#not sure what this says about me but I’m obsessed with Sand taking care of Ray

[thatgirl4815]

Ray’s arm is hurt next episode, which means he has even more of an excuse to ask Sand to do things for him, and call me toxic for wanting to see more of caretaker-Sand, but…

And when, god willing, Ray takes care of Sand? Then what??

#IT’S HOT OK #not sure what this says about me but I’m obsessed with Sand taking care of Ray #only friends #only friends the series #ofts #raysand #sandray #raysan #sanray #sand X ray #Ray X sand #only friends brainrot

[thescrumptiousstuffs]

Only Friends Episode 4 - Emergency Contact

Where very much needed conversations between most of the casts are done. And the water becomes murkier with even more messy connections and entangled characters. This is me again just trying to process what I saw and keeping my thoughts straight before the next episode

Mew and Ray

Well, we learn more about Ray and why he is fixated with Mew. I feel like he has put Mew up in this pedestal of a perfect man/friend. Ray seems to have an obsessive personality and he has the need to be taken care of, which Mew has done so far as his closest friend, bar from one aspect - the one as a lover, and now with Top in the picture, he feels neglected somehow. It doesn’t help his poor self-esteem or his lonely soul.

Khaotung as usual nailed it with his opening performance of someone who was (may still be?) suicidal, using prescription pills and alcohol to numb his sorrows and loneliness. Mew being his emergency contact because he truly has nobody in his corner - no other close friends (maybe Chuem? certainly not Boston), an absent father and a dead mom (who we also learn probably don’t love him when she was alive, and Ray blaming himself for her death 🥲). And so, when Mew saved Ray that night, fiercely reminding him “I’ll always be in your corner. I love you, all our friends love you”, I don’t blame Ray for ditching Sand that night (he could have explain and handle it better but Ray as we now know is a disaster muffin 😫).

In some way, Ray is immature. He loves wholeheartedly but also selfishly, which in turn means he sometimes makes questionable decisions. Like him kissing Mew without consent? - a big 🚫🙅🏾‍♀️.

And I’m glad Mew called him out for it. It was a needed scene. Khao and Book handled the scene impeccably (both the aftermath and Ray’s subsequent sincere apology to Mew in the latter apartment). Similarly, I’m glad Mew made it clear to Ray while he will always think Ray as his dearest friend, that’s all they will ever be - yes it’s heartbreaking for Ray, but it’s a step for Ray to hopefully move forward, although I doubt he will be able to forget Mew as his first love/crush quickly, and my worry is as the episodes progresses and we see RaySand blossoming while TopMew in crisis - Mew calling Ray for help, the latter may again drop Sand (unintentionally or not) like a hot coal 🙃….

Ray and Sand

Which brings us to my bias couple 😅….Sand was absolutely in his rights to ignore Ray’s messages after being ditch like that on the night. He has enough self-awareness about his burgeoning feelings for Ray but knows Ray is not ready for it (he may not know about Mew (yet),but Ray’s immaturity and selfish nature means Sand is wary to start anything deeper).

But well, we all know Ray is a persistent gremlin and he is a sweet charmer when he wants to be. Paired that with his effective puppy eyes (gawd…I think we have seen it in effect 3-4 times now!!!), and Sand fold each time (I don’t blame you sir! 😂)

My favourite scenes from this episode (which I’m sure hold true for most SandRay bias) will have to be the guitar 🎸 shop and music record store scenes. The whole conversation between Sand and Ray in the guitar shop was 👌👌👌- Sand making it clear he is uncomfortable with Ray throwing money around, bluntly saying friendship and love cannot be bought and Sand advising Ray should be mindful of other people’s feelings. But we are again reminded how low Ray’s self-esteem is that he asked Sand to yell at him as a “burden to the society”, thinking it will make Sand forgive him. And when Sand does the opposite, I think there is a genuine surprise from Ray, which brought upon the soft scene of which we see Ray admits he cares about Sand feelings, wanting to make amend…

And then we penned to the music store scene where further much needed conversation between these 2 happen - that whole conversation about fav band and music was 🫶. As a metaphor of Ray being stuck and living the past, never taking the opportunity to embrace the future or open up to his present (with Sand again gently but firmly pointing it to him).

Plus the whole scene of them listening to the music record, sneaking glances at each other and their fingers gradually drifting closer while eventually intertwining 🥰🥰🥰(First killed it with his yearning and soft eyes in this episode, and Khao’s genuine smile light up his whole face - I’m a goner for these 2 🫠)

We finished this episode with Ray now focusing all his energy in wooing Sand (do I think it means he has forgotten Mew as his first love?Not really, and I think that will be a contentious matter once Sand finds out, and I still think Ray alcoholism +/- drug habits will also rear its ugly head soon. Because as we can see, Ray has no interest at present to change or confront his trauma. For now, he is using Sand as a substitute (if I can put it this way? To run away from his problem and loneliness). But I have faith these 2 will hopefully come out relatively unscathed 🤞

Mew and Top

Sigh…these 2 are so sweet together with Top always so attentive towards Mew. And I do feel he genuinely likes Mew. And Mew likes Top (he said it himself to Ray, Top is the first person his heart beat faster for). But urghhhh, Top’s lies are piling up. Not only did he betray Mew with Boston (and yes he regret it, but he didn’t come clean about the incident, even after finding out MewRay had done nothing more than 1 kiss TWO years ago). He also lied about Beam and his drug habits until Mew pressed it out of him. And yeah, I wasn’t a fan of the whole Top saying he wants a reward if he gave up his drug habits, suggestively indicating to Mew what he truly wanted was the sexual relationship he desired and up until recently being denied. And even when Mew said “no penetration”, he sneakily then volunteer another tidbit about his ex, trying to persuade Mew not to worry about the past.

You know, Mew’s list of what he thinks make a good partner/BF - I don’t think Top filled any of it (he doesn’t get along will ALL of Mew’s friend - Ray being the prime example and Mew knows this, he can see the tension and snide comments whenever these 2 interacts, he doesn’t respect Mew and he had lied countless of times 😩😣).

But I guess, love is blind and Mew may think he can change Top’s behaviour? (Kudos to Force and Book though, their actings were also amazing to watch! Can’t believe a sweetie like Force acting so arrogantly on screen that it made me want to throw my remote to the TV👌)

Top and Boston

Which then comes to Top and his strenuous relationship with Boston. If anything, I’m at least glad Top expressed his regret about his lapse of judgment - having that ill-advised encounter with Boston. And I’m so glad he finally confronted Boston in the lift, putting a stop on Boston frankly disgusting behaviour (isn’t it twice now he sexually harassed Top? Once in the shower cubicle when he said No as well). No means No and Boston doesn’t seem to have learn his lesson (which frankly worries me about his other sexual conquests, are they all consensus??? And now we learn his father is into politics, so a scandal of any sorts by Boston will be a disaster; plus him taking pictures/videos without consent, like what he did with RayMew and using it to spin a web of lies on Top - yeah this guy is a massive red flag 🚩)

Boston and Nick

Another big sigh from me. Nick is now realising how much of an asshole Boston can be, but I guess Boston has never really hid his intention. He has bluntly told Nick that he is not looking for a relationship - at most, FWB and I don’t think he promise exclusivity as well. Boston is promiscous and proud of it - his friends know it, and even Sand as an outsider has heard of his reputation.

But what I’m truly devastated for Nick is that how manipulative Boston can be. He knows how to twist words and sweet talk to placate Nick (not that Nick is trying hard to go against him because he loves Boston even if everyone of us here can agree he deserves better 😣). Boston gives false sense of hope to Nick, in order to basically have someone at his back to fulfill his sexual needs. Does that mean Boston stop his other “relationship?” I don’t think so, in fact, I won’t be surprised if he had other sexual partners (other than Nick) going on at the same time.

We can also agree Nick is not truly innocent in all of this mess - his obsessive love for Boston is spiraling out of control and bringing the worst in him. Him bugging Boston’s car? (A big 🙅🏾‍♀️), and then snooping on Boston’s phone (also not good behaviour). Plus, him listening to the sound of TopBoston going at it in his room (yeah..that’s a worrying sign 😫)…

(Again kudos to Neo and Mark, they played their roles 🫡🫡🫡 that I’m cursing everytime Boston opened his mouth and shaking my head whenever these 2 are on screen 😅)

Nick and Top

Which brings to the scene of Nick confronting Top, asking Top to stop meeting Boston. And when Top clarified and say, it has always been Boston who did the chasing despite Top being uninterested, well…you can see Nick face fell.

And Top giving some advice on how Nick should be careful with Boston as he is truly a piece of work (well, it’s warranted but it’s like the pot calling kettle black, yeah?)

However, I think it’s truly sad (and quite ominous) when Nick calmly say he knows how nasty Boston can be, because he is nasty too (is that a foreshadow that Nick will seek revenge and destroy Boston’s future? esp now we know Boston dislikes getting his pictures taken with Nick for the fear of the scandal ruining his dad’s political aspiration??)

Top and Sand

It’s alluded in previous episodes that these 2 had a connection. And now we know, Top seduced (Is that the right word for it?) Sand’s ex. Sand is obviously still bitter about it but I’m thinking if your ex dump you for someone like Top, Sand is better off without him (just saying 💁‍♀️). But I am curious if the ex will come crawling back to Sand and cause havoc in SandRay newly blossoming relationship??? Or even to TopMew? - Esp with Top finally informing Mew about Boeing (seriously what’s with Thai’s nickname??? I snorted when Top said this out loud), an ex who gave him the plane model, which Top reassure Mew is no longer of consequence (if he is not that important, why did Top keep the plane? I might be wrong but I do think Boeing is the ex of both Sand and Ray??)

Sand and Nick

Ahhhhh, finally with all the headaches and mess from the rest of the characters, I’m glad to see some friendly, brotherhood like relationship between at least 2 of the characters 🥹🥹🥹🥹

I love their easy banter and the way they tease each other about their crushes (although said crushes are essentially disastrous in different ways). In a way, both Sand and Nick are also lonely individuals (or at the very least, we don’t see much outside of Sand/Nick working in their respective jobs and uni (presumably). So, having a genuine friendship that is not complicated - 🙌 I am super glad for them!!!

(Also, I’m still petitioning for Sand at some stage to go all protective bear on Nick and use the baseball bat that we saw in the pilot trailer to destroy Boston +/- Top’s car(s)?)

03/09/2023

(This episode was I think a pivotal one, where we are starting to see everyone’s motivation and character development - be it good or bad…as usual, I can’t wait for the next episode…is it Saturday yet?)

#only friends the series #episode 4 #khaotung thanawat #first kanaphan #firstkhao #firstkhaotung #sandray #force jiratchapong #book kasidet #mark pakin #Neo trai #just me gathering my thoughts and trying to put it in a coherent manner so that i can keep it straight for next episode!!

[definitelynotamhafan]

A cave at the edge of a universe (Darkness pt.2)

Warnings! Flashbacks.

The day had gone by in a mixture of awkward silence and mistrustful glares, nothing you weren’t used to, of course.

Now, as the sun was setting, your bare feet dug into the still heated sand, you couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The sound of silence was swirling around you, the wind carrying a salty scent.

The sea. Oh how you missed it. You remembered the days of the first sprouts of plants ever growing on the soil beneath your feet, the way Amun slipped his hand in yours, both of you running along the shore…

No. Amun was gone, he had changed, what use was to dwell in the past if it only caused you pain?

Your screwed your eyes shut, taking a deep breath and going back in the tent. You grabbed a bowl from one of the tables, pouring yourself some water for your parched throat. As you tilted the bowl, your lips pressed against the smooth ceramic carved with depictions of some pharaoh you couldn’t care less about, you felt a pair of eyes on you.

Staring at you, with a glare so sharp that it was burning the back of your head, was Seth.

“Are you just gonna keep glaring at me like that? You’ll get wrinkles.” You said, chuckling.

“You still play that game, huh?” He retorted. “Acting like you aren’t an evil god.”

You paused. Evil? Out of all the words he thought, evil was the way to describe you?

Unfair? Sure. Damned? Yeah, why not. Cursed? Go ahead! Unwanted? Unforgiven? Bring ‘em in! But evil? That didn’t sound right.

“Says the god of chaos.” You said. “At least I’m not punished to live as a demigod.”

Now it was Seth’s turn to go silent.

“You know?” He asked.

“Of course I do. I can smell it on you. Half god, half human. Such a pitiful punishment.”

“What did you just say about my punishment, you asshat?!” He snapped

“You heard me first, Weasley!” You retorted.

“…what?” He asked confused.

“Nevermind, you wouldn’t get it. What did you do to deserve that shit anyways?” You asked, putting the ceramic bowl down and tilting your hunting dog headdress back.

“I cut Osiris into pieces.” Seth said, looking away.

You paused.

One beat.

Two beats.

And then you burst out laughing.

“Fuck yeah! That green pea-looking bastard deserved it!” You managed to say between laughs.

Seth was stunned. I mean quite literally shook™️. He had no idea that someone would actually hate Osiris this much to agree with him.

“Really?” He asked.

“Of course! That dude is wayyyyy too obsessive for his own good. He didn’t do anything to you, right?” Your expression turned serious at the end. “Right?”

———

“HE DID WHAT?!” You gasped. “Oh you poor thing…” you extended your hand out to Seth, wrapping it around his shoulders comfortingly.

The way his head rested against your chest, it felt just like-

“Am-heh! Wait up!” Ra called out, running after you. “Slow down, love.” He whispered, trailing kisses on your skin as soon as he reached you.

“And if I don’t?” You teased.

“Then I might just make sure you can’t run away.” He winked.

“Oh? And how is that?” You inched closer, your faces inches apart.

“We’ll find out tonight, won’t we?” He teased, before turning into his female form, guiding your hands to her waist. “You won’t run away from me, right?”

“Never.” You sealed her lips.

-no. Not again. You pulled yourself together, ignoring the throbbing pain at the back of your head. Amun-Ra was gone. She wasn’t the same anymore. Now she was just Ra, goddess of the sun. Not your dear Amun. Once the love of your life, who couldn’t take his eyes off of you as you created the stars, embroidering the sky with their light, or creating the fabric of the Nile from your cloak of darkness. They weren’t the same. They would never be. Never again.

“You still don’t trust me?” You teased Seth a little bit.

“Maybe a little.” He replied, snuggling against your chest, his breath so deep that you were surprised he hadn’t fallen asleep yet.

Yet one thing couldn’t escape your mind as sleep began closing in on the both of you, as you laid face-up on the bed. The familiar rocks, the darkness surrounding you, the cool breeze seeping in your bones…. Something was calling out to you. And you knew where it was hiding.

In a cave at the edge of the universe, at the end and beginning of time, somewhere where the clock is pointing at the 25th hour, and no ticking will ever be heard. Somewhere where your memories will haunt you forever.

#seth ennead #egyptian gods #ennead mojito #ennead manhwa #ennead seth #fanfic #fanfiction #x reader

[the-doomed-witch]

21 with wanda x reader with wanda being insecure about her body after having the twins and is insecure about her stretch marks and all that but reader reassures she’s perfect and kisses them

✦ When You’re With Me, No Judgement

Wanda Maximoff x GenderNeutral!Reader

Prompt:

21. Having your lover list everything they’re insecure about, and responding with gentle caresses, kisses, and compliments about those areas

Warnings: 18+ MDNI (general), fluff, bodily insecurities (specifically post-pregnancy), not proofread

Author’s Note: hello anon, sorry that your request took quite a while, i have been having some stuff going on so yeah :( but this request made me so happy, thank you very much! i hope i did your request justice <3 (let’s just say this is an AU where agatha doesn’t mess w the twins🥲)

Masterlist

YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO REPOST OR COPY MY WORK.

— ✦ —

“Wanda! What a pleasure! Your sons look perfectly healthy for an outing today. Why don’t you take them out to the beach?”

Wanda's face gets tense. “No Agatha, I think they’re just fine at home. Besides, they might even eat up the sand. It isn’t safe.”

“You haven’t even stepped out since you gave birth to them. Are you sure you don’t need a nice day out? You could go out with Y/N, and I can take care of Tommy and Billy.”

“Thank you, but it’s really fine by me. I’m too exhausted anyways. I would rather prefer having some sleep.”

“At your service madam. I’m gonna take care of the babies today, you can have a day to rest all by yourself” Agatha concluded the conversation, not allowing Wanda to deny her.

You heard the entire conversation and felt quite unsure about Wanda’s new obsession with staying home at all costs. For the first few months, you thought they were just hormones, but it was starting to get concerning. Besides, Wanda and you had your special memories related to the beach.

Once Wanda packed all the important stuff for Billy and Tommy, and sent off Agatha for the afternoon, you grab her by the waist. “Hey, sweetheart.”

“I’m sorry detka I don’t feel quite… well right now. My head is really fuzzy. I’m really sorry Y/N.” And she walks away. You immediately sense something has been on her mind since the past few weeks.

You find her upstairs, in the bedroom. She was laying on the bed, tilted to the other side, clutching her body close. You go and lay down next to her, hugging her from behind. “Penny for your thoughts, my love?”

“I don’t feel like talking right now Y/N.”

“Tell me what’s wrong Wanda. I’m sure we can work it out, it’ll get better!”

“No Y/N. I tried everything, but nothing has been effective or helpful in the slightest.” She turns towards you, burying her head in your embrace. “It’s okay, baby. You can talk to me, you know you can.” you rub her back to give her some comfort.

“I can’t- Y/N, giving birth to the boys has given me stretch marks. Lots of them. All over my body. Stomach, thighs, arms. I just cannot wear anything that shows my body even a little bit. I’ve been so insecure!”

“Oh baby, it’s okay. Stretch marks are normal. Don’t let their standards define you. I don’t want to force you to feel beautiful all the time. But feel like you are yourself. These marks - they prove how loving of a mother you are, how you carried the babies for months, took care of them.”

“You’re right, I know that you are. But I cannot stop feeling so left out. My body has bloated and I feel so uncomfortable about it.” She breaks a sob and it makes you want to cry. You stop yourself from doing so, because you feel the need to help Wanda feel better first.

“Take off your shirt, will you, love? Can I see them?”

For a moment, she hesitates, but takes off her multiple layers of shirts, till she’s wearing only her bra. You look at her with deep affection in your eyes. The stretch marks don’t change the fact that she’s a sight for the sore eyes, not that they carry any negative effects.

You let her lie down on the bed again, and climb on the top of her. Holding her hands in your hand, you softly ask her, “Tell me all the places where you cannot love yourself, and I will extol them for you.” and kiss her hands.

She pulls you down for an intense kiss. The emotions were much more raw than the moment you both were having.

Leaving a trail down her outline, you reach the waist. “You are extraordinary, Wanda. I love you so much.” You begin planting kisses on her stretch marks, telling her how powerful they make her look. Wanda’s eyes shut themselves, her breathing strained. You can feel her anxiety lingering under you, so you place a warm hand on her chest to help her calm down.

She holds you gently by your nape and kisses you again, leaving no scope for breathing this time. “Thank you detka, you make me happy in ways I cannot even imagine telling you. I love you endlessly.”

#skye’s “meaningful gestures” blurbs #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x y/n #wanda maximoff x you #wanda x reader #wanda x y/n #wanda x you #mcu wanda #scarlet witch x y/n #scarlet witch x you #scarlet witch x reader #scarlet witch #wanda maximoff fluff #wanda maximoff x gn!reader #wanda maximoff x gender neutral reader

[beskarinhyperspace]

Moon Dust

I'm not really doing anything right?  

More Chapters | MASTERLIST

1. The Contract

*Mature, Explicit, NSFW*

Din Djarin x fem.reader

Word Count:  1.6k 

Tag; Fluff, shy/insecure Mando, smutt, slow burn, mando is obsessed with you, voyeurism, mandorbation, never been touched/ touch starved mando, mando have angst and ptsd, protective Mando, he needs a hug, feelings, you’re scared of the big bad bounty hunter, plot with p, soft Din Djarin, no y/n, female reader, reader doesn't have a name 

A/N; This take place after S2, the plot is drifting from canon. It is its own story but the elements and universe remains SW inspired.

The Mandalorian is planning on keeping himself busy. Going back to Nevarro, he no longer has the child with him, which weighs on his mind more than he thought it would. He knows he will be protected and cared for, but he can’t help it, he misses the child.    

Lowering the ramp, the sand felt hot as it's reflecting the sun's heat. Blinded by it, he presses the side of his helmet. Activating a sun shield in his visor. Legs heavy, he slowly begins to walk down the ramp. He didn't want to be there, but hey, better this than sitting in the shower under running water for hours.    

Moving towards the plaza, he goes to his favorite vendor to buy some dry meat and snacks for later. Thanking the men, he turns his head slightly to the side. Automatically being drawn to a woman who seems to be talking with the high magistrate. Frozen in place, he can't move his eyes away from her.  

“Sir? Do you need something else?” the men ask.   

Realizing he had never moved; he turns back to him. “N-no, I’m sorry. Have a nice day..” saying to the vendor before walking towards another building. 

__   

Once inside, he sits on a couch, waiting for his appointment. He realized that it had never really happened to him before. Stopping, just to look a woman like that. He felt embarrassed. It’s not even like he could see her body or anything. She was all covered, even having a scarf hiding half of her hair. It was her eyes, he couldn’t think about anything else but her eyes.    

Lost in thoughts, he didn’t hear the steps coming closer to him. A woman looks at him from the end of the hallway. “Sir, high magistrate Karga will be receiving you in his office. You may wait inside, he will be joining you shortly.”   

The Mandalorian nods his helmet to her, getting up he moves to the office door. While entering he can’t help but notice Karga, still outside with the girl walking towards the building. He noticed that she looked a bit sadder than earlier. He moves around trying not to look at her. He felt like a weirdo, just staring like she's a bounty. Trying to keep his eyes off her, he starts to examine the different art pieces in the room.   

After a while, the high magistrate enters the room. “Mando! So nice to you back my friend.”   

“It’s been a while.” stating as he goes to shake his hand.   

“I thought you didn’t want to be in the guild anymore. Which, I must be honest, saddens me. You’re our best one!” Karga says with a full bright smile as he sits in his chair.   

The Mandalorian tilted his head slightly. “Thank you, I am indeed here for new bounty pucks. If you do happen to have some.”   

The high magistrate looks down at his desk. “Well.. no, I don’t, but I believe you’re also good with cargo, are you not?”   

“I don’t do cargo deliveries anymore, if that’s what you mean.” answering simply.  

Starring at him into his visor, Karga plays with a single piece of metal credit in between his fingers. “That’s a shame. I had an amazing pay for this one. It needs to be shipped to a planet on the edge of the outer rim. The woman seemed to also be in a hurry..”   

Automatically the man in beskar thinks of the woman Karga was talking to outside. Without further hesitation, he nods to him. “Sure, what is it..”   

Clapping his hands together, the high magistrate rises from his chair. “That’s the mando I know! I will go get her.” He goes to the door, telling his assistant to get the woman for him. 

“You had her on standby?” tilting his helmet on its side to him.    

Karga, smiling to himself, lets a mature woman enter the room. She wasn't the same one he saw earlier, having an instant feeling of disappointment, which he is happy the helmet is covering.   

He presents her to the Mandalorian, “This is Eyla, her husband owns an export, import business. They do all kinds of deliveries. I often order from them. They’re best in the rim!” The woman coughs letting him know that he was going off track. “Yes, yes,” he says glancing at her before turning back to mando. “She needs someone to bring her daughter on a safe travel to tatooine.” He walks back to the door letting the girl in. “This, is your cargo.” Extending his arm to presenting the girl.  

Standing like a statue he looked at her in shock. She entered the room shyly, playing with her hands almost terrified. She couldn’t even look at mando, feeling small in his presence. He was lost for words, she looked even more beautiful in proximity. He had secretly wished to see her again and maybe even meet her, but he never would've thought she'd be his cargo.. 

Turning to face Karga, “W-what do you mean by, she is the cargo?” Not understanding what is at risk here.   

The magistrate was about to speak but the woman cuts him off. Looking at the Mandalorian directly into his visor. “My daughter is promised to a rich man by my husband, a weapon manufacturer. He is not only entitled, but also vile. I was in the same situation when I came to coruscant, my daughter deserves freedom. That is why I'm sending her to my sister on tatooine. She will be safer from her father and brother there.” The woman says pleading the man.   

Still speechless, he glanced at the younger woman. Who still looked terrified of him. He wasn't prepared mentally for this. Thinking he would just come by and pick up some pucks. He hesitates, knowing she pulls him in like a magnet. He knows he is emotionally weak at the moment, and he doesn’t want to get attached to another bounty.   

I mean she is scared of me. What’s the worst that can happen?   

“Fine, I'll do it, although I need payment first. I came here for pucks. We will need supplies for this type of travel.” He says, looking at Eyla. “I assume tatooine is where I need to bring you today?”   

The woman shakes her head at him. “No, my son is in a meeting right now. We managed to free ourselves only for a short time. We risked a lot coming here for this kind of service. She needs to get back home to eliminate any suspicions until the time is right.”   

“Then when do you need me exactly?” The man in chrome asks tilting his helmet as he holds his waist. 

Looking back at her daughter, Eyla responds to the man. “In a week, the directions and details were already given to mister Karga here. I will give you a third of the payment today. The remaining of it will be handed to you on site when she boards with you. Do we have an accord?”   

He nods to her, letting her know that he accepts the job.   

__   

Back on his ship, the Mandalorian puts aways some provisions he bought with the woman’s credits. As he looks around the place, he feels sticky and sweaty from the hot day. Nevarro could be a real pain in the summer. He lets out a sigh, removing his helmet. As he gets his armor off, he moves inside the fresher. Stopping in front of the mirror, he examines his face, bringing his hand upward, passing the tips of his finger on his cheeks before moving them on the hair over his chin, inspecting his tired eyes. Thinking of her eyes, scared and avoidant. He presses his lips together. I can’t.. 

He proceeds to turn the shower on. He stays unmoving while staring at it feeling empty. After a moment, he gets in, letting the water run on his back. Falling in between his shoulder blades. He leans his head back to wet his hair while his mind goes unconsciously back to her. He grunts feeling his cock getting harder. "I can’t”, he kept saying to himself.  

Feeling the need growing in him. He starts rubbing the tip of it with his thumb and goes to squeeze the base of his cock. He closes his eyes trying to see her again. The way her eyes were looking at the man outside. Sun in them, like the light would never want to leave them, squinting to see better with her lips forming a smile.. Oh, maker, her lips.   

He squeezes his member harder as he starts to move his hand up and down. He reaches for the soap with his other one. Her plump lips. He stops for a moment, coating both his hands with the soapy mixture.    

Turning to face the wall, he puts his hands together. Starting to thrust slowly into them before letting out a deep humming sound. Thrusting faster, he remembers the outline of her breasts through the fabric of her dress. The way they were moving a little when she walked. So plush. He starts letting out more whimpers as he goes faster. Bending his knees a little from the feeling of his pulsing cock fucking his slippery hands. Kriffing hell, she’s so beautiful.   

He can’t take it anymore, going as fast as he can to end his tormenting need. He lets out a deep grunt as he releases himself on the wall.    

He leans forward, placing his forehead on it. He just stays like this, resting his head as he comes back to his senses. Pushing himself back up, he takes the shower head to rinse his hands. As he’s looking at them, he feels something snap inside of him. Anger starts to manifest in his chest, making him punch the shower's wall. 

I can’t, protecting her is my job.  

--

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[ofpineapplesanddawns]

Hahaha, you’re good! 

So this is for the urban explorer au, right?

On with the fic!

--

Peter fiddled with the camera in his hands, maybe it might be better to use his phone for this, but then again, phones broke easier and they often didn’t have night vision. Plus, old school shit like this was so much more fun, gave his videos a whole Blair Witch or REC feel to ‘em.

He sighed as he got himself ready to go explore an old roadside hotel, one that clearly had been left to rot or blow away with the Mojave sand about fifty years ago. The old neon sign right off the road had a very dated look, and not in a retro way people were obsessed with nowadays. 

“Fuck, I hope this place doesn’t have vampires.” He muttered to himself as he patted at his belt, a few stakes were tucked into it, just in case.

Ever since he ran into that Lucian guy at the old office building, where the vampire had been camping out, Peter had been much more careful about the places he explored. Yes, he still filmed these places, still pretended he was hunting vampires or ghosts or whatever the fuck he said at the beginning of a video, but there was a real threat now, lurking behind corners in the shadows.

And he wasn’t sure if he’d get lucky with Lucian showing up again.

Though he really, really hoped.

He couldn’t stop thinking about that super hot, super mysterious man in the leather jacket. He was very pretty too and had an accent that almost seemed to mask a different accent, the more Peter listened to the recording from the office.

He still hadn’t posted that video, he wasn’t sure if it would be right to do so. Plus, the building caught on fire later that night, apparently he heard something about it happening from a lightning strike, but he wondered if Lucian had a hand in it. After all, it was the sight of a vampire nest, and it might be wise to destroy a nest so others wouldn’t take it and make a new one. 

Still, Peter was gonna keep doing what he was doing and hope that there wasn’t a nest waiting for him inside this place. 

But maybe a Lucian might be inside? Yes? 

Probably not, that’s wishful thinking.

Peter turned on his camera and started an intro on the fly, explaining the hotel’s history a little, because lots of these sorta videos did that, before he made his way inside. 

It smelled horrible here, like rotting wood and fabric, along with stale weed, probably teenagers hanging out here. Unless if vampires liked to partake. Peter spoke as he walked around, pointing out the things he saw, nearly screaming when he stepped on something crunchy, only to see it was a mummified bird. 

He walked around the hotel, chatting about this and that, even promoting his show, as he always did, before he actually did scream when something grabbed his shoulder. He turned around, free hand on a stake, only for his clip-on torch to shine on the face of-

“Lucian!?” He gasped, both from surprise and the terrible amount of dust and stale air in the building.

“I’m surprised you remember my name.” Lucian replied, looking bemused. “Looking for trouble again, Mr. Vincent.”

“Nnn- no, just, uh... just doin’ some... huntin’! Vampire huntin’!”

“With a camera.”

“And a little urban exploring.” Peter mumbled and shut off the camera, He looked at Lucian’s face and glared. “Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.” The shorter man said, though he was smiling anyway. “You do know it isn’t exactly wise to make commentary when vampire hunting, yes? It will draw attention right to you.”

Peter made a series of noises before pouting. “The viewers like me talkin’ about the shit I’m filming. But I guess that’s how you heard me?”

“I heard you long before you entered the building. Pulling into the parking lot? Not a smart idea if there are vampires here, they’ll be very aware of you long before you’re aware of them.”

“Oh.”

Peter hadn’t even thought of that, shit, that... yeah, that was just asking for trouble. “Then how’d you get out here, it’s a bit of a distance from the city.”

“I drove, but parked a bit down the road.”

“Oh.” Peter repeated, remembering passing a truck that was parked off the side of the road while on his way here. “Fuck, you’re a professional, aren’t you?”

“In a way, I suppose you could say that. If you are looking for vampires, there are none here, I’ve already checked. It’s not really a safe place for them, not a lot of dark places that would do them well. There is a nest of very angry coyotes upstairs though.”

“Fuck.” Peter frowned. “I wasted a trip out here then.”

“Well, I’m sure your... viewers would still appreciate whatever video footage you’ve taken anyway.”

“I guess, could do a bit more explorin’ before I head out. Wanna explore with me?”

Lucian frowned. “Might not be wise, I should get going.”

“Come on! It’s fun! I’ll even keep you off-camera if you don’t want that!”

“I... guess.”

“Cool, let’s get back to work.” The actor started up his camera again. “Got a torch?”

“Ah.” Lucian blinked. “Oh, yes, uh, but the batteries died before I came to see what you were doing.”

“How’d you find me then?”

“You have your own, and you’re very loud.”

“Rude.” Peter smirked, then lifted the camera up to face him. “Sorry about that, just had a conversation with a guy who saved my ass a few weeks back. And no, I’m not postin’ that video, you don’t need to see me gettin’ knocked around by some... weird guy who wanted to bite me. Wasn’t a vampire!” He added on when he saw a look cross Lucian’s face.

“Anyway, back to business!”

--

Peter thinks that if he can run into Lucian again, maybe he might get him into his bed.

Not happening, Peter. At least not right now. Lucian is a classy man, he likes romance. 

#lucian x peter vincent #john's drabbles #good omens extended universe

[askthedespairkids]

Ceasefire

*Junpei trudges along the beach, his feet dragging through the sand, his body language thoroughly reluctant to continue his journey- he murmurs quietly with his head down* Stupid fuckin’ argument, stupid- ugh.

Yokozawa.

Gyuh! *His head snaps up and he’s met with Ryuu and Kobo walking in the direction towards him* I- um...w-well-

It’s fine. We’re coming back to help for Graves-san and Kizakura-san-

Right...right, yeah. It’s just...

Kobo: Ryuu, you can go on ahead.

Huh?

Kobo?

Kobo: It’ll be fine. Just...get a head-start for me.

...alright. *He squeezes Kobo’s hand one last time before going on ahead, resisting the urge to bump Junpei as he passes by*

Kobo: ...*he sits down in the sand, facing out to the ocean*...you gonna just stand there? I mean, sittin’ like this means I get to be at eye-level with you-

Alright, alright. *He sits down on the sand, a slight distance away* Glad to see your attitude’s back.

Kobo: I ain’t much for mopin’ around forever, y’know.

...I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all of those things back there, it was wrong of me. Stressed or not, I went way too far by saying you didn’t deserve to have Nagata-kun and Kirishima-san in your life.

Kobo: Heh. Weird hearing you apologise for somethin’...still, not like you weren’t right about other stuff...sorry. I’ve said a lot of shitty things to you as well.

Unlike you, I’ve done everything to deserve it...

Kobo: Even at that, ain’t right for me to cause tension in the class...I still hate your guts, don’t get me wrong, but I shouldn’t be makin’ it everyone else’s problem.

I get what you mean...honestly? I think I’ve always been a little jealous of you.

Kobo: Come again?

You’re my antithesis- my opposite. Majority of people like you, or at least respect you. You’re able to help everybody out when the situation’s dire, and...and you and Nagata-kun are so happy together.

Kobo: You and Kamisaka are happy as well?

Yeah, we are- I don’t mean to say we aren’t. I...I love Orochi so much that I think it makes me stupid. B-but, um...

I worry...I always worry that he’ll decide he’s had enough of me one day. That...one day, all the hate we get will be too much for him and he’ll disappear. And I always get so insecure that I can’t make him happy. I mean, let’s be honest, I’m only bringing him more hardships by being with him. And it’s like he has to take care of me most of the time between...w-well, that part’s a little personal but you get what I mean.

Kobo: Yeah...yeah, I do actually. I feel a similar way towards Ryuu. He’s like...an angel. He’s smart, and kind. He’s so humble and he’s always jumping at the chance to help people out. And even though he’s not a fighter, he’s got this courage that comes out of nowhere when his back is against the wall...I don’t get what he sees in a screw up like me. Why stick around?

You really do get it then...

Kobo: Yeah...but Kamisaka ain’t unhappy. If anything, he’s at his happiest just talking about you. The guy’s a lot more nihilistic than he lets on, but you’re like a...beacon to him. A light. Or somethin’, I dunno.

R-really? Is that how he seems?

Kobo: For sure. I usually get bored and zone-out when he talks about you, but Kurohiko and Kurosaki always listen. Kurohiko’s a little obsessed with listenin’ actually- it’s creepy.

Ugh- we got sidetracked, this was supposed to be about me apologising and we started talking about something completely different- look, Okanaya-kun, I was wrong. Seriously wrong for what I said.

Kobo: Agreed.

...we still have a lot to do for the wedding. Will you still help us?

Kobo; *He grins* It’s for Graves and Kizakura. ‘Course I’m helpin’.

Thank you. *The two stand up* We’ve got a lot of work to do, so I’ll be relying on you for a bit.

Kobo: Sure are. I’ll make sure to collect my payment for all this hard labour.

Uh...payment? I didn’t think-

Kobo: Don’t worry. *His grin turns mischievous, and he cracks his knuckles menacingly* I’m sure I can figure something out.

Wh-

Kobo: Don’t worry ‘bout it now! We got work to do! *He marches on ahead and throws his hand up, flipping Junpei off as he leads* You’re still a dick!

Right back at you, jackass.

#The Preparation Arc #Junpei Yokozawa #Ryuu Nagata #Kobo Okanaya #DR

[jaeltree]

“Excuse me, what?!” Sadira said flustered. The question shouldn’t have caught her off guard but it did. 

Her face heated up, hopefully he couldn’t see it in the evening lighting. To be fair, she had asked him a personal question first (which he hadn’t answered). She tried to think of an adequate response.

“I didn’t know you were well-versed in my plans, Mozzarella.” She said winking, trying to get some composure back. She was surprised he chose that nickname outta the three but she wasn’t complaining. 

She sighed “And no, they don’t. This is the last one of the saga if all goes well. The ending to that long drawn-out chapter. 

I had fallen for kindness, the first kindness anyone’s shown me. It may be foolish and silly but it’s true. I was a hopeless romantic. 

Agrabah’s a mess sometimes. The view’s nice but you can’t eat the view. The marketplace is one of the crown jewels but what does it matter with the high level of poverty. People continue suffering while others live a life of luxury. Not to mention the constant attacks which would be rectified if the guards actually did their jobs.”

She was sure Agrabah’s plight would just bore Mo (he was a king after all, or a ‘lord’ for better alliteration). He must hear such stuff all the time. But she just went on. Why not? She didn’t really have anyone else to talk to. 

“‘Street rats’ are usually out for themselves, some have groups but you’re either in or out. I was an orphan and taught myself multiple things like parkour and improv. 

Life had been focused on survival up until that point. It switched to trying to sweep him off his feet which he kinda took offence to. I guess rejection led to obsession.

My backstory’s not that cool. 

At least I found the last long-lost lair of the ‘Ancient witches of the sand’. I have stubbornness, sometimes misplaced but it’s also useful. I was hungry but I hadn’t really cared in the moment. I read and analysed the scrolls. 

They were confusing but I eventually got the hang of it and saw the pattern. Took me like two? Yeah, about two days to excel in it. Magic’s a part of my life now and I’m grateful for it. 

Enough about that I guess, what are your hobbies besides hoarding things?” 

She had heard of his vast magical artefact collection. It did sounded a little (just a little) impressive and would make him an all-rounder of different magic types possibly. 

(Also yes really, poor Mozenrath with the nicknames that one can just make fun of.

at this rate i might as well open an rp side blog. Your writing’s amazing by the way)

Mozenrath rolled his eyes at hearing his new nickname, though he didn’t say anything about it. Or look in her direction. “I’m versed enough,” he muttered under his breath. As far as he was concerned, the full moon and stars in the night’s sky was more interesting than Sadira or her little sob story.

And she just went on, and on…

Can she not see he doesn’t care?

Wait… ‘Witches of the Sand?’

“So that’s the spell’s origin. Interesting. How did a mundane little street mouse like you be able to read an ancient scroll from the Witches of the Sand, without any knowledge of magical languages or even archeology?” Mozenrath frowned over at her in curiosity. Could it be that she was a surviving descendant that allowed her to intuitively learn as fast as she did? Perhaps… Though that doesn’t explain how she found such an artefact so easily.

“Please, I don’t hoard; I’m a collector.” His citadel was spotless, thank you very much. “As for my hobbies… well, my dearly beloved wife takes all my time away from any sort of hobby I might have.” And by ‘wife’ he, of course, meant his ‘career.’

#In character ask #Mozenrath #Sadira #rp ask #(Aww!! >~<!!! thankies!! also you should make a rp side blog!)

[cookelogan75]

The Problem is with the Players Community Managers Complain of Excessive Harassment

Some Destiny 2 and Minecraft players seem to be getting too obsessed with their game.

Kyle Orland - Jul 28 2022, 2022 at 4:00 pm UTC

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Community management in video games is all about communicating with players in a way that makes them feel heard. What happens if a player become a source of concern?

This is the question two major gaming companies have been asked in recent times. Community managers claim that customers who harass them make it more difficult for them to perform their job.

The first example comes from the Destiny 2 Community on Reddit. A user posted on Wednesday complaining about the declining number of threads that get responses from Bungie. Dylan Gafner, Destiny 2 Community Manager, responded to explain that he'd taken time off because of "some serious harassment toward me and my family," which led to "a reduction in communication as the team develops future defenses or strategies for helping avoid these kinds of things."

The harassing Gafner is talking about goes beyond "just rude replies on Twitter or a few vague comments" he wrote, and encompasses "real threats toward our people and our studio" from fans. Some of the harassment was reported to have been done through private channels. Gafner wrote that "just the fact that you don't find it in a specific tweet or forum post doesn't mean it didn't happen"

Gafner wrote, "I will be very clear in stating that I appreciate the studio for the way it's helped my personal after some serious harassment of me and my family." "I'm taking a break partly because of this."

Gafner acknowledged that "it's an upsetting fact" that there's not been more interaction within the community, but the less communication wasn't intended as a "retaliatory measure" against the majority of the community. "Sometimes we need to take some time to sort things out," he wrote. "It could take weeks or even months, as any other pipeline of development. We want the best for our players and our employees. We cannot continue to conduct business like normal until we've got the issues addressed. It sucks, but we want to make sure that our customers are protected and well taken care of."

Minecraft madness

Further Reading

Mojang clarified in a FAQ that it doesn't focus on minor offenses like swearing but more on serious cases of bullying harassment, hate speech sexual solicitation, or making threats to other people. Mojang further clarifies that it will not be monitoring chat on private servers (absent complaints from players) and that humans will be involved in any ban decisions and that any bans are subject to appeals.

Despite that the new moderation policy has resulted in a lot of pushback from fans. Many angry fans are organizing under the #SaveMinecraft hashtag. The hashtag is full of dramatic comparisons to George Orwell's 1984. In one of the most straightforward examples of the hashtag one Twitter user wrote: "Just remove all chat reports." "Servers should take over moderation as they have always done."

Reporting me for saying racial slurs is literally 1.19.84#saveminecraft pic.twitter.com/43BCekvGnB

- Walnut Bread Guy (@WalnutBreadGuy) July 19, 2022

Writing on Reddit, the relatively new Community Manager MojangMessh said that while the company "appreciate[sand values" this kind of feedback, Mojang is "not planning to change" its chat moderation system. MojangMessh explained that listening to feedback does not mean it will alter the principles of design Mojang Studios adheres too. Huliypin.Com

But MojangMeesh continued to criticize certain members of the Minecraft community for taking their feedback too far. He said that some of the fans with their abrasive and threatening messages have hindered communication between the company players, the company and their customers.

Reddit users have been following Mojang employees, commenting on the system and responding to their posts. Please understand that this behavior is not a way to encourage employees to engage with the community, nor will it result in the changes you'd like to see. If you feel strongly about a topic in Minecraft we would appreciate it if you let us know in the appropriate places (such as these threads). We want to hear your thoughts! However, harassment does not help anyone: not the developers who are subject to it or players who are enthralled about a forthcoming change. We would like to keep an open and constructive dialog with you, but this kind of behavior hinders that.

While problematic players aren't new to the gaming world It is not common for community managers to make public complaints about harassment that it makes their job more difficult. Let's hope that these community managers will be successful and that the companies involved will continue to provide the assistance they require.

#Huliypin

[arsonicversed]

@stoicfulmuses​ asked:“plots please”//For Karin with any of my Naruto muses :)//

send me “plots please” and I’ll respond with  3 (or more)  interesting  plots / relationships / connections I can think of for our muses!

Shikamaru

I could see Karin be very interested in talking with Shikamaru because the two of them seem to be on a very intellectually almost equal playing field. I mean, Karin was able to in the span of like 13 years figure out how to perfectly create a new artificial sentient and separate life from one DNA sequence, even with Orochimaru’s help she still knows how to do it and helped discover it which to me shows that she is extremely intelligent above so than the normal person similar to Shikamaru only she actually holds pride in her work more so or at least expresses it more.

Seeing the two of them talk and butt heads about improving the village, perhaps since I tend to default verse into the blank-period Karin needs to provide Konoha with technology and help implement it into the village as part of her amnesty / freedom condition. She helps bring her and Orochimaru’s findings to the village to improve technology and overall well being and agriculture. They would have to work together to find the best way to integrate it into hospitals or other places then to the wider public. Though this could be done with others as well it would be important for the hokage and his assistant to know exactly what’s going on and recommend the best course of action.

Haku

Honestly? I can’t see Karin being interested in Haku all that much. Maybe if she were to bring them back to try and test and record their specialized jutsus and stuff, but outside of experimental purposes to be able to basically create a copy of their DNA to get a hold of their abilities, she wouldn’t really find a reason to speak with them. Especially since she doesn’t exactly have a reason to care much about the cloud.

Itachi

She would be very interested in talking with him, finding out why Sasuke is so obsessed with him and learning about that odd familial love. Itachi is someone who holds a lot of love for his family, and Karin is someone who never had much of a family at all and the one she did have was robbed from her, so that kind of love that drives Itachi to do what he did doesn’t exactly make sense to Karin and she’d want to know more about it.

Possibly testing ways to fix his eyes, prevent blindness in a way that doesn’t rely on switching eyeballs like it’s another outfit of the week.

Choji

Uh----idk genuinely I’m not sure. All I can think of is an interaction where Karin is like ‘yeah ive never had [insert food here] because she mostly ate ration-bars or like, ration-like food since I doubt Orochimaru would supply his bases with much else lol. And Choji just being extremely flabberghasted and demands to take her to try all the different kinds of food in konoha and she just can’t really say no cuz hes already dragging her along and everyone else just doesn't bother to save her lol

Gaara

Alright, highkey, she wants to know about him just entirely. His love, his hatred, how he was able to forgive the sand village for what they did to him because Karin still holds hatred in her heart for the grass village for what they did to her and her mother she wants to know how he can forgive them after everything they’ve done and not just lash out at them especially when he has the power to do so. Not only that but how he’s able to even like, handle leading them??? And not be cruel. Love is something that, kinda like Gaara before naruto, she didn’t 100% understand, different types of love and forgiveness for those who hurt you she can’t grasp well so Gaara and her could have a really interesting interaction of learning to deal with trauma and forgive the ppl who hurt you, or not, but not to take anger out on those who dont deserve it and to rise above it.

Other than that, she’d definitely want to see what allows him to control sand, and 100% she’d want to see how his village works and possibly if they become close enough friends, give him tips on how to be able ot build a more agricultural society within the sand village and not have to rely on exports and imports for things like food. Possibly even helping in creating new foods via plant biology that could grow exclusively in the desert for Suna.

Kabuto Yakushi

Karin would, probably be indifferent to Kabuto. She’d want to know what happened to him after the whole war and why he’s so........ snakey/dragony, because she legit has to some extent lost her respect for him seeing how far he took this whole thing. Hell, she doesn’t even understand why he did this, and it’s illogical conclusion.

Also she’d totally yell at him for abandoning her and the rest of the people from orochimaru’s team after Orochimaru died because she never heard from him until Sasuke came and was like ‘lmao come with me’ and hearing nothing from orochimaru or kabuto decides to leave (also cuz ya know prisoners were let go, but that also solidifies to karin that kabuto is gone as well cuz she 100% thought he was dead)

Kiba Inuzuka

Another one I’m.......honestly not too sure about. Kiba isn’t someone she really cares about? She knows of his clan, mostly because she knows ninja dogs are a staple of the leaf and as such she knows ways to kinda trick them and get around their tracking but further than that she doesn’t find much of an interest in them? All I can think of is another instance where she’s stuck in the village and they just kinda bump into one another. That or something with scents and Karin’s whole perfume collecting hobby, idk, im stuggling here lol

Shino Aburame

Alright. Bugs. Bugs that feed on chakra are, honestly gross but also interesting to Karin. Based on Orochimaru’s like, reaction to bugs during the weird period of the anime with naruto and hinata’s wedding, i assume Orochimaru always kept his hideouts bug-free which is why it freaks him out seeing them around everywhere. Also Karin 100% would be weary of bugs as well since she’d see them as disease carriers. But Shino’s bugs in particular would be interesting because they are commanded by him, and she’d wonder how someone like shino can communicate with them furthermore as to why Konoha has so many of the Aburame in their higher ranks as well because she doesnt know that much about the Aburame clan besides basics.

Neji Hyūga

Karin 100% wants to experiment with the Byakugan. Despite it being an extremely like do not do thing, she’d 100% try to do her best to try and do so. Especially if he’s able to keep the body alive while doing such experiments. Trying to find a way to replicate it through Biology. Neji would be a huge experiment for Karin who she would love to just, do her best to test what she can do. Also she’d love to poke at that seal as well. Since most seals can be undone or broken there’s nothing to say that the seal Neji has can’t also be broken so she’d love to try to break it.

Also considering she’s an uzumaki her chances of learning a way to break it are much higher due to the clan’s affinity for fuinjutsu :) And no one has tried to break it, and there’s not been an uzumaki brave enough to try but in the new era of not being in that whole ideology of the main house vs branch she could literally break that physical representation and physical control. Of course it’d be an extremely difficult thing to do and lots of research was made since i doubt the jutsu was made to be reversed, but there isnt really a jutsu we’ve seen that can’t be reversed in some way, even the cursed seal can be destroyed that orochimaru gives so like--- why can’t nejis?

Orochimaru

Do I even need to talk about this one? Honestly just, yes, everything and anything I’d love to do with this. Whether it’s Orochimaru and Karin talking about their progression forward and what they’ll do after the war. Him offering her a spot back at his lab, a more domestic like life with the two of them becoming more found-family now that they aren’t as like, worried about being hunted down or have the same pressing matters as they did before.

Karin also approaching orochimaru about why he chose to take her in, why she was treated the way she was, and idk her trying to find a place now with the world changing so much, coming to terms with who she is and her place with him. Possibly him acknowledging her accomplishments and she just, is so happy to receive that validation? And just them working together to crack the secret of artifical life and making a vessel for Orochimaru that will be able to last him longer or just, find ways to make vessels that would be perfect for him via growing blank slate bodies for him to possess and then trying to intigrate powers and abilities from various DNA samples they still have left.

Temari

Alright, hear me out. Karin wants battle training. At the very least she wants to know how to get stronger but isn’t like 100% comfortable with Konoha, and Temari, being a strong woman who happens to live in Konoha is there. I could see Karin trying to train some day and Temari finding her and just absently insulting her stance because it would be so bad, and Karin just snapping back with well how would you do it. Adn it just goes from there.

Temari is a powerful shinobi, and she is able to do so without any special abilities or powers outside her wind-release. But even then it’s still hella powerful. You HAVE to be strong to lug that giant ass fan around everywhere. Karin, despite her being much more of a brain-oriented person, does wnat to be strong. She’s seen her potential during the war but isn’t sure how to get it out and the tough, training doesnt care about your feelings way that Suna trains people would definitely work well for Karin cuz she needs to be brutally pushed to her limits to get more of her potential out and it’s learning that to get better and push her forward.

Also spite, spite is a huge inspiration to do better so temari’s mean girl attitude definitely would help too lo.

Shisui Uchiha

Honestly? I’m drawing a blank again fhekjwk She’d be interested in him for being an Uchiha but further than that? There wouldn’t be much interest because she doesn’t know about Shisui. Sasuke never knew him or didn’t ever mention him as such she probably would think he was dead. Only wondering so far as to how he survived. 

Sasori

There needs to be a red-head club alright? But on a serious note uh...... Another person im drawing up a blank for? Probably wondering how he was able to keep the Kazekage’s ability while inside a puppet?? Because like, sure he killed him and made his body a puppet, but like-- how does having his body--- give him the ability of the kazekage when his chakra the thing i assume makes him able to do the jutsus, is gone???? like the idea you can prolong chakra and his special abilities past death is a beyond useful thing and she’d love to learn how Sasori had done it. a plot maybe where they work together to try and replicate other old jutsus through puppetry and how far they can push the limits??

Jiraiya

She’d probably end up slapping him. Like, knowing Orochimaru, he would not have spoken kindly of his teammates, especially Jiraiya lol. Though in all seriousness, um. Probably something about being raised with Orochimaru, how she was able to be a (mostly) stable person, ok no, Karin is by far the most stable person Orochimaru has actually raised lmao, but like more her experience living in the hideouts and the tests she had done.

Karin would be hella interested in learning about sage mode and how that nature chakra stuff works even if she couldnt do it herself. Because even Orochimaru wasn’t able to become a true snake sanin so to hear of someone and talk with them about accomplishing something orochimaru couldnt??? it’d be pretty eye opening to know the difference.

Suigetsu Hōzuki

anything and everything. Oh my gosh i need more of these two in my life. Since they obviously still work together in the labs with Orochimaru she’d had definitely helped build him a new containment area for his water-fish needs. Them just building it together, or having to cooperate with testing, living a life together and growing closer platonically, familialy or otherwise just melts my heart because Siugetsu while someone she dislikes is someone she wouldnt want to shove away.

maybe one plot where she hurts him too much and he does end up like leaving, only for Karin to actually come find him and admit she was wrong and apologize wanting him to come back because she rather him than be alone again and also admit she likes his company there.

Sai

....... im sorry i really can’t think of much. Karin doesn’t care about Root, or Donzo, or really anything to do with that. I could see some interesting interactions since both seem to lack some kind of nuance for jokes, and them just awkwardly not understanding jokes together or having their own kind of blatant jokes that only they can understand because of their lack of understanding of ‘normal’ humor lol.

Sasuke Uchiha

Ok I really, want them to talk. Just, talk about what happened. I know like 90% of these are just karin talking hfwekjhkwe but she legit wants to know why sasuke did what he did and if he genuinely feels sorry or if he said sorry just so she’d help them in the war. She wants to know she meant something to him even if it wasn’t romantic, she wants to know if he truly did feel remorse for almost killing her. Also talking about what happened in general.

Maybe them catching up during his travels? He comes to visit when he wants to rest but doesnt go back to the village because ya know its all unsafe. Or maybe even after Sadara is born or before, Karin scolding him for not being there with his wife or the person he loves (if you want to go with the sasuke is with sakura route) because she’d tell him how much sakura loves him and how it breaks her heart to see Sakura so lonely with him gone or at hte very least maybe help push him to take Sakura with him? IDK maybe that leads to them traveling together, and then later having to go to Karin to help deliver Sadara because sakura and sasuke were out doing their thing together when she was like ya know at that time.

#Out of Fuel // OOC #Screams from the Abyss // MT #StoicfulMuses #;; phew this was a lot #;; sorry i didnt do 3 for each ehkjehwk #;; i tried my best #;; but i think i at least touched on each muse a little bit? #;; i hope that counts

[watchmegetobsessed]

LOVE LANGUAGE

a/n: just a little fluffy something i cooked up one morning 🥰

pairing: Harry X Reader

word count: 1.3k

masterlist

Harry doesn’t shy away from telling you how he feels. He has been very vocal about everything that goes on in his mind and you know he has come a long way from being reserved and keeping things bottled up inside him to always telling you what bothers him or what makes him happy. He was also the first one to say I love you. You already knew you felt that way, but you didn’t try to drop it on him like a bomb when he is not ready to hear it, but for your biggest surprise, he said it not long after that. Now it’s been four years and you’re happier than ever. It’s been your longest relationship and at the beginning you were afraid you’d get so used to each other that the sparkles and the fire would slowly vanish, but it never happened. You’re still just as passionate and wistful towards each other as you were in the first month when you spent most of your time in either your or Harry’s bed, exploring each other not just in a physical way, but you also just talked and talked and talked until you knew each other inside and out. And you grew to love him faster and harder than you did with anyone.

Though you love to hear him say those three tiny words, murmuring into your ear while he makes love to you, or hearing him croak it out first thing in the morning, whispering against your lips when he comes home or just dropping it anytime he feels like he hasn’t said it in a long time, your absolute favorite is still the times when he tells you he loves you without using those words. During your time together you’ve come to speak Harry’s love language pretty well. He is a very affectionate person, mostly when it’s just the two of you, but he doesn’t fail to show you his feelings even in the middle of a crowd.

He tells you he loves you without saying the words when you’re sick and he drops everything to come and take care of you.

You had been dating for only a few months when you caught a nasty stomach bug. Your breakfast came back quicker than you could even finish it and you were forced to call into your work and tell them you are not gonna make it into the office today. Then you texted Harry to cancel on your dinner plans and though you didn’t want to tell him that you’ve been spending most of your morning on your bathroom’s floor, he didn’t leave you until you told him what was wrong. Thirty minutes later he was at your place with two bags filled with everything and anything you could need. Medicine, tea, some plain biscuits for when you can finally keep something down and some of his clothes you love wearing when you’re at his place. But when he had checked in on you and made sure you had everything you could need, he didn’t leave.

“Harry, you don’t want to listen to me throwing up every five seconds. Just go and I’ll be fine, okay?” you groaned, lying on your couch that’s the closest spot to the bathroom in case you had to run for it.

“Leaving? I’m not leaving, Love. I’ll be right here—“

He couldn’t even get to finish because you had to throw up again even though you’d been trying hard to keep it together at least while he was there, but you couldn’t stop yourself anymore. Hunched over the toilet, the remaining of your breakfast ending up in it. As you were reaching up to flush it, a hand was faster than you, another one gently running up and down on your back. Harry was quick to kneel next to you, brush your hair out of your face as you waited if there would be more or you could get up from the floor. Harry didn’t say a word, he wasn’t grossed out and he didn’t leave. He spent the whole day by your side, helping and soothing you until you could finally fall asleep in his arms as he kept kissing your forehead, gently humming to you.

He tells you he loves you without saying the words when he buys you things he thinks you’ll love.

It’s not always something useful or expensive, though he is quite good at spending a fortune on you even though you’ve told him several times not to spend that much money on you. Sometimes it’s just something small and seemingly insignificant.

Like when you got obsessed with an ice-cream brand, you ate it day and night, buying basically the whole supply from your local grocery store, up until there was no more. You waited and waited for the restock, but it never came and you later found out that they won’t be selling it anymore.

Harry tracked down the closest store that had the brand, drove almost two hours just to buy it and then came home with a whole box of it, filling your entire freezer with just the ice-cream.

“The saddest thing is that it’s gonna be gone in like a week,” you sighed as you finally shut the freezer closed, finding your boyfriend smirking at you.

“Then I’ll go and get you more,” he simply shrugged, before stealing a quick kiss.

Harry tells you he loves you without saying the words when he watches out for you even when you are not doing that for yourself.

On your third anniversary he was able to make some time for a vacation, just the two of you on a small island with endless sunshine and warm, sandy beaches. You stayed at a private villa that had its own little beach so you could be entirely alone, without prying eyes and nosy fans.

You’d been lying out in the sun for a while and you completely forgot to use any sunscreen. When Harry returned from inside with some water for the both of you, he simply started applying it to your back without a word, making sure he covered every part.

“Mm, thank you,” you mumbled when his fingers started massaging your muscles, the strings of your bikini soon coming undone.

“Don’t want my baby to get sunburnt, right?” he mumbled, kissing you under your ear. It didn’t take long for the tow of you to take advantage of being so hidden away, your bikini bottom coming off along with his swimming trunks, having some giddy, sandy sex on the beach that definitely continued in the shower when you were trying to get rid of all the sand that stuck to your skin.

He says he loves you when he makes excuses to go home earlier from a party just because he knows you’re tired. Or when he waits for you with dinner after a long day, making your favorite. He makes you feel so loved with all his little touches and looks, the way he talks about you to others and how he always makes you his priority.

It’s not always in the words but in the actions, you’ve become fluent in Harry’s love language and you can only hope he understands yours as well. That every time you wake up before him you make sure his coffee would be already done by the time he stumbles out of the bedroom. Or when you ask him to pull over when you’re on a road trip so you can switch and drive for a while because you can tell that he is tired. It’s your way of saying you love him when you drop by the studio with food for him and the band when you know they’ve been probably locked up in there working for way too long and also when you make him the little spoon after a tiring day, knowing how much he loves to be held sometimes. It’s all in the tiny things, understanding each other’s love language.

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed it!

#harry #styles #harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry styles au #harry styles imagine #harry styles fluff #harry styles blurb #harry styles oneshot #harry styles one shot #harry styles x you #harry styles x y/n #harry styles x reader

[strangelysamantha]

bittersweet ☆

possessive!rafe x plus!sized reader.

warnings: crazy rafe, possessive and obsessive behavior, swearing, underage drinking, reader gets hurt, physical fight, ect.

words: 2,167.

summary: you went to a local party by the beach when rafes unstable side peeked out. jj maybank finds you alone, and decides to talk to you. rafe gets possessive and upset, thinking that jj was hitting on you.

request?: no :)

a/n: i’m working on requests but since my computer is down it’s taking longer because i hate typing on my phone especially because tumblr always deletes what i’ve written. i’m hopeful that my computer will be fixed by tomorrow, until then i’ll try and produce a few stories since i’ve been MIA for a few days. remember to like and comment if you enjoy this! <3

my masterlist

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“please just come with me.” rafe frowned as he sat on your porch pleading to you, telling you why you should go to a beach party with him. “why rafe?” you frown, not in a partying mood. instead, you would much rather stay home and do a movie marathon. “please baby, i swear i’ll make it up to you.” you roll your eyes at his begging. “fine, but only because you are so cute.” his eyes sparkle as a smile lifts on his lips, you pull him into a quick kiss.

you walk back inside to get dressed for the bonfire. rafe was wearing blue and orange, and you wanted to match him. so, you grabbed a pair of dark blue ripped jean shorts, and an orange v-neck. you apply some perfume and jewelry before putting on some shoes. just as you were finishing up, rafe walked into your room smirking. “awh, you wanted to match with me.” he smiled. despite you knowing his look was filled with adoration you couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable under his long glance. “obviously, don’t you want people to know i’m yours?” you question him, waiting for his response. “well, matching clothes won’t change anything. everyone already knows.” you nod smiling before pulling him into a kiss.

once you pull away from the kiss, he grabs your hand and leads you to the car as he drives to the beach. his hand finding its way on your thigh; gripping it tightly. while he drove to the beach, you paid close attention to your phone, checking social media for any major updates. rafes grasp on your thigh loosened as the car came to a halt. you were parked on the beach, the sun was already setting.

you both exit the car, rafe swiftly moving from his side of the car to yours. “thank you for coming with me.” his hand finds yours, pulling them together. “of course, i love hanging out with you.” he lets go of your hand, and moves his arm to hold closely around your waist. the two of you begin to walk towards the already drunken teen filled beach.

you frown at the amount of trash that litters the sand. you stay close to rafe, as he approaches topper and kelce. “hey guys.” you say to them to make conversation. they nod in your direction, acknowledging you before their attention turns towards rafe again. you don’t pay any mind to what the boys are discussing. after a while you become bored, so you slowly slip out of rafes arm to go get a drink. “i’m going to go get a drink, do you want one?” you ask rafe, and he glances at you smiling. “yes please, thanks baby.” you lean in for a quick kiss before leaving to go get drinks. you weren’t a heavy drinker, always scared of what you would say or do under the influence, so you grab yourself a water and grab a beer for rafe.

you return to the spot you were in earlier, but it’s now vacant. rafe, topper, and kelce all leaving you behind. you frown, looking around for them but coming up short. you had no idea where they could be since this beach was huge. you don’t bother wasting your time looking for them, instead you start to head for the bonfire.

you weren’t surprised that rafe had left you all alone. this always happened. he would beg you to go to something, just to abandon you half way through it. it didn’t bother you, it just worried you, scared of what he was doing without you.

once you arrived at the bonfire, you decided to down the drink once made for rafe, the beer stinging your throat. you drank three more chugs before drinking water as well. it doesn’t take long for the alcohol to come into effect. you knew it had clouded your judgement when you were laughing at jj maybanks jokes of all people. “i’m telling you, these people were fucking crazy.” you giggled as he made exaggerated reactions. “you’re telling me! that sounds scary as fuck. i wouldn’t have survived.” he shook his head looking down at you, “i’m sure you would have figured something out.” you nod at him.

“have you seen those dudes since?” you ask, intrigued by his story. “actually, yeah. their story isn’t the brightest… sheriff told me that they-” his voice cut off as he made a slicing noise above his throat. your eyes widened in shock. “oh my god! really??” you grab his arm, “what if they came back for you! bro no way…” your heart rate quickens at the thought of evil men chasing random kids. “no, i know right, scary as shit. i guess it’s bittersweet because they died, but now they aren’t after us anymore.” he shrugs, sipping his red solo cup. “i guess. it’s still scary. so many people are unexpectedly dying nowadays, i definitely-” you were interrupted as rafe put an arm around you, eyeing jj up and down.

“continue baby, what were you saying?” rafe asked, smiling at you for a split second before it disappeared when his eyes focused on jj again. “oh we were just talking about bad men, and how this town is scarier than it used to be.” he nods at you. “jj what are you doing talking to my girl?” jj stands up straighter, “why do you care? do you own her or something?” rafe scoffed, “yes.” the confusion on your face was evident and jj was quick on acknowledging it. “oh really? by the look on her face, she doesn’t agree.” he glances at you, but you have quickly recovered. “what are you talking about maybank?” you interrupted the two immediately not wanting a fight to break out. “i was just talking to jj because he had a funny story. it wasn’t anything like that, i swear babe.” you words slurred together and it was evident you weren’t in the right headspace.

rafes eyes widened as he fully realized that you were so intoxicated that you had no idea what was going on, “what the fuck maybank? you got her drunk for what? you trying to fuck her?” jj couldn’t believe rafes nerve. “one, she was drunk when she came up to me, and two, i don’t need to fuck her, i already have.” your heart dropped at jj's confession.

“maybank, do you want to take that back?” you could tell rafe was trying to give jj a chance to redeem himself before all hell breaks loose. your hand tightened on rafes bicep trying to get him to move on, but he wouldn’t budge. “can't take back what’s already happened.” jj shrugged again, smirking.

rafe was the first one to throw a punch, you stumbled back as he had pushed you away. with your luck, your head had landed right against the beverage table, scratching the side of your face from your temple to the side of your cheek. you hiss in pain, moving your fingers to feel it. when you retreat your hand you see it covered in blood. you groan in pain, hissing as the cool air makes it sting.

you clumsy stand up, looking ahead to see rafe and jj were still fighting. “rafe!” you weakly call out, but he was stuck in his own little bubble as he pounded his fists against jjs face. you stumble away, walking far from the beach. you were too tired to even try to process what was going on. the yelling behind you quietly faded as you made your way farther along the beach.

not even a minute later you hear rafe running after you. “what rafe?” you ask, but your back is still turned to him. “baby, please just- i’m sorry okay. i, i don’t know. i was just scared he’d take you from me. i don’t want to lose you, you are all i have. you mean too much to me for some pogue to take.” his rambling only pissed you off more. “rafe, please. i have a headache, all i want is to go home.” you frown.

his eyes moved from the sand up to your face, surprised by the huge gash on your face that was oozing blood. “baby?! who did this to you?” you couldn’t contain your anger any longer. you used all your strength, pushing his shoulders back. “you did! you fucking asshole.” the fact that he didn’t even budge from the push you sent his way, pissed you off even more. “baby, i, you know i would never do anything to intentionally hurt you?” your silence only scared him even more.

“baby, i wouldn’t- i didn’t mean to hurt you.” his breathing was heavy as the realization hit him. he had undeniably hurt you, and he had undoubtedly lost you. “no, because this can’t be happening. i can't lose you. baby, i- it was an accident. please, you gotta understand i didn’t want to hurt you, it was just jj fucking all over you, and the way he tried to claim you, saying he already had you, it just- the anger i couldn’t even hold myself back.” you nod at his words. “rafe i understand that. i, just. i don’t want this. do you think i want you to assault every guy who even looks at me? it makes me feel like shit. do you know how shitty it makes me feel? that you think i would chose anyone else when i have you. it hurts to know that you think i’m not loyal enough.” you frown, tears easily falling out of your eyes.

“baby- it’s not you i’m worried about.” you nod, “i know… it just doesn’t feel that way.” he goes to speak again but you quickly interrupt him. “can we please continue this at your house? my head seriously hurts.” his eyes soften, his hand cupping your cheek. he hesitated before he pulled you into a kiss, when you kissed him back he could feel his smile come back. “rafe.” you say again, before pointing to your head. “right baby, i’m sorry. let's go.” you nod.

he walks you to his car, opening the door for you before you hop in. he puts your seatbelt on for you. his protective side shining through once again. he walks around, before hopping in himself. he starts the car. “seatbelt…?.” you question. he laughs quietly. “of course, baby.” you nod as he puts his seatbelt on. his hand reached for your thigh again, before he drove the two of you to his house.

when you arrived, your head was pounding. you could feel it throbbing, the blood dripping onto your orange v neck. you frown at the sight. the two of you walk inside, and he immediately pulls you into his room, placing you on the edge of his bed. he runs to his bathroom grabbing a table cloth and the first aid kit.

he opens the first aid kit, placing it beside you. he takes the wet washcloth, wiping away the blood. after cleaning it, he added antibacterial cream, and then covered it in gauze. he kissed the bandage covering it before walking to his closet.

“here. wear this, and i’ll wash your t-shirt.” you nod, “thank you rafe.” he turns around and you swiftly change your t-shirt. he turns around, his heart hammering inside his chest, still scared about where you stood.

“rafe. i don’t want to lose you. i love you a lot, but i don’t want to continue this if every time a guy looks at me funny, you beat him up. i appreciate you protecting me, but they aren’t worth it.” he nods, soaking up every word. “if you can promise me that you won’t fight random people anymore, then i think we can work this out, and work through this.” he smiles softly, “is that a deal?” you ask. “of course baby. i promise i won’t fight anyone unless they really deserve it.” you roll your eyes, “fine. that’s good enough; but please, let’s hope it doesn’t get too bad.” he laughs, “let’s hope.” you grab his hands, realizing they were quite bruised. “let’s ice these.” he follows you to the kitchen, as you prepare an ice pack.

once the ice pack is ready, you place it on one hand, the other is intently grabbing your thigh. “baby you don’t have to do all this.” he reached for the ice and you lightly pushed his hand away. “you fixed me up, let me fix you up.” he sat back and watched as you cared for his bruises. rafe was glad he didn’t lose you, and he was glad you were still there with him. having you so close to him made him realize he couldn’t sacrifice anything to lose you. he kissed your bandages once more before you two prepared for bed and started to comfortably cuddle together.

#rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron #rafe cameron angst #rafe cameron x you #rafe cameron x y/n #rafe cameron imagine #rafe cameron fanfic #rafe cameron fanfiction #possessive rafe cameron #plus size reader #rafe cameron x plus!reader #rafe cameron x fem!reader #rafe cameron story #rafe cameron outer banks #rafe cameron obx #rafe cameron obx imagine #rafe imagine

[theshelbyclan]

Memories of Polly Gray: Business

Summary: The Shelby’s are determined to no longer let people walk all over them. And just like that, the Shelby business is born (part 5)

(gif my @nofckingfighting​)

A/N: It’s been so cool to see people are sending me love when it comes to this series, thank you all so much! So this is one part I really wanted to write, which is about how the Shelby’s got into their business and the years just before the war. The series references a lot to the war and how it changed them, but little is mentioned of how they were before. So, as always, most of this is just my personal headcanon on the subject. Hope you like it!

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 Words: 1326 ***

1910

I used to dream of a horse in the sand. Of sunlit-illuminated, in surreal dream-like imagery, highlighting the contours of a magnificent horse. Slowly I see its legs, its muscles, his sheen, his mane…his eyes. He shakes his head and stomps his feet. He seems confined, eager to run away. I never knew if this horse was me or just a horse seeing, really seeing, me.

It’s one of those things, no matter how much times change, with all these new inventions and changing politics, this tradition will stick. It’s centrepiece of a culture. We’ve used them as far back as anyone can remember. I’m talking about horses of course. Horses were in our blood. They weren’t just showpieces of our culture, they were our pride. Our young boys used their stallions to impress girls and our little girls were obsessed with their ponies from the moment they could walk. The high-energy chase of riding a horse, the tenderness with which they take care of their horse and bond we have with them, words whispered in their ears, there’s nothing like it. But gadze would never understand.

Arthur never really went to school, but when he did, he drew stallions. John used to race them, trying to impress whoever was looking. Finn was the one who was born riding. But little Tommy used to sleep in the meadows next to them. His mother sometimes joked he was more horse than man. Tommy was different like that. Or he used to be, before the war… But they all had a feeling for the other legacy our family carried: anything and everything illegal. We could make money out of thin air, survive on nothing and then still come across like the good guys in all of it.

It only made sense that we would combine those two traits eventually.

After I lost my children, something in me changed. The light I’d felt had dimmed and the world felt less safe and less like home. But it wasn’t just me. Arthur had always had this rage inside of him, but it grew, like a silent bomb waiting to go off at any moment. But Tommy, he became determined. He’d always been a little kid with bright eyes that demanded respect whenever he needed them to, but now he’d grown into a man. And this man had had enough. He was sick of rich people walking all over us, tired of being taken advantage of and done with people in high places dictating our every move. In his way, he grieved over the loss of my children. And ever since, he and I have understood each other.

Funnily enough, I think it was our Ada who gave Tommy the idea. I remember her sulking about, as thirteen-year-old girls often do, and making some remark like, “If granddad were here, he’d know what to do.” “Oh yeah, what would he suggest, eh Ada?” her brother had inquired. And she’s shrugged and mumbled, “He’d tell us to make the bastards regret all of this. And he’d probably steal a horse, make sure everyone thought it was going to win by using some bloody gypsy witchcraft and then sell it back to its original owner or something…” And that’s when I noticed the sparkle in Tommy’s eyes. So, he decided to bring power back into this family. He came to me one night, saying, “I’ve had an idea, Pol.” He always came to me with these ideas, never to his mother, God rest her soul, but always to me. And I replied with, “Oh, fuck.” But we sat talking all night and the very next morning, we opened up our betting shop. My father had already set up the business in a way: he used to take bets from people up at Appleby and he’d taught me how to run the business. We simply expanded it that day. And just like that, the Shelby’s became illegal bookmakers.

1912

The business grew steadily. As it turned out, we all had a head for it. We knew what needed to be done and simply got on with that. Say what you will about the working class, but we’re inventive when it comes to our own survival. From Watery Lane we went on to the Garrison and then the rest of Small Heath. We no longer waited for anyone to respect us, we no longer cowered in the corner like children scared of their abusive father, we fucking took it. We took it all.

Those that crossed us got cut. Would I have objected before my children were taken? Probably, but not anymore. Tommy brought power back to this family, respect, and I didn’t care. Soon we not only ran betting schemes of Small Heath, but we also offered protection to those needed. People feared the Peaky Blinders now and, can you imagine, I was actually proud of my boys. They paid us and we kept them safe, but really, we were the ones who were protected now. Tommy understood this.

“We need a place where people can lay a bet,” he said. John replied with a sledgehammer, knocking through the wall of our two houses in just a few hours. Give a boy of only seventeen a weapon and he goes crazy, but it served its purpose. Tommy just stood by and laughed. “John-boy,” he said, “we’re officially in business now!” And we were. Money was pouring in and we finally became a real family. Officially Arthur was in charge, but it was me and Tommy that did all the thinking. When a family meeting was called, it was me who sat down at the table. Me.

I decided there and then: from now on I would only walk with my head held high. No more bare feet in the dirt or worn-down rags, only high-heeled shoes and a golden watchon my belt. No longer a scared woman who only had things taken from her, no more casting my eyes down, only people making way for me as I crossed the street. No more ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘forgive me, sir’, only ‘you don’t fuck with the Peaky Blinders’. We were the kings and queen of Small Heath now.

1915

I can’t even begin to explain how different we all were before the war. We were on top of the world. The boys were always rash and loud, but they still believed in something.

John was only eighteen when he became a father and he took to it like he’d never been anything else. And, oh, how he adored Martha. He worshipped the ground she walked on and would have done anything for her. She was the reason he even wanted to fight that bloody war in the first place: to keep her safe.

Tommy was the same with Greta. He smiled and laughed when he was with her. He wanted to work with horses, the bookmaking was only meant to be for a little while, he promised her that. She was quiet, sweet and he wanted to change the world, just for her. He even joined up with the Communists for a while, believing they might actually change something. He lost all faith after the war.

Happily and proud, they all signed up. And we actually fucking waved them off. Fools we were, being lied to once again by the people in high places. We had one war to end all wars, or so the people with the whistles told us. But the war just went on at home. The women waited and prayed in the dark, crying into their pillows at night. Oh we kept a brave face during the day alright, but none of us breathed easily after they’d left. Without having really slept, I got up each morning to beg God to keep them safe. To just bring them back. But we had no idea of the real horrors they faced. Even if they did come back, none of them were the same after that one great war.

*** Masterlist

#Polly gray #memories of polly gray #polly shelby #thomas shelby #tommy shelby #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders #peaky blinders headcanon #arthur shelby #ada shelby #ada thorne #john shelby #peaky blinders fanfic #helen mccrory

[cryonme]

ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ

part one >< jj x reader

﹥ˏˋ♡̩͙♡̩̩̥͙♡̩̥̩ ⋆ ♡̩̥̩♡̩̩̥͙♡̩͙ˊˎ﹤

JJ and Y/n have a fuck hate relationship, well, JJ does. Y/n’s madly in love and JJ’s just mad. When Y/n finally decides enough is enough and confesses her feelings to JJ, she leaves the chateau in pieces.

word count- 1.4k

tw/ cursing, mentions of sex, jj is an ASSHOLE, drinking, shitty writing.

a/n- wowwie! my first outer banks imagine, how fun! I've been wanting to write for obx for a while now so I'm really excited about this, and I hope you all love it as much as I do!! there will be a part two, so don’t get too sad about the ending... yet. xo

++

“Wanna tell your best friend to stop glaring at me?” You spat as you grabbed a red solo cup while waiting in line for the keg.

John B just chuckled and shook his head, “I’m afraid it wouldn’t do any good, my friend.”

You rolled your eyes. JJ had been shooting daggers at you all night. Actually, scratch that. JJ had been shooting daggers at you for the past 2 and a half years. You were a pogue, just like him and his friends. You worked for everything you had, you wore the same 7 t shirts and the same 2 bikinis, and your parents weren't exactly star role models. So you weren’t sure where JJ’s hatred for you stemmed from, until you came to the realization that he couldn’t handle another person coming into the friend group, and did his best to try and drive you out of it.

And yet you were stupidly, uncontrollably, head over heels in love with him.

Yes, you heard that right.

Despite the blue eyed boy’s disdain for you, he couldn’t keep his hands off of you. The two of you had been drunk fucking for 6 months now. It all started when you were all getting drunk at the chateau and JJ had accidentally stumbled into the room you had been laying in, and things just escalated from there. Every time you fucked you saw a different JJ, probably just because he was drunk, which you tried not to think about. He would ask you if you were comfortable, cup your face when he kissed you, stroke your hair, like he was in love with you too. But as soon as you were done he wouldn’t look at you, like he was disgusted with himself for ever touching you.

You kept his secret, didn’t tell anyone about the nights JJ would drunkenly squeeze through your window and kiss you like it was the first time, everytime.

You were tempted, wanted to embarrass him for the way he treated you in public, but you soon came to realize that if you told anybody, JJ would never kiss you again. So, you kept your mouth shut. No matter how badly you wanted to open it.

John B nudged your arm, “Don’t let him bother you, he’s really not worth it. He’s just jealous.”

“Jealous of what?” You asked.

“That there’s other people in this world we can get along with.”

You scoffed, “He needs to grow up, he’s acting like a child.”

“I agree.” John B said before ruffling your hair and walking off to find Sarah.

You sighed and turned your head toward JJ, who unsurprisingly was glaring at you again.

You smirked and mouthed, “I know you’re obsessed with me.” Before raising your red solo cup to your lips and taking a sip.

JJ clenched his jaw and turned away from you, walking in the other direction.

If he was gonna be a dick to you, you were gonna be a dick back. It’s not fair that he gets to treat you like trash but the second you retaliate the world ends.

You decided right then, standing on the beach with a beer in your hand and your toes grazing the water, you were done. He can’t treat you like this and expect you to spread your legs in return. No matter how much it would hurt not being able to kiss or touch him again, it had to be done. You had to respect yourself more than that.

You turned your body towards the party and scanned your eyes over the crowd, finally landing them on him. He was talking to Kiara, smiling and sipping on his drink, and your heart sank. He would never be that way with you, which is why it was time to do what you had to do.

You took your time walking over to the pair, kicking your feet in the sand, stopping and talking to a couple familiar faces before finally landing next to Kiara. She smiled and wrapped an arm around you.

“Where’ve you been, babe?”

You shrugged and leaned into the girl, “Around.”

JJ stayed silent as the two you chit chatted, looking everywhere except at you.

Once your conversation with Kie hit a lull you turned to the blond, “We need to talk.”

He scoffed, “Yeah, like that’s gonna happen.”

“JJ.” Kiara said in a harsh tone, looking at you apologetically. You dismissed her with a soft smile, assuring her it was fine. She looked between the two of you before backing off, giving your arm a quick squeeze. “Let me know if you need me.”

You nodded and watched the girl walk away, starting to dread what you had to do.

“I’m serious, JJ.”

“I’m not fucking talking to you.”

“Alright, fine.” You put your hands up in surrender and walked closer to the boy, leaning in to whisper in your ear.

“I’m done fucking you.”

Before you could walk away JJ firmly grabbed your arm and stared down at you. You kept your head high and your face serious, letting him know you weren't kidding around.

“Let’s talk in private.”

++

You got to the chateau before JJ did since he insisted you don’t walk together, out of fear of your cover being blown. You stood awkwardly in John B’s spare room, the one JJ had declared as his own, waiting for him to make his appearance.

When he did, he slammed the door and you willed everything in you not to jump. He stood in silence in front of you for what felt like hours, staring at you like if you made one wrong move he’d strangle you right then and there.

“I’m done.”

“Yeah, I gathered that much. Care to explain?” He said in a voice so intimidating it took everything in you not to shrink down and crawl out the window. You took a deep breath. You were really gonna do this, after all these months of burying your feelings, you were really gonna do it. “I love you.” You said. Your voice shook, but dammit, you said it.

“No you don’t.”

You weren’t prepared for that response. You expected him to laugh in your face, yell at you, maybe even kiss you and confess his feelings, but not that.

“You don’t know me.” You spat. “How dare you tell me how I feel?”

“I do know you, Y/n. I know you’re desperate for any form of attention. I know you think you love me because I give you just a sliver of that attention you desperately crave.” JJ’s voice got lower as he began to slowly walk towards you, not stopping until he was inches from your face. His hand came up and gripped your jaw, turning your face to make you look up at him.

“You literally mean nothing to me.”

You pushed him off of you, “You asshole.”

“Maybe. But at least I wasn’t stupid enough to fall for someone who hates me.”

If you weren’t angry before, you were now. You could feel white hot anger rising up in your chest as your fists began to clench and your muscles began to shake.

“If you hate me so much why do you fuck me like you’re in love with me?!” You nearly screamed in his face, while he showed absolutely no emotion. He stared at you for a long time,saying absolutely nothing, just breathing heavily and running a hand through his hair every 10 seconds.

You waited. You waited for what felt like forever for him to say something, anything. You just wanted to know what he was thinking, if he told you to fuck off, fine. If he told you he was in love with you but just didn’t want to admit it, fine. You just needed something from him.

“I think you need to leave.” He said finally, his eyes still not moving from his heavy gaze on you.

You nodded and quickly wiped a tear from your eye. “Gladly. Have a shitty life, asshole.”

You made sure to clip his shoulder with yours on the way out, and slam the door just like he had earlier in the night.

When you exited the chateau, the sun hadn’t even set yet, and the young drunk teens were still dancing and laughing. Your eyes found your friends, Kiara, Pope and John B. Pope’s arm was extended, holding a phone and snapping a selfie of the trio, all of them with the goofiest grins on their faces. You felt a pang in your chest watching them.

You weren’t planning on coming around anymore.

ahhhh.... part two??

#jj maybank #jj maybank x reader #jj maybank imagine #jj imagine #jj outer banks #outer banks imagine #jj maybank one shot #jj maybank blurb #jj maybank fanfiction #jj maybank fanfic #jj maybank fic #outer banks blurb #outer banks one shot #Outer Banks #obx #jj maybank angst #john b obx #pope obx #kiara carrera

[remuswriting]

online friend; m. atsumu

Summary: Create a Twitter thread about Naruto and volleyball, and Miya Atsumu is now your best friend.

Pairing: Miya Atsumu x Male! Reader

Warnings: Slight angst, but it’s like incredibly faint

Word Count: 2,150 words

Notes: This was meant to be a short hc, but here we are at lots of words.  It’s not the best, but Miya Atsumu is the loml at the moment.

Being online friends with Atsumu is different.

You guys met during your third years on Twitter when you made a thread of what positions Naruto characters would play in volleyball and immediately became friends once he messaged you.  He texts his accent and it makes you laugh every time you read it.  He says it’s so you can hear his accent, even though you beg for him to stop letting you ‘hear his accent.’

Neither of you know what the other looks like nor do you know each other’s names.  He told you to call him ‘Tsumu’ while he calls you ‘Captain’ since you��re the captain of your team.  He doesn’t believe you’re a guy until you send a video of you saying “Tsumu, shut the fuck up” (without your face in it) and he’s immediately asking if your high school is going to nationals.

You guys get close fast though and are talking to each other all the time.  Osamu tries to take Atsumu’s phone away from him all the time to get him to concentrate, and your friends do the same to you.  Atsumu has told Osamu about you, since he sucks at keeping secrets from him, but you haven’t told anyone about him.  You don’t think it’s any of their business.  He cries about it and you tell him to suck it up.

He’s the first person to learn about your school going to nationals.  It’s a bunch of incoherent all caps texts until one clear one that says, “GOING TO NATIONALS” and he starts freaking out with you.  Atsumu has no chill and immediately starts planning how you guys are going to meet.  He has meeting times and places while you’re just wanting him to calm down.  It’s just that he doesn’t know how to be calm when he’s so excited.

After a couple of days, you exchange phone numbers to make it easier for later.  Atsumu believes this is perfect because now you guys can call and know each other’s voices better.  You’ve never even heard his voice and he keeps wondering if you want to, because he wants to hear your voice again.  You tell him you don’t do phone calls and you’re not as active via text as you are Twitter DMs.  He gets sad, but you do explain it’ll be better to text at nationals because you’re not going to be getting on social media much.

Osamu doesn’t believe you exist.  He thinks Atsumu is texting himself from a burner phone or something, because who would actually want to be friends with his brother.  When he learns that you don’t know that Tsumu is actually Miya Atsumu, Osamu knows he has to watch you guys meet. (He was going to join anyways for safety reasons, but now it’s interesting.)

Somehow Atsumu finds out your prefecture before you find his and he’s already online looking for videos of Shirahama, Chiba Prefecture Qualifiers.  It’s easy to figure out who you are with that #1 on your jersey.  Your entire team is pretty solid, but you’re the best there.  You’re really good and it has Atsumu slightly worried, but he’d never say that.  You’re also really attractive and Atsumu will push away all these gay thoughts when you stop using the bottom of your jersey to wipe the sweat off your forehead.

He knows nothing about Chiba prefecture, so he starts googling all about it.  There’s a beach there, which also means there’s beach volleyball.  Atsumu had heard of people training on sand to get better on the court, but he didn’t believe in that shit.  You either get good on the court or you don’t at all.  If other people were right though, then maybe your team did a lot of beach volleyball?

You call him one night and sound like you’re on top of the world.  You just got your acceptance letter to the school of your dreams.  It’s overseas.  Atsumu can’t hear you anymore after you it’s overseas, in the United States.

It feels just like his brother all over again and he hasn’t even met you in person yet.

So, he hangs up and ignores your texts and calls.  He’s not sure if he can meet you now, because you’re going to leave eventually anyways.  Osamu finds out and hits him upside the head before telling him to stop being an overdramatic scrub and just talk to you.  Osamu lies and says it’s because Atsumu isn’t on top of his game and Osamu plans to win nationals, not lose because Atsumu is heartbroken for no reason.  Well, it’s not a big lie because that’s true but he also just cares about his brother.

In Atsumu fashion, he messages you “congrats” and then doesn’t answer your messages.  For some strange reason, he feels better, and Osamu takes it.

You don’t though.

You keep texting him and asking him what’s wrong with him.  Eventually you start calling and resort to calling him and Atsumu finally answers once you’ve blown up his phone.  You’re not normally like this, but you don’t tend to receive weird reactions like he had given you.

He tries to pretend you have the wrong number, and you think about murdering him when you guys meet.  You’ll definitely have the wrong number then.

“You don’t have to tell me why you’re upset with me, but you better tell me we’re still meeting at Nationals,” you said, and he makes a squeak on the other end. “You said you’ve been there before, so I expect a text about where and when we’re meeting the day before Nationals, which is in six days.”

“Okay,” Atsumu squeaked, and you laughed slightly.

“See you then Tsumu.”

You’re not really panicked about meeting him because it’s just Tsumu.  You guys have been talking for months and he just doesn’t freak you out.  Him randomly ghosting you was weird and concerned you more because you were worried about him.  You do have worries that maybe you’re not what he expects, but this may be more because you don’t have expectations outside of him being an absolute goof.

Atsumu on the other hand is freaking out.  He’s worried you’re going to hate him and think he’s ugly.  Osamu just watches, because there is no way to stop the train wreck of his brother’s anxiety.  When Atsumu is over practicing one day, clearly trying not to think about everything, Osamu doesn’t spike the next set.

“What’re ya doin’?” Atsumu yelled, and Osamu squinted at him.

“You’re in love with this guy aren’t ya?” Osamu asked, and Atsumu turned bright red.

“No!  Don’t be ridiculous ‘Samu!  Y/N is just a friend!” Atsumu yelled, and Osamu bit his lip.

“You know his real name, but he doesn’t know yours.” Osamu walks over to his water bottle. “You’re either in love with him or just really fuckin’ creepy to stalk him like that.”

Atsumu chucked the volleyball at Osamu, who easily dodged it.  The conversation ended with Osamu laughing and Atsumu panicking about another thing; was he in love with you?

He texts you to meet him during the lull in matches when everyone gets lunch.  It’s about a 30-minute break and he doubts Inarizaki will have a match after that time, and he hopes you don’t either.  He wants to eat and watch matches with you, so hopefully everything will work out for him.

Thankfully, they do.  You’ve gotten through the first round by then and so has he.  He even got to watch your team in action, and holy shit were you guys good.  You were a strong ass spiker, probably as strong as that guy from Karasuno last year with the bun.  Or maybe like Aran.  All Atsumu knew was that he wanted to block your spikes, his fingertips buzzing for it.

You show up at the spot he texted you about.  It’s outside and he thought it would be nice not to be surrounded by people.  There’s someone with you, but he can’t be mad because Osamu and Sun wouldn’t let him go by himself.

“Tsumu?” You asked, and your friend covered his mouth at the sight of Atsumu. “You’re Tsumu?”

Atsumu nervously laughed and nodded. “And yer captain.”

“Miya Atsumu is my online friend?” You asked, and your friend started laughing. “Are you kidding me?”

“Well, no,” Atsumu said, and he didn’t know what to say.

“Now it’s even creepier that you have all the magazine articles he’s been featured in,” your friend said between laughs, and you shoved him.

“Shut up, Akira,” you snapped, and your face turned red.

“Articles?” Atsumu asked, and now Osamu and Suna were laughing.

“Yeah, he’s obsessed with you,” Akira asked, and his laughing was finally starting to die down. “I can’t count the number of times he’s told Koichi to try to set like you do.”

“Akira, shut up,” you said, and you started trying to hide yourself in your jacket.

Atsumu smirked and immediately became cocky.  He was no longer panicked. “Is this true, Captain?”

“Maybe it is, Miya,” you said, and you looked over at him. “Or maybe it isn’t.”

Osamu howled laughing and Suna started recording, because everyone on Inarizaki needed to see this.

“No need to deny it.  Your friend already ratted ya out,” Atsumu said, and you rolled your eyes. “I know I’m irresistible.”

“I’ll admit, you’re good at volleyball, but whoever said you were irresistible?” You made your face visible now, but your face still felt hot. “I wouldn’t say that with that terrible bleach job you did to your hair.”

Atsumu started to deflate, but he held onto the face you said he was good at volleyball.  Maybe because he also thought you were good at volleyball.

“Well, if it’s so terrible, then why save articles with me in them?” Atsumu asked, and he felt like he stumped you.  He really showed you.

“Never said I didn’t like it,” you said, and he froze.  He could feel his face turning red and he didn’t expect you to be such a flirt.  Sure, sometimes you were kind of flirty, but he thought it was a friend thing.  Looking back, that mindset probably came from not having many friends.

“Well, yer hair isn’t bad either,” Atsumu retorted, and you chuckled.

“Thank you, I guess.  It’s pretty sweaty from that match earlier,” you said, and Atsumu remembered what you looked like when strong arms spiking volleyballs.  He suddenly felt hot all over. “I saw you guys play, and you’re good.  Hopefully that Karasuno team beats you again.  I want to go against Hinata Shoyo.”

“Yeah, he’s insane,” Akira said, and he stood up straight. “I’ve watched some of his matches from Miyagi, and he is something else on the court.”

“He’s crazier in person,” Osamu said, and Atsumu slowly felt like this wasn’t just you and him meeting, but everyone meeting everyone.

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet.  I’m L/N Y/N and this is Nakaya Akira.  We’re from Shirahama in the Chiba Prefecture.”

Osamu nodded and pointed at Atsumu. “Yeah, the scrub figured it out already.”

You looked at Atsumu with a smirk. “Guess I’m not the only one who’s obsessed.” Your watch beeped and you looked down at it before sighing. “Sorry, coach said we had to be back at the front by 13:25.  We’re heading back to our hotel to eat.”

Atsumu felt panic rise up in his chest, because he didn’t want this to be the end.  He wanted to hang out just a little bit longer.

“Are ya goin’ to come back?” Atsumu asked, and you looked from Osamu to Atsumu.

“Are you going to miss me?” You asked, and Atsumu wasn’t going to answer that. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back to watch some matches and hopefully you and I can have some alone time.”

Gay panic.

This was what Atsumu had been experiencing and it finally clicked when you licked your lips before biting them.  His thoughts exploded with wanting to kiss you and maybe have you even do that to his lips.

“He’d love that,” Osamu said, and you nodded while Akira laughed.

“Alright, text me later, Miya,” you said, and Atsumu nodded while trying to hold back a scream.

Once you and Akira were gone, Osamu placed a hand on Atsumu’s shoulder.  Sun put up his phone and went to the other side of Atsumu.

“He’s pretty hot,” Suna said, and Osamu hummed in agreement. “I think I might try to get with him.”

“No!” Atsumu screamed, and Suna suppressed a laugh. “I saw him first!”

Osamu laughed and looked at Atsumu. “Good to know ya accepted yer in love with him.”

“How could anyone not be in love with him?” Atsumu asked, and he looked at Osamu with serious eyes. “Did ya not see how good he is at volleyball?”

Atsumu is still 100% a volleyball idiot. 

Tag List: @chaoswrites​

#haikyuu!! #Miya Atsumu #miya atsumu x reader #miya atsumu x male reader #miya osamu #haikyuu x reader hc #haikyuu x male reader #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu male reader

[groovesnjams]

“Western Wind” by Carly Rae Jepsen

DV:

On one hand I don’t want to neglect the sort of careful close reading and unpacking that a new song from Carly Rae Jepsen warrants, but on the other hand I’m absolutely fascinated by the context in which “Western Wind” exists. Here’s the thing: every lead single Carly’s released for literally a decade now has been a transparently-label-driven attempt to recapture “Call Me Maybe”: “I Really Like You”, “Party for One”, arguably even “Cut to the Feeling.” They’ve all been very good songs, on albums filled with great ones. In that oeuvre, “Western Wind” is a complete outlier: it sounds like absolutely nothing Carly’s released before, makes no attempt to mimic her breakthrough hit, and perhaps most importantly it’s a tremendous departure from her previous work - singles or otherwise.

“Western Wind” takes its time; it builds; it feels spacious and lush. Some of that may be due to co-writer/producer Rostam, but compare this to “Warm Blood”, their previous collaboration: in 2015 their collaboration was intensely anxious and obsessive. The change feels like Carly’s. She’s spent her entire career as the embodiment of too much-ness, as urgent and undeniable excess bottled up and exploding in ways that are violently overwhelming. She cuts or she hijacks you or she crushes your heart . Carly Rae Jepsen has long been driven by the visceral, in the most literal sense: “Western Wind” is interested in different kinds of pleasure. “We were pressed into the/ Love, we were pressed into the breeze up on the mountain” is an elision that suggests bliss - rather than the violence it might have in the past. Just as significantly, the song makes room for a short guitar solo, a form of structural decadence we’ve never heard Carly indulge before. Here, she’s no longer overwhelmed and uncontrolled; here, she has time. Even when singing about heartbreak, even throwing a “golden arrow”, incongruous and full of symbolism, into the mix (She’s still the same Carly, only now she’s different.) The question that remains is, will “Western Wind” be a signpost to the rest of the CRJ5, or is it an inverted version of the misleading lead singles she’s dropped in the past?

MG:

I’m so glad DV mentioned the guitar solo first, because, of course, for me that’s what stood out most and immediately about “Western Wind.” It’s not just short, but also delicate and full of light, mirroring the song’s structure in miniature. In its seemingly off the cuff simplicity, the solo sounds like catching a glimpse of the sun reflected off the surface of a lake at mid-afternoon. The notes bounce and sparkle and I’m so starved for luscious guitar work that it’s enough to make me forget that California is a desert.

It reminds me of something -- and I hope everyone is ready to hear the stomach-curdling thing I’m about to say -- it reminds me of The Joshua Tree, U2′s naturalist look at America with production helmed by Canada’s Daniel Lanois. Lanois is behind all beautiful bent and broken guitar sounds necessary to offset Bono’s chest puffing, but both are integral and essential to capturing what’s so thrilling about the west coast. On “Western Wind” we’re treated to Canada’s Carly Rae Jepsen and East Coaster Rostam conjuring a very intimate, specific utopia. Sure, we’d all like to divorce the wildfires and rising sea levels from our image of California. We’d all like to see the state from the shade of the redwood trees to the tops of ragged, immovable mountains, to inlet beaches covered in purple sand. In these ways, “Western Wind” captures a shared cultural imagination of a world free from peril, a place where we can bask in natural beauty and feel peace, maybe for the first time. But “Western Wind” is also a uniquely shared fever dream, one that accommodates Jepsen’s throaty voice instead of juxtaposing it against bright colors and racing pulses. And as much as “Western Wind” provides Carly with a space to exhale fully, it’s also Rostam’s best work yet. The degrees of tinker between “Western Wind” and his previous high heights like “In a River” and Haim’s “Gasoline” are infinitesimally small but too profound to enumerate. Just listen! This song is warm like water in July. Rostam needed a body of water bigger than a river and a warmth cooler than fire; Carly needed the same. Together they sound freer and looser than I thought possible.

#western wind #carly rae jepsen #music #a very long one