Growth: Dammit - you got me. Not one mention. Touché.

Flower: (From Diving)

The larger space was a welcome change from the harsh area they had just been in, and Glen welcomed the sight coming from the large picture window on the side wall. Well maintained pebble walkways led around a quaint garden area. A few trees, shrubs, a couple black iron benches, and tinges of pinks, yellows, and oranges popped out from the various flowers planted around the walkways. Crystal clear water fell in a continuous flow from the center fountain, with a few brightly colored fish in the small pond below. He found himself gravitating closer to the scene, as the others could be heard pacing about or taking seats in the numerous open couches scattered around the space.

Fresh: (We got fresh blood, fresh starts, fresh milk, and a fresh hell. Haven't done a Harold section in a while, so Fresh start it is.)

“Okay, so I'm just gonna jump in cause I don't have much finesse with all this and I don't use my words as well as Glen. And you don’t have to say anything. I’ll sit here and babble like an idiot; you can jump in if you want.” Deep breath. “We're about to get to Boulder. You can choose who you want to be now. And correct me if I’m wrong, but right now, you don't seem like somebody who's very happy. So you can keep on carrying pain from a life you don't have anymore, and I’ll stop bothering. But if we're choosing, maybe you can choose to leave that pain here. Right here. When we hit Boulder, you have your fresh start. You can be the guy who holds up his end of deals, and writes stories, and has fun. Or whoever else you want to be." Gaze still locked on the fire, she tapped his foot with hers, trying to pull his attention. "It's your call, but you have that choice..."

Dawn: (Only one Dawn, and its not great. Can you tell I'm not a morning person?)

The night remained clear from threats and capped off the rain day break as a needed detour. Susan and Dayna were able to enjoy the small comfort of sleeping in an actual bed, safe within their room walls. Harold started in on one of the blank books he picked up, filling the journal pages by candlelight. Hayden and Glen found comfort with each other, while he shared stories into the night. And Fran found the walls quiet enough to chance a visit next door with Stu. By the end of dawn the next morning, everything was packed and ready to move on. One step closer to Boulder.

Easter: Once again, you got me. Guess who's least favorite season is Spring...

Break: (Hey! I finally got one from Close to the Vale!)

Humor remained in his expression, most likely resulting from her momentary stupor, but she held his gaze for as long as she could, only breaking away to glance downward when the sliver of self consciousness took hold. Even still, her smile remained. Despite her downcast focus, she was still able to catch the way his eyebrows raised in amusement before he turned back towards the counter. Holding out a packet in the air, he proceeded to move along the worn down surface until he hit an opening.

Clean: (Not the segment you thought you would get for this word, is it?)

"C'mon, everybody needs a little break here and there!" But that’s what Teddy failed to realize; this wasn't a break. Not to him. What Teddy was proposing was entering a social battle that required constant vigilance. Anticipate the moves, blend into the background when possible, and strike out only with a sure bet. Practiced movements and rehearsed repertoire. Break? Exhausting is what it was, and Harold certainly didn't have the energy to put up a front for that long. Not after a full day of clean up. The thought of the daily activities only ushered in a wave of fresh memories. Sensory recall he wished he could will away. Smells that would threaten to up heave anything he managed to put down. Decomposition. It lingered in his nostrils and he could almost taste it. That’s all that was there for him. Death. Disgust… All things he would put up with to position himself where he needed to. A place to get the most leverage when the time came.

Rainbow: (Only two of these, and I'm pretty certain I used the other one on our last Tumblr takeover. Guess we're having a Harold day now...)

"He knows, by the way. So there's that. Knew before I got there. Maybe I shouldn't have confirmed it, but what the fuck, y'know? I'm not gonna blatantly lie to his face..." Knowing her well enough to predict that she would look to follow after his couple puffs, Glen held the pen out to her voluntarily. There was no hesitation to take it. "That said, don't think she was off base with the concern. Something's not right with him." "What makes you say that?" No humor to it, no jokes, just inquiry. "He wants to quote, show the world who it's playing against, unquote, or something like that. However he said it, though, it didn't sound like something one does with rainbows and butterflies." "No, it doesn't." "So, I repeat. When did this all get so fucked…"

Blossom/Bloom/Bud: (Don't have any blossoms or blooms, but we got weed by god. Knew I'd find a 'bud'.)

Despite being quick, or at least thinking he was, it wasn’t fast enough. As he rounded the corner, he spotted Benny laying down on the floor. A few more steps and he could confirm there was no longer a rise and fall to his chest. A few steps further and the gap between them closed. Once he set down his bag, Glen closed the man’s eyes. The small container of buds was then placed in his hands, much like one would place the more common type of flower. Sure, it did nothing for him at this point, and there was nobody left here to know what was done, but it made him feel better. Humanity could die out, but it didn't mean he had to lose himself or his ways along with it. Not until that time came for him as well. As he stepped back out into the daylight, he took a deep breath of the fresh air, savoring the aroma that lacked the lingering stench of death.

Hayfever/Sneeze/Allergies: Holy fuck dude, you got me again. I think this is the worst I've ever done at one of these...

[hihelloimtheproblem]

Oh, you're funny. I like you, Master Chief would be proud of you. Stay strong friend, the Chole apocalypse has to end one day.

One day it shall all come to an end. And we will finish the fight.

Lol I'm glad that you think I'm funny tho I'd like to think that I'm funny sometimes. A little sad I couldn't find a blush master chief. Would have loved to react to it like that.

All in all I hope you have a good rest of your day! And a happy Easter as well if you celebrate.

#cool people club

[vettany2]

Top 10 fanfics I've written for the MarcoAce pairing

10. A Surprise Under The Cherries

post-marriage au and a long distance relationship

This one was a part of a spring challenge (as well as some others on this list) but it was really difficult to come up with a concept for the prompt. As I was writing it, I was thinking "is this even right?" "Should I keep it like this?". In the end it was not as bad I thought but it was no fun writing either.

9. A Wish Come True

high school au

This was better as I had the concept in my head immediately after reading the prompt. Tho I was sad I couldn't make it longer, I felt that if I stretched it a bit more, it would lose it's magic (or what). But it is pretty short according to my standards so I can’t give it a higher position.

8. Special Easter Egg Hunt

modern world au and a confession au

Coming up with this concept was hella difficult but it turned out quite entertaining to write. Can't help, domestic Whitebeard Family is always a pleasure to write. And nervous Marco as well.

7. Unintended Double Date

modern world au and (as the title suggests) unintended double date ft. Lawlu

Coming up with this concept was more fun that writing it. Still, I'm quite pleased with the result. I like the bonding of Marco and Law over their crazy boyfriends.

6. Øtchi

close friends and a modern world au

This was such a weird mood when I was writing this one. Marco and Ace are odd fellas since I can imagine them in almost every scenario. And so it didn't feel wrong for them being close friends. Tho I like the last date part more than the rest of the fic :D

5. It's (Not) Mutual

soulmate au, canon setting

Eventhough this is my top ranked marace fanfic in terms of hits and kudos, I struggled with like a half of the fanfic. I was deep in Soulmate AU rabbithole and wanted to write sth similar. And I think it's apparent from the writing that it's kind of forced. Nevermind.

4. You And Your Damn Freckles Are At Fault!

uni teachers au 

As I accidentally stumbled upon the prompt for this fanfic, I knew this would be a hit. Marco and Ace being teachers just made my heart flutter and when we add Marco's mistaking Ace as a student into the mix, my god, what a funny fanfic. The only thing dragging this fic down is that someone wrote for that prompt before me and I tried too hard to make this fic not as similar as theirs (cuz we dumb and we read it before writing mine).

3. Daily Flowers

modern world + coworkers au

Yet another of my Spring challenge fics. This one is my all time favourite out of them. Since it was linked to spring, I thought, flowers ofc. Since I know many ppl suffer from pollen allergy, I thought, that could be original. Then I thought, maybe I could sprinkle some flower language and the fic basically wrote itself. It was so much fun cuz office romance offers quite a lot of ideas. Hence the fic grabbing the third place. 

2. One Heroical Act Was All It Took

accidental meeting and a modern world au

The concept for this fic was basically me rewriting a dream I had. It was supposed to be very angsty and a bit scary as well which I tink I accomplished. Even if I don’t believe in love at first sight, it fit this fic well and I love this story very dearly. 

1. It All Started With A Bet

hospital au

And here we have the winner. It’s not only my most favourite fic but it’s also my first marace fic ever written. Everything about this fic is just perfect, the use of language, the way I structured the plot, the way I portrayed the characters... I just love this story very much. It has the right amount of angst, but still is more lighthearted than the previous one. I’m sad this fic is not as popular as I’d wish but that’s maybe because of the setting. Hospital and serious injures aren’t exactly fan favourites. Still, if you like marace, give this story a shot.

There were some more fics I had to leave out as I’m not as happy with them but still, if you feel like checking out any of the fics listed here, it will make me happy. If you feel like it, leave a comment as well.

#marace #marcoace #one piece #fanfic ranking #fanfic

[musings-of-a-lovesick-fool]

2, 5, 7, 9, 13, 14 for the writing asks!!

Thank you for sending these in liz !! 🥺 I'm not gonna focus on just one fic for these bc i'm a mess and most of my stuff is WIP's anyway but yeah ajsjshsjshs

Do you have any easter eggs in your fic?

I've been trying to add in easter eggs into my multi chapter fics lately!! Currently in The Snake Followed Me Home From Georgia I've been playing around with names for things that could be easter eggs for Hope County. Like I might have John's law firm be called Holland Law (not sure if that's too obvious and on the nose tho so i'm marinating on it). I am tossing some ideas for other easter eggs but i'm not sold on them yet so I won't say anything ahsjsnsns

What's a piece of lore you haven't shown in your fic or don't think you'll be able to add in?

I haven't shown a Lot (But admittedly I also haven't written a Lot) but I think some OC's backstories may not properly make it to the light of day in most of my fics. Unless I start seperate fics for all of my OC's their childhoods and lives up until the current story events will only be known outside of the fic when I talk about them or in very small snippets of dialogue.

I also haven't gotten to it yet in any of my fics but Marvin (Joseph's right hand man peggie who is basically the compound house husband but in a platonic way) has history with Dean and that history is that Dean was close friends with Marvin's late wife back in the day (and therefore Marvin) and !! This will hopefully come into play during at least my main fc5 fic when Dean is taking over an outpost and stops Jess from killing him! (Common Dean L not letting Jess murder and maim like she deserves 🙄)

What character do you enjoy writing most? Why?

Out of canon characters I really love writing Sharky, as a dumb lil guy myself I find him easy to write and he's just a lovable goofball who sparks joy!!

John is a close second even though i'm insecure about how I portray him sometimes, we all make fun of him but I adore his character and getting into his head is a nice challenge.

Honorable mentions would have to be Deadpool and Alvin Murphy from Z Nation, again they fall into characters I just find come natural to me when I write!

Out of my OC's I feel it's very obvious I love writing Dean, he's just My Blorbo you know? I can toss him around in any context and be happy and confident in how i've written him BUT. MOST IMPORTANTLY. I love his kids and writing him with his kids is pure serotonin and if I could only focus on one fic for the rest of my life i'd choose Second Chances hands down.

What is your favourite line/interaction in your fic?

OH GOD OKAY. So there are a lot but I have a scene in chapter one of my fic Blue (mediaeval au my beloved) where Dean and Sharky have a lil reunion after not seeing each other for a while and Dean had carried a boar he caught to Sharky's hut effortlessly and when Sharky tries to lift it he Struggles. (And then freaks Dean out with his carelessnes with a knife) It's just two of my fave idiots interacting and the whole scene (and chapter tbh as it focuses on them and Hurk) brings me joy even if the writing is old !!

Sharky giggles, nudging them with his shoulder as he passes them and attempts to pick up their sack. His giggles are cut short as he grunts at the effort, sack dropping back onto the dirt as quickly as he had lifted it but a centimeter from the ground. Dean's laughter doubles, sides shaking as Sharky's brows furrow and his head whips around to look at them in disbelief.

"How far 'd ya carry this?!" He asks, struggling to drag the sack towards the campfire as Dean holds themself up with their hands on their knees. They shake their head wordlessly, fighting to mute their laughter only to erupt into small giggles as they calm themself down.

"Only a mile i think, and a bit." Dean says through small giggles, straightening their stance and appreciating the newfound warmth spreading through their cold and heavy limbs.

Sharky guffaws at their casual tone, obviously impressed by their ability to carry the heavy sack that far and not have their arms fall off. He mutters something about witchcraft as Dean sits back down on the log, removing the many straps and weapons on their being and placing them on the ground beside their bow. They watch their friend with an amused gaze as he pulls the wild boar from the sack. He looks down right annoyed and they hear him mutter; "Small my ass—" before he stands and walks back to his hut.

"How've ya been anyway? James didn't say much last time he was here, just that ya were working on a new uh, thing." Sharky returns with one of his larger knives, swinging it as he makes a vague gesture with his hand. Dean watches his hand carefully, knowing full well he was capable of cutting a finger off if he wasn't paying attention.

"I've been fine—busy—designing a new freeze, the one we've got's starting to crack and the meat's thawing too fast." They reply, keeping an eye on Sharky's hands as he begins to skin the boar less then precisely.

"And you?" Dean asks, trying not to wince every time they saw the knife flick upwards jerkily.

Is there a transition in your fic you're proud of?

I'm actually horrendous at transitions, i'm the writer that goes "After a while they got to the where they were going," or puts a text divider if I really need a big time skip. I'd like to test out more artistic ways to transition but that'll have to wait </3 So anyway to answer the question not as of yet no.

What is your favourite relationship featured in your fic aside from the main couple (if you have one)?

Okay so in every fc5 fic I write Dean, Sharky and Hurk's friendship is like. My favourite thing to write ever. They are the goofiest dumbasses on the planet and Dean loses what little braincells he has left when he's with them. They are the ride or die gang in almost every au and I just love them your honor. (Also goes without saying Dean and the kids ! Good dad and epic kids dynamic my beloved)

And also Nick and Kim will forever be my fave canon couple and I love when I get to write them in a fic <3

#Talking Tag #sharkyboshaw

[shinycollarboneapologist]

okay let's be boring and go with ace as a name bc that's my nickname irl bc I'm a massive gilmore girls fan (team logan btw iykyk)!!

I really want to attempt writing fics but I'm wayyyy to nervous! I was okay at English in school and I always send obnoxiously long asks into blogs on here with my ideas based on their fics (sorry fellow tumblr.com authors you all get forced to see my writing) but I have nightmares of writing and putting it on here only to be bullied off the platform ahahahahah

jealous of the sun bathing in England rn its been pissing it down raining all dayyyyy, we only get like 1 week of sun a year and the rest of the time its very stereotypically rainy !! my day was shit but always better after taking to you bff!

also please excuse my excessive use of exclamation marks idk why but to me a full stop feels mean and I also use ellipsis way too much but I, like you, am the drama so I love to build unnecessary tension...

I've actually always wanted jury duty but I've never been called for it, I know it's meant to be so boring but I want to live my jury duty delusion of being a hot juror! a torrid jury love affair? hello I'd read that fic

spring break always sounded so fun to me as a sad English child!! we just call it Easter holidays and be boring and religious but when I hear spring break I imagine drunk people on a beach in florida yk?

my current obsessions for blogs are;

-lottiecrabie (pfms has me in a chokehold)

-toomuchracket (living in the flatmate! matty delusion rn)

-byyourside28 (loving the soft sound series as a person obsessed with getting tattoos)

-justlikemebutsixfootthree (literally all their smut is god tier)

-bookishstrawberry (fluffy and gizmo series has my heart)

-imightgetbetter (the whole love it if we made it series has me wanting children but only fictional ones with matty... the delusion creation is STRONG)

and OF COURSE the no 1 blog on tumblr is the beautiful, amazing and unmatched... shinycollorboneapologist

omg yes to only letting matty into our cottage to sing, we will bring him out tea and cigarettes but otherwise no rats allowed sorry ratthew!! taylor however gets the master suite with a 4 poster bed and unlimited pampering!! same with Ross, George and Adam bc only ratty needs humbling (I really do love you tho Matthew give me one chance I'll be your controversially young gf)

ily bff!!!

-ace (my new name rip illicit affairs anon you will be missed)

ps. apologies for the ridiculously long ask I literally am so obnoxious

..... i love gilmore girls. lets chat abt that.

okay that is very ... warranted. i also was super nervous and tbh ... style was probably never going to be posted but i was a bit inebriated after my birthday and just posted it without looking back. look at us now!!! so for that, i say you should 110% just take the leap. i will be your #1 fan actually.

i will send the sunshine and good vibes your way. i usually like the rain a lot, but i can imagine it gets a bit tiring if its like that all year long. im glad you had a good day!!!!

i love your use of exclamation points okay. there i said it. it just makes everything you say feel so excited and happy and i love it. the ellipses ...... love that for us. ofc you are the drama, you're the main character hello.

that is how i want my spring break to be, but alas i am working and writing my silly little stories for tumblr.com. SGLJFDLG easter holiday just sounds so cute though?

okay can we talk about pfms.... because that. that fic is my hyper fixation atm. like i just … it’s everything to me.

also all of those blogs i follow and love more than life itself. most of them axtually inspired me to write myself which is like 🫂 i use all of them as my silly little delusional daydreams (esp toomuchrackets flatmate!matty, the things i would do for that man and justlikemebutsixfootthree’s recent smut… jeez)

please you are too kind. idk abt no 1 blog BUT… i’ll take it okay.

maybe some cheese too, since he is a rat. taylor gets the master suite with us, we’ll bake her little cookies and biscuits and give her the best pampering treatment of her life. (also pls let’s not conjure matty to my blog … that would be so embarrassing to me i think i would keel over and die) (i also will fight u for the spot of matty’s controversially young gf)

ilysm and i hope u have a great day

#ace #rip to illicit affairs anon #u will be missed #ilysm bff

[v3nusxsky]

Ahh, that sounds good 😋

My family is Nordic, so we have a lot of traditional Nordic foods that we eat. So, needless to say, I feel like I gained more weight with all the food I've been eating.

Yeah, it's nice to have the sun out. Makes me not as depressed tbh.

Thank you, love. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day as well. 😊❤️

(P.s. if I don't get a chance to talk to you tomorrow, I hope you have a wonderful Easter, a wonderful driving lesson, and an absolutely wonderful day!)

~👋❤️

Mhm it was lovely♥️

Aw bless you sweetheart

Same tho😳😂

Thank you lovely I think I’m just gonna get into bed and write fics maybe criminal minds as I’m already almost done with season 5

(Happy Easter to you also incase I can’t talk tomorrow)

#anon answered #v3nusxsky answers #👋anon

[ceilingfan5]

okay back again hi hello, how about 10, 12, 13, and 14 from the OC asks post from yesterday about Addie?? thank youuu :3

10. What is a weird quality that they have (ie their hands are always cold, they’re always hungry, they snort when they laugh, etc)? besides the fact that addie can turn into a beautiful creacher, she's only had tits for a short time since she moved to transition but, thanks magic and genetics, they got really big, and she will absolutely like, accidentally bump things off shelves or whatever, or judge wrong and get stuck in a shirt or something, lol. addie voice okay see this one fits, it's fine, i can even move my--[fabric rips] arms.

she's also an intense homebody and has a lot of hobbies to keep her busy, and is really stubbornly trying to get into miniatures even though they're So Small and Frustrating...her hands aren't as dexterous as she wants them to be but she's Working on it

also she gets drowsy or grumpy when she's too warm

i can do this all day oops

12. How do they show affection to someone they love?

addie's family is super rich and also very like, aloof and cold, and she hasn't experienced a lot of straightforward affection, so it's been a hell of a learning curve. she's very delicate and nervous but she's trying her best, a little bit at a time. She's a sucker for gentle physical contact and is definitely a gift giver, but she struggles with what makes an okay gift bc sky comes from almost no money and is also weird about it and it's a balancing act...they'll figure it out.

but does addie go with sky to the fair and win the rigged fair game with some magic strength when sky is ready to throw a fit at the asshole with the carnival mustache running the stupid thing? absolutely. is she going to pick the biggest stuffed animal she can that makes sky's eyes light up and then also carry it for her the whole rest of the date? one Hundred Percent, living the dream

also she's a big fan of kissin

13. Do they make strong/frequent eye contact when they talk to someone?

addie splits the difference between trying way too hard and looking Anywhere Else, especially when she's flustered. It's super hard for her to look sky in the eye bc she loves her so much...

14. What attributes do they have that are inherited from their parents or shared with their siblings/other relatives?

lol

addie is technically still a prince (or?? lord? or smth? i mean it's my game of pretend and i can make it ridiculous if i want to, yeah?) and would technically inherit a lot of money and also land and responsibilities, but things have been a little weird since she left home for Several Reasons, and she hasn't really talked to her family in a while (resolving things and getting her family back is part of the plot i promise)

she's an only child and has a lot of emotional struggles bc when she got emotional she'd transform and then be locked in her room until she could calm down enough to be a human being again and be Amongst Polite Company. yeah baby that'll make a normal child for sure

actually she probably has a bunch of half-siblings or step siblings and cousins or something. she doesnt know them very well tho, she was never interested in hanging out with the other kids at family events again for. So Many Reasons

gosh im thinking of her coveting a beautiful easter dress and the little lace socks and shiny shoes and just. stock still at the event until a grownup interacts with her. honey don't you want to go hunt eggs? you'll have so much fun with the other kids!!! no thank you ma'am she will be just fine not getting pushed down the hill tyvm. and getting grass stains on her little suit. fuck

kids, love em, can be menaces, but especially rich kids, goddamn,

it's okay baby youll get so many pretty things and a beautiful love to share them with and youll be happy

#oc talk #addie my darling my babby #eat the world #thank you!! #fuck me i dont remember what i called their story #it was probably like. a beauty and the beast pun #oh well it is not like my tagging system is Robust #moving is a beast #was the old name...so that will work

[thegirlwhodownunder]

Vlog 13: Reflection

Hello everyone!!! Happy Friday or Saturday everyone, how are you today? Today vlog is going to be a bit different from the rest. Most of the vlog focuses on what I experience while studying abroad where I talk about the university, adventures, etc. Today's vlog is a reflection of my study abroad and what I learned from the 8 weeks I've been here in Melbourne, Austrulia. 

What I found interesting is the traditions here are almost the same in the U.S during the fall time. Australia celebrates Good Friday and Easter in April. Their Easter here is similar to the U.S where you have your usual Easter egg hunt for the kids and Easter dinners. There is a national holiday that is coming up which is called Anzac day which celebrates the recruitment for the army for WW1 which is celebrated on the 25th of April. 

With religions there are more than a 100 types of them with Christianity being the most practiced. Christianity in Australia is funded/established social services as a way of giving back to the community for example hospitals, home facilities, schools, and charities. Another religion that is considered popular is Buddhism since it focuses more on the academic since its origins come from Asia.   

One of my favorite local places while studying abroad is Queen Victoria Market. It is about a 30 minute drive from La Trobe and almost an hour ride on the tram to get there. The market sells so much stuff from clothes, organic food, souvenirs, etc. They also have some delicious food. For example they have fried potato on a stick that you can have seasonings or cheese on it, I had mine with cheese . There is also the night market which takes place on Wednesday nights and it is seasonal. I was lucky enough to go over mid-term break, and if you come to Melbourne I recommend that you go to both Queen Victoria Market in the daytime and to the night markets on Wednesday. 

One of the most fascinating things I've been learning about Australia is with the different people I interact with on a daily basis. Since I’m an international student I have interacted with many Australians and people from other countries who I became friends with. I became friends with people who are from India, Sir Lanka, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria,  etc. While I became friends with them I got to learn some of their culture and traditions that they practice and I get to learn them sometimes which is great because I like to learn about anything when it comes to diversity. 

I feel like even tho I still have a few more weeks of my GO-Experience I feel I learn a lot about the continent itself, where there are some things, I never knew about especially when it comes to Australia history and Indigenous people. This helps me reflect and grow as an individual, which will help me when I interact with other people in my future career. That it for reading as always and I will see you later :).

[jennamacaroni]

so yeah i breathed the same air as jean and hannah, heard The Cackle in person, and i am now only a ghost posting this from the great beyond

this was sparked by a deep feels spiral i fell into the other day re: deborah and how much she has been hurt.  this is also a happy (belated) birthday gift to my mate @soulofacircus who is simply lovely <3

email? oh yeah. that email :/

There are a shocking amount of stars spattered across the inky black sky above Las Vegas if you’re far enough away from the blazing neon of the Strip.  Deborah’s estate is miles outside of the sprawling suburbs and the property large enough that there isn’t a single neighbor for nearly a mile.

It’s part of the reason Deborah bought this house in the first place.  The privacy and the stars.

Ava is splayed across the pool lounge chair to Deborah’s right, her head tilted to the sky.  Her hair is half up and half down, the way Deborah likes best, and she’s been staring up like this since they got out here.

Deborah’s just been staring at Ava.

She watches as Ava takes a sip from the lowball of whiskey that rests against her thigh, then finally turns her face from the heavens towards Deborah.  She wants to tell her how utterly beautiful her particular shade of hazel is.  That she wants to paint a whole room in the house that exact perfect mix of green and brown, though she doubts she’d ever match it exactly.

Some things just cannot be replicated, only appreciated.

There’s an intense look on Ava’s face, but not the one she gets when she’s determined to get what she wants, or when she’s about to needle Deborah the way only she can.  It’s softer.  Calmer.

Even though Deborah wants to look away, she doesn’t.

“Why did you do it?”

Deborah knows exactly what she’s asking, but delays to give herself a few extra seconds.  To search for the right answer.

“Do what?” she finally asks, her eyes flicking away from the intensity of hazel and back just as quickly.  The tiniest line appears between Ava’s eyebrows as they tilt ever so slightly upward and Deborah’s fingers twitch, her heart begging the hand to reach out and smooth it, the head denying.  

Always denying.

Sometimes it feels like she does nothing else.  

“Forgive me.”

It’s spoken just above a whisper and so sadly, as if Ava isn’t used to being forgiven, or worse, that she didn’t expect Deborah capable of it.  At least not a second time and so soon.  Not that Deborah can blame her, she certainly doesn’t have the reputation for it, firing staff for the smallest slights and constantly demanding perfection.  And that email was no stopping-at-a-yellow-light level of fireable fuck-up, either.

She could make a stupid joke to deflect, or tell Ava that she flew to Boston for a funeral to get her back for the benefit of the show.  That Ava’s writing makes her act better, which would bring more success and money into the brand.  And though that’s true, and it does, it’s not why Deborah spent the entire morning holed up in her office with a petulant Marcus and three lawyers going back and forth with those British pricks until they finally agreed on a deal for Deborah to pay up the ass for them to forget it all ever happened.

Instead she goes with the truth.  Because after the money was wired and the paperwork inked, that’s what she and Ava promised each other from here on out.

She takes a sip of martini for courage.

“I realized my life was better with you in it.  I really think it’s as simple as that.”

Ava doesn’t say anything, but she’s tearing up instantly.

“And the more I thought about it, the more I looked back on the arc of my life and the decisions and  sacrifices I’ve made, the bridges I’ve burned—” she swallows, throat thick.  The vodka is icy and sharp going down.  “I haven’t been happy in a long time.”  It’s the first time she’s spoken that singular truth out loud, the words heavy in the air between them.  “I’ve had glimpses, sure, but there was always something or someone lurking to snatch it away.”

Ava’s brows are doing that devastating sad tilt she gets when she’s trying to hold it together.  Deborah recognizes it from the funeral parlor, Ava staring up at her from the first row.

“It’s like you told me in the desert,” Ava says, “the day you stepped on a helicopter and abandoned me.  That you have to scratch and claw and that it never fucking ends.”

Deborah hums and thinks back to that day.  Ava was right, she was being difficult in the beginning, mostly on purpose, because the idea of needing a writer to help save her residency still felt mostly like a failure.

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life.”  Deborah stares away across the illuminated flickering blue surface of the pool.  “To protect all this.”

The reputation.  The empire.  The image.  The broken heart.

She’s been playing defense her whole life.  From the moment her parents never came home again, leaving a little girl to look after her baby sister, to only a few days ago when Marcus moved to block the front door and told her she would regret going to get Ava back.  That she wasn’t worth it and Deborah was making a mistake.

But Ava and Deborah had both made mistakes.  They both protected themselves by punching first.  He refused all along to see that Ava made Deborah better.  A better comedian and a better person.

And Deborah is tired of denying herself what she really wants.

“I don’t want to fight anymore.”

It’s freeing to finally say it out loud.

Ava puts down her drink and swings her legs to the ground, squaring up to Deborah, elbows on her knees.

“I’ll fight for you.”

It’s spoken like the most solemn promise and now Deborah is crying, too.

“I know you will.  No one has ever—” she chokes up and looks away, eyes fixing on a perfectly manicured topiary just past the pool house as tears slip hot and fast down her cheeks.  “No one has ever fought for me the way you do.  It means more than you know.”

The chair scrapes as Ava gets up, the fabric stretched across the lounge chair dipping under added weight.  Deborah scoots over enough so they can both fit and their bodies press together from calf to shoulder.  Ava offers her sweatshirt sleeve and Deborah uses it to mop up her tears.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m really happy here.  With you,” Ava whispers, pulling Deborah’s hand into her lap.  She plays absently with the chunky gold and opal ring on Deborah’s middle finger while Deborah thinks how monumental that admission truly is.  They’ve both spent most of their lives searching for happiness, though Deborah has been at it about four decades longer.

“Me, too.”

Their heads tilt back in unison, pointing up towards the stars.  Deborah finds Orion, then both Dippers.

“Constellations remind me of my dad.”  She feels Ava’s head turn to stare at Deborah’s profile, their faces so close.  “One summer night, we were out late on the lake because the fish were still biting.  He pointed to this perfect line of stars and told me the story of Artemis putting Orion up in the sky to keep him safe from the scorpion.  When he didn’t know their stories, he made them up, one by one.  I traced each of them with the tip of my fishing pole.  I remember him when I remember to look up.”

Ava points with her free hand, the one not holding Deborah’s, and traces the line of stars back and forth.  “It’s beautiful out here.”

“It is.”

Though the night is getting colder, Deborah shakes her head when Ava suggests taking it inside.  She’s not ready to leave this quiet bubble of peace they’ve found just yet.  Inside that house there are tour dates to schedule, new shapewear samples to review and approve, and a mountain of material to rework.  The last few days have scraped Deborah utterly raw, but out here, under the blanket of stars and with Ava’s warmth pressed to her side, she decides to leave all that for tomorrow.  For now, she can rest.

At some point, Ava retreats to the house, refreshes their drinks, and comes back with a soft knitted blue blanket that she drapes over them both.  This time Deborah is the one to reach for Ava’s hand, massaging her thumb into the palm and working tension out of the tendons.

“Do you think I'm selfish?” Ava asks, after a long and comfortable silence.

Deborah snorts.  “Definitely.  So am I.”

Ava pulls her hand away and Deborah misses it instantly.

“The night he—” Ava takes a gulp of whiskey.  “George.”

“Kamikazed?”

Ava tries to hold in the laugh but can’t.  “Deborah!”

“Hey, at least I didn’t make a sex joke.  A last supper, so to speak.”

Ava groans.  “Shut up, I’m trying to be serious here!”

“I know, I’m sorry.  Go on.”

“All I did was complain to him.  All night long.  Literally when I talked to the police, I couldn’t tell them jack shit except that the Masshole liked cocaine and Papa Gino’s pizza.  And that he was a toothpaste fairy.”

“I’m sorry, a what?”

“Irrelevant, D.”  Ava hides her face with her hands, muffling her voice.  “I was just so frustrated and wouldn’t shut the fuck up about my own shit but he was so patient and kind and he told me everything I’d been wanting to hear my entire life.  That I wasn’t just some weird gawky girl with freckles, ADHD, and acne beard scars who can’t shut her damn mouth, but that I was funny and charming and smart and kind.”  Her hands disappear back under the blanket, but Ava refuses to meet Deborah’s gaze.  “He made me feel like I was worth something.”

That Ava would feel worthless, that no one in her life aside from a random stranger in a Las Vegas casino ever tried to make her feel otherwise, including Deborah herself, aches horribly deep inside her chest.  That she directly contributed to Ava’s pain is something she’ll be atoning for forever.

Deborah’s hand moves under the blanket, unclenching Ava’s from where it’s squeezing hard at her own thigh, and pulls it between her own, rubbing warmth into the skin.  “You are all those things, you know.”

Ava sobs.  “God, that’s so—“

“You're also a huge pain in the ass.”

This time the sob turns into a deep and shaking laugh.  Deborah revels in the rush of affection at the sound.

“I know, but thanks for saying so, D.”

“Just keeping it real, as the kids say.”

“Oh my god, stop.”

They collapse into each other and laugh, loud and full, their shared love language the only sound piercing the silence of the desert.

Eventually they settle and Deborah feels a sudden change in the air between them.  Ava tenses where they’re pressed together, her spine straightening as she pulls somewhat away and looks again to the sky.

“I have to tell you something else about that night.”

There’s an air of dread to her words and Deborah consciously braces herself for another Ava Daniels special.  Prepares herself to absorb the hit, no matter what it is.

“I ranted about you to him.  How hard of a time I was having trying to connect with you, to make this job work, and how hard you were making it.  And I was fucking coked out of my mind and single handedly emptying the mini bar—“

“You have a pattern, you know that?”

“Yeah, it seems that way.  Anyway, he made this whole speech about needing to take control of our own lives and make a change, to write our own narratives and stop waiting for things to happen.  It seemed good advice at the time,” Ava says, shrugging.  “Turns out he was just a suicidal criminal.”

“Can’t win ‘em all.” Deborah frees one hand to take a sip from her martini and waiting for the impact of whatever comes next.  What’s one more hurt on top of a lifetime of them?

“The night before the final Palmetto show was not the first time I quit.”

Well, that’s new.

“I left you a pretty terrible voicemail in the middle of the night where I said things I won’t repeat, but I’m sure you can imagine.”

“Well, I did read that email so I think I get the gist.  But I never got a voicemail.”

She thinks quickly of who has access to her phone and the passcode to open it, and there’s no way either Marcus or Josefina would have gone behind Deborah’s back to cover for Ava.

“Yeah, that’s because by some miracle you lost your phone that night.”  Oh yes, now she’s remembering.  All the martinis and champagne and running into Ava and George in the bowels of the employee tunnels under the Palmetto.  “Then we were at the clinic and you were in surgery and I deleted it before you could ever hear it.”

“How the hell did you do that?”

Ava laughs but it’s sarcastic and pained.  Deborah reaches again for her hand to let her know she’s still there.  That she isn’t upset.  That it’s okay to tell the truth now.

She meant what she said earlier:  she was tired of fighting.

Ava finally turns her face back to Deborah, their eyes meeting.  There’s the tiniest spark of mirth there, a flicker of light amongst the churning storm of regret.  “You know your wax figure?”

It takes a second to register, then Deborah is cackling, loud and brash.  “Oh my god.  Are you fucking serious?”

“It’s a remarkable likeness, let me tell you.  FaceID worked like a charm.”  She pauses, studying Deborah intently.  “Are you mad?”

“That you broke into my personal property, deleted a voicemail and evidence of a phone call without my knowledge then pretended it never happened?  I certainly should be.”

The Deborah from those few weeks ago would be simultaneously berating and marching Ava upstairs right now to pack, sending her straight to the airport to get the fuck out of Las Vegas and banishing Ava from her life forever.  But she isn’t that person anymore.  Neither of them are.

They’ve both come too far, now.

Deleted voicemails, secrets and lies and slaps, funerals and emails.  Tonight they’re finally putting an end to all that emotional warfare.

“I’m really sorry, D.  I know you’re probably tired of hearing that.  I know I’m such a fuck-up, I’m trying to work on it.”

“Ava—” Deborah tries to interrupt, but Ava plows on.

“When I woke up the next morning and remembered what the fuck I’d done, I knew I had to fix it.  And that you didn’t deserve to hear those words.  They weren’t true.”

“They were, though.  I belittled you and humiliated you.  I made you feel insignificant.   Constantly making you prove your worth to me.  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry I ever made you feel like you weren’t valued, Ava.  And I hope you know how much I—”

I appreciate you.  I value you.  I need you.  I love you.

“I know,” Ava says, as if she can hear the very words Deborah can’t yet say.

“Thank you for telling me.” “Thank you for forgiving me.  Again.”

Deborah burrows to tuck under Ava’s arm as it finds her way around her shoulders, her cheek pressed against the warm cotton covering Ava’s heart and listening to it beat.

She knows they’ll keep making mistakes, but they’ll keep apologizing to each other, too.

Because both of their lives are so much better when they’re together, and Deborah’s not letting her go again.

#i'm just a sappy motherfucker #who wants deborah to rest #and i will die on that hill #hacks #hacks hbo #ava x deborah #happy birthday friend i hope you enjoy #soulofacircus #brownie points for those who find the philverse easter egg in this one #prompts with friends #tho technically not a prompt? whatever